MyDD :: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina Governor Easley

Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina Governor Easley

by Jonathan Singer, Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:31:31 PM EST

Hillary Rodham Clinton has won the endorsement of North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley, a surprise boost to her candidacy in a state where Barack Obama is heavily favored to win the Democratic primary.

Easley was expected to announce the endorsement Tuesday morning in Raleigh, the state capital, one week before North Carolina's primary on May 6, according to people close to the governor and to Clinton. The individuals spoke on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement was pending.

[...]

Clinton has benefited from the support of other governors in key primary states, including Ohio's Ted Strickland and Pennsylvania's Ed Rendell. Political observers say Easley, while relatively popular, does not sit atop a massive political operation in North Carolina.

Easley is scheduled to leave office next year after serving two terms as governor. Both Democratic candidates vying for the nomination to replace him have endorsed Obama.

As noted in the AP article above, the Easley endorsement isn't everything; the two candidates running to replace him, Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore, have not only endorsed Barack Obama but even competed to prove to voters which one more strongly supports Obama. What's more, with just a week to go before election day, there isn't necessarily a whole lot that the political machine of an outgoing governor could do to tip the scales.

That said, Easley's endorsement is easily the biggest in the state at this point, and the biggest possible endorsement in the state, outside of that of John Edwards (and perhaps Elizabeth Edwards). While the endorsement will not necessarily put Clinton in the running to take the state -- recent polling puts her behind Obama by a solid double-digit margin (see both Pollster.com and Real Clear Politics) -- tomorrow should likely be a day of positive coverage for Clinton throughout North Carolina. And because we're getting so close to election day, who wins each news cycle does matter. So no doubt, this is a big pick up for Clinton.

Tags: North Carolina, North Carolina Primary, Democratic Primaries, Endorsements (all tags)

Permalink :: 46 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

Now we know the real reason Clinton never spoke out do defend Beverly Perdue or Richard Moore from the attack ads that all other dems and republicans agreed were wrong.

She had something in it for herself.

The smoking gun, again, of her unbelievable self-centered politics, and the fact that she and her loyalist are 100% for sale.

Oh well, she still cannot win.

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~Thomas A. Edison

by mattjfogarty on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:34:03 PM EST

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (2.00 / 1)

Oh, not again ... what politician is not for sale? Don't tell me Obama, like Barack Obama is not a politician, too...

by PracticalMagic on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:47:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

The point isn't whether they are all politicians, it's whether a POTUS of a party has a duty to help bolster the entire party, even the elements that are not her prime constituency.

It is utterly shameful that HRC let Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore swing in the breeze and refused to come to their defense just because they were BO supporters and she (it is now obvious) had some deal going with Easley.

She deserves to run forever if she wants, but she wants to be this parties leader, she has to act like one.

Just another good reason to feel good opposing her scorched earth politics.

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~Thomas A. Edison

by mattjfogarty on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:55:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (2.00 / 1)

Please can you provide more details on what you are trying to say.

by indus on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:08:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

Sure indus (I accidentally posted this at the top, but here is my reply to your question...sorry, my computer has been really glitchy today)

The North Carolina State Republican party decided to air attack ads against Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore (both of whom are running to replace Easley as the next Governor of NC), which showed of Obama and Wright side by side, with snippets of the Wright speech we all know so well. The add goes on to criticize the two candidates endoresement of Obama, saying Obama is just too extreme for NC.

The DNC, The RNC, Obama, McCain, and even many in the MSM all spoke out strongly against the fear mongering attack ad.

Now, McCain spoke out against it strongly at least 3 times, but it should be noted that some our leveling criticism against him that he is getting it both ways, he gets to say the add is wrong but reap the rewards of damaging democrats, and that if he can't control the state Republicans message, he does not deserve to lead his party.

Clinton was silent for days, and as far as I know has never defended these two hard working democrats who are guilty of nothing more than giving their own endorsements to Obama. I think that despite the fact that they do not endorse Clinton, if HRC wants to claim she is the best candidate for president from the DEMOCRATIC PARTY, she has a duty to lift up and support lower level democratic candidates, even the ones who are not her closest allies.

Here is my blog entry from when this happened, which has the add link etc:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/24/2244 0/7800

This to me shows a clear lack of leadership for the whole party, and is really terrible.

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~Thomas A. Edison

by mattjfogarty on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:32:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (2.00 / 2)

Clinton will probably denounce those ads right after Obama denounces his own "Harry & Louise" health care mailers that were full of lies and scare tactics. Get real. This is an election, not a pep rally.

by LakersFan on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:44:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

That is an irrelevant example. Let's try this again cause you clearly missed the point. HRC can say whatever she wants against BO, but if she wants to call herself a leader of the Democratic Party (which you people seem to forget is a part of being POTUS...it's not really just about HRC) then she needs to act like one.

Make all the excuses you want. SD's who care about the coat tail effect of candidates clearly will see this as the selfish shafting it was.

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~Thomas A. Edison

by mattjfogarty on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:55:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (2.00 / 2)

So, let me get this straight ... the Republican Party in NC is running the ad, the Republican party's nominee has called foul and asked them not to run the ad, the RNC has asked them not to run the ad and everybody you can think of has deplored the ads ... except Hillary Clinton. So, somehow she is at fault for not asking the Republicans to take down the ad after their own standard bearer cannot get them to stop? Or, the RNC? And, the Governor of NC, who cannot run again, and has no plans to continue in politics endorses Clinton (and he's a superdelegate currently), and that's why Clinton said nothing? How Machiavellian of you ! But, clearly a stretch.

Leadership of the Democratic party is first and foremost who can be the Democratic standard bearer in the fall and getting elected President over the Republican in the fall. Without that, nothing will change. Unfortunately, some of the seeds that were sown by Barack Obama earlier - Reverend Wright, Tony Rezko, and others have come home to roost. It's a shame ... but it is a reality a politician must fight his best fight to quell.

by PracticalMagic on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:26:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

My god, you people just will not take off your blinders. The Clintons do not help the party, only themselves. Period.

That is why under Bill Clinton we lost pretty much every seat in the country, including eventually the next presidency.

HRC is now showing the exact same inability to look past her own ambition for 10 seconds to say a supportive word for not one but two other democrats. God forbid if she get the Democratic nomination and somehow manages to beat McCain (very unlikely) she will end up governing a Republican Senate, House, mostly republica governors and state congress's, EXACTLY LIKE THE LAST TIME WE HAD A CLINTON IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

So all of you will do and say what ever it takes to avoid the issue that out of all the democrats and republicans last week, HRC is the most unethical enough to refuse to defend and support democratic candidates for governor from what every one else in politics recognizes as unwarranted attack ads.

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~Thomas A. Edison

by mattjfogarty on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:02:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I did well under the Clintons, economically.. (2.00 / 2)

However, the Bush years have been very hard on me..

Its the jihad of the Obama supporters like yourself against the positive legacy of the Clinton years that is particularly irksome. The GOP ascendancy during those years was based on a political naivete in much of America that I think is past. They wont get fooled again, they realize the GOP is a font of lies..

No, it will be very different this time around.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Ep isode.aspx?sched=1242
Confused by the 'Bailout' Lies?
Listen to NPR's The Giant Pool of Money

by architek on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:59:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (2.00 / 1)

Hmm.. You rail against Hillary for not sticking up for Democrats, then you throw Bill Clinton and what he did for Democrats under the bus.

Typical Obamabot: Obama can do no wrong, Clinton can do no right. It's a peculiar, naïve, black-0and-white world you people inhabit..

When Obama comes out and tells FOX News to stop putting Dick Morris and Billo and Sean Hannity on, and tells CNN to stop putting Glenn Beck on, and tells MSNBC to put a gag on Chris Matthews who savage Hillary Clinton and her supporters nightly, then maybe we can talk about Hillary's "responsibility" to stick up for Obama's supporters, k?

He's benefitted mightily from their attacks, yet still has the hipocrisy and balls to argue that the reason he needs to be elected is "Hillary's sky-high negatives".

The smugness and self-righteous stink of Obama and his 'bots seemingly knows no bounds.

by dembluestates on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:48:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (2.00 / 1)

How can it be Hillary's responsibility to repair the damage brought on by Obama? Why doesn't he just make another historic speech?

***A

by adrienne4dean on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:58:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

You're right. My example isn't relevant because I'm talking about something that Obama actually did and approved and is responsible for, and you're talking about something that the GOP did and you're trying to blame Clinton for. So which one of them is responsible for disseminating false information about their opponent?

by LakersFan on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:40:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

This endorsement shocked and surprised me. It may help delaying the winner from taking the nomination until August.

by Bobby Obama on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:39:39 PM EST

I doubt it (none / 0)

Kennedy endorsed in Mass and it did not help there.

