Boucher for Obama

The latest in a string of endorsements for Obama from red-state Dems

Posted by David Roberts at 10:03 AM on 22 Jan 2008

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), notorious champion of Big Coal, has endorsed Barack Obama. Some greens are no doubt going to use this as evidence that Obama is too close to coal.

I share the concern, but I don't think it's the most sensible interpretation of this case. Boucher's endorsement is just the latest in a string of endorsements from Democrats in red states -- including, crucially, popular Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

(Two other prime Va. Dems -- Sen. Jim Webb, widely discussed as a VP candidate, and former governor Mark Warner, who was rumored to be mulling a run for president this year but is running for Senate instead -- remain uncommitted, and are worth watching. Primary endorsements from them would be influential as these things go.)

I suspect all this has less to do with coal and more to do with the widespread belief that Obama can do more than Clinton to bring in independents and wavering Republicans. No Dem running in red country relishes Clinton at the top of the ticket.

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3 Comments | Post a Comment

Exactly right

"And McCain's success has raised an astonishing specter: Republicans may actually have a shot at winning this year."
David Brooks, 'The Voters Revolt'
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/opinion/22brooks.html?h ...

In a race for the youth and independent voters,
the Democrats will fare much better with Obama instead of Clinton in November.

Hillary will unite Republicans of all stripes. While a big segment of disillusioned indie/dems may decide to stay home should she become the nominee.

by justlou at 10:27 AM on 22 Jan 2008

McCain too small

McCain's success has only been in the depopulated "rotten borroughs".

No major urban center has yet voiced it's opinion on a candidate except Las Vegas.

Texeme.Construct(function(x)=Participation(x))

by jabailo at 10:59 AM on 22 Jan 2008

Boucher's endorsement

Dave, I am glad that you spelled green with a small "g" because this Green will agree with you. Endorsements are almost never about policy but always about the calculus of votes.

I have seen too many attempts to skewer good people, like Pete McCloskey, on the basis of who "endorsed" them or what contribution they may have received.

Wes Rolley CoChair - EcoAction Committee Green Party US

by wesrolley at 11:48 AM on 22 Jan 2008

ADVERTISING POLICY

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