by Mike Dorning
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) endorsed Barack Obama today, bringing another well-connected member of the party establishment to Obama's side.
Since Obama's 17-point victory in the Wisconsin primary capped a 10-state winning street and showed a broadening coalition including white working-class voters moving to his candidacy, a steady stream of party insiders has moved to Obama's camp. Earlier on Friday, the Obama campaign announced commitments of support from four other superdelegates.
In a statement released by the Obama campaign, Rockefeller praised the Illinois senator as "the most qualified person β Democrat or Republican β to lead our country in the face of enormous challenges β the very real threat of terrorism, economic uncertainty, and instability at home and abroad."
βThe indisputable fact is Barack Obama was right about Iraq when many of us were wrong, Rockefeller added. "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."
Like all Democratic members of Congress, Rockefeller is a superdelegate to the party nominating convention. The other superdelegates who endorsed Obama earlier in the day were: Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Brian Melendez, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Associate Chair Donna Cassutt, Democratic National Committee Member Renee Pfenning of North Dakota, and Texas state Rep. Yvonne Davis.





Comments
Hell yes. And in the wake of the "vote for Hillary or your children will die in their sleep" ad, well-timed.
Posted by: Deborah | February 29, 2008 3:41 PM
can anyone list the names of other texas superdelegates besides yvonne davis ?
is henry cisneros one of them ?
i know henry cisneros was pardoned by billary clinton after pleading guilty to lying under oath to the fbi while working in the clinton administration and now he campaigns for hil-LIAR-y in texas
i'd like to know how many of the many criminals that billary pardoned are now superdelegates
Posted by: tom | February 29, 2008 3:41 PM
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON is the right president for America.
What happened on 9/11 was very much real and lots of people were killed on our American Soil - Barack Hussein Obama will never change my mindset about 9/11. Barack Hussein Obama is bad for America. Barack Hussein Obama can't even tell the truth about his real name...what gives??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VOTE FOR AMERICA - VOTE -
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON -
PRESIDENT!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON is the right president for America!!
VOTE - "MY AMERICAN MAMA"
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON -
PRESIDENT!!!
Posted by: Blondshag | February 29, 2008 3:59 PM
GREAT VP CHOICE!! Obama/Rockefeller 08 !!
Posted by: Sam | February 29, 2008 4:16 PM
Of course Rockefeller endorsed Obama... you're not COOL unless you endorse Barack Obamama!!!
Posted by: Steve S | February 29, 2008 5:05 PM
I am sorely disappointed that Barack chose "Hussein" for his middle name. Why would he do that? He obviously has sympathies for foreigners. He might even believe that other countries have the right to self determination.
And Hillary Clinton - word is that's not even her real last name, it's "Rodman" or something. I hear she took her husband's name well after they got married - probably to cover up something in the past or hide from creditors.
Posted by: slats | February 29, 2008 5:10 PM
Why are the pro-Hillary folks so mean and nasty in their posts that keep smearing Senator Obama? He is a proven strong Christian husband, something that Bill Clinton was demonstrably not. He stays on the issues and avoids personal attacks and negative ads, and responds only to defend his record, while Hillary keeps playing the fear and smear old political game. Perhaps these pro-Hillary posters are simply modelling their comments on Hillary's model.
Posted by: shirl | February 29, 2008 5:14 PM
Every time a superdelegate endorses Obama there is a story done on it covered by the Swamp. If you relied on the Swamp alone for your news (God forbid) you would have the warped impression that Obama is leading in superdelegates. The most recent CNN estimate has it with Hillary up 236-185.
Posted by: Herbie H. | February 29, 2008 5:25 PM
As an ordinary citizen who cherishes democracy and justice and equality for all, I would like the primaries to be decided soon. The Democratic Party must move on immediately before McCain scores an unbeatable lead among the electorate for the November general election. Please, Texas, Ohio, Vermont AND Rhode Island, please do the right thing for our beloved republic, and turn the page for all of us. Please vote for Senator Obama, so beginning March 4th, we can move forward to winning the White House back from the dynastic machine grip of the Bushes and the Clintons.
Posted by: shirl | February 29, 2008 5:26 PM
I can't wait until John McCain/Bush has to debate the economy with Obama.
Not only does McCain know absolutely NOTHING about the tanking economy, he also doesn't have a clue as to how to fix it...and his solution for Iraq is to stay there for 100 Years...HAHAHAHA!
The Republic Party couldn't have picked a dumber nominee if they tried...oh yeah, scratch that, I forgot about the current Republican Commander Guy.
McCain vs Miss Teen South Caolina:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu-tg1kQ8dk
Posted by: John E | February 29, 2008 5:30 PM
Tom, you can find superdelegates (lists by state, who's committed to whom) here: www.politico.com/superdelegates/
Posted by: Deborah | February 29, 2008 5:52 PM
Those of you insisting on using Barack's middle name should also use Hillary's middle name. And no...it's not Rodham.
Posted by: Michelle | February 29, 2008 5:55 PM
Blond shag: it is people like you who prefer to conjure up fear and racial prejudice against a black candidate with an unfamiliar name for your own candidate's political gain that represent the disgust of this generation with the same old politics of division and fear. It is exactly that kind of politics that has propelled a man like Obama who represents such a change to where he is today.
Posted by: David | February 29, 2008 5:55 PM
This is big news! I must admit it, when one left winger endorses another inexperienced left winger who won't put his hand over his heart during the pledge.
American hero, John McCain must be worried about this news...who's going to endorse Obama next.... Mark Cuban?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | February 29, 2008 5:59 PM
How many of the criminals that billary clinton pardoned are now superdelegates who plan to vote for hilLIARy to pay the clintons back for the political favor ????
some of the people billary clinton pardoned are CONVICTED criminals ACTIVELY campaigning for HilLIARy in TEXAS
at THIS VERY MINUTE
CRIMINALS SUCH AS HENRY CISNEROS -
CLINTON PARDONED HENRY WHO PLEADED QUILTY TO LYING TO THE FBI WHILE UNDER OATH AND WHILE WORKING IN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION
Cisneros was just one among HUNDREDS of donors/friends that billary pardoned as a political favor
IN TEXAS,
HIL-LIAR-Y IS NOW PLAYING THE - "YOU OWE US BACK FOR A PRESIDENTIAL PARDON" CARD - RIGHT NOW !!!
HOW ABOUT ONE MORE DOUBLE STANDARD (FOR THE WEEKEND) - HENRY CISNEROS - WHO IS CAMPAIGNING SO LOUDLY FOR HIL-LIAR-Y AFTER BEING PARDONED BY BILLARY CLINTON HAS RECENTLY COME UNDER HEAVY CRITICISM FOR WORKING ON A MORTGAGE COMPANY BOARD THAT PEDDLED SUB-PRIME LOANS AND IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY WORKING FAMILIES LOSING THEIR HOMES .....
IN TEXAS !!!!!!!
THINK ABOUT THE FAMILIES LOSING THEIR HOMES THANKS TO CLINTON CRONIES WHO STILL OPENLY WORK FOR THE CLINTONS AND ARE KNOWN CRIMINALS PARDONED BY CLINTON
(FYI - THE SON OF HENRY B. GONZALES IS CHARLES - A U.S. CONGRESSMAN WHO SUPPORTS OBAMA -- AND CHARLIE GONZALES IS A FORMER JUDGE NOT A FORMER CRIMINAL AND HE SUPPORTS OBAMA EVEN THOUGH OBAMA DID NOT PARDON HIM LIKE BILLARY HAS HAD TO DO FOR HIS/HER CRONIES)
Posted by: tom | February 29, 2008 6:05 PM
you're not COOL unless you endorse Barack Obamama!!!
Posted by: Steve S
That's pretty much right on, Jack... er, I mean, Steve.
This is like high school and Barack is the "cool, skinny black kid" who knows "the deal."
Barack is in the tradition of The Rat Pack, without the cigarettes that were confiscated by the principal.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | February 29, 2008 6:05 PM
John McCain is becoming a figure of ridicule before our eyes. As gaffe prone as Romney. This whole thing is a joke. A man who is 'tongue-tied' and can't think on the spot. I wonder who that remind me of???
Watch him singing Bomb Bomb Iran.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2kyXN4ZVQg&e
Posted by: SonnyL. | February 29, 2008 6:12 PM
Not cool and proud of it. Last time such a huge screaming swooning mob decided to get in step with a new leader for change was in Nazi Germany.
Posted by: Mandalay | February 29, 2008 7:44 PM
I am sorely disappointed that Barack chose "Hussein" for his middle name. Why would he do that? He obviously has sympathies for foreigners. He might even believe that other countries have the right to self determination.
And Hillary Clinton - word is that's not even her real last name, it's "Rodman" or something. I hear she took her husband's name well after they got married - probably to cover up something in the past or hide from creditors.
Posted by: slats | February 29, 2008 5:10 PM
Hey SLats: when and where were you born? Was it this planet?
Posted by: Anonymous | February 29, 2008 7:49 PM
Hillary, please get over yourself. She cried in New Hampshire because only she can save the country. She said, "Shame on you.." like the Clintons are the moral beacon for the world. Now, if there's trouble in the world, its old Hillary to rescue? Twenty bucks says her, "solutions for America" include a batpole from the Oval Office to the White House situation room.
Posted by: Chris336 | February 29, 2008 11:09 PM
It's really really sad that Senator Clinton's irresponsible inter-party comments have trickled down to so many people who POST on these Forums.
Policy always starts "at thr top" and Senator Obama's true leadership qualities are quite apparent.in the civil replies from his supporters.
Screaming accusatory retoric is not needed in this campaign nor is it the way to improve foreign relations with either friend .... Or foe.
Posted by: dennis from Michigan | February 29, 2008 11:39 PM
It's great to know that racism and religious bigotry are alive and well in this country, with all the talk of candidates' middle names.
Posted by: KPO'M | March 1, 2008 12:50 AM
I hear AARP is going to endorse McCain.
Posted by: bill "hussein" r. | March 1, 2008 6:38 AM
YOU MIGHT BE AN IDIOT:-)
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary's than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. :-)
Best regards
jacksmith...
Posted by: jacksmith | March 1, 2008 8:20 AM
Jay Rockefeller is a smart guy. Obama 2008.
Posted by: Barack & Roll | March 1, 2008 9:43 AM
It is very disheartening to read that a number of people read something into Barack's middle name. He did not choose his name. This was the name given to him by his parents. One thing a lot of us are forgetting: Barack is as much "White" as he is "African-American": His mother, that nurtured him was a White female. His grandparents that raised him were White Kansans. So if you add this up, (half-white and half-black, born in America, raised by White Americans, talks like a White American; attended the best institutions of higher learning in America) cuturally speaking, he is more "white" than "colored". White America should be proud to recognize him as part of their own, instead of pushing him into a racial corner. It goes without saying, that one's culture (that which was ingrained in him from childhood) is a more significant than race.
You want to know why Barack is so popular with Whites? 1) He does not come from a legacy of slavery. His father was from Kenya. Thus, he has no "axe to grin". 2) As previously mentioned, he was raised in a "White" world with his caucasian grandparents. and 3) He was born and spent his childhood in Hawaii which hosts a multicultural diverse population, which makes him more globally conscious that we are all humanoids of the same species.
Why some would like to make him out to be a "Black" candidate is beyond my comprehension. The "Black" Americans could not identify with him at one point.
Senator O"Bama does not think of himself as a "Black" man. He thinks of himself as an American who, hopefully, will be the next president of the U.S. to represent all of us: his Caucasian ancestry, his African ancestry, his reared-in culturally diverse Hawaiian people, and the diverse groups of international peoples who have taken on American citizenship.
We Americans, because of the war in Irag and other matters, are now branded as the "ugly Americans" especially by leaders of the so-called non-white and also Europeans nations. It is my humble opinion that President O'Bama can bring us together. He has the appeal and also an impressive group of intellectually and politically savy advisors who head up his campaign.
Once President OBama is at the helm, trust me, we will all say, he has turned out to be a commander-in-chief par excellence. America needs Barack O'Bama at this point in time. I have dubbed him O'Bama to represent his Irish ancestry.
