2008 Sims Endorses Clinton
posted by on September 4 at 11:20 AM
For those keeping score of local endorsements, King County Executive Ron Sims is backing Hillary Clinton for president. From the release just put out by the Clinton campaign:
The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of King County Executive Ron Sims and named him a Co-Chair of Hillary’s Washington campaign and a member of the campaign’s Environment and Energy Task Force.“At this critical time in our history, Hillary Clinton is the experienced leader this country needs to deliver the change it demands,” Sims said.
Clinton gushes back:
“Ron’s courage and achievements in King County have produced environmental programs that are models for other governments across the nation,” Clinton said.
A few things about this announcement:
1) The other Washington co-chair of Clinton’s campaign is Rep. Jay Inslee, also a big environmentalist. So is Clinton, who has struggled to gain traction in Washington state relative to Edwards (loved by labor) and Obama (loved by former Deaniacs), angling for Washington’s enviro crowd?
2) Is Sims, who seems stuck at County Executive after his failed run for governor, and who has long been mentioned as someone who might make the jump to the federal government through a presidential appointment, angling for a spot in what he presumes will be the next Democratic administration? If so, what stock does one put in his judgment that Clinton will be the Democrat who wins the White House?
3) The release, intended for a national audience, makes sure people get the message that this is another black elected official who has endorsed Clinton over Obama.
Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Ron marched alongside his politically active parents in the struggle for racial equality, and honed a passion for civil rights issues that has been a guidepost throughout his political career.
Do you have, um, 'issues' with that?
And who says that a black man can not get behind a republican? Opps, did I say that out loud?
I don't get the "Obama (loved by former Deaniacs)". Says who? This is a blog, so give us a link! Otherwise, I don't believe it for a minute.
One word: Viability. Some leaders really just look to that as an endorsement measure so it could be that Sims considers Clinton to be most viable as a candidate and thus has earned his support.
Black Democrats might be supporting Clinton but she still has to win over women Democrats.
It is intersting that Obama is having issues winning over blacks and Hillary is having issues winning over women. What does that say?
That would be "Obama (loved by some former Deaniacs)".
Count me out ... my love is being saved for Al. If, as I expect, he demurs, I'll reassess. Obama's in the mix, but so are a few others (Hillary isn't one of them).
Why wouldn't black Democrats back Clinton? She was married to the first black president.
You saw that hilarious Chris Rock bit on Saturday Night Live about black man vs white women? "...the only people that don't love white women, are white women!"
Women are notoriously hard on other women. I think it's part "scarcity" complex (not enough positions of power/respect to go around, if she gets ahead, I won't) and part "it has to be perfect" syndrome. We've waited so long whoever is the first woman president has to embody ALL of our feminist ideals. Can anyone meet those expectations?
I say let Ron go to DC. If he's supporting Hillary, I think that takes a feather out of his cap as a "supporter" for LGBT rights as we've already seen what support from Clinton #1 got us: DOMA and DADT. I probably could stomach the DADT as a stopgap measure, but the DOMA signing from Bill (and support from US Sen Murray on it as well) makes me puke to this day.
It's not a woman thing. 2 things put me in the camp of anyone in the Dems but Hillary: 1) This country needs a change in direction that you won't get by putting a Clinton back in the WH and 2) I think I trust her about as much as Mitt Romney on any LGBT issue.
Dave Coffman @9: "we've already seen what support from Clinton #1 got us:"
Funny, the most striking thing I remember about Bill Clinton and gay rights was during the debate with Bob Dole.
Question: "...can you please explain your policy on the Employment Nondiscrimination Act that would have... prohibited people from being fired from their jobs simply for being gay or lesbian."
It was the first time gay rights had been raised in a presidential debate. The room went dead silent. You could here a pin drop.
Clinton: "I'm for it. That's my policy. I'm for it."
Fuck yeah, baby!!!
As for DADT, that was progress, given that homosexuality had previously been banned outright from the military. History will show it to be a stepping stone towards outright acceptance.
And DOMA? Fighting it was a lost cause since Congress had the votes to override the veto. So Clinton made a toothless symbolic gesture to keep the center from fleeing rightward.
Personally, I'd rather have a pragmatic and shrewd politician on my side than a hapless idealist.
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