(CNN) - On the same day Democratic leaders stressed party unity after the drawn out primary fight, one congressional Democrat said Tuesday he will not endorse Barack Obama's bid for the White House.
Rep. Dan Boren, Oklahoma's lone Democrat in Congress, told the Associated Press Obama is "the most liberal senator," and said he has to listen to the wishes of his own constituents.
"We're much more conservative," Boren said of his rural district which stretches across the eastern part of the state and borders Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas.
"I've got to reflect my district. No one means more to me than the people who elected me. I have to listen to them," Boren added. His congressional office confirmed the accuracy of the quotes to CNN.
Boren also said Obama's record "does not reflect working in a bipartisan fashion." But the Oklahoma Democrat said he would vote for Obama at the party's convention in August because of the serious issues the country faces.
"I think this is an important time for our country," he said. "We're facing a terrible economic downturn. We have high gasoline prices. We have problems in our foreign policy. That's why I think it's important."
Watch: McCain and Obama go on the attack
Boren's comments come a day after Florida Democratic Rep. Tim Mahoney also said he has no plans to make a formal endorsement. The freshman Democrat, who replaced Republican Rep. Mark Foley following House page scandal, told the Palm Beach Post he plans on remaining an uncommitted superdelegate and may not even attend the convention.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Deb – seriously? First of all, you didn't read the article correctly - he says that he will in fact vote for Obama because of the "serious trouble" the country is facing. How is not endorsing him but voting for him "reflecting the will of the people who elected him"? He is apparently just doing this to thwart the Dem's chances of winning? Which doesn't make much sense if he is going to vote for Obama anyway. This seems to me to be a plea for attention – my hope is it will backfire and he will be FIRED (i.e., his voters will get RID of him).
How on earth can anyone trust this "official" who is speaking from every possible angle. I won't endores him, but I will vote for him at the convention.
Why not take a stand and skip it! Or possibly just convert to become a Republican.
I can understand doing what he needs to do in terms of representing his constituents. But this story seems strange overall.
Read between the lines people. Four more years of Bush/McCain (Children dying abroad/High Gas Prices/Slumping Job Market/Foreclosures.... etc, etc). Let's stay focused on the issues and make a change to America more respectable overseas as we once were!
Get your mind right – "deb in az"
Big woop CNN, why doesn't you do some of this same hard probing journalism on McCain?
You know, the guy with all of the lobbyists running his campaign, the guy who is trying to skirt FEC rules?
I guess CNN likes the BBQ at Huggy Bear's ranch so we won't see these type of stories on McCain.
Nothing to do with him being Black (is it?)
LOL! That IS an endorsement. He said he will cast his vote for Obama at the Convention – that's the endorsement. All superdel's who have endorsed Obama have said, "I will cast my ballot for Obama at the Convention."
This guy is an idiot – I just think he wants attention.
So why are these people in the Democratice party? And if he votes for Obama at the convention how is that representing his constituents?
This looks like a confused Rep. He said he will not endorse Obama, but he will vote for him at the convention. He said Obama is the most liberal democrat, but he will vote for him in convention and not endorse him. I won't be surprised if he chooses not to vote for Obama in the general election.
Please just say you won't vote for a black man and stop hiding your true color!
what you say makes no sense.
Obama isn't even that liberal. No more liberal than Hillary Clinton, for sure. Anyone who thinks he is needs to look at the policies, not his image.
As a true liberal, I support Obama but would prefer somebody like Mike Gravel or Dennis Kucinich.
My message to him is that the world is changing and he cannot longer t put his conservsative side into politics. I believe Barack Obama is just working for the people of the United States of America. Conservatives usually mix politics and religion. Both should be separeted.
So vote Barack because he has the heart to see for each americans, poor, rich, black, hispanics, gays and lesbians etc. Aren't we all living is this country and just for a second mix politicis an religion. Aren't we created by God too?
Smart Choice!
um deb in az have you been living under a rock?
obama has been quite specific on where he plans to take this country and it is a much better place than Bush took us and McCain would leave us .
I'm surprised but pleased. I'm an Oklahoman, and our state was won handily by Hillary Clinton. Former US Senator David Boren, who is Congressman Boren's father and a Democratic super-delegate announced that he would endorse Obama, despite the will of the people as expressed by the primary voters. Good for the younger Boren - he does understand that he represents us not supercedes us.
He will be remembered......
That's right and the people voted for Obama. This behind the fence racism is bull. We all know in our hearts this economy cannot take another self serving republican. And this comes from a republican that helped put the Bush admin in office twice. But when the republican party made it known that they thought we were a bunch of ignorant people who should fend for themselves that was the last draw. I have a family to raise and hopefully in the best America possible. But with a government that caters to to countries like china and sent our jobs to Canada and Mexico. And tells our people at the same time that the housing problem is our fault cause we were careless. But at the same time giving the people who made the bad loans billions of dollars. At the same time same social programs are to expensive. But at the same time fight a war that we are borrowing money from countries that don't even like us. You know maybe we ought to just ship them there. Hey has anyone tried giving peace a chance. And if every republican backs the war so much why won't McCain make some of his pack of children go to war. I know this is a democracy. But anyone who would vote for the republican this year. No matter what has got to have issues. Every day when I go to work I cringe as put gas in my car. But at the same time I get a smile and goose bumps. Knowing by the time the election comes around 5 dollars a gallon is going the drive the Republicans right out of the white house.
so why can't he endorse obama if he's going to vote for him?
Way to go! See what DNC did to this Party? They have annointed a weak, bipartisan, inexperienced Intern to lead the Party! This is just the beginning of our laughter, all the 18 Million of us, maligned & thrown out of the bus. This includes the CNN, MSNBC people as well!
The first day Obama loses, we shall arise again to nominate the best candidate ever-- HILLARY CLINTON for 2012!
drod June 10th, 2008 6:05 pm ET
Finally…a democrat with some integrity.
why?
cause he won't endorse the democrat who won the most states? the popular vote? the most delegates and superdelegates?
yep lots of integrity there
Very strange Mr OKIE! very strange!!
greg
Ok, is his 15 minutes over yet?
Well i hope the DNC or the Congressional Caccus doesnt fund his campaign...
ALL THE REPUBLICANS ARE STILL BLOGGING I SEE....AND SOME DID NOT ENDORSE HILLARY OR MCBUSH. AND?
This is what I call moral principle
Sorry, you will not be re-elected.
No Hillary as Obama's V.P.
McCain '08.!
Hillary '12 ..!!