Obama Starts Off The Day With Superdelegates

Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly endorsed Obama this morning, moving Barack's gap to the nomination 149 delegates. The press release is below.

UPDATE: New Orlean Mayor Ray Nagin, another superdelegate, has also endorsed Obama (statement below). Also, the Washington Post reports that one of Clinton's pledged delegates from Maryland has announced that he will support Obama at the convention.

UPDATE: Former DNC Chair (and Colorado governor) Roy Romer makes three.

UPDATE: Anita Bonds, the chairwoman of D.C.'s Democratic party came out, rather unexpectedly, for Obama late last night.

CHICAGO, IL -- Today, Indiana Congressman Joe Donnelly endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his commitment to working families and building a real coalition for change:

"Today, I am pleased to announce my support for Barack Obama. At a time when too many Americans have lost faith in their government, Senator Obama can move us beyond the politics of stalemate and gridlock that has kept us from meeting the monumental challenges of our time: our dependence on foreign oil, a health care gap that leaves tens of millions uninsured, the steady deterioration of our manufacturing base, and an economy that is not working for working people.

The Democratic Party's strength comes from its core commitment to the American Dream and from a coalition that is ideologically, economically, geographically and ethnically diverse. Barack Obama will stand with working families while building that coalition so that we can change this country, and that's why he's the best choice for America."

Barack Obama said, "I am honored to have the support of Congressman Joe Donnelly. Joe has brought an independent, principled, and pragmatic voice to Washington that is more focused on getting results for Hoosier families than scoring political points. As President, I look forward to working with Congressman Donnelly to build bipartisan majorities to create jobs, make health care more affordable and accessible, and to give our veterans the care and support that they have earned."
Donnelly is the 282nd superdelegate to endorse Barack Obama, who is 149 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Comments

[Ron]

The continual superdelagates supporting or switching their support for Obama shows his campaign of unity and getting things changed, are paying off. He not only has taken the high road in not using the smear or fear style that other politicans have tried to use, but has remained calm and collected, and shown a tremendous amount of confidence and his abilities to really understand the situations as they truly are. As other superdelegates throw their support towards Obama to end the Hillary thing, we'll see a renewed step toward defeating the republicans next Nov., without any doubts. Lets hope that other interests don't try to undermine our system by putting a stop to Obama. I fear more about that, then a terror attack that someone will try to do something to Obama, making it look like an individual was on his own.

[live]

Leave it to HuffPo to ignore the REALLY Good news for Obama today.-

I just put my Obama 08 bumper sticker on my car. I live in a hard core repub area of NM and
I am sure it will make me quite popular but I just couldnt resist!

[Vern58]

Good on you- Congratulations!

[live]

thanks all!

[luvthelaw]

Live, I also live in NM and live in a Republican conclave but I have been surprised to see a few Obama stickers starting to show up here. In 2004, a young man came to the door to campaign for the Dems and he told me one of my neighbors told him if he didn't leave, my neighbor was going to let his dogs loose. The poor guy was scared but I wasn't surprised. The good news is that e
even that neighbor has now been saying negative things about Bush and McCain. He hasn't gone far enough to support a Dem but at least he's starting to think.

[qdog112]

Hopefully Richardson will deliver more to our side there. Wear it with PRIDE!

[nellie]

Who knows? You might be starting a trend. I hear a lot of Republicans calling into radio programs these days saying they'll vote for Obama.

[lisakaz2]

I've had one for months. No problem when I lived outside Philly or when I moved to Knoxville, TN but in the sticks of TN. Well, put it this way: I just paid an Obama tax for speeding. How I was picking out and the cars passing me weren't...hmm...

[qdog112]

Something else to track?

[marignymitch]

DWSO (driving while supporting Obama)? In Tennessee? You're lucky to be alive.

[Monrocsol]

THERE IS SO MUCH HATRED HERE FOR THE CLINTONS, ALL COINS HAVE TWO SIDES, AND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OBAMA COIN WILL NOT BE PRETTY.

