SUPER BREAKING: Who is the Big Endorser Tomorrow?

So we have word from The Field, Al Giordano's excellent blog, that there will be an endorsement tomorrow. The question on everyone's mind is, who is it?  

Here's what we know:

The endorser will be on his/her own for the morning and afternoon.  The initial presser will be Indianapolis.  The endorser will then fly to Evansville and later to Louisville before meeting up with Barack Obama for a joint rally in the evening.

My guess?  

Dick Lugar or Al Gore.

Google Sets seems to agree

But let's run through some speculation.  Larry Bird, Dick Lugar, Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Joe Bid, Tom Harkin, and Steve Beshear have all been mentioned as possibilities.  

First, the endorser needs to be a big enough personality to draw last-minute crowds.  This would seem to rule out Harkin and Biden, who I don't think have the local weight to justify a full day of campaigning.  

Second, the endorser is going to Kentucky, and although Louisville shares a media market with Southern Indiana, it seems that the endorser should have some ties to Kentucky to justify flying down to Louisville before returning to Indianapolis.  

Larry Bird is a native son and would be a great endorser at this last hour.  He appeals to precisely the voters that Barack needs to appeal to, and is one of the most famous people from Indiana.  But why Kentucky?  Well, maybe that's just to reach out to the Southern Indiana crowd.  Larry Bird could draw a crowd there too, presumably, but I'm not really sure.

Al Gore has stated emphatically that he will not endorse, so I wouldn't bet on him.  However, the recent news that the supers have decided on Obama could have motivated him to take action, as May 6th is Obama's last chance to sew the nomination up before June.  Also, he can't be pleased with Hillary's gas tax gimmick.  But who knows--is he too Hollywood tree-hugger for Indiana?  Or perhaps being the former Vice President and ex-President-elect overrides that.

Goes without saying that it's not John Edwards as he would endorse in North Carolina, not Indiana.

Anyway, what are your thoughts?

•  What do you think?

  by foxsucks81 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:35:25 PM PDT

  •  I hope it's someone big, I'm getting so pissed

    at them I'm getting demoralized.  Maybe they all think they're in the running for Time's Person of the Year.....

    But anyway, I had no idea Larry Bird was an Obama supporter.  Don't really get why Bird would justify an entire day of campaigning, but maybe I'm too elitist.

    by ksh01 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:48:16 PM PDT

    •  what are you getting pissed about?

      did ya think beating a former First lady and President would be a cakewalk. Remoralize, this is a war!

      by Hope08 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:50:12 PM PDT

      •  oh ok, but jeez

        I'm definitely a little low on remorals.

        Thank god Obama turned her down on the debate thing.  If he had agreed to debate, I think I would have cut my hair off with a paring knife.

        by ksh01 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:38:12 AM PDT

        •  It's only serious if you'd use a butter knife

          by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:49:53 AM PDT

    •  Why Bird would justify an entire day?

      You don't know Indiana very well, do you? Larry could literally give Obama 5 points (minimum) on election day. He could, almost single-handedly even turn Indiana blue in the fall.

      by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:48:46 AM PDT

      •  He's pretty confident with the

        three-pointer anyway..and no doubt a good assist man.

        by elial on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:55:30 AM PDT

        •  Best all-around player ever

          by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:08:21 AM PDT

          •  love Larry, but got to give it to magic or Oscar

            by mankoff on Thu May 01, 2008 at 05:50:16 AM PDT

            •  Aren't people forgetting

              Obama's hometown favorite...
              Michael Jordan...outscored...and arguably played better defense than the others...

              by elial on Thu May 01, 2008 at 09:29:39 AM PDT

              •  Nope. Scoring is all he has on Bird & others

                ... and not even FG% (in other words, he needed more shots to score same amount of points)

                by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 11:08:40 AM PDT

                •  would you want Larry Bird

                  to be guarding Jordan at 'crunch time'?

                  by the way here are some playoff stats...

