NYT: John Lewis "Pulls Support From Clinton"
The New York Times is reporting tonight that Rep. John Lewis will back Barack Obama's presidential bid -- a move he says keeps with the wishes of his Georgia district, which voted for Obama during the state's Feb. 5 primary. Lewis endorsed Hillary Clinton last fall.
Lewis, a superdelegate, told the paper he didn't want to see a convention brawl and, as a "respected elder statesman" would be willing to mediate any discussions to guarantee the nomination contest wraps within the next month. But he's also come around to the view that Obama has matured as a candidate. Lewis said he is impressed with his ability to draw support from a broad range of constituencies.
“Something is happening in America and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap,” he told the NYT's Zeleny and Healy.
It makes sense, at least in this writer's view, that the superdelegates make their decision based on the votes of their districts or states. The popular vote even seems a legit way to measure the country's sentiment should this contest reach an impasse. But here's our question ... What happens if Clinton scores victories in WI, OH, TX and PA? Not out of the realm of the possible, what with her appeal to working class voters. Then what? Who appears the frontrunner if that happens?
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
This is maneuvering to end the Democratic nomination process prematurely and use the Bush technique of stealing to swipe the Democratic nomination for Obama from Hillary Clinton.
This looks like tyranny by a minority.
This is maneuvering to end the Democratic nomination process prematurely and use the Bush technique of stealing to swipe the Democratic nomination for Obama from Hillary Clinton.
This looks like tyranny by a minority.
This is maneuvering to end the Democratic nomination process prematurely and use the Bush technique of stealing to swipe the Democratic nomination for Obama from Hillary Clinton.
Tyranny by a disenfranchised minority? Or an uppity one?
I'd say it's a representative shifting politically to reflect the will of his consitutuents. Does Lewis support Clinton and face the wrath of voters in his district? Or go with Obama and try to make nice with his voters.
It's opportunism and smart politics - like everyone else.
I agree Barry Hinton.
The whole superdelegate mess is just that, a mess.
The governmental folks with the superdelegate tag were put in that position by the electorate. They can be UNelected just as easy as not if they go against the wishes of the voters.
The Party superdelegates are the ones that really get me...they aren't accountable to anyone and could be trading away their super vote for a position in government somewhere.
That's about as UNdemocratic as it comes.
All of them should uncommit until their state votes, then give their super votes to whomever their state/district supports. The Party supers should not vote at all unless there's a real actual tie, which is very unlikely.
Let the people decide who their president will be.
How about updating the story to reflect its inaccuracy?
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/02/14/clinton_supporter_john_lewis_h.html?hpid=topnews
The NYT story is inaccurate...but was covered everywhere as if some reporter HAD ACTUALLY CHECKED THEIR FACTS! NOT SO. Lewis was on NPR this afternoon denying any such shift. You just can;t believe a thing you read in the paper or hear on TV anymore...they are so hell bent to bury her.
Lewis said members of the black congressional caucus were being threatened and pressured to switch to Obama...negative robo calls about them to their constituents, blind scathing mailings and the like...so much for the candidate of change!