HE WILL LOOSE IN NOVEMBER.

[bryang78]

Please explain your argument on how he will lose in november or are you just a parrot?

[Rule Of Law]

Can't reply--Beak stuck in caps lock...

[McPander]

At least he will loose fairly and not by uses his sex or race to try to gain favor. Your candidate will never hold elected office again. She shot the dice and they came up CRAPS.
"Hard Working Americans, White Americans"

[Vern58]

please consider not using ALL CAPS in your posts- you are looking ridiculously desperate and bitter-thank you.

[Yatata]

worst case scenarios after his voter registration dives have him winning by a 20% margin. best case if he hits his registration goals is a 79% landslide. In November.

[Yatata]

here is the article:

http://progressillinois.com/2008/05/11/features/obama-over-the-top

[Yatata]

oops my bad. Best case is actually 81.9%

[andyboy]

Yeah but Hillary will lose in June. That's worse. Lol!

[amst]

Boy, was I ever so jazzed at the beginning of this primary season. I loved that we had two wonderful candidates, not to mention the very real possibility of a "First" woman or "Frist" black President. I figured we can't go wrong.

Then along the way, I become so disappointed with Hillary and her lowlife tactics. I have lost much respect for the Clintons during this campaign. However, if you ask is Clinton capable? Of course. So should she, by some fluke at this point, get the nomination yes, I will vote for her as anyone is better than McCain. I won't betray my party.

Count me in with the group that WILL vote for Hillary but WILL also plug my nose while doing so.

[live]

I was tyhe opposite. I thought dboth would surely lose in the GE and was mad at them both for runningwhen the dems had a great shot at taking back the WH.

Now I am a proud supporter of Obama after Billary made me realize the depth of hatred in this country and now I am voting for change. MCCain will probably win but America will change for the better in the end. On the other hand there could be enoutgth old white women like me who
realize MCBUSH is a so wrong for this country . and way too old and nutty and Obama wins!

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

I won't vote for Hillary because time after time she betrays the party and climbs to power on the backs of the people that got her where she and Bill are today.

There ain't no such thing as a Goldwater Democrat.

[marignymitch]

Ray Nagin endorsement is damage for Obama, and I say that as an Obama supporter.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

How so, Obama supporter?

[marignymitch]

Um. Lessee. How do you spell lubricious? He's the single most divisive element in a ('chocolate') city on the ropes. He's MIA in New Orleans, but there have been sightings in Dallas. He doesn't lead, in a city that desperately needs leadership; instead he travels--he says it's his calling. (Dunno why he sought re-election; he's been fervently uninterested in the post since the vote.) He claimed he's a CPA, but that claim was a lie. The lie fooled his former employer, Cox Communications, where he was an affirmative action hire, but it was exposed when he entered public life. I can't think of an accomplishment since Katrina. I take that back; he landed a personal contract for a Home Depot under construction in the city and he did urge turning the CBD into a casino district. Did I mention lubricious? Shall I go on? I can, if you prefer.

In short he's anathema to the principles that Obama, bless him, stands for.

[mistlesuede]

I don't think so. A lot of what happened to him was blown out of proportion and in the grand total of so many delegates coming out every single day, the former mayor's vote won't be any big deal.

[uhappytoo]

Only if you live outside of New Orleans, in which case it doesn't matter. Few if any Americans even remember who he is. As for how those in New Orleans think, Nagin, you may remember, was re-elected AFTER Katrina.

BTW, after reading The Great Deluge by Douglas Brinkley, I believe most of the criticisms of Nagin are valid.

[marignymitch]

Brinkley was correct and the criticisms valid. Dereliction of duty. Unforgiveable.

[StillIRise]

I don't think any endorsement is damage for either Obama or Hillary. How can it be damaging? He's a super delegate, and like him or not, his endorsement carries the same weight as every other super delegate's endorsement. No one is going to judge Senator Obama or his campaign because Ray Nagin, another super delegate, endorsed him. I'm sure that Hillary would have welcomed his endorsement as well.

