Edwards NJ Chairman Richard Codey to endorse Obama

[BeyondGeography]

Codey to endorse Obama
By Max Pizarro

Senate President Richard Codey is expected to endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to sources close to Codey, who had served as New Jersey Chairman of John Edwards’ campaign.

Edwards announced today that he would be abandoning his run for the presidency.

Mark Alexander, state director of the Obama Campaign, said he did not know about any decision by Codey to back Obama.

"Of course, we would be very happy to have him," said Alexander.

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy, co-chair of the Obama Campaign, said he had not heard directly from Codey that the Senate President intends to endorse Obama, but said he believes what he's hearing from other sources about an official announcement on Thursday.

"I'm hearing the same things you're hearing," said Healy. "It's a terrific endorsement, and it's very important."

The Obama people have been working hard for Codey's endorsement ever since Edwards placed a distant second behind Obama in Iowa. Their state campaign office is in Codey's home town of West Orange and one of their key endorsers, former Sen. Bill Bradley, was Codey's pick for president in 2000.

Codey is also close with Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Obama's other co-chair in New Jersey. A portion of Codey's senate district falls within Newark, where yesterday the Obama campaign opened a headquarters for the final week leading up to the Feb. 5 primary.

Senate colleagues were also lobbying Codey this week. On Monday, the same day that U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy endorsed Obama, senators Shirley Turner and Loretta Weinberg told the press they would continue to try to convince Codey he should support their presidential candidate.

"Senate President Codey is an enormously popular leader in New Jersey, and he deserves credit for sticking by his candidate (Edwards) until his candidate dropped out of the race," said Weinberg.

"He's New Jersey's version of Teddy Kennedy," Weinberg added.

http://www.politickernj.com/codey-endorse-obama-15956

[book_worm]

1. Codey? wasn't he acting governor after what's-his-name resigned?

[Azathoth]

3. Yeah, he took over after McGreevey resigned

And he turned into a surprisingly popular governor.

[slick8790]

4. Yeah. A lot of people (myself included) wanted him to run for his own term too. n/t

[panader0]

2. The hits just keep on coming.. Go Obama.

[hertopos]

5. My question...

This is a question as a Hillary supporter.

It seems to me everyone surrounding Edwards prefer Obama over Hillary.
Yet, Edwards does not see to support Obama anytime soon.

Any comment on this?

Hertopos

[BeyondGeography]

7. It's a good question, but, meantime, endorsements like these are highly valuable

Codey is well-loved by NJ Democrats. No endorsement (short of Lautenberg) would be better in NJ right now.

[OzarkDem]

6. He has a family to feed, mortgage to pay

Elected officials are pragmatic. They'll hold their nose and make a choice to keep food on their family.

[karynnj]

11. Codey has a job. He is president of the NJ Senate

He is an extremely good guy, as we learned when he was acting governor. He and his wife, if she is with him on this, would be excellent as advocates.

[BenDavid]

8. Well that is good, but remember these polls were taken with

John still in the race, and HRC leading obama by many...

[book_worm]

10. CT, for instance, is already showing a swing--Rasmussen has it 40/40 tie

where HRC leading by double digits before. I think NJ polls will also tighten considerably.

[karynnj]

9. This is a huge endorsement - Codey is very well liked

In 2005, he was the acting governor and many hoped that he would run for Governor. Part of the reason he didn't was said to be that Corzine was willing to use vast amounts of his fortune to win. I did phone banking and it was amazing how often people spontaneously brought up that they wished he was running. Also, they praised him as not corrupt - strong and unusual praise in NJ. Booker seems really good too.

I am also amazed at Obama's local campaign - I checked I would help when I contributed after Kerry's email. Within days I was called and they verified the info and I was then called by someone from my town - a town that has virtually no Democratic party - I know because I've have participated.