Posted by: Shirley | March 1, 2008 10:23 AM
in a commonwealth,we celebrates with people with thier own tradition,religious,culture barracks obama shows a commonwealth tradittion by wearing a somalia traditonal clothes likes other american president shares in culture of other nation,so this should not be a topics in political grudges by hillary cliton campaigh
Posted by: kolynton saheed lawal | March 1, 2008 10:23 AM
in a commonwealth,we celebrates with people with thier own tradition,religious,culture barracks obama shows a commonwealth tradittion by wearing a somalia traditonal clothes likes other american president shares in culture of other nation,so this should not be a topics in political grudges by hillary cliton campaign
Posted by: kolynton saheed lawal | March 1, 2008 10:23 AM
MR.OBAMA,
WE WANT TO MAKE A SONG ABOUT THE REX 84,
ILLUMINATI AND NEW WORLD ORDER THREAT. AND IF WE
WILL HAVE CHANGE,I JUST KNOW THIS WILL END. WHY
DO OUR COUNTRY LOVE DEMONIC THINGS. DOES IT MAKE
US LOOK TOUGH OR PUT FEAR IN OTHER COUNTRIES? WE
NEED THIS ISSUE EXPOSED IF ITS HIDDEN WHY? DONT
WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW? WE VOTE ON YOU AND PUT
OUR TRUST IN YOU.(THO GOD SAID...DO NOT PUT YOUR
TRUST IN MAN) BUT WE HAVE ANYWAY,AND WE CANT GET
THE TRUTH. THERE ARE CONCENTRATION CAMPS ALL OVER
THE U.S. TELL THE PEOPLE WHY IS THAT. AND WHY DOES
FEMA THREAT'IN OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES? WHY DO WE NEED
TO HAVE CHIPS TO MONITOR THE AMERICANS. THESE ARE
THINGS WE DO KNOW ABOUT,BUT FEAR TO ASK. BUT WE
WILL PUT IT IN OUR MUSIC TO CAUSE SOME AWARENESS.
Posted by: DINO MEUX | March 1, 2008 1:16 PM
Barack has never "hid" from his middle name, or anything else that has been claimed. He was very open about it, I don't know why everyone acts "So Suprised" to find out now. This was common knowledge long ago & was never hidden by him or his family.
The only reason ANYONE is getting upset about it is because it is being used as an OBVIOUS fear & smear tactic.
Also... he has never gone by his full name, so to call him his full name, 4 times in one sentence, is obviously not being used "just to address him".
Rodham is not her middle name either, so it is NOT "the same thing" as calling her "Hillary Rodham Clinton".
It would be the same as calling her "Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton" when that is clearly not what she goes by, you would have to be going out of your way to make a point.
Of course the intelligence chair endorsed Barack, he's the best candidate.
And, I am actually NOT a young OR dilusional person and I support Barack, and I happen to know MANY MANY other people from several different generations, who are neither young nor dilusional... and are extremely well educated, as am I.
Posted by: melania | March 1, 2008 1:20 PM
When is Sen. Clinton going to release her tax returns, as well as her White House papers detailing her work there? She blamed the White House during the debate, then they responded back the next day saying that the Clintons are stalling on the request for the papers.
What is she hiding?
I would want to know if I was considering voting for her.
But, thankfully, I am voting for Obama, who ALREADY released his tax returns a long time ago, which supports his open and transparent governing message.
America, lets continue to turn the page on the Clintons. We need a fresh start in this country and the world!
OBAMA 2008
Posted by: Robyn | March 1, 2008 2:52 PM
Cuba just got a 'new' (very experienced) Castro. Russia just got a 'new' Putin (Medvedev). The U.S. should fall into line now and get a 'new' Clinton?
Posted by: Pat Owens | March 2, 2008 7:29 PM
The Clintons are heartless and relentless. The real truth to Hillary's vote for the war is not her lack of judgment but her judging that she needed to appear war-like in order to be taken seriously as a potential commander-in-chief. Should there be a 3 a.m. wake-up call, it would be a militiary problem created by a fear-mongering, war-mongering POTUS like Hillary would be. Can we depend on a President who uses tears and fears to win a negative campaign againts another Democratic candidate? Can we trust a leader who is willing to tear down a speaker for a younger generation fo citizens? Should the Clinton dynasty win as they well might, it would mean the end of the resurgent Democratic Party and the start to a third party of independents. The first woman president of the US, should Hillary win, would be MRS CLINTON, the wife of a publicly disgraced sex-addicted President, who stayed with him to achieve her lust for power.
Posted by: shirl | March 2, 2008 10:01 PM