Hillary Clinton

Today the National Abortion & Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL)'s Pro Choice America PAC endorsed Barack Obama for president, citing his pro-choice record and the tenor of his candidacy.

However, the local affiliate here in Washington decided to stay neutral. Like the national chapter they also cited the strong support of both Democratic candidates, but instead used that logic to withhold an endorsement, perhaps because of Hillary Clinton's connection to Sen. Patty Murray.

Washington's superdelegate count stands at five for Obama, five for Clinton and seven undecided. State Republican deciders may know something the Democrats don't know, since they've been campaigning against Obama, without a single mention on Clinton in recent letters. The Republican decidee is coming to town, and you can meet him for dinner for only $33,100.

The Seattle Times' David Postman is reporting that Rep. Rick Larsen, one of Washington's final remaining uncommitted elected superdelegates, will endorse Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

UPDATED: Larsen's office has just sent out a press release with his statements.

Larsen Pledges Super Delegate Vote to Obama

Everett, WA - Today U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), who will servenas a super delegate to the Democratic National Convention, endorsed BaracknObama for President of the United States of America. Larsen released thenfollowing statement:

"Today I am endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President. I believe Senator Obama is the best candidate to turn our country's hopes for a better future into reality.

"This week, Senator Obama has proven that he is tough and resilient. He has shown that he can take a pounding, come back and continue to communicate with the public to deliver his message of hope and change.

"In my district, Senator Obama has strong grassroots support. He has inspired and energized my constituents like no other candidate.

"I believe that Senator Obama will be the best President for our country. I have been particularly impressed by Senator Obama's truth-telling on a proposed gas tax policy - a proposal which would make little or no difference for Americans paying too much at the pump.

"Our country faces great challenges. As President, I believe that Barack Obama can unite our country to overcome obstacles and deliver real change."

 

 

One of Washington's undecided slate of Democratic National Committee superdelegates, David McDonald, spoke to the press about his status today, but only to announce that he would not be throwing his superdelegate weight around until after the May 31 meeting of the DNC rules committee. That meeting will decide how to seat the delegations from Florida and Michigan who were penalized for moving their primaries earlier than DNC rules allowed.

McDonald is on the DNC's rules and bylaws committee that initially voted to strip Florida's and Michigan's delegates as a punishment. It was a move that McDonald supported. He told The Olympian today that he hoped to reserve the appearance of impartiality prior to that meeting.

U.S. Sen. John McCain: Photo by Getty ImagesPresidential candidate John McCain (R-Ariz.), the presumptive Republican nominee, is expected to come to Seattle in two weeks for a global warming event in what will be his first visit to the state since the Feb. 9 caucuses when he visited the Seattle Westin on a routine campaign stop.

The Democrats are already baring their teeth in advance of his visit, having sent out a press release this week highlighting what they say is his prominent role in Boeing's recent loss of a multi-billion dollar Air Force contract. State Chair Dwight Pelz even warned McCain not to come around here after that sour deal.

It turns out that the Democrats may have their hands full with candidate McCain this summer. The McCain campaign has recently said that they plan to seriously pursue Western states this election, notably the three West Coast states of California, Oregon and Washington.

Coming just days after the Indiana Democratic Senator and prominent Hillary Clinton supporter Evan Bayh advised his Hoosier State colleagues not to endorse any candidates despite his own actions, Washington state Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz is tacking a similar maneuver.

Yesterday the Times' David Postman mentioned a quote from Pelz in the NY Daily News where Pelz said, "It's time for us to end this. The candidates are tearing each other apart, and it's not good for the party. I think we need to have a candidate."

Click more to view the Monty Python video clip this cartoon is based on.

More importantly, does it matter? Looking at our leaders, the experience trope has been inconsistent at best.

On the national level, touting her experience hasn’t worked at all for Hillary Clinton, and experience was not required of George W. Bush.  read more »