Where Does John Lewis Stand?

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Democrats

There has been quite a bit of confusion over whether or not U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a highly respected civil rights leader, has shifted his support from Hillary Clinton, whom he had long backed, to Barack Obama.

The New York Times ran a front-page is not accurate." The Washington Post has a similar report in which a Lewis spokesperson says he "has left the option of changing his superdelegate support for Clinton on the table, but made no decisions."

Why are people so concerned with Lewis' opinion? It has a lot to do with Obama's recent emergence as Democratic front-runner. The Democratic establishment still largely backs the formerly "inevitable" first lady, but with Obama's recent run that support is shaky.

There is a sense that the defection of the enormously well-respected Lewis could open the door for other Democrats to switch sides as well. And in a race that could come down to the opinions of the superdelegates, a group largely comprised of party insiders, such a shift could decide the nomination.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by samrlim February 16, 2008 7:13 PM EST: ATTENTION:Democratic Congressman and civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis - What happened to your WORD OF HONOR ?

ENDORSERS DON''T REALLY AFFECT THE VOTERS DECISION.

FULL PROOF THAT ENDORSER DON''T RELLY WORK:

1. THE BIG SHOTS: OPRAH WINFREY, CAROLINE KENNEDY, MARIA SHRIVER - FIRST LADY OF L.A. ENDORSES OBAMA HAS A BIG EVENT IN LOS ANGELES ATTENDED BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE -GUESS WHAT WHO WON LOS ANGELES?
ITS SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON - AGAINST ALL ODDS.

2. SENATOR TED KENNEDY, SENATOR JOHN KERRY, PATRICK KENNEDY, CAROLINE KENNEDY AND SOME KENNEDY%u2018S - ENDORSES OBAMA. GUESS WHAT WHO WON MASSACHUSETTS? ITS SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON - AGAINST ALL ODDS.

3. GOVERNOR BILL BRADLEY ENDORSES OBAMAGUESS WHAT WHO WON IN NEW JERSEY? ITS SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON - AGAINST ALL ODDS.

THE MORAL LESSON & AS THE SAYING GOES:

%u201CI RATHER KEEP MY WORDS THAN LOSE MY HONOR. ITS MUCH BETTER NOT TO ENDORSE ANYONE AND BE NEUTRAL IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT IT.%u201D; Reply to this comment


by shesourprez February 16, 2008 2:46 AM EST: If Sen. Lewis, whom I have admired for years wavers away from Hillary, theb he has forgotten that Hillary was down south in heryears registering people to vote and was out there long befor Obama come along. Hillary needs to be the candidate.; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 February 15, 2008 11:20 PM EST: John Lewis thinks he as a black man should turn on his friend Hillary but thats okay he said his state went for obama, and we will see what he does if Hillary wins the campaign. The convention is in August and the press is putting the squeeze on all these delegates to change and vote for Obama well Kerry and Kennedy senators of a state that was won by Hillary should change there vote and vote for Hillary HUH; Reply to this comment


by l00ker February 15, 2008 7:54 PM EST: Why is John Lewis even speaking to the media about this? Does he have a hard time knowing what his convictions are? Did Obama just send him a huge sum of money. Is he a superdelegate prostitute? I sure hope he uses integrity as his compass.

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Posted by greenfun at 04:49 PM : Feb 15, 2008

Enough with the kvetching already, eh bubala? So make the smart move, vote Obama.; Reply to this comment


by greenfun February 15, 2008 7:49 PM EST: Why is John Lewis even speaking to the media about this? Does he have a hard time knowing what his convictions are? Did Obama just send him a huge sum of money. Is he a superdelegate prostitute? I sure hope he uses integrity as his compass.; Reply to this comment


by l00ker February 15, 2008 7:02 PM EST: Blather is not leadership.
Obama is 99% blather.
The same o blather is getting old already.

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Posted by hhkeller at 03:09 PM : Feb 15, 2008

Then Clinton must be 100% then, old indeed.; Reply to this comment


by l00ker February 15, 2008 7:02 PM EST: Blather is not leadership.
Obama is 99% blather.
The same o blather is getting old already.

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Posted by hhkeller at 03:09 PM : Feb 15, 2008

Then Clinton must be 100% then, old indeed.; Reply to this comment


by hhkeller February 15, 2008 6:09 PM EST: Blather is not leadership.
Obama is 99% blather.
The same o blather is getting old already.; Reply to this comment


by mgoriganti-2009 February 15, 2008 6:06 PM EST: Well ! men or women of this country are not that dumb. They make their choices based on what is best for the country rather than fimanist zeel.; Reply to this comment


by jedi08 February 15, 2008 4:03 PM EST: Hillary''s time is almost up, but like a injured beast she is at her most dangerous right now. Watch out for her in Wisconsin. If she loses there I think she will lose in Texas too and it will be over. She needs Wisconsin bad and the women will probably come out for her in force to try to save the day. Nobody likes to see a women defeated, even if it is a fembot with no soul like Hillary.

Fire UP OBAMA SUPPORTERS. WE CAN SEE THE WITCHES LEGS UNDER THE HOUSE, until then though, don''t give the Clintons and inch or they will turn it around; Reply to this comment