Jan 17, 2008 2:45 pm US/Eastern
Vermont's Senator Leahy Endorses Obama
Powerful Chairman Of Judiciary Commettee Believes Obama Can Do 'Best'
WASHINGTON (AP) ―
-
-
Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, endorsed presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday. (File)
AP
Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, endorsed presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday.
"We need a president who can reintroduce America to the world and actually reintroduce America to ourselves," Leahy said in a conference call with reporters. "I believe Barack Obama is the best person to do that."
Leahy said he admires Obama's Democratic rivals, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards, and was not making a statement against them. "I'm looking at who can do this best, and I believe that Barack Obama can."
Obama said in a statement that Leahy had "the judgment and courage to vote against the Iraq war, and he's been a champion of our rights here at home, and of human rights around the world."
Obama recently won the endorsement of two fellow Democratic senators from the heartland — Ben Nelson, a popular moderate in largely Republican Nebraska and Claire McCaskill from Missouri, historically a swing state in presidential contests.
Elected to the Senate in the post-Watergate class of 1974, Leahy of Vermont has been at the forefront on Supreme Court nominations.
Leahy, 65, has been through the ideological clash over Robert Bork's failed nomination in 1987. Leahy also tried to elicit a definitive answer from Clarence Thomas on the Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion, during the rancorous 1991 hearings that were overshadowed by Anita Hill's accusation of sexual harassment.
In his six terms in the Senate, Leahy has secured the backing of his constituents for pressing for a worldwide ban on land mines, help for Northeast dairy farmers and a less invasive Patriot Act.
Leahy said he had not been courted for an endorsement by any of the Democratic candidates, including Obama.
"This is what I felt is best for the country and that's why I'm making my position known," he said.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments