Obama Getting Endorsement of Super-Del And Indiana Rep. Baron Hill
The Obama campaign just confirmed to me that he's going to pick up the endorsement tonight of super-del and Indiana Rep. Baron Hill.
The endorsement was first reported moments ago in Bloomington's Herald-Times, and Obama spokesperson Josh Earnest confirmed the report.
That's a key get in a crucial state that's voting in less than a week. Obama's super-del total for today: Two.
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;-)
April 30, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
WHERE IS OBAMA GIRL WHEN WE NEED HER MOST !
"When the going gets tough the semi-tough change the subject."
HOPE we can CHANGE the subject faster than voters CHANGE their mind and lose HOPE
April 30, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess the superdelegates are less worried about Wright than the media would have us think.
Who woulda thought it? The media over doing a story?
In other news today, Thomas Friedman labels the gas tax holiday as shameless pandering, and dubs it the "McCain-Clinton" plan.
Ouch.
April 30, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, shit. Now I feel totally bad about hitting him with that pie...
April 30, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yay!
Joshua - can you see my gravatar? And can anyone tell me why I cannot get the goddamn edit page to change my photo? All I get is either: "error: profile characters limited to 255" I haven't added anything.
Or: error: webmaster recorded 0 bytes of that file.
What the bloody hell?
April 30, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tena: I had the same problem with the avatar, once I put it into my iphoto library and then moved to desktop, it worked. Hope this helps. Your avatar, or gravatar, shows, lots better than yesterday.
April 30, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
It changed - this damn place is a mystery. Utter.
I never know what is going on with the software.
Can anyone see my gravatar now? Please tell me -
April 30, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes we can!
April 30, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. I am never trying to change it again.
I appreciate your patience! LOL!
April 30, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I see it and I like it. Thinking of wierdness associated with the software - would you believe that while I am given to understand that everyone else sees the picture of me playing my solo in the 2003 Springfield games, I still see the fuzzy picture of me smiling stupidly at my son's birth.
April 30, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, I see a fuzzy picture of you smiling. But the whole thing is a mess. I must have a half dozen identities on this site b/c at any given time, a bunch of them aren't recognized and result in computer error.
April 30, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
I see an attractive head shot with a slight smile.
The new gravatar is another pic I took of myself night before last with this computer. I had the pencil drawing effect on.
I like it.
April 30, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
O wait - now I see you playing the pipes - do you really?
That is too cool for words!!!
April 30, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, that is me playing.
April 30, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
That is just very cool indeed.
I really love the bagpipes.
April 30, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now I see the Bag Piper you were meant to be.
And Tena, I mentioned this on another post, but it is good to have you back on TPM. I was afraid you were abandoning us completely! Every site needs a foul-mouthed, progressive Texan in the mix!
April 30, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mercer - bless you. That just makes my life.
April 30, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hear, hear.
April 30, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
O goodness - thank you.
I just have to tell ya that I love my comments boards peeps with all my heart. It becomes a really special relationship on these boards if the people are given half a chance. It's what keeps me coming back - most of the commenters are just so damn smart and interesting and funny and worth my time.
April 30, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Slight smile??? Aren't you being modest, a la Obama ?
April 30, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's almost definitely your browser cache. Try clearing it.
April 30, 2008 8:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see your old avatar. I've been seeing all these references to your new one, but it hasn't changed for me. I may need to clear my cache or something.
April 30, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the image file has the same name (or is being given the same name on the server side) it could be something as simple as your browser's cache settings. It could also just be a delay on the server side.
April 30, 2008 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the supers are finally getting the point - Obama can't be expected to fight a four-front war AND keep peace within the Democratic party. For those keeping score, those four fronts are the GOP, MSM, Clinton, and Wright. The time to circle the wagons is now.
Isn't Hill from the part of Indiana believed to be most inhospitable to Obama? Hopefully that will earn him some Hoosier state momentum.
I'm still hoping to keep it within 5 points in IN, and a 15+ point blowout in NC. Both may not be likely, but realistically possible. Let's work hard to make it happen.
April 30, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Howard Dean helped that along, with Pelosi and Reid, I think.
April 30, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God for Nancy Pelosi. I think her leadership has kept things from spiraling even more out of control. Dean is also a great DNC chair (especially compared to the cretinous McAuliffe), but he gets enough blogosphere love already.
April 30, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Pelosi and Reid both understand what will be best for their majorities in Congress, and that's having Obama at the top of the ticket this fall.
