Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch Endorses Obama

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: Real Clear Politics

Obama campaign: Today, Obama for America released a new video endorsement from former New York City Mayor Ed Koch. Mayor Koch is proud to cast his vote for Barack Obama because of the President's unbreakable support for Israel and because he has, time and time again, proven himself to be a true friend of the Jewish state. As Mayor Koch says, "I'm confident President Obama will continue his unambiguous commitment to the Jewish state in his second term, building on his record of leadership by preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and funding the Iron Dome missile defense system that is saving Israeli lives."

Mayor Koch is also standing with the President because he is the "clear, best choice on domestic policy" and has the right ideas for moving our country forward. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan want to take us back to the failed policies that led to the worst financial crisis in a generation, and they would shred the social safety net, turning Medicare into a voucher program and cutting Medicaid. And the Mayor knows that President Obama understands we have a responsibility to look out for one another in tough times -- and that he will keep fighting for the American people every day for the next four years.

As Mayor Koch says, "Those aren't just American values, they're Jewish values too."



Read more: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/10/31/former_ny_mayor_ed_koch_endorses_obama.html

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Kind of surprising, as he's been leaning GOP so heavily over the last decade, but good to have him.

And his argument (in addition to making a good case on domestic issues) does a lot to destroy right's nonsensical "Obama hates Israel" smear.

[Historic NY]

1. Wait what........

[Happyhippychick]

2. I'm pleasantly surprised

[freshwest]

3. Good for him. And great statement to go with it.

[speedoo]

4. Koch supported Bush, never forget that.

The schmuck was in favor of the policies he now says we should not go back to.. Fuck him.

Ed Koch is not to be trusted.

[itsrobert]

5. This is about Florida seniors

hopefully he has some pull there.

[speedoo]

14. We needed the Florida seniors much more in 2000 and 2004...

than we do now.

Lieberman and Koch were two people who helped elect Bush and brought us the horrors of the Bush years.. I hope they both burn in hell.

[politicasista]

23. +1 n/t

[Cha]

18. I agree.. I didn't like Koch when he supported bush but that was

then and this is the Immediate NOW.

I'd never turn away an endorsement because of some fool thing he did in the PAST.

[politicasista]

7. Bingo n/t

[calimary]

9. That's the first thing I thought. Well, you decided to come home, eh, Ed?

Couldn't take the stench? Finally had enough?

I'm still pissed at that, too, speedoo. I remember when he became a fucking turncoat. Won't EVER forget it. He lost my trust at that moment, too.

Glad he finally saw the light, but his supporting bush was a real game-changer for me. A COLOSSAL fuck-up on his part, and an EXTREMELY poor judgment call. Made me start wondering about him and his grip on reality. I used to like Ed Koch. I MAY find my way back toward that again someday. But I'm not exactly hurrying. By thy betrayals art thou known, Ed.

[yellowcanine]

10. I agree. Too little too late in any case. Mighty suspicious.

Appears to me he was waiting to see who was finishing strong to make the endorsement. Koch just wants to be with the winner for whatever reason. I see no principled action here.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

33. and I still haven't forgiven Ed for this debacle from his time as mayor:

The city was ill-prepared to deal with the 1984 crisis.

[VWolf]

39. Stay-Puft-gate n/t

[NYC Liberal]

24. He supported Bradley then Gore in 2000, and supported Obama in 2008.

It's pretty clear Koch got wrapped up in the "Rah rah patriotism" stuff after 9/11 (he all but said that's why he voted for Bush; he said he didn't agree with Bush on a single issue other than terrorism, but that terrorism was the most important issue). Stupid and shortsighted, but one election is not a reason not to trust him now.

[politicasista]

25. IDU

He must have had another grudge towards Kerry.

[NYC Liberal]

28. Still not an issue of not being able to "trust" him now.

[politicasista]

29. He should admit he was duped and apologize to

Senator Kerry and the Democratic Party.

He had to have had some other grudge, otherwise he wouldn't have voted for Bush, then come back to Obama.

But his loss, and Kerry's gain cause Obama adapted some of DNC 04 plattform and he knows who really had/has his back when it mattered.

