Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich Endorses Obama

BOSTON — Former Clinton Cabinet member Robert Reich on Friday endorsed Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Two other Democratic elder statesmen, former Sens. Sam Nunn of Georgia and David Boren of Oklahoma, also said they were supporting the Illinois senator.

Reich, who served as Labor secretary under Bill Clinton, said in a blog post that "although Hillary Clinton has offered solid and sensible policy proposals, Obama's strike me as even more so."

Reich also said Obama's plans for reforming Social Security and health care have a better chance of succeeding, and his approach to the nation's housing crisis and financial market failures are sounder than the New York senator's.

Reich is a longtime friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton. He ran for governor in Massachusetts in 2002 and now is a professor at the University of California-Berkeley.

A number of other former Clinton cabinet members have endorsed Obama. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was U.N. ambassador and energy secretary under Clinton, endorsed former rival Obama in March despite heavy wooing by the former president. Former Denver Mayor Federico Pena, who headed the transportation and energy departments under Clinton, became a co-chair of Obama's campaign last September. Former Clinton Commerce secretaries Norman Mineta and William Daley also have endorsed Obama.

Nunn and Boren will serve as advisers to Obama's National Security Foreign Policy Team.

Nunn served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee from 1987-95, while Boren was the longest-serving chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Both fall into the moderate-conservative end of the Democratic party's ideological spectrum and gave Bill Clinton trouble during his presidency, trying to tug him to the right on issues while most congressional Democrats were leaning to the left.

Nunn, who recently flirted with his own possible White House bid, said Obama has "a rare ability to restore America's credibility and moral authority and to get others to join us in tackling serious global problems."

Boren, who recently played host to a forum on electoral alternatives, including third-party runs, said: "Our most urgent task is to end the divisions in our country, to stop the political bickering, and to unite our talents and efforts. Americans of all persuasions are pleading with our political leaders to bring us together. I believe Senator Obama is sincerely committed to that effort."

Comments

[PauletteRevere]

Reich is a brilliant man and a brave one. You don't cross the Clintons without some consequences.

I've always liked him (the resemblance to Robert Foxworth doesn't hurt, either). I've had a feeling he was leaning toward Obama--being progressive, not a closet Republican. So glad to hear his endorsement yesterday. This really does add credibility to an already excellent campaign.

As for Nunn....huh? I do think of him as a closet Republican. I can't wait to hear his reasoning.

[darthmaul]

If Bill Richardson is Judas then what is Reich, Benedict Arnold? Another example of the Rats (Nice Rats-I like Rats) leaving the Clinton sinking ship!

[maggieb]

A better term woul be parasite!!

[loki]

I have always liked and respected Reich. Even when it wasnt good for his career, he spoke out while in the Clinton administration, and he continues to. He is the only economist I know of that has an idea of what is going on in the world. As for him supporting Obama, I guess if you have to support one of these corporate puppets, Obama would be the closest to resembling a human being.

[newshawk14]

I once had a cat, named Loki whom I had named after the Norse God of Mischief, and have
always maintained that he was smarter than two of our presidents, namely Dubya and
Reagan. He was a great conversationalist, and possessed a wicked sense of humor. P.S.
I agree with your post.

[beright]

Sam Nunn is an imposter - this concerns me.

[drzoon]

are you kidding me? that is the most "nutso" comment i have read here in a long long time (and that is saying something!!)

nunn is diligent about hunting down LOOSE NUKES and destroying them with agreements and treaties.

now how in the world can you square that with the crap you just posted?

IDIOTS!

[KeysDan]

Guess you take endorsements where you can get them, but David Boren (the closeted homo) and Sam Nunn (the out homophobe) are two I would like Senator Obama to say, Thanks, but no thanks. These guys political records are more closely aligned with McCain's and would be more comfortable in his camp.

[drzoon]

HILARY! please.... take that old act of your... and all your "mother-in-laws" AND GO HOME! this is just getting so freaking old to have you hanging around and screwing up our future. GO HOME (where ever that is: NY, ARK, IL, PENN.......)

[bish66]

Just imagine what would have happened if these former Clinton cabinet members had endorsed Clinton....

