Today I Endorsed Barack Obama

I wanted to share some exciting news with you, as today I announced my endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.

Like so many Americans, I first heard Senator Obama when he delivered his electrifying speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Deep down, I knew I'd witnessed history in the making.

Barack Obama represents a bridge to the future. He embodies the hope and new direction that our country so desperately needs. As I've watched Senator Obama campaign for the presidency, I am convinced that he is a real agent of change; a man who can lead our nation in a new and positive direction.

This century cries for social, environmental, diplomatic, global, and neighborhood solutions to the misery that confronts far too many people in our own country and around the globe. I share Senator Obama's vision and active commitment to building a society based on activism, progressive values and a keen sense that we must act now and outside of the usual bounds of partisanship and expediency.

I know that a President Obama would find a prompt and effective way to end the occupation of Iraq and that he would strengthen U.S. diplomacy and international development as an instrument of national policy to prevent crises that lead to war and conflagration.

I know that a President Obama would place education, health care, poverty, economic security, criminal justice reform, climate change and all of the important domestic issues at the top of his agenda.

And, I know that a President Obama would make the eradication of HIV/AIDS at home and abroad a top priority.

I founded One Voice PAC as an organization dedicated to helping elect truly progressive candidates who will challenge the status quo. To that end, I am honored to endorse Senator Obama's candidacy and I hope you will join me in helping him secure the Democratic nomination for the presidency.

Comments

[RuthieM]

Congratulations Senator Obama on another fine endorsement, and thank you Congresswoman Barbara Lee for your endorsement of Barack Obama.

[MAX1]

.

Congresswoman Lee,

What good is a man who promises the needed change for today, tomorrow? Go find me that man and I'll show you a person who made a promise yesterday, to support and defend the Constitution TODAY(!) from enemies both foreign OR domestic. If Senator Obama can not do this much, I fail to see how you see him doing more.

America is witness to much mental reservation AND purpose of evasion from our Congress in regards to the current state of affairs. What good is NOT impeaching this Administration? Especially if not doing so is for a political purpose? It makes the DOJ scandal pale in comparison.

Congresswoman,
With all due respect, what good is a change for civil Rights if American Rights are ignored and violated on your watch?

.

[Alanlak]

Today, I became disappointed in you, Barbara Lee! Obama is a corporate Democrat who supports the bankers and insurance companies ahead of ordinary people. He would not find a way out of Iraq, but pull a certain number of troops out, and leave a large enough force to make Iraq safe enough for the the oil companies to loot it.

His healthcare plan is even weaker and more subserviant to insurance companies than Hillary's. Dennis Kucinich has a much better record voting on issues important to the Congressional Black Caucus than Obama has shown. By working for either Barack or Hillary, African-Americans are working against their own interests.

[Chris]

If Senator Obama (or anyone running for a nomination of POTUS in either party) is an agent of change then why are they not bringin bills to the floor os the US Senate or the congress now. It is easy to say you are all for it but why not back up your words with actions.

Barrack Obama has no political experience as an ultimate decision maker. This lack of experince is why I would never vote for him or anyone else that does not have that experience.

[horseface]

Oprah picks a book for her reading club; book is read by cheering female devotees. Oprah picks a candidate; candidate is cheered by Oprah devotees. Oprah starts the Oprah religion; hands out plastic cult figures of Obama, free. What Oprah wants, Oprah gets.

I'm gonna puke.

[cloudy]

Maybe now and some of your friends in BCA (Berkeley Citizens Action -- the dominant progressive Democratic coalition in Berkeley -- unless they've changed their name -- a big part of Rep Lee's district) to come out in support of Barack Obama. In particular, one of my favorite political leaders, Ron Dellums, Lee's predecessor in the 9th Congressional District seat ("what was he thinking?") has been supporting Hillary Clinton. Getting him to jump ship would probably take a lot of BCAers, but it would be a really valuable political coup.

I know that the Clintons have deeply rooted power in all wings of the Democratic Party and no doubt a fortune in chits to call in. But sometimes it is possible to get individuals to break from the near-sacrosanct conventions of politics when their constituents and close supporters really put the heat on.

Or am I in LALA land? I gather that that that's where the hopes of getting this country out of the mess culminating in the W Bush presidency may seem to be.

[fullkelly]

Obama's "bridge to the future" would go exactly where the republican's Alaskan "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE" went -- NOWHERE!

This is exactly why Karl Rove offerred his unsolicited expertise and/or advise to Obama educating him how he (obama) could defeat Hillary Clinton in Iowa.

Karl Rove knows damned well, should Obama defeat Hillary and win the nomination, Obama could never win in the general election.

[kbuggy12]

What a wonderful endorsement. Thank you Rep. Lee, what a classy endorsement from a classy woman.

Great for Obama!

[Gussmith]

No, Obama is too young and does not have the requisite experience. Let him gain a few years as Andrew Young noted; 2016 is about right if Obama keeps his interests in the public arena.

[Carlee]

if we want to get Sen. Omaba elected we must read the following commentary and follow the advise contained
http://joeleonardi.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/how-to-halt-hillary/

[Kane]

More good news for Senator Obama:

New Hampshire Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter has decided to endorse Senator Obama's candidacy.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/10/politics/horserace/entry3603901.shtml

[wb]

Obama is an opportunist. He is a fool.

[bar1ed]

you've really got to read the profiles of the O-supporters on this story ----- that's all they post ---- its as if nothing else in the world matters ---- i wonder if they all posted from some Internet-cafe in Iowa ? ?

[SeanGardner]

"I know that a President Obama would place education, health care, poverty, economic security, criminal justice reform, climate change and all of the important domestic issues at the top of his agenda."

You're right Rep. Lee. He always has. As a Illinois State Senator for 8 years (from 1996-2004), Obama did the following:

Voted to raise the minimum wage in Illinois from $5.15 an hour to $6.50 an hour over two years. (2003)

Helped pass a 5 percent earned-income tax credit for low-income working families in 2000; made the credit permanent in 2003.

Voted for having Illinois endorse embryonic stem cell research. (2004)

Successfully sponsored the Health Care Justice Act, a study of ways to implement a universal health care system statewide. (2004)

Voted against restrictions on public funding of abortion. (2000)

Successfully co-sponsored a prescription drug discount buying club program for seniors and the disabled. (2003)

Voted to let retired police and military police carry concealed weapons. (2004)

Successfully sponsored requirement that law enforcement videotape interrogations of suspects in some serious crimes. (2003)

Successfully sponsored law enforcement study of the race of people pulled over for traffic tickets. (2003)

Helped pass an overhaul of the state's troubled death penalty system. (2003)

Unsuccessfully co-sponsored ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. The measure became law after Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate. (2003)

Successfully sponsored move to shield Illinois workers from federal rules that threatened overtime pay for some employees.

Successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform called the Gift Ban Act. (1998)

Plus, he's done awesome work in the U.S. Senate. Here is a link from January of this year: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3132998

Good move in endorsing Sen. Obama!

[Merri]

Thank you, Rep. Barbara Lee. You have the right to endorse whomever you choose. Please be aware that the far-right will attack you on your decision to endorse Sen. Obama.

Pay no attention to these far-right loons like Hannity and Limbaugh. We don't really care what these twisted hypocrites think.