Stories related to: political endorsement

Sean Penn used his platform as president of the Cannes jury to express his excitement "by the hope that Barack Obama is inspiring," the Telegraph reports—though the firebrand actor-director also had some choice words for the Democratic candidate. Obama has much to live up to, Penn said, and accused the Illinois senator of a "phenomenally inhuman and unconstitutional" voting record. More »

John Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama may “hammer another nail into Clinton’s subterranean coffin,” but it won’t do much to sway primary voters, Andrew Romano writes in Newsweek . Had Edwards taken a pro-Obama stand a few months ago, it might have helped the senator with blue-collar voters. But at this point, the endorsement was inevitable: “Edwards is a Democrat. Obama's the Democratic nominee. It had to happen eventually.” More »

Why has John Edwards maintained silence as the precarious Democratic contest heads to his home state of North Carolina? Could be, Politico posits, because he knows he has little sway there. According to insiders, the state, which holds its primary Tuesday, knew the senator only fleetingly before he leapt to the national stage, and though Democrats are proud of this native son's "political comet," an endorsement “would carry no weight.” More »

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry endorsed Barack Obama yesterday, saying the Illinois senator was the only one who could “transcend partisan games.” Henry is the third Oklahoma superdelegate to back Obama, the Tulsa World reports, bucking the results of the state’s Feb. 5 primary—which Hillary Clinton won 54-31%. Clinton has just one Oklahoma superdelegate, while six remain uncommitted. More »

Rocker Bruce Springsteen endorsed Barack Obama today, calling the candidate “head and shoulders above the rest.” The Boss cited Obama’s leadership on the war, economic and racial justice, and the environment, the New York Times reports; he also criticized the “bitter” flap, saying Obama's opponents were exaggerating the remarks to “diminish” him.  More »

Indiana is poised to become a major battleground in the Democratic presidential race, but Indiana’s Democratic House representatives look like they’re ducking the firefight. Four of the five are in their first terms, seemingly unwilling to risk angering party brass or alienating voters. Indiana’s contest looks incredibly close, Politico reports, and no one can discern which horse is winning. More »

Bill Richardson says negative ads and arm-twisting phone calls from the Clinton camp pushed him to back Barack Obama last month, the Los Angeles Times reports. The New Mexico governor, labeled a "Judas" after supporting Obama, says he almost backed Hillary until her "3 a.m." ads came out—and Clintonites called saying he owed her support. "That really ticked me off," he said. More »

Jimmy Carter all but endorsed Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential nominee, Reuters reports. His home state of Georgia went to Obama, Carter reminded a Nigerian newspaper, and his children and their families support the Illinois senator. "As a superdelegate,” he continued, “I would not disclose who I am rooting for but I leave it to you to make that guess." More »

Barack Obama picked up an endorsement today from longtime Indiana rep Lee Hamilton, who was the co-chairman of both the 9/11 Commission and the Iraq Study Group. Hamilton, who said Obama "has the best opportunity to create a new sense of national unity," should help his candidate both in the May 6 Hoosier primary and on the national security front. More »

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey will endorse Barack Obama today, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, in what could be big break for the presidential hopeful who's been trailing Hillary Clinton in polls there. Not only can Casey help Obama with Keystone State Democrats, says Politico’s Ben Smith, but his endorsement could signal a superdelegate surge to Obama. Casey had vowed to stay neutral until after the April 22 primary. More »

Neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton should hold their breath for an endorsement from John Edwards, Politico reports. People close to the influential former candidate expect him to parlay neutrality in the primary fight into a "party elder" role like that of Al Gore.  In a Leno appearance Thursday, Edwards spoke highly of both candidates. More »

George Bush endorsed John McCain in a Rose Garden appearance today, saying his former foe has the “character, courage, and perseverance” to be president. One day after the Arizona senator clinched the Republican nomination, he said of Bush, “I appreciate his endorsement, and I appreciate his service to our country.” Bush added he’d work for McCain’s election as much as possible, CNN reports. More »

Chris Dodd endorsed Barack Obama today in Cleveland, praising his ex-opponent for his "ability to reach and touch the hearts and souls of Americans," the Plain Dealer reports. The first former candidate to make an endorsement in the race, Dodd told the Hartford Courant he was "back and forth" between Obama and Hillary Clinton ahead of Connecticut's February 5 primary. More »

The remaining Dem hopefuls have been pursuing Bill Richardson since he left the presidential race, the New York Times reports. In fact Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are calling the New Mexico governor daily seeking his endorsement. Obama’s approach is “a surgical bomb,” Richardson said, while “the Clintons are more like a carpet bomb.” More »

George H. W. and Barbara Bush will endorse John McCain next week, making the announcement in Texas in an effort to enlist voters there to support the presumptive nominee against a formidable rival. Mike Huckabee is optimistic about his prospects in the state, where social conservatives has taken issue with both Bush presidents, CNN reports. More »

Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed John McCain for the GOP nomination today at a Los Angeles solar energy company, calling his fellow Westerner a hero and a great American. Standing beside the candidate and new Mac backer Rudy Giuliani, Arnie stressed their shared concern over climate change, and praised McCain as “a crusader to end wasteful spending in Washington, a crusader to simultaneously protect the environment and stimulate the economy.” More »

Ted Kennedy, the heir to his slain brothers' Camelot ideal, will endorse Barack Obama's bid for the Oval Office tomorrow, the Boston Globe reports, ending his year-long seat on the fence and giving the candidate's surging chances a second Kennedy boost in a day. The Democratic godfather's coveted nod is a crushing blow for longtime family friend Hillary Clinton just ahead of the critical Super Duper Tuesday contests. More »