WASHINGTON — Rep. Jim McDermott is endorsing Democrat Barack Obama for president, adding to the senator’s delegate count.
McDermott, a veteran Seattle congressman, said Thursday that he believes Obama will bring the nation together to achieve the kind of change needed to move the country forward.
McDermott said Democrats were fortunate to have two talented candidates for president, adding that he respects Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
But he said he believes now is the time to unite behind Obama so Democrats can be in the strongest position to win in November.
McDermott joins state Gov. Chris Gregoire and Reps. Adam Smith, Brian Baird and Rick Larsen in endorsing Obama. Smith is Obama’s state chairman.
Pat Notter, a Washington state superdelegate and member of the Democratic National Committee, also backs Obama.
Clinton has support from five Washington superdelegates, including Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Reps. Norm Dicks and Jay Inslee, and King County Executive Ron Sims.
McDermott said he was confident that Obama will end the war in Iraq and make universal health care a reality and help “restore our moral standing in the world.”
Obama won the state’s February primary and caucuses — a fact McDermott said played a role in his decision.
“Barack Obama won the race in my home state by an overwhelming margin and I am thankful that so many new voters have become engaged because of the kind of campaign he has run, and I am happy to support him today,” McDermott said in a statement issued by his office.
Obama said in the statement that he was grateful for McDermott’s support.
“Congressman McDermott has steadfastly served Seattle and the entire 7th Congressional District, and we share the important goal of making universal health care a reality,” Obama said.
McDermott, an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war, “was right about the war and his constituents never wavered in their support of his stand,” Obama said.
Obama also praised McDermott’s work on helping economic growth in Africa and his leadership in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS around the globe.
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