Why I'm Supporting Barack Obama

When I decided to run for Senate, I did so because I deeply believed that the citizens of Connecticut were yearning to see fundamental changes in our politics - changes that would make government work for them again.

Today, with our Presidential primary in Connecticut less than a month away, I am announcing my support of Barack Obama for President because I am convinced that his forward-looking, progressive vision provides the best chance to enact meaningful reforms in the way Washington works.

Sen. Obama has the tone and temperament to bring out the best in our people and our nation, and to bring new coalitions together in support of the progressive policies we all want to see enacted. His campaign has already reflected this, not only by bringing hundreds of thousands of new voters of all ages to the polls, but by inspiring so many who are new to politics to become activists as well.

Making healthcare affordable for all Americans, rebuilding our aging infrastructure, and ending our dependence on foreign oil are all problems that require more than a tax credit here or an earmark there. Barack is the candidate best able to enact these big changes necessary to getting our country moving again.

We have seen that Sen. Obama has the wisdom and judgment to get the big decisions right - as he did on Iraq more than five years ago. And when President Obama steps out of Air Force One in countries around the world, he will represent a fresh start with friends and allies. He will end the war in Iraq, work for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and start investing in America again - and we will be safer and stronger for it.

We Democrats are fortunate to have had many strong candidates running for President. As you may know, I was proud to work hard for Chris Dodd during his campaign. I have the deepest respect and admiration for Sen. Dodd - especially for his powerful calls to defend our constitutional freedoms by restoring habeas corpus, closing Guantanamo, and living up to the spirit of the Geneva Conventions. I know that Sen. Obama, a former professor of Constitutional Law, has been and will continue to be Chris' ally in fighting to protect our Constitution.

As Barack often says on the campaign trail these days, "with the challenges we face at this moment, the real gamble in this election is playing the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expecting a different result."

It's time to change the game.

(Cross-posted at NedLamont.com.)

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P.S. For all of you who were so supportive of our campaign, and especially our ads, we thought you might appreciate this short video message:

Comments

[Twocentsworth245]

In this campaign, I've/we've been hearing the word "change" ad nauseam. What would be a BIGGER change than to have a WOMAN P.O.T.U.S.?

Look, Hillary and Barack are very similar on the issues and I would have no problem voting for either one of them, and, whichever one is the Democratic Party's nominee, then that's who'll get my vote come November. But, since they ARE so close regarding the issues, then for me, it comes down to a gender thing, and Barack, through no fault of his own, is a man. I LIKE Hillary, and, being a woman myself, I'm really charged up by the fact that one of MY gender actually has a good chance to be the first woman president of the good ol' U.S. of A., so she's getting my vote in the February 5th Connecticut primary. It's high time U.S. voters gave a WOMAN a shot at running this country. A woman's place is in the House, Senate, and the WHITE HOUSE!!

[richmason]

Flip Flop Barak?
Obama says he will go into Pakistan to get Bin Ladin with actionable intel..
Yet he voted against the Iraq War contrary to the actionable intel..
It is time for the PRESS to begin digging a little deeper than style and delivery and try to learn something of substance about this candidate.
After all, in 2000, remember who had the charisma? Bush!

[OhPlease2007]

Ned, I couldn't help but notice that you are listed on Obama's HOPEFUND PAC website. Are you endorsing Obama in-part because you received political financial campaign support from the HOPEFUND PAC? If you did receive campaign financial support from Obama's PAC, where can voters go to see the documented public record ??? Thanks.

Source: HOPEFUND PAC

Link:

http://hopefundamerica.com/thecandidates/index.php?pageid=CTsen

[Saggitarius]

I cannot believe the endorsements for Obama by the Democratic Senators, governors and others.
I am dismayed by the senseless and disgusting haste with which these endorsements are forthcoming.
I have been around a long time and I sense that most of the endorsements are from men and a few women.
I read on one of the blogs here that most of the women for Hillary are uneducated and stay at home moms, NOT SO, I hope the educated women can see the difference in who will make the change we need and it is not Obama.
He has not stated clearly what changes he will make and how he intends to make these changes. He scares me in that I think because the young people have given him "ROCK STAR" status that they believe he really is qualified to be the next President.
I hope this is not true.
Hillary has been slandered for the past 16 years. I believe anyone who can stand such
awful oratory would have the courage and strength to be President of the US whether man or woman.

[nyawker]

You're supporting a guy who's basically adopting Joe Lieberman's language in his campaign. He's going to "bring us together" and "work across the lines". If he told you something about how he plans to accomplish this, please share it with us.

[LadyDiOFCT]

Ned, I enthusiastically campaigned for you here in CT but I think you're wrong on this. Hillary Clinton is our strongest candidate, more prepared to take on this daunting job the any other candidate. Barak Obama is an inspiration to us all, and hopefully will do great things in the Senate over the next few years, but he is nowhere ready to meet the challenges that face our country. America elected a neophyte in 2000 and again in 2004. I am fearful of Obama's inexperience, his penchant for 'present' votes and his inability or unwillingness to answer serious questions. If given the opportunity, Hillary Clinton will make a truly great president and the first woman president of the United States.

