More Austin Politicos Choose Sides on President

This morning, our glorious leader, Mayor Will Wynn, came out for Sen. Barack Obama for president. Two days ago, state Reps. Valinda Bolton, Eddie Rodriguez, and Donna Howard endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for prez. (see their respective press releases below.

Of course, this comes about a week after Austin state Sen. Kirk Watson declared his Obamamania. State Rep. Mark Strama and City Council Member Mike Martinez have also been on Obama's side for some time now.

Austin Mayor Will Wynn Endorses Barack Obama
Wynn: Obama will stand up to special interests

AUSTIN - Austin Mayor Will Wynn endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president, Obama’s Texas campaign announced today. Specifically, Wynn cited Obama’s commitment to uniting Americans behind an energy policy that protects our environment and ensures our long-term national security.

“For too long, we’ve allowed old divisions to hold us back,” Wynn said. “Recently I’ve had conversations about energy policy with presidential candidates from both parties, and I believe Senator Obama is the only person who can move us forward on this critical issue.

“Barack Obama gets it. He offers a commitment to confront our energy challenges in ways that will unite our country, help our economy flourish and protect our planet and national security for the next generation and beyond.”

Wynn has chaired the Energy Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors since 2004, and was instrumental in passing energy-efficiency grant legislation as part of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. If fully appropriated, Austin would gain more than $20 million to help fund local efficiency efforts.

“Mayor Wynn has emerged as a national leader on energy policy and I’m honored to have his support,” Obama said. “I don't believe that energy policy is something to bring up only when it’s convenient during a campaign. It's one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation. Our future national security depends on achieving energy independence and it’s an issue that will be front and center when I am president.”

Wynn’s endorsement comes one week before Austin plays host to a Democratic Presidential debate at the University of Texas-Austin.

In the race for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, Obama has won eight primaries and caucuses in a row, and has earned the most votes, the most delegates, and built the most diverse coalition of Americans we’ve seen in a long time.

=====================
Travis County Reps Endorse Senator Hillary Clinton
Representatives Bolton, Howard and Rodriguez Endorse Clinton

(Austin, Tx) Three Austin Area State Representatives joined in support of Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign for President. Representative Valinda Bolton, Representative Donna Howard, and Representative Eddie Rodriguez all agree that Senator Clinton is the best choice to lead our country.

On issue after issue – from health care to the economy to the war in Iraq – they believe Senator Clinton has the right ideas and the vision to restore America’s promise after eight years of failed management by the Bush administration.

"Health care reform is one of the most critical issues facing our country today,” Representative Howard said. “As a former nurse, I support any candidate with a clear vision of how to fix our current system and make it more affordable and accessible. Hillary Clinton's plan is the best way to blend public and private coverage and ease the financial burden on families and small business."

Representative Bolton cites the economy as one of many reasons Americans would benefit from Senator Clinton’s experience.

“Like most families, my own family is confronted with problems of increased tuition costs, unaffordable health care, and care for aging parents. I am worried that my 13 year old son's generation will be the first in our history to have a lower standard of living than his parents had,” said Representative Bolton. “Hillary has successfully championed affordable housing and healthcare for women and children and built the coalitions necessary to actuate change. I trust her experience and tireless work ethic to bring economic equity back to the middle class.”

Representative Rodriguez believes that Senator Clinton has the best plan for ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home safely.

"I have always opposed the war. In fact, I was one of only three members of the Texas legislature to vote against a resolution supporting the invasion of Iraq. Senator Clinton has said that if she had the information that we have today, she would have voted differently. I believe her. And I believe that, because we were all misled by the Bush Administration, she is even more determined to end this war quickly and responsibly."

"We are fortunate to have two exceptional candidates. Regardless of the outcome, this primary will be a win-win for Texas Democrats," said Rep. Rodriguez.