(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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even when obama wins the nomination, they all still bash Hillery. that creep Obama will lose, as sure as hell, if hillery is not on the ticket with him.
If he wishes to reflect the wishes of his constituency, and said constituency doesn't embrace the democratic party's core liberal inclination, then this guy has no business being a democrat.
What a joke...why doesn't he switch parties and get on with...Go Obama
Can Someone please help me understand how does the Democrats plan to take back the white house if they are so divided. United We Stand Dividde We fall. Democrats please set your House in Order. Thank you.
Concerned Democrat,
Sonia from Rockland, NY.
Well, Congressman Boren, you can always cross the party line if you should go that direction and endorse McCain. And you have the nerve to call yourself a Democrat...humph.
Go Obama ,2008!!!
Thank you, Rep. Boren, FINALLY A DEMOCRAT WHO REPRESENTS HIS CONSTITUENTS!!
Wow, The First good news I heard in months! Why should he endorse someone who doesn't have any experience what so ever!!!
Finaly someone see's threw that Racist, American hater with a Great Pastor who Knocks his own country...
Hillary Was the right choice and I'm Goin for the next best
McCain 2008
Democrats should be ashamed of themselves for being so blind.
Way to go Dan Boren. You have a lot of integrity, strength and commen sense.
WHATEVER............
In a state where you can still get the KKK newletter at the grocery store, I'm sure his decision has nothing to do with Obama being "liberal."
A more courageous move for this person would be for him to switch parties, so that a real Democrat can run for his seat. Failing that, I hope that Oklahoma provides a mechanism for a write-in candidate.
How long does he think his Republican friends would tolerate a similar announcement on their side of the aisle?
This guy is as out of step with the rest of the country as John McCain.
He won't endorse Obama but will vote for him because of the serious issues facing the country. What a loser. Make up your mind buddy. Either Obama is good for the country or he is not. Can't have it both ways Boren.
YES WE CAN and YES WE WILL
Good for you Rep. Dan Boren. Thank you very much for your integrity.
WHATEVER............
Canada for Obama
Glad to see there is SOMEONE out there that isn't a sheep bowing the the DNC... Wish they would wake up... (The DNC that is...)
He votes for him to be on the ticket and won't vote for him in the general election and he is a Democrat? (supposedly) He even says we need change....what a goofball...
Well, at least there is one smart dem in the congress.
One person, one vote. That's the American way. Most Americans will vote for the best man for the job and that is indeed Obama. God Bless America.
I second drod's comment – There is no way I am voting for Barack Obama. To do so would make one believe that I support the race-baiting, flip-flopping, egomaniac that he is, and the corrupt Democratic National Committee. Not in this lifetime....
Right, deb... Because McCain knows where he's going to take the country.
Are you serious? McCain doesn't even look like he knows where HE is half the time.
Seriously, all you Hillary-Fangirls need to quit being sore losers. I guarantee you, a vote for John McCain is a vote for Apocalypse.
And Drod, I can name another Dem with Integrity – I'll give you a hint; He's the presumptive nominee.
@drod – Amen to that. Nice to see a Dem. with a spine.
I will note and to some extent excuse Danny Boren's act of naked political opportunism, that in 1992, many "conservative" rural Congressional dems refused to back the CLinton/Gore ticket; including Ralph Hall, Dick Shelby, Mike Parker, Gene Taylor, Nathan Deal, LF Payne, GV Sonny Montgomery, Earl Hutto, Pete Petersen, Marvin Leath, Bill Sarpaulis etc to name a few. So what Boren and Mahoney (and possibly more) are doing is not unheard of. Clinton still won and Obama will still win
The quickest way to insanity is to keep voting republican and expecting a different result.
If he is a Democrat, then how did he win his seat for his district if his people are conservative? Sounds like a Republican who said he was Democrat just to take advantage of anti-Republican sentiment just to get elected. Either that, or he is mistaken about his constituents. Either way he ends up supporting Obama if he is going to vote for him at the convention. This guy is a waste of story text.