Although Hillary Clinton is our Senator, many in New York City have never been satisfied with her as a leader. I consider her a good, but not excellent, Senator, who represents me on most issues, but falls flat on some of the most important votes in the Senate. The New York political establishment is naturally sticking with Hillary...it could be political suicide to do otherwise for many of them. But regular citizens of NYC are leaning Obama in my experience.
This last week has been when I personally made up my mind to endorse Obama. Today the Brooklyn Papers have made the same decision.
The Brooklyn Papers has joined Daily Gotham and Culture Kitchen (and also here for Spanish speakers) in endorsing Barack Obama for President:
Sen. Hillary Clinton has touted her experience — but as the popularity of Obama’s campaign shows, the country is crying out for change.
True, on most substantive issues, Clinton and Obama hold similar views. But Obama is the candidate whose message of hope can cut through the partisan morass, bring our nation together and begin to restore America’s damaged credibility overseas. We’re not discounting the challenges ahead, but the time has come for a president who appeals to our idealism, not our partisanship.
Voters should note that the Democratic Party will distribute delegates on a proportional, rather than winner-take-all, basis this year, meaning that every vote will count. Sen. Clinton’s "home field advantage" may net her the most votes statewide, but Obama can still pick up dozens of delegates — delegates who will be needed if this battle goes all the way to the national convention in August.
Remember, Hillary may be our Senator, but Obama lived in NYC in the 1980's.
And here is some footage from the rally that convinced one of my Hispanic friends to support Obama: