Steelers owner endorses Obama
Barack Obama already had the Bus in his corner.
Now, he has the Bus's boss.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Jerome Bettis joined Obama for part of his bus tour through Pennsylvania. Today, Steelers owner and chairman Dan Rooney announced his support.
"True sports fans know that you support your team even when they are the underdogs. Barack Obama is the underdog here but it is with great pride that I join his team," Rooney writes in a "Dear Pennsylvanians" letter released by the Obama campaign.
"This is not something that I do regularly but as I listen to the candidates in this race, I am struck that we continue to hear about the problems and the same challenges that we have been talking about for decades. Protecting jobs here in Pennsylvania, breaking our dangerous and costly addiction to foreign oil, making health care accessible and affordable – these are neither new issues nor new ideas. And yet we have failed to make real progress," Rooney writes.
"As a grandfather and a citizen of this community I think Barack Obama’s, thoughtful, strategic approach is important for America. When I hear how excited young people seem to be when they talk about this man, I believe he will do what is best for them which is to inspire them to be great Americans."
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This is great news. Thank you.
This is a very special and dangerous moment in American Politics. Yesterday (April 14th), Senator Clinton crossed the Rubicon by attacking the campaigns of Kerry and Gore. She has gone to war with the Democratic party. It is a coup attempt. Al Gore won in 2000. Kerry did his best. They were dignified candidates that Democrats can feel proud of. Gore won in reality, but he would have won better if the Clinton's had not maimed his candidacy. There needs to be some moral outrage within the Democratic party about this new development. Clinton is using every Repubican talking point at this stage, and people need to start saying it. Where are Pelosi, Reid, Schumer et al on this? If the Democrats don't stand up for this guy now they really deserve the future party implosion they are going to get. The thing about Clinton is that she is powerful, and with that comes resposibility. Leaders have a resposibility to their followers not to radicalise them as she is now doing in extremis.
I'm glad that the owner of the Steelers backs Obama. I just wonder how many Steeler fans will.
http://politicalgrafitti.blogspot.com/2008/04/bitter-midwesterners.html
I can not understand why a man who is defined by the fans who admire and love his team would support a man who insults them. Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas are the very small town type areas Barack Obama insulted when he referred to us as bitter, gun toting people who cling to thier religion as a crutch. Well Mr. Rooney,this is truly a slap in the face to life-long Steeler fan and to thousands and thousands of others who respected you and the organization. I am truly angered.
Obama's remarks are not a slap in the face to Pennsylvanian's. The thing that you need to understand and realize about what he was and is saying speaks directly to the fact that the system has pushed some people to pick up their Bible's in one hand and a shotgun in the other do look after the safety of their family. If you don't think this is true then look back at the people of middle eastern descent that were mobbed and beaten shortly after Sept. 11 at grocery stores across Middle America. This is the Bitterness Obama Speaks of, This is the Anger Obama speaks of. It is NOT a knock on Pennsylvanians it's a knock on the mis-direction of government and it's ineffective leadership. Its how one man has allowed our country to fulfill Osama's decree to bankrupt our nation by causing us to HAVE to spend every penny we can find to fight a war we cant win. It's about families being left in such bad shape that their kids have no choice BUT to join the military and be hurried off to war just so their families can have a shot at survival because of combat pay for their son or daughter.
HILLERY SHOULD STICK TO THE REAL ISSUES....SHE CAN NOT WIN THIS THING ( THE PRESIDENCY) WITHOUT THE HELP OF OBAMA...SHE SHOULD STOP THE PERSONAL ATTACKS. YES WE ARE BITTER....SHE NEED TO GET HER HEAD ON STRAIGHT.
Barack Obama goooooooo!Keep the fight forward,do not be distracted by Billary hopeless attacks that show that it them who are out of touch of what hardship ordinal Americans are going through.....
To Clintons ,you should quit in gentleman manner right away.
