Key Democrat Switches Support To Obama

Civil Rights Leader John Lewis Defects From Clinton Campaign, Will Cast Superdelegate Vote For Obama

(CBS/AP)  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."

The reservations Lewis is now expressing follow endorsements for Obama from two U.S. senators who'd been on the fence: North Dakota's Byron Dorgan today and Connecticut's Chris Dodd yesterday, reports CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod. The Democratic Party establishment seems like it's trying to tell Clinton something-that it may be time to get out of the race.

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.

[samrlim]

THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL FINE TUNING THE MIND OF THE VOTERS!

LET ALL BE SMART DON''T BELIEVE ON EVERYTHING YOU READ OR HEAR - THIS IS JUST WHAT YOU CALLED FINE TUNING YOUR MIND.

VOTE FOR SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON FOR SHE IS FIGHTING FOR US AND SHE CARE ABOUT COUNTRY AND SHE HAS SOLUTION!

I am so srry that folks are making this into a racial
item. Black folks have just as many brains, if they but use them, as do white folks. And they should not be looked down upon. Look at how many black folks there are in this country who are policemen/women and fire personnel,postal employees,train personnel, airline employees,etc... not to forget members of Congress and other political offices. I can not and will not vote for Barack Obama - not becuse he is black, but because I do not believe he has forsaken the Muslim religion and I don''t hesitate to tell you based on all I have read over the past couple of yrs.,
the Muslim religion scares me to death. Take a good look at all the disasters over the past 10 yrs or so that has befallen America, including 9/11 and it is all orchestrated by the Muslims. Hilary Clinton I don''t think we need another 4 yrs. of her. And I don''t much want John McCain either. Former POW does not make a person Presidential material. Wish we could get Mitt Romney back in the race. But don''t think that will happen after the way the voters did
not do much for him in the primaries.With the choices
we now have, may GOD help us all.

[cbville72]

mcvet and thinkharder blame the white male for every problem in american history, and racism is the ultimate reason.

total crutches.

[cbville72]

The real problem with America, is NOT really racism, it''''s SEXISM STUPID!!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by hopetrumps at 02:43 PM : Feb 28, 2008


Acutally the problem is neither. It''s the fact that librals tell everybody that the problem is racism and sexism. They blame this on any republican running for office, unless of course two liberals are running for the same office (BARACK, CLINTON), then they point fingers at each other calling each other racist. They are shining examples of people who would eat their children to get elected.
EXAMPLE: Al FRANKEN
He has probably called every known republican in office at one point or another, but if one reads into how many african americans he has emplyed, one finds out that number is less than 3%.
Typical Liberal

[mkbjon]

Experience??? What a crock...The best experience career politicians have is in lying, cheating, and serving their own interests as opposed to the interests of the people. I''ll take a fresh, idealistic perspective any day over the good-ole-boy network that is the status quo. But I guess if you like being screwed, it''s best to have an experienced crook to make it hurt so good.

[jgaines1--2008]

If it weren''t for Republicans? Yes, Democrats were made up of terrorists like the KKK. They were called "Dixiecrats." In a book called "Tear Down the Walls," I remember seeing a picture of a white rooster with a banner that read "White Supremacy." This was the symbol of the Democratic Party of Alabama. But, because Presidents Kennedy and Johnson supported the Civil Rights Movement, and because Republicans courted them, many Dixiecrats joined the Republican Party. Water fountains? Never mind the water fountains, because the Republican Party "cut and ran" from the terrorists in the southern United States, "black" people were left to oppression, torture, and death. "Black" people''s freedom was denied for an additional 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Because of terrorism, I speak as a member of my family''s first free generation. So, when I hear members of the Republican Party vilifying those who fought for my freedom (like Jesse Jackson or John Lewis), it''s hard to see the Republican Party as a party for me. How about this, conservatives? Instead of speaking ill of civil rights leaders, how about asking them how they overcame terrorism. I think we should try their way for a while. It might work. It''s worked before.

[frankbowers]

obama might say he will not except money from any one but the muselims and those who bombed our buildings are backing him it is so sad that America as a whole is eating up his lies and the muselim brother hood will run our country when he get is I say shame on those who can not see the facts due to his color he is a black man and that is all the black folks can see, shame of them for deserting America and joining the muselims..
If anyone thinks for one minute the republicans who are voting for obama (Bastrop Country in Centala Texas had over 4000 votes in the early voting and have voted 80 republican for years on end and of the 4000+ votes less than 8% have voted for a repubican) will not vote for McCain they are stupid. I bet if he does get the nod that McCain will whip on him like a little bl*a*ck boy was when I was a kid.
Think America before it is too late and we are in Iraq for aniother 100 years as McCain said he will do.
Frank Bowers of Austin, TX

[libra127]

Most important, the Angry White Man is pissed off. When his job site becomes flooded with illegal workers who don''t pay taxes and his wages drop like a stone, he gets righteously angry. When his job gets shipped overseas, and he has to speak to some incomprehensible idiot in India for tech support, he simmers..." Posted by cbville72 at 08:48 AM : Feb 28, 2008

Sure sounds like victim syndrome to me. LOL

[croft777]

For all you Hillary Clinton Supporters.

