Delegate update: Byrd endorses Obama

Posted: Monday, May 19, 2008 1:12 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Despite Clinton's 41-point win West Virginia, Sen. Robert Byrd has thrown his support to Obama. He cites the latest dust up between Obama, Bush and McCain.

"As people all across this great nation know, I have been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Bush Administration’s misguided war in Iraq and its saber rattling around the globe," Byrd says in a statement released by the campaign. "With the Bush Administration's latest request to fund this on-going war in Iraq without any attempt to start bringing our troops home, the issue of the upcoming presidential contest has been weighing heavily on my heart. The loss of life continues and the sons and daughters of tens of thousands of American families remain in harm’s way every day.

"This Democratic primary campaign has been tough and competitive. I had no intention of involving myself in the Democratic campaign for President in the midst of West Virginia's primary election. But the stakes this November could not be higher. After a great deal of thought, consideration and prayer over the situation in Iraq, I have decided that, as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, I will cast my vote for Senator Barack Obama for President. Both Senators Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose integrity, honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution I deeply respect.

"I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and to lead our nation at this challenging time in history. Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support."

The NBC NEWS Delegate Counts:
PLEDGED: Obama 1,602 to 1,444
SUPERDELEGATES: Obama 302.5 to 279.5
TOTAL: Obama 1,904.5 to 1,723.5.

*** UPDATE *** Kansas Democratic Party Chair Larry Gates throws his support to Obama as well. (Numbers adjusted.)

*** UPDATE 2 *** Two new Alaska superdelegates for Obama: Cindy Spanyers and Blake Johnson

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Comments

A good symbol of our future !

A former KKK leader, a senator from West Virginia .. ignores a 41 point loss and endorses a Senator from Illinois.

Get a clue people ... We are WITNESSING something phenominal in our country.
The future is here .. and it WILL NOT WAIT!

Steve B. NewYork (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:37 PM)

Warren Buffett, who has flirted with both Democrats, comes out for Obama at a Frankfurt press conference on the grounds that it's over.....

Now that is BIG

You guys should get on the bandwagon with the Edwards delegates

Lyn,MD (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:38 PM)

One thing that's running this Democrat Party's candidate selection process are the so-called elite party members plotting behind the scene to put a Candidate-on-training-wheels in the White House and not listening on what the majority of the people want. This way, they can BS with their preferred candidate once he is in office and being a newbie president, he is naive to know heads or tails of what his cabinet will be talking about (his cabinet/party has greater old politics experience than him) which will end up in failed policies driving this nation deeper into the mud. Sounds familiar? Yup, this is what happened to the G W Bush administration whose 'experienced' cabinet are running the entire nation (Rumsfield, Cheney, etc.). This will happen all over again in a Democratic flavor once O-bomb-a wins.

Goodnight and good luck!

Slim Jim (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:39 PM)

Hillary Clinton, if she is to have any chance at the nomination and in November, must win Oregon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The state of Oregon has voted democratic in 17 of 27 presidential elections dating back to 1900 and for all but two democratic election winners.

For Hillary Clinton to continue this race, she must win Oregon. If Hillary Clinton isn't able to win Oregon with an unmatched poliical brand, a nationally heavy Clinton campaign machine, her willingness to say and do anything to win, and a personal fortune to commit to the cause - she will have explaining to do to the American public.

Tired of Being Tired (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:41 PM)

Senator Byrd's endorsement was so beautifully worded . . . it captures much of how I feel about Senator Obama as well.

Thanks for your support Senator Byrd!

Obama '08/'12

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:41 PM)

bring on the haters, but this is more than just an stunning superdelegate for Barack Obama.

it is a seminal moment in American political history. Sen. Byrd has truly come full circle, and i'm honored to witness it.

Carpediva Hussein, San Francisco, CA (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:42 PM)

Thank you Sen. Byrd for helping to pull our country together and move forward for Change that so many suffering Americans in the wake of the current Rescession are experiencing. Our next course is important to the livelyhood of our families and our children and generations to come.

In the wake of our current circumstances we should waste no time in coming together to give this nation back to it's people and move forward to work on behalf of the American people to restore our lively hood, our children's, future generations and not ge distracted by self serving agendas.

God Bless you and your Family

GG, FL (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:42 PM)

Hillary, it's not Obama saying it's the end, it's the numbers which speaks the end. It's time Hillary start mending the party by pointing her followers to support the presumptive democratic nominee. It's time she stop saying she is the best candidate to beat McCain. This only alienates her from the Obama camp. I do not trust her or Bill Clinton. Plus she can forget about being Obama's running mate. Obama does not need her to get the so called "white working class votes. Plus the Clintons would be the very persons to stab Obama in the back. He would never be able to take a cup of coffee or tea from them. Plus Bill Clinton in his heart is so jealous of Obama.

Michelle the Obama mama, Horsham, Pa (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:42 PM)

Awesome! Wish he had come out before the primary, but now is good.

Thanks Senator Byrd (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:43 PM)

Wow this is awesome. Its about democrats against republicans as Byrd says.

frank, NC (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:45 PM)

Wow, if someone like Senator Byrd can "change" then our country (and Washington DC) can change as well! This gives me a lot of hope for our future.

Lorna, North Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:45 PM)

Wow! This is big...especially after Clinton walloped Obama in West Virginia.

Alan, Nashville (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:45 PM)

Robert Byrd has come a long way from the being a "Exalted Cyclops" of the KKK. It shows how far this country has come, and how much a person can change if they are given a chance.

Thank You Senator Byrd!

Eric (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:45 PM)

CB, Hadley, NY (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:46 PM)

It is clear from the Senator's letter above that the importance of the Democratic party is more important than a personal achievement. We cannot allow a third term for President Bush Through John McCain. It is time We (Democrats) come together to Support Barack Obama and restore this Great Nation's place as a World Leader.

Bill Birmingham, Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:47 PM)

Chuck---Why are you about six pledged Obama delegates behind all the others who are counting delegates?

Harley from Santa Monica, CA (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:48 PM)

Thank you, Senator Byrd.

Now will all the other super delegates please commit? Hillary needs to sit down before she hurts herself and drags the entire party with her. How depressing this once exciting race has become.

Dinah Wood, Miami, FL (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:49 PM)

Welcome to the winning team Senator Byrd!

YES WE CAN! Obama'08 & '12

Brian, FL (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:50 PM)

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