Democrat endorsing Obama

[Ethelk2044]

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=174914

Friday was a day of announcements for Rep. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque.

In addition to announcing her candidacy for Iowa Senate, Jochum also verified that she is endorsing Barack Obama in the race for Democratic presidential nominee.

Jochum described the Illinois senator as "a man who is very humble, who has demonstrated courage."

"I gave it tremendous thought," she said. "It's that Sen. Obama and I are so similar in our belief systems."

Judging from the audiences Obama draws in his appearances, Jochum said she was struck by the large number of young people who come to his events.

"He is inspiring them in a way I haven't seen since the days of Bobby Kennedy," Jochum told the Telegraph Herald.

Jochum said the Democrats' field of candidates is as good as any she has seen, but she waited to see how the various campaigns developed and how they matured as candidates before making a selection.

Expressing frustration with both political parties for failing to solve national problems, Jochum characterized Obama as someone who "can still see the forest for the trees," and is "not so deeply ingrained in the system."