Two congressional Democratic politicians and superdelegates refuse to endorse Barack Obama. Dan Boren (D-Ok.) and Tim Mahoney (D-Fl.), both say they will not endorse Barack Obama.
In Boren's case, he says he will vote at the Democratic National Convention and the November elections but he simply will not endorse Obama.
In Mahoney's case, he says that he plans to remain an uncommitted superdelegate and may not even attend the convention, and he states, "I wasn't elected to be a role model as to how people should vote. People in my district are smart enough to decide.".
He also said he thinks that more of his constituents are in line with Obama and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton but added, "I'm going to represent my constituents, all of them: Democrats, Republicans and independents."
Obama's campaign took issue with Boren's remarks and issued a comment of their own, via spokeswoman Jen Psaki, who said, "Unfortunately, Congressman Boren has his facts wrong. "Barack Obama has a long history of working across the aisle to get things done and make a difference for working people. He worked with Republicans in the Illinois Senate to provide health care for 150,000 children and parents who didn't have it, and in the U.S. Senate he's worked with some of the most conservative members -- including Congressman Boren's Republican colleague from Oklahoma, Tom Coburn -- to restore accountability and openness to our government and crack down on the special interests.
"Sen. Obama appreciates the support of Dan Boren's father, former Gov. and Sen. David Boren, who is one of Obama's key national security advisors and a model of tireless bipartisan leadership."
Additionally, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, who was considered a contender for Obama's vice presidential candidate, ruled that out as well, saying, "If drafted, I will not run; nominated, I will not accept; and if elected, I will not serve. So, I don’t know how more crystal clear I can be."
This comes at a bad time for Barack Obama who has been criticized in the media today for comments made in regards to Jim Johnson, who is one of the members of the special "vetting" team he has assembled to help vet people for him to decide who to name as his running mate. Johnson, it has been discovered has some controversial ties to the same company, Countrywide Financial, to whom the Obama campaign heavily criticized one of Hillary Clinton's staffers for having ties with, not long ago.
Video of Obama defending that association found here.
AP piece here.
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