(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
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I've lived in Oklahoma, and there are 2 kinds of people in Okalahoma
Rascist Republicans
and
Rascist Democrats.
The guys got balls! Right On!
deb in az....he didn't say he was voting for McCain. As for the Democrat with integrity statement.....it speaks for itself.
June 10th, 2008 5:38 pm ET
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WOW……I'm impressed.
Finally a politician that cares about his constituents.
Finally a man that refuses to be bullied by the Obamas and the DNC.
Finally a man that cares enough about America and its people to do the right thing.
Finally a honest politician who wont endorse a candidate who sat in a divisive radical american hating church for 20 years.
Too bad we don,t have more politicians with values and a backbone
Give me a break! Life really isn't all about liberal or conservative. Especially when people can't even afford to buy groceries or gas! Let's have a reality check!
This guy needs to grow a pair. ...so much for party unity
You're are 100% correct deb...why should he vote for a man that doesn't know where he is going to take this country & doesn't share his ideas. HYPOCRISY at the highest order.
Sounds like a fine line. I don't think anyone can pull off that balancing act.
He is still voting for Obama at the convention and the general election.....
So the supporters of McSame, McCan't, McLame, etc shouldn't get too excited........
A Democrat, who should be a Republican, if he is that conservative.
The primaries are over. Mr. Boren's vote is moot. Perhaps Boren and his constituents could leave the Democratic party. We don't need cowards, besides, Oklahoma carries how many electoral votes?
Vote for Obama in Nov!
I respect his decision based on his district... however I would hope Dems in his district are closer to Obama than McCain! I really don't think Obama is "that" liberal – at least compared to people I know from NY/CA and other places.
Unite Dems!
Rep. Boren has no guts. Republican or Dem, stand up for what you believe in. As a Dem, I say, vote this guy out and pick someone who stands for their principles, not someone who just doesn't want to say something because it's 'politically dangerous.'
Finally a democrat with some integrity, huh drod? We've been waiting for the same thing from republicans for EIGHT YEARS. This has nothing to do with Obamas track record.It is no worse than any other candidates. This is about racism and bigotry toward a man's color and his name. I hate the race card and I am white, but watching this all winter and spring long I can come to no other conclusions. I'd rather follow someone who doesn't know where he's taking the country than someone who knows that they're taking it straight to hell.
Wow....what an idiot. This man says he's concerned with foreign policy, yet is not endorsing the candidate who is most likely end this ridiculous fighting in the Middle East? But he's still going to vote for him? Get this clown out of the news, and out of his office.
And CNN? Please post this. It's the only intelligent thing that is going be said in this forum anyways.
Who is this guy ?? sit at home you akward politician
I think he should switch parties, he seems more like a republican than a democrat.
Hilary or McCain...Hispanics for McCain all the way if it's not Hilary...
Sounds like a closet republican who is concerned that the ultra conservative voters of his district might hold this against him come re-election time. As the knight told Indy, 'choose wisely'
Any big deal? Chuck Hagel has not endorsed McSame either. Why don't you report that CNN?
That's no big deal...both Colin Powell and Chuck Hagel are Republicans who have refused to endorse McCain over differences they have with him. Even Jenna Bush said she was open to voting for a Democrat this year. There are a lot of Republicans who do support Obama; I should know, I helped register them (as well as being a former Republican myself).
Well, endorse McSame. Sounds like that's what you and you people want!
It should say volumes to all those moderate Democrats out there that many of their own party are starting to see Senator Obama as just too liberal. And with Senator McCain being a moderate this could prove the tipping factor in November.
to deb in az: "if it means voting for john mccain in the general……why should he vote for a man that doesnt know where he is going to take this country………."
The answer is: Because sometimes the will of the people is to keep slaves, make war on those who do not threaten you, scapegoat immigrants, keep women submissive, etc. All bad things. These congressmen are afraid to tell their constituents they made a terrible mistake in the last two presidential elections and that their world-view is tragically flawed.
It takes courage to LEAD people out of their preconceptions, biases, and prejudices. THAT'S TRUE LEADERSHIP. Abraham Lincoln comes to mind. ANY COWARD CAN FOLLOW CAN ATTACK THE DEFENSELESS. George W. Bush comes to mind.
What's the point of calling yourself a Democrat if you can't endorse the candidate who exemplifies the principles of the party? If you want to be anti-environment, anti-abortion, anti-science, pro big business, pro obscene oil company profits, pro tax breaks for the wealthy, jingoist, and xenophobic, why not just become a Republican and improve the average integrity of both parties?