-- be excellent to each other

by kindthoughts on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:18:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dems are in real peril (none / 0)

The Reverend Jeremiah Wright has doomed Obama in the general election. Wright is a buffoon and America-hater who is taking his assclownish performance on the road in hopes of promoting future book sales. Problem is that Hillary and Monica's ex-boyfriend have alienated the Black community, so she too is unelectable. Best bet for the Dems at this point is for the superdelegates to rally around drafting Virginia Senator Jim Webb, the one candidate who might have some appeal to grassroots America. Hillary and Obama are both out-of-touch elitists who not only would lose to McCain, but hurt the party in the Congressional elections.

by elgringoviejo on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:45:29 PM EST

Re: Dems are in real peril (2.00 / 2)

Naw, all it's done is raise his negatives too. Once the nomination is concluded, then the head to head with McCain will start. But it does look like Clinton still has a chance, since neither Dem can win outright with just pledged delegates. And the superdelegates consider more than the simple # of delegates, since they are effectively tied or in a draw position - unless one implodes and the other passes go ( I mean 2025, the magic number)....

by PracticalMagic on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:50:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dems are in real peril (none / 0)

Both Obama and Hillary have fatally wounded each other. Pure and simple.

by elgringoviejo on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:35:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Fatal wound is Obama's (2.00 / 1)

Naw, Obama's mortally wounded and is now a liability even as VP on Hillary's ticket.

Hillary's been examined every which way for 15 years. She has the Plan, the experience, the backbone and she takes a punch and gives you a haymaker right back.

In North Carolina:
Wrightgate part II, and the notariety of the ads motivates White/rural/Latino turnout and is worth 4-5% to Clinton.
Gov. Easley and his broad appeal to all voters, especially carrying AA's in NC strongly worth 2-3%
If AA's and young voters feel less motivated for Obama that would diminish Obama's expected by up to 5%
That brings the contest in NC to a tossup or small win for Hillary.

An endorsement from Edwards/Mrs. Edwards is worth 2-3% for a solid single digit win for Hillary.

After NC/IN the ridiculous and convoluted Superdelegate system proves itself both prescient and logical. It will do what it was designed to do. Save us from another Drubbing in November by allowing us to eject an unvetted, flawed candidate who bursts on the scene and wins swaths of the early contests.

Thank you superdelegates in advance for doing the right thing after May 6.

If you had everything, where would you put it?

by wasanyonehurt on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:18:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

doooooomeeeed (none / 0)

we are all doooommmeeeddd

-- be excellent to each other

by kindthoughts on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:19:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: doooooomeeeed (none / 0)

Looks like Jeremiah is the doomed one. Obama kicked that jive ass race husltin' looney tunes to the curb but good.

by elgringoviejo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:56:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dems are in real peril (none / 0)

Yeah cause African-Americans can really rally around Jim Webb after he replaces the "damaged" Obama.

The nominee will be Barack Obama, with Hillary on the bench in case someone takes Obama out. Talking about anyone else is a delusional distraction.

by wengler on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:29:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dems are in real peril (none / 0)

I am old enough to remember McGovern's debacle in '72 and it seems like deja vu all over again, with due credit to Mr. Fogarty.

by elgringoviejo on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 11:06:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dems are in real peril (none / 0)

Hmm.. Gringo, to what extent has Clinton "alienated the Black Community"?

Last I looked, one of Hillary's chairs was Sheila Jackson-Lee, and so was Charlie Rangel, so was the excellent mayor of Philadelphia, and her Chief of Staff, in effect her Field General for this campaign, is DOnna Williams.

These folkks are all respected members of the Black Community.

I think if Obama loses, but gets a Senior Cabinet position many African Americans will consider it progress and a chance to organize and wait for 2012.

Where they gonna go? George W. McCain and the GOP?

by dembluestates on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:54:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

North Carolina G (none / 0)

she's a great candidate, and it's far from over.I think Donna has switched to Hillary with her call for the most electable to the supers. She did that right after Hilly trounced McCain in polls while Barack is even. she's a stronger candidate and she's got the momentum. Donna will want Barack to drop out when she tells him he hasn't won the supers. the late breakers seem to go more for her, and supers are a bunch of late breakers. And then he'll be great and campaign for her. the man who knows him best says he's a politician, says what he needs to say, so Wright took away Barack's reason for running, and also demonstrated where he got his speaking style. I feel sorry for Barak to have such a turncoat pastor, but Hillary was the best candidate before he decided to run and she's kept on getting better and better. Did anyone else see her energy plan? And her cheerful call to debate on a flatbed truck. She's showing that she's on top of things and nothing gets her down. That's why she keeps getting these kinds of important endorsements. Thanks for the report.

Hillary - alternative energy

by anna shane on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:59:35 PM EST

Donna Brazile (none / 0)

Dont' think she's actually switched. They probably did a little self-reflection at the DNC and realized that the were not acting responsibly nor appearning neutral. Howard Dean has been unusually fair-minded in recent days too.

99% perspiration

by DaveOinSF on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:16:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Do you all honestly think the Dems would nominate (none / 0)

someone who has a right wing a position as Obama has on healthcare, NOW?

It would be like throwing away a historic opportunity to change the terrible way people are treated by the healthcare system.