I live in Louisiana and I am bitter about Hillary Clinton's mission to destroy everyone in the Democratic Party. Hillary is bitter too, can’t she see it? Her bitterness is due to not being able to win the race on Feb 5. Therefore, her bitterness should be about her, and her inability to run a Class Act Campaign. She should leave the party and run in her own party, "Only Out For Ourselves" Party, The party of Bill and HIll.
Hello I am happy to here about the endorsement that obama got . I live in seattle and we here are tryin to sway patty murry to change here support from hillary to obama. to all supporters in pa this week is the week to push it hard to get as many as obama supporters to vote . If obama keeps the populars persentage up we will see alot of hillary endorsements sway to obama . oh yeah pa seattle ain't mad about the lost we took a couple years ago at the super bowl thats the one thing about obama supporters we stand together no matter what others say. Not like hillary group.
Everytime the Children of Israel turned from God and all his commandments, God removed his hand of grace! It is written! Your Bible says God is no Respector of persons! If we as Americans do not turn from our wicked ways, and cease mistreating children of God from other races, and simply get back to hard wark and honest talk, we will have to bear what comes with poor decision making. America is a proud and strong nation, in spite of doing some ungodly deeds to our own citizens at one point in time. Yet we rise, and stand tall against any other force of evil. We can repair and restore our land, our people, and our nation. The name is Obama, the reason is Change, and the time is NOW!
I am bitter! Well, bitter is too weak, I'm pissed off! I'm pissed because Washington and two lame candidates do not see what this young candidate sees.
Everything Obama said was true. Except, he should have said "pissed off' instead of that lame word "bitter".
We ordinary americans are pissed off about our economy, therefore we cling to guns (good/sport and bad/crime). We are pissed off at this war therefore we cling to our religious beliefs (only a miracle can get us out of this debt). We are blaming our unemployment on illegals therefore we become anti-immigrant. We take our frustrations on people who differ from us (race, gendor, or sexual orientation).
STOP ACTING LIKE WE ARE BLIND WASHINGTON! WE SEE THROUGH YOU! WE SEE THROUGH BILLARY AND WE SEE THROUGH MCCAIN! LYING CON ARTIST FOR WHITECOLLAR CRIME OR WATERGATE CRIME.
BILLARY IS FOR GUN CONTROL. PLEASE DON'T CHANGE AND SAY YOU ARE NOT, BILLARY. YOU WILL LOOK MORE PHONEY THAN YOU DO ALREADY.
Mr. Obama, please keep the frame alive. In doing so please watch carefully and not to allow the establishments take the presidency from you. My advice, if anyone brings the issue of your pastor back, simply answer: only GOD can judge the sinners not you. You only goes to the church to worship GOD but not worship Pastor Wright. On the issue of the speach, please let the establihment knows that you only wants to bring people together not to separate us. Don't be afraid to tell the Clinton's that the Presidency is not their property. With GOD'S blessing you will overcome the establishment. Please sir, do not allow your self to be called ELITIST. They made over $100 million dollars and called someone elitist. Shame on them. One last point, don't be afraid to sharpen your words. They will take it from us if you fails to fight back. God bless you.
Joseph
Thank you Mr.Rooney, for your endorsement of Sen.Obama, I live in Dallas TX, I'm a independent voter and believe Sen. Obama, is the best one to bring about change we need in this country. I can't believe that the persons like of the Clinton's just continue to lie right in our face and still say she should be President. Mark Penn, Sniper Fire, and of course "NAFTA" ETC.. To those folks in PA, Ohio and here in TX, that should have been enough for the American people to tell her to get out for the best of the Dem.party. She don't deserve even to be consider after her bold face lies in the name of "Mis-speak". She then did a Cheny move like "So", or hers "I'm human " when caught.
