Superdelegate Audra Ostergard Announces Support for Obama
Apr 23, 04:02 PM CST
From the Obama Press Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. – Audra Ostergard, Associate Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and member of the Democratic National Committee, publicly announced her support for Senator Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination.
“I have carefully weighed input from Democrats across Nebraska and closely watched results from primaries and caucuses across the country,” said Ostergard. “There are compelling arguments for supporting both candidates, but my decision came down to what’s best for our country and for Nebraska. In that regard, I am confident in my decision to endorse Senator Obama. He has a proven ability to activate Democrats in Nebraska.”
“The gravity of this decision has weighed on me heavily,” Ostergard added. “I don’t want to use my position to influence the process, but at the same time I agree with Howard Dean that our party needs a nominee. Senator Obama’s prohibitive lead in pledged delegates was a major factor in my decision.”
Ostergard, 41, is a publishing representative in Lincoln. By virtue of her position as Associate Chair in the Nebraska Democratic Party, she is a member of the Democratic National Committee and therefore automatically a delegate to the Democratic Party’s National Convention in August.
All six of Nebraska’s Unpledged Party Leaders and Elected Official Delegates (also known as “superdelegates”) have now endorsed Senator Obama. U.S. Senator Ben Nelson, Committeman Vince Powers, Committeewoman Kathleen Fahey, and Committeman Frank La Mere all endorsed prior to Nebraska’s February 9th Caucus. NDP Chairman Steve Achelpohl announced his support last week.
The Nebraska Democratic Party does not endorse candidates in contested primary contests. We attempt to provide timely updates and the same opportunities to all candidates.
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— Rick Apr 23, 06:43 PM CST #
— Rick Apr 23, 06:48 PM CST #
It is my hope the opportunity for Senator Obama to visit Boys Town would present itself during this election year. After all, fellow Brethrens and Lifetime Members of Boys Town National Alumni Association include Cecil Stoughton, famous Whitehouse Photographer for late Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as Commander of the USS Pueblo, the late Lloyd ‘Pete’ Bucher who was awarded as an American Hero by the late President Ronald W. Reagan. In fact, to this day we have still not recovered the USS Pueblo from North Korea. Several attempts to recover have been unsuccessful and therefore we are not able to restore as an American Military Museum reflecting a moment in time of crisis for our country. This might be another project Senator Obama can delegate and complete during his term as President. Nevertheless, your help and support in seeing that Barrack Obama is elected as our next President is truly appreciated by millions of ordinary people across America and around the world. Thank you.
— Jim Williams Apr 23, 07:39 PM CST #
Thank You all in the NDP.
Yes. We. Can.
— Fighting Moose Of The 25th Apr 23, 07:54 PM CST #
— Rick Apr 23, 09:32 PM CST #
Is that short for Ricketts?
Pete, is that you?
— Phil Montag Apr 23, 09:46 PM CST #
— Raj Apr 23, 10:39 PM CST #
— Kate Wolfe Apr 23, 10:39 PM CST #
— Laurie Apr 23, 10:41 PM CST #
— K.Atkinson Apr 23, 10:43 PM CST #
— Jim B Apr 23, 10:44 PM CST #
— Sheri Richard Apr 23, 11:04 PM CST #
— Jerome Zaccaro Apr 23, 11:21 PM CST #
— Judy Domina Apr 23, 11:36 PM CST #
— Margaret Applegarth Apr 23, 11:38 PM CST #
— Dave Jackson Apr 24, 05:03 AM CST #
— Blu Apr 24, 06:18 AM CST #
— Laurie Apr 24, 07:27 AM CST #
— roger Apr 24, 09:02 AM CST #
— Luke Peterson Apr 24, 10:18 AM CST #
— Charles Jones Apr 24, 12:37 PM CST #
— marcia Reilly Apr 24, 01:43 PM CST #
I agree with Marcia R. that May 13th will show a very different picture than the caucuses did but … we will have to wait and see.
PS: All of you that say you don’t support Hillary Clinton based on the Iraq war vote of October, 2002 – make sure you campaign against Ben Nelson next time around.
— Marian Ingwersen Apr 24, 03:04 PM CST #
— Trevor Fitzgerald Apr 24, 04:54 PM CST #
P.S. Hillary supporters need to get out and vote in the pirmary on May 13 to show the party leadership that Obama is not the choosen one.