[KarateKid]

To all Obama supporters:

Ignore the trolls from the Republican Party. They know what's coming. They're next.

Ignore the crybabies from the Clinton campaign. They didn't go out and work for their candidate like we did for ours, and they didn't put their money where their mouths are. So, let them kick and scream and make threats to cut their own noses off to spite their faces. Who gives a rip what a swoosie thinks, anyway?

We won, so let's enjoy the moment and then turn our attention to the Republican cretins. If Clintonistas want to go over to the other side or sit it out (equally stupid) let them. The train is leaving and as long as all the true Democrats, independents and crossover Republicans are on it, who needs the rest of them?

[donballz]

We do. Dont make the mistake of thinking we have this in the bag. John McCain is a real commpetitor who will be bringing a much larger kitchen sink, with the baby and the bath water. You thought Clinton's attack ads were bad? You aint seen nothing yet. And we need Democrats, all of us, to get out to the polls in November to take this country back. Not just the top of the ticket but all the way down. We need unity above all. Unity as Democrats and Unity as Americans. we have serious problems. Divided we fail. Its not just a slogan

[McPander]

McPander is going to have problems getting through his convention. Ron Paul supporters are going to slow him down for us.

[StillIRise]

Obama is now leading McCain in the general 51% - 44%.

McCain and the GOP will indeed be tough in the general, but we already know what their best ammunition is. He will be swift-boated about Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers, and flag pins! But they will be singing to the choir and essentially beating a dead horse. Republicans are already losing house seats as we speak, and the Democrats have already shown that they are coming out in much greater numbers than the GOP. McCain himself is not a very potent candidate, and when standing next to Obama, he will be even more diminished. As a united Democratic Party, no matter how tough it will be, we will be the victors in the end.

[bxmask]

That was beautiful, I have a tear in my eye. I agree, it's time to move on. We can't worry about those who stand in our way. We must move forward. Obama and Clinton agree on most of the issues so now the choice is simple: a vote to sit out or vote for McCain is:
1) A vote to end the lives of young Americans in an ill-advised war
2) A vote against any form of Universal healthcare
3) A vote to ignore the housing crisis
4) A vote to go to war with Iran
5) A vote to divert money out of our economy and out of our country to fund multiple wars
6) A vote to continue our negative perception amongst other countries in the world

I'm not a "hard working-blue collar white American" so I don't truly know how you think. I do hope that you vote based on the issues and not based on bigotry. The Main Stream Media is painting you in this light, it's up to you to prove or disprove that characterization. Here is your test.

[obamajusrocks]

well said

[darlene2]

The numbers (playing by the rules) are in Sen.Obama's favor, should the nomination be taken from him and given to Sen. Clinton because she wants it that way? Do the voices of the other American people and the states that played by the rules matter? If the numbers change legitimately and Sen.Clinton in the nominee, I will vote for her although I am not a fan.I recognize that bringing the troops home before 4,000 more die, getting healthcare for the less fortunate and those with pre-existing conditions, improving the economy, and restoring Americas reputation with the world in much more important than my petty issues with Sen. Clinton. In November, I will vote for a better America, not big oil companies and 100 more years in Iraq. I hope you don't know anyone there. It would be ashame for someone else to die because you got it wrong like both of your political choices for the fall. Good luck to you and I hope you get over your bitterness in enough time to make a good decision.

[McPander]

Well it should be taken away, she represents "Hard Working Americans, White Americans". Thats all that matters. We won West Virginia. Like she said, "If we were Republicans she would already be the nominee".
We don't need to have all the states vote and caucus. We just need to have 4 states, Ohio, Penn, West Virginia and Indiana.
Oh one more New York.
Ya thats it.

[Vern58]

Please do not list Indiana in that category- she was aided here by slight of hand (Operation Chaos) and we are just now understanding by just how much.