What Sen.Obama spoke about TRADE yesterday with South Korea, I was in South Korea for a interfaith conference in 2004, and we did not see not ONE AMERICAN CAR our time there and I was looking for them. They have plenty of American Music, mainly African-American R & B and HIP HOP and we couldn't believe it. So I can relate with him on this Free trade issue that we should have our interest so the people in those states like PA, OHIO and TX or anyplace where jobs was shipped overseas. We should make sure that we are not going to be played cheap by the Clinton's who will say anything to get your VOTE.
I'm sorry for Sen.Obama that he may say that wrong word, however he did speak the true or your very happy about all those lost job's during The Clinton's and Bush's years as President.
PA, DON'T LET THE CLINTON'S AND THEIR GAMES IN OUR WHITE HOUSE!
Sen Obama is the first winner to come down the pike in a long time. Sen Clinton and her husband are so crooked they must screw on their socks. Check out Mother Jones news March April 2008 issue. According to its author in an article on "extraordinary renditions" -- a Washington weasel word if I ever heard one that means kidnapping and shipping "terrorist suspects -- no proof, just references made by our government -- to countries like Egypt who torture their prisoners, was NOT set as precedence by The Twig but by the Clinton administration, According to MJ's article, clinton sent 14 folks -- no habeus corpus or legal references -- to Egypt. Three were executed there; all but one of the remaining 14 claim to have been seriously tortured and injured there -- one says he was not tortured there. It's reported that Bush extended the horrific and US denigrating practice later but only after Pres. Clinton set the precedent.
Is Mrs. Clinton still claiming she was co-prez during her husband's administration? Pretty scary lady.
As for her beating the dead horse of Rev. Wright, I suggest Sen. Obama listen to the past words of Presidential candidate Jack F. Kennedy who replied to the claims that the Pope would run the country if he was elected: In a Time magazine of the period, he said, "I will not tell the church what to do and they will not tell me what to do. "
Go Sen Obama. Even your "mispeaks" are obviously not like the Clintons' lies. What you say is obviously rooted in sincerity and a deep abiding care for our citizens.
I am a second generation Italian American; we shot deer and rabbit to be able to eat. We grew our own veg's to eat. Then I earned my MA thanks to this great country. Hurrah for elititism. A veteran for Obama JMB
Barack Obama, though speaking the truth should not have used those choice of words. This is because, at this point in time, people are socially fragile and are easily irritated by anything that seeks to define and confine them to any theory. Obama should be very careful in his speeches and I will even recommend that he stops speaking extempore for now. I know he can do that from his book that I bought and read from http://www.malltropolitan.com the online discount mall. I also think that Hillary is destroying the party by trying to make Barack unelectable and then making the case to the Superdelegates. For the record, if she succeeds in doing that, I guarantee that she will lose the general election in November.
So many people, so much hope! It's great. I do feel like I'm on a roller coaster half the time and do have one 'newsfast' day a week so I don't go nuts. For the future of America we need to do everything we can to help Barack Obama win the White House - and I know you all are. To Senator Obama - keep up the 'hope' message too. Ignore Hillary Clinton if you can and stick to YOUR message. My suggestion would be not to joke about her or mock her - just stick to the high road and your message. You've got it right. Don't let the atmosphere and the noise distract you. And your campaign spokespeople and managers are doing an amazing job! You chose them well.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you!!!
Thank you, Steelers owner and Chairman Dan Rooney!
I am in Denver, Colorado and am feeling over the moon about this news.
Thank you again
Sen. Obama!!!
Greatings and congratulatory words from Canada. Your words are very truthful and reflecting the reality of all Americans and the free world of tomorrow. Keep going, let your heart talk. I see you are avery Commited Human being who want to just bring the change not only to USA, but to the rest of the world. We well be with you from Darfur To Zimbabwe, Iraq to Afganistan and the rest of the world will witness the peaceful generation.
Go Obama Go.!!!
My PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
Clinton ought to be ashamed of herself. What a negative, trashy campaign she is running.
Obama will be the best President since FDR if not Lincoln.
