Hirshberg endorses Obama

One of biggest liberal fund-raisers in the country, who also is among the most important Democratic activists in New Hampshire, today endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Stonyfield Farm CEO Gary Hirshberg said Obama was the one candidate who could appeal to both Democrats and Republicans alike.

"This guy can heal a divided nation," Hirshberg said on a conference call with reporters. Stonyfield is an organic dairy based in Londonderry known both for its yogurt products and its environmental activism.

The endorsement comes a week after Hirshberg held a house party for Obama at his Concord home. He said that his choice came down to Obama and John Edwards.

He said that he had a long conversation with Elizabeth Edwards yesterday.

"This is not to be interpreted as a negative on John Edwards," Hirshberg said, but what "moved my needle" in recent days was finishing Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope", watching Obama interact over dinner with the soccer team Hirshberg coaches, and hearing Republicans say they are interested.

"I thought that no matter how tortured I was (in deciding between Obama and Edwards), I was not going to sit on the fence," Hirshberg said.

Previously, Hirshberg endorsed former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack for president, but Vilsack dropped out of the race. In 2004, he endorsed former Vermont Governor Howard Dean.