Rep. Rangel's Endorsement Could Be a Huge Boost to Gen. Clark

[Composed Thinker]

...A Key Ally

Although few political endorsements are decisive in Presidential campaigns, Mr. Rangel’s could be particularly important to Mr. Clark. For starters, Mr. Rangel says, he has already begun to organize some of his House colleagues for Mr. Clark, putting them to work on the general’s behalf to provide his campaign with some of the organizational support that it currently lacks.

More importantly, Mr. Rangel sees himself in a position to sell Mr. Clark to black voters. "Rangel’s is an extraordinarily powerful endorsement," said Democratic consultant Josh Isay. "He’s got tremendous credibility in the African-American community, and he’s seen by insiders as a political mastermind."...

http://www.nyobserver.com/pages/frontpage1.asp

[CMT]

1. it is a good endorsement

of course he was one of the people urging the general to run. I like Charlie Rangall and think he was right to say that maybe if the draft was brought back would make the public think twice about going to war.

I'm happy with the backing of fellow New Yorker Major Owens for Dean. Both are good endorsements.

[diplomats]

2. Great article

I recommend everyone here read it.

[Rowdyboy]

3. Excellent news...

Charlie is a fighter and he DOES NOT LIKE TO LOSE!

He will be enormously helpful.

[vi5]

4. I don't necessarily believe endorsements win votes...

But with this one I can see how it does. I'm not saying everyone has to be persuaded by Charlie's opinion but I know that I am. And this is the first time that an endorsement has made me seriously consider a candidate.

[Composed Thinker]

5. The thing is, the black vote can't be taken for granted

So while Dean might have trouble winning over blacks, Clark, with the support of Rangel, can focus on other areas.

[vi5]

6. I agree......Not that Dean CAN'T get the black vote....

It's just that there doesn't seem to be any major outreach to them. My perception (which I will freely admit could be wrong) is that the Dean camp is so focused on white middle class liberals and with regarding that as "the base" that they are not focusing on this other aspect of the base that is just as important.

Again, I'm not saying that Rangel's endorsement makes me a Clark supporter but it does carry a lot of weight in my eyes.

[Myra]

7. It is great news for the Wes Wing

I think one reason Dean doesn't have more
support from the African American community
is simply the fact that Vermont is such a
gringo state. Clearly not Dean's fault.
But he'll need to work extra hard to compensate
for it.

So far I'm pleased with Clark's outreach to
the CBC and NAACP. I hope it continues.

[knight_of_the_star]

8. This IS good news

The promise of help in organizing the campaign is also good. Wes needs to get to work on organizing his campaign infrastructure if he wants to win the primary.

[devinsgram]

9. Anybody but Lieberman.