Obama picks up Baron Hill support (Blue Dog Democrat)

[IndianaGreen]

Source: Indianapolis Star

Obama picks up Baron Hill support
By Mary Beth Schneider
Posted: April 30, 2008

U.S. Rep. Baron Hill is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president.

Hill's endorsement is important beyond his influence as a member of Congress. The 9th District Democrat is one of the superdelegates both candidates are courting. Earlier, U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, who recently won a special election to fill the seat left by his late grandmother, former U.S. Rep. Julia Carson, also endorsed Obama. But the other Democratic members of the U.S. House -- Reps. Peter Visclosky, Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth -- have not.

In a statement released by his office, Hill -- who will speak about his endorsement at an Obama rally tonight at Indiana University's Assembly Hall in Bloomington, said that he considers both Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to be "formidable candidates" but that Obama is the best able to move the nation past partisan gridlock.

<snip>

Hill cited Obama's denunciation of the comments made by Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, saying he was "pleased that Senator Obama clearly and unequivocally denounced Reverend Wright’s remarks. Hoosiers don’t feel that way about our country, I don’t feel that way about our country and Senator Obama made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t feel that way either."

And, he said, the controversy "showed me another aspect of Senator Obama’s leadership – a strength of character and commitment to our nation that transcends the personal. One of the tests of a true leader is his ability and willingness to come to a new conclusion based on new events. Senator Obama did just that yesterday."

Hill said that choosing between Obama and Clinton was difficult, but that he made the decision "after much discussion with the people of southern Indiana as well a mentors of mine such a Lee Hamilton."

From Obama's website:

Indiana Congressman Baron Hill Endorses Barack Obama for President
by Sam Graham-Felsen
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:28 AM

Indianapolis, IN — Indiana Congressman Baron Hill endorsed Barack Obama for President today, citing his strength of character and ability to change the tone of Washington:

"Some have advised me to be cautious, to wait and see which way the electoral winds may blow. I confess that I have listened to those voices and been tempted by their reasoning. But, the stakes are just too high. We cannot continue to pursue the same politics of personal destruction we have engaged in for a generation, some never-ending “groundhog day” endlessly playing out the cultural wars of forty years ago.

If we are going to develop real solutions for Hoosier families, for America’s families, we have to move past the partisan gridlock. I believe both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama want to do that and I believe both are formidable candidates. But, I also believe that only one of them truly can.

I am proud of Senator Obama’s call for change in Washington – change I have been advocating since I first sought public office. I am truly hopeful that his campaign and election will help unify our nation and ultimately change our politics. I am pleased that Senator Obama clearly and unequivocally denounced Reverend Wright’s remarks. Hoosiers don’t feel that way about our country, I don’t feel that way about our country and Senator Obama made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t feel that way either.

His comments regarding statements made by Reverend Wright showed me another aspect of Senator Obama’s leadership – a strength of character and commitment to our nation that transcends the personal. One of the tests of a true leader is his ability and willingness to come to a new conclusion based on new events. Senator Obama did just that yesterday.

<snip>

Congressman Baron Hill, a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, represents Indiana's 9th district and is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Hill is Senator Obama’s 246th Superdelegate endorsement. Senator Obama is now 286 delegates away from winning the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/inhome

Read more: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080430/NEWS0502/80430027

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So much for Evan Bayh begging Indiana superdelegates to NOT follow his lead in endorsing a candidate.

Baron Hill's district was impacted by NAFTA. Many plant closings! Hill had been a supporter of NAFTA, and he lost to a Republican that believes that T-Rex was aboard Noah's Ark. Hill regained his seat in 2006, an election that saw Indiana turned a hue of blue.

[izquierdista]

1. This isn't good

Makes him sound elitist to have the barons' backing. Hillary will not be pleased that royalty is shilling for him.

[graycem]

2. Awesome!

Has this one already been counted, or new for today? Know how many that makes today?

[Lautremont]

3. What are Blue Dog Democrats again?

Are those the kind of right-wing ones? I can never remember. Anyway, good news.

[paulk]

4. they are DINO's, pretty much

I guess the faithful will have to cut back on the daily trashing of the DLC, New Dem, 3rd Way, Blue Dog wing of the party now...

[UncleTomsEvilBrother]

5. I've always.....

....wondered what a DINO was. Care to tell me? :-)

[paulk]

6. it's an acronym for

Democrat In Name Only

it's what the left wing calls anyone to the right of Noam Chomsky...