SC State Senator switches from Biden to Obama

[maximusveritas]

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20071208/NEWS/712080308/1051/NEWS01

Democratic state Sen. Glenn Reese of Boiling Springs endorsed presidential hopeful Barack Obama Friday, pulling his support from one of Obama's rivals about 50 days before the South Carolina primary.

Good news for Obama. Reese endorsed Biden early on in the campaign. He had supported Edwards in 2004, who eventually won the SC primary that year.

The latest poll of South Carolina Democrats cast Obama, an Illinois senator, only two points behind Clinton in this state.

Reese, whose family owns Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Church Street, said he saw Obama speak in a Greenville church in October. He then spent some time with the presidential hopeful in Spartanburg in November, when he spoke at Converse College. Jonathan Metcalf, an Obama staffer who has worked with Reese on past campaigns, helped bring the two together.

Reese, a white man, said race was not a factor in his decision to endorse Obama, who is black: "It's a non-issue."

The truth is that race is an issue in South Carolina. Obama wins handily among the black population, but places behind Biden for fourth among whites. An endorsement like this might help him make some gains in that population as well.

[Progress And Change]

1. it is odd that a "uniter" like obama has such a racial disparity in support in SC...

[maximusveritas]

2. Don't worry. It'll change, just like in Iowa

The more people get to know him, the more they'll be able to look past their preconceived notions and realize they like him.
This endorsement is another sign of that.

[surfermaw]

3. Evidentally, you aren't familiar with the rednecks in S.C.

[maximusveritas]

4. I don't expect him to win the white vote there

He just needs to get enough of them to win the primary. I think he can do that, especially if he can pull of the upset in IA and/or NH.