                  Michael averaged almost ten points more a game in the playoffs than Larry (33.3 to 23.8) with a higher FG% (48.7% to 47.2%), a higher 3 pt % (33.2% to 32.1%)

                  apparently this discussion has been going on elsehwere...!
                  http://theworldfrommywindow.blogspot...

                  with people on both sides of the issue.

                  by elial on Thu May 01, 2008 at 11:46:30 AM PDT

                  •  Larry's career was really in 2 parts

                    During the first part, yeah I'd take Bird over anyone ever. But admittedly during the second part, he lost alot... mostly from back problems. Remember seeing him literally laying down on the floor rather than sitting on the bench whenever he was out for a breather? So yeah, if you average out his career stats, and include the years when he was playing at about 50%, I'm not surprised that Jordan is a little ahead in some stats.

                    by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:22:34 PM PDT

                    •  It's not that I don't love Larry...

                      ...I grew up rooting for the Celtics (Russell and Havlicek era first)...but that playoff scoring average of MJ is pretty impressive.

                      Of course when Jordan scored 63 in the playoffs...the Celtics still won.

                      and so you could argue that Jordan had weaker support.

                      Agreed that Larry's injuries really cut down his effectiveness...he belonged on the dream team (1992) but was really having a tough time on the floor.

                      by elial on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:34:30 PM PDT

      •  that's a 2 pointer AND a 3 pointer

        I had no idea Bird retained such cache.  I lived in Boston during his heyday and always liked him, but I didn't know he was a working class hero still.

        by ksh01 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:22:10 AM PDT

    •  There is a tacit bargain.

      The math is inexorable.  Obama will win.  The supers would be insane to overturn it.  They know it, Obama knows it, and they each know they each know it.

      However, if Obama takes the bait and attacks Clinton in a way that her base holds a grudge, that could hurt unity in the fall and downticket races.  He can't be perceived as bigfooting her out.

      So the supers have said, don't bloody her up, let her lose with patience and we won't waver in our private commitments to you.

      So relax.  Obama will be the nominee.  The only macro that matter is 81% of the country hates the direction of the country.  Obama has better resources, better organization, he's grown as a candidate, McCain's a gaffe-a-thon who flies into a rage from being merely quoted, Obama can actually hit McCain hard (which he can't do with Clinton).

      by PocketNines on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:06:44 AM PDT

      •  But.....I want to see him talking

        bread and butter issues on the tube.  I want to see him counter Clinton's truck stop girl shit....I think doing it with Larry Bird by his side would be great, but Bird or no, I want to see him getting out there and doing it.

        by ksh01 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:24:53 AM PDT

    •  Jimmy Carter sings Obama's praises in

      this morning UK Daily Telegraph.  While not a formal endorsement he come as close as possible without actually offering to help him pick out curtains for the White House.

      Dairy on Carter's Support For Obama

      by HoundDog on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:15:34 AM PDT

      •  He told Chicago news station at noon today

        (or I guess yesterday) that he would not endorse.  He went through the same story--'all of my children and their spouses are supporting Obama'.  He sounded as though he was going to avoid endorsing until after the primaries were over.

        by St Louis Woman on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:22:39 AM PDT

  •  Maybe former Senator Birch Bayh

    That would be an interesting contrast to his son's endorsement of Hillary.

    by rontun on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:15:27 AM PDT

    •  I think th answer might be HERE!

      http://www.dailykos.com/...

      by humphrey on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:35:37 AM PDT

    •  Maybe MORE than just one endorser? Caroline

      Kennedy was with Michelle Obama in IN today.  I was pleasantly surprised to see CK. Perhaps it's a prelude to something big...or somethingS big?

      A team of endorsers?

      by 417els on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:40:07 AM PDT

    •  Birch would carry more influence than his son re

      moving IN voters.

      by 417els on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:42:50 AM PDT

    •  I would LOVE that!

      I'm originally from Indiana, and Birch Bayh is a hero to most people. In fact, by the VERY low profile Birch takes re. Evan's career, I'd say he's not real thrilled with the way (DLC, etc) his son has turned out.

      by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:51:46 AM PDT

•  Hillary is getting a SD in CT

  John Olsen, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO and a super-delegate, is expected to announce Thursday his support for Hillary Rodham Clinton.

  Hartford Courant

  by Trix on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:37:47 PM PDT

  •  looks like she's gonna get all the DNC

    former clinton appointees..... wow the deck is really stacked in her favor and she ruined it. LOL.

    by MasterHurrikane on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:59:14 PM PDT

•  Would Larry bird really make that much of a

  difference?

  He was a great player but that was years ago.

  Why don't you think it would be Edwards?

  I didn't even realize that Gore had said he wouldn't endorse anyone.  I think it's time for everyone to get off the fence.

  I'm ready to roll on McCain.

  by YoyogiBear on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:38:10 PM PDT

  •  Edwards would endorse in NC

    why fly to Indiana?

    by foxsucks81 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:41:30 PM PDT

    •  or go to KY?

      I don't think it can be him.  Dick Lugar, as unusual as it would be, is the only one so far that seems possible... then again, the why KY thing applies a little to him too...
      cimony, will they put us out of this misery already and leak it??

      by yamanote on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:44:13 PM PDT

      •  Louisville=Southern Indiana media n/t

        by Losty on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:56:12 PM PDT

  •  if God came down in southern IN and endorsed...

    he better hope its not the same day Bird does.

    by ksquire on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:00:57 AM PDT

    •  Amen---He's a God in Indy....

      Would LOVE to see him endorse his fellow hoopster!!!  Hint to Barack--do NOT challenge Bird to one-on-one!!!  Even tho those shots in the Michael Jordan/McDonald's ad were special effects, the boy can shoot...

      by serrano on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:12:59 AM PDT

    •  My wife and I and our 1st kid....

      ... lived in the same apartment building as Larry when he was at ISU. Saw him just about every day.

      by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:58:21 AM PDT

    •  I met Larry one time in Vegas

      Crappy ass hotel called The Orleans. Right across from the Porn Emporium. He was walking through the Casino with a bunch of other guys I always crashed into him, which is hard to believe since his head stuck out two feet above everyone else. Nice guy, shook my hand, wished me a good night.

      That hotel was lame. Although I'm really glad it was so close to Porn Emporium that was really handy. Otherwise I would have never known where I could possibly find porn in Vegas. /sarcasm.

      by DeanDemocrat on Thu May 01, 2008 at 02:17:56 AM PDT

  •  Ever heard Larry Bird give a speech?

    Believe me - it won't be him.

    by DonBinTN on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:12:14 AM PDT

    •  But maybe Larry likes Obama's game! LOL

      by humphrey on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:24:28 AM PDT

  •  Indiana + basketball = insanity

    Yep, even this long after he retired, Larry would make a big impact

    by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:55:12 AM PDT

    •  Larry Bird

      would give Barack a bump in MA too, the man's a legend here.

      by rickpolitic on Thu May 01, 2008 at 04:13:26 AM PDT

•  Since when does Google predict the future?

  I'm fascinated.

  by Aerials on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:38:19 PM PDT

  •  Oh, you fool

    Google doesn't "predict" the future, they make it

    by lizardbox on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:41:31 PM PDT

    •  hee! eom

      by yamanote on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:44:38 PM PDT

    •  And then copyright it.

      by Mother Mags on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:04:03 AM PDT

      •  Then let us all use it for free. (nt)

        by lizardbox on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:07:01 AM PDT

  •  Since...

    December 5, 2007

    :-)

    by Trix on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:42:34 PM PDT

•  I have no idea

  I will say speculation with google sets is new and innovative.

  by givemhellHarryR on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:38:46 PM PDT

  •  Not quite new or innovative

    I've already done it more than once.

    :-)

    by Trix on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:40:27 PM PDT

•  Could be Edwards or Lugar. And when they say

  "Louisville" that could just be referring to the Louisville metro that is on the Indiana side.  Not sure.  Maybe Jimmy Carter?

  by ObamaManiac2008 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:42:30 PM PDT

  •  Can't be Edwards; Won't be Carter

    As noted upthread, Edwards, if he endorsed, would do so in North Carolina.

    And Carter is unlikely because he's a bit radioactive right now with the wingers making a fuss over his recent meeting with Hamas officials.

    Lugar would make a fair bit of sense - he's more sympathetic with Obama on foreign policy and on Habeas Corpus than he is with his own party or their nominee - but he's a Republican, so it'd be a bit odd.

    My response is twofold: 1) I have no idea who it might be; and 2) most endorsements don't matter.

    by Warren Terra on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:49:12 PM PDT

    •  Tomorrow it would matter

      Wipe Wright off the front page.  There's the value!

      by Beauregard on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:07:32 AM PDT

      •  Sticking with my prediction...

        On Tuesday I had a hunch that Edwards would endorse this week. There are some rumours that he and Obama have done a deal over healthcare. Edwards is in Disneyland with his family at the moment.

        Just sayin'

        Would love to be right.

        by Brit on Thu May 01, 2008 at 02:04:00 AM PDT

    •  Could it be Steve Beshear? n/t

      by ObamaManiac2008 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:09:30 AM PDT

    •  Haven't a lot of these rumors of big endorsers

      turned out to be much ado about nothing? I very much hope I'm wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

      by mertmh on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:15:29 AM PDT

  •  come on - lugar?

    There is no way Lugar endorses a Democrat, any Democrat, no matter how much he likes them personally.  He is a good man, but he would not break with the Republicans in that way .

    by indybend on Thu May 01, 2008 at 02:37:10 AM PDT

•  Hey my diary was crosslinked at The Field!

  :) :) :)

  by ObamaManiac2008 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:45:16 PM PDT

•  Just wondering...

  Why would Lugar endorse Obama? I know he strongly dislikes McCain, but jumping the fence doesn't seem like Lugar's game.

  by Cuivienen on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:45:35 PM PDT

  •  Well

    he likes Obama for the bill they worked on together....the non-proliferation act.

    by foxsucks81 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:46:55 PM PDT

  •  It doesn't really, does it...?

    But he has been more vocal about disagreements with the Bush WH lately, and he DID collaborate on an important Nuclear proliferation bill with Obama...

    oh man!  I wish they would tell us already!

    by yamanote on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:47:48 PM PDT

    •  oops!

      that should be nuclear NON-proliferation!  yikes!

      by yamanote on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:48:32 PM PDT

      •  Musta been thinking of Hill's Middle East policy

        by Mother Mags on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:07:27 AM PDT

  •  BushCo is not Lugar's GOP. He's a decent and

    very bright man, with a military service background.  I know he has to be sick about what's happened to the Republican party.  Lugar was in the Senate when there was civility and criminals were not running/ruining the country through the executive branch.  He's been on BushCo's shit list for a long time.  Lugar COULD make a big difference in the IN vote if he chose to campaign for Obama.  IF.

    by 417els on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:57:11 AM PDT

    •  Indiana is an open primary,

      isn't it?

      Would definitely be newsworthy!

      Dick Lugar as SecDef?

      by bogbud on Thu May 01, 2008 at 04:57:44 AM PDT

      •  Yes, you just have to ask for a D or an R ballot.

        Can't see Lugar as Sec. Defense.  He has vast knowledge - and good sense - in foreign affairs.  He's also a Rhodes Scholar.  Was a very popular Mayor of Indpls. before he went to the Senate.

        by 417els on Thu May 01, 2008 at 09:20:00 AM PDT

•  Please let it be a very big name

  and something that can change the damn media cycle before May 6.

  by Dont Just Stand There on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:45:48 PM PDT

•  Forgot One

  I'm just speculating here like everyone else, but another candidate no one else seems to mention is Tony Dungy, the coach of the Indianapolis Colts. He is revered in Indiana, and has said good things about Barack fairly recently: http://sports.aol.com/...  

  Honestly, if I had to choose one endorsement specific to this state, Dungy would be it. I seriously think if you polled Indiana excluding the northwest part of the state, his favorable ratings would be higher than ANY politician you can think of.

  I've never heard of him getting involved in politics though. Hopefully there is some endorsement worthwhile and this isn't just a false rumor.

  by Sakuraba on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:50:50 PM PDT

  •  Dungy not an SD

    by notquitedelilah on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:51:53 PM PDT

  •  yeah but could dungy do events on his own

    which is what the suggestion is here.  I'm sure I'll wake up in 5 hours and nothing will have changed.

    by Hope08 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:52:11 PM PDT

    •  Absolutely

      I think Dungy has done some motivational speaking and would be a pretty good draw wherever he went.  Though, I don't really get sending the surrogate to  Louisville. I don't know, Im just guessing like everyone else here.  

      I just can't think of someone who would be a really big draw on their own, except maybe Gore or Edwards. Even Edwards would be a stretch and why wouldnt you just roll him out in North Carolina instead?

      by Sakuraba on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:00:56 AM PDT

  •  Is Dungy A Democrat?

    He's done some things in the past that suggest he's a conservative.

    Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy will be the honored guest of the Indiana Family Institute at the group's "Friends of the Family Banquet" in March. The organization, among other things, fights the right of same-sex couples to marry and the right of gay people to adopt children in Indiana.

    The event's invitation features Dungy in his Colts sideline uniform. There is no price listed but the invitation reads: "An opportunity to financially support the Indiana Family Institute will be presented."

    IFI is affiliated with Focus on the Family, a rabidly anti-gay organization that has made it its mission to oppose gay marriage rights, among other issues of gay equality. Focus on the Family hosts a conference series called Love Won Out, which asserts that gay people can be "cured" of being gay. Among the group's online initiatives is No Moo Lies, which claims that, because dogs can't moo like a cow, people aren't supposed to be gay.

    If there is an endorsement, isn't the most logical answer that it's the Governor of Kentucky, Steve Beshear?

    by Rimjob on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:57:37 PM PDT

    •  wait.

      dogs don't moo?

      by bsmcneil on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:03:22 AM PDT

    •  I Dont Know

      Like I said above, I dont know his political affiliation, but I know, per the article I linked above, that he likes Barack.  Also, it isn't uncommon in Indianapolis to find some African Americans who are culturally conservative.

      Steve Beshear is a newly elected Governor with no name recognition in Indiana. Why not just roll him out when the campaign moves to Kentucky next week?

      by Sakuraba on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:04:56 AM PDT

  •  I don't know

    from what I've heard of him, he seems like a right-wing whack job.

    by badlands on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:01:59 AM PDT

  •  Probably the Jackson 5 (plus Janet)

    by ratmach on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:05:42 AM PDT

•  I'm flummoxed!

  Hoping for Al Gore for the media cycles' sake.

  by notquitedelilah on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:51:02 PM PDT

•  Jimmy Carter

  has all but endorsed Obama. Maybe he'll make it official tomorrow.

  by yg17 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:58:29 PM PDT

•  Gov Steve Beshear of KY et al.?

  That's my best guess, but you can look here for probabilities:
  http://nw08.american.edu/...

  by CAragaki on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:58:54 PM PDT

  •  That list sucks

    Lois Capps is rated as one of the most likely Clinton endorsers, but she endorsed Obama today.

    And according to Democonwatch, Christine Pelosi has tied her vote to the pledged delegate leader, but the list has her as the second most likely Clinton endorser.

    by Erik W on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:02:27 AM PDT

•  lol at people seriously suggesting athletes

  Yeah I'm sure Tony Dungy or Larry Bird can give a rousing stump speech

  by unertl on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:02:36 AM PDT

  •  Totally agree

    I doubt they'd make a big deal out of a celebrity endorsement.

    by Erik W on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:04:02 AM PDT

  •  I agree

    but what if it is Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, Peyton Manning, the Unsers & Andrettis, and Quinn Buckner all at the same time?? :)

    by badlands on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:09:23 AM PDT

    •  Peyton is a GOPer. eom

      by 417els on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:27:33 AM PDT

    •  Peyton Manning is Right Wing

      For some reason most football players and announcers are.  Just listen to them orgasm support for the Iraq War whenever the jets fly overhead before each game.

      by blitz boy on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:30:34 AM PDT

      •  "For some reason"

        That reason being they take a lot of shots to the head.

        by differance on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:11:08 AM PDT

  •  Depends

    With the cynicism among the general population today, a major local celebrity could be more valuable than some Washington politician.  The only exception would be Gore or Lugar, but I just can't imagine them endorsing Barack right now.  

    by Sakuraba on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:29:12 AM PDT

•  Harkin

  is rumored to be a possible Obama endorser. While that would be nice, I'm hoping for someone bigger.

  by badlands on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:04:15 AM PDT

•  Isn't Lugar the only possibility that...

  could actually translate into votes? The message would be unmistakable. Otherwise I don't see it making a big difference. I mean, sheesh, Caroline, Ted and Maria couldn't turn around MA or CA, and I'm remembering that Gore's support might have hurt Dean as much as helped him back in 04. I just think the big endorsements are a bit overrated unless they really change something. Lugar stepping over the party line would be big imo, and can't really think of anything else that qualifies...*maybe* Gore if he gave a shattering speech, but I still think he intends to stay out. My money's on Dick. But I would trade that for a big announcement of about 100 superdelegates to come out and put an end to this...

  by DonBinTN on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:08:35 AM PDT

  •  Ted gave Obama a lot of cred

    When he needed it before Super Tuesday - not necessarily in MA - but I think it was the first real time the media started waking up to the fact that he could actually win this thing - after Hillary's big "comeback", that is.

    by TheSilverMonkey on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:14:08 AM PDT

    •  you're probably right about that.

      i just don't think there are many game-changing endorsements out there, and i tend to include gore in that as well. maybe I'm just still smarting from the Dean experience, when i thought the race was practically sewn up once Gore and Bradley both endorsed. Harkin, too. They just only take you so far..and Obama has already gotten that far - and beyond.

      by DonBinTN on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:18:13 AM PDT

  •  Gore has more clout now than then.

    by Last Years Man on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:35:37 AM PDT

•  Lugar...

  angling for Sec. of Defense like Bill Cohen under Clinton.

  by Beauregard on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:12:25 AM PDT

  •  That wouldn't be so bad....

    Would have to be more competent than what we've had in the Bush Administration.

    by Spekkio on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:05:12 AM PDT

•  58%

  Based on a little spreadsheet I just made up, Obama needs about 58% of the pledged delegates in the remaining primaries to hit 2,024 - this is without getting a single additional superdelegate (including add-ons).

  by scribbly on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:16:49 AM PDT

  •  And THIS

    is the value of the drip, drip, drip we've been getting from the SuperDs.  A few weeks ago, it wasn't possible for Obama to win just with pledged delegates.

    by NWTerriD on Thu May 01, 2008 at 04:44:48 AM PDT

•  imo Dick Lugar would be huge!

  It would be an unmistakable unifying message that would really resonate. It would also displace the tired Wright story and lead the news cycle for a few days while GOP heads exploded.  

  by Heimyankel on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:16:55 AM PDT

  •  smart for him too

    he'd never have to worry about re-election again. (though maybe he doesn't worry now i dunno) and it doesn't' sound like he would mind pissing off McCain.

    by DonBinTN on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:19:40 AM PDT

    •  he doesn't have to worry ever

      in Indiana.   Even lots of Democrats vote for him.  The Democrats have never even had a credible candidate challenge him, in my memory.

      by indybend on Thu May 01, 2008 at 02:40:25 AM PDT

•  Yeah. Lugar would be Huge

  And while i think by tomorrow we will be laughing at all the names we've thrown out tonight, a Dick Lugar endorsement would just make the GOP scream like little girls and crap their pants. But, it's most likely the Governor of Kentucky. Or maybe even a sports star.

  by Joeytj on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:21:06 AM PDT

  •  Gov. of KY is an unknown in IN. eom

    by 417els on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:29:38 AM PDT

•  Lugar would...

  be a game changer, in the sense of totally blowing the Wright story off the radar screen. To have a major sober Republican crossover would be huge, and would help with sincere Republicans and independents in Indiana. It would also underscore Obama's bipartisan message.

  Lugar is close to Obama, and is also close to previous Obama supporters David Boren, and Sam Nunn -- with whom he works on nuclear nonproliferation.

  So, if it really is a "big" endorsement, to meet those expectations it would have to be Lugar.

  by Cordwainer on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:21:31 AM PDT

  •  Nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament

    is one of my favorite under-appreciated Obama policy positions. Nuclear weapons are still the greatest threat to human existence and Obama is the only candidate that I'm convinced fully appreciates that fact.

    by Diggs on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:35:45 AM PDT

•  Obama notes relationship w/Lugar on campgn. trail

  http://www.jconline.com/...

  Campaigning in Indiana early this month, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama took a few moments to reach out to an Indiana Republican.
  Advertisement

  Advertisement

  Obama called Sen. Richard Lugar to wish him a happy birthday.

  Lugar is not getting involved in the Democratic contest. But his friendship and good working relationship with Obama have helped boost Obama's bipartisan and foreign policy credentials.

  "I have worked across the aisle with Richard Lugar and Chuck Hagel in the Senate to secure dangerous weapons and loose nuclear materials," Obama said on the campaign trail last month.

  He has mentioned his partnership with Lugar in interviews, campaign literature and ads. One TV ad shows a photo of the two of them as the announcer says Obama has been a leader in the Senate on arms control.

  Obama has even cited Lugar as the kind of Republican he would consider including in his administration if he is elected president, although Lugar's spokesman is quick to tamp down any speculation about that.

  by Beauregard on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:22:23 AM PDT

•  Don't rule out Al Gore!

  He might be pissed at Hillary's trashing the party.

  by cmpnwtr on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:22:39 AM PDT

  •  and trashing him.

    by NWTerriD on Thu May 01, 2008 at 04:46:19 AM PDT

•  Apparently, Obama added a lot of environmental

  topics to his stump speech in Bloomington tonight.  Perhaps a sign of an Al Gore endorsement?

  I'd love to see an Al endorsement just to watch the inevitable backlash against the Clintons' after they attack Gore.  

  by askew on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:23:09 AM PDT

•  This will make my mom's day!

  My mom is so cute.  Everyday, she gets deeper and deeper into politics like never before.
  Now, instead of starting the morning like this:

  'Morning, how are you?

  She says:

  Morning!! Any supers?

  I admit I am biased, but I think she is adorable.

  by myelinate on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:23:48 AM PDT

  •  I do too, and I don't even know her ;)

    by From a distance on Thu May 01, 2008 at 02:43:49 AM PDT

•  Several thoughts -- widdling it down

  Gore would be a bombshell and a real game changer. Whether or not such an endorsement would translate into actual votes, the media attention would be explosive. Judas times ten.

  Gore, Carter, and Edwards are the only endorsements I can see being really meaningful right now. And I can hardly imagine anyone else campaigning for him by themselves, especially any of these athletes that are being bandied about.

  And think about it: Who would really be sent to appear on their own, without Obama, in Kentucky and Indiana? Mayyyybe Lugar or Harkin. Definitely NOT Beshear. As if Beshear, the Governor of Kentucky would be making solo appearances in Indiana. No, I really doubt it.

  Edwards obviously would be in North Carolina if he (or she) were endorsing and I wonder if Carter isn't a little too hot to handle at the moment after his Middle East trip.

  That said, short list: Gore or Lugar. Maybe Harkin as a long shot but I don't see what play he'd really have in Indiana and Kentucky anyway.

  If this is even for real at all... ugh... this has got to end before I get an ulcer. I'm only 23. I shouldn't be getting ulcers yet.

  by Diggs on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:24:07 AM PDT

  •  gore AND lugar?

    as long as i'm pulling things out my ass, why not?

    by wu ming on Thu May 01, 2008 at 02:50:25 AM PDT

•  Not sure if this is the HUGE news,

  but I like it anyway...
  Another superdelegate switcheroo..

  http://news.yahoo.com/...

  by BradF on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:27:35 AM PDT

  •  That's great news

    Not HUGE. But pretty big. Nice catch.

    by Diggs on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:29:32 AM PDT

  •  Well

    It says he's holding a press conference in Indianapolis tomorrow, so maybe it is this guy. It's nice, but damn, not much of a major vote getter or narrative shifter here.  

    by Sakuraba on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:33:05 AM PDT

    •  Yeah, former DNC chairman

      That's probably it.

      by PocketNines on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:36:43 AM PDT

  •  Love the switch

    Another member of Judas Priest.  ROCK ON!!

    by Beauregard on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:33:10 AM PDT

  •  Hey, that could be it.

    why not? maybe we're thinking too big here. That's pretty darned big, and maybe Joe Andrew's better known in IN than we realize. The news certainly matches the rumor - press conf in Indy.

    by DonBinTN on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:34:36 AM PDT

    •  He's Not

      He may be known in Democratic political circles for his time at the DNC and as state party chair, but I don't think many voters would know who he is, unless Im missing something.

      Although, maybe he has ties to Southern Indiana, since apparently he is campaigning there?

      by Sakuraba on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:40:45 AM PDT

      •  Yeah...

        Is that someone who could effectively campaign without appearing beside Obama himself?

        by Diggs on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:43:52 AM PDT

        •  That's what I am wondering. Maybe

          there is someone else?

          by hyper on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:54:20 AM PDT

  •  Does anybody find it really strange

    that the news story suddenly appeared just after the rumors started breaking out here and at The Field.

    It's almost like somebody noticed the rumor mill was going completely out of control and wanted to tamp down expectations before "Al Gore About to Endorse Obama" was the first thing everybody read when they woke up in the morning.

