(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.
From CNN Politics
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Breaking News (CNN crawl): Little Mikey endorses Obama, even though he usually "hates everything"
I am disappointed that Hilliary Clinton will do anything to destroy the Democratic Party. I once respected her but lately her "elitiest" attitude has made me sad and disappointed. When will it ever end?
Great...
"THERE IS NO BLUE STATES OR RED STATES...WE NEED A REAL UNITED STATES...
Smart people in this country understands the real challenges facing our nation..
Yes, united we can...
Hey – Allen, Lubbock, TX
You are very incorrect. A republican has endorsed Senator Clinton.
His name is John McCain.
HRC should just give it up.... its over now!
Let me get this straight Obamaniacs... a Republican votes for Hillary, it's because they want her to win the nomination because she will lose against McCain. A Republican endorses Obama, it's because times are changing.
That's very interesting. And might I add hypocritic of you all. You're so blinded by Barack's hope ray that you can't see the Republicans are playing the Democrats big time. Unity? Indeed! Ha. Get real.
way to go Obama!
Phenomenal! Go Obama!! You deserve every endorsement you get. I can see why everyone is running from McNasty and Hillabeans!!
OBAMA '08
I hope the Hill-Bill-ies have their ark built... the flood of superdelegates is on the horizon!!!
Can you imagine how she is going to curse the "lunch-bucket democracts" for filth when she loses!!! I wish I could be a fly on the wall... I feel sorry for her supporters.
If you don't STAND for CHANGE, you will FALL for Clinton!!!
no, not that one. the real post – geez. who ties your shoes?
Screw honesty and integrity. Give Hillary the nomination already, you cowards. Screw all of you.
Hillary and nader Now.
I hope the Hill-Bill-ies have their ark built... the flood of superdelegates is on the horizon!!!
Can you imagine how she is going to curse the "lunch-bucket democracts" for filth when she loses!!! I wish I could be a fly on the wall... I feel sorry for her supporters.
If you don't STAND for CHANGE, you will FALL for Clinton!!!
lets see: this man would not do what the president of the united states wanted him to do to cover up: lets see: obama knows or had lunch with someone who did bad things and clinton gave them pardons AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH MONEY. how does that work-i never had what with whom????? but clinton could have been under fire when all those pardons of those people were put in the bank, i mean given out?????? as we say in the south, I UNDERSTAND.
Since Ruckelshaus didn't vote for Hillary, he is obviously NOT IMPORTANT. He's useless and un-electable.
Hillary and Nader.
NOW SHE'LL SAY HE DID WATERGATE. That would make him 10 at the time. I'm sure he was ALL over that Hotel. He was bombing at 9. I think he was at the 68 convention at 7 hanging with Abbey Hoffman. MY GOD LET GO OF THE 60's and 70's you flaming old bag.
This is great news. One endorsement a day keeps old Clinton away.
Again, Obama reaches across party lines. Soon McCain will endorse Obama too...
This is great news.
But its sad to watch the media making a mockery of democracy.
He is messing with your mind. He wants Obama to be the candidate, not president. We all do. He is toast and we know it.
I wonder who he will stand next to in the general?
McCain or Obama...
I wonder who important his endorsment will be then?
Wink.. Wink..
It's all falling into place!
Thank you Mr. Ruckelshouse.
Those too young to remember back to Nixon should at least read up on it. Nice to see that those with courage back then are still principled people.
In response to "Mama4Obama", I'd like to say this: You can screw off. You and all you dam Obama supporteres.
As usual the Clinton supporter idiots do not read what has been printed. If you look at what McCane's campaign is saying and I quote "They would much rather see Hilary Clinton in a General Election becasue she is to inconsistent and not trustworthy according to the National Polls" they do not want to see Obama in a General Election. Now, where is your claim for electability...oops, she slipped on that one again last night (inconsistency coming through again).
How about the Clinton supporters gettheir facts straight before you post a message on this blog. To much idiotic non-fact supported comments from you guys.
Go home and take your toys with you becasue you obviously do not know how to play nice.
GO OBAMA!!!!!
Maybe the Pope will endorse Obama before he leaves.
The Devil is up to his old tricks. This is creepy.
TO john:
If an American is red-blooded then he'd be a Republican. If he was blue-blooded he'd be a Democrat. If he's Purple-blooded, he'd be a Demigod.
I agree with John: Hillary is the on