Everybody on Huffpost would say "look at the corrupt Washington system, all these Bill Clinton cronies endorse Hillary, because they owe their careers to her husband" and "who cares, they are of no relevance anymore".

They endorse Obama and now everybody points out that people who knew the Clintons decide to rather support her rival.

Reich claims that Obama's copy of Clinton's plan for the housing crisis is better and that his 'universal' heath care plan has better chances to suceed. And this guy is called an expert? Hmmm....

Nunn and Boren are supposed to advise Obama on a subject that he feels is his strong point where he is Mr. Know-it-all? Do I smell a contradiction? Or maybe a delusion?

BTW, in case you have missed the smallish news item: Clinton received 3 endorsements from SUPERDELEGATES from BLUE states that Obama LOST.

[halyscomet]

Interesting Spin, but not good enough to evade the point that Hillary Clinton CANNOT win the Democratic Nomination. She is now angling for the "best job she can get".

Deal with it...

[elad065]

hummmm let's think about that LC23. he presided over outsource of jobs to india? what an really bad guy robert reich has to be he went behind BILL CLINTONS back and out sourced jobs! BILL MUST HAVE BEEN BUSY WITH SOMETHING ELSE AND WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION.

[loki]

I didnt know Reich did that. If true, it does change my opinion of him.

[tgood]

When is the last time you actually heard Robert Reich speak and know where he stands ? He's about as anti American worker as they come and pro cheap labor, rah, rah, rah. Bring on the illegal aliens. Yep, A real endorsement if you are for the wealthy corporate elites, a fan of LaRaza and think Mexico's economy comes first.

[drzoon]

nobody is saying trade is bad! what Barack is saying is that we need labor and enviromental standards that don't sell us out! its not trade! its the DEAL that kills us!!

idiots!

[joja]

Drip, drip, drip.

Hillary! Bill! You've got a leak!

[Thatcher]

If your state has already voted - tell your superdelegates to "Sh*t or get off the pot"! We don't care who you endorse - just do it! http://tinyurl.com/6njr7e

[TN]

Wow, the labor secretary. That means he thinks Obama would be better for US jobs. This is bigger than the Richardson Support. Saw him on CNN he was great, he cares about the country and is showing some great character.

[Bisharama]

wow. little people like BO too.

[mistlesuede]

i always liked and respected Robert Reich. He seems to be a very intelligent, thoughtful man. Guess this just confirms my impression of him.
Thanks Mr. Reich!

[cheersdk]

Just another WHITE GUILT endorsement! This time it is not a JUDAS, but, someone from the 3rd REICH!

I continue to be P.R.O. Hillary like most Pennsylvanians and Americans, that is POSITIVE, RESILIENT AND OPTIMISTIC about Hillary!

The 3rd Reich as I recall was not American! I also recall IMPASTOR-WRIGHT does not like America, while Hillary was saying "yes, yes, yes" this week, IMPASTOR-WRIGHT said "No, No, No, it's right there in the bible, it's not God Bless America, It's God Damn America!"

Looks like 3rd Reich has joined this cry!

[gurukalehuru]

Is that supposed to be a pun on his name?
You have run out of arguments.

[greejambri]

You are pathetic. Really, how will you handle it when Hillary finally is dragged off the stage kicking and screaming. You will probably implode.

[mesuki]

All you Hillary supporters are a reflection of her....just as nasty as she is, and can't come to terms with the fact that she's losing....... How awful!

[Mesaywar]

Wow! It doesn't get much dumber than that.

[wingman1]

Your post is despicable.

[ResidentChimp]

Bill should have never made that short joke about him.

[chronic]

If I hadn't switched my support from Clinton to Obama all of this would really be hurting my feelings.


OBAMA 08

[asere]

Both Nunn and Boren at the same time !
Heavy duty stuff ! Credibility PLUS !
Hill, it's over.
For your, Bill's and the party's sake, call it a day.
You gave it the old college try; destiny wasn't with you, accept it in graciousness and wisdom; look at Al Gore, He's accepted it and is doing just fine.
Join Barack in setting the country in the right track; your help could invaluable.