    Or maybe, in keeping with the theme of this thread, I'm over-analyzing everything.

    by Diggs on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:40:12 AM PDT

•  Bill Clinton!

  He's given Hillary his all, but the big dog backs winners:

  Bill: You got leads. Penn & McAuliffe paid good money. Get their names to sell them. You can't close the voters you're given, you can't close shit, you are shit, hit the bricks lady, and beat it, 'cause you are going out.
  Hillary: The leads are weak.
  Bill: "The leads are weak." The fucking leads are weak? You're weak. I've been in this business fifteen years...
  Williams: What's your name?
  Bill: Fuck you. That's my name.
  Bill: You know why, lady? 'Cause you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight, I drove an eighty thousand dollar BMW. That's my name.

  (I don't know why I keep envisioning Glengarry Glen Ross when I think of the Clinton campaign...)

  by johnsonwax on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:28:03 AM PDT

  •  Coffee is for Closers

    yes, Glengarry Glen Ross! I was watching the HRC video and I was wondering "Why doesn't somebody just help her out? This is pathetic!"
    Now I realize it is because Coffee is for Closers.
    She can't close the deal!!!

    by myelinate on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:34:49 AM PDT

•  Gore is a southerner. n/t

  by Last Years Man on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:31:41 AM PDT

  •  And Tennessee

    borders Kentucky.

    If Al were to endorse and start campaigning tomorrow, I wonder if he'd be able to get some of the Kentucky polls to move in the other direction?

    I would love for it to be Al.  But I don't want to get my hopes up.

    I love Jimmy Carter, but I remember what his, and then Al's endorsements did to Dean in 2004.  Since we're way past that point in the primary, hopefully endorsements from them would have the complete opposite effect.

    by chelle in mo on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:28:06 AM PDT

•  Lugar's 76 years old, term runs out in 2012

  when he'd be 80.  Probably not running again at that point.  Guess he is a free man to cross the party.  He made big headlines last year breaking on Iraq.

  by Beauregard on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:31:46 AM PDT

•  Here's my list:

  Requisite Sarcastic Guess:
  John McCain (pro: "maverick," con: Republican nominee)

  Sober Guesses:
  Dick Lugar (would go to Kentucky for Louisville media market, appeals to conservative Dems and open-primary indies and Rs).

  Phil Bredesen (Obama has positively cited his superdelegate primary proposal, he's probably privately committed, KY makes sense, but he feels less of a 3-stop guy than Lugar or Beshear.

  Wild Card:
  Muhammad Ali I agree that athletes are generally silly for a secret and a three-stop tour, but Ali is more than an athlete, would have the wow factor, has the Louisville connection that Bird and Dungy don't.  On the downside he doesn't speak.

  NOT:
  John Edwards, that would happen in NC.

  Jimmy Carter is a maybe, he has all but endorsed already and may feel there's no big secret left, but he feels more NC/Southern than Indiana.

  Probably not Steve Beshear, he's not an Indiana name enough to fly to Indy, he'd just endorse before KY.

  I don't think Gore.  Fine with being wrong.  

  by PocketNines on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:32:39 AM PDT

  •  heh

    now it would be most entertaining if McCain endorsed Obama.  He should, not that he will, but heads would explode all across the nation.

    by bythesea on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:46:43 AM PDT

•  It Is JOE ANDREW

  WASHINGTON - 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.

  LINK

  by Friar on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:41:04 AM PDT

•  Well! It seems to be Andrews!

  Well. There you have it. You may not think it's a BIG endorsement. But read his statements. This is it...

  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.

  "He has shown such mettle under fire," Andrew said in the interview. "The Jeremiah Wright controversy just reconfirmed for me, just as the gas tax controversy confirmed for me, that he is the right candidate for our party."

  Why is this Huge? His reasons for it. And taking into account that he was for Hillary, i think we now know that the suppers have made up their minds. This is it.

  by Joeytj on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:42:13 AM PDT

  •  The supers HAVE made up their minds.

    There is tons of blather on television but it's over.  McCaskill isn't just blowing smoke - those private commitments are real.  There is a very real danger in making sure Clinton's extremely loyal base doesn't feel bigfooted out.  For all the yappery about working class white men, Obama needs women in the fall.  And for all the baiting on him to close the deal, he knows he is in an unfair double standard bind, he cannot attack Clinton without permanently pissing off people he needs in the f