Rockefeller endorses Obama

Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008 3:20 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Sen. Jay Rockefeller has thrown his support behind Obama. Rockefeller is the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

SUPERDELEGATE COUNT (as of 3:40 pm ET, Feb. 29)
Clinton 254
Obama 208

NOTE: Obama has picked up 38 delegates since Super Tuesday, Feb. 5. Clinton has lost a net of 6.

Super delegate numbers reflect totals gathered by the NBC News Political Unit from the campaigns and public endorsements.

The NBC News Hard Count stands at Obama leading Clinton 1,194-1,037.

GRAND TOTAL
Obama 1,402
Clinton 1,291

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Comments

Thank you Senator Rockefeller.

All Obama Supporters (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:28 PM)

Starting to look like a stampede.

Bill Johnson, Anaconda, Montana (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:30 PM)

It's amazing the slow, but steady trickle that Obama has picked up.

It's time for the DNC members to realize that a coalition is required to take on the Repubs, and that only by standing together can we win. There must be intense badgering to get Clinton to step down, especially if she cannot walk on water on March 4th.

Ron Hussein (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:31 PM)

I think this means there are more members of the Senate supporting Obama, than supporting Clinton. Can anyone confirm? That would be extraordinary, given the unprecedented insider advantage that Clinton enjoyed at the outset of the race, when only Obama and Durbin were for Obama.

TKD (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:32 PM)

This is good news !!

Sunny Hussein (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:38 PM)

Great idea TKD!

Hey First Read, can you crunch these numbers for us on senatorial endorsement counts?

Joe - STL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:39 PM)

This is good news!

Lewis Hussein, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:39 PM)

Contrasts of two video "ads" released 2day...
Clinton's new ad, vs. Obama-inspired supporter Will.i.am
Be the judge...
Fellow bloggers, I ask U this;
Who are U voting for?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/29/103321/507/423/458246

Rep0X "Hussein" (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:39 PM)

Thank you Senator Rockefeller. You know how to pick a winner. Since Super Tuesday, it's now +38 Obama,
-7 for HRC in supers.
The writing is on the wall!!! The lady of impressive girth is singing!

Amie in Anaheim, CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:43 PM)

I am not sure you can say Hillary had an advantage. The Clintons were not that well liked by the Democrats in the Senate and the Congress. They were willing to support her when she was the front runner, but Obama looks like the better candidate against the Republicans in November. You can also use a sports analogy - They are fairweather fans!

GA,Edgewood,Kentucky (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:44 PM)

You're right, looks like a stampede toward Obama. Most likely, he wins the nomination. So the Dems voted with their hearts. Cool. And when people start to vote with their brains in November, then what????????

XYZ (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:45 PM)

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html

This website has a fully sourced Super-Delegate commit list.

Ron Hussein (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:46 PM)

I would like you all to click on this link http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/2008/02/25/obama%e2%80%99s-real-experience-his-candidacy/
and read what Dick Morris has to say about Obama's ability to lead. Dick knows the Clintons better then most. If you like the article then pass it on to other blogs by copying the link into other posts you make.

Mike from Maine, Presque Isle, Maine (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:47 PM)

Former President William Jefferson Clinton endorses Senator Barack Obama -

"Now, one of Clinton's laws of politics is this. If one candidate is trying to scare you and the other one is try get you to think, if one candidate is appealing to your fears and the other one is appealing to your hopes, you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope."
-Bill Clinton, 2004

Thanks for the endorsement!

Love ya Bill! (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:49 PM)

The news just gets better and better....no way is Obama just a flash in the pan folks..this is the first viable candidate that the hill has seen in? Forever? I am a white woman, middle aged and me and my husband would go out and stump for this man any day...Thank God for someone who is real!

Laurie Fraser Towanda KS (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:50 PM)

More signs that the party leaders realize they can not let this go on past Tuesday. The party needs to decide on a candidate so that they can focus on the Republicans.

Given Obama's 150+ pledged delegate lead, they have decided to support him.

Debbie, McFarland, WI (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:51 PM)

I'm not sure "Telecom Rocky's" support is all that valuable.

R. Wood (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:51 PM)

Another rich out of touch democrat endorsing Barack Obama.

Not bad Obama, not Bad.

There will certainly be some McCain Democrats in the Fall.

Brian, Worcester, MA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:51 PM)

politico.com shows 12 Senators for Clinton, 15 for Obama (including the newly added Rockefeller) and 21 uncommitted.

fortuna, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:53 PM)

I'm not sure "Telecom Rocky's" support is all that valuable.
R. Wood (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:51 PM)

Dude, he is an SUPERDELEGATE,that is valuable enough, who gives a shoot who he is!!

Kym (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:55 PM)

Seems like the superdelegates are starting to realize Hillary is tearing the party apart! Hooray for them!

Yes we CAN!

Renee, Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:56 PM)

Thats 13 Senators for Clinton and 15 (not including FRM Sen. Tom Daschle) for OBAMA!!! YES!

Tatyana, DC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:57 PM)

The Rockefeller endorsement is very important in that Clinton is WAY ahead in West Virginia - some of Rockefeller's constituents may re-think their votes now.

fortuna, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:03 PM)

This is terrific news!

Saddam Hussein, Jr., New York, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:04 PM)

I know it always tempting but I would hope some of you would now stop the nastiness about Hillary, now that it seems Obama is inching closer to the nomination. I just do not understand how some people like to beat others while they're down. I must say I kinda like the hussein chain above, lol.

Doles, Miami, FL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:05 PM)

Watch this. If Obama gets to 300+ super delegates, that will be a clear signal from the Dems for Hillary to drop out. She can't win without the supers...mathematically impossible...so I suspect that, if she loses in OH or TX, there will be a mass movement of supers declaring for Obama. That will be the signal to Hillary that it's time to go. They may already be sending that signal...she's just too dense to sense it.

Al, KS (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:09 PM)

Hillary, that is not a Mariachi band you hear. That is Train Obama headed down the tracks!
http://twocanpete.blogspot.com

twocanpete (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:10 PM)

YES WE CAN !

FRANK (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:11 PM)

I think Hillary owes this one to Mark Penn and her camp's earlier press release.

There comments about Obama needing to win all four states next Tuesday was just Hillarious. They reflect their suppoters very well. LOL...

F Husseiny BABY.........

F Husseiny BABY!!, Philadelphia PA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:12 PM)

All of these endorsements are meaningless...Obama doesn't stand a chance against McCain, the Republican attack machine, and his own inexperience. Thanks to the Obamabots, and the Republicans voting for him in the open democratic primaries [who incidently have stated for the record they did so to avoid a tougher opponent, Clinton, and will vote McCain in the general], we will have another War Monger who is impotent when it comes to the economy....which is tanking thanks to the republican economic policies. Heck, if Bush just found out gas will be $4 a gallon this summer, what do you think McCain actually knows, since he admitted to not knowing much about the economy in the first place! That's besides the point, as he will beat B.S'er. Obama.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:13 PM)

At this point, it's hard to see how Hillary can catch up, even if she does squeak out wins in OH and TX. No matter what they say, party leaders understand that if Obama is even ahead by 1 pledged delegate it would be a nightmare for the superdelegates to give the nomination to Hillary Clinton. The excitement for this year's election has to be traced to his rise. Sure, some of her supporters are enthusiastic but it's only been the competition that Obama has brought to the table that has caused such a stir. Party leaders would be fools not to notice that fact.

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:13 PM)

I'm happy to see the Sen., with his experience on the Senate Intelligence Committee, endorsing Sen. Obama. The statesmen with the knowledge are giving a nod to Obama's abilities, and that is good for the Democratic Party.

Rob CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:14 PM)

UCHENNA ENDORSES OBAMA WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS

frank (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:17 PM)

From an informed active duty U.S. Marine to Senator Rockefeller- Thank you! To answer one of the previous posts, come November when Americans vote for Obama, they will not only utilize their strong heartfelt senses, but they too will use their brainpower in a remarkable and overwhelming way. This is a great turn of events for the positive when it comes to American politics. Finally, real, authentic change that we can stand alongside and believe in... the military and the general public.

Joshua McMahaon (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:17 PM)

With Clinton you gat a IN-sane

With Obama you get a HU-sane

No more IN-SANE for me!

Obama 08!

sue (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:19 PM)

Is MSNBC going to run this story on a LOOP like they have been with Hillary's ridiculous "3am" ad?? I think they've run it like 2 or 3 times in the last hour...it's getting a bit excessive...sheesh - who needs to fund raise when you can get free air time for your ads??

MW (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:20 PM)

I am really ashamed with being an democrat who thought we are a party of people who think before we act. I truly hope now that hillary wins the nomination and then see what happens to this so called superdelegates. I never imagined that we democrats hate Clintons that much, the only democratic success story in last 25 years.

Nash (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:23 PM)

Pat Huntington,

So how does Hillary stand a chance against McCain? A large portion of democrats don't like her and republicans DESPISE her! Obama has at least been pulling in some independent and republican vote...Hillary can't say the same. Get a life and get real. you are on the LOSING team, get over it.

christian (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:23 PM)

Obama is a christian, not a muslim. Even were he a muslim, that's got nothing to do with how he would govern for ALL america, which honors (or is supposed to) the strict separation of church and state.
That being said, my questions about Obama, having NOTHING to do with his religion, race or name, is:
Center for Responsive Politics has discovered that the candidate who gets their support tends to be the one who gave them the most money:
Total Clinton contributions to all superdelegates: $236,080
Total Obama contributions to all superdelegates: $710,926

Question: If Obama’s such a wondrous, moving, obvious choice, and all these superdelegates are defecting in swarms to him out of sheer enthrallment, is it simply nothing more than mere coincidence that Obama has “donated” MORE THAN 3 TIMES the money to said same superdelegates than Hillary Clinton (and having said that and paid that, still has received less than half of the committments from same superdelegates)?
Is it also only coincidence that many of the same superdelegates who just happen to be African American are now complaining of coercive tactics from - not the Clinton camp - but from the Obama people, using everything from threats to charges of being “Uncle Toms”?

Just asking in NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:24 PM)

I think Hillary realizes that she must be careful about what she says concering Barrack because she knows--Hillary knows deep down in her heart--that she is probably talking to the next President of the United States for the next eight years.

So, Hillary supporters, you will soon--very soon--have get past your prejudice and hang-ups. It's not about sex, or race, or simple rhetoric. It's about the future direciton we, Americans, want to go. There's the republican direction; there's the democratic direction; and there's the American Direction. We are all in this together--which way do you really want to go. Don't even begin to think that the republicans can win--after Bush's war? Please--it's not going to happen. Not with democrats turning out in record numbers? I was an independent conservative, but once I read Barrack's ideas on Education and Economy I said, "Son of a Gun! I haven't heard a politician make this kind of good common sense since--well --ever. And who has gotten the democrates so excited--The barrack/clinton race. In the end, I believe Barrack can bring our country together, but only if we--the people--stand together behind him after he wins the nomination, and the Presidency. Hillary, who is a good person, just has too much of a past (and not all of it good), and too much fight in her persona to bring any two sides together. But there's a simple rule to follow, and it's not to vote for McCain out of spite because Hillary lost, and it's not to stay home and pout during election day. The simple rule is to vote for what you feel will be best for America. I no longer wish to see the country I've fought for, the country some of my friends have died for, the country I love, be divided against itself any longer.

It's time for special interests to end; it's time for corruption to end; and its time for a new beginning. Now, I don't think Barrack is perfect, but if we (the people) all stand behind,then maybe some perfect things can happen in our goverment that have never had a chance of happening before. Maybe we can even restore the honor, pride, and strength of America for democrats, for republicans, for independents: but most of all-- for AMERICAN!

one american (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:24 PM)

Nash (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:25 PM)

They are going to hear Americans voice.

Moodi (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:25 PM)

"Dude, he is [an]SUPERDELEGATE,that is valuable enough,who gives a [shoot] who he is!!!" (Kym-3:55 p.m.)
Dudette, Three points. (1)Sen. Obama promises an administration "free from the corrupting influence of lobbyists and pac money." Recently, Sen. Rockefeller rolled over for his telecom contributors on the FISA bill;(2) Hypocrisy thrives when good people remain silent;and,(3)Hope you find that "grammar" and "spellcheck" key soon.
Dude
P.S. Love "Doles" "hussein chain" observation.

R. Wood (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:25 PM)

I am going to speculate that the super delegates, who no doubt have been watching the primaries very closely are stepping in now because they fear the general election consequences of a protracted primary battle. Super delegates are generally elected officials, and as such have to wait to pick a winner...they are also loyalists to the party, and that I believe is trumping the wait game. Interesting.

Pam OC,CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:26 PM)

Yes WE CAN!!!!

Obama 08

Yes WE CAN!!! (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:28 PM)

Husein who? ? ?

French Creek Freddy (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:28 PM)

Hey don't say that Obama will not beat Mc Canin. That is untrue. Many people have told me they will vote for McCain only if Clinton runs. Barack will win the election. He is the perfect candidate. He reminds me of an honest genuine individual who wants to work together with both paties to get things done. Clinton will fight everyone and not get anything done. I feel safe and I know if he is president our troops will come home and our life as a country will improve. He offers us the hope we did not have in a long time. He is the reborn Kennedy. Our country has gone through enough fighting. Let's work together. GO BARACK YEACH BARACK IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Barbara Van North Arlington NJ (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:28 PM)

Husein who? ? ?

French Creek Freddy (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:28 PM)

Obama is the best man for the job and everyone know this, Hillary should quit she is done......

carl zephyr sr. Los Angeles CA. (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:29 PM)

Maybe she can sue the superdelegates because they did her wrong? What is next? Will she sue the individual voters? When it comes time to debate the rules after the game has started, maybe that is a good sign you aren't going to win.

Scott, Seattle WA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:32 PM)

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