Clinton wins endorsement of first Obama Cabinet member
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton collected her first endorsement from a member of President Barack Obama's Cabinet on Tuesday when Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack cited her leadership and loyalty in announcing his decision to fall in line behind the "battle-tested" and embattled Democratic presidential contender.

Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, also endorsed Clinton during the 2008 contest. She lost the nomination to Obama.

His latest endorsement comes as Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, is mired in controversy over her use of a private email account and server while she was Obama's first-term secretary of state. Vilsack's backing also comes amid rampant speculation that Vice President Joe Biden, who has been consulting with political advisers, will jump into the race to help soothe the nerves of some Democrats who are growing increasingly skittish about Clinton's viability as a candidate.

"Hillary Clinton has the right policies to strengthen and expand the middle class, is battle tested, and has the experience and relationships to lead and govern well," the Obama secretary wrote in an opinion piece posted on the website of The Gazette newspaper of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Clinton's campaign also circulated the piece.

Along with her policies and experience, Vilsack also cited Clinton's loyalty and their friendship of more than two decades as reasons for supporting her over her Democratic rivals: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb.

Vilsack planned to join Clinton for campaign appearances Wednesday in Iowa.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-08-26

First time I've seen a rat jump on a sinking ship.

A drowning rat will jump on anything that is floating.

In this case, I am guessing it is just a political move. Whether HRC makes through to get the nomination, she and Bill are a formidable force and I wouldn't want to have them as enemies.

The suspense was killin' me! Glad it's over.

She's done. Put a fork in her.

The U.S. needs to elect a "Woman" President....Just

NOT THIS WOMAN,,,,,,,

Endorsements are regularly belittled by political amateurs and pedestrian politicos but endorsements do speak to a consensus in either political party. Endorsements for prez are a regular feature of campaigns and are called the "invisible primary." Nine times out of ten the candidate with the large number of endorsements also wins the nomination.

Mrs. Clinton has more 300 endorsements to include yesterday PA former governor Ed Rendell and now Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsac a former governor of Iowa who will campaign with HRC in the state for its presidential race caucuses in February. Bernie Sanders nationally has a half dozen endorsements and Martin O'Malley has two.

JebBush is way out ahead in endorsements in the R party in a year when in the R party endorsements by US House members, senators, state governors puts a bulls-eye on the candidate. Endorsements in the R race may mean less or nothing this time, while endorsements in the D race remain one of the several usual standards of measurement.

Endorsements are regularly belittled by political amateurs and pedestrian politicos but endorsements do speak to a consensus in either political party. Endorsements for prez are a regular feature of campaigns and are called the "invisible primary." Nine times out of ten the candidate with the large number of endorsements also wins the nomination.

Mrs. Clinton has more 300 endorsements to include yesterday PA former governor Ed Rendell and now Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsac a former governor of Iowa who will campaign with HRC in the state for its presidential race caucuses in February. Bernie Sanders nationally has a half dozen endorsements and Martin O'Malley has two.

JebBush is way out ahead in endorsements in the R party in a year when in the R party endorsements by US House members, senators, state governors puts a bulls-eye on the candidate. Endorsements in the R race may mean less or nothing this time, while endorsements in the D race remain one of the several usual standards of measurement.

Are you something more than a political amateur?