Paul Kirk, Ex-DNC Chair And Superdelegate, To Endorse Obama

ABC's the note says Obama will roll out the endorsement of another DNC ex-chair today.

Speaking of math -- the Obama campaign rolls out another former DNC chairman's endorsement on Friday: Paul Kirk, a superdelegate who led the party from 1985-1989, is coming out for Obama -- a day after Andrew's switch, an Obama campaign official tells The Note. (And don't count on that being it for the day, as the dribble continues.)

If Clinton, D-N.Y., can make this is a race yet, we're about to find out just how patient Democrats can be with a race that's showing signs of shredding the party. Notwithstanding moves by Andrew, Kirk, and the like, Clinton needs superdelegates to wait for her case to play out -- and then she needs an utter and total rejection of the Democratic frontrunner.

Yesterday Joe Andrew, former DNC Chair under Bill Clinton, withdrew his support from Sen Clinton and endorsed Obama. Read why Joe decided to switch to an Obama endorsement.

Political Wire notes that Obama after the last two days, Obama has pulled ahead in endorsements from former DNC chairs:

For those keeping score, The Hotline notes that of the 11 living Democratic National Committee chairs between 1981 and 2005, six have endorsed Sen. Barack Obama and four have backed Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Only former Colorado Gov. Gov. Roy Romer has remained neutral.

Read HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation.

Comments

[DickTater]

Gotten
yeah, I said it.

About HRC and the willing press.
Remember, the Corporate media is trying to get THEIR candidate elected, as always. Who better to deflect all the HRC scandals, and concentrate on BHO, than the corporate media?

People think HRC got a bad ride from the press. Yeah, a few spoutoffs like Chris Matthews....whom I am sure MSNBC would luv for him to run for office and get off their payroll.
But she got no such thing. What, just because she came out yelling that she was the most vetted person on earth....does that mean all investigative journalism for HRC is off limits? That no-one can run any story or old footage or bring up the stinky deals? Because there has been NONE of that. The worst she has received is some guff from her own (or Bill's) gaffes on THIS campaign trail. No nightly gangup on her, no dredging up the old stuff, or Bill's deals, or HRC's corporate ties, trade history, shady brothers, old religious mentors. No mention of the shady FL and MI behavior or other dirty tricks.

[abouttime]

Hillary voted for the Iraq war. What else is there to consider?

[demigod]

For the life of me I can't understand why the Democratic Party is rushing to support a man who says upfront that he is going to capitulate to Independents and Republicans. There's a reason Independents and Republicans are not Democrats - they OPPOSE everything the Democratic Party stands for ! For Obama to "work" with them he must sell out to get their votes. They are NOT coming our way. SO calling Hillary names and villifying her makes no sense when she - and her supporters - have fought the Republicans all her - our - life (lives) for a better America. It's NOT that we like to fight - it's because the Republicans and the idiot Independents destroy everything they touch - haven't nearly eight years of Bush proven that ? You want to "work" with THEM ? NO THANKS - the LAST thing in the world I could ever do is work with them. They must be crushed like the snakes they are. Only Democrats have ever done anything for the American people, over the strenuous objections of the Republicans. You cannot buy peace with them, so you better start building peace with your own fellow Democrats. This isn't about Hillary Clinton, and it certainly isn't about Bill. It's about America. My beef with Obama is his basic premise - that you can work with the opponents of democracy, and you can throw over your own natural allies to do it. You can't.

[DickTater]

You're wrong. They are coming his way.
Maybe the powerbrokers in the rightwing aren't happy about him,
but many of the rank and file republlican and independent voters are SICK of the way lobbyists and corporations run everything. They are sick of the waste, sick of the healthcare crisis, sick of the climate crisis, sick of the gas bills and they KNOW that their corporate masters - not only let them down - were NEVER on their side.

Now it seems our own white middle-lower class blue collar voter is almost our enemy, the way they have gone over to clinton. Well, this gang always was eager to vote against their interests, they are the same ones who went over to Reagan and Boosch2. Even died in the wool republicans and staunch independents can sometimes smell if their ass is on fire.

[Sioen]

Talking about other human beings -- and other Americans -- in terms of crushing them "like the snakes they are" is exactly the reason our country is in the mess it is right now.

You don't get positive things accomplished by that sort of posture. What ends up happening (and what HAS happened for the past 30 years) is that people harden into their positions and refuse to even give an inch, even if they might want to. They won't, just because you've treated them so badly.

Don't you Clinton people get that? Your tactics lead to gridlock and accomplish NOTHING.

Look at Sen. Ron Wyden's health care plan if you want to see how politics conducted between intelligent adults works. He isn't "capitulating" anything. Instead, he's treating people who have a different opinion from himself as smart people looking for answers, and together they have come up with a health insurance system that would save money and cover everyone -- and it has GOP supporters, so it might have a chance of succeeding.

Were Hillary to get elected (thank goodness she won't), her plan would be dead on arrival, no matter how good it is, just because of the way she demonizes opponents.

We're not opponents, we're Americans, and we need to work together or this country is going to sink into the muck and mire that the slimy politicians have created.

[mutron]

Demigod, isn't compromise what makes democracy work? Would you prefer a one party system? Many people cross party lines for very good reasons. The ultra partisan position you want to take is actually harmful to what democracy is all about.

[Hallucinocynic]

Dick, we can focus all of our discontent on the MSM - and heck yes, it deserves to be excoriated for its behavior in every campaign - but the DNC is also culpable. The DNC should vet EVERY candidate before the campaign season begins. They have enough resources to be able to background check every potential presidential candidate and to determine whether "Reverend Wright" or "Whitewater" issues are lurking in the wings, ready to bite the party on the ass later on.

Of course, that doesn't stop candidates from resorting to lies or misdirection further on in the campaign, but at least a modicum of the gotcha politics would be mitigated.

I would hope that, by the conclusion of this divisive contest, that the party would institute means to limit or defuse the personal attacks that have colored this primary process. Further, ALL primaries should take place on the same day so that NO state gets preferential treatment; and that NO exit polls be publicized - or that the polling hours from Hawaii to Maine are synchronous, so that if candidate A is leading in ME, that information does not influence voters in San Diego. Frankly, the political desires and expectations of those on the east coast are quite dissimilar to those on the west coast.

[Jaradan]

So former DNC chairmen who endorse Obama are now "corporate media"? I think this is much more newsworthy than Rezko, Ayers, or any other person who has breathed the same air as Obama in the past 46 years.

Funny how all of these crazy "scandals" reach the level of being put forth in questions to Obama, yet we haven't heard one question about the campaign fraud trial Hillary is a defendant in RIGHT NOW, along with her precious hubby and daughter. Even if there is a gag order, I think it's still worth knowing that a current presidential candidate is being charged with illegal campaign activity for previous campaigns and is repeating the same behavior in this current one.

[lotuslike]

drip, drip, drip....

[DickTater]

All I know is that if BHO was the front runner and anyone other than HRC was in 2nd, they'd have dropped out long ago.

HRC has the women vote going for her, that put so much desperation and urgency behind a candidate who lost the game, came in 2nd place. But no, HRC's entitlement and the desperation of being so close for women has somehow kept this sad affair alive.

Would BHO and Richardson or BHO and Edwards, and BHO and Dodd have ever descended to this kind of farce and horror show?
No, HRC has brought it there. BHO is steadfastly refusing to play that game, because when he emerges from this horrible worst angels assault from HRC he can ride his integrity thru November.

But none of the other candidates would have ever stooped to what the CLintons have done. And no other dem candidate would have gotten a willing press. She is so corporate rightwing, even the media is for her.

[mom4obama]

Walmart -- the beginning of the end of American made products and good paying jobs with healthcare -- FOC's (Friends of Clintons) through Rose Law firm and the favored nation status from Bill -- don't have to worry about paying for healthcare for employees thanks to Hillary
Loss of Democratic Majority in Congress during first term due to Bill's tactics -- not working with THEM but fighting at every turn
Government shut downs due to budget squabbles
Engergized the right (Fox News anyone?)
All the victimized women
And through it all this is where Hillary claims to have gained her "experience"
That experience we dont need and can't afford again

[KMKY]

Kirk endorsed Obama in February. Apparently, we are just getting an updated form of the endorsement.

[Sioen]

No, he didn't. A Nexis search turns up news stories from February and from March citing Kirk as one of a small group of holdouts from Mass.

If you have a report where he endorsed, please cite it.

[KMKY]

The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Politico.com all mention this.

[atowngirl]

Send these comments to: ABC.COM msnbc.commsnbc.com msnbc.com.com [e-mail]

NBCUNI.comNI.com msnbc.comsnbc.com time.comtime.com demconvention.comn.com

bloomberg.netomberg.net cbcfinc.orgc.org

[abby4ever]

And I wondered if yet another will be rolled out tomorrow---and every day until Indiana! Wouldn't that be neat?

[DebofMD]

Definitely. :-)

[zenkid]

What is up at the DNC? Before Pennsylvania Howard Dean said the superdelegates "need to decide starting now" and end this process , yesterday Joe Andrew said " the primary process is hurting the democratic party" and as a superdelegate he was announcing and encouraged others to come forward to end the process and that " a vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote to continue the process". Today we have another DNC former chairman weighing in. When a party fears it's own voters, it is really bad. It makes one wonder and question. I believe the DNC is hurting the democratic party more than any voters expressing themselves can ever do. No matter what happens in this election this will come back to haunt them

[abby4ever]

It doesn't fear its own voters, it fears losing in November because voters are turned off by this horrific spectacle---the Clintons. This is the first time in this election the party has shown any real leadership. The only thing that will come back to haunt them is a continued bowing and scraping to Hillary and Bill---thankfully, it looks like that has stopped.

[mnnice]

There was no way she could win. just another fine example of her trying to mess up her own party ,no dignity,no respect,Its just the greedy,elitist ,pathological liar ,showing her true colors.Ten bucks says the despicable bitch runs as an independent now.So all she was really doing was using the party .10 bucks says the republicans finance her run.Barack &slime split the votes- 4 more years.

[ColoradoDan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN_nQOHj__s

The contempt and hate behind Hillary's camp is incredible. Like the Bush folks, people are expendible items and looked down upon from above. Indiana is just one of their jokes ... they have 49 other names for the rest of the states I'd bet.

Hell no, the tape wasn't doctored ... but he was smart enough to whisper it almost quietly.

Thankfully, Hillary is marching back to New York to F with just that state and will leave the other 49 alone. She still has chance to become McCain's running mate though. The Clinton's have proved to be as ugly as what we've had for the last 7 years in Washington. Disgusting.

[duze]

Speaking of this tape which I believe whole heartedly. If you notice not one of our national news outlets have spoken about the other real video "The Video Hillary Doesn't Want You To See"
youtube Paul v. Clinton Part 1 & 2

http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/civilcasesummary/index.asp

[going2ireland]

In my personal opinion, I think they are laying off that one so that the trial can be a fair one and not get thrown out of court due to the media exposure of the tape. Smart move. Let that one go and let the courts throw the book at the Clintons without interference from the media.

[VFH]

You're the expert, right? What are your credentials?? Oh, Obama supporter? That qualifies!!

[abouttime]

Reason should be our motive for choosing a candidate to represent us and our America. We must realize that all Democratic members of Congress are Superdelegates and will cast their votes at the Convention for Obama. Most voted against the "authorization" for WAR.
Hillary voted to invade a country where suffering to millions of innocent people knows no limits. Those votes resulted in the worst US foreign policy decision ever made in my lifetime. The war in Iraq is a catastrophe and it didn't have to be!
I give Obama my respect for being an American Patriot, dedicated to truth, justice and the American way. I don't want to miss an opportunity to tell my children and grand children that I was a participant in the recovery of America from grips of an uncaring centralized militaristic police state that we were taught could never take place in our America. Because It has. We can change it.
Obama brings hope for America and the world. We are the people who control our government - if we have a government that responds to our pleas for peace and liberty. Obama is a true American who will weigh and balance his cabinet and work with Congress for the benefit of you and me -- because he cares about everyone.
I don't hate Bush, or Hillary or Obama. They cannot rob me of my peace of heart that loves and dreams of peace. Nor should they rob you of your peace and reason.
Obama

[lotuslike]

Great post...thank you!

