Kerry, Miller endorse Obama

Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2008 9:50 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray and Chuck Todd

First Read has just confirmed this news that the AP first reported: that John Kerry will be endorsing Obama.

California congressman George Miller (D) is also backing Obama's presidential campaign. This is perhaps the closest thing to getting a Nancy Pelosi endorsement as you can come without actually getting it. Miller is incredibly close with her politically. He wouldn't be doing this without her consent of sorts.

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Comments

One of the main reasons Hillary won NH is because of you guys here 24/7 trashing her, even people who use to post here are sick and tired of it.

By the way, I am not sure why you guys are mad. Even Chris Matthrews said himself Hillary will win. Chris likes Hillary, you guys get over it.

"last month we had our annual Book Fair. Chris Matthews was one of the guests authors who attended as well as Jena Bush and Caroline Kennedy and a few others... when an audience member asked Chris Matthews who he thought would win 2009 he said Hillary Clinton and went into a few points as to why he thought she would win the nomination and later the presidency. Then someone asked why he was so critical of her on her show and he responded "Ratings."

I can't stomach watching him but agree he did helped Hillary win NH, in a special way.

Independent (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:49 AM)

Obama lied about his connection to a lobbyist for big pharma:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=k56XV7nzQJw

That isn't different or a new kind of politics at all.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:52 AM)

If Obama is running as the anti-Washington candidate, why is he spending so much time trying to line up endorsements from Washington hasbeens who have already blown elections?

Also, MSNBC, you need to revisit your standards for posting comments. David Andress' comments should be on Anne Coulter's blog, not yours.

Dale, Birmingham, AL (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:54 AM)

This endorsement is very significant in that it is a non-endorsement of Hillary by the last Dem nominee for President. He's sending a message to the rest of the party at a very early juncture. The endorsement of Obama by the culinary workers union in NV is another significant snub at Hillary. So is the Bill Bradley endorsement of Obama. The more nails in her coffin the better for the country. Let the wicked witch of the West just fly away! Watch out though, she has an army of winged monkeys to attack conservatives!
"Fly, fly, bring back Dorothy!"

Paul A Trouve, Montague, NJ (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:55 AM)

Obama's ties to sleazy Chicago political fixer are exposed by Brian Ross at ABC. Complete with details on how Obama got a sweatheart deal on a million dollar home.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4 111483&page=1

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:57 AM)

An endorsement from our failed 2004 nominee, who couldn't get back into the race (even though he was strongly leaning to running again) because of his gaffe about military recruits coupled with his reputation as a weak campaigner. This prize goes to Obama. I voted for Kerry; this makes me less likely to support Obama now. An endorsement from Kerry doesn't quite dovetail with the Obama mantle of a 'different' kind of politics. We've seen the whole "change the government" thing come down the pike before and we know where it leads: nowhere. Obama better try and get more specific: I've spent seven audacious years hoping for a better government and I don't see much beyond his well-delivered oratory. Believeable, yes. Practical? Not really. He is not appealing to average Democratic voters: he is like Kerry in 2004. We all wanted to believe in something that really didn't exist. That got us four more years of a Republican). He must try to pry strongly-leaning Clinton voters away with something more than great speeches and the "about to make history" spiel. It doesn't seem that he is in the corner of mad-as-hell Democrats.

T. X. Peccini, registered expat voter in Nicosia, Cyprus (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:58 AM)

why is this being reported on MSNBC, it is the top story on ABC????

The Rezko Connection: Obama's Achilles Heel?
Obama's Connection With an Accused Political Fixer Raises Questions

anonymous (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:59 AM)

i'm not sure why another endorsement from another democratic loser is considered good..look at the losers endorsing obama, they are all the ones who lost in previous primaries and elections...kerry, bradley, miller have no credibility except with narrow liberal food groups...

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:59 AM)

Obama has made his 2002 opposition to the Iraq war a centerpiece of his presidential campaign yet Obama's voting record on Iraq is nearly identical to Clinton's. Seems to me that his actions ( Yes votes on Iraq) speak louder than his words. I dont know what to believe from Obama.

RGO, California (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:01 AM)

Let us all know at the end of this political battle, Hillary and Bill will be sent back to Arkansas with their "venom" in hand !!!!
Sen. Baeack Obama for President !!!!!

Ken Collins/Wagoner (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:03 AM)

Jaz, you are totally right.

Don't get me wrong, I like Obama, but the media has not done their homework. I can only imagine if Hillary was somehow related to Rezko, her campaign would be finished. I find it hard to beleive that not one news network has brought up this story and the progressive radio and TV shows never bring up Obama voting for Cheney's energy bill and Hillary did not. They never mention that he voted "Present" on every woman's right to choose vote in the Illinois senate. I just don't get it. The media loves him, the Republicans definetly want him to win, because they know there is no way he would win any southern state(Maybe S.C.)and the they would hammer him on all of these issues that you and I have brought up that the media and progressive radio refuses to bring up. I think for all of our candidates to have a chance, they need to be vetted as much as Hillary. There is not one thing new you could put out their in an ad that people have not already known about Hillary or Edwards, yet their is plenty, even Obama's own supporters don't know because the edia is trying to protect him.

Stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:03 AM)

Obama is a big phoney. His followers remind me of the Nader people. Left wing wild eyed maniacs, just the their right wing counterparts.

j fl (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:03 AM)

Oh, but Travis from Louisville,KY, what a coup it would be to get the endorsement of Kimberley-Clark (makers of Kleenex) for Hillary! Just think of all of the cute bumper stickers:

Sob If You Love Hillary!!-- in pink, of course.

So, Joe Biden has endorsed her...hmmmmmm...seems there was a scandal about him and some cheating at one time--- and he's endorsing a Clinton?...perfect!!

Lynn From Piedmont,SC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:03 AM)

start watching the coverage of Obama closer, especially at abc and cbs, like rats fleeing a sinking ship the OLD media is going to go negative on Obama to keep in the Clintons graces

Its a mess n America (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:04 AM)

How does Obama square this with the new politics of hope? I thought Kerry was precisely what he was running against--entrenched failures. This is a net positive for Clinton. Obama is giving up his only trump card--new and fresh. Obviouisly, that's a total fraud.
Dazed and Confused in DC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:37 AM)
*****************************************************

Just because Obama recieves this guys endorsement does not mean that Barack and Kerry have the same methodologies or even the same thought process. It just means that John Kerry would like to see Obama win, and would like his(Kerry's) supporters to support Obama. By your line of thinking, Obama should eschew any endorsements from established politicians, which just doesn't add up.

I think it is good sign that established pols are willing to accept change enough to endorse the real candidate for change.

His "only trump card--new and fresh"?...... hardly. Try a source of hope, a breath of fresh air, a dose of honest reality, someone who can start office without a guaranteed hate from 45% of the country. It is no secret that a little less than half the country outright despises Hillary Clinton.

JIMMY CHICAGO IL (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:05 AM)

Thank you John Kerry for your endorsement of Barack Obama. I was a tireless volunteer in the Kerry campaign and I thank you for helping change this country for the better! Mama 4 OBAMA!

Lisa Gross, Minnesota (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:05 AM)

Clinton operative are here to discredit it...this is a great endorsement as Keery is a super delegate. Further, he does represent the democratic establishment and he is saying it is 'bout time to pass the baton.

Mark (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:06 AM)

I am guessing as a good politician, Sen Obama trying to put an end to bad press is trying to change the storyline, so people do not pay attention to his loss and also one of his friend is facing the justice today. People he is a politician not a messiah

no messiah (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:08 AM)

Caps-lock Anders, take your racist sexist ignorance back to the trailer park where it belongs; this forum is for mature adults. There are 3rd graders with more astute political commentary than you, and illegal immigrants with a better command of English. Neaderthals like you only reinforce the worst GOP stereotypes.

Perry, NYC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:09 AM)

Phew....a John Kerry endorsement is akin to the kiss of death. He didn't run in 2008 because he knew it would be a colossal embararrsment - just like he was in 2004. He fails to mention - he had NO support within his own party - he GAVE the election to the Republicans in 2004.
Doesn't say much for his judgment when he chooses a neophyte over his own former running mate. Same thing Al Gore did with Howard Dean and we all know how that turned out! Now that things have slowed to a normal din, we can spend the summer watching Obama implode!

HILLARY '08

Paul, NY, NY (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:09 AM)

Folks, we all agree I'm sure that John Kerry was not the sharpest Presidential candidate in the drawer. However, his endorsement is a big deal, it will absolutely sway Democratic voters and signals that the party smells a winner. Sniff, sniff.
Where am I? Is this the United States? Who knew this was such a fine country?!?

squintz, philly, pa (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:11 AM)

Sen. John Kerry ... Your endorsement comes ohhh, 4 days too late.

Go Obama, keeps smiling and HAVE FUN!!!

--NSMsnbc (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:13 AM)

STOPWATCHINGFOXNEWS--

I understand your concern, but a real good place to get answers to issues involving the candidates is from the candidates themselves.

I don't want to just copy and paste from his website, but you'll get a better understanding of the real deal behind his feelings on a woman's right to choose and about voting present on anti-abortion bills in the Illinois senate. (It's actually the first thing that's addressed).

BTW...Steve Trombley, CEO & Pres. Of Planned Parenthood/Chicago Action said they worked with Obama to implement legislative strategies in Illinois protecting a woman's right to choose and have endorsed Obama throughout his entire political career.

The former president of the Chicago NOW chapter told the Tribune that they often asked legislatures to vote present as part of a larger strategy. (12/04/07 issue of the Chicago Tribune)

But go check it out for yourself...

Kacee, Atlanta, GA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:13 AM)

"Please Democrats, do not vote republican. The Supreme court is at stake in this election. It only takes one more judge on the court to swing it to overturning a woman's right to choose. Not voting for Obama,Hillary, or Edwards and voting republican for the election or not voting at all because of spite is ridiculous. You are acting like children. We should support whoever the nominee is from the Democratic party!"
~Stopwatchingfoxnews

It's more dire than that. One more Republican-appointed Supreme Court justice & we can all kiss our civil liberties GOODBYE. Possibly for the next 2 or 3 generations. Not to mention even further damage to our world reputation, as hot-headed war mongers who don't give a crap about other countries.

Only a Democrat can fix George's trainwreck.

Perry, NYC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:15 AM)

Obama fans, I have put this question out for three days and I have yet to get an answer. Why did Obama vote "Present" on every bill that came up in the the Ill. Senate having to do with a woman's right to choose? I know one thing, Hillary would never vote "Present" on any woman's right to choose bill. Why would any Democrat vote for a person who doesn't have the conviction to vote for a bill concering a woman's right to choose? And the media wants to talk about Hillary Trianglelating?
Stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:38 AM)
*****************************************************

It has been said at least one thousand times before, the vote in question was actually a "coordinated" present vote. It was "coordinated" with Planned Parenthood of Illinois.(the actual sponsor of the legislation) You are correct on the Hillary part. She probably wouldn't be a team player when it comes to doing something that wouldn't have triangulated into a positive for her future ambitions to attain the presidency.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200712140004

go to this link it will explain it.

Jimmy CHICAGO IL (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:15 AM)

Of course John Kerry's endorsement is important. NOT!

That just goes to show that he has flipped on another level.

Why didn't he endorse John Edwards, the man he chose to be vice president just 4 years ago? He could have choose Obama then, he has just amount of experience now as before.
John Kerry is irrelevant in this election.

patty, roseville, mn (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:17 AM)

Endorsement from John Kerry? Ouch. Next endorsement will be from Jimmy Carter.

On a side note, I heard last night that Bill Richardson has dropped out. With Richardson and Biden out, and Joe Lieberman jumping ship, the message is clear from the Democrat Party. If you are not a radical left guy, you are not welcome. I believe Richardson was their last hope to take back the White House. The man is a governor. He gets the Hispanic vote. He has vast foreign policy experience as UN ambassador. And, he is likeable. Looks like a guaranteed 8 more years of Republicans in the White House.

Jack (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:19 AM)

Does Kerry really pull weight with the electorate?
I don't think so, he is a weak link in the dem party, but Obama fans will take anything at this stage.
I liked Obama in the last debate but I am getting tired of all the jargon, fired up, change and hope are just words without specificity.
I am still undecided, I want more before I make my choice, If Obama doesn't come out with issue based information I will not consider him a viable candidate, it is a simple as that.
I am fired up but not ready to go!

John Alexander,Edinboro,PA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:29 AM)

of course pelosi would want Obama, She would butt heads left and right with a president hillary Clinton. Obama is a puppy and she could lead him on a leash.
As for the kerry endorsement, Yikes!!! thats one no one wants....

Lynette, NYC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:31 AM)

If Hillary is the nominee, it will be because of dirty tricks, like that last minute cute one about the Islamist terrorists attacking to test Obama, just like the new Prime Minister in England. (Talk about foreign relations, will she apologize to the Prime Minister for blaming him for terrorism in Britain?) No matter who is President, the terorrists will attack unabated. Unlike Hillary (and Bush), Barack will take out Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. How can any self-respecting Democrat vote for a Clinton who takes a proverbial page out of the Republican, Karl Rove playbook and fear-mongers for votes?!?! For the last 3 years the Democrats in Congress have been complaining about how Bush stole the last election with just such terror fear-mongering. Barack is a hope-mongerer! If Hillary Clinton is the nominee, I will change my Democratic voter registration, and throw my vote away. So help me God.

Ray Fuller, Guadalupe, California (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:32 AM)

John Kerry? Huh? Isn't this the guy WE DID NOT WANT last time? Who cares!!! I can hear Hillary's laugh now!

BionicWoman, Tucson, AZ (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:33 AM)

StopwatchingFoxNews: you posted that no one has answered your questions so I would direct that you vist Obama's site as he addresses your questions directly.

http://factcheck.barackobama.com/

Anne, Columbus, OH (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:35 AM)

PATIENCE REQUIRED: How about the media stopping the elimination of candidates until the democratic process isgiven a chance to work? Let's face the facts: Iowa, Wyoming and New Hampshire represent a very small portion of the electoral delegates. Let's give all candidates equal coverage until after Feb. 5th.

Ted Wright, Temecula, CA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:35 AM)

I am excited about John Kerry's endorsement for Senator Obama - good news indeed.

New Hampshire is over, the delegates have been awarded, so it is time to move on. I have complete confidence in Senator Obama's eventual success in winning the nomination, because your always reap what you sow. He has run a clean and positive campaign, and I feel in the long run this will pay off.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:38 AM)

I just hope that all of the people out here blogging are actually voting and going to their states primaries.

This is a big election year and I think it has been refreshing to a lot of people to see that real positive change is actually a possibility in Washington.

John Gostkowski, Austin, TX (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:40 AM)

A Kennedy endorsement would be huge if Obama could garner it. Kerry has a substantial network, but Kennedys far outpaces his. And, in the heart of the Democratic Party, Kennedy is still a very powerful, well financed, and well organized operation. It would be another "establishment endorsement." Any of those we can take from Hillary ( the presumed establishment candidate ) would be huge to his campaign.

Micah, Phx AZ (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:41 AM)

The Rezko Connection: Obama's IS A HERO A CHANGE !!! WHAT A JOKE ... A FAIRY TALE.. A TALKER...

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/comments?type=story&id=4111483

GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY.. EVEN IF I BELIEVE EVERYTHING HE HAS TO SAY WITH A GRAIN OF SALT I WOULD QUESTION OBAMA'S JUDGEMENT (IF NOT INTENTIONS) THAT HE TOUTS SO MUCH

Joe (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:43 AM)

When MSNBC began this blog, I participated several times because I appreciated the civil tone and usually well-informed comments that were posted. Over this last month, though, the blog has increasingly attracted the same sort of juvenile garbage that poisons the blogosphere generally.

It was a worthwhile experiment. Now it is time to put it to bed.

Richard Kelley (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:44 AM)

since when is it news, much less printable news, that a loser like kerry has endorsed someone?....i bet edwards and clinton are glad that they don't have that cancer attached to their names!......And Obama is for change????....give me a break!!!

Howard, Sidney Center, NY (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:44 AM)

Another proven loser endorsing Obama. Hillary must be thrilled!!!

Frances Underwood Sandy Point, Texas (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:44 AM)

In my mind, I simply cannot believe that Obama has gotten this far in the election process for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Someone that does not have the experience in congress or experience in military or experience in foreign affairs, or experience in domestic government is basing his campaign on dreams and hopes .It scares me to death to think of him facing Russia, Iran, or Korea which the President will HAVE TO DO. There are several good choices but not Obama yet. Give him another couple terms in the senate before he takes on the world.

Ken Piney Flats,TN (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:44 AM)

The Kerry endorsement is mostly a wash for Obama. He will gain some hard line Democrats and lose some independents. Maybe it will be a net gain as he may take some of those hard line Democrats away from Clinton and Edwards.

All in all, I'd say Obama must have thought hard about whether he wants this endorsement, and that he came to the conclusion that it's worth the risk.

Kevin, SF CA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:45 AM)

ITS SO FUNNY THAT NO DEMOCRAT WONT STAND UP TO WHAT DESCRIBES YOU FROM D ANDERS ESPECIALLY YOU DEM WOMEN AND THOSE TOYS LMAO

KING OF SMEAR (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:47 AM)

ITS SO FUNNY THAT NO DEMOCRAT WONT STAND UP TO WHAT DESCRIBES YOU FROM D ANDERS ESPECIALLY YOU DEM WOMEN AND THOSE TOYS LMAO

KING OF SMEAR (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:47 AM)

With a John Kerry endorsement, Barack Obama just lost my vote.

Janet, DeLand, Florida (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:48 AM)

Hey Angelo.....even those of us from Texas think David is an idiot. He posts the same crap each day spouting untruths....we all know he is an idiot and just pass on by his bold faced type when we see it.

cris, Fort Worth Texas (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:49 AM)

LMAO!

Obama claims to be an outside, but gets Endorsed by the whimpy Kerry!

Obama and Kerry, two of a kind. Effete, compromising males.

tuck, realityville,ks (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:50 AM)

Hussain Obama just go the kiss of death :-)

It takes one to know (like one)- Loosers

Seed of Change (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:51 AM)

John Kerry's endorsement is the curse of death for Obama. Most Democrats abhor Kerry. I doubt he has a base of fund raisers period now. Just his rich wife.
He was a sorry candidate and Edwards was much better than him. He has made so many gaffes.
Sorry folks this will not help Obama.
I am sure Hillary and Bill are very glad that he did not endorse her. Also Jesse Jackson's endorsement of Obama is not a good thing. Al Sharpton won't endorse Obama for he is afraid of the competition of an African American President and his Civil Rights movement. I would not want Sharpton nor Jacksons endorsement either. They really did Ned Lamont in when he ran against Joe Lieberman. Ned won the Democratic Primary but Liberman beat him as an Independent in the general and guess who was right behind Ned Lamont each and every time he had press conferences, Jesse and Al - People just can't stomach those guys.
Also Hillary was highly critical of the remarks Kerry made when he was speaking to the college students about "getting stuck in Iraq".
Kerry is a loser, we all know that. I thought the Swiftboat ads were wrong but he did not even defend himself well and they were wrong.

He can only hurt Obama not help.

Lynne, Little Rock, Arkansas (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:55 AM)

Stopwatchingfoxnews,

I'll get that to you as soon as you tell me why Hillary voted for the war.

Jessica, Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:56 AM)

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