Exclusive: Sen. Bill Nelson To Endorse Hillary Clinton

Senator Bill Nelson, D-FL, will endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton for president, according to several sources with knowledge of his plans.

Nelson was expected to announce the endorsement early next week, shortly before his state's presidential primary, in which no Democratic candidate is formally competing. All of the candidates signed a pledge to not campaign in Florida after the state moved up its primary and the Democratic Party stripped its delegates. Nelson and others filed an unsuccessful suit attempting to reverse the decision.

On Friday morning, Sen. Clinton released a statement urging the party to reconsider and accept delegates from the Sunshine State at the national convention.

"I believe our nominee will need the enthusiastic support of Democrats in these states to win the general election, and so I will ask my Democratic convention delegates to support seating the delegations from Florida and Michigan," she said. "I know not all of my delegates will do so and I fully respect that decision. But I hope to be President of all 50 states and U.S. territories, and that we have all 50 states represented and counted at the Democratic convention."

A well-connected Democratic strategist who asked not to be named did not think that Nelson's endorsement was part of a quid-pro-quo for Clinton's statement. But Nelson was quoted as recently as two weeks ago saying that his endorsement would depend on "how [the candidates] treat Florida."

An official with Nelson's office declined to confirm or deny the endorsement. They did, however, send a press release issued by the office in which the Senator criticized the stripping of his state's delegates. Nelson, the release read, is "happy to see that Clinton agrees with the principle at issue in his lawsuit - that every person has a right to vote, and have the vote count as intended."

The Clinton campaign did not return a request for comment.

If Clinton does not win South Carolina's primary on Saturday, a victory in Florida (where polls show her ahead) could provide some positive media coverage heading into the February 5 "Super Tuesday" primary elections. Sen. Barack Obama's campaign released a memo earlier this month downplaying the Florida race, noting that it has "no bearing on the Democratic nomination contest."

Comments

[MartinEdwinAndersen]

OBAMA BEST CHOICE FOR DEMOCRATS

San Jose Mercury News Editorial

01/25/2008

America longs for a change of style, a change of policy and a change of heart. Sen. Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate with the best chance to unify the country and put it back on track. He is the candidate who can best restore the world's faith in America and America's faith in itself.

We recommend Obama as the Democratic nominee, believing that his political approach could eventually make as much history as being the first African American president. ...

What tips the scales in Obama's favor is the freshness of his approach and the lack of political baggage he would bring to the White House. ... Clinton's perceived negatives will cloud the campaign, and some positions she has taken over the years appear to have been based on political expediency more than core values. With that history, it will be harder for her to be successful.

Obama would dramatically change the nation's approach to foreign policy and domestic issues. While the substance might not differ substantially from Clinton's in many areas, he would have more cross-over appeal to independents and Republicans, whose support will be needed to bring about significant change.

Obama is the only candidate who opposed the Iraq war from the outset. His ethnic background and his upbringing give him a unique world view. He has the best chance to change how the world looks at the United States and restore the respect it has squandered during the past eight years. ...

He also brings a solid approach to the issues of climate change, education, election reform and stem cell research.
...

The George W. Bush-era has been the most divisive period in American history since the 1960s. Barack Obama represents the voice of a new generation. He resonates much as John F. Kennedy did with his message of hope and challenge. He is the best choice to unify and inspire America.

[FogBelter]

Bill Nelson is a member of the DLC ... there's your reason.

[MartinEdwinAndersen]

AMERICA RALLIES FOR OBAMA ...

WNC Obama backers try to sway S.C. primary outcome

By Clarke Morrison

A group of mountain volunteers — who know their votes in North Carolina’s primary will mean little — has been going door to door in South Carolina on behalf of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Western North Carolina for Obama volunteers hope their phone banking and personal outreach will make a difference today as that state holds its Democratic primary.

They say that even though North Carolina’s presidential primary comes after the nomination will likely have been decided, their work just across the state line will still affect the outcome.

“That’s why South Carolina is so important,” said Mary Alice Lamb, an organizer of the group. “There will be a lot of attention, a lot of people across the country waiting to see who they pick.

“We don’t vote until May in North Carolina. We identified as our No. 1 priority to assist the Obama campaign in South Carolina. It’s an early priority state, and it’s only an hour away for most of us.” ...

The situation burns Bob Phillips, a volunteer with Western North Carolina for Obama.

“I think it’s unconscionable for people in North Carolina being essentially removed from the election process,” he said.

Phillips, 82, a retired Asheville physician, is among more than 50 volunteers who have been meeting regularly for months and working to make a difference in South Carolina.

“I, along with most of the people in our group, have been fired up all along, and we didn’t have any place to put our energy until we were asked to help in South Carolina. We leapt at it.”

Kathy Sinclair, chair of the Buncombe County Democratic Party, and Isaac Coleman, a vice chair, said they don’t know of any similar local efforts on behalf of the major presidential candidates. ... Coleman praised the enthusiasm of the Obama group.

“I think it’s very positive,” he said. ...



http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/NEWS01/80125150&template=printart

[longislandlol]

Florida is such a tease of a State--

[golferling]

Obama has no new ideas. he is recycling Jesse Jackson's oratory of of old 60's speeches.
What fool would vote for him? Lousy Senate record..th­e guy is in love with himself and likes to hear his own voice. No matter what you think of Bill, Hillary is the best person to become President of the United States, and if it takes all of us women, Latinos , and half the black population, you had better bet on us to do it.

