Sen. Herb Kohl to endorse Obama

[LTR]

"It's time," said U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, the senior Democratic workhorse from Wisconsin who had resisted making an endorsement in the race for the party's presidential nomination out of a desire to maintain productive relations with colleagues Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Kohl, after more than a few consultations with Obama, will announce his position this week -- perhaps even Tuesday.

The only real question is whether Kohl will get to the endorsement microphone before Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, who has already indicated that he voted for Obama in Wisconsin's Feb. 19 primary but has not yet made a formal statement about how he will vote as a convention superdelegate.

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/289499#start2

[samdogmom]

1. Go Herb!

Where's Russ? Has he endorsed anyone yet? I don't think so!

Herb is very middle of the road--to conservative. I can understand his waiting...but Russ? I don't get it!

Come on Russ...it's over and time to endorse!

Here's all I can find about his thoughts: http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/feingold_i_voted_for_obama.php

[PeaceNikki]

2. Russ has not endorsed either.

He's stated that he's not overly excited about any of the candidates. He did indicate that he voted for Obama in the WI primary so it appears he's leaning that way.

[samdogmom]

3. Yeah! That was the gist of my link!

I just wish some of these prominent super delegates would declare a preference in public. I attached the link noting that Russ "voted" for Barack....but come on....we need resolution here. You guys can help solve this dilemma!

[PeaceNikki]

4. I dunno... I'm a bit apathetic about the candidates myself as well.

So I understand his feelings. I, like him, have misgivings about either but will gladly vote for either in the GE.

[undeterred]

5. At one point I think he said they were both good candidates

If he endorsed Hillary Clinton I would be shocked, since she's the one who told him he wasn't living in the real world (since he doesn't take soft/lobbyist money) and he is as far as you can get from the DLC.

I think he'll be a strong supporter of Obama.

[PeaceNikki]

6. I think he'll support/endorse Obama.

But I don't think it'll be enthusiatically. I believe the only comment he's made on the record is:

"I'm having a hard time deciding between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as are many people. Those are the two I take the most seriously."

And of course his crticism of Edwards.

[undeterred]

7. Honestly, I think Feingold himself is better than both candidates.

He has been in the Senate for 16 years, and has lots of experience with foreign policy. He's brilliant, he has good instincts, and seems to never be sucked in by lies. He's got a spine, he works well with people whose views are differnt than his, and he really cares about representing the people who elected him. I like Obama, but he doesn't have the stature of Senator Feingold. But I guess its not meant to be. Still, I'm glad we have the BEST US Senator in the country.

[PeaceNikki]

8. Feingold is my perfect match in a politician.

Always. I believe he'll run someday. When he was 7 he declared that he'd be the 1st Jewish president. And I think he still knows he will. 2008 was not the time and he made a wise decision. There's a LOT of shit to clean up from the last 8 years and my MAJOR fear is that whoever is handed the pile of shit will in no way be able to clean it up in any amount of time. I also think that the economy and a lot of other things are going to hell in a handbasket. It's picking up speed and will be in full swing in about a year. Just in time to make whoever holds the office look like a complete fuck up. And there will be NO way it'll be able to be cleaned up. I fear the current administration set the next one up for failure.

[PeaceNikki]

9. And.. here it is.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-senators-obama,0,6779063.story

Feingold, Kohl endorse Obama for president
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER | Associated Press Writer
3:24 PM CDT, June 4, 2008

WASHINGTON - Wisconsin Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl endorsed Barack Obama for president Wednesday -- a day after the Illinois senator clinched the Democratic presidential nomination over rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Feingold campaign field director Paula Zellner also endorsed Obama, wrapping up the three remaining uncommitted Wisconsin superdelegates.

"I've spoken with Senator Obama and made it clear that he could count me as an endorsing supporter of his at the Democratic Convention this August," Feingold said in a statement. "Senator Obama is an effective leader, capable of leading our country into a new era, and I look forward to doing everything I can to ensure his success this November."

Feingold had said he was "inclined" to support Obama after he won Wisconsin's Democratic primary in February. But Feingold held off making the endorsement until now.