'Justified' Actor Endorses Herman Cain in Cowboy Parody Video

President Barack Obama had a ton of actors endorsing him when he ran for president in 2008. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee was famously endorsed by actor Chuck Norris. It appears that 'Godfather Pizza Man' Herman Cain enjoys the support of an actor as well. Any of you familiar with the television series, 'Justified'? If so, you will recognize actor Nick Searcy in the following video endorsing 'Godfather Pizza Man'.

What actor would you like to see make a candidate endorsement in the 2012 election cycle?

Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama

We asked villagers about possible Colin Powell endorsement back in April. It turns out that Powell waited until today to make that endorsement. His endorsement of Barack Obama should go a long way to attracting moderates and wayward Republicans to the Democratic presidential candidate. [Video]

Over the years, Powell himself has been touted as a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate. The former national security adviser served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. He was secretary of state for the younger President Bush.

His tenure is most notable for presenting to the U.N. Security Council evidence that Iraq was pursuing weapons of mass destruction. His presentation led to a resolution endorsing military action against that country. He later described his role as a "blot" on his record.

It seems difficult to say that Obama doesn't have the experience to serve as our POTUS when people like Warren Buffet and Gen. Powell are endorsing him for the office.

Democrats Abroad Chair Endorses Obama

Drumbeats from Adrianne inform us that the Democrats Abroad Chair and superdelegate Christine Schon Marques endorsed Barack Obama for president, citing his unique ability to unite all Americans and restore our moral standing in the world.

"As a Democrat abroad, I've seen the repercussions of the Republican Administration every day, in the diminished reputation of the United States and in the lack of real leadership both at home and abroad, from the economy to the war in Iraq," said Schon Marques. "I'm proud to be a Democrat, and proud of both our candidates. Today I pledge my support to Senator Barack Obama because I believe that he will take our country in the right direction, he will restore America's reputation, he will honor the men and women who are bravely serving our country, and he will reach out to Americans across the country and around the world. I hope that voters overseas join me in registering today at www.VoteFromAbroad.org so that all our voices are heard this November."

The super-delegates can end this thing quickly if they come out and declare their support for Obama or Clinton. What are they waiting on?

George McGovern Tells Clinton to Drop Out

Team Clinton experienced another defection to Barack Obama today. Former Sen. George McGovern, an early supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton, urged her to drop out of the Democratic presidential race and endorsed her rival. [SOURCE]

After watching the returns from the North Carolina and Indiana primaries Tuesday night, McGovern said Wednesday it's virtually impossible for Clinton to win the nomination. The 1972 Democratic presidential nominee said he had a call in to former President Clinton to tell him of the decision, adding that he remains close friends with the Clintons.

McGovern's announcement comes a day before Clinton was scheduled to travel to South Dakota to campaign. The state holds its primary June 3 with 15 pledged delegates at stake.

He had kind words to say about Hillary Clinton, however, McGovern acknowledged that Obama has won the nomination "by any practical test".

It's time to unite the Democratic Party, he said.

McGovern concluded, "Hillary, of course, will make the decision as to if and when she ends her campaign. But I hope that she reaches that decision soon so that we can concentrate on a unified party capable of winning the White House next November."

More Defections from Team Clinton to Obama's Camp

Have you noticed how many people who know Team Clinton the best seem to be supporting Barack Obama?

The latest to make the jump was Gabriel Guerra-Mondragon, former Ambassador to Chile. Guerra-Mondragon was appointed to the Ambassadorship by Bill Clinton in 1994. More recently he served as a successful fundraiser for Hillary Clinton. Some say he raised over a half-million dollars for her campaign. Yet, this week, he defected from the Clinton campaign and endorsed Barack Obama. A formal announcement of a role for Guerra-Mondragon on Obama's national finance committee will be made next week. Guerra-Mondragon was uneasy with the tone of the Clinton campaign and was beginning to worry about what this would mean for the general election.

He's not the first to defect from Team Clinton. Some others that come to mind are:

1. Nancy Larson (DNC member & super-delegate) - She was initially pledged to Clinton; but recently changed her mind.


2. Robert Reich (served in Clinton cabinet) - He announced his endorsement on his blog earlier this month.


3. Bill Richardson (served in Clinton cabinet) - Quite possibly, the most important endorsement thus far in the campaign. The Clinton campaign is very bitter over this defection.


4. Greg Craig (Clinton's lawyer during impeachment) - This is a 'Friend of Bill' who has known Hillary and Bill for many years. He has been a friend and confidant ... and it surprised many that he came out as an Obama supporter so early in the process.


5. Anthony Lake (Clinton's National Security Advisor) - He is a key element of the Obama foriegn policy team.


6. David Wilhelm (Clinton's campaign manager - They guy who ran the campaign for Bill Clinton endorsed Obama early in the process.

It tells you something when the people who worked so closely with Team Clinton are abandoning the ship. Are there others?

Alice Walker Endorses Barack Obama

Alice Walker wrote,

---

I am a supporter of Obama because I believe he is the right person to lead the country at this time. He offers a rare opportunity for the country and the world to start over, and to do better. It is a deep sadness to me that many of my feminist white women friends cannot see him. Cannot see what he carries in his being. Cannot hear the fresh choices toward Movement he offers. That they can believe that millions of Americans -- Black, white, yellow, red and brown -- choose Obama over Clinton only because he is a man, and Black, feels tragic to me.

---

Click here for the full endorsement-essay written by Ms. Walker.

New York Post Endorses Barack Obama

It must be embarrassing when a major newspaper in your home state endorses the other guy. That is what happened today. The New York Post made it clear that they did not want Team Clinton in the national headlines for another 4-8 years.

Click here to read their candid and hard-hitting endorsement of Barack Obama.

