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

[foreffectivegovernment]

The superdelegates were created as a dam against the flow of "Mob Rule". That is what pure Democracy is. Ask the Palestinian people. That is how Hamas came to power.

The Founding Fathers established "Representative government" instead. The Mob, (a majority of voters), elect representatives who have the power to exercise their own good judgement in all cases. .

I feel afraid that these Representatives are allowing emotional issues such as spite, intimidation, and bribes to cloud their judgement. Link here for proof.
http://www.star-telegram.com/elections/story/551431.html
http://www.capitaleye.org/superdelegates.asp

WASHINGTON -- When Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill endorsed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, she said she'd found a candidate who "gives us a reason to believe again."
Obama believed in her, too, donating $10,000 from his political action committee to her 2006 campaign. Senator Claire McCaskill (D) Missouri, elected for the first time to the United States Senate in November 2006, explained why she was supporting Senator Barack Obama to be President of the United States.
These are her words. “It was a little nudging from my 18 year old Daughter.” “It was Maddie in my face.” “She, (Maddie), said, ‘How can you look yourself in the mirror, you’re a slug, you’re playing it politically safe, I believe in this guy, I’ll never speak to you again if you don’t stand up and have some courage.’ “

[kevenseven]

You idiot. You are back with a lecture on the roll of Supers and the thinking of the FF's?

Shut up.

[SoulSistah]

How dare young people be interested in their future. As Bill said, what do they know. Hillary supporters will show the whipper snappers a thing or two. HRC supporters will crush their hope and cast them into the lot of the bitter working class masses.

[BillyT]

Interesting findings on Gallup.com:

Even among older folks, those with high education support Obama overwhelmingly.

So it's not wishful thinking as Bill Clinton claimed that it's just the "yutes" voting for Obama. It has to do with education level much more than age. Bill Clinton = WRONG AGAIN.

[speakingtruth2power]

Nothing plus nothing is still nothing.

You may as well have not posted it.

[b2008]

To the people, the super delegates sounds very illegal. It seems they added an element that can counter votes meant for a specific candidate by switching those votes to a choice made by a delegate instead of by the people.

That, to me, seems very illegal, bogus, and just another way to get what you want to happen instead of what should happen.

[kevenseven]

Well, there is nothing illegal about the super delegates.

Not one American has a "right" to participate in choosing a party's nominee.

Really. You do not have a "right" to decide who the nominee of a political party would be.

If the Democratic Party decided to use rocks-pape­r-scissors to decide the candidate, there is not a court in the land that could stop them.

If the Democratic party decided that only the residents of Wooster, MA would vote, and whoever they choose would be the nom, that is how it would be.

Think I'm wrong? Then tell me why only Republicans can vote in the Republican primary in my state?

No. It is a party process, the party sets the rules. Super Delegates are as constitutionally viable as throwing darts at a board. The decision could be made exclusively by the Supers and still be just as legal.

I, for one, don't mind them, and I think 800 is a good number, large groups of people tend to average a good decision. But their vote is too influential in balance to the elected delegates. Supers in future should have half a vote, Or there could be twice as many delegates chosen in the vote, but the convention is large enough a gathering as it is now, so let's not do that.

I should add that I've been involved in campaigns since '88 and have long since been inured to the weirdness of the rules of politics.

[lizr]

good for Maddie! how cool that kids are having such a say in this election! maybe finally we can get back on track again as a country.

Kids like her give me hope@!

[cramos]

You got to love politician­s.......fl­esh eating cannibals.­....

[kevenseven]

What in the hell are you on about?

How it is that Reich could be characterized as a politician is beyond me.

You don't even know who he is, do you?

[b2008]

POLY - (greek meaning) "many"
TICS - "bloodsucking creatures"

[BarryChamplain]

Many props to the great Robert Reich, a true progressive and one sharp guy.

I sincerely hope that in an Obama Administration, the President* appoints Robert to a post of criticality, when it comes to determining the plan and the direction of our economy.




(* =note that I'm using caps... I WILL NOT DO THAT for this president! I refuse to "respect" the Bush coup d'etat! Problem with that? Stick your "respect for the office" where the sun don't shine, and get over it!)

[rvme]

So Obama is getting the Clinton Lefty crowd and Clinton is getting Moderate Rubin crowd. I will stick with Rubin anyday.

[drzoon]

dunn is a georgia democrat. if you know ANYTHING .. you know that he isn't part of the "lefty" crowd.

idiots!

[b2008]

You need to wash your mouth out with some stoidi soap!

[kevenseven]

But the question is: How does a friend of 40 years' standing endorse your opponent?

Stay neutral? OK. But for Reich to endorse Clinton's opponent is a huge rejection of Clinton.

[savertime]

Are you admitting that this is all about Bill Clinton? This strange belief that is floating around that if you supported or worked for Bill, then you owe allegiance to his wife!! That is sick AND twisted. That sounds like how we got into this current mess. Those who supported Herbert Walker were obligated to support the loser son.

So, either there are some really twisted ethics out there, or this has always been about a third term for Bill Clinton., nor matter how much the Clintons deny it.

One more reason not to vote for the desperate one that rides around on a broom.

[missjabez]

Funny how longtime friends of the Clintons often turn into enemies. Maybe they just get tired of the bullshit.

[Melissa]

These endorsements mean nothing. Remember the Kennedy's, Oprah, etc.? Even if Hillary does not win, Obama will not win the general. He was terrible in the debate.

[lizr]

Maybe he believes the sad state of the country forces his hand -that he has to go for a real leader instead of one who will do anything to win... the ends do not justify the means as many former Clinton supporters (myself included) are findign. we can't live with the tactics, tearing apart the party, helping McCain.

[Safire]

Whatever!

Obama 08!

[dugan45]

Rubin is part of the deregulation crew whose decisions played a large part in the state of our economy today. Reich is not. Ribin also has a huge billboard of a photo of Ayn Rand in his front yard. I stick with Reich.

[rvme]

REALLY? ok if you say so it must be correct.

[halyscomet]

People operating the Titanic shared the same view as yours...

[MidwestMomma]

The tally of endorsements of Obama is growing, growing, growing. Except for the old party machine hacks and Tina Fey(sort of) I can't even think of anyone who has endorsed Hillary

[drzoon]

sidebar: tina fey is not funny. she killed SNL as the head writer of that very tired franchise

[HypocrisySlayer]

Let start with I can't stand Hillary, but you have to give credit wher it's due. She definitly handled herself much better than Obama. And of course like always when something goes wrong he blames everybody else. it's the media, it's because your racist, it's because your old ect.. never his fault. Again if he can't handle this how is going to handle the economy, Iraq, Iran, Osama Binladin, China. I'll tell you how he will blame the republicans, the rich (that means anyone with a job or trying to get a job).

[b2008]

What show were you watching. I never heard him complaining about nothing but the stupid questions that had nothing to do with what people really want to hear.

[EyeWantOneNation]

See, ya gotta understand­...when people like "Hypocrisy" see a "debate" with the first hour consisting of tabloid-like, non-substance type rhetoric, they jump up and down for joy...it's the only thing they understand !!!

Get to real issues, platforms, etc., and we lose the likes of them...it'­s way over their heads !!! They get tired of getting shot down with truth and solutions !!!

So, in that vein, the "debate" was made-to-order for the simple minded !!! Gotta give 'em one once in a while, hey ???

[boombox]

huh???

[kevenseven]

Let us continue with the recognition that you are nothing but reactionary filth.

Fly back to freeper, monkey.

[08timefortruth]

How the heck do you equate being rich with having or getting a job? Is this your tiny one-sided brains way of being a racist without coming right out with it? Do you really think anyone with a two-sided brain can't see you for what you are? Now I know those are "tought" questions but I bet they don't get answered.

[cowman]

Apparently he doesn't know about the working poor.

[Safire]

Whatever!

Obama 08

[Doofus]

Robert Reich, maybe not such a surprise.

Sam Nunn & David Boren also? That's a pretty big deal.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/04/obama-endorse-1.html

Obama Endorsed by Former Senators Nunn & Boren; Reich does so as well

Two former senators with long records on foreign policy and national security issues -- and who come from "red" states where Republicans dominate -- have just endorsed Sen. Barack Obama's bid for the White House.

