Former Democratic leader switches to Obama (Joe Andrew, DNC Chairman 1999-2001)

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | May 1, 2008 | Nedra Pickler

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Excerpt -

WASHINGTON (AP) — A leader of the Democratic Party under Bill Clinton has switched his allegiance to Barack Obama and is encouraging fellow Democrats to "heal the rift in our party" and unite behind the Illinois senator.

Joe Andrew, who was Democratic National Committee chairman from 1999-2001, planned a news conference Thursday in his hometown of Indianapolis to urge other Hoosiers to support Obama in Tuesday's primary, perhaps the most important contest left in the White House race. He also has written a lengthy letter explaining his decision that he plans to send to other superdelegates.

"I am convinced that the primary process has devolved to the point that it's now bad for the Democratic Party," Andrew said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Bill Clinton appointed Andrew chairman of the DNC near the end of his presidency, and Andrew endorsed the former first lady last year on the day she declared her candidacy for the White House.

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Another Clinton appointee stabs Hillary in the back.

[Soliton]

Worse he is a switching Super Delegate. he moves from her column to his. He has comitted political suicide if Hillary wins. He didn’t have to do it. It must be a coordinated effort,

[Enchante]

Yes, I’ll bet there is coordination - why would a slick ‘Rat politico stick his neck out right now unless he’s assured that others are about to do the same and try to build momentum to settle the thing for Obama?

At this point I’ll be delighted if Obambi can still be the nominee since he is a fatally flawed candidate who should go down in a decisive defeat in Nov. I do worry about the worst case scenarios, though, since if Obama ever did get into the WH that would be a terribly dangerous situation for the country and the world.

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He is a superdelegate-for-life, the rarest kind. Hillary won’t have that stature unless she wins the presidential election.

[Soliton]

At this point I’ll be delighted if Obambi can still be the nominee since he is a fatally flawed candidate who should go down in a decisive defeat in Nov.

We cannot allow Hillary to win, no matter who the competition is

[Soliton]

Hillary won’t have that stature unless she wins the presidential election

That was my point. He MUST know that she will not get the nomination. All of the super delegates must have decided to throw this thing to Obama

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I have to wonder if Joe Andrew was ready to leave his position in 2001 when he was replaced with Terry McAuliffe? If he was pushed out, he may have an axe to grind with the Clintons.

[Soliton]

If you have ever worked for the Clintons, you have an axe to grind, but you know not to cross them too. I am feeling better today. There is NO way that he would have done this if the fix wasn’t in.

[Jess Kitting]

All of the super delegates must have decided to throw this thing to Obama.

I hope you're right. We simply cannot afford to have Hillary as the nominee.

I think the tide has already turned for Obama. He will lose in Indiana. North Carolina, which was once a sure thing for him is now up in the air.

If Hillary wins the remaining primaries, the Dems will start to reconsider their love affair with Obama and return to the Clintons.

I hope Barack can hold on to his lead through the next few contests. If not, Hillary could be the Dem nominee, and after trouncing McCain, our next president.

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If Hillary wins the nomination, the guy who has committed political suicide is Howard Dean. He has definitely been steering the party toward Obama. He would be gone within two weeks if Hillary could round up her superdelegates.

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Hillary hasn't expurgated Joe Andrew's previous endorsement from her web site yet -

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=4110

11/8/2007

Fmr. DNC Chair Joe Andrew Endorses Clinton

The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of former Democratic National Committee Chair Joe Andrew.

"Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to compete and win across this country," Andrew said. "I have seen up close her intellect, character, and fortitude, and I am convinced she is the best prepared to handle these challenging times. Her 35-year record fighting for America's families is as impressive as she is, and demonstrates why she will be a great President of the United States."

Andrew became the youngest DNC chair in party history when he took the reins in 1999, after five years as Indiana Democratic Party Chair. Under Andrew, the DNC rose out of debt, implemented new technologies and grassroots mobilization efforts, and raised more than $225 million.

Andrew is the co-founder and Chairman of the Board of The Blue Fund, a mutual fund which invests in companies meeting standards of social responsibility, environmental sustainability, community participation and respect for human rights.

He is currently a partner with the law firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP in Washington, DC in the Corporate and Securities, Venture Capital and Public Law & Policy Strategies practice groups.

"Joe was a strong leader who put the Democratic Party on the right path,” Clinton said. "I'm honored to have his support."

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"I have seen up close her intellect, character, and fortitude" - Joe Andrew

He saw Hillary's fortitude up close.

[jalisco555]

I think a lot of Dems would rather lose with Obama than win with Hillary. They know a second Clinton Presidency would kill the party.

[Iowamerican]

I remember back in 2000 or 2001 when George Bush was asked by a reporter about something Joe Andrew had said, he responded by asking who Joe Andrew was. I think it kinda hurt Mr. Andrew’s feelings.

[sodpoodle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P7pr5whWR4

The DNC needs to hire this guy to speak to Hilary!!!

Bill was the first dip**** - we don’t need a second dip!!!

[AmericaUnited]

At this point I’ll be delighted if Obambi can still be the nominee since he is a fatally flawed candidate who should go down in a decisive defeat in Nov

True, he would be much easier to defeat than the Clinton Criminal Cartel.

[bill1952]

But it would not.
It would slow the rush to the left a bit, and that is not on the agenda. - for either party.

Most of those dems are perfectly comfortable with McCain because he is basically a democrat who actually will strip the conservatives from power in the GOP once and for all.

[counterpunch]

FORMER DEM LEADER ENDORSES OPERATION CHAOS

“A vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote to continue this process, and a vote to continue this process is a vote that assists John McCain.”
—Joe Andrew, Democratic National Committee chairman (1999-2001)

 

[uncbob]

I think a lot of Dems would rather lose with Obama than win with Hillary. They know a second Clinton Presidency would kill the party.

I think you are right

But it is her vengeance and lust for power they fear most

[katieanna]

I’m not sure Obama will lose Indiana now, whatwith Joe Andrew holding a press conference asking the party to unite behind Obama. The presser is supposed to be in Indiana.