(CNN) - From the politics/strange bedfellows file: Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has won an endorsement from Republican and former Nixon Watergate figure William D. Ruckelshaus.
Ruckelshaus was serving as deputy attorney general in 1973 when he made history as part of the infamous Saturday Night Massacre. He and his boss, Attorney General Elliot Richardson, were fired after they refused Nixon’s order to dismiss the independent counsel investigating the Watergate break-ins.
The former Nixon FBI director and secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency hopes to help Obama defeat Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton in the May 6 primary in Ruckelshaus’ homestate of Indiana. The state has been a longtime Republican stronghold in presidential politics.
“Senator Obama’s ability to attract not only Democrats, but also Republicans and Independents, makes him uniquely qualified to build the broad coalitions needed to address our nation’s challenges,” said Ruckelshaus in a statement.
Obama leads Clinton in Indiana 40 percent to 35 percent, with a 25 percent of respondents saying they’re unsure who they’ll vote for, according to a Los Angeles Times poll conducted April 10-14. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
The Obama campaign said it was embracing the endorsement because of Ruckelshaus’ "understanding of the importance of transparency,” which he gained during the tumultuous years of the Nixon administration, said Obama spokesman Kevin Griffis. Ruckelshaus remains a known and respected name in Indiana, which may draw independent voters to Obama, Griffis said.
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Mr. Patterson:
This sounds like it could have been the topic of a question from last night's ABC debacle, I mean debate.
Welcome to the winning team!
There GOes another one.... dawg i wish he was a super
OBAMA 08
Of course this isn't important to Clintonites. Congrats OBAMA. Look for the surge of Super Delegates to come soon.
How is Obama going to change Washington when he's friends with everyone? You ever wonder why Obama gets so many political endorsements? Is it because he's the quote-unquote front runner? Or are the backstabbers running their hands together and hoping they can get this puppet president elected?
The trains leaving and Hillary supporters are being left behind!
The Republicans are setting Obama up for the big let down.. Obama is target, The republicans wants him because Mccain can and will beat him come Nov. Either way if Hilary is not on ticket I and many Like me will be voting for Mccain
Hilary 08
Republicans all seem to want Obama to be the nominee.........Gee wonder why? Oh that's easy he looks pretty shaky right now, and news from the Rezko trial, is giving more questions about Obama rather than answers!
With him comes the EPA? Ruckelshaus is a good endorsement.
that's why this man should be presidents...I have not seen a republican endorse hillary.
SOB, SOB SOB.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT! WHY AMERICA DO LIKE A CROOKED WOMAN?
WE LOVE YOU HILLARY
HILLARY 08
obama is a uniter.i hope more republicans and independents come together,and join us,to take our government back,from the 'dirty' politicians,of both parties.
ANOTHER REPUBLICAN FOR OBAMA-
SUPERDELEGATES TAKE NOTE!!
see this, people....
“Senator Obama’s ability to attract not only Democrats, but also Republicans and Independents, makes him uniquely qualified to build the broad coalitions needed to address our nation’s challenges,” said Ruckelshaus in a statement.
it's called RATIONAL THOUGHT...
enough with the B.S. !
Obama is definitely going to attract independent and republicans!
Well – at least those people that are not "typical white people" or bitterly clinging to guns or God.
Where is McCain flag pin or Bill Clinton's or Charlie Gibson's or Bush's? Look at McCain's own webstie – no flag pin. So why in the world is this an important issue for Obama? Why is it so important that ABC's Gibson asks it BEFORE any policy questions in last nights debate? Do they think we are stupid?
Way to go! Thank you! Hillary – and the media – keep attacking Obama!
The more heat you put on him the better! It' funny that he gets endorsements each time and I love it! Go Obama!
Everyone knows that Obama will make a Great President !!
AHH a Man of Honor and Principle. We need poeple who will not be bullied and he has proved his mettle.
Now ClintonBots will tear into him like THEY have done ANYTHING to help our nation.
Thank you Mr. Ruckelshaus.
Now CNN this is a reall story.
Just goes to show that prominent republicans are not afraid to SUPPORT Obama. This is not true of Hillary. She has republicans who don't like McCain but couldn't care less about her. I guess there are a lot of Hillary supporters who will go and join McCain's flip-flop express when Obama wins the nomination.
GO OBAMA!!!!
(what is all that noise about him not being electable?!?!? HE BRINGS THEM ALL IN, REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDATS ETC...)
OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!
????????????????????????????????????????
Obama sure has a lot of questionable friends...
Obama lied last night in the debate..He claimed his writing was never on the questionarie about hang guns. He answered YES..He lied last night when asked.