WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/15/08) - Democratic presidential primary frontrunner Barack Obama is gaining even more momentum following the Wednesday (May 14, 2008) endorsement of former candidate John Edwards. The United Steelworkers union endorsed Barack Obama for president Thursday, which should help attract more Democratic blue-collar workers. Others endorsing Obama the day after Edwards, include, United States Congressman Jim McDermott of the State of Washington, Congressional Representatives Henry Waxman and Howard Berman of California, and Communications Workers of America President, Larry Cohen.

Following the Thursday, May 15th announcements of support, Obama is less than 130 (129.5) delegates away from securing the nomination as the official Democratic candidate for President of the United States of America.

In a statement, the Steelworkers union asserts that ..."We find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse Senator Barack Obama. And thus today, the United Steelworkers enthusiastically endorses Senator Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States."

Congressman McDermott said, “I am proud to endorse Barack Obama today, because I believe he will bring us together to achieve the kind of change we need in this country moving forward."

"As Democrats, we are fortunate to have two very talented public servants running to be the nominee of our party, and I have great respect for Senator Clinton. But I believe now is the time to unite behind Barack Obama so we can be in the strongest place possible to win in November," McDermott continued.

"Barack Obama has chosen to spend his career speaking out for those who need a voice and reaching across the aisle to bring change that matters in the lives of working families. I am confident that as president, Barack Obama will end the war in Iraq and bring our sons and daughters home, he will make universal health care a reality and he will restore our moral standing in the world," McDermott said.

"Barack Obama won the race in my home state by an overwhelming margin and I am thankful that so many new voters have become engaged because of the kind of campaign he has run, and I am happy to support him today,” McDermott explained.

Congressman Henry Waxman and Congressman Howard Berman, major committee chairmen and California superdelegates, cited Senator Obama's ability to unite the country and put an end to, what they call, eight years of failed Bush policies.

Congressman Waxman chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; Congressman Berman chairs the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Both are respected leaders in the American Jewish community and major voices in Democratic policymaking.

“Senator Obama’s vision for change has inspired tens of millions of Americans,” Chairman Waxman said. “And he’s also proved that he has the experience, judgment, integrity, and toughness to bring real reform to Washington," Waxman pointed out.

"Our nation faces big challenges. We need to bring our troops safely home from Iraq. We need to solve global warming and finally enact universal health care legislation. And we need to create new jobs and strengthen our middle class. Senator Obama is the leader we need both here and around the world. He will be an extraordinary President, and I look forward to working with him to make his vision for change the new reality in Washington,” Congressional Representative Waxman said.

“Barack Obama has laid out a foreign policy vision driven by principle and conviction, and he understands that our moral authority and our safety as a nation go hand in hand,” Chairman Berman said.

“I spoke with him about a number of foreign policy issues that most concern me. He assured me that he shares my views," Berman continued.

"The moment President Obama takes office, we’ll send a powerful message to the world that America is back and ready to lead again—that we haven’t abandoned the values that made us the light of the world, and neither should anyone else,” Berman said.

Communications Workers of America President, DNC member, and superdelegate Larry Cohen, is throwing his support behind Senator Obama. Here's CWA President Cohen's statement...

"We continue to encourage member activism in the remaining states and Puerto Rico. With the primary process nearly at an end, it’s important for super delegates to decide and announce their commitments so that we all can focus on the November election and on the record of Senator John McCain, the Republican presumptive nominee", stated CWA President Cohen.

"I’m convinced that Senator Obama’s message of hope and ‘change we can believe in’ has resonated across our country. He is building a broad base of support, inspiring new voters to join in the political process and demonstrating great appeal to all those who are looking for positive leadership to move us beyond politics-as-usual in Washington," Cohen continued.

"CWA is focused on four key issues to restore our nation’s middle class – real health care reform, jobs and fair trade, retirement security and the restoration of real workers’ rights through the Employee Free Choice Act. On these and more, Senator Obama has a solid program to move our nation forward and bring about the positive change and economic justice that American families need, now more than ever," Cohen claimed.

"Senator Obama will present a new direction globally and will work to resolve issues through discussion, diplomacy, partnership and coalition-building. I am confident that we can develop meaningful trade policy that considers working families in the United States and in our trading partners. This represents a tremendous change from the past seven years of the Bush administration," Cohen pointed out.

"He (Barack Obama) has the vision, passion, judgment and problem-solving ability that we need from our next president at a difficult time for our country at home and abroad," CWA President Cohen finished.