Professional football players know that actions speak louder than words; so it's not surprising to see them in Obama's camp, where crossing goals is more important than bloodying players on the opposing team. C'mon, Pennsylvanians - give him a big victory so we can finally have an end to Hillary's "inevitability" campaign of smear and denigration. We need a REAL leader this time. America is in grave danger right now, and your vote may tip the balance toward survival.
BILL AND HILL HAVE BEEN UP TO THEIR NECKS WITH DIRTY TRICKS FOR YEARS. I KNOW NOW WHY SO MANY PEOPLE DISLIKE THEM. SHE IS A DISGRACE TO OUR PARTY. EVERYONE SHOULD CHECK OUT HILLARY AND PETER PAUL ON YOUTUBE. SEE WHO IS THE REAL ELITISTS. SHE SHOULD BE IN JAIL FOR CAMPAIGN VIOLATIONS, BUT BILL MADE SURE THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. BARACK IS THE REAL THING AND THEY WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD WITH THIS POWERFUL MOVEMENT. CLINTONS AND MCGRAND DAD ARE OUT OF TOUCH. I AM A SUVIIVOR FROM HURRICANE KATRINA, AND I AM VERY BITTER ABOUT THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. I AM ALSO BITTER ABOUT BILL CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, HE CAUSED MANY PEOPLE TO SERVICE LONG JAIL SENTENCES FOR CRACK COCAINE IN COMPARISON TO POWDER. BILL
WAS NOT A GREAT PRESIDENT. BARACK STAND YOUR GROUND AND SPEAK
FOR THE PEOPLE. THE STEELERS ARE MY FAVORITE TEAM AND THE OWNER ENDORSEMENT IS GREAT, AND SO IS THE BUS!
Honesty + Courage = Barack H. Obama
Semantics + dishonesty = Hillary R. Clinton
H. E. J.
London. UK
I agree. I think he should stop speaking extempore as well. Any misstep--even a minor one--will be used to try to define who he is and what he represents at this point in the game.
I think what is actually more offensive, is Senator Clinton's portrayal of how people are feeling about their economic struggles as "optimistic" is angering. I mean, really, it was very "let them eat cake."
The World is in dire trouble, May God bless the World, the Innocent, and those who ardently strive for the wellbeing of all the Denizens of the World and beyond if in fact, they exist.
Win or lose, Barack Obama is planting the Seeds of Togetherness,Concern,and Compassion that should naturally be a part of "Human Character" regardless of Race,Creed, Color or any other Distinction.
I thank Mr.Rooney for his endorsement of Barack Obama. He made the right choice because Barack cares about the american people and their future. Senator Clinton and Senator McCain are truly "out of touch" with the american people because they can't even admit the real problems that are our country has faced and will continue to face in the near future. I grew up on a farm, outside of a small town in Illinois, and I know what it's like when your family member loses a dream. My dad lost that dream of farming because it wasn't paying the bills. He also owned several hunting guns that he had to give up when we moved to Florida, so we could have a better life. My dad was never offended by the comments that Barack made recently. Our family admires Barack Obama for his honesty.
Vote for Barack Obama! A candidate with real heart and integrity.
I guess that's why Mr. Rooney has to raise the price of tickets so he can contribute to Obama's cam pain!!!! to the point were the honest hard working people cannot afford to see The Steelers.!!!!!
YOU DONT SEE HER AND HIM WEARING BROWN AND ORANGE DO YOU!!!!! BUNCH OF DEMOCRAPS IN PITTSBURGH!!!!! GO BROWNIES!!!!!!
Sad times......J. McBama + B. McBama = two headed wolf. Greater socialistic programs / bigger govrnment (like its not big enough) and taxes taxes and more taxes.
Life long Steeler fan. Now questioning my loyalty. I might as well be a Raider fan now. How disappointing.
Well, I've been a Steelers fan since I sat on the lap of Franco Harris after a bike/hike in the 70's. This is over the line. Screw the Steelers. I'm no longer a fan at all. Time to find a new team.
idol-worship is very American, or so I've heard it is... lately.