Bob Graham endorsement

[Orangepeel]

I am proud to support the next President of the United States – Senator Barack Obama.

Senator Obama has the judgment, temperament, and leadership ability that our nation needs in its next President and Commander-in-Chief. As the former Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I look forward to working with him to strengthen our national security and restore America’s good standing around the world.

With Senator Obama as our nominee, I am confident that Florida will be able to participate at the Democratic National Convention in a full and comprehensive manner. Over the next five months, I will work tirelessly with other Floridians to ensure that our state is in the Obama column. I am excited to campaign with Senator Obama in Florida and across the nation.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGByNl

[Catch22Dem]

1. Always liked Graham

His campaign never gained much traction in 04, but he had some great ideas if you ever read any of his policy papers.

[quaker bill]

2. Yes, like voting against the war. n/t

[LSparkle]

6. Amen!

Smart guy!

[sniffa]

3. Is it 11 now?

:shrug:

[IndyOp]

5. 10 -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6249551

[Orangepeel]

7. The Obama website says 10. I'm not sure Bob's a superdelegate.

In 2004, the Florida Party had a few "honorary" superdelegate slots and I'm sure he'll be one of those if he isn't already. I don't know if Florida still has that privilege since they fucked up so badly this time.

[janet118]

11. I think Sen. Graham lives in Massachusetts now

Does that make a difference in honorary superdelegate status?

[Orangepeel]

12. I don't think that he moved

He taught at Harvard for a while after leaving office, but his permanent home is in Florida (Miami Lakes?)

:shrug:

[janet118]

18. Got it . . . I knew he was living near Boston last year.

I guess that was when he was teaching.

Thanks.

[Scurrilous]

4. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Swamp Rat]

8. He'd make a GREAT VP!

[creeksneakers2]

16. I was thinking the same thing

Former senator and governor, lots of intelligence experienc to round out the ticket, smart enough to vote against war, and a great draw in Florida, which would be a great state to win. Graham would be a fantastic VP candidate.

[Kahuna]

9. Bob-u-la!!!!!

:bounce:

:patriot:

[1776Forever]

10. Great man! Should mean a lot here in Florida and around the country!

:applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[mmonk]

13. He would make a good VP choice.

[AtomicKitten]

14. Excellent.

[Patsy Stone]

15. I still dream of him as VP

although it's beyond a long shot. :loveya:, Bob.

[seafan]

17. Now HERE's a great VP pick for Obama. Florida's all time most beloved politician: Bob Graham

Former Florida Senator and Governor Bob Graham Endorses Sen. Obama, June 3, 2008, 4:59 pm EDT






ORLANDO, September 1, 2006: Jim Davis (left) walks with former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham





From the St. Petersburg Times:

By Philip Gailey, Editor of Editorials
Sunday, June 1, 2008

With the presidential primary marathon at a merciful end, news and political junkies can now turn their attention to speculation on who will be the vice presidential choices of John McCain and Barack Obama.

.....

Graham also could help Obama with his elitist image by introducing him to swamp cabbage (it doesn't have a "bitter'' taste) and Florida Crackers (not the eating kind but those natives who love guns and God and dogs, though not necessarily in that order).

Unlike Sen. Bill Nelson, who threw himself into the role of Hillary Clinton's braying jackass in demanding that party leaders ignore the rules and give her the same Florida delegates she once rejected, Graham so far has not endorsed a presidential favorite, although some state Democrats have sensed that he has been smiling on Obama. He also has kept a low profile in the political brawl over whether and how to count Florida's delegates.

Graham would add age and experience to the ticket. Obama is 46 and is still in his first term as a senator. Graham is 71 (about McCain's age) and served two terms as governor and three terms in the U.S. Senate. In his long career in public service, Graham's integrity was never questioned, his reputation never tarnished by scandal or ethical lapses. His moderate politics and pragmatism are exactly what a liberal Democrat should be looking for in a running mate.

Obama, as a state senator in Illinois, spoke out against going to war in Iraq. Graham, as a U.S. senator, voted against the war. Unlike Clinton and many of his other Senate colleagues, Graham took the trouble to read the National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq. He was unconvinced and warned his colleagues against a rush to war they would come to regret. That should make him acceptable to antiwar bloggers and activists.

I have no idea whether Graham would be interested in the vice presidency or any other job in an Obama administration. Since he retired from the Senate, Graham has been teaching and writing and enjoying life. If not the vice presidency, maybe he would consider being CIA director. He served as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and knows the workings and failings of the intelligence community better than most lawmakers.

It would be a shame for Obama to waste the experience and national security credentials of a man like Bob Graham, whose own 2004 presidential bid had to be aborted when he underwent heart surgery.

The only other Southerner I could see as Obama's vice president, or as secretary of defense, is former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia. In the Senate, both Republicans and Democrats looked to Nunn, who will be 70 in September, for leadership on national security issues. Like Graham, he is a workhorse, not a show horse. It doesn't matter if they are known as lackluster campaigners; Obama has more than enough charisma for the ticket.

If elected president, maybe Obama will find a place for both Graham and Nunn in his administration. Their non-ideological approach to government, their integrity and sharp minds, and their combined experience would serve him and the nation well.

I have never forgotten this little tidbit from an interview with Graham this last January:


Bob Graham, at U of South FL, was asked about being a running mate in '08. (Interesting reply), January 12, 2008

A few other things we asked Graham about: he says he hasn't been approached by any candidate yet about being a running mate, but he says he's not losing any sleep over it. He says he's not ready to endorse any candidate yet...maybe soon, but not yet.

Senator Bob Graham: A native Floridian with unchallenged experience, dedication, a wealth of knowledge and a heart of gold.


:bounce: