Developing: Major Endorsements for Obama (updated)!

Hi All,

This is going to be short, and I apologize in advance for that, but I just wanted to spread the word on something.  Via TPM, I just heard some great news.  Follow me past the jump to find out what it is. . .

From TPM:

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is expected to endorse Sen. Obama Monday, according to a Democrat familiar with her plans. Meanwhile, North Carolina's seven Democratic House members are poised to endorse Sen. Obama as a group -- just one has so far -- before that state's May 6 primary, several Democrats say.

Apparently the Wall Street Journal is reporting this, so go here for the details.

Update:  I feel kind of guilty posting a diary with little to no original content, so let me just say that as part of the great Minnesotan Diaspora--I grew up in that beautiful and cold state, just north of a town called Hutchison, but I now live near San Diego, CA--I was very proud to see my "home" state go so overwhelmingly for Obama, and I'm very excited at this endorsement from one of its Senators.

UPDATED (again):  Thanks, everybody, for putting this on the Rec list (my first time!), but I feel I should point out that I was actually not the first person to diary this story.  Direwolf beat me to it, and you can find his diary here.

•  Tips for having a reason

  to be excited on a Monday.

  by someotherguy86 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:18:36 PM PDT

  •  No need to feel guilty

    about not having much original content.  This is great news for Obama supporters, and I am very happy that you shared it with us.

    by smash artist on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:26:42 PM PDT

    •  Thanks :) n/t

      by someotherguy86 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:27:34 PM PDT

      •  Outstanding! GOBAMA! FIRED UP! READY 2 GO!

        by concerned on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:45:37 PM PDT

      •  This is the grand parade of the remaining

        uncommitted superdelegates coming out for Obama that I had hoped for.

        I anticipated that such a parade would be slow and steady, in steps, almost choreographed if you will, and it is now becoming evident that this parade began with Bill Richardson's coming out.

        This parade will be a death of a thousand cuts for Hillary, and that is its intent, to be an ongoing background pageant that runs continuously.

        by BonzoDogBand on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 07:04:38 AM PDT

        •  Yes, it is definitely timed

          I anticipated that such a parade would be slow and steady, in steps, almost choreographed if you will, and it is now becoming evident that this parade began with Bill Richardson's coming out.

          I realized this when I saw Richardson's endorsement on CNN.

          These endorsements are coming out at a rate that gives them great visibility in the news, and feeds the public a continual dosage of good news for Obama.

          by Caj on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 07:45:56 AM PDT

    •  AGREED. no other way to get it via

      MSM. Good to see/ hear! and it's good news for democracy, although, as they say, EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR HILLARY!!!

      by ksquire on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:46:03 PM PDT

      •  Maybe not so excellent news for Hillary

        James Carville's got his Bible out tonight, looking for just the right "words of praise" for these fellow Democrats.  I can imagine him now, in a sour mood:  "Mary, whah's that verse 'bout that fellah Beelzebub?

        Happy Easter, James!

        by deben on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:48:05 PM PDT

        •  Don't get me started on Carville

          I wanted to strangle that bald freak today when I heard him talking with Blitzer on CNN about how the Obama campaign has got to stop saying Hillary should quit the race.

          And Blitzer just sits back and lets him say it.

          Anyone remember that scene in The War Room where Carville talks to a room full of Clinton campaign workers on Election Day in '92? The man made me proud to be a Democrat with that one speech.

          And he made me ashamed that I ever liked him today.

          by Montco PA Dem on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:04:14 PM PDT

          •  Too bad about the housing market

            What with the Carvilles' house up for sale.

            As has been said, Carville must know Clinton's done and Matalin knows McCain is a dud, so they're headed out of town.

            I'd like to go back to liking the guy.  Former Marine, law degree, and a fellow Democrat.  But I can't stand looking at him right now.

            by deben on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:18:38 PM PDT

            •  Carville, Bill, Hillary

              All former heroes of mine that have totally trashed their reputations with me. A part of me actually grieves for this loss, because at one time they actually defined for me much of what is good about this party.

              No more. Sadly, no more.

              by Montco PA Dem on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:26:54 PM PDT

              •  Acknowledge...

                and move on.  No other choice.  It's sad. Sad. sad.

                by mayan on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:09:33 PM PDT

              •  Win at all cost

                The Clinton people never expected the race to last beyond super Tuesday, and they never expected to actually have to run a ground campaign in every state.  When they couldn't wrap it up by early February, they started seeing Barack Obama as this new kid on the block who's stepping in line ahead of them instead of waiting his turn, and they are not irate about it.

