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Lee Hamilton, Big Name In Indiana And Foreign Policy, Endorses Obama
Barack Obama has picked up a big endorsement in Indiana: Former Congressman Lee Hamilton, who represented the state from 1965 to 1999.
Besides his roots in the Indiana primary, Hamilton's support could also lend credibility to Obama on foreign policy and national security, as he was vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission and co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group.
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Those of us with a few miles on the odometer will recall that Hamilton was indeed a very big deal in US foreign policy circles for many years - long before the Iraq Study Group and the 9/11 Commission. He was the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Commmittee, and was always seen up there with people like Dick Lugar and and Sam Nunn: very sober and serious nonpartisan statesman without impressively low BS levels. I have to think this is one endorsement that will really help Obama, especially in Indiana.
April 2, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
If he could get Tim Roemer, the other Indianan on the 9/11 Commission, as well as some of the current Dem delegation, that would be excellent, although I'm sure Evan Bayh is lobbying them hard for Hillary.
April 2, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tim Roemer is already on board for Obama.
The coup de gras would be to get Lugar to endorse Obama. About as likely as Hagel (which means, I suppose, somewhat likely).
Anyway, Lee Hamilton (much like my mentor, Billy Sunday) is a good American and a magnificent Hoosier. A good get for Obama.
April 2, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
But doesn't Hamilton realize that Hillary Clinton gets War Powers if she is elected President?
Denying a meglomanic can result in that person acting out.
April 2, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is Hamilton a SD?
April 2, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
AP reports no.
April 2, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, bdh.
A good get, nonetheless.
April 2, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Roemer endorsed Obama a while ago and has been actively campaigning across the country
April 2, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm surprised that this endorsement is only coming now. One of the big recent magazine pieces on Obama's foreign policy (Schreiber's?) stressed Hamilton's influence on the Obama team. Hamilton has to be considered a real strong possibility for Sec of State and maybe even Veep.
April 2, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Timing is everything.
April 2, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
okay, after a little digging, it turns out he's 76 years old. so maybe a little overly seasoned for consideration as sec of state or v-p.
April 2, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink