Lieberman to Lose State Dem's Endorsement to Kerry

[DJcairo]

Arizona holds its Dem primary the same day as South Carolina and 5 other states. It's part of a mini-super Tuesday on Feb. 3.
September 13, 2003
Arizona Republic
By Jon Kamman


As Democratic presidential contenders continue jockeying for endorsements from Arizona leaders, especially among Hispanics, state Rep. Ben Miranda is switching horses from Joe Lieberman to John Kerry.

Miranda said he would announce the change at a Kerry rally this morning. A first-term representative from south Phoenix, Miranda said his endorsement six months ago of Sen. Lieberman, D-Conn., was "somewhat premature," and he now sees Kerry, who represents Massachusetts in the Senate, as "the guy who can beat George Bush."

Part of the attraction, he said, is Kerry's background as a Vietnam veteran. Miranda volunteered for Army duty in Vietnam and, like Kerry, served with valor but became a critic of U.S. policy and the war effort. Miranda was awarded a Bronze Star years after leaving the service.

Miranda said he also found Kerry's economic, immigration and foreign policy views more compatible with his own.

Today's rally runs from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Local 383 of the Laborers Union, 512 W. Adams St. Geared to Hispanic leaders and Democratic activists, it will feature Los Angeles City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, former speaker of the California Assembly.

Also endorsing Kerry today in the Feb. 3 Arizona primary will be state Rep. Ted Downing of Tucson and Avondale Vice Mayor Marie Lopez-Rogers. Previously, state Reps. Olivia Cajero Bedford of Tucson and Ken Clark of Phoenix signed on with Kerry.

Lieberman still has the backing of at least six Hispanic state legislators, plus Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and former Gov. Raul Castro.

http://johnkerry.com/news/clips/news_2003_0913.html

[Brucey]

1. It now appears clear

there's no way Joe will be on the ticket, "amen," but we will likely have Gep, Dean, Clark, or Kerry. Let's get behind whoever it is... though none of them are perfect.

[gully]

2. Done... n/m

[caledesi]

4. Amen!

[Melsky]

3. This is good news

Glad to see more and more people are discovering there are better options than Lieberman.

I would be happy to vote for Kerry, he is one of several I like.

[blm]

5. Looks like the writing is on the wall.

Lest we forget, Lieberman has done some very good things representing the Dem party. ALL pols have made some bad choices and we can't just kick them to the curb. ALL of them, from JFK to Jesses Jackson, from Wellstone to Zell Miller, from Kucinich to Kerry. They are still good Dems.