Obama is giving up on the sickest 20% of us.. basically, just giving up.

"too expensive"

http://online.wsj.com/public/article_pri nt/SB119681696156513818.html

(Note, Clinton HAS responded to the claims goolsbee made in this article with numbers showing she COULD cover everybody and limit people's costs to 5-10% of income. Obama's campaign, let Goolsbee's statements stand. For people like me who have even mild chronic conditions, thats VERY scary. NO WAY could I vote for Obama under these conditions. Its like signing my future away.)

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Ep isode.aspx?sched=1242
Confused by the 'Bailout' Lies?
Listen to NPR's The Giant Pool of Money

by architek on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:13:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

When she said the tide has turned (none / 0)

she was not lying.

This is the general and the fight for the Presidency.

Mcwar is just embarrassing himself.

by gotalife on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:10:28 PM EST

Odrama looks old and tired.. (none / 0)

Maybe he should hang it up?

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Ep isode.aspx?sched=1242
Confused by the 'Bailout' Lies?
Listen to NPR's The Giant Pool of Money

by architek on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:14:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

Someone else who wants to win in November comes to their senses. Good.

by cc on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:13:08 PM EST

Re: (none / 0)

I dont think it will be enough to put her over the top.

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:14:29 PM EST

Obama will campaign for her? (none / 0)

Do you think he'll say she's "likeable enough"?

by susie on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:14:45 PM EST

Re: Obama will campaign for her? (none / 0)

It's no longer true. I don't think it ever was.

John McCain, maverick

by lojasmo on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:32:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Can you imagine (none / 0)

what Obama supporters are gonna call Easley? I can...

"there is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right in America"-William Jefferson Clinton, forty-second President of the United States

by DiamondJay on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:20:54 PM EST

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

Sure indus

The DNC, The RNC, Obama, McCain, and even many in the MSM all spoke out strongly against the fear mongering attack ad.

Here is my blog entry from when this happened, which has the add link etc:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/24/2244 0/7800

This to me shows a clear lack of leadership for the whole party, and is really terrible.

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~Thomas A. Edison

by mattjfogarty on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:30:24 PM EST

woops, this was meant as reply to later comment (none / 0)

Sorry folks, meant this as a reply to a later comment. Did not mean to double post.

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~Thomas A. Edison

by mattjfogarty on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:34:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

OT: Today's ETMDD Installment (none / 0)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/28/ 12049/2577/655/504812

by David Sirota: "Clinton Criticizing Closure of Indiana Factory That Clinton Helped Close".

This is the campaign you're so passionate about supporting?

McCain housing policy shaped by lobbyist.

by obsessed on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:42:26 PM EST

Re: OT: Today's ETMDD Installment (none / 0)

I read the post, and the comments, and I think Sirota is wayy out on a limb with this analysis.

The cartel that bought that company was only partially Chinese, and more importantly there was no statute that would have prevented that from happening.

It's a S-T-R-E-T-C-H, like a lot of Sirota's stuff.

by dembluestates on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 10:00:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Sure indus (none / 0)

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~Thomas A. Edison

by mattjfogarty on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 09:43:17 PM EST

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement NC Governor Easley (none / 0)

Clinton is ending strong, Obama is fading weakly ... ergo some of the superdelegates have started drifing toward Clinton, and many are frozen in place still waiting to see what many fear is the implosion of Obama. Clinton beating McCain 50-41 while Obama beats McCain 46-44, within the MOE. May be an outlier poll, but time will tell. Indiana is probably slipping away from Obama, and this ad is not set to run there.

by PracticalMagic on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:34:50 PM EST

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North Carolina G (none / 0)

Since April 10th:

Clinton: 10 new Super delegate endorsements (including tomorrow's Mike Easley announcement)

Obama: 14 new Super delegate endorsements

by tysonpublic on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:40:27 PM EST

re (none / 0)

if Clinton can keep getting supers and does well in the remaining contests this will go to the convention. Obama cannot win and neither can she without a wave of superdelegates in ONE direction. So far the supers seem as divided as the rest of the party

by rossinatl on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 11:41:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North (none / 0)

The governor is in lame duck mode. Purdue who will be the next governor has come out and endorsed Obama.

by Spanky on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:56:07 AM EST

Re: Clinton Scores Endorsement of North (none / 0)

Also, anyone who has been keeping up with NC politics of late knows that Easley's rep has been severely tarnished by scandals in mental health services and DOT being linked to his management style/decisions and a controversy over how secretive his office has been in obfuscating accountability and trashing e-mail and other communications. A lot of NC Dems are ready for him to move on.

McCain sides with Bush against war veterans

by jeffbinnc on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 10:51:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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