[MartinEdwinAndersen]

BREAKING NEWS:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com
/washingto­n/2008/01/­tony.html?­cid=986555
66#comments

Rezko co-defendant donated to Clinton supporter Rendell
Tony Rezko ... popped up prominently into the national political discussion only this week when during a heated exchange in a South Carolina Democratic debate Hillary Clinton accused Barack Obama of having been lawyer for the "slum landlord" Rezko. ...

But big as the country is, its politics is also a small world. So when former Philadelphia mayor and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell endorsed Clinton earlier this week, some folks wondered if Rezko had helped Rendell. Sure enough, the New York Times found that when Rendell was also head of the Democratic National Committee in 2000, Rezko delivered $15,000 to the national party.

Although there is no known direct Rezko donation to Rendell, a review of the governor''s campaign finance reports by The Times'' intrepid campaign finance expert Dan Morain does reveal a definite connection. Back in September of 2005 Rendell took $1,000 from Ali D. Ata of Lemont, Ill.

Now who, you might ask, is Ali D. Ata? He turns out to be a Rezko co-defendant in one of the federal indictments pending in Chicago. The government alleges that in February 2004, Ata, then executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, signed a letter that helped Rezko fraudulently obtain a multi-million dollar loan. ...

--Andrew Malcolm

[Kally]

If they aren't suppose to campaign why is Obama running ads. And by the way he is wasting his time running ads in Minnesota.­..Clinton is so far ahead people don't know how to spell obama's name.

[MartinEdwinAndersen]

BREAKING NEWS:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com
/washingto­n/2008/01/­tony.html?­cid=986555
66#comments

Rezko co-defendant donated to Clinton supporter Rendell
Tony Rezko ... popped up prominently into the national political discussion only this week when during a heated exchange in a South Carolina Democratic debate Hillary Clinton accused Barack Obama of having been lawyer for the "slum landlord" Rezko. ...

But big as the country is, its politics is also a small world. So when former Philadelphia mayor and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell endorsed Clinton earlier this week, some folks wondered if Rezko had helped Rendell. Sure enough, the New York Times found that when Rendell was also head of the Democratic National Committee in 2000, Rezko delivered $15,000 to the national party.

Although there is no known direct Rezko donation to Rendell, a review of the governor''s campaign finance reports by The Times'' intrepid campaign finance expert Dan Morain does reveal a definite connection. Back in September of 2005 Rendell took $1,000 from Ali D. Ata of Lemont, Ill.

Now who, you might ask, is Ali D. Ata? He turns out to be a Rezko co-defendant in one of the federal indictments pending in Chicago. The government alleges that in February 2004, Ata, then executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, signed a letter that helped Rezko fraudulently obtain a multi-million dollar loan. ...

--Andrew Malcolm

[Rubiconski]

Zero chance Hillary wins Florida in a general election. She'll lose FL and the entire south, Ohio, Iowa, Arizona, and Colorado. She can hang onto CA and NY, but zero chance she'll win Texas.

In a nutshell, she ain't got the electoral votes. People, wake up!

[CLMMIT]

I am a Miami, Florida Democrat. I voted for Senate Nelson and Kendrick Meek. I will not vote for them again.They both endorsed Hillary. Their endorsements mean nothing. I am for Obama. And too, most everyone that resides in Miami Gardens is voting for Obama. Miami Gardens is Obama's Country. My Hispanic Co-workers are alson voting for Obama.

[Maxstar212]

Why would the Democratic National Committee curry favor with small red states and then offend a major purple state that could go blue. The last two elections have been fought in Florida.

There is no valid reason that we can't all just vote on one day. It is unfair to have some states go before other states. We could have a runoff, or work through a primary if there is not a majority for one candidate.

Blow off Florida. Stupid move for Democrats. Bad job National committee to bring us to this point.

[MartinEdwinAndersen]

As a conservative Democrat proud of the party's record on civil and human rights, I find The New York Times endorsement of John McCain and Hillary Clinton quite interesting.

On one hand, a war hero/budget hawk who is the only Republican candidate to resolutely oppose the practice of torture.

On the other, the only Democratic candidate who, until recently, supported torture (and by that name), is an budgetary earmark queen, and whose campaign has sunk to injecting race into the primaries.

(See the Politico.com story "Hillary backs off support for torture" www.politico.com/news/stories/0907/6050.htmll])

News reports suggest that Bill Clinton supports torture still (and that certainly explains the kind of campaigning he has been doing of late).

This cannot be a winning hand for the Democrats.

The Clintons want to win in the worst way; if they do, they will have.

[eugenegerard]

Bill Nelson's endorsement alone would make me not vote for Hillary. This guy like Lieberman is really a closet Repug.

Hillary and the DLC backed Lieberman,
Until she felt the heat and wielded out of all out support.
She voted for the War and continued funding of it.
She voted for the Patriot Act. TWICE
She voted a NV for the Credit Card and Banking Bill which Equaled a Yes in a Republican Congress.
She voted for the REAL ID ACT.
She would renew NAFTA.
She is a Corporatist.
She is not a Democrat.
She is part of the problem.

NO MORE CLINTONS

NO MORE CLINTONS

NO MORE CLINTONS

[jae1227]

I'm a Florida Democrat and am voting for Obama but Nelson's endorsement does not supprize me. With so many people from NY that have moved here it seems emanate that Clinton will win. Nelson's endorsement does not have much power in my opinion.

[Roose]

Yet another Republican endorsing the establishment candidate.