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

[polcomm]

First of all, Robert Reich let the cat out of the bag a long time ago (as did Paul Krugman/NYT) on George's ABC Sunday Morning Show a couple of weeks ago when the two of them were going at it over Hillary vs Obama's health care plan. It was great watching two intellectual economists fight for their candidate. So, Reich declaring for Obama was not really a revelation to those in the know. In my opinion, Obama is going to crash and burn in the general election no matter who endorses him. Reich, in his defense, does need anyone to promise him a job. I like him, but disagree with his choice. But for Democrats, it hardly matters. They have already lost the White House. The theatrics are almost meaningless. The funny thing is that the Democrat still feel that all this political manuevering has impact for November. It doesn't. President McCain can walk in the White House backwards with Obama at the head of the Democratic ticket. This is even more true if McCain picks someone like the Governor or Florida or Minnesota. (Remember, Dean decided Florida and Michigan should not be seated at the convention). So, all that is left now is the slow march to defeat. My contragulations to the left wing of the Democratic Party.

[sk7326]

You mean McCain's lack of knowledge about foreign policy, economics, and well ... everything? That that won't get revealed in the debates? The hard thing is the media roots for McCain.

[peacehappens]

Doesn't matter what he knows or says. - His minister only hates Catholics, New Orleans and Iranians. One of his campaign co-chairmen was arrested for soliciting sex from a male officer in a public bathroom - Bob Allen is his name - http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2007/07/homoquotable-bob-allen.html ... but McCain has not renounced him.
Falwell blamed 9/11 on pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays and the lesbians, the ACLU, and People For the American Way. McCain renounced him as an agent of intolerance but, when he decided he needed Falwell for political reasons he announced that Falwell was no longer an agent of intolerance.
Let's not forget that he had an affair while he was married to his first wife.
BUT .... McCain has worn a flag pin ... that's all we need to know.

[DumbDad]

I'll bet Polcomm's point is just that it won't matter if McCain eats a rat in public. Dressing the opponent from the Democratic party in the costume of anti-American protest is enough to give the election away. Too many Americans think this whole thing is a sportscast: our team, with the tanks and the uniforms and the flag pins against the Enemy. If you're not with them, you're ENEMY.

[Bluebloodsbastardson]

'You better learn how to swim or you'll sink like a stone" Bob Dylan said that.
"Check out the Vietnam Veterans Against McCain website." I said that......­..........­.........

[greejambri]

You will be SO disappointed when Barack Obama is inaugurated in January 09.

[MNmommy]

Didn't Reich endorse Obama months ago?

Or at a minimum didn't he express extreme disapproval of the Clinton campaign months ago?

[DinOhio]

He stated his discomfort with the negative Clinton campaigning some months ago. He cited this again in his endorsement of Obama.

[b2008]

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW:

The Clintons and The Bushs have been tied together like twins in the destructions of America for the past 20+ years. Don't allow her being a democrat to fool. She is a Republican at heart and I'll prove it. This is just one article on their relationship:

"Hillary Clinton today holds the new North American record for fakery," wrote Newsday columnist Jimmy Breslin. "She copies. She sneaks and slithers past you with her opinion on a war that kills every day."

We can make a strong case that Bush and his cadre have set some precedents, but the Democratic opposition offers little hope. Bush spies on Americans with no regard for the Bill of Rights or even the meager statutory restraints imposed on him, and all the Democrats do is whine that they weren’t in on the snooping, and that next time they want to be informed. Of course, they have an interest in keeping the police state healthy and strong. The idea that Hillary Clinton would be more sensitive to civil liberties if she were at the empire’s helm is too absurd for words.

Republican Senators cited Hillary Clinton as the reason for opposing the renewal of the Patriot Act, saying Mrs. Clinton is likely to abuse the security measure if she becomes president - unless additional safeguards are built in.

http://www.infowars.net/articles/may2006/100506clinton.htm

[kevenseven]

Everybody knows that.

