February 20, 2008 - 12:29pm
Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
By Editor
Tags: Dana Redd, Barack Obama, Stephen Sweeney, George Norcross, Frederick Madden, Hillary Clinton, Donald Norcross, superdelegates, super delegate, superdelegate
GEORGE NORCROSS SUPPORTS OBAMA
Barack Obama today picked up the support of two super delegates from New Jersey as several major Democratic leaders in South Jersey announced that they would switch their endorsements from Hillary Clinton to Obama. Super delegates Donald Norcross, who had previously been uncommitted, and State Sen. Dana Redd, who had backed Clinton, are now for Obama. This is a net pickup of two super delegates for Obama and a loss of one for Clinton.
Obama also won the backing of one of the state’s most powerful political insiders, George Norcross, and was endorsed by Clinton backers, including Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, Democratic County Chairmen James Beach (Camden), Rick Perr (Burlington) and Michael Angelini (Gloucester), Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, State Sen. Frederick Madden, and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty.
This brings the New Jersey delegate count to 72 votes for Clinton and 52 for Obama, with 3 super delegates still undecided."Like many Americans, we have been closely watching the presidential contest unfold and sense a new energy and excitement that hasn't been seen in at least forty-years," said Norcross, the South Jersey AFL-CIO president and the Camden County Democratic Co-Chairman. "The performance of Senator Obama in Wisconsin and the Potomac primaries demonstrated that he has broad appeal across the political spectrum - men and women, young and old, white and blue collars, Asian, white, Latino and African-American. We need to seize this momentum, attract a new generation of leaders to our Party, while rallying behind the candidate who can best unite the country during these uncertain economic times. That candidate is Senator Barack Obama."
"It's clear the people have spoken. It's time to unite behind a single candidate and that's Senator Obama," said Redd. "He will have won, by the end of this contest, more popular votes, more primaries, more caucuses, more delegates elected by the people and deserves to be our nominee. He has met the burden of proof to be the Democratic nominee and our next President. While we have a great deal of respect for Senator Hillary Clinton's long history and commitment to public service, the results of the past few weeks made us realize it's time for a new direction."
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Branching out, George
"in the end...they're all going to be with me. Not that they like me, but because they have no choice."
Abandon Ship!
Let the fleeing begin..
At least all those NJ Rudy backers waited until Rudy was out of the race to throw their support behind McCain..
Momentum
Though these endorsements could have come earlier, they point to Sen. Obama's growing strength among the Democratic elite and power-players, who were cajoled into supporting him from the grassroots activists. Combine this movement of Dem politicians with last nights double-digit victory in Wisconsin and blow-out in Hawaii, along with a 14-point national lead, per Gallup, and about a 70+ delegate lead, and Obama has real, substantial momentum for winning the Democratic nomination. An Edwards endorsement (which probably isn't forthcoming) would make the race all but over in favor of Obama; but a slight win in Texas or Ohio for Obama will indeed put the final nail in the coffin for the Clinton campaign. If this keeps up, the superdelegate question won't even come into play.
Camden County Corruption
George Norcross has endorsed many Camden County Democrats that are now in jail, or are awaiting trial.
His endorsement means nothing.
Obama is a coke head, educated in a Muslim school. He is going nowhere in a general election.
Coke head?
So when George Bush did coke in the Texas Air National Guard, that was ok, right? Or how about the DUI Bush got too? Or what about McCain leaving his first wife after she put on a few pounds after her terrible car accident? Debating policy and your disagreements with Obama's ideas are fine...but you walk a very fine line when you bring up someone's past that has no bearing on their political life today. No one is perfect and I'd think twice before I started pointing fingers.
I agree...
I agree with DanielDrew. In the spirit of the last post I'm not going to resort to name calling, but I think everyone knows what CAMDENBEER1 is: an absolute moron.
back to the point....
George Norcross is a huge "get" for Obama. It comes with money, but the superdelegates of Redd and brother Norcross are huge at this stage of the game.
Its probably more important than Lautenberg or Holt at this point, but hopefully those two will be on board after Texas and Ohio.
Will Norcross force his
Will Norcross force his buddy and pawn Roberts to switch as well?
Hillary Clinton and Matt Drudge.........Perfect Together!
Congratulations to those supporting Barack Obama. You have hitched your train to a rising star.
For those who continue to support HRC (and I mean you Mr. Mendez and Mr. Corzine) stand by for heavy rolls. The Clinton campaign has publicly stated they are GOING NEGATIVE. I hope you are proud of yourselves. Your candidate has demonstrated she will win at all costs, any costs. Great judment on your part, HUH?
Big Deal
What joke. An endorsement from a dirtbag for an empty suit!
Like rats from a sinking ship...
I hope they wore their flip flops.
Despite the recent turn of events, HRC could still win. And with the recent international saber rattling I can't think of anyone I would want in the oval office more than HRC. She is by FAR the most qualified of the two. Obama indeed has heart and eloquence, but that doesn't qualify him to protect a nation, steer us through a recession or develop a sound energy security policy. Obama may provide change if he wins, but I am not sure that it will be the kind of change Americans were expecting. And the democrats may someday wish they could go back in time and change their decision to rally behind him.
Super delegate switch
How many times do we get to switch our vote? I'd love to be able to flip flop on a whim.
If it boils down to the superdelegates, they should be voting for whomever won the primary or caucus (even though I don't think a caucus is representative of the majority of Democrats in the particular state) or their own conscience. I don't think it should be based on the most current fad. Look at the hype the media creates with all sorts of public figures - from politicians, to rock stars, to actors...eventually, they start to fade into the background. Or maybe we find out things that we didn't know about them that makes us lose interest. That is the train that Obama is on.
Obama isn't ready to lead a country. He could barely answer the last question posed to him during the Texas debate. I gues if his speeches aren't written, he doesn't know what to say. Also, I thought that during the final 5 minutes, it was evident who would make the best President. While Obama spoke, Hillary watched and listened. While Hillary spoke, Obama started doodling with his head down to the crowd. If you froze that picture - it is so telling. He looked like a frat boy in a suit taking notes from the teacher at the head of the class. She is solid, experienced, gracious, and compassionate.
I fear we are heading for another loss to a Republican if Obama is elected.
NJ Super Del's
HRC won New Jersey. Our "super delegates" need to respect that. Not only will I NOT vote for Sen. Obama should he be named the nominee, I also will NOT support NOR vote for any super delegate running for future terms in office.