(But I'll stop short of thanking any diety for Ms. "Impeachment-is-Off-the-Table" Pelosi.)
-- ARG
April 30, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
True dat and Madame Speaker has gotten all kinds of grief.
So let's show Nancy some love. I showed her a couple hundred dollars worth last month after the Clintons' goons leaned all over her the first time.
April 30, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently they got the point alright, check this out:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9968.html
April 30, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Two points:
1) I hope that you are right, and that this betokens the fact the supers see that something must be done now to prevent us from shooting ourselves in the foot in November.
2) Enough with the whimpering wish that he will keep it to a narrow loss in the Hoosier state. Count on it - Obama will win Indiana.
April 30, 2008 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
God, I hope you are right. Combine your unwavering confidence in an Obama win in IN and mine in a double-digit NC win, and it's hard to see how we fail to uncork the champagne Tuesday night!
I am hoping for an election night victory rally in Raleigh, and to be there live when those critical victories are announced.
April 30, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, from your mouth to the ears of the voters ( I don't trust God anymore, given wright and all)
April 30, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly what I hope for, NC State Dem!
Since you seem to be right there -- what do you think of the polls showing a narrowing of the gap between Obama and Hillary in NC? I'm hoping it's just the ups & downs of the poll-world.
Any sense of what's going on?
April 30, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Complete crap. SUSA's own numbers don't make sense to me. Early voting has been heavy (and certainly not only among black voters) - how can Obama possibly have a 57/39 lead in early voters and only win 49/44? Completely illogical. They also had Clinton up 9 in the Reserach Triangle, which contains more people with a graduate degree than anywhere in the Southeast, a majority-black big city (Durham), and the 2 flagship (very large) state universities (NC State and UNC). Once I saw some breakdown of their numbers, I completely discounted that poll as nonsense.
Dem primary voters in NC are highly educated, and black turnout will likely be in the 35-40% range, at least. The demographics are like VA, but with more black people. 35% of the white vote is an absolute floor, and that's only if Wright is completely dominating people's minds.
Doing the math, I calculate worst-case scenario (35% black turnout, 85% of black support, 35% of white support). .35(.65) + .85(.35) = 52.5% as Obama's rock bottom level of support. It would take a perfect storm for Clinton to hold Obama to that.
April 30, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's .35(.85) + .65(.35). But your 52.5% number is correct. I think you have a good argument -- I hope your estimates are right.
April 30, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
It looks like he didn't listen to Bayh's threats about not endorsing too soon. Good for him!
April 30, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Threats" is the right word.
My older brother told me that a teacher he works with in the suburbs is active in the state Dem party, and that Bill basically told those party people during a visit months ago that their political careers would be finished if they didn't support his wife. Charming.
April 30, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
That does not surprise me one bit given how this has all gone so far.
I'd love to know how many people he has threatened like that.
I bet anything that pissed Bill Richardson off and caused him to endorse Obama.
Bet anything!
April 30, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great photo Tena!
April 30, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you!
You just made all the frustration worth it!!!
April 30, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey there Tena...very Mia Farrow. Love it. BTW, I am an Aussie who is fascinated by the American political system. Hooked....Go Obama.
May 1, 2008 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Hill represents the southern part of the state, and that would be the area most likely to lean toward Mrs. Clinton. Not for nothin', though, former Congressman Lee Hamilton, who previously held this seat, has also endorsed Obama. I don't know whether they can get either/both of these guys to actively campaign, but it should help a little bit down there. (My parents live in this district; they'll be voting for Obama.)
-- ARG
April 30, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Superdelegates comin' fast and furious today!
April 30, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Over the past couple days, actually. Last week only three supers came off the bench altogether (two for Obama, one for Clinton). We have already had three today alone. Clearly the pace is picking up.
April 30, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is rocking what's left of the available superdelegate stock the way Tena rocks her MacBook to make avatars!
Bless the superdelegates for having a sense of self-preservation seasoned with a bit of a sense of nation-preservation.
The msm, loving McCain, stroking the Wright story... it's time to keep asking the msm: Do you even LOVE this country? Do you think your decadent preoccupation with trivia (h/t Berube) shows any love for this nation or this world?
April 30, 2008 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I gave $ 25 yesterday to the Obama campaign, I am also giving my partner another $25, and I will give another $25 today...
Just a reminder that today is the last day for the April donation.
Yes, we can.
This is a great week for Senator Obama, the nomination path is getting closer and closer...
April 30, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, more great news for Barack. Life is good. Just sent another $25 to help close out the month on a high note:)
April 30, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Y'all have inspired me. I just sent Obama another $25, too.
April 30, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Evan Bayh trying to get them to not endorse was not only hypocritical but pretty telling, too. I doubt he'd say that if he thought they were Clinton supporters.
April 30, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. He is a respectable Hillary troll, though. He does speak very well of Barack though he supports Hillary. He seems to have a stronger allegiance to the party than he does to Hillary, unlike some people.
April 30, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know much about the guy but he's young enough to realize he should be nice to both sides, I guess.
April 30, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! A beautiful pick-up in Indiana.
It is true the tides are turning... but they are turning to our next President of the United States... Barack Obama.
My heart is full!
April 30, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree x 3 million.
I threw in another donation last night and it was matched by some dude in Colorado - thank you David in Colorado - I love to donate when it's matching funds day or night.
I can't travel out of state to campaign - so thanks to everyone who does.
I leave Mr. Tena alone down here 4 to 5 months a year as it is. I try to stay home when I'm here in Dallas as much as possible. And I'm getting ready to leave again, anyway.
Thank all of you so much.
April 30, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
What? There's a "mister" Tena??
Oh well, at least the Obama supers news is good. ;-)
April 30, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has requested nearly $2.3 billion in federal earmarks for 2009, almost three times the largest amount received by a single senator this year.
April 30, 2008 11:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
yep, even hillary knows she has lost, that is why she is asking for so much in earmarks. She wants to be reelected to the Senate and the NY earmarks, she thinks, will help.
I would just love it if her atrocious behavior during this primary season cost her her senate seat.
April 30, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
The difference between 'requested' and 'received' disturbs me. Did she actually get that much money into NY? Did other Senators request as much as her and get some of theirs rejected?
April 30, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Southern Indiana is where I am headed for four days starting Friday. BTW, my friends in Brad Ellsworth's district are letting him know by phone that they want to see an Obama endorsement, or at least that he be wise enough to continue resisting the arm twisting he's been getting from the Clinton camp. These constituents' voices are important. Ellsworth even answers his own phone at times, which I thought was amazing for a U.S. Representative.
April 30, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it would throw me way off if I called my congressman's office and he answered.
But then I've openly insulted Jeb Hensarling so many times now that we have a nasty little email war going on.
I hate that little crooked stupid shit so much.
April 30, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Baron's my Congressman and was at Nick's in Bloomington when Obama stopped by a couple weeks ago. It was pretty obvious that he was going to come out for Obama.
It's over--for HRC. Barack MUST run as if it's not over at all and fight for every delegate, every state that he can get. But it's over for HRC. The superdelegate news today, Obama's repudiation of Wright yesterday--it's over. The narrative is changing again, despite the media pile-on and the two-front HRC/McCain attack. She may well win Indiana, but it's over.
April 30, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. A post on Obama super-del gets 45 comments while that of HRC gets 9 comments (as of this post). By that metric (why the hell not ?), Obama wins this primary hands down.
Greg & Eric, do you get the message at all ? Otherwise, you will end up like Ben Smith (which is seeing decreasing comments due to his HRC bias).
April 30, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
But, but but Evan Bayh told IN superdelegates to wait until after the primary. Why do they hate freedom and apple pie and all that is holy?
April 30, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have got to get off here - I've got an appointment.
But - tell me that photo isn't photoshopped for those crossed eyes - I love that picture.
April 30, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
This pic is the real deal; no photoshop. Taken from her "I'm a down-home country girl who likes shots of whiskey" photo-op.
April 30, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because all of the down-home country girls drink Crown Royal.
"It's the only whiskey with the words 'crown' and 'royal' in the name. It's got a word to fanciness ratio of one." - Jon Stewart
April 30, 2008 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
So is she going to adopt Toby Keith's "Whiskey Girl" as her new campaign theme song?
May 1, 2008 3:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Missouri,Know the difference between a Bagpipe and an onion? No one ever cried chopping up a Bagpipe.
April 30, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS GREAT NEWS! FOR HILLARY!!
(where is IDIOTIC when we need him..?)
April 30, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
The early-voter turnout in the Indiana college towns has been amazing. Obama's ground game here is very, very good. A lot will depend on turnout in Chicagoland and the cities, I think. HRC will undoubtedly carry the rural and smaller-city regions... this state's demographics favor her, but it is not out of reach for Obama.
April 30, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR HILLARY!!!
April 30, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Full article on Baron Hill's endorsement:
ndiana Congressman Baron Hill Endorses Barack Obama for President
by Sam Graham-FelsenWednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Indianapolis, IN — Indiana Congressman Baron Hill endorsed Barack Obama for President today, citing his strength of character and ability to change the tone of Washington:
"Some have advised me to be cautious, to wait and see which way the electoral winds may blow. I confess that I have listened to those voices and been tempted by their reasoning. But, the stakes are just too high. We cannot continue to pursue the same politics of personal destruction we have engaged in for a generation, some never-ending "groundhog day" endlessly playing out the cultural wars of forty years ago.
If we are going to develop real solutions for Hoosier families, for America’s families, we have to move past the partisan gridlock. I believe both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama want to do that and I believe both are formidable candidates. But, I also believe that only one of them truly can.
I am proud of Senator Obama’s call for change in Washington – change I have been advocating since I first sought public office. I am truly hopeful that his campaign and election will help unify our nation and ultimately change our politics. I am pleased that Senator Obama clearly and unequivocally denounced Reverend Wright’s remarks. Hoosiers don’t feel that way about our country, I don’t feel that way about our country and Senator Obama made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t feel that way either.
His comments regarding statements made by Reverend Wright showed me another aspect of Senator Obama’s leadership – a strength of character and commitment to our nation that transcends the personal. One of the tests of a true leader is his ability and willingness to come to a new conclusion based on new events. Senator Obama did just that yesterday.
I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with both Senators Clinton and Obama. Choosing between two worthy candidates was very difficult, but in the end, after much discussion with people in Southern Indiana, as well as mentors of mine such as Lee Hamilton, I have decided to support Senator Obama.
I believe Senator Obama has the capability to change the tone and tenor of politics in Washington. I believe that he can and will work with both parties and elevate the level of public discourse. Hoosiers are independent people who want to see civility and common-sense solutions implemented in Washington. Like us, Senator Obama strives to put the good of the country before the good of a particular political party. "
As someone who has always worked in a bipartisan manner to achieve results, I know that we need a president who can bring people together and build consensus to move this country in a new and exciting direction. And that person is Senator Barack Obama."
Said Obama: "I am grateful to have the support of Congressman Baron Hill. He has been a tireless advocate for southern Indiana, working to improve our children's education, strengthen our military, and create jobs and achieve energy independence. I look forward to working with him to fix our economy, lift up hardworking families, and make America more secure -- and to shooting hoops every once in a while."
Congressman Baron Hill, a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, represents Indiana's 9th district and is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hill is Senator Obama’s 246th Superdelegate endorsement. Senator Obama is now 286 delegates away from winning the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
April 30, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, that is a great article and a wonderful endorsement. Thanks for posting it!
April 30, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, another miracle. This thread is free of usual trolls weaver, gotalife, dembillc, et. al.
Hallelujah!!!
April 30, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama got third super today:
Latest endorsement comes from California Rep. Lois Capps, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and chair of the Democratic Women’s Working Group.
http://thepage.time.com/2008/04/30/obama-nabs-iowa-superdelegate/
April 30, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Each day is getting better, so it is another great week for Senator Obama...
April 30, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Three! A great day for Senator Obama. Between yesterday's presser and today's news, the tide is indeed turning.
April 30, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Three words suddenly reinfused with meaning:
Yes we can!!!
April 30, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Special thanks to CNN (especially the Wolfster & Campbell Brown....who's husband works for Fox), Fox News, especially Hannity the media king of race baiting, Joe (keep her in so we can win)Scarborough, Pat 'hate anyone of color'Buchanan, Laura Ingraham, Flush Limbaugh, and the whole GOP media gang (Medved, Prager, Hewitt, etc.) for running the Rev. Wright story totally in the ground. Now that the whole Wright issue has been settled, all superdelegates can now come to Obama's side without fear that the Wright ordeal will be an issue in the GE. When the GOP brings it up in the general....it will be old news. THANKS MEDIA ! (can you say.....back-fired!)
FIRED UP....READY TO GO !!!!!!!!!!
Greg Jones
www.Blacks4Barack.org
(A Multi-Racial, Grassroots Org...Dedicated To Truth)
April 30, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink