Rangel: 'NY delegation is unanimous' Behind Obama

The more I see of the Obama team's strategic sense... (4.00 / 1)

... the more impressed I am.

This must have been in the works for days or weeks, but they've held it for just this moment.

And they're bringing the NY delegation on today, not waiting for Saturday. This really helps move the narrative forward... and gives a gentle but emphatic nudge any other recalcitrant supporters and holdouts.

This follows on his masterful use of the Edwards endorsement... over on DailyKos someone was asking why Gore hasn't endorsed yet, and another commenter suggested he was being held in reserve to be able to act as a neutral arbiter if need be.

Consider that Obama has been fighting with one hand effectively tied behind his back - he's been taking hits from Hillary the past two months, but reluctant to hit back hard (and potentially alienate her supporters) - and he's still leading in national polls and electoral vote. I'm more and more encouraged that this is going to be a hard-fought election, and could even be a Democratic blow-out.

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by: jeremybloom @ Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 20:18:03 PM UTC

What we must realize... (0.00 / 0)

Is that we are Democrats who support sound, progressive Democrats for office. That is true at the local, state and national levels. The presidency is no exception.

I have overheard some people imply that John McCain is going to win. These people were Hillary Clinton supporters. They acted like if their candidate didn't win, we weren't going to win. That is a poor attitude to have and I hope that has been fixed.

Hillary Clinton is doing the right thing. We aren't talking about Mike Gravel here, who will just go off into the sunset and go back to hiding under his rock. This is Hillary Clinton. She will always be front and center here in NY and wherever she goes. I have great respect for her and I believe she can do more in another capacity (such as our senator) than she will ever do as president.

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by: robert.harding @ Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 20:25:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Update: They won't be standing by Hillary Saturday, either... (0.00 / 0)

Newsday reports:

The vast majority of Hillary Rodham Clinton's congressional supporters in New York will be skipping her Saturday drop-out announcement in Washington - citing reasons ranging from town halls back in their districts to campaign obligations to the observation of the Jewish sabbath.

"It's shabbos, we're not going to be here!" said Queens Rep. Gary Ackerman, who baked under the sun during an outdoor Capitol Hill press conference today (left).

Ackerman is Jewish but delegation dean Charles Rangel, who isn't, added: "It's a Jewish holiday -- enough said."

Ackerman later elaborated: "She scheduled this event late yesterday - we all have complicated schedules and obligations back in our districts to meet with our constituents."

Many delegation members, who planned to leave Washington for New York today, were miffed that Clinton didn't make her announcement sooner to accommodate their schedules, a person familiar with the situation said.

Three African-American representatives - Yvette Clarke and Ed Towns for Brooklyn and Gregory Meeks from Queens - privately informed Clinton they had endorsed Obama early yesterday. Clinton staffers have cited skepticism from some New York reps as the reason Clinton backed out when she did.

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by: jeremybloom @ Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 20:34:52 PM UTC