                But this is an election where people are hungry for change.  Not piecemeal policy changes, but transformational changes that go beyond policy and go to the national political attitudes.  It is beyond ending the occupation in Iraq; it's about ending the mindset that allowed a Congress to surrender their own Constitutional role and a president to lead a nation to war based not lies.  It is beyond just fixing healthcare; it is now about ending the very mindset that allows for 47 million Americans to be uninsured - the mindset of every man/woman for him/herself.  It's not just about fixing schools but realizing that there is no such thing in America as other people's children.

                by deaniac83 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:34:57 PM PDT

                •  The problem is..

                  I think that a lot of the Clinton people have actually made electing Hillary an Article of Faith.  Like it's part of the Progressive Creed.  

                  I spoke with one friend who simply won't admit that Obama has anything positive about him.  He cynically claims that "someone" is behind Barack.  He won't even consider the possibility that Hillary is losing.  We've talked for hours about this..

                  Then he finally revealed "I've had a Hillary bumpersticker on my car for four years, and I just can't imagine that she won't win."  

                  That, my friends, is a man in mourning, who's in denial now.. and will have to work through all those stages before new life is possible.  THAT is why this thing needs to end.

                  Sadly, none of Hillary's friends is able to tell her that.  Because they fear her and the Machine.  In the end, Bill will have to pull the plug.

                  But I believe he simply can't bring himself to do it either.  I mean, he made that deal in his years to support her for being there when he needed her.

                  by gnwmann on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 03:57:36 AM PDT

                  •  That's exactly it

                    There needs to be a mourning process.  There won't be.

                    by Phoenix Woman on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 05:15:09 AM PDT

                •  It wouldn't be so bad if they attacked Repubs....

                  ...the way they attack their fellow Dems.

                  by Phoenix Woman on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 05:14:05 AM PDT

                •  The Clinton people also never expected

                  that they would actually have to sell Hillary to the voters.

                  The problem with having to actually sell Hillary is that she is essentially a lousy product sales-wise, and that she herself is also a lousy salesman.

                  by BonzoDogBand on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 07:25:48 AM PDT

          •  Carville at the movies...

            He reminds me of those creatures in "I Am Legend."

            by redtex on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:26:01 PM PDT

          •  Blitzer never has any bite

            Blitzer never gets on top of anything... remember that early debate where he just let HRC interrupt, hog the mike, answer questions addressed to Obama and Blitzer just fumbled and did or said nothing.  No bite to the man at all... he really is superannuated.

            by Annabella on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 11:07:14 PM PDT

            •  He lost his CNN time slot to Lou Dobbs

              That says a lot about Blitzer's bite.

              by kuulray on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 05:13:18 AM PDT

            •  you mean

              he's not the Best Political Team on Television?

              by desnyder on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 06:10:08 AM PDT

          •  I remember that scene from the War Room

            It hurts to think how much I used to admire him.  I bought all his books.

            by TrueBlueMajority on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 06:41:25 AM PDT

          •  Yeah, I saw that too.

            My impression was that Carville was saying that the Obama people aren't asking Hillary to quit in a nice enough way that spares her any humiliation.

            It seemed that Carville was saying that the Obama people must say to Hillary, gently & sweetly & nicely, "please quit Hillary, pretty please, with a cherry on top."

            What flipped-out self-absorbed psychotics these Clintonites have become.

            by BonzoDogBand on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 07:18:07 AM PDT

        •  Carville has his head screwed on wrong

          I mean, this is the same guy that called for Howard Dean's head as the Chair of the DNC after we WON in November of 2006.  Although, now it's clear that there was a fairly good reason for that.  They did not want to see the 50 state strategy working, because if it did, it would end the DLC triangulation Republican-lite brand of Democratic politics.

          by deaniac83 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:28:11 PM PDT

          •  And just as significantly...

             ....with a DLC tool heading the DNC, the entire primary process would have been rigged for Hillary. That was probably Carville's intent when he babbled incoherently about how "ineffective" Dean had been. (As opposed to Terry McAuliffe's stellar performances in 2002 and 2004.)

