Obama endorsed by dozens of black SC ministers

[ariesgem]

CHARLESTON, S.C. - U.S. Sen. Barack Obama picked up the endorsement of almost 130 black South Carolina ministers Tuesday in this early voting state where he runs even with rival Hillary Rodham Clinton for the crucial black vote.

Noted leaders of the civil rights movement including the Rev. Joseph Lowery and the Rev. C.T. Vivian, a close adviser of Martin Luther King Jr., attended the announcement.

The endorsements for the Illinois senator came a week to the day after Clinton, senator from New York and former first lady, visited upstate South Carolina where she announced the endorsements of 88 black ministers.

"We believe Barack Obama will not use his religion as a crutch or a hammer, but will draw on the moral imperatives of our faith and apply them to the political, social and economic problems of our country," said Lowery, founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

A poll this week by The Associated Press and the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found Clinton and Obama even in support from black voters, which comprise about half of the Democratic primary voters in South Carolina.

The poll, though, showed Clinton with a comfortable overall lead in the state _ 45 percent to 31 percent over Obama. The South Carolina Democratic primary is Jan. 26.

Vivian said Obama is not just a political leader.

"Here we have a man who brings together the political and the spiritual in a very active way," he told about 50 people gathered outside the Avery Institute, which documents and preserves the history of blacks in Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Later, Lowery told reporters that endorsements by the clergy are important among black voters

"I think it will carry tremendous weight by the people who respect their leadership," he said. "The black church has been the centerpiece of black activism."

Lowery said many blacks feel an allegiance to former President Bill Clinton which has carried over to Hillary Clinton.

"But I think as black folks come closer to the election, they will realize this country needs unifying," Lowery said. "Obama is a unifying force. We're not against anybody, we're for a man we think brings a healing this nation needs."


http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2007/12/04/ap-state-sc/d8tat8eo0.txt

[AtomicKitten]

1. 130 > 88

Gobama.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Great video of Lowery on Obama here

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1328265929/bclid1330349620/bctid1330314105

[sandnsea]

13. Oh that's wonderful

Did you post it in the political videos forum, it should be there, it's terrific.

[BeyondGeography]

14. Isn't it?...bowls me over every time

and I've watched it about 10 times...it's not on youtube yet so I don't think I can post it in the PV forum.

[madrchsod]

3. duh....no surprise there

can i get an Ahem?

[Kahuna]

4. Amen Brother Madrchsod!

edited after I checked your profile for gender

:bounce:

[emilyg]

5. Amen.

[Skip Intro]

6. Ahem!

[bobbolink]

19. Just what I was thinking, too....

This is sooo not the time to pick on the basis of gender and race!

[Skip Intro]

7. "...brings together the political and the spiritual in a very active way" YAY! Church, meet State.

No Thanks.

[Colobo]

8. Nice!

[alteredstate]

9. I was there!

It was a wonderful event.

[Colobo]

10. Gobama!

[BenDavid]

11. I like Joe Lowery, but personally Rep. John Lewis' endorsement

of HRC carries more weight than Joe's.

Ben David

[ellacott]

16. There goes our resident Negro Expert again

How do you know that Rep. John Lewis' endorsement carries more weight than Rev. JOSEPH Lowery

[sandnsea]

12. Rev Lowery, most excellent

That oughta shake things up!

:bounce:

[Bluebear]

15. I'm sure that Adam and Steve were not there.

[William769]

17. Let me guess they are the one's where Donnie sings at.

[ellacott]

21. Donnie probably sang at some of the churches of HRC's ministers too n/t

[Sultana]

18. GO OBAMA!

:applause:

[Hope And Change]

20. Great news!