[sierrarisings1]

http://www.colorofchange.org/dems/message.html

Obama 08

[sierrarisings1]

part 1

DNC Chair Howard Dean, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and superdelegates:
The Democratic Party is playing a dangerous game and I'm writing to ask that you bring it to an end.

It has come to my attention that elected officials and party leaders are actually considering using their status as "superdelegates" to hand the nomination to Hillary Clinton against the will of voters, an action that would disenfranchise millions.

[zenkid]

Be more specific about how it has come to your attention. Otherwise it is just speculation. And I think wrong speculation because all of their actions seem to be supporting Obama.

[abouttime]

sierrarisings1; I hope you are wrong, but it could theoretically happen that "elected officials and party leaders are actually considering using their status as 'superdelegates' to hand the nomination to Hillary Clinton."
I am, however confident most superdelegates will think of the damage to their own reputations in forever and permanently destroying The Democratic Party - the party of the working class and poor - (and the prospect of change that Obama brings with him).
A "hand-over" to Clinton would result in defections and lead to the formation of the "New Democrats" party. It could also hand the election to a Republican president. Apathy would result. Therefore, I believe that any coup by superdelegates is unlikely. They, (most Democrats anyway) have honor and know that we are at a crucial point in history where our liberty and our control of our Government; a government of, and by the people, is already in jeopardy.
Continue to express your valid concerns because they need to hear them.
Obama 08, for needed change

[AdLib]

Hillary rides the "guilt by association" horse so hard on Obama/Wright for short term gains, oblivious to all the weasels she and Bill have been surrounded by? She's been throwing grenades at Obama while running through a mine field. LOL!!!

From Airplane 2:

"Sometimes irony can be pretty ironic."

[StandingStill]

TO ALL THE VOTERS:
Since the media is refusing to reveal/report the Paul vs Clinton fraud case in court right now, we need to create our own movement and flood every blog on CNN and every blogging website on the World Wide Web with information from the case regardless of what the topic is. For those that don't know - Google Paul vs Clinton and hold on to your shirt with what you read!!
For those of you who think this case has been thrown out or is irrelevant:
"In the landmark civil fraud case against Bill Clinton in Los Angeles, where the former President is charged with defrauding a Hollywood dot com millionaire to help Hillary Clinton obtain more than $1.2 million from him for her 2000 Senate campaign, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aurelio Munoz ruled on Friday, April 25, 2008 that Hillary Clinton would not be required to testify in a sworn deposition as a material witness in the case until AFTER the November paulvclinton.comvclinton.com)
Here is the kicker - the judge is a Bill Clinton appointee!

[abby4ever]

Excuse me while I get sick---I heard he even asked the defense lawyer to say 'Hi' to Bill for him. What a circus.

[geobushono]

When this is all over, the NEW Party absolutely needs to punish the evil pricks who have attempted to sabotage President Obama.
The behavior of some Dems requires that they NEVER get another penny of Party money. Not one penny.

[RedDogBear]

Well I agree with your sentiment but the truth is that Obama can't win this by telling all the Clinton supporters to go F*** themselves. If Lincoln could be magnanimous to the South after the civil war I think Obama can do the same with Clintonites. Of course after the presidential election there is nothing to prevent some ambitious person in NY state (Ned Lamont -- perhaps you should consider relocating?) to run as a real left wing alternative to Senator Clinton in the next primary when she is up for re-election to the senate.

[soylentgreenleftovers]

Will the last one to leave the "Hillary for President" HQ please turn out the lights? Thank you.

[Jaradan]

LOL!

P.S.
Soy is bad for you.