[b2008]

It doesn't seem like it. It seems to me that the Clintonians think she's a real bonafide Democrat. I can't bear to think of her being anywhere near that red button.

[Bluebloodsbastardson]

Well, duh!!!!!!!! Ask anyone honest in Arkansas or check out "The Clinton Chronicles" on Youtube..

[antiprocrastination]

The Clintons facing Fraud charges, hearing in a week and the media is not covering it.

The first lawsuit to haul a President and a Senator into Court for defrauding the Senator's largest donor as part of a conspiracy to illegally win and keep a US Senate seat will begin discovery in May, 2008 as it proceeds to trial as confirmed by the California Supreme Court.

The discovery will expose an ongoing cover-up of the campaign finance crimes and the obstructions of justice directed by Hillary Clinton with the help of Bill Clinton and former DNC Chair Ed Rendell. The cover-up rivals Watergate in its corruption of each branch of government and the media.



Case Number: BC304174
PETER F PAUL VS WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
Filing Date: 10/14/2003
Case Type: Fraud (no contract) (General Jurisdiction)
Status: Pending

Future Hearings
04/25/2008 at 08:31 am in department 47 at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

You can go to this page for La Superior Court and type the case number: BC304174

[b2008]

Or, go to this link http://www.dailypaul.com/node/44438 to hear it right from the horses mouth! Thank you antiprocrastinator. I posted the same thing earlier. WHERE IS THE MEDIA! Don't even tell me they aren't aware of this case. They are SUCH LIARS and want to keep DUMB news in our faces than REAL NEWS.

[EyeWantOneNation]

"Where is the media on this" ???

It's reported this cover-up rivals Watergate in its' corruption of each branch of the government and the media....

Guess the finer points are going to have to come out over time...and with you and a few fellow bloggers here, it's good to see we're here to make sure they do !!!

[NetProphet]

More "Washington INSIDERS" endorsing Obama.....­this only goes to show how DIFFERENT Hillary would be than her husband, Bill. All the old-timers who once worked in the '92- administration want back in, and Obama's given in to them.

I HOPE THIS PROVES THAT HILLARY IS THE REAL ONE FOR CHANGE....­.Obama's just mouthing the words!

Remember all the "INSIDERS" Obama has racked up so far:

John Kerry (MA)
Ted Kennedy (MA) -Caroline Kennedy
Bill Richardson (NM) (fmr Bill Clinton admin)
Christopher Dodd
Sam Nunn (GA)
David Boren (IL)
Robt Reich (fmr Bill Clinton admin)
Norman Mineta (fmr Bill Clinton admin)
William Daley (fmr Bill Clinton admin)
Richard Lugar (R-IN) ... AND MANY OTHER COMEBACKERS to boring to mention!!!

[b2008]

Why should Obama turn down an endorsement? Can you explain that, please? Nobody said he was Odummy!

[lizr]

Someone is confused, and should be looking at these people's hearts and minds and integrity instead of the fact that they have been in gov before. this is silly.

[JamesInDenver]

Insiders you say? Looks like the people who once worked with the Clinton's, simply never want to work with them again. Can't say I can find fault with that!

[dmj618]

Yup, I'm seeing friends and colleagues turning their backs on the Clintons and that says alot about how dirty the Clintons are. Nice try at spin though.

[boombox]

That's got to be the weirdest pro-Hillary rationalization I've ever heard.

[HypeFreeZone]

= NetProphet =
You are a FALSE Prophet !

[dgscol]

Reich was neutral - Howard Dean compelled him to declare his support.

[b2008]

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW:

Now they are saying that Obama made a hand jesture that was supposed to be a "bird" or whatever. I don't even know what they meant about that. It looked like he was scratching his face to me, but I'm not a face scratching expert. MSNBC ran the tape. Ridiculous!

And they're complaing that Barack was whining when Hillary whined her butt off at the last dabate about "always getting the first question" or "does Obama need another pillow in his chair" and so forth. Oh boy!