             Getting Dean in as DNC chair in 2005 could very well have saved the Democratic Party's reason for existence.

            by Buzzer on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 05:50:13 AM PDT

    •  We're more tolerant

      these days about diaries being brief, I think.  Glad to get any good news, however it comes.

      by Heart of the Rockies on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 02:38:08 AM PDT

  •  Already diaried. Please delete. n/t

    by MTmofo on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:30:00 PM PDT

    •  No need

      We're already discussing it!

      by jenontheshore on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:31:56 PM PDT

    •  My bad

      I checked to see if somebody beat me, but I didn't notice the one that was already there.  Sorry 'bout that.

      by someotherguy86 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:38:49 PM PDT

      •  Please delete

        Duplicative diaries are prohibited. Please scan the recent diaries and front-page posts before starting to compose your own diary. This rule operates on a sliding scale. A repeat diary with minimal analysis or originality (particularly on "breaking news" items) is prohibited. Such diaries are subject to deletion without notice. But if you write on a recently-covered subject and provide original analysis or research, that is acceptable and in fact welcome.

        by fcvaguy on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:46:32 PM PDT

        •  I also scanned and the tags showed NADA

          they are probably corrected now, but tagging is important.

          by Glic on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:47:29 PM PDT

        •  It's on the Rec List now. Let it pass. n/t

          by MTmofo on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:48:35 PM PDT

          •  Sorry about the cross-posting everybody

            I added an update to reflect that Direwolf beat me to the punch.  Since this is on the Rec list now, I guess I'll just leave it.

            by someotherguy86 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:50:48 PM PDT

            •  Yeah, keep it

              Everything of any note here gets duplicate diaried at some point.  Yours managed to have the right timing to get to the rec list.

              Don't worry about it, and congrats on the rec list.

              by smash artist on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:52:37 PM PDT

            •  Yep, and Dire's diary

              had a bit more substance than yours. Aside from it being against the rules, personally I think its rude to stomp on someone else's diary.

              by fcvaguy on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:56:57 PM PDT

              •  You troll-rated the diarist?!

                ...Really?! (or "hide" rated the comment, if we want to get technical) Dude, that's just fu$%ing sorry. Do you troll rate every duplicate diary? If so, thats a lot of work since it happens like 15 times a day.

                by TomK002 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:04:49 PM PDT

              •  I didn't do it on purpose

                and I put a link to Direwolf's in my update (after it had already gone on the Rec list).  If people want to Un-rec mine, and recommend his, my feelings won't be hurt.  

                by someotherguy86 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:06:37 PM PDT

                •  This is DKos, there will always be complainers

                  don't worry about it.  Your mojo will survive this one HR.

                  by smash artist on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:08:42 PM PDT

              •  It Happens. Calm. the. fuck. down.

                I've seen THREE diaries on the same subject on the Rec List at one time, about 2 weeks ago.

                Move on.

                by MTmofo on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:07:17 PM PDT

                •  and a lot of them have been negative, too.

                  I am happy to read a good news diary anytime I can.

                  by fireflynw on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:05:55 PM PDT

              •  please

                take off the TR. This is too petty to stomach.

                by randallt on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:11:12 PM PDT

                •  Thank you n/t

                  by randallt on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:01:29 PM PDT

              •  Who cares?

                by chicago minx on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:17:30 PM PDT

              •  The diarist credited Dire

                quit being an ass.

                by valadon on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:19:23 PM PDT

              •  oh good grief

                get over it.
                These are fucking personal diaries.
                What are you..the self-appointed diary police?
                is diarying some interesting news a couple of times all that bad?
                like everyone has to know for certain they have an original idea?
                NOBODY has an original turn of phrase since Shakespeare.
                All news and ideas are repetitive soundbites.

                by on the cusp on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:41:51 PM PDT

                •  All right, all right

                  everybody move along now.

                  No more need to pile on to this subthread. Let it go and find some other fight to pile on.

                  by mcjoan on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:46:09 PM PDT

              •  You're In For a World of Hurt, Smokey

                Mark it fucking zero!!!!!!!!!!!!

                You, fcvaguy, remind me of Walter Sobczk.

                by kaleidescope on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:58:46 PM PDT

              •  Knock off the zeros.

                He's entitled to point out that this diary is duplicative. Nitpicky, but not against the rules. Save your zeros for the real trolls.

                by Eternal Hope on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:08:28 PM PDT

        •  Troll is Clinton supporter - explains the anger n

          by reviewrater on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:12:24 PM PDT

          •  Not a troll

            He's been here since 2003, so watch the accusations.

