Obama Endorsed By Government Employees Union

WASHINGTON — The American Federation of Government Employees endorsed Barack Obama Friday, giving the Illinois senator fresh momentum toward capturing the Democratic nomination for president.

"Our people, I think, recognize the enthusiasm and vitality behind Senator Obama's campaign," AFGE President John Gage said.

Gage, a previously uncommitted superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, said he is also personally endorsing Obama.

Obama, the Democratic front-runner, is vying with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for the party's presidential nomination. His candidacy has been picking up momentum since Tuesday, when he handily won the North Carolina primary and held Clinton to a narrow victory in Indiana.

While calling Clinton a friend and saying she has worked hard for federal employees, Gage said some members of AFGE's board also think having Obama as the Democratic nominee would help the Democratic slate as a whole. Obama will do better in "bringing along some of the downticket races," Gage said.

AFGE is the largest federal employee union, representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

Gage also said it's time for Democrats to move beyond the primary and start concentrating on the November contest against certain Republican presidential nominee John McCain. "I think it's time we start really focusing in on McCain, who just has a terrible record when it comes to federal employees," Gage said.

Comments

[realtalk]

I HAVE TO STRONGLY CAUTION ALL OBAMA SUPPORTERS WHOSE STATES HAVE NOT YET VOTED, PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE WHEN YOUR VOTING DATE ARRIVES. THE RACE IS NOT OVER, SO DO NOT BUY INTO WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYING. THEY ARE GIVING OFF A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.

IF THE MEDIA ARE ABLE TO GET OBAMA'S VOTERS TO STAY AT HOME, WITH THE FALSE SENSE THAT OBAMA HAS ALREADY WON, HILLARY WILL WALK OFF WITH THE NOMINATION, BECAUSE YOU BETTER BELIEVE THAT HILLARY IS TELLING HER SUPPORTERS TO GO OUT AND VOTE.

OBAMA SUPPORTERS, THIS RACE IS NOT DONE UNTIL ALL THE VOTING IN EVERY STATE IS DONE.
SO OBAMA VOTERS GET OUT AND VOTE, NO MATTER WHAT THE MEDIA SAYS, OBAMA NEEDS ALL YOUR VOTES, THIS RACE IS NOT OVER UNTIL ALL THE STATES HAVE VOTED!!!

[barackobama4prez]

Awesome. Let the people be heard.

[moodpost]

HRC supporters have their reasons to feel bad and Obama supporters may have reasons to gloat Even in defeat, HRC holds some power over the white house for the democrats. With just a little salesmanship, she could throw a lot of support toObama. I know she knows what to say, but the question is whether she will say it. What will HRC do to heal the damage? She can make it happen, or she can make it very difficult. It may be that Obama supporters continue to gloat because HRC seems to be making it difficult instead of making it happen. There is some resentment there among Obama supporters that has to come out somewhere. Funny too that Obama supporters would give HRC more love than she's ever had if she were to say the right things. .

[ProgressiveThought]

This thing was over after Obama ran off 13 straight Victories. The Kitchen Sink fell a little short.

[PennLawyer]

There is no need for Obama to give in to Clinton's extortion/blackmail threat: pay my debts and I'll drop out of the race. The race has dropped Clinton - one can only hope that New York state will similarly dump her at the earliest opportunity!

[barackobama4prez]

i agree. her behavior is toxic. since she doesn't care, why should voters of NYC? to borrow a line..."screw her!"

[dajay]

New York won't be dumping Hillary. They love her here. In case you have forgotten, NY Dems voted for her by a large margin over Obama in this primary season.

You remember. New York, one of the big states, Obama couldn't secure.

[JamieStarr]

If he had won New York over the hometown candidate, she would have to have been a horrible candidate.

Are you suggesting that she was and therefore Barack should have beat her in New York?

BTW -
Hillary beat Barack by 17 points in New York.
Barack beat Hillary by 22 points in Illinois.

They don't love her that much.

[dajay]

PennLawyer: I would like to see some proof that Clinton has been blackmailing or threating Obama to pay off her debts.

do you have any quotes about this. Where did you get this joke of a story, besides the inside of your delusional, empty head, I wonder.

[TGCNY]

It Cant get any more clearer than this. The pipes started dripping superdelagate and endorsement now It seems like the flood Gate are opening. Hope u clinton's got your life vest.

[going2ireland]

Yes, that is the way to be a good sport! Make fun of the losing team!

Didn't your Momma teach you to be a good sport?

[debrouillard]

But when the looser doesnt bow out quietly,what is the victor supposed to do? Let her hit him so she can then say,see,i told u so he is weak,i am hitting him and he is too weak to reply. Obama has been humble through out this race,remember Hillary failed to congratulate him once,on his 11 successive victories.What do you call that? On the contraory,he has never failed to congratulate her,will even do if and when she wins Puerto Rico.

Respect is a mutual exclusive thing. The looser has to behave sportsman-like to receive a sportsman-like response from the victor. Tell me how sportsman-like it was declaring oneself "The Inevitable" before a race even began?

[Dustee]

It's a hard loss for Clinton supporters - let's not go there, please!

[crossoverwriter]

Go Obama! yes, another endorsement.
Repubs, Dems, Independents, young, old,working class and Latino-- everyone for Obama.
Stay strong. The Clinton's and the media's attempts to slice and dice have not worked.
Yes, we all can.

[nsiah7]

The time is near. Coming and coming and coming..........

[Cramus]

I am hoping that it is now only a matter of time for begining of the end for the Bush-Clinton Bush-Clinton dynasty to start to erode.

[scorpioleidy]

Hello ... Team Clinton???? The writing is on the wall---do you see it???
OBAMA '08

[Dustee]

Hey, it's time to rag on McBush now, OK.

[rollingdivision]

Tax consumers will all line up behind the Democrats, the party of big government, high taxes, regulation.

[cthomp7280]

I see that the GOP ships you the Kool-Aid by the barrel.

The Dems...the party of big government? HAHAHAHAHAHA...I take it you haven't looked at the size of "W's" lately. He created an entirely new cabinet, is fighting 2 wars, and is spending like crazy.

High Taxes....right! Let's just get using the China Express Credit Card...it's the American Way!

and regulation...this is the funniest of them all. Maybe if we had such a thing, gas wouldn't be $4 a gallon, milk wouldn't be $5 a gallon, and the price of a pound of chicken wouldn't look like a Lotto number.

You GOP clowns are an ongoing three rings circus, featuring a new brand of stupidty sold by the six pack. It's based on lapel pins, flag-waving, and back-patting. All the while, you screw this country over with no vaseline!

[mimundo]

As a fellow Federal employee, I appreciate your endorsement Mr. Gage. I also agree with you. Our attention must now be focused on taking back the White House AND Congress.

[southernfried]

pwned..................

[Paladine]

Obama rolls on...