Time for DFA to endorse Obama

Written by: Scott Goldstein on Mar 8, 2008 4:57 PM EST

Just a few months ago, after a vote to decide whether DFA should wade into the presidential primaries, DFA launched a national campaign to elect a progressive president. It was, as we all recognized, an "anbody but Hillary campaign." With Kucinich and Edwards out of the race, how does that not translate into an official endorsement of Barack Obama. I realize the "Let the Voters Decide" petition is a way of doing that, but this is an opportunity for DFA.

Politically, there is nothing to gain from DFA endorsing Hillary, and I think nothing to gain from staying out completely. Sure political capital can be used elsewhere, but the Obama campaign is following DFA's playbook. This is a hopeful campaign that values all 50 states, and believe's in Governor Dean's 50 state strategy. The campaign has perfected many of the strategies and techniques that DFA began. As we use "socially progressive, fiscally responsible" as our endorsement guideline, Obama fits. I was a bit apprehensive as many DFA'ers were at the beginning of the campaign that Obama, who could wage such an amazing campaign, revolution even, was a bit of an empty shirt. It turns out that it was just a slow start. He is becoming, day by day, everything I could hope for in a nominee.

The Nation's recent article "The Dean Legacy"  by Ari Berman clearly laid out who what started with DFA 1.0 and continued with DFA 2.0 is exactly what Obama seeks to in this campaign. An Obama endorsement from DFA could be important...not in a national news perspective, but certainly on the ground. We can still raise money, we can still move resources, we can REALLY put on a hell of a training.

It's time to get off the sidelines. We need to wrap this thing up before April 22 in PA. DFA can help. TIme for a DFA endorsement? What do y'all think?

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