In addition to the outpouring of funds from Vermont voters, the state’s federal lawmakers also spoke in support of Obama, with senior Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) stopping just short of an official endorsement. Speaking in the Stetsons’ driveway, Leahy maintained that he and his congressional colleagues don’t take “formal positions” on presidential candidates at such an early stage in the race, but conceded, “Half of my campaign staff is working for him.”
Vermont’s two other congressmen also expressed glowing admiration for Obama. Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT), for instance, said the Illinois senator “represents hope and change.” Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called him “a wonderful guy and a great speaker.”
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Schmoozy fundraiser-speak aside, Obama’s voting record on the war in Iraq offers some insight into why Vermont’s federal representatives may be jumping on his bandwagon. According to Leahy, Obama’s position on the Iraq war is consistent with that of Leahy’s senior colleague, Richard Durbin (D-IL), and of Vermont’s three congressmen. “He and Dick Durbin and I all opposed the war right from the start, as did Peter
and Bernie ,” Leahy said. “It’s nice to see his consistency.” (See sidebar.)
Further bolstering his place in Vermont presidential politics, Obama beat out Senator John Edwards (D-NC) as the most popular Democratic candidate in a poll of about 800 Vermonters conducted by the state Democratic Party earlier this month. Obama took 36 percent of the vote; Edwards trailed with 29 percent, and Clinton took 10.
http://www.sevendaysvt.com/nc/columns/local-matters-news/2007/obamas-vermont-appearance-raises-hopes-and-more-than-250000.html