Obama Receives Endorsements From MoveOn.org And Edwards Supporters

[WillyT]

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Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The endorsements continue to come in for Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). On Friday, MoveOn.org, a non-profit liberal public policy advocacy group that has 3.2 million members nationwide and over 1.7 million members in Super Tuesday states, said it would back the first-term senator. California's Service Employees International Union, which previously endorsed former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, said the same thing.

MoveOn members said all Democratic hopefuls, including unelectables Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, had contributed to "the important debate has gripped our nation" but voted 70 percent to 30 percent to endorse Obama over rival Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY).

"Our members' endorsement of Senator Obama is a clear call for a new America at this critical moment in history. Seven years of the disastrous policies of the Bush Administration have left the country desperate for change," said Eli Pariser, MoveOn.org's Executive Director. "We need a President who will bring to bear the strong leadership and vision required to end the war in Iraq, provide health care to every American, deal with our climate crisis, and restore America's standing in the world."

"The enormity of the challenges require someone who knows how to inspire millions to get involved to change the direction of our country, and someone who will be willing to change business as usual in Washington," he added.

Obama welcomed the endorsement and praised the group for its "principled opposition to the Iraq war."

The 650,000-member Service Employees International Union of California has also endorsed Obama. It is the second union that previously supported Edwards to switch to Obama. The 200,000-member Transportation Workers Union is also planning to support the Democratic hopeful, according to NBC News.

"In light of Sen. John Edwards' departure from the race, United Healthcare Workers strongly supports Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination. We feel Obama is the best candidate for working families," said Sal Rosselli, president of one of the SEIU's member unions.

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Link: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009905179

:woohoo:

[WillyT]

1. Plus... Edwards' No. 1 supporter (In WA) turns to Obama

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OLYMPIA — The woman who chaired John Edwards' 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns in Washington state announced Friday she is now backing Sen. Barack Obama.

Jenny Durkan, a Seattle attorney, said she was disappointed that Edwards fared so poorly in other states and had to bow out of the race earlier this week. But she said she feels strongly that Obama is a better choice than Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"I truly believe the country needs a new direction and it needs it both on a political level and on a spiritual level," Durkan said. "We need someone who can appeal to our better angels ... and I think he's the person best equipped to do that."

Durkan said Obama has been more consistent than Clinton in opposing the Iraq war, a stance she said will be key in winning the general election. And, after nearly three decades of having a Bush or Clinton in the White House, Durkan said it's time for a change.

"We're not a country of dynasties," she said.

Durkan is a close political ally of Gov. Christine Gregoire, who plans to announce next week whom she is endorsing.

As the state's Feb. 9 precinct caucuses approach, the Obama and Clinton campaigns are both aggressively pursuing Edwards supporters and prominent Democratic leaders who remain uncommitted.

During a campaign swing through Washington on Friday, Sen. John Kerry — the party's presidential nominee in 2004 — met privately in Seattle with some of those people to try to persuade them to back Obama.

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Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004159817_obama02m.html

:woohoo: