(CNN) –Longtime West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller endorsed Barack Obama’s White House bid Friday, praising the Illinois senator for his initial opposition to the Iraq war.
"I am all too aware that the threats we face are unconventional," Rockefeller, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a statement. "They are sophisticated. They are constantly changing and adapting. And they are very serious. What matters most in the Oval Office is sound judgment and decisive action. It’s about getting it right on crucial national security questions the first time – and every time.”
News of the endorsement comes the same day both Democratic presidential campaigns are engaged in a heated back and forth over which candidate is best equipped to handle national security issues.
In the statement, Rockefeller also said he is supporting Obama because of his "commitment to rebuild America."
"I know Barack Obama will fight and win the battle for health care, good paying jobs, and energy security," Rockefeller wrote.
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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Are you kidding!!! People... Jay Rockefeller has betrayed our country, pretending to be a Democrat, while supporting the greed and kill philosophy of the GOP, Karl Rove, George W. Bush and now Mr. Obama...
Reality check people... Do Homework!!!
Dear Mr.Rockefeller, thank you for endorsing Obama, but you have forgotten about the Rezko's trial that starts on Monday ,and so far the is no response from the Obama's camp. They are usually pretty quick with the responses, what happened now???
Are you kidding!!! People... Jay Rockefeller has betrayed our country, pretending to be a Democrat, while supporting the greed and kill philosophy of the GOP, Karl Rove, George W. Bush and now Mr. Obama...
Reality check people... Do Homework!!!
For someone who keeps being questioned on his experience, Obama is picking up a lot of endorsements from extremely experienced officials.
One after the other are boarding the wagon. Very good signal how soon things will shape up.
Chalk up another super-delegate for Sen. Obama. Hillary needs to concede, her public ads are getting outrageous.
Obama in 08'
Why is it that when Obama speaks at a rally you see twice as many (i will call them Arican Americans) but really the name is Negro standing behind Ob ama and so few white americans. Is this going to be what we see in the White House?
Yeah! Rockefeller was incharge of intelligence in the senate when Bush went to Iraq. All the losers are supporting Obama- Kennedy, Kerry, Daschle, Rockefeller.
Nice ... the entire left-wing of the Democratic party is cheering Obama: Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Rockefeller.... etc. Overseas OBL, Al Qaeda, and terrorists applaud Obama for his raise-the-white-flag approach. Barack may not be muslim – but he sure knows how to appease Islamic extremists!
Just think – 8 years under Obama and the US could end up a weak socialist nation begging the UN to protect us ... like France.
We are going to have sound judgement from day one; that's what is all about.
Jay Rockefeller from the great state of West Virginia has jointed our historic momement-glad that you on the team-HURRAY!! HURRAR!!
The Senate’s majority-controlled democrats elected Senator Rockefeller as their guru – their most experienced and knowledgeable person - in charge of the Senate Intelligence Committee overseeing many issues which are at the heart of our National Security. In making this choice, the senators, including Senator Hillary Clinton, agreed to accept Senator Rockefeller’s guidance when it comes to matters of National Security. And Senator Rockefeller by deciding to support Senator Obama as our next President, has unequivocally rejected Senator Clinton’s ad when he decided to support Senator Obama as the most qualified person to answer the phone at 3:00 a.m.
M loving it! The Clintons, when will you call it quits? If it weren't for the big clout you had with in the party, you would've been history long ago. Imagine if it were Obama in your place? No one would've given him the the 50th chance a lot of the super delegates and that opportunistic Edwards are giving you!! Call it quits please...don't make people vote for McCane!!
It is really interesting to see all the century-old Washington politicians and special interests are standing behind Obama who claims to crush them. It is insane unless what he talks about are all "campaign rhetorics".
This just might be one of the last Nails in that coffin. Rather than take the Dems into that narrow box, Hillary simply needs to give it up. We know that Hillary is diversive, but please not this time!!!
Jay rockefeller that's what I am talking about.well now hillary I know you can't top that.OBAMA 08!
Pls CNN post my comment for once.
Rockefeller may praise the Chicago senator for his initial opposition to the Iraq war when he was not the US senator but the questions is: what has done to stop this war since he came to the US senate.
Can you name one thing differently in the US senate that this anti-war senator from Chicago did than Iraq war supporters like Kerry, Dodd and Rockefeller and bunch of other democrats?
Three thousands of our brave men and women have died in Iraq since Obama came to US senate. This senator from Chicago has no record of bravery in his DNA to stop this Iraq war.
Please Weirdo-Bama supporters, you have plenty of other things to praise him on but not Iraq war.
Jay Rockefeller- Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee
Thank you very much...that's an endorsement that matters!
Gee, I wonder if Senator Rockefeller hold meetings of his committee?
As a Native West Virginian, THANK YOU Senator Rockefeller! This endorsment is greatly appreciated, and it could not have come at a better time!!!
the zeitgeist has already shifted. The infatuation for Ms. Cinton, that was generated through gender identity, nostalgia for her husband's conservative administration, and sympathy for her term as victimized first lady, has been spent. The poorly runcampaign and the tired old washington "solutions" illustrates she has no domestic policy mastery at all. People have pulled back the curtain on Hillary of Oz to see the multitude of policy makers she's got in the back
McCains position on Iraq was wrong in the first place and is wrong right now. McCain wants to maintain high troop presence in Iraq when he becomes president and says the surge decreased violence. But look at the facts if the surge decreases violence by 2009 it's time to start pulling out. If Iraq is still violent enough to require troops in 2009 than he policy was completely wrong and a new strategy needs to be addressed.
The majority of my people.... The American people are ready to move forward. Most of Americans understand history... Most of us know that our nation has been hampered by a legacy of injustice.
Barack Hussein Obama is uniting those who truly wish "justice for all".
It is very evident to me that some of these candidates are taking advantage of this legacy of injustice with their "fear mongering" while at the same time "denouncing and rejecting" this legacy...
Many of us are really conservatives in democrat clothing.
Unfortunately these supporters have worked with the Clintons for a long time, and they know who will get and give the best for this country. I think you are going to see a lot more endorsements over the weekend. Some are waiting to see what happens in Ohio and Texas, but they know who they need to support. A WINNER!!!
The threats we face ARE unconventional.
They don't come from outside our nation any more.