There is a company who is selling Anti- Hillary t-shirts and clothing. These t-shirts are disgraceful, and sexist. I have boycotted this company, and I would believe you would want to also.They are bashing a very respected woman. The number is 1-877-809-1659. This company is making lots of money advertising and selling these products. It only takes a call to tell them you are boycotting them. This will serve them a lesson.

[croft777]

For all you Hillary Clinton Supporters.

There is a company who is selling Anti- Hillary t-shirts and clothing. These t-shirts are disgraceful, and sexist. I have boycotted this company, and I would believe you would want to also.They are bashing a very respected woman. The number is 1-877-809-1659. This company is making lots of money advertising and selling these products. It only takes a call to tell them you are boycotting them. This will serve them a lesson.

[popstom1]

Well the Golden Boy is starting to tarnish like
street cheep gold chain the chicago sun-times
and the london times may have made a connection to
His good friend since 1990 Tony Rezko who some say that is
why Obama is a senator today and billionair
Nadhmi Auchi and how he got his south side mansion I wonder how long before Mr fitzpatrick will want a word with Senator Obama I love politics in chicago i think he would like to ask about contirbutor son and an Internship

[emma915]

I guess the way to heal some wounds is to just let them bleed for a while. Hopefully, the Democratic party won''t bleed to death before November gets here.

[infidel_us]

This is whats tearing the Repugs apart right now. Thanks!
Posted by parrot2 at 11:13 AM : Feb 28, 2008

No, thank YOU! There is some thruth to that. But the same could be said for the bedwetting liberal far left occupying and tearing the democrap party apart. Extremes on either side are not good for the majority in the middle.

[chitown639]

We need to get off the subject of Black civil rights. This is not the 1960s /1970s. Colleges across the country eccept both whites and blacks, along with many other races.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by croft777

Yeah, I just thought I needed to point out that the reason ''Black Colleges'' were established in the first place, was because of the Jim Crow Laws and Segregation that prohibited blacks from attending public schools with with whites. Black Coleges were not establish to do something ''special for blacks'', rather Black Colleges were establish to remedy a racist system that was doing something ''special AGAINST blacks''....

[croft777]

We need to get off the subject of Black civil rights. This is not the 1960s /1970s. Colleges across the country accept both whites and blacks, along with many other races. I''m so tired of hearing about this. This country was fine until they started bringing up this cr*ap.

[croft777]

rafterman1 how maney all black colleges are there?
black colleges 143
just white colleges none
you know how us racist are


----------------------------------
----------------------------------------
------

Posted by popstom1

Historically Black Colleges were established to offer African Americans an opportunity to further their education, since racial segregation and Jim Crow Laws forbid blacks from attending public education facilities with whites. Of course, Brown v. Board of Education and the civil rights movement brought down segregation in schools, but historically black colleges has continued keep its doors open to welcome ALL who apply to experience Higher Learning.


We need to get off the subject of Black civil rights. This is not the 1960s /1970s. Colleges across the country eccept both whites and blacks, along with many other races.

[chitown639]

rafterman1 how maney all black colleges are there?
black colleges 143
just white colleges none
you know how us racist are


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by popstom1

Historically Black Colleges were established to offer African Americans an opportunity to further their education, since racial segregation and Jim Crow Laws forbid blacks from attending public education facilities with whites. Of course, Brown v. Board of Education and the civil rights movement brought down segregation in schools, but historically black colleges has continued keep its doors open to welcome ALL who apply to experience Higher Learning.

[croft777]

Michigan and Florida will not and should not count. Hillary will not win. killtheliars

Your stupidity is not amusing. You see I didn''t say ignorance. There is a big difference.

[croft777]

Give it up. The DNC will not count the delegates of Michigan and Florida, unless the parties involved can come up with an agreement to allow both of the candidates ample time to campaign in each state and then hold a special primary election in each state. chitown639

Thats fair and they need to do it.Florida is to big of a state to go unnoticed.

[popstom1]

rafterman1 how maney all black colleges are there?
black colleges 143
just white colleges none
you know how us racist are