Toni Morrison Endorses Barack Obama

I had to smile today when I heard that Toni Morrison endorsed Barack Obama. I imagine that Sis. Morrison, who won the Nobel Prize in 1993, regretted the fact that she is the source of the rumor that Bill Clinton was America's first Black president.

In a 1998 New Yorker piece, Morrison wrote of Bill Clinton: "White skin notwithstanding, this is our first Black president. Blacker than any actual Black person who could ever be elected in our children's lifetime. After all, Clinton displays almost every trope of Blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing, McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas."

Today, she took steps to get that monkey off her back as she noted in her letter to Obama that she was backing him because "this is one of those singular moments that nations ignore at their peril. There have been a few prescient leaders in our past, but you are the man for this time."

Here is the full text of her letter:

---

Dear Senator Obama,

This letter represents a first for me--a public endorsement of a Presidential candidate. I feel driven to let you know why I am writing it. One reason is it may help gather other supporters; another is that this is one of those singular moments that nations ignore at their peril. I will not rehearse the multiple crises facing us, but of one thing I am certain: this opportunity for a national evolution (even revolution) will not come again soon, and I am convinced you are the person to capture it.

May I describe to you my thoughts?

I have admired Senator Clinton for years. Her knowledge always seemed to me exhaustive; her negotiation of politics expert. However I am more compelled by the quality of mind (as far as I can measure it) of a candidate. I cared little for her gender as a source of my admiration, and the little I did care was based on the fact that no liberal woman has ever ruled in America. Only conservative or "new-centrist" ones are allowed into that realm. Nor do I care very much for your race[s]. I would not support you if that was all you had to offer or because it might make me "proud."

In thinking carefully about the strengths of the candidates, I stunned myself when I came to the following conclusion: that in addition to keen intelligence, integrity and a rare authenticity, you exhibit something that has nothing to do with age, experience, race or gender and something I don't see in other candidates. That something is a creative imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom. It is too bad if we associate it only with gray hair and old age. Or if we call searing vision naivete. Or if we believe cunning is insight. Or if we settle for finessing cures tailored for each ravaged tree in the forest while ignoring the poisonous landscape that feeds and surrounds it. Wisdom is a gift; you can't train for it, inherit it, learn it in a class, or earn it in the workplace--that access can foster the acquisition of knowledge, but not wisdom.

When, I wondered, was the last time this country was guided by such a leader? Someone whose moral center was un-embargoed? Someone with courage instead of mere ambition? Someone who truly thinks of his country's citizens as "we," not "they"? Someone who understands what it will take to help America realize the virtues it fancies about itself, what it desperately needs to become in the world?

Our future is ripe, outrageously rich in its possibilities. Yet unleashing the glory of that future will require a difficult labor, and some may be so frightened of its birth they will refuse to abandon their nostalgia for the womb.

There have been a few prescient leaders in our past, but you are the man for this time.

Good luck to you and to us.
Toni Morrison

---

In a statement, Obama thanked Morrison for her endorsement, saying she "has touched a nation with the grace and beauty of her words, and I was deeply moved and honored by the letter she wrote and the support she is giving our campaign."

What do you think about this endorsement from Toni Morrison?

Columbus Mayor Endorses Obama

I usually don't have many kind words for Columbus, OH ... the 15th largest city in the nation. After all, Columbus is the home of Ohio State Buckeyes ... and my favorite college team since I was a kid is the University of Michigan (UM). My parents met in Ann Arbor as UM undergraduates and both my maternal grandparents have post-graduate degrees from UM. Wolverine fans ordinarily don't have nice things to say about Columbus, OH.

Today is different. I learned today that Mike Coleman, mayor of Columbus, publically endorsed Barack Obama in his run for the presidency. Coleman joins other big-city mayors like Richard Daley of Chicago and Adrian Fenty of Washington, who also endorsed Obama.

Today I've learned that not everything about Columbus OH is bad!

Jesse Jackson Endorses Obama

I see that Rev. Jesse Jackson endorsed Barack Obama in his presidential bid. "He's got my vote," said the civil-rights leader. I imagine that Jackson's support will boost Obama's support in the Black community, the lack of which has been widely covered in the media since Obama announced his run for the presidency. Jackson said Obama has not asked him to campaign for him and he is not in Obama's inner circle of advisers and fundraisers. "I just have an appreciation of him," Jackson said.


I remember the excitement that I felt in 1984 when Jesse Jackson first answered the cries of "Run, Jesse, Run". His speech at the Democratic National Convention electrified a nation. He takes many hits now as an opportunist, however, in my view he earned a lifetime of respect for the courage he showed in running for president.


So, now old school endorses new school. Personally, Obama is my choice for president. Not because he is Black ... although that doesn't hurt. Mostly, because I am encouraged by his background and upbringing that he will represent my community better than the other announced candidates. My overall reaction to the other major candidates:

• Rudy led a city government with racist policies in New York. This was prior to 9/11 when he became sanctified. It amazes me how the negative impact that Rudy had on Black people has been erased as a result of his very public leadership role after the World Tower attacks.
• Hilary isn't the Clinton that I would want in office. I thought the 8 years of the Clinton presidency were the best in my lifetime. Why settle for a faded carbon of the original?
• McCain is simply too old and too ambitious. It is shameful to watch him coddling the same right-wing crazies that attacked him in the 2000 election. I lived through Ronald Ray-gun ... not interested in doing that again.
• Edwards is an interesting choice. I like the fact that he freely recognizes the issues of poverty and racsim in our society. If Obama weren't in the race it is likely that I wold be supporting John Edwards.

Anyhow, I'm glad that Jackson is on record with his endorsement of Obama. We have many months to go in this campaign. We will continue to learn about all the candidates. Do you have any thoughts on the Jackson endorsement?