Chandler endorses Obama: ‘I want to be on the right side of history'

Ben Chandler (D-Versailles) endorses Obama

LOUISVILLE - 6th District Congressman Ben Chandler (D-Versailles) officially announced his support of the Presidential campaign of Illinois Senator Barack Obama today at a press conference in downtown Louisville. Chandler becomes the second of Kentucky's eight superdelegates to endorse Obama, joining 3rd District Congressman John Yarmuth - who appeared with Chandler at today's event.

"I do not come by this decision lightly...I have thought long and hard about what is in the best interest of our state and our nation," said Chandler. "Now is not the time to be timid. It is, instead, a time to be bold and support a candidate who has ability to transform the future. Too much is in place for us to do nothing."

About Obama, Chandler said "I am excited about his message of change and hope for our future...His story is, in many ways, our story in Kentucky. It is one of struggle, disappointment, promise, and sometimes triumph."

Recent primary polls show Obama trailing well behind Senator Hillary Clinton in Kentucky. An early April survey by Preston-Osbourne put Clinton ahead of Obama 53 to 25 percent in Chandler's own district.

Today, he brushed off the potential ramifications of his decision to endorse Obama in that climate.

"Of course, anything that you do is a political risk along these lines," said Chandler. "But in my view the stakes are too high to worry about that. This is far more important than any personal risk that I take for myself. This is truly about the future of our country."

Chandler holds a celebrated name in the history of Kentucky. His grandfather A.B. "Happy" Chandler was a two-term Governor, U.S. Senator, and Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

Congressman Chandler referenced the decisions of his grandfather several times today, when explaining his decision to support Senator Obama.

"Sure, it's a question of risk. But I also remember hearing stories from the year 1947. At that point in time, my grandfather was baseball commissioner. He had a decision to make in 1947. He had to decide whether or not to bring Jackie Robinson into Major League Baseball," said Chandler. "And you know what he did? He brought him in. And he brought him in against the prevailing tide, against most public opinion in the country. He did it because he said 'if I have to go and meet my maker some day and he asks me if I did this because I didn't let him in because of the color of his skin, then I believe that would be an insufficient reason.'"

Congressman Ben Chandler (D-Versailles)

"I believe this is the right thing to do at the right time regardless of those risks and I take that example from my own family to heart," Chandler continued. "I want to be, ladies and gentlemen, on the right side of history."

Chandler indicated he spoke with Obama on several occasions, at times for over an hour. He said Obama never promised him anything in return for the endorsement.

When asked why the decision to endorse came now - 21 days before the May 20 Kentucky primary - Chandler said he felt it was his "duty," in spite of polls heavily favoring Clinton in the state.

"It was a tough decision. It's going to be a difficult time for Senator Obama here in Kentucky. There are not many politicians who want to go against the tide. That is not the most enjoyable place to be in your home area," said Chandler. "I did it because I believe that it was the right thing to do. This country needs this kind of change and this kind of boldness and somebody has to step up, so I decided I would step up. It's that simple."

"I felt like I had a duty to stand up and be counted. The easy thing to do would be to wait for the primary election and to see what voters said in Kentucky," Chandler continued. "I thought the stakes were too high. As a superdelegate, as someone the party decided needed to stand up and take a position, I decided it was my duty to do so, so I did."

Chandler is a "Blue Dog Democrat" and a member of the New Democrat Coalition in the U.S. House - labels indicative of a relatively moderate voting record. Today, Chandler referenced other like-minded supporters of Obama as influential on his choice when asked about what he thought the Illinois Senator's "patriotism."

"When American patriots and heroes like Congressman Lee Hamilton from Indiana, across the river, like Senator Sam Nunn from Georgia, Senator Jay Rockefeller from West Virginia - When those American patriots can endorse Barack Obama, so can I."

Obama's newest supporter also referenced Indiana when asked why the press conference was being held in Louisville and not central Kentucky - the heart of his 6th District.

"I talked to the Obama campaign and they preferred that I make [the announcement] in Louisville," said Chandler. "My guess is that had something to do with Indiana primary coming up a week from today. Some thought some of the coverage might bleed over into Indiana."

Chandler closed by saying Senator Obama knew what lay ahead of him in Kentucky, and they would both work to make the state as competitive as possible.

"He knows what polls show in Kentucky...It's going to be a difficult slog for him here in Kentucky," said Chandler. "But he has got other states he can do well in and I think he can improve those numbers as we go forward right here in Kentucky. I don't know if he can win it but he can certainly improve his electoral position in here over time. I am sure that he, and the rest of us, will do everything we can to see that that happens."

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