- President Obama
Stephanie Young, press secretary for the reelection campaign of 9th District congressman Steve Cohen, has confirmed that President Obama will be formally conveying on Tuesday his endorsement of Cohen’s reelection.
The official release of the endorsement statement will be coordinated with the White House, Young said.
A presidential endorsement of a primary candidate in Tennessee is rare and perhaps unprecedented. Today’s action comes after a spate of rumors, beginning with the weekend, that an intervention in the local congressional race by Obama was imminent.
Cohen was one of the early endorsers of the Obama presidential candidacy on the eve of the Tennessee presidential primary in February, 2008.
UPDATE: The text of Obama’s endorsement statement, released at 11:01 a.m. Tuesday by the Cohen campaign in conjunction with the White House:
“Congressman Cohen is a proven leader in the United States Congress and a strong voice for Tennessee.
Together, we passed historic health care reform and together we’re continuing the fight to renew our economy and bring jobs back to the American people.
I am proud to stand with Steve and support his re-election to Congress.
—President Barack Obama.”
>
Cohen issued the following statement in response:
“I am grateful to have the support for my re-election from President Barack Obama. I look forward to continue working closely with the President and his administration during the 112th session of the United States Congress.
“I was inspired by President John F. Kennedy to enter into politics to make a difference in my community and my country. Like President Kennedy, President Barack Obama inspires a new generation to do the same. It is my hope to continue to build on my 31 years of public service to make the promise of America, the practice of America.”
