Barack Obama landed a haul of big-name endorsements yesterday, four days before the crucial Pennsylvania primary.
Sam Nunn of Georgia and David Boren of Oklahoma, both former longtime Democratic senators with strong national security credentials, announced their support, praising Obama's judgment and ability to restore US credibility in the world.
And Robert Reich became the latest ex-Clintonite to back Obama, declaring that the Illinois senator offers better policy proposals on housing, healthcare, schools, poverty, global warming, and other issues.
"He also presents the best chance of creating a new politics in which citizens become active participants rather than cynical spectators," said Reich, who was born in Scranton, Pa., and who broke with Hillary and Bill Clinton over their support for welfare reform.
"He has energized many who had given up on politics," Reich said in his blog. "He has engaged young people to an extent not seen in decades. He has spoken about the most difficult problems our society faces, such as race, without spinning or simplifying. He has rightly identified the armies of lawyers and lobbyists that have commandeered our democracy, and pointed the way toward taking it back."
Reich did not mention it in his endorsement, but New York magazine reported that the former labor secretary, who had praised Obama and who has criticized some of the Clintons' campaign tactics, made a final decision after seeing Clinton's TV ad hitting Obama for saying that economically strapped small-town voters are "bitter" and "cling to guns or religion."
Reich said he was "appalled" by the ad. "I thought it represented the nadir of mean-spirited, negative politics," he told the magazine.
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Clinton wins backing from 3 superdelegates
Hillary Clinton yesterday had one of her biggest days recently adding superdelegates, the party leaders and elected officials who are likely to decide the Democratic nominee.
Former New Jersey governors Jim Florio and Brendan Byrne pledged their support after being chosen Thursday as add-on superdelegates in that state. US Representative Betty Sutton of Ohio announced her support, saying she was following the lead of her constituents, who voted for Clinton in the March 4 primary.
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Romney hits airwaves to tout McCain's policies
If Mitt Romney isn't auditioning to be John McCain's running mate, he's doing a rather good impersonation.
On "National Journal On Air" yesterday, Romney strongly defended McCain's tax-cut policies and promoted his promises to slice spending.
The former Massachusetts governor also took a whack at Obama, saying that recent controversies are showing who he really is and calling him an inexperienced "quintessential politician."
"Now we're getting a better view of Barack Obama as not just the liberal, but the political liberal that he is," said Romney, who is campaigning for McCain and has said he would be honored to be asked to be the vice presidential nominee.
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