For Obama And Clinton, Endorsements Won And Debated

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Democrats

Barack Obama has been piling up the endorsements lately: John Kerry, Nevada unions, and now, according to the Associated Press, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and two-time presidential candidate and former Colorado Democratic Senator Gary Hart.*

The formal announcement concerning Napolitano is expected to come this afternoon. Napolitano is in her second-term and is well known in Arizona, and could help Obama in nearby Nevada, where caucuses will be held Jan. 19. The AP reports the pair will appear together in Las Vegas this evening.

Hart, who ran for president in 1984 and 1988, called Obama "the embodiment of what is best about our nation." He said in a release that ``Senator Obama's personal history uniquely qualifies him to restore America's standing in the world.''

Democratic Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, meanwhile, is now weighing an endorsement – one that could factor heavily with both African-Americans and South Carolinians. The New York Times reports that Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American in Congress, had planned to remain neutral in the race but is now considering changing his mind over Hillary Clinton's comments on civil rights.

On Monday, Clinton said "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ... It took a president to get it done." She was trying to make a case for what she sees as the importance of her experience and competence compared to rival Barack Obama's uplifting rhetoric. Her advisors later said the comments did not capture her meaning.

"We have to be very, very careful about how we speak about that era in American politics," Clyburn, a longtime civil rights activist, told the Times. "It is one thing to run a campaign and be respectful of everyone's motives and actions, and it is something else to denigrate those. That bothered me a great deal."

South Carolina Democrats go to the polls on Jan. 26th, and African-American voters are expected to be a major factor. "His influence would be extraordinary if he should endorse somebody," South Carolina Democratic activist Don Fowler told the Times.

*This post has been updated with news of Hart's endorsement.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by tjr3nc January 13, 2008 9:00 PM EST: Edwards is a lawyer enough said, obama is muslim,when clinto was in the white house we were financially way better off,bush came in with cheney and friends and got rich off 911 look at all the revenue spent on fuel alone for their crusade,If the name clinton comes back to washington,it will surely repair the damages done financially and relations abroad.; Reply to this comment


by mceades January 13, 2008 7:47 PM EST: In the bipartisan battle of "experience" vs. "change," one thing seems clear: There is no shortage of experience in Washington. If Washington experience came in dozens, it would be a dime a dozen. Washington experience is what led us into the foreign and domestic mess we''re in today. What we are short of in Washington is fresh ideas and unifying vision. Put a president with these in the White House, and all that Washington experience can be put to work taking America in a new direction. This is why I support Barack Obama for president.; Reply to this comment


by realpatriot1 January 13, 2008 1:48 PM EST: giantrobot2,

A national sales tax would further dampen consumer spending and damage the economy and would not raise sufficient revenue to meet even the most basic needs of the government. Name one economist who doesn''t think it''s a crackpot and dangerous idea.; Reply to this comment


by giantrobot2 January 13, 2008 1:28 PM EST: Alert *** Alert *** Alert ***

McCain, Romney, Thompson, Guiliani, Paul = 2 years
Huckabee = Only 3 weeks

That''s how long it would take you to save up for a brand new 60^ LCD / Plasma Flat Screen TV with reclining chair and large cup holder for your nice cold beverage if they were President.

Huckabee is the ONLY one willing to scrap the IRS red tape and switch to the Fair tax. The Fair tax allows you to keep 100% of your paycheck, not 70% you keep of it now. If you make say $75,000 year then your paycheck rises by $325 per week and in ONLY 3 weeks you can buy that awesome 60" LCD / Plasma TV to watch your favorite TV shows (Super Bowl, World Series, World Championship, Indianpolis 500, Olympics, etc...)

If you do not mind flushing an extra $325 every week down the toliet, then go ahead and vote for McCain, Romney, Thompson, Guiliani and Paul want to keep the current tax system. That gives them far less pressure to be try to run a lean government.

The Fair Tax can ONLY happen if you and your friends and family vote for Huckabee. He is the ONLY presidentail candidate commiting to this for the American people. Would you rather flush $325 every week down the toliet or would you rather save that up in ONLY 3 weeks and get that brand new 60" LCD / Plasma high definition TV with recliner and cup holder! :)

Vote for McCain, Romney, Thompson, Guiliani and Paul if you want to become Poorer.

VOTE FOR HUCKABEE if you want to become Richer!!!; Reply to this comment


by g02342000 January 13, 2008 12:56 PM EST: John Edwards is the only one that will fight poverty and bring health care and education to the poor & middle class of America. The Edwards / Biden ticket would be the best Presidency for all America, anything less will be as bad as keeping Bush in office forever. America deserves honest men of integrity that will fight for all Americans. Edwards is a true patriot that can make America great, he has the substinance, determination, and will to fight greed, corruption and end the outsourcing of our jobs, His economic, education, health and welfare policies are now being copied by all the canidates. Edwards spoke out months and even years before the others. America needs to think about why are the "Washington Greed, Corruption, Large Corporations and Media" trying to make this a two candidate Democratic race? Edwards is the only one able to win the Presidency from the democratic side, and any republican that is nominated will beat Clinton and/or Obama. Only Edwards can fix Bush''s mistakes!; Reply to this comment


by emallove January 13, 2008 1:55 AM EST: Clinton all but forfeited South Carolina with her insult on Martin Luther King. However, it should not be surprising coming from the co-President of an impeached administration. Hillary has "found her voice", and it is - like her last voice - a disrespectful and arrogant one.; Reply to this comment


by croft777 January 12, 2008 9:38 PM EST: It amazes me that the media does not see what they are actually doing.By insulting Clinton and playing Obama up to be some kind of superman they are actually causing more good to Clinton then to Obama. There are many people who are fed up with it, and for that reason Clinton will win.; Reply to this comment


by croft777 January 12, 2008 9:28 PM EST: The Media is very Bias!; Reply to this comment


by giantrobot2 January 12, 2008 3:04 PM EST: ALERT! *** ALERT! *** ALERT!

$75,000 = $375 per week / $19,500yr
$50,000 = $250 per week / $13,000yr
$35,000 = $175 per week / $9,100yr
$25,000 = $125 per week / $6,500yr

Yrly salary left = Savings right

Vote for HUCKABEE and get richer with the "Fair tax" law he will implement. He is the ONLY candidate committed to doing this for all Americans.

Vote HUCKABEE and become RICHER! :); Reply to this comment


by maris01 January 12, 2008 4:15 AM EST: What is a shame here is that politicians endorsing cadidates takes away the power of the people, who do not have the time to research their cadidates, to make independent decisions. I for one am not swayed by any politician''s endorsement, because I have done my homework and Hillary is the MOST QUALIFIED and TALENTED candidate to lead our country in the right direction.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON OUR 44th PRESIDENT!!!; Reply to this comment