Sam Nunn of Georgia and David Boren of Oklahoma, both Democrats (as is Obama), will also be serving as advisers on Obama's national security foreign policy team. ...

[speakingtruth2power]

We are watching The Party rejecting the once dominant DLC

and the Clinton's frustration and angst over their final defeat.

Continuing with the DLC would only make a mockery of our

liberal principles, just like the neocons did for conservatives.

Populism is the effective cure for the cancer of corporatism.

[frappe]

That's good news. Every endorsement helps to put another nail in Hillary's political coffin.

[halyscomet]

As with Richardson, this is an ASTOUNDING endorsement of Obama from a former Clinton Cabinet Member. They know the Clintons as well as any and both have chosen Obama, which speaks volumes.

I sense the floodgates are about to open...

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Great point. Reich and Richardson worked heavily with Clinton (obviously), and they're endorsing Obama. What does it say about their former employers?

[chandler02]

I read his whole blog, and he makes very good points about why he has decided to support Obama.

[missjabez]

He explained very coherently why he was endorsing Obama. He didn't add, "Yes, after much hand-wringing and sleepless nights, I'm endorsing Obama although he is an elitist, conspired with 60s radicals, is Muslim,yet is under the thrall of wacky Rev. Wright, and lastly, although he does not wear a flag pin."

[BillyT]

Of course. Reich is too virtuous to mention any of that political attacking LIES.

....becaus­e if he did he would sound just like HilLIARy: all bark, no facts.

[Beachrunner]

A few more nails like this in Hillary "The Vampire" Clinton's coffin, and she'll be unable to come back from the dead . . . . ever!

[b2008]

I think between her and her husband, that coffin has already been closed.

[BigLib]

Gallup Poll Daily tracking shows a tightening of the national Democratic race, with Barack Obama now holding just a 3-percentage point advantage over Hillary Clinton, 47% to 44%.

Barry should have worn the pin.

[kevenseven]

To refer to Obama by the name he went by as a child serves only to reveal the rotten black core of your ra**st heart.

You sicken me.

[HumeSkeptic]

You don't understand how one gets the nomination, do you, Political Genius?

Oh! The pin. Yes. They are ordering more from China. There is a shortage.

[08timefortruth]

Poll Date Obama Clinton Spread
RCP Average 04/07 to 04/17 48.2% 41.4% Obama +6.8%
Gallup Tracking 04/15 - 04/17 47% 44% Obama +3.0%
Rasmussen Tracking 04/14 - 04/17 46% 41% Obama +5.0%
ABC News/Wash Post 04/10 - 04/13 51% 41% Obama +10.0%
Reuters/Zogby 04/10 - 04/13 51% 38% Obama +13.0%
AP-Ipsos 04/07 - 04/09 46% 43% Obama +3.0%

Pick whatever poll you want

[HypocrisySlayer]

Liberals are a joke. Your candidates finally get asked some tough questions and you start complaining. If your guys can't answer these questions, they are not fit to govern the best nation on earth. Stop whining.

[b2008]

Is that your way of calling Obama a "boy"?

[cramos]

Are you trying to bring race into this?

[HypocrisySlayer]

YEP!

[b2008]

Yep, twerpage. ...heheheh­ehehehehe

[harriscrl3]

There is such a thing as the right time but there is also such a thing as the wrong time. Hilary's time has passed. She should have ran in 2004. In all areas of comparision I just think he is the better candidate. Yes even in experience because its not just having experience its the right kind of experience. Obama has experience organizing and empowering people to fight for themselves. He also worked as a civil rights lawyer .i.e fighting for people who need someone to fight for them. I'm more likely to believe that someone like him would fight for working class, middle class and poor people. He also has experience teaching Consitutional Law and its not just something he uses to fill up his resume its something he reiterates in his stump speech. He will obey the constitution.

Carol

[natasyenehc]

Hilary has absolutely squandered what ever goodwill she may have had amongts sane, right thinking former supporters.

Bill's ridiculous outbursts have tarnished whatever legacy he may have had, and now they both look like a vile, spiteful, demagogue couple, hell bent on gaining power at all cost, including their own political destruction.

That;s is not the suicidal kind of person I want at the helm of the world's only remaining Super Power.

[matthewhusseinsmith]

natasyenehc,

your name gives you away.