WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson on Monday, June 9 formally endorsed Barack Obama for president, after allowing Hillary Clinton time to make an official public announcement of her support for the Democratic nominee, which she did over the weekend.
Nelson cited the differences between Sen. Obama and his presumptive Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain, on a number of key issues ranging from energy to health care to the environment – and especially Obama’s commitment to renewing American diplomacy.
“Barack Obama is the candidate who can bring about the change we need in this country,” said Nelson, a member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Intelligence committees. “He understands how everyday Americans are hurt by the war in Iraq, the sagging economy and the soaring price of food and gasoline.”
Because all the Democratic presidential candidates initially stayed away from Florida prior to its Jan. 29 primary, Nelson remained neutral in the contest until the polls closed in that state on primary day, when he endorsed Clinton. Nelson has been friends with the senator and her husband, President Clinton, for almost two decades.
In endorsing Obama today, he credited Clinton with having run a great campaign, but more importantly, for urging all her supporters on Saturday to fully back Obama.
“We all need to come together to take back the White House in the general election,” Nelson said. “I look forward to helping Barack win in Florida and lead our country in a new direction.”