[cloudy]

Well said.

Hopefully, other prominent progressives like Lamont will follow suit. I really think that the politics of Lamont represents the future of the Democratic Party and/or its mainstream political successor.

[amorando]

ned Lamont, Have you heard Barak Obama enunciate any particulars about global warming, the drug war, the energy crisis etc. It really worrys me that you and others who support him are doing so when his statement are so vague and when there is so little track record. He said change, but what change? What change, I keep asking, what change. NOne of his supports so far have been addressing that question and neither do you. Pig in a poke it is?

[factanonverba]

You quote Senator Obama as follows "with the challenges we face at this moment, the real gamble in this election is playing the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expecting a different result."

That is of course the definition of insanity. What is the junior Senator from Illinois but a Washington player. Your argument is thus specious.

It is insane to support Senator Obama because his substance is no different than that of the Republicans. It is more FTAs, it is Iraq repackaged (yes he was against it but now that we are there it is a different story). Mr Obama's clientele is still the military-industrial complex. To not see that is to be blind at reality.

[GGinSC]

Please, please check out the candidates' donors and voting records before believing Obama or Hillary would be the best agent of change. They are good candidates, but John Edwards is the one who gives us the best reasons to BE hopeful. He has already begun to deliver change--just look at how he's conducting his campaign; look at his donors. Look at his detailed policy proposals.

I know, I know. We're all really weary after all the Bush years. It's easier to sit back and relax into the warm, fuzzy, feel-better talk. Rose colored glasses are very nice, too. But this time in our history is too critical to go that route. We need to stay awake just a little while longer, and to go deeper. Again, check out the donors, the voting records. Listen to more than the TV pundits/pollsters. Watch the debates and C-Span coverage. Edwards is the biggest nightmare of the Republicans and business-as-usual in DC. John Edwards can win it, and he would make a fine president.

[emerywood]

To be a good president needs good timing and good luck and the ability to take advantage of both. This seems to be more important than anything else. The world does not seem to be ready for high ideals or high morals and has never been. And the public will surely not accept arrogance, deception,ideology or blind faith either. Looking back at our successful presidents and those who were not so lucky, it seems to be a mixed bag without " must have " attributes . I guess the choice is to pick a candidate with the same philosophy as myself and hope for the best.

[frustratedinohio]

I'm surprised that someone as intelligent as you must be, cannot list the reasons you have decided to support Obama. You drone on about how you are convinced he's the best--Well convince me.

[charlesrfd2003]

My biggest concern about Senator Obama is whether he can be tough enough. Bipartisanship worked when the Republicans accepted the New Deal. The Republicans today reject the New Deal and seek lies to convince Americans to give up their rights. You must be very partisan in that situation.

Edwards is very tenacious. No wonder he was a very successful trial lawyer with some of the highest jury awards. I have no doubt that he would face them down.

I will know that Obama is tough when he labels the heirs to Bush as RAW DEAL REPUBLICANS.

Negotiate with the Raw Deal Republicans only from strength. You cannot go halves with them. The sooner that we get the point across that these guys are heirs of Woodrow Wilson and Howard Taft, the better we will all be. (Yeah, Wilson was a Democrat. Historically, before 1890 the progressives and antiracists were the Republicans. The Democrats with their southern wing were the right wingers. After FDR things started to change around with the GOP becoming the big business and states rights representatives. Wilson was not a hero despite the lies your teachers told you in school. He segregated the White House which was desegregated by Lincoln. Wilson hated labor unions and women voting.)

So is Obama tough enough? I hope so if he becomes president because his biggest enemies have American passports.

[DemandTruth]

How can you people say that Obama would be the best candidate to bring about change??? Have you LISTENED to what he's been saying? He says we can "compromise" and "work together" with those who resist change to accomplish great things for America. Has he been paying attention in the last year I wonder? Since the Dems gained power in congress, they've been bending over backwards to compromise with the Republicans. And what has it gotten us? Record-breaking obstructionism from the Republicans, more huge tax breaks for big oil and big corporations, more unfair, disastrous trade deals, illegal spying with no accountability, illegal torture and destruction of evidence of torture with no accountability, the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, EVERY JOB in the government turned into an arm of the RNC, erased emails, wiped hard drives, IGNORED subpoenas, Iraq contractors RAPING other Iraq contractors with no accountability or even seeming interest, lies, lies and more lies. Oh, and did I mention 70 BILLION DOLLARS for more WAR!?!? And the troops STILL don't have the body armor or healthcare they need!

What I'd like is for Obama to explain to me just exactly HOW he's going to compromise with these people and just exactly WHAT he thinks he's going to accomplish, other than more of the same.

Nope, you vote for Mrs. Corporation or Mr. Capitulation. I'm voting for the FIGHTER.

Go John Go!

[MAX1]

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... Because Obama supports Joe Lieberman for Connecticut.

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