Obama Wins More Support In Nevada

Union Nod Follows Earlier Endorsements From Ariz. Gov. Janet Napolitano And Sen. Gary Hart

(AP)  Barack Obama, his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination bolstered by endorsements, told a cheering union hall on Friday that he would provide relief for homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments and deliver tax cuts to the middle-class.

"We're going to put money in the pockets of hardworking Americans who deserve it. That's what I'm fighting for," Obama told hotel and restaurant workers packed into the steamy union hall of the Culinary Workers Union, Local 226. The Illinois senator said he identified with their economic hardships.

"I wasn't living large," he said. "I had an old, beat-up car and had a little, tiny beat-up apartment. I was wearing beat-up clothes. I had holes in the shoes, had holes in my car. You know what I'm talking about."

The union, the largest in Nevada, sided with Obama this week, an endorsement that boosts his chances in the state's Jan. 19 caucus, the first presidential contest since Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton defeated him in New Hampshire. Clinton arrived in Las Vegas a day earlier and went door to door in a working-class neighborhood asking for support.

Earlier Friday, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano endorsed Obama's candidacy, citing his message of hope over rivals Clinton and John Edwards. Napolitano visited the Obama campaign office in Phoenix and joined him in a conference call with reporters.

"This endorsement is based on my belief in your leadership and vision and the fact that we need a new message of hope and solidarity of coming together in Washington, D.C.," Napolitano said.

The endorsement is a major gain for Obama. Napolitano, one of several female governors, is the most prominent Democrat in Arizona. Her endorsement could be significant in a state now regarded as winnable by a Democrat after decades as a near-lock for Republicans; the state holds its primary Feb. 5.

Questions from reporters focused on what role Napolitano could conceivably play in an Obama administration.

"I don't want to prejudge or put her on the spot. Let me just say this - I think she is enormously talented," Obama said.

Napolitano was elected governor in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. She previously was U.S. attorney for Arizona during most of the Clinton administration and then served a four-year term as the elected state attorney general.

She is regarded as a possible candidate in 2010 for the Senate seat now held by Republican John McCain, though she has been mentioned as a possible candidate for vice president or for a Cabinet post in a Democratic administration.

She was mentioned in early speculation as a possible running mate for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry in 2004 and made a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention. She is a past chair of the National Governors Association.

Obama also picked up the endorsement of former Sen. Gary Hart, a Colorado Democrat and two-time presidential candidate.

Hart called the Illinois senator "the embodiment of what is best about our nation" and disputed criticism that Obama is inexperienced or lacks national security credentials.

"Senator Obama's personal history uniquely qualifies him to restore America's standing in the world," Hart said in a written release.

[realpatriot1]

nmraider1,

I agree. Do we see the Clinton campaign giving it a rest? Did Obama send out surrogates to attack Hillary yesterday like she did with Bob Johnson?

[jack3213]

ON one hand, any Democrat would be better than any Republican,according to some, even if they are the worse choice, and some people can''t see beyond their irrational minds. Just because Bush is not popular does not mean a Republican is the worse choice. It is not black or white, it is and should be based on ability and achievements. What the F--- has either Obama or Clinton DONE???? Of course we can say Clinton has proven to be a fraud and Obama should not learn on the job. Simple right? Isn''''t your life worth more than the either one of these BAD choices just because you don''t want to be in a war? Unfortuneately friends, this war is necessary. It is based on Terrorism, and if we run, they come here and destroy us.That is very simple. What makes me cringe is that so many don''t understand this. There was no draft like Vietnam, and we are also defending our country, not just being there for their reasons. Please know the differance. Choosing a democrat will certainly kill us. SIMPLE.

[nmredraider1]

Senator Obama offers on more, on any level at all, than the remaining candidates in the Democratic Primaries and Caucuses. Simple. This childish gibberish as to how Senator Obama is going to chang the American political arena is good ''ol wishful thinking. Grow up soon, folks. Do Senator Clinton, former Senator Edwards, Representative Dennis Kucinich, et al, have ALL the answers to what we aspire.....doubt it. Grow up.

[nmredraider1]

This "racial tension" item now being identified through the media is troubling, simply because it is not necessary and does NOT have to be the case in our nation. It is as much up to Sen. Obama, is "it" is up to Sen. Clinton to literally nip this thing in the bud.....NOW!! As for qualification to be the em. nominee, no one in the current field, possibly excepting Gov. Bill Richardson (former candidate), carries the obvious "qualifiers" as does Sen. Clinton. Let us ALL get real here, and stop the childishness. Elmer L. Wilson, Albuquerque

[annevilla]

"OBAMA PORTRAIT MUSIC VIDEO" on Youtube - Don''t Miss It!

For those of you who still have not heard:

There is a WONDERFUL and INSPIRING music video on Youtube.com entitled "Obama Portrait Music Video by Bjarne O."
You can use the free downloaded high-quality stereo version from the composer''s website in DVD form to show at house parties and fundraisers. Even people who knew nothing at all about Obama have been moved: either a thrilling introduction, or further inspiration for those of us who already know and fight for Obama.
The music soundtrack, which incorporates excerpts from the famous 2004 speech, can also be downloaded separately in high-quality.

It is an uplifting and informative campaign tool - so please, SPREAD THE WORD!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mCPwbozpIzM

YES WE CAN

Anne

[themagic07]

WHY THIS PHONY SALESMAN CAN NOT BE TRUSTED?

..Muslim blood. Muslim%u2019s sons are Muslims for life. Blood is sticker than water. You can run but you can not hide.
..refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance. He did not want to offend ISLAM so he refused.
..claims he%u2019s running on his record.. He did not even know how to cast a %u201CYes%u201D or %u201CNo%u201D vote.
.. had 17 years%u2019 old unpaid outstanding parking tickets. He should spend sometime in jail.
.insisted that his health care provides care to everyone, does he know what universal means?
..a fabulous orator, but we need more than words; we need a doer not a talker
..he says one thing and does another
..will meet with enemies without preconditions
..he said that he was not taking money from the Lobbyists. How about the Rezko connection?
..playing old politics as usual, after he promised hope and change%u2026.
..used to be a drug addict or a pusher?
%u2026inexperienced, lack of accomplishments

For my fellow Democrats, please don%u2019t waste your vote to a salesman! Please be smart.

[themagic07]

WHY THIS PHONY SALESMAN CAN NOT BE TRUSTED?

..Muslim blood. Muslim%u2019s sons are Muslims for life. Blood is sticker than water. You can run but you can not hide.
..refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance. He did not want to offend ISLAM so he refused.
..claims he%u2019s running on his record.. He did not even know how to cast a %u201CYes%u201D or %u201CNo%u201D vote.
.. had 17 years%u2019 old unpaid outstanding parking tickets. He should spend sometime in jail.
.insisted that his health care provides care to everyone, does he know what universal means?
..a fabulous orator, but we need more than words; we need a doer not a talker
..he says one thing and does another
..will meet with enemies without preconditions
..he said that he was not taking money from the Lobbyists. How about the Rezko connection?
..playing old politics as usual, after he promised hope and change%u2026.
..used to be a drug addict or a pusher?
%u2026inexperienced, lack of accomplishments

For my fellow Democrats, please don%u2019t waste your vote to a salesman! Please be smart.

[hwy71so]

Of course he''ll do well in Nevada. That''s where sKerry told the Nat''l Guardsmen to disobey orders. sKerry backs Obama. Yep, Nevada likes sKerry, they know he doesn''t mind dissention, subversion, or insurrections. Typical Las Vegas. Just a regular free-for-all state and sKerry''s counting on being VP...

[twin-cities]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooow can we slow down this

I want some one explain to me Hillary%u2019s claim of 35 years of experience, she just turn 60 and when you do the math 60-35=25 so my ? Is most 25 years are in college or are just finished college did Hillary started public service at age 25 or was she in graduate school%u2026.. well we know that don%u2019t we all%u2026.
Well the media are weak to ask her claim of 35 years of experience- with do all respect I believe as Hillary say lets examine the records, people should examine her first from the war in Iraq to the big number 35

Senator Clinton used all her one hour at the "meet the press" to attack Obama that is not what she should be doing and when she picked at she cries, well lets stop double standard

Well advice for Hillary do not lecture Black people what King means to them and what he has done for them because your will be in to deep trouble like the one your in today%u2026. Take this advice seriously and

By the way do you all remember all when Hillary cried in New Hampshire the lady who asked the senator the question voted for Obama why because after 30 second of tearing, Hillary attack Obama as usual.

[ekpekurede]

I understand that some African Americans are skeptical about Obama for reasons which come down to his being black. And I know some non-blacks think Obama is trying to whip up racial sentiments. The truth, however, is that Obama''a platform is the only one that represents real change - a radical deviation from tha status quo. His message is the only one the promises hope for ordinary Americans, who are hard pressed by poverty and healthcare concerns. He seems to be the only aspirant rady to take on the forces that have diminished America''s international influence, reduced jobs for us all, and placed us all in their merciless stranglehold.

