Mayor Ed Koch Endorses Obama.....Thinks Palin is Scary
This is great news for Democratic chances in Florida.
Former New York Mayor Ed Koch has endorsed Barack Obama. Koch's big issue is terrorism and he endorsed Bush in '04.
But Palin pushed him over the edge.
"I have concluded that the country is safer in the hands of Barack Obama, leader of the Democratic Party and protector of the philosophy of that party. Protecting and defending the U.S. means more than defending us from foreign attacks. It includes defending the public with respect to their civil rights, civil liberties and other needs, e.g., national health insurance, the right of abortion, the continuation of Social Security, gay rights, other rights of privacy, fair progressive taxation and a host of other needs and rights.
"If the vice president were ever called on to lead the country, there is no question in my mind that the experience and demonstrated judgment of Joe Biden is superior to that of Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin is a plucky, exciting candidate, but when her record is examined, she fails miserably with respect to her views on the domestic issues that are so important to the people of the U.S., and to me. Frankly, it would scare me if she were to succeed John McCain in the presidency."
Bravo, Mayor Koch. Memo to Obama Campaign: Get Koch to every synagogue in Florida!
The Republicans, who use fear to win elections and get what they want, are having some trouble separating their medium from their message.
September 9, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ed Koch was never afraid to speak his mind, he'd be an asset to Obama.
September 9, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now I would call HIM a PIT BULL!!! WOW Bravo Mr. Koch!!!
September 9, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now I would call HIM a PIT BULL!!! WOW Bravo Mr. Koch!!!
September 9, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I think the fright is very justifiable...not just for Jewish-Americans, although especially in the Jewish-American community, but for all Americans.
But for Jewish-Americans her membership in a fringe, and extremist, Christian sect which embraces the Rapture, her support of 'Jews For Jesus, and her admiration for Pat Buchanan, which appears to be very reciprocal, should be a non-starter for voting the McCain/Palin ticket.
September 9, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mayor Ed Koch Endorses Obama? Where the hell has he been? And I can understand a Dem endorsing Bush in 2000, but in 2004? Everyone knew what a failure this administration was by then.
September 9, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't excuse ANY Democrat for endorsing anyone with the last name of "Bush". Ever.
September 9, 2008 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ed Koch is a traitor to his party just like Joe Lieberman. As you pointed out in your post, Koch supported Bush in 2004.
September 9, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Koch is very different from Lieberman. Entirely different personality.
There's no excusing his support for Bush, but I'm glad he's speaking his mind on Palin.
September 9, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never liked Koch. Still don't. But, compared to Guliani he's Fiorello La Guardia, and (2) he'll help in Florida.
September 9, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJR, where the hell have you been? Slacking? You journalist types. You guys at TPM media had better batten down the hatches, as ad revenues are gonna tank, with the economy the way it is.
I guess Koch will help, even though the guy's a total asshole for going with Bush.
I think we're gonna win this thing. If we don't, I'll be very, very depressed. I have nowhere else to live, and McCain/Palin are combined are crazy and Bible-obsessed.
If Koch can help save us from a slow slide into oblivion, I'll pay his plane ticket myself.
McCain is nowhere near qualified to run this crappy economy. We are in for a world of economic hurt over the next several years, and it scares the hell out of me.
September 9, 2008 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJR, where the hell have you been? Slacking? You journalist types. You guys at TPM media had better batten down the hatches, as ad revenues are gonna tank, with the economy the way it is.
I guess Koch will help, even though the guy's a total asshole for going with Bush.
I think we're gonna win this thing. If we don't, I'll be very, very depressed. I have nowhere else to live, and McCain/Palin are combined are crazy and Bible-obsessed.
If Koch can help save us from a slow slide into oblivion, I'll pay his plane ticket myself.
McCain is nowhere near qualified to run this crappy economy. We are in for a world of economic hurt over the next several years, and it scares the hell out of me.
September 9, 2008 6:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW! This IS amazing! Ed Koch actually endorsing a national Democrat???
I mean, it's been years since old Ed has made any mention of any Dem on a national ticket other than to dump on them: Sarah Palin must have him really rattled....
September 9, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJ: Hearing a nationally known politicians speak like this almost brings tears of joy:
"Protecting and defending the U.S. means more than defending us from foreign attacks. It includes defending the public with respect to their civil rights, civil liberties and other needs, e.g., national health insurance, the right of abortion, the continuation of Social Security, gay rights, other rights of privacy, fair progressive taxation and a host of other needs and rights."
About da#n time somone said it too!!!!
September 9, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great News? WTF!!!
A really old guy scared of Hanna Montana!
Give me a break!
This is good news; how?
September 10, 2008 3:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Because ,as someone wrote above, he'll swing some votes in Florida.
I wasn't fond of Koch but am reminded of Churchill's comment when Hitler invaded Russia "if the devil came in on our side I'd manage to work a favorable reference to hell into my next Question Time".
September 10, 2008 5:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mayor is the greatest mayor of all time.
September 14, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink