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Black superdelegate switches to Obama
Staff Reporter | Posted May 9, 2008 11:43 AM
Four months after he endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton for president, a prominent black congressman has switched sides and endorsed Barack Obama. Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) , a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, told his hometown newspaper that he will be supporting Obama.
Payne endorsed Clinton on Jan. 1, citing her "35-year record" of service. "These serious times call for a leader with Hillary Clinton's ability to tackle our biggest challenges from her first day in office," he said at the time.
In an interview published in Friday's Newark Star-Ledger, Payne said his decision to switch his vote was extremely difficult and said he had been "mulling it over for quite a while."
"After careful consideration, I have reached the conclusion that Barack Obama can best bring about the change that our country so desperately wants and needs," Payne said.
Payne also explained why he endorsed Clinton "early on." The congressman said he supported Clinton at a time when he was not sure if Obama's campaign "was just a trial balloon." But as Obama continued to win, "I did certainly have a great deal of pride in the fact that an African-American would do so well," Payne told the newspaper.
A former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Payne was first elected to Congress in 1988, becoming the first African-American to represent New Jersey in the House of Representatives. He is a member of the Democratic Whip Organization and has served as a member of the House Democratic Leadership Advisory Group.
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Mr. Unite Us commented on Black superdelegate switches to Obama:
White superdelegate switches to Obama. How come we don't see this headline when White superdelega... -
Ramses commented on Black superdelegate switches to Obama:
Once again Ms. Purl Gurl wasted no time in attacking the Black folks, but only praised Ms. Hilary's ... -
Purl Gurl commented on Black superdelegate switches to Obama:
Ebony Eyes writes a fun article, "It's about loyalty, integrity, and standing by your word." Preci... -
Imari commented on Black superdelegate switches to Obama:
Ebony Eyes, the real world awaits you. In the real world, superdelegates can vote whichever way th... -
Ebony Eyes commented on Black superdelegate switches to Obama:
I totally agree! I have a serious problem with this and here's why. Clinton has vowed to stay in th...
May 9, 2008 12:06 PM
Yikes! Another sleazeball politician switching sides to be sure he keeps enough public votes to retain his seat in congress.
I love these decisive politicians who take a stance then firmly stand behind their stance!
Flip-flopping two-faced politicians, gotta love 'em!
Payne says, "The quicker it's over, the better we'll be able to bring all of our forces together."
Yes! Do not allow American citizens to decide who will be their presidential candidate, you decide for us!
I do not appreciate these cretin politicians who devalue my vote.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
May 9, 2008 12:34 PM
I totally agree!
I have a serious problem with this and here's why. Clinton has vowed to stay in the race until the end. So as her supporter, wouldn't you think Donald Payne would stay with her until the end. Whether she's a sinking ship or not isn't the issue. It's about loyalty, integrity, and standing by your word. You don't jump ship! Here's another example of yet another black politican reniging on his support of Clinton out of some moral obligation to endorse the black guy! When Obama undoubtly gets the nomination, then all of Clinton's confirmed supporters should (and will) align with Barack. This is sad of Payne indeed.
May 9, 2008 12:54 PM
Ebony Eyes, the real world awaits you.
In the real world, superdelegates can vote whichever way they choose. In the real world, politicians are just that--politicians.
Hillary Clinton is not "owed" anything. She is not the master and the voters/party leaders are not her slaves. Being loyal to a losing candidate does nothing for the Democratic party--the party each of them represents. What it does do is not hurt the feelings of the loser in the race.
Sorry, but this is politics.
As to the article, it was political calculus that had him supporting Clinton in the first place. He thought she was going to win.
His reasons for supporting Obama are much of the same. He thinks Obama will win.
Political calculus equals = calculus. You didn't have a problem with it initially. Now he's a Judas.
The real world awaits you.
May 9, 2008 1:16 PM
Ebony Eyes writes a fun article,
"It's about loyalty, integrity, and standing by your word."
Precisely! We need politicians who will not constantly flip-flop on us just to keep those votes.
I do not care if a politician supports Clinton, supports Obama or supports Bugs Bunny. I expect a politician to take a stance and stand behind his words. All politicians behave as Payne, regardless of party affiliation. I am very annoyed with politicians flip-flopping depending on which way the politcal winds blow. Rather clear Payne and other politicians simply want to be on the winning side to be sure of winning votes when their next election comes around.
This really angers me. We elect politicians to work for us, not to work for their own benefit.
On devaluing my vote, my stance is delegates, super-delegates and all those jerks, should keep their deceitful pie holes shut until our primaries are finished. Our primary processes are for Americans to pick candidates, not for flip-flopping lying politicians to decide for us.
I wish we could fire the whole lot of them and start over with our own true choices.
America is in a big mess because all politicians are nothing more than lying used car salepersons.
I think we should give their fat tires a good kicking.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
May 9, 2008 1:34 PM
Once again Ms. Purl Gurl wasted no time in attacking the Black folks, but only praised Ms. Hilary's racist comments yesterday.
Chile give it a rest. What are you going to say when Ms. Hilary sales you out and is back on our side, with us coloreds.
The next time you pray to her excuse me, I mean speak with her i.e. Ms. Hillary. Give her our best.
Donald is my friend and he was fighting for the community back when Ms. Hilary was wading through the White Water.
May 9, 2008 3:24 PM
White superdelegate switches to Obama.
How come we don't see this headline when
White superdelegates swith to Obama.
For example:
Joseph J. Andrew: On My Switch From Clinton to Obama - Politics on ...May 1, 2008 ... On My Switch From Clinton to Obama - The Huffington Post.
www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-j-andrew/on-my-switch-from-clinton_b_99621.html - 293k - Cached - Similar pages
Joseph J. Andrew: On My Switch From Clinton to Obama - Politics on ...May 1, 2008 ... On My Switch From Clinton to Obama - The Huffington Post. ... I join imo in commending Mr. Andrews for his courage. ...
www.huffingtonpost.com/_99621.html - 278k - Cached - Similar pages
More results from www.huffingtonpost.com »
AP NewsBreak: Former Democratic leader switches to Obama - Yahoo! NewsAndrew said the Obama campaign never asked him to switch his support, but he decided to do so after watching Obama's handling of two issues in recent days. ...
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080501/ap_on_el_pr/superdelegates - 58k - Cached - Similar pages
EX-DEM LEADER JOE ANDREWS SWITCHES FROM HILLARY CLINTON AND ...**'Mettle under fire'
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Political PunchJoe Andrew's switch shows his own poor judgment and lack of concern for the party's real goal of winning the white house. In this time of turmoil as Obama's ...
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Superdelegate switches; endorses Sen. Obama - USATODAY.comSuperdelegate switches; endorses Sen. Obama. From staff and wire reports ... Andrew's decision puts Obama closer to closing Clinton's superdelegate lead, ...
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Ex-Dem leader switches to Obama - Barack Obama News- msnbc.comMay 1, 2008 ... May 1: NBC's Andrea Mitchell talks with superdelegate and former DNC chairman Joe Andrew about his switch to Barack Obama and the battle for ...
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Big Super Switches to Obama - The Washington Independent - U.S. ...Barack Obama (D-Ill.) today, The AP reports. Andrew is set to hold a press conference today and is writing a letter explaining his switch that he says he ...
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