[NYC Liberal]

34. Maybe he should.

But perhaps this is his way of doing that -- by once again supporting Democrats and endorsing Obama.

It's not like he's a right winger. I'd rather him come back to our side after going "rah rah USA" after 9/11 than not, like Dennis Miller and some others who went right and never realized their mistake.

[politicasista]

35. It was a thought...

and he should do it.

He is one of many, many, many people that owe Senator Kerry an apology. IMO, it would make Obama look even stronger.

But guess that people will never learn. It's still popular for these same people aka Dems, Liberals, Progressives to have supported (or support) Gore, but ridicule Kerry for "losing" to Bush, and praise Obama for everything from his impressive two debates to his overall job as candidate/president.

Must be nice for the POTUS to get these types of endorsements from Dems that supported the other side, and his dreadful policies, but didn't want to support a true Democrat that was a person of patriotism and integrity. Sad they didn't or don't see that.

Sorry if this isn't sticking to the OP, but its JMO


At least Koch isn't Miller, who is just super crazy.

[NYC Liberal]

36. Well I'm a big supporter of Senator Kerry and I too think he gets too much hate.

One thing that pisses me off is people blaming him for not responding to the Swift Liars. He did respond -- forcefully -- but the corporate media refused to cover it, at the same time giving countless hours of free airtime to the Swift Liars by playing their ad over and over for free (as "news&quot and giving them a platform to spew their bullshit.

[politicasista]

37. Bingo.

In a way Obama gets it, but he won and is winning. Gore still gets it, but he "won."

Maybe one day the real truth about all this will come out. Kerry got somewhat vindicated by the DNC speech last September, but still the "where was" and "had he" sentiment is still popular around here and social media land.

Flaws and all, but at least Obama and Team Obama valued his debating skills and knowledge of foreign policy. Unfortunate that so many don't see or realize that, but again, their loss and the Senator's gain.

Maybe someone will be brave enough to tell the story. Maybe.

Wasn't meaning to turn this thread upside down lol, but stating AHO. Peace.

[SCVDem]

6. I read 'smear'

but my mind went shmear.

Too much Jon Stewart maybe?

[Tx4obama]

8. OKAY. I get it now! Thanks! :)

He is a Democrat. So, I don't understand why this is a surprise.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Koch


Edited to change SUBJECT line! Thanks everyone!

[onehandle]

12. He's also, a self-serving nut.

Puh.

[yellowcanine]

13. He is a Democrat when it is convenient to be one.

[Crunchy Frog]

16. Because he endorsed Bush?

[Chakab]

19. Because he's a "Democrat" who supported Bush and

has badmouthed Obama in the past.

[CreekDog]

21. he hasn't acted like one in ages!

read more of the wiki entry.

[kitt6]

11. WTF? I guess....

[Crunchy Frog]

15. If I were Israeli, that would make me want to vote for him.

Actually, I am voting for him, but because I think he's better for America and for the world as a whole.

But wow, Koch actually finds Romney to be worse than Bush? That's pretty impressive.

[On the Road]

17. Things Must Have Been Pretty Yellow for Him Lately

because it certainly looks like he's let it mellow.

[CreekDog]

20. holy crap!

Koch?



I'll take it though!

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

27. If nothing else, it will make Hannity's head explode

Sean's relied on Koch to be his guy-disappointed-with-Democrats-on-Israel for a decade now, and it appears those days are over now.

[Deep13]

22. Well that's fine, but he's still a jackass. nt

[NYC Liberal]

26. He announced this in May. I'm sure that, among other things, marriage equality is also a reason

for him to support President Obama.

[kysrsoze]

30. Holy flurking schnitt! Has hell frozen over? Awesome! I'm sure Bibi's pissed :D

[bluestateguy]

31. It won't get much play, but it would have if he went the other way

He is a stickler for pro-Israel and would not go for Obama if he didn't have confidence in his pro-Israel credentials.

[VirginiaTarheel]

40. He always would not support Obama unless he thought O was gonna win

He has been anti-Obama until now. He wants to join the bandwagon.

[politicasista]

32. ok

[left on green only]

38. Ed Koch....which one of the Koch brothers is he? n/t