STATEMENT
from Courtney for Congress
May 21, 2008
Congressman
Courtney Endorses Senator Barack Obama for President
Congressman Courtney's Statement on
EndorsingBarack Obama for President of the United States
5/21/2008
Today, I am pleased to
announce my endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.
Our country
has experienced a remarkable contest for the Democratic nomination with
a field of unprecedented talent, including Connecticut's
senior Senator Chris Dodd whom I originally endorsed. The race has
boiled down to an historic choice between the nation's first African
American or woman president, and the party, and our nation, are richer
for this contest.
The results last evening
from Oregon
have clarified that Barack Obama will be the nominee for our party. As
John McCain continues to act with a free hand in the Republican
contest, it is clear that we must unite and rally around a nominee to
give the nation a strong alternative in the Fall. With our economy
languishing and our foreign policy in tatters, the last thing our
country can afford is a third Bush term, which I believe John McCain
would deliver if elected President.
While
I am making this endorsement, I want to take the time to recognize
Senator Clinton for her contributions to this contest and to our
nation. Hers was a gutsy effort, and one that spoke to the economic
anxiety that so many in eastern Connecticut
and across the nation are feeling after eight years of George Bush's
rule. As the father of a young daughter, I was also heartened that we
took a step closer to the long overdue day when we elect a woman to
serve as President. Senator Clinton has been an important leader of our
party and will continue to play a key role in the years ahead.
I
am enthusiastically endorsing Barack Obama because I believe that he
can lead this nation and bridge the partisan divide that has hindered
progress in our nation over the past eight years. Barack Obama has
demonstrated leadership in pledging a new direction to drawdown our
forces in Iraq and
end our disastrous engagement that has stretched our military to the
breaking point, damaged our economy, and diverted our attention from
terrorist threats in Afghanistan
and across the globe. Senator Obama's economic vision would revive our
sluggish economy and invest in our middle class which has been so
neglected in the Bush era. The power of Barack's words is matched by
the force of his ideas.
In
addition, by endorsing Senator Obama I am keeping faith with the new
and young voters who helped propel me to a razor-thin victory in 2006.
At UConn and on campuses across eastern Connecticut
and the nation, Barack Obama has inspired new voters to engage in the
political process and make their voices heard. A torch has been passed
to a new generation to help solve the serious challenges facing our
nation.
Our country is in
desperate need of change in the White House. Today, I endorse Barack
Obama to deliver that change in January after victory in November.