Postal Workers, Portland Tribune endorse Barack Obama

The American Postal Workers Union and the Portland Tribune have endorsed Sen. Barack Obama today.

American Postal Workers Union endorses Obama

by Sam Graham-FelsenWednesday, April 09, 2008 at 09:29 AM

The American Postal Workers Union has endorsed Barack Obama for president. The APWU is the world's largest postal union, representing over 330,000 USPS employees and retirees, as well as nearly 2,000 private-sector mail workers.

From the APWU release...

The National Executive Board of the American Postal Workers Union has voted unanimously to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president.

“Sen. Obama’s message is one of hope and change,” said union President William Burrus. “His message is special, and the timing is right.”

“We are most impressed by Sen. Obama’s commitment to eradicating the undue influence of special interests in the political process,” he said. “Our current political system does not allow for the voices of average citizens to be heard over the demands of lobbyists and big-money campaign contributors.

“Sen. Obama has vowed to change that, and his campaign has flourished through the participation of new voters and small contributors,” Burrus said. “We believe he will be a president who will strongly represent the interests of working Americans.”

“His ability to bring new participants into our nation’s democratic process – to get young people involved, and to persuade ordinary citizens that they have a real stake in politics – is an inspiration.”

“We are pleased to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president of the United States, and we will commit our energy and efforts to help him win the White House.”

For more on Obama's plan to protect the dignity of America's workers and strengthen our unions, click here.

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Obama is best for Democrats

Oregon Democrats can do their part to encourage the nation to move forward by throwing their support to Sen. Barack Obama in the May 20 primary.

The fact that Oregon matters at all in this presidential race is something of a small miracle, considering the lateness of its primary. But since Oregonians have a rare chance this election year to influence whom the Democrats ultimately select to run in November, the state’s voters ought to stake their claim on the future and help the nation transcend bitter divisions of the past.

Coming into Oregon and other late-primary states, the Illinois senator is maintaining a small lead in pledged delegates over Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. Both Obama and Clinton have visited the state (along with former President Clinton) and have ignited levels of excitement not seen during an Oregon primary since the mid-1970s.

The two Democratic candidates have similarities on the issues, and they present an opportunity to break racial and gender barriers for the nation’s highest office. But our support for Obama comes down to a belief that the nation is weary of family dynasties in the White House and is in search of new ways to resolve old battles – domestically and abroad...

Obama’s campaign already has proven transformative in many ways. He has engaged and motivated younger voters who are willing to put aside the cynicism held by many of their elders and to believe again that government can be a positive force for change. Obama also represents a singular opportunity to unify this nation around the strength of its racial and ethnic diversity.