UPDATED: 9:50 p.m. February 27, 2008
Lewis says he's supporting Obama


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/27/08

WASHINGTON — After months of personal soul-searching and political pressure, Rep. John Lewis on Wednesday formally announced that he's switching his influential support from Sen. Hillary Clinton to Sen. Barack Obama, whom Lewis now sees as the heir apparent to the racial progress Lewis himself has spent his life fighting for.

Lewis cited the overwhelming preference for Obama in his Atlanta district as a reason for his change of heart. But he also talked about Obama's campaign as a transformational moment, an opportunity born of Lewis' own sacrifices in the 1960s civil rights movement.

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"Something's happening in America, something some of us did not see coming," Lewis said. "Barack Obama has tapped into something that is extraordinary.

"It's a movement. It's a spiritual event," Lewis said of the surging Obama campaign. "It's amazing what's happening."

Lewis had not talked with Obama or Clinton prior to announcing his switch, so it's unclear what role he'll play as the election continues.

"I have not been asked to campaign for Sen. Obama," Lewis said in a statement released later Wednesday. "I support his candidacy for president and will cast my vote for Sen. Obama as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention."

Obama issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, saying, "John Lewis is an American hero and a giant of the civil rights movement, and I am deeply honored to have his support."

Clinton, questioned about Lewis during a satellite interview with Houston television station KTRK, said: "I understand he's been under tremendous pressure. He's been my friend. He will always be my friend. At the end of the day, it's not about who is supporting us, it's about what we're representing, what our positions are, what our experiences and qualifications are, and I think that voters are going to decide."

Lewis' announcement last October that he was backing Clinton, a longtime friend, over Obama, the nation's first truly viable African-American candidate for the presidency, angered many of Georgia's black constituents and numerous civil rights elders who had fought for black voting rights alongside Lewis.

It also created political opposition for Lewis, who has run for Congress unopposed for the past decade. The Rev. Markel Hutchins of Atlanta recently announced his plans to oppose Lewis in this year's Democratic primary because, Hutchins said, Lewis has lost touch with his constituency.

"It was a long, hard, difficult struggle to come to where I am," Lewis said.

At the time he endorsed Clinton, Lewis said, Obama was an unknown and Clinton not only had across-the-board appeal but also was clearly ready to lead the nation.

"I did it because I felt in my heart that I had to support Mrs. Clinton because of our friendship," Lewis said.

"I don't regret it," Lewis added. "The political thing to do would have been to have done nothing, to not endorse anyone.

"Sometimes, you have to be on the right side of history," he said.

Lewis' comments were intended to clear up confusion caused about a week ago when The New York Times reported that he was going to vote for Obama over Clinton as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention this summer if neither had enough delegates to declare victory outright. Lewis' office called the report inaccurate but never clarified whom he was supporting.

In an interview Wednesday, Lewis said his decision was an anguishing one.

During his last visit to Selma, Ala., where in 1965 police beat him nearly to death during a protest, Lewis stood between Clinton and Obama and praised the potentially historic election of both.

Former President Bill Clinton attended Lewis' 60th birthday party, but Obama was at his 65th.

With Lewis' switch to Obama -- along with Rep. David Scott, another Atlanta Democrat, who also left Clinton for Obama -- all of Georgia's African-American congressmen are now backing Obama.

Georgia's other congressional Democrats -- Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon and Rep. John Barrow of Savannah -- still have not endorsed either of their party's presidential aspirants.

Wednesday was the 48th anniversary of the day Lewis was arrested for the first time -- at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Nashville that did not serve blacks. And he's now talking about Obama as the heir of the civil rights fight.

"Mr. Obama is the embodiment of the hopes, dreams and aspirations of a lot of people," Lewis said. "He represents something different, something new. But he also represents a long line of individuals who come around from time to time who carry the aspirations of the people."

-- The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Comments

By fifilaroach

May 26, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

I think very highly of Senator Lewis, and I regard his opinion as a valuable one. Go Obama! Lead us back to a strong America.
Link: Our website

By PK

Mar 16, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

I am disappointed and sad that John Lewis decided that keeping his seat in November election is more important than the principle! I did not expected this from the civil right leader who fought for civil rights side by side with Martin Luther King.

Obama with the help of his mini-me's is taking politics of this country to third world poltics.

By jmcqxh csvixk

Mar 16, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

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By PK

Mar 16, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

1. If Obama is all for rules, than why makes this big noise about superdelegate voting per wish of people? Superdelegates are to evaluate the big picture for benefit of the country and real electability of their candidate and to be blackmailed by likes of Obamites!

2. If Obama is good in judgement as he claims for Iraq war, tha why he failed in his judgement with respect more important stuff like -
a. Tony Rezko ? - Tony paid full price for lot and have Obama pay $300K less for house! Wow what a deal!
b. Pastor Wright? - Unless he wanted African-American votes to get elected in Illinois house or for Senate why would he make him his mentor. Did not he ever attended the church service and hear Pastor Wright's sermon - most of them were given during christmas, 9-11, etc. when most poltician will definitely attend the service. Looks like true opportunist!
c, Voting against to treat Juvenile committing crime with gun as a adult in Illinois legislation? - this even after promising sponsor that he will vote for it! He don't wanted loose election or was wrong in his judgement!
d. Claiming that his bill to report undergound radioactive water release by Nuclear Power industry when it never passed and he had water down it as it will affect his key supporter Excelon - David Axelrod his chief strategist is one of the executive of that company and Excelon executives incluiding CEO are major contributor to him?

3. Why always on podium and surrounding him are all white or majority white with very very few african american (not more than 4 ever) when he claims he is a change agent? Is he wants to convey that he is mainly supported by white only? How is this different than what Ms. Ferraro said?

4. Are people blind to see that he is african african-american? Why he and his surrogate always goes on attack when any one mentions about his race even in logic and not in any racist way? Also let me add he is not american african-american like majority of US African americans are.

5. His surrogate and news media are happy to feed line that he was not previlaged and he went through struggle like all other african-american. In reality he was raised by his white mother and than grand parents in hawaii where no one cares for race. After graduation from high school he went to Columbia and Harvard and there is no prejudice there either. Both Hillary and he came from middle income class and in reality his step fater was from well to do family in Indonesia as he was able to come Hawaii for his study. Middle Income Class family in Indonesia will not even think of sending their children to USA as they will not afford it.

Bill C. was from more poor family than Barak.

6. Why is he make a racism issue about his muslim middle name, if he is all about change? He should not be afraid of his muslim name, if he is all about change and bridging the divide between all races and religion in the US and is not bigot?

By PK

Mar 16, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

1. If Obama is all for rules, than why makes this big noise about superdelegate voting per wish of people? Superdelegates are to evaluate the big picture for benefit of the country and real electability of their candidate and to be blackmailed by likes of Obamites!

2. If Obama is good in judgement as he claims for Iraq war, tha why he failed in his judgement with respect more important stuff like -
a. Tony Rezko ? - Tony paid full price for lot and have Obama pay $300K less for house! Wow what a deal!
b. Pastor Wright? - Unless he wanted African-American votes to get elected in Illinois house or for Senate why would he make him his mentor. Did not he ever attended the church service and hear Pastor Wright's sermon - most of them were given during christmas, 9-11, etc. when most poltician will definitely attend the service. Looks like true opportunist!
c, Voting against to treat Juvenile committing crime with gun as a adult in Illinois legislation? - this even after promising sponsor that he will vote for it! He don't wanted loose election or was wrong in his judgement!
d. Claiming that his bill to report undergound radioactive water release by Nuclear Power industry when it never passed and he had water down it as it will affect his key supporter Excelon - David Axelrod his chief strategist is one of the executive of that company and Excelon executives incluiding CEO are major contributor to him?

3. Why always on podium and surrounding him are all white or majority white with very very few african american (not more than 4 ever) when he claims he is a change agent? Is he wants to convey that he is mainly supported by white only? How is this different than what Ms. Ferraro said?

4. Are people blind to see that he is african african-american? Why he and his surrogate always goes on attack when any one mentions about his race even in logic and not in any racist way? Also let me add he is not american african-american like majority of US African americans are.

5. His surrogate and news media are happy to feed line that he was not previlaged and he went through struggle like all other african-american. In reality he was raised by his white mother and than grand parents in hawaii where no one cares for race. After graduation from high school he went to Columbia and Harvard and there is no prejudice there either. Both Hillary and he came from middle income class and in reality his step fater was from well to do family in Indonesia as he was able to come Hawaii for his study. Middle Income Class family in Indonesia will not even think of sending their children to USA as they will not afford it.

Bill C. was from more poor family than Barak.

6. Why is he make a racism issue about his muslim middle name, if he is all about change? He should not be afraid of his muslim name, if he is all about change and bridging the divide between all races and religion in the US and is not bigot?

By jmcqxh csvixk

Mar 16, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

wyumtbda ntgovbq ldnipqrx pdrvf oihlzq ozpskql bgemkiv

By PK

Mar 16, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

1. If Obama is all for rules, than why makes this big noise about superdelegate voting per wish of people? Superdelegates are to evaluate the big picture for benefit of the country and real electability of their candidate and to be blackmailed by likes of Obamites!

2. If Obama is good in judgement as he claims for Iraq war, tha why he failed in his judgement with respect more important stuff like -
a. Tony Rezko ? - Tony paid full price for lot and have Obama pay $300K less for house! Wow what a deal!
b. Pastor Wright? - Unless he wanted African-American votes to get elected in Illinois house or for Senate why would he make him his mentor. Did not he ever attended the church service and hear Pastor Wright's sermon - most of them were given during christmas, 9-11, etc. when most poltician will definitely attend the service. Looks like true opportunist!
c, Voting against to treat Juvenile committing crime with gun as a adult in Illinois legislation? - this even after promising sponsor that he will vote for it! He don't wanted loose election or was wrong in his judgement!
d. Claiming that his bill to report undergound radioactive water release by Nuclear Power industry when it never passed and he had water down it as it will affect his key supporter Excelon - David Axelrod his chief strategist is one of the executive of that company and Excelon executives incluiding CEO are major contributor to him?

