[TCDPCO] breaking news: Dwight Pelz Endorses Barack Obama

[Debby and Bob]

>
> Dear Fellow Democrat,
>
>
> I am writing you today to let you know that I will be supporting Sen.
> Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
>
>
> For the past many months, as a superdelegate, I have remained neutral
> in this historic contest. As Chair of the Washington State Democratic
> Party, it has been my job to represent all Democrats throughout
> Washington state as we navigated our way through the delegate
> selection process. It was of utmost importance to me that all
> Democrats had confidence that the Party Chair and all the party staff
> were working to ensure that grassroots Democrats statewide would
> decide how many delegates each candidate would receive.
>
>
> Beginning with our historic caucuses on February 9th, and at each step
> throughout this process – Precinct, Legislative District, County, and
> Congressional District – we were determining how many delegates would
> be allocated to each Presidential candidate. Yesterday, that process
> was completed with our Congressional District Caucuses – the final
> opportunity for a candidate to gain or lose delegates based on
> turnout. (The remaining delegates to be allocated in Spokane will be
> apportioned in identical ratios as emerged from yesterday's caucuses.)
>
>
> It is because we have essentially concluded the question of how many
> of our state's delegates Obama and Clinton will receive in Denver that
> I feel I can now announce my preference to be the Democratic
> Presidential nominee.
>
>
> I will be supporting Barack Obama for many reasons. Over the last few
> years, I have gained a profound respect for Sen. Obama. I have read
> his books, listened to his speeches, and watched the campaign he has
> run on the grueling modern presidential playing-field for nearly two
> years. And I have spoken with literally hundreds of friends and
> colleagues – both in and out of politics – regarding their opinions
> and observations of this man. And I have concluded that Barack Obama
> is ready to be a great American President.
>
>
> Barack Obama can win this election, and has clearly energized a
> generation of voters that hunger for change, helping inspire a
> critical voting block for Democrats for the future. He has also
> inspired independent voters and even some Republicans who have never
> considered voting Democratic.
>
>
> I'm confident that between now and November, Americans will compare
> the inspiring vision, strong values, and energy for change embodied by
> Barack Obama with the tired old recycled ideas of Bush Republicanism
> embodied by the militaristic and fiercely-conservative John McCain –
> and they will vote to place Barack Obama in the White House.
>
>
> Through this campaign, I have gained an enormous respect for Hillary
> Clinton. This country and this party are unquestionably far stronger
> for the contributions she's made throughout this campaign, and
> throughout her long career in public service. I will be eternally
> grateful for Sen. Clinton's appearance at our awards dinner last year,
> as she was warmly welcomed by Washington State Democrats, and for the
> time she has spent campaigning in Washington state. I have no doubt
> that Sen. Clinton would be a tough, thoughtful, intelligent,
> compassionate, and supremely-prepared President of the United States.
>
>
> At this point in time, however, I feel the voters have spoken, that
> Sen. Obama will be our nominee, and that is time for us as Democrats
> to begin the final stretch of this historic 2008 campaign to take back
> America.  It is time to unify our party around one candidate.
>
>
> I thank the thousands of people who have contacted me asking me to
> support their candidate; and I profoundly acknowledge the supporters
> of Sen. Clinton who may be disappointed by my decision.
>
>
> I am honored to serve as Chair of your Washington State Democratic  
> Party.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Dwight Pelz
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