Congressman Peter DeFazio, one of the superdelegates in the Democratic presidential nominating process, today threw his support to Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

DeFazio, in his 11th term from the 4th District, which covers southwest Oregon and includes Linn County, planned to make his announcement when he appears with Obama at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center this afternoon.

But his decision to support Obama hit the national news this morning.

Obama, DeFazio told the Democrat-Herald, offers “the best opportunity for making a clean break with the past, and a new direction.”

It would be a step back from the “extraordinary political rancor” of recent years, he added.

DeFazio said the Democratic nomination contest between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton has been an incredible campaign with a record number of Democrats participating, including a lot of young people.

“But now it’s time to bring it to a close and turn our attention to the general election,” he said.

He called John McCain, the Republican nominee, a formidable candidate who in his opinion would represent a continuation of the policies of the Bush presidency.

Obama, DeFazio said, had a credible plan for Social Security, would promote a national solution on health care, and would start to bring the Iraq war to a close.

As the nominee for president, Obama also would appeal not just to Democrats but also to millions of independents and “no small number of moderate Republicans,” DeFazio said.

The congressman had told the D-H Thursday afternoon that he was still uncommitted but leaning toward Obama.

But the Obama campaign then asked him for a statement it could issue today, and DeFazio thought he would make his endorsement at the Albany rally. Instead, the statement was made public early.

“I’m not too happy about it,” he said.

DeFazio’s and a couple of other endorsements now give Obama a narrow lead in superdelegates.

Obama’s itinerary

Albany: 3:30 this afternoon. Admission (free) started at 1:45, but the campaign said no more tickets were available.

Eugene: University of Oregon Memorial Quadrangle, gates open at 5:45, event begins at 7:45 p.m., free, tickets not required, but RSVP strongly encouraged. Public invited to RSVP at OR.barackobama.com.

Bend: Summit High School, 2855 N.W. Clearwater Drive; doors open at 9:30 a.m. Saturday; program begins at 11:30; free and open to the public; tickets required, first-come, first-served. Public may pick up tickets today at 373 N.E. Greenwood Ave., Bend, from noon till 9 p.m.

DH Reader Comments

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Jules wrote on May 9, 2008 4:22 PM: " Oregon hasn't even voted yet and it has "super" delegates announcing how they are going to vote. Yes, Peter Defazio truly is a representative of Oregon. "

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