Former S.C. Governor Endorses Obama

[babylonsister]

Former S.C. Governor Endorses Obama

By Cate Doty
Former S.C. Governor Endorses ObamaBarack Obama at a rally in Coralville, Iowa.

(Photo: Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times )

CORALVILLE, Iowa – Jim Hodges, a former governor of South Carolina who supported Wesley Clark in the 2004 primaries, announced this afternoon that he will endorse Senator Barack Obama.

While Mr. Hodges said he chose to support Mr. Obama because of his ideas for early childhood education programs and college tuition affordability, he repeatedly emphasized Mr. Obama’s electability, saying he sensed a tremendous amount of support for Mr. Obama.

“South Carolina is a tough nut to crack,” Mr. Hodges said during a conference call this afternoon with reporters and David Plouffe, Mr. Obama’s national campaign manager. “The state has turned a darker and darker shade of red during the last 20 years.”

Mr. Hodges, who now runs a lobbying firm in the state, was elected governor in 1998 and survived a tough re-election race in 2002 against former Representative Mark Sanford. Earlier this year, he supported Stephen Colbert’s bid for a slot on the South Carolina primary ballot, which was eventually shot down.

Today, Mr. Hodges said he had been watching Mr. Obama since his pivotal speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and called him a “once-in-a-generation candidate.”

“I only wish I had that sort of charisma and ability to move people forward,” Gov. Hodges said, emphasizing Mr. Obama’s message of unity. “He has what it takes to be a terrific candidate.”

more...

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/former-sc-governor-endorses-obama/

[loves_dulcinea]

1. gov "floyd" hodges?

damned kiss of death.

[Flabbergasted]

4. kick

[sandnsea]

2. Kaine was campaigning for him too

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/14/AR2007021401272.html

I'm not crazy about these people, but if Obama can reach them, as liberal as he really is, then that's awesome.

[babylonsister]

3. Everyone who endorses anyone has friends they influence;

I think most endorsements are good (well, except for some of Ron Paul's questionable ones).

[Colobo]

5. Gobama!

[mzmolly]

6. What a great endorsement for Barack!

:toast: