WASHINGTON, DC -- Former U.S. Congressman and 9/11 Commissioner Tim Roemer today endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his foreign policy judgment and his crossover appeal among independents and Republicans.
“Barack Obama has shown the right judgment and has the best plans to deal with the national security challenges facing America,” said Congressman Roemer. “He knows that 21st century threats can’t be met with conventional 20th century thinking. He rightly warned that Iraq would distract us from the fight in Afghanistan, and was focused on the threat from al Qaeda in Pakistan before it was in the headlines. His leadership and comprehensive approach to terrorism will carry out the full breadth of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, and restore America’s security and standing in the world.”
Congressman Roemer also noted that Obama is the Democrat with the most crossover appeal among independents and Republicans that is needed to win the White House and to build strong majorities in Congress. “Obama is the leader who can bring America together, and build a broad coalition of Democrats, independents and Republicans across blue states and red states. That’s how Democrats are going to win both the White House and Congress in November, and that’s how we can finally make progress on the huge challenges we face.”
“In a dangerous world, Tim Roemer’s principled and pragmatic leadership has made America safer,” said Senator Obama. “His work in Congress and on the 9/11 Commission has helped us understand the threat of terrorism, and his tenacious advocacy for the Commissions’ recommendations has helped us confront it. Whether he is standing up for a world-class education for our children, or working to combat the threats of the 21st century, Congressman Roemer knows how to bring people together behind common sense solutions. I am grateful for his support, and look forward to his counsel.”
Roemer represented the Third District of Indiana in Congress from 1991-2003. He was known for his efforts to make higher education more affordable, to strengthen public education, to enhance America’s intelligence community, and to balance the budget. Roemer was the key sponsor of legislation to establish the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the “9/11 Commission”), on which he then served. He is currently the President of the Center on National Policy in Washington, D.C.
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