The MASS CRAZY-ASS MEDIA can find more things to bring to our attention than the things we really need to know about. What about HILLARY'S COURT CASE NEXT WEEK STUPID CNN, MSNBC, AND FOX? You idiots give us nothing but your crap!

[Gilda]

I'd much rather see Obama moon Hillary. I would probably send him more money!

[kellygrrrl]

Translation: "Although Hillary is sane, as far as I know,
Barack strikes me as far more so."

[JimReed]

Having so many members of his cabinet endorse Obama just goes to show the quality of the team Clinton put together.

[drzoon]

you mean bill?

[zorrobozo]

Obama is building consensus within the Democratic Party. . .

Time for Dems to win back this country!

[b2008]

It just goes to show Clinton don't have no more team. Their jumping ship like frightened rats in a burning building! They know what's up:)

[kennedy]

I love how the H.P. lies for Obama day and night. I read in his blog months ago that he was going to endorse Obama. Looks like Obama just told him to wait until he was in trouble to throw his less than nothing endorsement out there.

Obama and Reich are both cons. And Reich was just saying not that long ago the US eco. was not heading towards a recession. OH YOU WERE WRONG. Thank GOD your not anywhere near Hillary with that stupid idea.

[b2008]

It's because of Hillary that the economy is the way it is right now. Who are you fooling?

[drzoon]

and sam nunn? and the oklahoma senator as well... and the superdelegate from ohio that flipped from hilary to barack today?

[ladyv]

Err...well­, apparently somebody forgot to tell him that, since about two weeks ago on the Daily Show, Jon was pressing him about who he supported and Reich was playing coy.

I hope they have been saving the endorsement, though - even though it doesn't really seem to be a very significant one, most people won't know who he is - because that would mean that Obama is sitting on more important endorsements and has them ready to use when needed.

[BillyT]

JEALOUSY.

You could only WISH your candidate Hillary the Pathological Liar can claim some of Bill's former minions back.

They all declared: "ONE CLINTON WAS ENOUGH!!" Tells you what they think of the experience.

[musselmanm]

As Jackson Browne has sung many times. And the walls come tumbling down!

[stepintothelight]

I thought that was John Cougar Mellencamp.

[JustPassingThru]

The thing that continues to amaze me is that Bill Clinton earned the reputation in the '90s of being the consummate politician. He kept the Republicans tied in knots throughout his two terms, even after they became a legislative majority; true, he did it by co-opting many of their positions, but still. . . . He seems to have completely misunderstood politics in 2008. Maybe -- just maybe -- American politics isn't as much a blood sport as he thought it was. Maybe the "fun part" of politics isn't so much fun anymore.

[anghiari]

Why is it a given for so many that Bill actually wants Hillary to duplicate the most significant accomplishment in his political career? We talk of his reputation for being the consumate politician and how he has acquired $109 million dollars in 8 years ---yet folks continue to analyze his behavior in this campaign as some sort of off the track gaffe writ large? Hillary and Bill have always had a personal relationship that was at odds. He didn't get dumb overnight just for this campaign. I believe sabotage is not a far reach to understand his behavior. Everyone has been silly enough to believe he could humiliate Hillary with Monica and it was for her no more just another bimbo eruption. I think not. I think her bargaining chip was a run for the Presidency. Publicly embarrassed Bill Clinton agreed. But I think he has re-thought having the media spotlight on him 24-7 vs continuing to make millions and living a life he enjoys. Bill has been there done that with the Presidency. I really don't think he wants to go there again as the surrogate. I believe he likes living well and it trumps living under a spotlight with your wife in charge...j­ust a thought

[b2008]

It's only fun when you have ALL the power.

[b2008]

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW:

Obama won Texas: 13,568,526 - delegates: 1,396

Hillary lost Texas: 13,464,305 - delegates: 1,237

Just in case you never heard it over the boob tube or through your mass media. So she cannot claim Texas as a WIN for her!

[SharedHumanity]

How long before Bill calls him Judas?

[EyeWantOneNation]

I think he's waiting for Carville..­.then he'll just agree !!!

lol

[KPinSEA]

I'm not sure that even Carville is dumb enough to call a Jew "Judas".