[ekpekurede]

I understand that some African Americans are skeptical about Obama for reasons which come down to his being black. And I know some non-blacks think Obama is trying to whip up racial sentiments. The truth, however, is that Obama''a platform is the only one that represents real change - a radical deviation from tha status quo. His message is the only one the promises hope for ordinary Americans, who are hard pressed by poverty and healthcare concerns. He seems to be the only aspirant rady to take on the forces that have diminished America''s international influence, reduced jobs for us all, and placed us all in their merciless stranglehold.

[croft777]

realpatriot,
It wouldn''t matter if he was a muslim? I suggest this, order the Quran on the internet, read it, and then get back with me on this matter.See if you feel the same after that.

[realpatriot1]

crfot777,

I said tortured argument not torture argument. It really doesn''t matter to anything who you consider to be a Christian because you aren''t God. He''s a Christian whether you like it or not and if he was a Muslim it wouldn''t make any difference, but he isn''t.

You''re right that I say alot and so do you.

[croft777]

realpatriot1
you sure have alot to say, but you make no sense. this is not a torture argument. The devil himself could be baptised. I have seen alot of so called Christians who were baptised, do some very evil things. I don''t consider Obama a Christian. Learn the Islam faith before you speak on the subject that you know nothing about.Obama did go to a muslim school, in the school they do submit to Allah and Mohammad. A few words recited and you are a muslim. I know the muslims, and I know also that could they''d rule the world. Obama has many Americans enchanted, but not me. His speeches have proved that he is not a christian. He asked, " What passage of Scripture should we guide our public policy?" He called "The sermon on the mount" a very radical passage. Obama obviously has not read it. That passage is far from being radical. This passage is where the "Our Father" prayer came from, where Jesus preached peace.Well you can vote for a muslim as president, I''m sticking with Hillary.

Its amazing to see some of the comments written by people throughout America - its actually embarassing. There is a huge amount of ignorance going on here...not to mention obvious discrimination (and I''m not even referring to comments about Obama). Obama has raised as much money as he has because of the grassroots campaign he has raised where people would contribute $5, $10, or $25. He has more contributors than any other campaign...and yes - he has big fundraisers too but he hasn''t taken money from PAC''s or lobbyists unlike all of the other campaigns (except Edwards). These people are BUYING America...and they''re going to want something back. Be careful what you ask for. I''m both depressed, angry and ambivalent about some of these ridiculous rants all at the same time...GET THE FACTS. If you believe Obama is a muslim - just google it. If you think he isn''t a Christian - GOOGLE IT. Its so easy to get the facts...for his record, his history and his entire life story. If you see how many lies have been written about him - its clear....the status quo is doing everything it can to manipulate the average American. DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES. Think about it!

[oriy]

%u201CWe have walked in your shoes,%u201D Obama told the crowd, telling the story how he and his wife racked up thousands of dollars of debt. %u201CI don%u2019t come from money, I don%u2019t come form a lot of privilege. ... When I see a single mom somewhere trying to raise her children, I know what that%u2019s like. ..."

He makes speeches like this but the majority of his supporters are the elites and rich - it was so in all the states he''s won or lost so far. His whole platform is a contradiction - and it''s SOOOOOO obvious!!

[oriy]

Obama: I don%u2019t need a preacher. Be a doer.

[logicanada]

When Negroes were oppressed during the MLK era, white America dismissed him.
Now that everybody is oppressed Obama''s version of MLK''s message strikes a chord with the whole nation. Very astute of him to notice this.

[prinzowhales]

realpatriot1--It may be an idiotic analogy, but the fate of women in the US as victims of predators is a matter of real concern...The cultural and social realities of Afghanistan and the way the Taleban addressed them were more protective of women than their fate under the war lords...

The poor little Marine girl was not save in her own barracks...yet Americans would rather talk about Moslem women in Afghanistan than deal with the evils experienced by women in America at the hands of monsters...just like the ones who drove this girl from the barracks and extinguished her life.

[realpatriot1]

Prinzowhales,

That may be the single most idiotic analogy i''ve ever read. What in the world is your point other than the fact that you think Afghanistan would be better off if the taliban returned to power?

crfot777,

I don''t claim to be well-versed in either Islam or Christianity but I do know that being baptised as a Christian and being a lifelong member of the Christian faith is more relevant than the blood of his father. Your tortured argument is that if Muslims think he''s a Muslim it doesn''t matter that he thinks he''s a Christian; it''s nonsense that only an extremely ignorant person would entertain for more than 5 seconds.