... from long-time politician and environmental activist Dudley Dudley.
Veteran Granite State activist Dudley Dudley announced Friday she is supporting Sanders’ 2016 White House bid, according to CNN.
...
She backed President Obama during his first presidential campaign in 2008, supporting him in the lead-up to the New Hampshire primary that election cycle. Obama lost the Granite State to Hillary Clinton, but ended up besting Clinton nationally to become the party’s nominee.
Dudley unsuccessfully backed Paul Tsongas over Bill Clinton in 1992.
She also missed in 1980 by launching a write-in campaign for Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) against incumbent President Jimmy Carter.
Short commentary below the fold.
Yep, another Bernie diary, but I think this is important news. Ms. Dudley's endorsement shows that an established politician is willing to go out on a limb and support Bernie's candidacy. New Hampshire is the state Bernie is most likely to win, and a win in New Hampshire would keep his campaign alive until at least Super Tuesday.
Dudley has a mixed record, as mentioned in the article. She's supported some winners and some losers. Sen. Paul Tsongas, whom she endorsed in 1992, ended up winning New Hampshire, but lost the nomination to Bill Clinton. She endorsed Wesley Clark in the beginning of his campaign, but he did not do well in New Hampshire. One more interesting endorsement of hers was a certain young senator from Illinois in 2008. He lost New Hampshire, but won the primary.
Does her endorsement mean a whole lot? Not in and of itself. But it means that this is going to be a race. With further endorsements, Bernie would prove that he's making waves not just among liberal activists, but among politicians as well. These kinds of endorsements give him good local press, which is going to be Bernie's most effective weapon in the absence of unlimited campaign funds.