Georgia Rep. John Lewis Jumps Clinton Ship for Obama
WASHINGTON — Civil rights leader John Lewis has dropped his support for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential bid in favor of Barack Obama.
Lewis, a Democratic congressman from Atlanta, is the most prominent black leader to defect from Clinton’s campaign in the face of near-majority black support for Obama in recent voting. He also is a superdelegate who gets a vote at this summer’s national convention in Denver.
“After taking some time for serious reflection on this issue, I have decided that when I cast my vote as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention, it is my duty as a representative of the 5th Congressional District to express the will of the people,” Lewis said in a statement. “As a U.S. representative, it is my role not to try to subdue or suppress the will of the people, but to help it prosper and grow.”
Lewis’ constituents supported Obama roughly 3-to-1 in Georgia’s Feb. 5 primary. His endorsement had been a coveted prize among the Democratic candidates thanks to his standing as one of the last major civil rights leaders of the 1960s.
Lewis said he had tried to contact former President Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
“I think the candidacy of Senator Obama represents the beginning of a new movement in American political history that began in the hearts and minds of the people of this nation,” he said. “And I want to be on the side of the people, on the side of the spirit of history.”
Lewis’ announcement comes on the same day as another superdelegate, Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, endorsed Obama, citing the presidential hopeful’s record on trade.
The Obama campaign also said more than 1 million people have contributed to the campaign — a threshold crossed on Wednesday. Many donors have given $25 or $50, he said. The average donation is a little more than $100.
“We have funded this campaign at the grassroots level,” campaign manager David Plouffe told reporters on a conference call. “It’s really built on the backs of the American people who are getting involved in this campaign. Most of the people giving us money are also volunteering.”
Dorgan said Obama has supported key trade issues. “He and I feel the same way. We both believe in trade and plenty of it. We just insist it that it be fair to our country — the rules be fair.”
NAFTA, the free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, is unpopular with blue-collar workers whose votes are critical in the Democratic primary Tuesday in Ohio.
Obama has won 11 straight primaries and caucuses since Super Tuesday, increased his advantage in the all-important delegate count and has attracted the support of his congressional colleagues. On Tuesday, he secured the endorsement of one-time presidential candidate Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut.
Clinton has been endorsed by 13 of her Senate colleagues, Obama 10.
Dorgan was an ally of former President Clinton and a vocal critic of President Bush. As chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, he has led hearings on government accountability issues related to the Iraq war and hurricanes on the Gulf Coast.
Dorgan has built a reputation for championing populist farm programs, criticizing Republican free-trade policies and assailing big business. He made headlines in 2005 when he called for a windfall profits tax on major oil companies.
Last year, he authored a measured to block funding of a Department of Transportation pilot program required under NAFTA that would have opened the U.S. to cross-border long-haul Mexican tractor trailers. The program was opposed by the Teamsters Union, among others.
The top donor to Sen. Hillary Clinton’s 2000 campaign has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission asking the agency to re-open an investigation into illegal contributions and to probe alleged continuing violations of the law by the Democratic presidential candidate. The complaint by business mogul Peter Franklin Paul also asserts the Clinton campaign’s 2005 conciliation agreement with the FEC – in which a finance aide was fined $35,000 – effectively let Clinton and other top aides off the hook.
The new documentary film “Indicting Hillary” shows Hillary Clinton’s role in the campaign fraud that elected her to the Senate. It combines explosive home video taken by Peter Paul with key interviews to show why Hillary Clinton is unfit to lead America.
Hillary Clinton became the first first lady to testify before a grand jury when she was subpeonaed by the Whitewater grand jury.
Took a $100,000 bribe, camouflaged as futures trades, from Tyson Foods Inc. At issue was a $100,000 windfall from cattle futures after a $1,000 investment.
Speculated in Health Care industry futures while overseeing legislative reform of same.
Failed to correct false testimony by co-defendant Ira Magaziner in Health Care trial.
Ordered members of the Health Care Task Force to shred documents that were the target of a court probe.
Obstructed justice by ordering the shredding of Vince Foster’s documents in the Rose Law Firm.
In 1996, Hillary was accused by the Senate Special Whitewater Committee of ordering the removal of potentially damaging files related to Whitewater from Foster’s office on the night of his death and telling aides to lie about their removal. Of course, Hillary denied everything.
Obstructed justice by keeping her billing records, a document sought under subpoena, in the White House residence.
Lied to investigators about her knowledge about billing records.
Lied to investigators about her involvement in the Castle Grande land flip con.
Ordered the use of the FBI to discredit Travel Office employees.
Lied to investigators about her involvement in the firing of Travel Office Employees. In May 1993, the co-president was accused of having a central hand in firing several long-time employees of the White House Travel Office, the better to give the pricey travel business to her Hollywood pals, Linda Bloodworth Thomason and Harry Thomason. Hillary denied everything and when Whitewater Independent Counsel Robert Ray investigated Travelgate, he concluded that there was substantial evidence that involved Hillary but not enough to warrant an indictment.
A Federal judge orders a trial on July 25, 1994 to determine if Hillary Clinton’s heath care task force illegally operated in secret.
The White House finally releases more than 2,000 documents on June 25, 1996, relating to the travel office firings, originally requested two years prior by congressional investigators.
This switch by Lewis is disheartening and makes me lose respect for him. If he were honest, he would tell you the reason he is switching is because of race and sexism. If Hillary were a man, Lewis would not change his endorsement. And, if Obama were white, Lewis would not change his endorsement. Sexism and race are the huge white elephants in the living room that the white male polictical pundits and reporters are afraid to name or maybe they don’t even get it. It is especially disheartening given that Lewis’ original support of Hillary was based in part on her long record of supporting and advancing civil rights. Sad, sad, sad…. . The very liberal democrats are afraid of being tagged with not supporting Barack, especially if he wins.
I love these people who come out with their endorsements after the momentum has become clear.
Coward!
The Clinton ship of state is leaking…and sinking.
This is no surprise, the inconsistencies observed in the Clinton campaign seem to be growing, while Obama has remained pretty uniform in his beliefs and policies.
I am so blessed to know that someone else have had conflicting thoughts concerning this election. I too had said that I was endorsing Hillary Clinton and it was because I knew nothing about Senator Obama but after the debates and the way he has carried himself, I am convinced that he can unite the American people and bring us together again. So he has no experience but that comes with the territory. None of us knew how to walk until we were taught. With people helping him and being constructive can do it and I am more assured of this now than ever before.Talking about experience,when you first get out of college and apply for a job, the first thing they ask is how much experience do you have. Well, duh, I just graduated and I am looking for a job so that I can get some experience. I am convinced that he will surround himself with knowledgeable people who will help him in areas where he needs it. Besides, Michelle is a very strong woman and she will be there morally.He has proven
he can work across party lines so there will be Senators/Representatives/Congressional leaders who will do what they have to do to see to it that this country is back where we need to be and see to it too that we are successful in making the change from “Washington as usual”. Thank you Rep. Lewis, not for “jumping ship” as they so put it, but for recognizing that Senator Obama is the change that we so need right now. May God bless you in your courage to do the right thing and for having the courage to make a stand.
His love and mine
Bettye Mondy Farmersville, Texas
The Obama train is starting to roll, get on board our get out of the way!
I am not surprised that the leaders in the democratic party are defecting Ms Clinton to support Mr. Obama. The voice of the people must now be heard, so that in November we are choosing the right individual to lead our country out of the condition the republic president has gotten us in from economics to forieng affairs. Converservatism gone wild under a republican leader. Shame on Mr Bush and all his cronies. Those who have gotten away with the raping of the middle-class as stated so elequently by Lou Dobbs.
Among others who jump shipped from Clinton to Obama before the race is over, is purely an unfair treatment to a fellow candidate in the Democratic Party. We call this favoritism in a company, where you cannot, do not and will not have the opportunity to be recognized and acknowledged because they tell you to walk out the door before you get to finish your job.
I consider this CORRUPT, DISLOYAL and DISCRIMINATORY.
Thanks to the Superdelegates, that have endorsed Barack today and throughout this process.
Ii is all Up-Hill for Hill now, down hill for bill