Ten Democrat state senators today jumped on Illinois Sen. Barrack Obama's presidential bandwagon.
"Washington is in desperate need of change -- not just its party, but its politics," Sen. L. Louis Lucas, Portsmouth Democrat and former Clinton supporter, said at a morning press conference. "Barack Obama can deliver change Virginians can believe in."
Last week, 17 House Democrats endorsed Obama, joining Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, who about a year ago endorsed his fellow Harvard Law school grad within eyeshot of the old Confederate Capitol.
Obama and Sen. John McCain have garnered strong support in Virginia, while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney enjoys the support of Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, and Morton Blackwell, Republican National Committee member and president of the conservative Leadership Institute.
In nearly every conversation I have with lawmakers and political insiders, Republicans would love to see Clinton atop the ticket, instead of Obama.
Democrats echoed that sentiment today.
"Virginia can be a battleground state with Barack Obama at the top of the ticket," said Sen. Donald McEachin, Richmond Democrat. "He's mobilizing new voters and attracting independents and Republicans. That's what it takes for a Democrat to win in Virginia in November."
Three Senators followed the lead of House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong swinging their support from former Sen. John Edwards to Obama.
"We have to move beyond partisan game-playing if we're going to see progress on the difficult challenges that face everyday Virginians -- skyrocketing healthcare costs, public schools in desperate need of reform and an economy that’s out of balance, favoring the wealthy over average families," Sen. Henry Marsh, Richmond Democrat, said. "Obama can turn the page on the politics of the past."
Democrat state senators endorsing Obama:
Janet Howell, Reston
Edward Houck, Spotsylvania
John Edwards, Roanoke.
L. Louise Lucas, Portsmouth
Mark Herring, Leesburg
Mamie Locke, Hampton
Ralph Northam, Norfolk
Toddy Puller, Mount Vernon
