Shifting Loyalties: Obama Winning Big Edwards Backers

[RedEarth]

Since Edwards suspended his campaign in New Orleans on Wednesday afternoon, several of his mainstay campaigners have endorsed Barack Obama. While Hillary Clinton has gained the support of some of Edwards' local elected officials and activists, she hasn't won over any big names. A telling switch came yesterday from feminist Kate Michelman, whose announcement post did not even acknowledge the one woman in the race.

Other weighty switches to Obama from Edwards came from the California chapter of the Service Employees International Union, which has 600,000 members, and the Transport Workers Union, with 200,000 members across the country. On the day Edwards left the race, his outspoken rural adviser told MSNBC he would work against Clinton.

"I can say this, you know, that being a Southerner, being an American who has been completely devastated by the trade policies of the Clintons, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that does not endorse Hillary Clinton," Dave "Mudcat" Saunders said.

NC Rep. G.K. Butterfield defected from Edwards to Obama on Jan. 11, and AZ Rep. Raul Grijalva, whose district is half Hispanic, switched to Obama the day before Edwards conceded the race. MN Rep. Jim Oberstar, who the Star-Tribune referred to as the dean of Minnesota's congressional delegation, got on the Obama bandwagon on Feb. 1. (Both Arizona and Minnesota are Feb. 5 states, while North Carolina votes on May 6.)




http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/02/shifting_loyalt.html

[Alamom]

1. And these go with Hillary.....(Superdelegates) Sarah Swisher (IA), Diane Saxe (MA) and Elisa P.Also

In California: Lynn Hilfenhaus, Chair of the CA DEMS women's caucus and Senator Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro)

In New Jersey: New Jersey State Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, State Senator Joe Vitale and former John Edwards state coordinator Mike Beeson announced their endorsement of Hillary Clinton today. All three had previously endorsed John Edwards in both 2004 and 2008.

In Tennessee: State Democratic Executive Committee Member Don Farmer, and Democratic activists Warren Gooch of Oak Ridge, Ashish Patel of Nashville and Norma Lester of Memphis.

In Colorado: Al Becco, head of the steelworkers retirees in Pueblo. Mesa County Party Chair Mary Beth Pyle made the announcement publicly at yesterday's meeting.

In Missouri: Former Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell, Mexico, MO, State Representative Ed Wildberger, Minority Caucus Chair, St. Joseph, MO; State Representative Connie Johnson, Minority Whip, St. Louis, MO; State Representative Gina Walsh, St. Louis, MO; Julie Gibson, former Chief of Staff to Governor Bob Holden, Columbia, MO; State Representative Terry Young, Kansas City, MO.



http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/02/shifting_loyalt.html

[durtee librul]

4. Obviously you haven't been affcted by the big sucking sound of

Nafta...I agree with the original post about losing jobs....and yes, I KNOW chimpy cost a lot as well, but the door was already open for him. The one thing I cannot forgive Bill for....and Carter for giving away the Panama Canal.

[Infinite Hope]

2. I know of others in Minnesota that will go from Edwards to Obama, but haven't announced yet. n/t

[lyonn]

3. It was Mudcat Saunders' article someone posted on this site

that was impressive in how he explained why he was backing Edwards. So the day Edwards announced he was out I hear Mudcat on cable saying what you posted. He wasn't snarly, just blunt.