3. Why always on podium and surrounding him are all white or majority white with very very few african american (not more than 4 ever) when he claims he is a change agent? Is he wants to convey that he is mainly supported by white only? How is this different than what Ms. Ferraro said?

4. Are people blind to see that he is african african-american? Why he and his surrogate always goes on attack when any one mentions about his race even in logic and not in any racist way? Also let me add he is not american african-american like majority of US African americans are.

5. His surrogate and news media are happy to feed line that he was not previlaged and he went through struggle like all other african-american. In reality he was raised by his white mother and than grand parents in hawaii where no one cares for race. After graduation from high school he went to Columbia and Harvard and there is no prejudice there either. Both Hillary and he came from middle income class and in reality his step fater was from well to do family in Indonesia as he was able to come Hawaii for his study. Middle Income Class family in Indonesia will not even think of sending their children to USA as they will not afford it.

Bill C. was from more poor family than Barak.

6. Why is he make a racism issue about his muslim middle name, if he is all about change? He should not be afraid of his muslim name, if he is all about change and bridging the divide between all races and religion in the US and is not bigot?

By jmcqxh csvixk

Mar 16, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

wyumtbda ntgovbq ldnipqrx pdrvf oihlzq ozpskql bgemkiv

By Veronica Lewis Wells

Mar 14, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

I requested yesterday to receive help from your committee to find a reasonable and responsible Cherokee Tutor who would be able to instruct my family in Statesboro, Ga to include a Pow Wow with our Family Reunion we are planning for early July, 2008. As stated,I am a student at Nyack College who is presently involved with a Project Topic Proposal to see that the Non-white Indigenous Tribal Indian group members who do not have any foreign connection with any foreign country become an "Independent Country", in this country now called the USA that was robbed from the Non-white Indigenous Tribal Indians in 1492. As a result of researching the "world countries", there are about 1% of the world countries that have not become "Independent". President Bush is aware that I am fully committed to this project. It is also time for the Non-white Indigenous Tribal Indians to look toward placing a group member representative who has attained the highest office in gov't and who has the most experience along with the , educational qualifications and abilities to meet such a challenge to be appointed a "Mentored President". We need not waste any more time: NOW IS THE TIME.
The Non-White Indigenous tribal indian group members need to speak out loud and clear to see that Pres. Bush appoint "Condolezza Rice" as a "Mentored President" the same way the USA appointed the mentored president in Manilla and Afghanistan. We do not want to continue living in a "inhumane society" under those who robbed us. We will also not allow Condolezza Rice to run in any votiing process against those who robbed our country! Why should she challenge an immigrant to get our and/her own country back? All the immigrant groups owe our group members this "Independence" and the appointment of a "Mentored President", especially since the USA has been robbed from us. We should never give our soley owned country away ever again, which is the USA, to anyone this is our inheritance. The V.P should also be selected in the same manner from the Cherokee Congress to make certain we will never be robbed again. All future leaders should be mentored inorder to keep our country so that we will never have to experience another attrocity like 1492. I eagerly look forward to your response.
Regards,
Veronica Lewis-Wells
Researcher45@earthlink.net.

By Veronica Lewis Wells

Mar 14, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

I requested yesterday to receive help from your committee to find a reasonable and responsible Cherokee Tutor who would be able to instruct my family in Statesboro, Ga to include a Pow Wow with our Family Reunion we are planning for early July, 2008. As stated,I am a student at Nyack College who is presently involved with a Project Topic Proposal to see that the Non-white Indigenous Tribal Indian group members who do not have any foreign connection with any foreign country become an "Independent Country", in this country now called the USA that was robbed from the Non-white Indigenous Tribal Indians in 1492. As a result of researching the "world countries", there are about 1% of the world countries that have not become "Independent". President Bush is aware that I am fully committed to this project. It is also time for the Non-white Indigenous Tribal Indians to look toward placing a group member representative who has attained the highest office in gov't and who has the most experience along with the , educational qualifications and abilities to meet such a challenge to be appointed a "Mentored President". We need not waste any more time: NOW IS THE TIME.
The Non-White Indigenous tribal indian group members need to speak out loud and clear to see that Pres. Bush appoint "Condolezza Rice" as a "Mentored President" the same way the USA appointed the mentored president in Manilla and Afghanistan. We do not want to continue living in a "inhumane society" under those who robbed us. We will also not allow Condolezza Rice to run in any votiing process against those who robbed our country! Why should she challenge an immigrant to get our and/her own country back? All the immigrant groups owe our group members this "Independence" and the appointment of a "Mentored President", especially since the USA has been robbed from us. We should never give our soley owned country away ever again, which is the USA, to anyone this is our inheritance. The V.P should also be selected in the same manner from the Cherokee Congress to make certain we will never be robbed again. All future leaders should be mentored inorder to keep our country so that we will never have to experience another attrocity like 1492. I eagerly look forward to your response.
Regards,
Veronica Lewis-Wells
Researcher45@earthlink.net.

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