February 04, 2008
Shifting Loyalties: Obama Winning Big Edwards Backers
John Edwards may not have endorsed one of his former rivals yet, but in the five days since he dropped out, his backers have so far made it clear who they're throwing their weight behind.
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 [Edwards] 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.)
Clinton's JRE gets -- as provided by her campaign -- after the jump.
(NBC/NJ's TRICIA MILLER)
Per the Clinton campaign:
DNC members (Superdelegates) Sarah Swisher (IA), Diane Saxe (MA) and Elisa Parker (NC).
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.
Posted at 12:57 PM
Comments
I am an Edwards' supporter, and I certainly NOT supporting Obama.
First, his Health care program is worthless!
I know how important this issue was to John Edwards and cannot comprehend how anyone who supported John could vote for Obama.
Obama's health care program is unworkable Read the experts who have scrutinized it.
Obama has gone without scrutiny, and as I can see this continues to be.
Health Care is only one of many issue that prevent me from voting for Obama.
Those to whom change is viewed in racial terms do not want to address anything of substance and importance to the American people. I, for one, don't care to have the first black or first woman president; I want the best president for this time in history.
A neophyte? For president of the most powerful countries in the world; a man who came to power aided and promoted by Tony Rezko? Please!
Oprah? She can help you with your marriage, or to lose weight..
Where is America's brain gone to?
The Republican will subject Obama to the scrutiny the Democrats have not. We will have a Republican president.
Obama is far from being "sine culpa".
inessa8 | 02.04.08 04:06 PM
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Umm, the only difference (other than other minor ones) between Obama's and Edward's health plans was that Edward's would force people to get health care while Obama's wouldn't. Now we can debate the finer points of mandates v. free choice all day, but to say "worthless" when they are 95% identical is a little silly in my opinion.
Lance | 02.04.08 04:54 PM
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As a New Hampshirite, I know plenty of fervent Edwards supporters. Thus far, I have seen zero movement to Clinton, and plenty to Obama.
NH Dem | 02.04.08 05:11 PM
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Obama supporters will see lots of movement should he be elected President...movement to the unemployment line or next food kitchen! I'm convinced he will ruin the nation. But, he'll have a pretty speech to recite while the nation is starving!
treborjant | 02.05.08 04:16 AM
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Obama supporters will see lots of movement should he be elected President...movement to the unemployment line or next food kitchen! I'm convinced he will ruin the nation. But, he'll have a pretty speech to recite while the nation is starving!
treborjant | 02.05.08 04:16 AM
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How exactly has "Mudcat" Saunders been personally "devastated" by the trade policies of the Clintons? I don't even support Sen. Clinton and I still find that statement to be ridiculous.
BNP74 | 02.05.08 12:13 PM
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How exactly has "Mudcat" Saunders been personally "devastated" by the trade policies of the Clintons? I don't even support Sen. Clinton and I still find that statement to be ridiculous.
BNP74 | 02.05.08 12:20 PM
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SuperDelegates are Criminal !
Stop SuperDelegates NOW !
PulSamsara | 02.07.08 12:54 AM
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