Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) Endorses Barack Obama

[MadBadger]

MSNBC

[TexasLady]

1. nice!

[Drunken Irishman]

2. Yup, just heard. Very nice.

[Scurrilous]

3. Great news!

:thumbsup:

[Alhena]

4. That is huge- the Democratic establishment is giving Hillary a hint

[thoughtcrime1984]

5. Ba- Rockefeller!!

Good news!

[easy_b94]

12. Ba- Rockefeller HA!

[MadBadger]

6. Apparently he is down less than 50 in SD's I believe.

[NDambi]

10. Bloomberg and Richardson are next....

[DJ13]

16. Bloomberg and Richardson are next....

I thought Bloomberg is now a registered Republican?

[NDambi]

22. He leans more independent so I wouldn't be surprised if he endorses Obama...been some hints this wee

[K Gardner]

23. He's an Independent, I think. Regardless, reports are that he will endorse a dem very soon.

[NDambi]

26. bingo

[Renew Deal]

31. He's an indie, but he's not a SD

[catgirl]

38. He's an Independent now

and I think he'll endorse Obama.

[jefferson_dem]

15. That would give Hillary an ever-dwindling 46 SD advantage, according to NBC.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/29/716368.aspx#comments

[jenmito]

19. It's down to 48 now!

And falling!

[book_worm]

7. At this point which Senator has the most support among their collegues? Obama or Clinton?

[Renew Deal]

8. Cool. 5 SD's today

That I know of.

[jenmito]

24. 4 others just TODAY? Who are they?

[Renew Deal]

34. Here you go

The campaign releases four low-profile superdelegate endorsements today:

Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez
Minnesota DFL Associate Chair Donna Cassutt
DNC Member Renee Pfenning (North Dakota)
Texas State Rep. Yvonne Davis

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/Four_more_supers_for_Obama.html

[jenmito]

42. Thanks!

:hi:

[blocker]

9. is he a super delegate?

is he a super delegate?

[Adelante]

17. Yes, he is nt

[jenmito]

21. All members of Congress are. n/t

[NJSecularist]

11. Very good news!

Thanks Jay.

[bigbrother05]

13. That's a good one, there all good ones

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[Metta]

14. I'm surprised. He's been a traitor to democracy since Tigh was a pup.

As evidenced by his recent showing against several pieces of legislation that would have made life easier for us in the majority.

[cali]

18. so Senator Telecom Immunity Sellout endorsed Obama;

I just can't get excited about this one.

[Adelante]

20. Except he's an SD

Otherwise, meh.

[Inuca]

29. There are many SDs

but only one of them heads the Senate Intelligence Committee.

[Adelante]

46. Good point nt

[Inuca]

28. Not a huge fan either, BUT

think of his position in the Senate and the implications of such an endorsement. So yes, I think it is a great addition to the pool of establishment politicians that have endorsed Obama.

[Drunken Irishman]

32. At one point every senator on the Democratic side -- whether we like 'em or not -- will endorse O.

[cali]

39. I know, I know. You're right, but

I have a thing about Rockefeller. I was very pleased that my Senator, Leahy endorsed him and endorsed him fairly early.

[Drunken Irishman]

41. I understand.

But if it gets us one step closer to the nomination, I'll take it. :D

[BigDaddy44]

25. Drip Drip Drip

[grantcart]

27. great

[Warren Stupidity]

30. Ugh.

[MoJoWorkin]

33. Yes!! n/t

[TwilightGardener]

35. Jay ain't my favorite, but most of the public doesn't pay attention

to the stuff that we do--I'll take it! Thanks, Jay.

[City Lights]

36. Yay!

:bounce: This is most excellent news!

[theboss]

37. Jay Rockefeller is to this day the only US Senator to ever mention me in a speech

So...you know...he's my boy.

[Avalux]

40. Great Endorsement!

:applause:

[Hope And Change]

43. Senator Jay Rockefeller Endorses Obama

Senator Jay Rockefeller Endorses Obama


By Sam Graham-Felsen - Feb 29th, 2008 at 2:46 pm EST

CHICAGO, IL – Today, Senator Jay Rockefeller, the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, endorsed Barack Obama for president, citing his judgment on the Iraq war and national security issues, and calling him the right candidate to lead our country during a time of instability at home and abroad.

Senator Rockefeller said, “Today, I’m proud to lend my support and strong endorsement to Barack Obama and his candidacy for President of the United States. Barack Obama is the most qualified person – Democrat or Republican – to lead our country in the face of enormous challenges – the very real threat of terrorism, economic uncertainty, and instability at home and abroad.

“As Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I am all too aware that the threats we face are unconventional. They are sophisticated. They are constantly changing and adapting. And they are very serious. What matters most in the Oval Office is sound judgment and decisive action. It’s about getting it right on crucial national security questions the first time – and every time.

“The indisputable fact is Barack Obama was right about Iraq when many of us were wrong. It was a tough call and the single greatest national security question, and mistake, of our time. Today, we remain a country at war, and countless mistakes over the last six and a half years have made us less safe. The stakes have never been higher, and that is why we must take a stand.

“I am not just supporting Barack Obama because of his strength on national security. I am equally proud of his commitment to rebuild America – so that we’re a country of equality and prosperity – where no segment of society is left behind. I know Barack Obama will fight and win the battle for health care, good paying jobs, and energy security.

“Barack Obama is a uniquely gifted, brilliant and strategic thinker, who genuinely understands the hopes and desires of the American people. There is nothing sheltered about his life; he’s always had to work hard, and he’s always fought to make his community and his country better.

“A leader like Barack Obama just doesn’t come along very often, and as voters who care passionately about the future of our country, we cannot afford to squander this opportunity.”

Senator Obama said, “Senator Rockefeller’s leadership in the Senate has strengthened our national security and advanced economic opportunity, and I am honored to have his support. Nobody understands the unconventional threats of the 21st century better than Jay Rockefeller, and I look forward to partnering with him as President to strengthen our intelligence community and protect our homeland. Together, we will work to reclaim the American Dream for working families at home, and to restore our security and standing abroad.”

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGgC25

[Adelante]

47. That is exquisite

I guess I'll stop being mad at him a little bit just for that beautifully composed endorsement.

[Araxen]

44. Yay!

Yes We can!!

[jackson_dem]

45. Rockefeller voted for the IWR and was the head of the intelligence committe

Rockefeller: On October 10, 2002, he said that "There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years... The global community -- in the form of the United Nations -- has declared repeatedly, through multiple resolutions, that the frightening prospect of a nuclear-armed Saddam cannot come to pass. But the U.N. has been unable to enforce those resolutions. We must eliminate that threat now, before it is too late... Saddam Hussein represents a grave threat to the United States, and I have concluded we must use force to deal with him if all other means fail."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Rockefeller#Senate_Committee_Assignments

Obama can't have it both ways by citing the IWR as a basis for why he should be elected and then keep getting in bed with those who voted for it. Rockefeller is especially significant. You can't claim Hill was naively duped and then get in bed with Rockefeller.

[FrenchieCat]

49. Rockefeller was not head of the Intelligence Committee in 2002.....

it was Sen. Bob Graham of Florida who was (from 2001-2003).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Graham

Bob Graham voted AGAINST the IWR.

I believe Graham bothered to read the NIE that was classified.

[hogwyld]

48. Move over Hillary

There's a train comin' through.