[cowman]

Did you see Edwards on The Colbert Report?

"On one hand I don't want to be seen as being against hope, on the other I don't want Carville to bite me"

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

You got it all wrong.....­..........­..........­.

How long before Bill endorses Barak !!!!!!!!!!

[kellygrrrl]

The New Anti-Christ has risen!
watch yo' back, Mr. Reich

[b2008]

fOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW:

Hillary has a date in court next week involving the following campaign donation charges. Let's keep abreast of how this turns out. It will be the first time in history she is tried and convicted of any crimes. She's gotten away a long time.

"I am exposing the frauds Hillary directed, and I witnessed, that won her seat in the Senate on her march to the White House," Paul told WorldNetDaily. "It has become my penance to warn the American people of the real threat to our republic posed by this power-hungry sociopath.­"

Paul insists Clinton's new amended report finally acknowledged his contributions but falsely classified them as being from his companies and from his business partner, Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee, instead of from him as personal gifts. Clinton should have refunded the money according to federal law, he contends, because it was intended for her national senatorial campaign, and the limit for such donations is $25,000.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49478

[drzoon]

i am really really really not a hilary supporter. and embarrassed by my support for Bill in retrospect­...

but...

seriously.­.. can we knock this crap off? can we just get to the point where we know that Hilary is going to say whatever she needs to say to get elected.. and then screw the middle class.. again??

but this crap of Paul and who knew who and did what and all of that.... we just have to knock this crap off!!

[b2008]

Why? Cause you say so? This is what's happening hear and now! This is tomorrow's news in the making. You really have a nerve to want to coverup things just because...­...

[EyeWantOneNation]

drzoon...T­he largest campaign finance fraud in the history of our country...­and this woman is running for President !!!

"Knock off this "crap"" ??? If we had truely known GWB before he ever got elected, would people still have voted for him ???

Guess you already answered that question !!!

[Gilda]

Here come da judge!

[EyeWantOneNation]

Good post, b2008...bu­t let's stick to the facts...th­ey're certainly good enough in this instance..­..

Next status conference in L.A. Superior Court is scheduled for April 25th.

Hillary and former DNC head Ed Rendell were removed as defendents in this lawsuit...­but the California Supreme Court upheld the suit and will allow Hillary and Rendell to be called as wittnesses.

The suit is Paul vs. William Jefferson Clinton and deals with Sen. Clinton's involvement in the largest campaign finance fraud case in U.S. history...­$17M to $20 M.

This "cover-up" rivals Watergate in its' corruption of each branch of government and the media.

Will be interesting to see when (or if) the media begins to cover this story !!!

[b2008]

They have a tape in which Hillary is speaking with Peter Paul on the incident and she is the one who seals the deal. Are you saying that Bill Clinton is going to take the fall for this also?

How many people are always going to take the rap for Hillary? I truly don't think she's going to get out of this one that easy. Buy we'll see.

[winkster]

Hey, about Hillary's association with that Bill Clinton - that guy with shady business dealings and a defendent in an upcoming civil law suit. Hmmmm... Hey ABC, what about a question to Hillary on that? Boy those personal associations, close and/or friendly, sure are troublesome!

[Soothsayer08]

Why isn't the MSM covering this?This campaign finance scandal should have been talked about. I'm sure if Obama were involved it would be front page news. Talk about a double standard.

[b2008]

Now you know the deal! We've got to do something about the DOUBLE STANDARD!

[Gilda]

People should picket outside their television studios.

[stepintothelight]

We need to hold the MSM's feet to the fire on this. We need to ask every network out there why this is not receiving mass coverage. Someone farts in the Rezco trial and they break in with AN ABC SPECIAL REPORT.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Peter F. Paul
“An audit by the Federal Elections Commission found that neither Senator Clinton nor her Senate campaign had accepted any illegal funds”.
“The appellate court specifying that her behavior had been "perfectly legal.”"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_F._Paul