[eXcommunicate]

HRC supporters that stamp their feet and claim they'll "never vote for Obama" really have no idea what HRC's platform is, because they are nearly identical on that score. If you believed in Senator Clinton's stand on issues, then you would vote for Barack Obama in the General Election. There's no comparison between Obama and McCain on the issues - Barack is right and McCain is wrong. It makes me questions why *some* Clinton supporters are supporting her to begin with. Is it nostalgia over the supposed wonderful 90s? Is it hero worship? A cult like mentality ("my candidate or NO candidate!!")? Clinton's supposed "experience" (a joke)? What is it? When HRC supporters say such things, "I'll never vote for Obama!" it makes me think that they never truly thought through their vote to begin with. Please, someone prove me wrong, because I'd rather think higher of my fellow Democrats.

[donballz]

Thank You! Well said eX

[britethere]

I just listened to part of a Clinton speach. " I'm gona tell ya sumpin. Jon Kenida was behan in da delegads ba thangs da Wes Vergina.......
." Now aint that "sumpin"? getten dun in da gutta wid da WV elites....... I may have to vomit!

[McPander]

Well she is the candidate of "Hard Working Americans, White Americans"

[derekw007]

You know who else was the candidate of "hard working Americans, white Americans?"






That's right - Hitler.

[CocteausTwin]

Welcome to the vomitoreum. Grab a feather.

[darlene2]

Hi Swoosie,

It is unfortunate that you will allow your obvious bitterness to cloud your judgement. Prior to the start of this election, ALL the candidates agreed that if Florida and Michigan moved their election that their delegates would not be seated. Sen. Obama honored that and removed his name from the ballot in Michigan and never visited Florida during the primaries. He has followed the rules, he has campaigned negatively only to defend himself. Sen. Clinton on the other hand agreed that Florida and Michigan would not count until she needed them to win/come close to the nomination. Although she did not officially campaign in Florida, she did conveniently have a fundraiser there the night before the primaries. If she had objected to the "disenfranchisement" of those voters on the front end, it would have been o.k., but clearly, for Sen. Clinton the rules only apply if she is winning or the rules are in her favor. Although I realize that no candidate is perfect, including Sen.Obama, I want my candidate with a little more integrity than that. If you worked according to the rules at your job and someone who bends the rules to suit herself was promoted ahead of you, how would you feel?

[meltingpot101]

Swoosie1.....


Look at all the reply's you've got 25-30 reply's. Could we all be wrong???? Please respond.

[Cookie100]

Swoosie,
I am a 54 year old white woman who would love to see a woman President, just not that woman. SHE IS A WAR MONGER, voted for cluster bombs that are killing kids, Kyle-Lieberman amendment and the bankruptcy bill. HRC is a Republican is sheep's clothing.
I am delighted so many young people are now involved in the process. Obama hasn't been in Washington long which is exactly why I voted for him here in Oregon.
You are not a real Democrat, you are the sexist and anyone who doesn't get the race card, listen to the Clinton's. They have used it against the BLACK candidate over and over, we're fed up with them. I voted for Bill twice, I gave to his legal defense fund when he was broke and impeached for having sex in the White House and lying, are you positive you want him back in there, remember how selfish he is!
Remember Dubai Ports deal? Bill was all over that one! How do you think he's making all that money!

[McPander]

God bless you.

[Vern58]

You have said more than a mouthful here- Bless your soul!

[Margaret86]

Cookie, I couldn't agree more with what you say. I am a 65 year old woman-Hispanic and like you would like to see a woman as POTUS, but NOT THIS WOMAN. What a bad model for our granddaughters. Also, like you I voted for Bil Clintonl twice. Today is a different time, different issues and we need a breath of fresh air.
The Clintons are shameless people.. I do not know how else to put it. They will say and do anything to get back in power. It send shivers down my spine to think of Bill Clinton trolling the halls of the White House. It's time they went away. I do not support offering the VP slot to her, either or helping her out fiancially with fund raisers. She continues to campaign racking up debt-incredible that she would want someone else to pay for it. Well, that is another matter,Cookie. I must go. Thanks for your post.

