Oklahoma Democrat won't endorse Obama

By GottaLaff

Coincidentally, I'm listening to Rachel Maddow, and her guest, Congressman Adam Smith (D-Washington), is discussing this very subject as I type. He says Boren's an old fashioned way of thinking, a blast from the past.

On the same day Democratic leaders stressed party unity after the drawn-out primary fight, one congressional Democrat said Tuesday that he will not endorse Sen. Barack Obama's bid for the White House.

Rep. Dan Boren, Oklahoma's lone Democrat in Congress, said he has to listen to the wishes of his own constituents.

"We're much more conservative," Boren told The Associated Press.

Obama's not reaching across the aisle enough, he says:

His rural district stretches across the eastern part of the state and borders Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. [..]

Boren also said Obama's record "does not reflect working in a bipartisan fashion."

But the Oklahoma Democrat said he would vote for Obama at the party's convention in August because of the serious issues the country faces.

So he doesn't support Obama but he'll vote for him. What do Obama's people have to say about this?

The Obama camp disagreed with Boren's claims.

"Unfortunately, Congressman Boren has his facts wrong," spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. "Barack Obama has a long history of working across the aisle to get things done and make a difference for working people. He worked with Republicans in the Illinois Senate to provide health care for 150,000 children and parents who didn't have it, and in the U.S. Senate he's worked with some of the most conservative members -- including Congressman Boren's Republican colleague from Oklahoma, Tom Coburn -- to restore accountability and openness to our government and crack down on the special interests.

"Sen. Obama appreciates the support of Dan Boren's father, former Gov. and Sen. David Boren, who is one of Obama's key national security advisors and a model of tireless bipartisan leadership."

So much for Dan and his misplaced logic. Moving on, there's one more party pooper among us:

Boren's comments come a day after Florida Rep. Tim Mahoney also said he has no plans to make a formal endorsement.

The freshman Democrat, who replaced Republican Rep. Mark Foley after a House page scandal, told the Palm Beach Post that he plans to remain an uncommitted superdelegate and may not even attend the convention.

Now there's a decider if I ever saw one.

He also said he thinks that more of his constituents are in line with Obama and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton but added, "I'm going to represent my constituents, all of them: Democrats, Republicans and independents."

I'm betting Tim and Joe Lieberman could begin a deep and meaningful friendship.

Mahoney, a former Republican whose district is made up of more Republicans than Democrats, is among the most vulnerable congressional Democrats this election cycle.

We have our work cut out for us.