George Miller endorses Obama

George Miller endorses Obama
By Lisa Vorderbrueggen
TIMES STAFF WRITER

Article Launched: 01/09/2008 03:01:33 PM PST

Veteran legislator Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, has endorsed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for president.
"Barack has the skills and experience that's necessary to really challenge the status quo in Washington, D.C.," Miller said before a press conference Wednesday in San Francisco. "I'm very encouraged by the energy of the people responding to him and his vision of how people can come together to solve the problems that confront us."

Miller cited Obama's extensive grassroots fund-raising campaign, first-place win the Iowa caucus and strong showing in the New Hampshire primary, leadership style and opposition to the Iraq War.

In other East Bay congressional districts, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, has come out in support of Obama, while Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo, is supporting Clinton. Reps. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, and Pete Stark, D-Fremont, have not endorsed anyone.

Contra Costa County Supervisor Susan Bonilla also announced her endorsement of Obama during Wednesday's event.

Miller's decision to back Obama comes as no philosophical surprise, although the congressman had indicated several months ago that he might not endorse in the Democratic primary.

Both men have been opposed to the Iraq War since its inception, one of the hallmark issues in Miller's progressive Bay Area district.

But Miller is also a renowned champion of women in politics -- he is a top advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco -- and it would not have appeared

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http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_7924179?nclick_check=1

That's an important endorsement for Obama though. Congrats to him.