Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama picked up the endorsement today of three former chairmen of the Securities and Exchange Commission, two of whom were appointed by Republican presidents. Arthur Levitt, who was appointed Bill Clinton; William Donaldson, who was appointed by George W. Bush; and David Ruder, who was appointed by Ronald Reagan, issued a joint statement saying Senator Obama can provide the best leadership during times of monumental economic challenges. ``We believe Senator Obama can provide the positive leadership and judgment needed to take us to a stronger and more secure economic future,'' they said. The statement also was signed by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, who previously endorsed Senator Obama.
The four men said they appreciated Senator Obama's support for ``balanced regulatory reform. We believe that such a constructive approach can be extended broadly in the economic area as well as elsewhere.'' Levitt, in an interview today on Bloomberg Radio, said their backing was prompted in part by Senator Obama's opposition to a summer gas-tax holiday advanced by Democrat Senator Hillary Clinton and Republican Senator John McCain. Senator Obama called the idea a ``gimmick'' because it would save the average driver less than $30. ``Obama alone opposed this as being political and so over the top and we agree with that,'' Levitt said. ``We felt that Obama's position on this particular issue was fair and balanced.''
In a written statement, Senator Obama said he was honored to have their support. ``They understand the depth of our current economic problems and that we need to rise above the old politics if we are to build a stronger, more secure economic future,'' Obama said. ``I look forward to working with them.''
Senator Barack Obama also won the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice America, a leading abortion rights advocacy organization that has supported rival Senator Hillary Clinton throughout her political career. The organization was set to announce the endorsement of its political action committee on Wednesday. "Pro-choice Americans have been fortunate to have two strong pro-choice candidates in Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, both of whom have inspired millions of new voters to participate in this historic presidential race," NARAL president Nancy Keenan said in a statement. "Today, we are proud to put our organization's grass-roots and political support behind the pro-choice candidate whom we believe will secure the Democratic nomination and advance to the general election. That candidate is Senator Obama."
NARAL officials said the decision wasn't intended to be a snub of Senator Clinton. They said the board decided to back Obama over Clinton because he is overwhelmingly favored to win the nomination and to heal what the organization viewed as a growing rift between Black voters and White female activists that the prolonged Clinton-Obama contest may have caused.
Senator Obama he picked up three more superdelegates after the West Virginia loss, offering fresh recognition from Democratic leaders that he is likely to secure the nomination. His campaign announced the support of Representative Peter Visclosky of Indiana and Democrats Abroad chairperson Christine Schon Marques, who will get only a half vote at the national convention because the Democrats Abroad send double their allotted superdelegates and give them each a half vote. A third superdelegate, College Democrats vice president and University of Wisconsin-Madison student Awais Khaleel, also announced Senator Obama is his choice in a video posted on YouTube.
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