Chandler Endorses Obama

Ben Chandler has endorsed Barack Obama.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler said he's ignoring potential political risks to back U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for president -- a decision made after months of mounting and intense pressure.

"I've listened to the man. I have met with him and, like many of you, I am excited by his message of change for the future," Chandler told about 40 Obama supporters Tuesday in Louisville. "I made a decision in my own mind that in this place and this time and in this country, the time was right for Sen. Barack Obama."

The important fact in this story is not that Chandler gives Obama one more super-delegate or that Chandler’s endorsement will swing Indiana voters.

The important fact is that Ben Chandler is notoriously risk adverse. If Chandler learned one thing from his grand-daddy it was how to do political math.

Chandler would never put his political career at risk to endorse a presidential candidate. So this means Ben has done the math, he is certain that Obama will be the party’s candidate.

You can disregard the statements from the Clinton camp as damage control. After all how much credibility can you put to statements from a guy who missed a trip to the big house on a technicality?

“The picture should now be focused on electoral college votes and which one of the candidates is more electable," said Jerry Lundergan, the former state Democratic Party chairman and member of Clinton's national finance team.