            Everybody chill, and put the troll buttons away, please. No need to HR these comments.

            by mcjoan on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:21:33 PM PDT

            •  Thanks.

              and a die-hard Obama supporter to boot.

              by fcvaguy on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:32:33 PM PDT

          •  A simple review of my diaries and comments

            Would show I'm an avid Obama supporter.

            by fcvaguy on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:31:19 PM PDT

        •  No need to HR this

          Theres already enough HR flaming going around about the duplication issue.  Let's all chill out and stop this.

          by smash artist on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:29:03 PM PDT

          •  Thanks for the back up

            I'd prefer we not have another round of people having their ratings pulled, but will if this shit doesn't stop.

            by mcjoan on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:31:43 PM PDT

        •  uprated more for opposing the silly TR

          then anything else.

          cheers

          by edgeways on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:36:25 PM PDT

        •  Grump!

          We've had more than one diary on the same story on the Rec List at the same time.  Lighten up!

          by Land of Enchantment on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:40:01 PM PDT

        •  I hate blog nannies

          But instead of handing you the donut you deserve, I'll tip the diarist and rec the diary.

          There's a time to be a putz about rules and there's a time to let harmless shit like this ride.

          by Ivan on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:57:23 PM PDT

          •  If you think I deserve a donut

            for pointing out a standing rule here, go for it.

            by fcvaguy on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:07:05 PM PDT

            •  Classier to tip the diarist some more. EOM

              by Ivan on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:11:55 PM PDT

          •  Um, excuse me?

            Since when did pointing out a rule violation become a troll-ratable offense?

            by musing85 on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 09:28:51 AM PDT

        •  Uprated

          Inappropriate TR.

          by chumley on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:09:10 AM PDT

      •  Meh. I added a tag. Congrats. :) n/t

        by MTmofo on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:47:35 PM PDT

    •  Well, gee. Where's the other diary? Bitch Bitch

      by DannyB on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:16:17 PM PDT

      •  Not very observant, were you? n/t

        by MTmofo on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 04:52:25 PM PDT

  •  The North Carolina

    house members...is this the Federal house and if so they would be supers, no?

    by mayan on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:30:21 PM PDT

    •  According to

      DemConWatch, I'm only seeing these six who are uncommitted:
      Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC)
      Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC)
      Rep. Brad Miller (NC)
      Rep. David Price (NC)
      Rep. Heath Shuler (NC)
      Rep. Mel Watt (NC)

      by dharmafarmer on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:36:40 PM PDT

      •  The article says

        one of the 7 has already endorsed Obama, the other six are known currently as uncommitted.

        by ClaudeB on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:38:15 PM PDT

        •  Ahhhh....Thank you! n/t

          by dharmafarmer on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:41:28 PM PDT

      •  Rep. GK Butterfield already endorsed Obama n/t

        by jj32 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:41:04 PM PDT

        •  too cool...

          let's go!

          by mayan on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:43:41 PM PDT

          •  David Price is Chapel Hill/Duke

            he got a petition with over 1000 sigs asking him to go for Obama.
            They all started out with Edwards.

            We'll see what Easley does.

            by annalivia on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:05:57 PM PDT

            •  NC-4 (Price's district) is Obama country

              and there's no WAY that Price could support Clinton, based on issues.  First, his constituency would never let him get away with it.  But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the man has committed his career to fighting "politics as usual" - among other things, he's responsible for "stand by your ad."  He's also very tight with Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, so I figured when Obey endorsed Obama that Price wouldn't be too far behind.

              by thisniss on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:03:27 PM PDT

              •  yup

                our family is there.
                I would expect him to do what you say, but this election has been a surprise. Some people have disappointed me not just who they supported but how they behaved.

                by annalivia on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 09:12:13 PM PDT

                •  but, but, but...

                  I saw Dr. Price stand in a Friends Meeting House and answer an 11-year-old's question about why he voted "yes" on the resolution to invade Afghanistan (he voted no on Iraq, btw).  I've never been more moved by a politician's honesty or humanity in my life (and that includes BHO).  My heart will break if he supports Clinton.  I am really still quite naive, I guess.

                  by thisniss on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:19:19 PM PDT

                  •  Your heart will be fine

                    David Price will do the right thing.  

                    by smeesq on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 07:02:05 AM PDT

  •  It looks like

    the end is near afterall.

    by christine20 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:45:44 PM PDT

    •  yep...more of the movement of the SD

      to Obama.

      by Glic on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 07:48:01 PM PDT

  •  wonderful, super super news!

    rec'd!

    by louisev on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:20:46 PM PDT

  •  How best to set the stage for Hillary's exit.

    This statement by Dean struck me as of interest:

    Party Chairman Howard Dean says he was "dumbfounded" at the suggestion by Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy Friday that Sen. Clinton should pull out.

    "Having run for president myself, nobody tells you when to get in, and nobody tells you when to get out," Mr. Dean said. "That's about the most personal decision you can make after all the time and effort you put into it."

    Dean's not in a position to call for Hillary to step aside, at least not until the media narrative embraces the reality of the math of the pledged delegates. And, at this stage, I'm not sure it's wise for Senators like Leahy to claim Hillary should exit the race. The better strategy, it seems, is to simply hammer home the inevitability of Obama's nomination and give Hillary room to exit the race gracefully, as opposed to having to exit under duress. Allowing Hillary to exit the race gracefully will make it much easier for her supporters to rally around Obama during the general. However, if the media narrative catches up to the reality of the math and Hillary still refuses to bow out, then it'll become (more) obvious she's willing to wreck the party in the general election for an unwise and unrealistic attempt at securing the nomination through a super delegate coup.

    by machopicasso on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:22:56 PM PDT

    •  HRC probably ignored back channel requests

      Before Leahy went public, he probably made a private request.  Since this has been ignored, it is time for the hammer to fall.  The goal is to force HRC to accept reality.  If she doesn't than another and another cascade of supers will make it happen and the MSM will declare her dead.  How many large donors will be contributing to her 527's this week?

      by jan0080 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:36:36 PM PDT

    •  i agree

      but i will say that really the media shouldn't call for Hillary's head until after June 10th, the last day for a potential primary.  

      It's difficult as an Obama supporter, because she's a Clinton and there's this feeling that she'll somehow sneak this one out and we shouldn't allow her the opportunity but you HAVE to give her the graceful exit:

      "I wanted to stay in this race and give all of the voters a chance to express their concerns...I am looking forward to working with Obama."

      if she keeps talking about credential committees after the last primary, there's no choice but to turn on her.  

      my only concern is that hillary approaches obama after IN and NC split and says, I'll let this die if you give me the Veep.  To me, that's just a bad idea and if Obama spurns her, she might make choose to make it difficult for him.

      by ab03 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:43:07 PM PDT

    •  Dean is brilliant.

      He's speaking as one strong contender to another,
      and he's also opening a perfect path.

      by Creosote on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:50:28 PM PDT

    •  Well Leahy is really not that big on national

      POLITICS.  the ins and outs... the same reason why Dean didn't even get by Iowa.  It was not smart of Leahy to steam up Clinton.  Gave her and Bill an excuse to raise more money and keep at it longer and sound like a fighter.  And get the Main Stream Media all supporting again which they love to do.  

      It is amazing how that family controls the Main Stream media.  I remember back following the campaign when Jenffier Flowers broke in '92.  In an hour they had secured a place on 60 minutes.  They kind of own the media. Now they know National Politics.  Leahy still is a Vermonter and never fell into the trappings of national spokesperson for Democrats.  He was obviously saying what was on his mind (kind of common sense thinking) without thinking of how Hillary would turn it around to her advantage.

      by john from vermont on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 05:08:35 AM PDT

    •  Dean CANNOT even HINT at any bias

        Howard Dean is the party chair. He cannot publicly support, or even give the APPEARANCE of supporting, any particular candidate as long as the primary season continues. If he did we'd have a one-week cable news cycle of "IS DEAN BIASED?" stories, and he'd feel some serious heat to step down. And that's the LAST thing the Democratic Party needs.

        What Dean CAN do, and HAS done, is enforce the primary rules so that no candidate has an unfair advantage. And he's done that brilliantly. It's bad for Hillary, but as much as they complain about MI and FL, Dean has done nothing except enforce the rules all parties agreed to. And that's why the Clintonistas can't credibly call on him for bias.

       Howard Dean is the best party chair we've ever had.

       

      by Buzzer on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 05:58:14 AM PDT

  •  One less woman for HRC!!!

    Wait what was that? I thought HRC said that Obama couldn't win because woman would only come out for her. Ha!

    by oak510 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 08:30:18 PM PDT

•  Drip drip drip...