MyDD :: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressmember

Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressmember

by Jonathan Singer, Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:16:32 PM EST

First, it was Paul Hodes back in July. Now it's New Hampshire's other Democratic Representative, Carol Shea-Porter.

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter has decided to endorse Barack Obama for President, UnionLeader.com has learned.

The freshman 1st District congresswoman had been considering staying neutral in the primary, but has now decided to get involved.

[...]

Her backing may be a plus for Obama especially among women, who have strongly favored Clinton so far in the New Hampshire Democratic primary race, according to polls.

It seems to me that this endorsement could also pull a lot of weight in a sense not mentioned here by John DiStaso, the Union-Leader columnist who broke this story: Shea-Porter has quite the grassroots organization, which she used last year not only to knock off Republican Congressman Jeb Bradley in a race few thought she could win but also to defeat Democratic state Rep. James Craig, who had quite a bit of institutional backing and, again, who few thought she could defeat. If Shea-Porter puts some or all of the support of her grassroots organization behind Obama, it could be a big deal.

Beyond that, there is a certain symbolism that looks good for Obama in having the support of both Democratic members of Congress from New Hampshire, two who might perhaps be the highest ranking officials in the state to make endorsements this fall (with Governor John Lynch and former Governor-cum-Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen both remaining neutral). Clearly Obama already has momentum in New Hampshire -- and one can't imagine having the backing of both Hodes and now Shea-Porter is going to hurt much.

Tags: Carol Shea-Porter, Barack Obama, Endorsements, New Hampshire, New Hampshire Primary, Democratic Primaries, Paul Hodes (all tags)

Permalink :: 29 Comments :: Post a Comment

and don't forget Barbara Lee (2.00 / 1)

it shows you can be on the left end of our party and still love Baracks message. Oprah for the non-partisons and Porter and Lee fot the anti war dems can't do better than that.

Obama! because 51% isn't enough!

by nevadadem on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:18:10 PM EST

and don't forget Barbara Lee (none / 0)

it shows you can be on the left end of our party and still love Baracks message. Oprah for the non-partisons and Porter and Lee fot the anti war dems can't do better than that.

Obama! because 51% isn't enough!

by nevadadem on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:18:11 PM EST

Re: and don't forget Barbara Lee (none / 0)

Yep, Barbara up in the Oakland area. The endorsements that will mean something on the ground are starting to come in.

by iamready on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:27:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second (none / 0)

I hope Shea porter will be doing something for Obama.

I hope this is not just a verbal endorsement like too many endorsements.....She should email her supporters and do a rally and canvass for Obama.

by Prodigy on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:26:58 PM EST

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second (none / 0)

she will.

Obama! because 51% isn't enough!

by nevadadem on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:31:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

Both congresspersons and Gov. Lynch were at the Oprahpalooza event yesterday so I am guessing the rally was pretty convincing.

by Javier Doval on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:42:14 PM EST

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

I thought it was awfully interesting that the NH governor said that he was staying neutral but was on the stage at the Oprah event....what does that tell the good folks of NH about who the governor is supporting?

by aiko on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:50:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

In fairness, Lynch shows up at lots of events. I saw him at a McCain townhall. But this was such a media spectacular that his presence will certainly be more visible to NH voters.

by Javier Doval on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:53:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Nothing (none / 0)

It shows nothing. Governors show up at lots of big rallies for lots of candidates. They also tend to actually endorse candidates for President in the primary because it helps them if they win. "Neutral" politicians are rarely named to Cabinet posts.

Senator Al Franken. Have I died and gone to heaven? Not yet. We're still in Purgatory.

by NM Ward Chair on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:51:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

It seems like we have reached the stage of the campaign where people who like Obama, but hesitated to endorse him for fear he wouldn't be viable, have started to come out of their shells in light of the recent media narrative. Should keep things interesting.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:51:00 PM EST

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

With bated breath.

by Shaun Appleby on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:13:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

waiting: its exciting and frightening.

by aiko on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:34:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

Link please.

If its a rumor , then shame on you for reporting this garbbage...Unless you have definite proof that it's from the Obama camp , you should keep this stuff to yourself.

Obama is o a surge right now so i doubt he'll want to attack Edwards...Why would you attack when you're surging...That'll be stupid.

by Prodigy on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:54:21 PM EST

Here's the Link (2.00 / 1)

Flyer - http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/Ob ama%20Oppo%20on%20JRE%20-%20On%20Labor%2 0in%20Iowa.pdf

Story - http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/ 2007/12/dropping-oppo.html

by BDB on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:56:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Here's the Link (none / 0)

"Paid for by Obama for America and Printed In-house." That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Senator Al Franken. Have I died and gone to heaven? Not yet. We're still in Purgatory.

by NM Ward Chair on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:56:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

Hillary is a known commodity, to people who like her and people who don't. For those who don't, Porter may swing some from Edwards or Biden to Obama, but the endorsement of a one term, quite possibly soon to be unemployed Congresswoman isn't going to dent Hillary one iota.

"What do Barack Obama and David Koresh have in common? Too god damn much."

by ThinkingDem on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:55:52 PM EST

Way to (none / 0)

stand for the Democratic Party

snark

Bring Back MyDD - Just say No to Rec'ing Candidate Diaries.

by CardBoard on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:59:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Unemployed? (none / 0)

The only way Shea-Porter loses is if the Republican Presidential candidate carries that district handily(at least five points). People who are voting Democratic for President are not going to turn around and vote for a right wing challenger for Congress at the time.

by Toddwell on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:00:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I strenously disagree. (2.00 / 2)

Shea-Porter:

a) has a large grassroots organization that will walk through fire for her,

b) much of that organization consists of women, women that Team Clinton has been chasing after,

c) was a Clarkie in 2004, so it's interesting she chose not to go where he's going, and

d) was supposed to stay neutral, so this announcment comes as a huge surprise at just the right time for Obama, and

e) she is going against her campaign chair, Bill Shaheen (Jeanne's husband), who is a very important politico in the state and is a huge part of NH Team Clinton.

I'm a Dodd supporter, but I have to admit - this is huge news in our little state, and it will help Obama.

As for Shea-Porter, I'll be looking forward to her second term in Congress.

Wonder if Sununu's fired now.

by Dean Barker on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:24:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I strenously disagree. (none / 0)

Dodd is a good man. He went to my high school.

Thanks for the info.

by Javier Doval on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:45:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I strenously disagree. (none / 0)

of course it will help.

by aiko on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:37:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (2.00 / 1)

Just a word about Oprahpalooza. The media attention started midweek, speculating on her impact. Her remarks in IA were carried live Saturday on CNN and Fox, and the entire event was on C-Span. It was then the subject of the nightly news on Sat, Sun, and tonight, and was on the morning shows Sun and today. There are beautiful pictures of the South Carolina event on the cover of several papers. There was mention all day on cable including tonight on CNN, Fox, and MSNBC. All of the coverage was positive. (anyone have a guesstimate what such coverage is worth in dollars?)

Fox reported from Obama's campaign office in NH and showed tons of young people making calls to the people who showed up at the events.

This has been an incredibly well planned, organized and managed event.

by Javier Doval on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:03:25 PM EST

All Three Networks (none / 0)

did segments on it again - There must be a pretty large bounce later this week

Bring Back MyDD - Just say No to Rec'ing Candidate Diaries.

by CardBoard on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:16:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

actually I (none / 0)

just watched the clips from all three - and they were just tremendous for Obama. Any idea that Hillary is the frontrunner is gone Russert Declares? Rapturess crowds was CBS's line, and 'Bill Clinton is disturbed by the failings of the campaign' - The Clinton camp must be fuming

Bring Back MyDD - Just say No to Rec'ing Candidate Diaries.

by CardBoard on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:19:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: actually I (none / 0)

I hope they now finally stop thinking of Mark Penn as god.

McCain is defining Obama, and Obama is neither defining himself, nor McCain. This is awful.

by jgarcia on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:34:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Cost to Obama = $0 (none / 0)

Value of all that free media = Priceless

Senator Al Franken. Have I died and gone to heaven? Not yet. We're still in Purgatory.

by NM Ward Chair on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:48:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama (2.00 / 1)

props to the o-team on a good weekend. it shows today

"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward." - Soren Kierkegaard

by SixthElement on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 08:07:36 PM EST

Re: Obama Nabs Endorsement of Second NH Congressme (none / 0)

I wanna party with obama and operah. she is the goddess of tv and called barak "the one" Maybe we can all get a gelatto maker from it. maybe he is the christ child to make us all get along. I don't wanna be left out of the hollywood party. barak is thin and pretty. I don't blame the congressman. he will be invited to operah's house and given a gelatto machine and meet hally berry and brittany spears.he made the right decision for the land of the tv thin and cool.

by maxstar on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 10:09:14 PM EST

Hold-outs (none / 0)

Carol will not pull all her grassroots supporters to Obama by any means. There are a number of us who are strong Edwards supporters, and personally I am disappointed. I worked very hard for Carol because of her policy positions, and was surprised and saddened by the endorsement. I don't understand the Obama thing at all, but then I am an old lady and more concerned with what my future holds in terms of progressive policies than anything else. I have tried to find out from local Obama supporters who are activists why they are supporting him, and it sounds more like a personality cult than a thought out position.

But that is American politics for you. I am just not interesting in being "brought together" with some of those people. I want them OUT, period.

www.carolforcongress.com

by bloomingpol on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 06:42:29 AM EST

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