OFFICIAL Endorsements Thread

[Alcon]

Today is more notable for an endorsement that isn't being made than for any that are. 

If you're talking about a certain former Senator whose daddy worked in a mill, I think it'd be too late for that endorsement to swing anything.  I mean, the primary's tomorrow.

Definitely, although something like that may push a few of those low-information rural whites that we keep hearing about out.  Not significantly, but any good news is good news.

I think it's almost universally tradition not to endorse the day of an election, though, so Obama may have dodged a small-calibre bullet.

[Tender Branson]

A promising hint ?

Former VA Gov. Mark Warner, who launched his U.S. Senate bid today but has not endorsed in the presidential contest, came out against the summer gas tax holiday that Hillary Clinton has been vigorously promoting in NC and IN, according to The Roanoke Times.

"I would be concerned about whether those dollars would be replaced," said Warner, who noted that gas tax revenues pay for transportation improvements.

He added, "I think what we need is a solution that goes after the oil speculators to try to bring down the gas price."

Warner has stayed neutral in the presidential contest, cognizant of his own upcoming bid. His former LG and successor, Tim Kaine, is backing Barack Obama.

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/05/m_warner_agains.html

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Today is more notable for an endorsement that isn't being made than for any that are. 

Ah, I completely forgot about that.

Pretty much guaranteed now that Edwards won't endorse anyone until the nomination is wrapped up. What I expected basically.

[Lunar]

Today is more notable for an endorsement that isn't being made than for any that are. 

Ah, I completely forgot about that.

Pretty much guaranteed now that Edwards won't endorse anyone until the nomination is wrapped up. What I expected basically.

He could endorse the winner of NC as a safe bet, so look for that outside chance.  Other than that, he can team up with Gore, Dean, Carter, and so on to try and used their combined diminutive strength to be "party elders" in resolving this issue. 

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

It seems to me that Dean and Carter and Pelosi and others at least have already "endorsed" a candidate per se, by virtue of their remarks.

I know I know that's a far cry from the official endorsement, but I doubt anyone in the democratic party doesn't know who the big shots are endorsing.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Today is more notable for an endorsement that isn't being made than for any that are. 

Ah, I completely forgot about that.

Pretty much guaranteed now that Edwards won't endorse anyone until the nomination is wrapped up. What I expected basically.

He could endorse the winner of NC as a safe bet, so look for that outside chance.  Other than that, he can team up with Gore, Dean, Carter, and so on to try and used their combined diminutive strength to be "party elders" in resolving this issue. 

At this point Edwards' endorsement doesn't matter much. His supporters have already moved on and aren't going to change their new pick. If he wanted to truly influence the race he would've endorsed long ago.

He might affect where his delegates go (he has at most 19 assuming he passes viability in Iowa), but based on the past most should already be at least leaning toward Obama. Many might use an endorsement of Obama by him as an excuse to jump to Obama (which would make things even more brutal for Hillary), but an endorsement of Hillary will accomplish little. I have a tough time seeing why he would endorse Hillary anyway unless he wants to permanently end his political career.

My personal view is that Edwards is aiming at a cabinet position (most likely Attorney General) and thus didn't endorse anyone when he suspended his campaign knowing that doing so would alienate a potential winner (at the time it was about a complete toss-up.) Reports are also that during Obama's winning streak he didn't endorse because he didn't want to look like a bandwagon jumper or boarding a sinking ship. Now that applies even more so.

So this all fits in with my original prediction that Edwards only endorses the presumptive nominee once things are completely sewn up.

[Flying Dog]

So what's Hillary's lead down to now?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

20.5. She picked up a Democrats Abroad endorsement but they only have half-votes (thus adding an annoying 0.5 to all delegate numbers.)

[Verily]

20.5. She picked up a Democrats Abroad endorsement but they only have half-votes (thus adding an annoying 0.5 to all delegate numbers.)

I don't think the Maryland DNC members are included in that number, though.

Edit: DemConWatch added them; it's now 17.5 (269.5-252). She got a big boost from New York; Obama will get a big boost when Illinois formally selects its add-ons.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Obama will also get a boost when pro-Obama state conventions start convening and choosing their add-ons.

[True Democrat]

Has California chosen yet?  How many add-ons do they get?

[Verily]

California has five, selected on the 18th of May. The state party leader has said that he will select 3 Clinton supporters and 2 Obama supporters.

Also, Illinois selected but DemConWatch is working on confirming two of the three as Obama supporters (although they were widely reported as such about a week ago). So Clinton's SD lead is currently 15.5.

[Alcon]

Jaime Gonzalez, Jr., a Texas DNC member, for Clinton

Heath Shuler to endorse his district's winner, which will be Clinton

[Verily]

Jaime Gonzalez, Jr., a Texas DNC member, for Clinton

Heath Shuler to endorse his district's winner, which will be Clinton

Gonzalez was a few days ago.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/A_Texas_super_for_Hillary.html

[Alcon]

Oh, sorry, I looked back and didn't see it here.  I did noticed it was announced then, but confirmed today.  Not that superdelegates ever deny the campaign's announcements. 

[Verily]

Oh, sorry, I looked back and didn't see it here.  I did noticed it was announced then, but confirmed today.  Not that superdelegates ever deny the campaign's announcements. 

Not a problem

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I think one interesting issue is if Hillary can poach any delegates elected at state conventions that were elected by overwhelmingly pro-Obama caucuses. Texas for example has 3 add-ons, can she get one? A lot depends on how they are elected I suppose.

For example, Minnesota has two. I don't know what system is used, but if each one is elected separately with a majority required, Obama is guaranteed both. However if simply the top two are elected, you could end up with something like this:

Obama Supporter A - 30%
Hillary Supporter A - 25%
Obama Supporter B - 20%
Obama Supporter C - 15%
Hillary Supporter B - 5%
Hillary Supporter C - 5%

Of course it's a convention and the rules at the convention can easily be changed. I don't have much doubt Minnesota will simply adopt rules favorable to Obama. Plus most of these are only 1 delegate anyway. I suppose I'm just musing about Texas, where the Hillary supporters would have a somewhat valid argument to being "entitled" to at least one of the add-on delegates. I'm not sure if the convention delegates would buy it though.

[Democratic Hawk]

Heath Shuler to endorse his district's winner, which will be Clinton

It's the 'safe' option. Shuler by no means an entrenched incumbent ... yet

Dave

[Verily]

DNC Jeannette Council (NC) for Obama.

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/council_backs_obama

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Will the endorsements for the Big O start rolling in more now?

[Keystone Phil]

George McGovern has switched from Hillary to Obama.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The two people I was most disappointed in supporting Hillary (Clark and McGovern) have now come over.

I now hope McGovern is South Dakota's add-on.

[Verily]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/campaign_rdp;_ylt=AvP6faK94HIqGdlL2DzUDVxh24cA

Reporting four Obama superdelegates without saying who they are.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Heath Shuler did formally declare for Hillary.

I don't blame him since he was just fulfilling a promise but damn, it must feel lousy having to board a sinking ship.

[Thomas Jackson]

Jerry Meek (NC) State party Chair, endorsed Obama.

http://wral.com/