Breaking: Panetta Endorses Obama! (D-DC)

Okay, so to clarify, this is not Leon Panetta, but... another Panetta who's still pretty damned important around here in Washington, DC.  (figured I'd clarify that after the "Edwards" brouhaha yesterday)

Mike Panetta, the elected Shadow Representative to Congress for DC, has officially announced his endorsement of Senator Obama. And with the DC primary coming up in just a few days, the timing couldn't be better.  Here's his statement:

U.S "SHADOW" REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PANETTA (D-DC) ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

Contact:  Mike Panetta
[phone]
[e-mail]

(WASHINGTON, DC February 8, 2008): Mike Panetta, the elected U.S. "Shadow" Representative for the District of Columbia, today announced his endorsement of Barack Obama for President.

"The torch has been passed to Senator Obama as the vanguard of a new generation of leadership, and I know he’ll use that torch to light the fires of democracy here in the District of Columbia," said Representative Panetta.  "It’s clear to me that Senator Obama can bring hope to our nation, and hope to those fighting for full citizenship right here in America’s capital."

"If we are serious about permanently ending our ‘taxation without representation’ situation we will need a leader in the White House who can bring together Democrats, Republicans, and Independents," Panetta added. "Barack Obama possesses both the passion and pragmatism to make it happen."

"With Barack Obama in the White House, we’ll have a president who will tirelessly work to ensure that his new neighbors are given the same voting rights in Congress that other American citizens enjoy. I encourage all District voters to join me on Tuesday in supporting Barack Obama in his campaign to become the next president of the United States."

About Mike Panetta

Mike Panetta was elected to the District-wide position of Statehood Representative in the District of Columbia in November 2006. The office is commonly referred to as the U.S. "Shadow" Representative and should not be confused with the position of Delegate to the House of Representatives currently held by Eleanor Holmes Norton.  The office has traditionally served as advocate for DC statehood and full congressional voting rights.

Thank you, Rep Panetta!!!