[JackND]

I never understood how anyone could accuse Obama of ever being sexist.

From the beginning, Hillary has touted the novelty of being a woman (often mentioning the historicness of her campaign - and of Obama's on some occasions) and of being a Clinton ("it took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush and it will take a Clinton to clean up after the second one" - of course that all depends upon how you define "clean up").

Obama never made an issue of his being the first black president - he only ever want to be the next president - the candidate of change. The first to make Obama's race an issue was Bill Clinton.

[CocteausTwin]

Yeah one might say a Clinton didn't help Bush41 make the mess to be cleaned up. "

"We'll take it from here Ms. Clinton. Check out is at 11:00"

[Gma11]

My son-in-law served a year in Iraq. He came home almost whole - whole in body but with nerve damage in the legs. And PTSD. And requiring anger management classes. Etc., etc. What it has done to my daughter's family criminal. Because the war did not have to happen. Hillary could have voted against it. She did not. She bears some responsibility for the trauma my family has experienced.

[trubluelefty]

My son just came home in pretty good condition it feels like right now, mentally I am speaking. His family had a rough time while he was gone though. The school shooting of the teenage boy who said he was gay and was killed happened at my grandson's school and he needed his dad. I was always dead set against the war and what will always haunt me is not that as you state "Hillary could have voted against it". It was the glee that she expressed when she voted for it. Here I was with no inside info at all and I KNEW that there was no reason at all for that war. I tried to find those articles that were less biased and eager to go to war and read Common Dreams and Information Clearing House. She had a chance to study the facts and to vote against the war. Where was she on these important issues. Hillary was eager to go to war and she would lead us forward into more... I know it. She was just too darn happy about starting that first one. She also has another problem for me. She isn't honest. Period. The pant suits, the clap clap point point are things I can get by with but I can't trust her and that is important to me. Sorry for the problems that your family is going through Gma11 and I sincerely hope that things come together for your son in law. .

[nibblybits]

Sympathies, Gma11. Hopefully, time and understanding will help your daughter's family and her husband. War is hell, and many returning have been through hell. May our young men and women come back home soon and safely.

[dentuso]

UPDATE on the
OBAMA CONTRIBUTION GAME

The following represents the final offical word list (after many additions from other posters).

Each word as used by McCain (and for now, a Clinton supporter) is worth 5 cents, just to keep things simple. Keep your own tallies, and contribute to the Obama campaign at the end of each month. In effect, we're going to have McCain's supporters help us raise and contribute.

Good luck all!

Elitist
Bitter
Hussein
Liberal
Socialist
Messiah
muslim
racist
Wright
Ayers
disenfranchise/revote
hamas
unelectable
weather underground
black church
Kool aid/cult

Please remember to cut and paste the final list to all.

[eXcommunicate]

Elitist
Bitter
Hussein
Liberal
Socialist
Messiah
muslim
racist
Wright
Ayers
disenfranchise/revote
hamas
unelectable
weather underground
black church
Kool aid/cult
----------------

"commie", don't forget that one! *rolls eyes*

[hibbiejibbies]

don't forget...

The one who shot the Sheriff
The one who kiiled JR
The one who shot Mr. Burns
The one who caused the hole in the ozone
The one who caused the Titancic to sink
AND he killed off all the Dinosaurs!

No Obama - he's baaaad!

[donballz]

leftist
marxist
too black
not black enough
Hamas Supporter
out of touch
egghead

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

drip, drip, drip, drip or should I say tick, tick, tick, tick? Time is running out on the Clintons stranglehold on the Democratic Party.

[lobear00]

Folks! if the Democrats in the Congress don't get off their "Duffs, and do something about the voting machines, "like get rid of every last one of them, the election may just swing right back to the "Lying,Cheating , Stealing No good Republican NeoCons.
The Republicans owning the machines are already gearing up to put their cheating machines to work once again. This election is most important to both sides, and the republicans will resort to all dirty tricks they can think of .