— rick Apr 24, 09:46 PM CST #
There are also many local issues that need to be voted on. Don’t ignore the primary.
— Marian Ingwersen Apr 24, 09:56 PM CST #
We do not like it but the race will now be decided by the remaining uncommitted super delegates. On May 14th, will they be told that 90 days after the caucus, democrats in Nebraska overwhelmingly supported Senator Obama, ratifying the caucus system? Or will the Clinton campaign be telling the uncommitted super delegates, “Look at what happened in Nebraska, we proved that the caucuses do not reflect voter sentiment,.”?
And because of the unpredictable events, Nebraska will be the first test of whether Senator Obama’s popularity has taken a hit the last 90 days.
As an Obama supporter I predict that he will win Nebraska big and then be able to assure super delegates that the caucus system is valid and that he can take a punch.
Of course my friend Marian would like nothing better than to say on May 14th , “Vince, Nebraska just went 52-48 for Hillary,”
This is a year that we will never forget.as we get to vote for our candidates twice. And we will continune to show the country that in Nebraska, democrats disagree but do so with respect for each other because we are all united in our desire to see America rising up again under a democratic administration this January.
Regardless of whether the campaigns like it, whether we like it, or whether it makes sense, there will be 2 names on the ballot May 13th, and on May 14th there will be a winner and a loser.
— Vince Powers Apr 25, 08:43 AM CST #
Here is the letter I plan to send to as many Nebraska papers as will have it. Those of you who are also curious, feel free to use it as a template for any letter you might want to write. Sorry for the length of the post.
To the Democratic voters of Nebraska:
On May 13th, Nebraska will hold its primary election. Most of you realize that the democrats in the state held a caucus on February 9th that was utilized to choose the delegates for the democratic nominee for the presidential race. Barack Obama won the caucus with a margin of sixteen delegates to Hillary Clinton’s eight. This was based on the participation of approximately 38,500 Nebraska Democrats (26,126 voting for Mr. Obama and 12,445 voting for Mrs. Clinton). Recently, a person posted at the Nebraska Democrat’s web site (nebraskademocrats.org) that Mr. Obama was overwhelmingly supported by the majority of Nebraska Democrats. Since there are over 396,000 registered Democrats in Nebraska, I find this statement a bit of a stretch.
In recent days, our final two super-delegates – Audra Ostergard and Steve Archepohl have cast their super votes for Barack Obama. Again, I assume, as a reflection of the support shown to Mr. Obama by the democrats during the caucuses along with their personal preference for the candidate.
I would like to know more about the views of the democrats in Nebraska concerning the two remaining presidential candidates. The primary on May 13th will allow all primary voters to show their preference for a democratic presidential nominee. Please don’t skip the question. Vote for who you believe would be the best leader for our country – even though the vote won’t change the number of delegates Nebraska sends to the National Convention for that person (to my knowledge), it is still good and important to know what the real majority of Nebraskan Democrats think. It’s good for the party leaders to know.
And remember, there are many other reasons to go to the polls on May 13th. Several local and state elections depend on your input. Enjoy your right to vote. Be heard. I’d like to know what all 396,000 of you think!
Thank you.
Marian Borgmann Ingwersen
A regular voter
Ceresco, Nebraska
— Marian Ingwersen Apr 25, 10:34 AM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 25, 08:22 PM CST #
Hillary Clinton won 60 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania and took every group except African Americans and those earning over $150,000 a year. Rasmussen Reports in a Pennsylvania poll released yesterday that Hillary leads McCain by 5 points but McCain beats Obama by 1 point:
Hillary won voters most concerned about the economy by 16 points and union households by 18 points. She won those with incomes between 100K and 150K by 20 points, white women by 32 points and Catholics by 38 points. She won those who decided on the last day 59-41, the last three days 58-42 and the last week 54-46.
Audra Ostergard, Ben Nelson, Vince Powers, Kathleen Fahey, Frank La Mere and Steve Achelpohl need to reevaluate, recalculate, rethink and remember that they represent all of Nebraska, not just the upper class residents of Lincoln and Omaha.
— Blu Apr 26, 08:16 AM CST #
I’m not sure of the outcome, I just want to know what it is.
— Marian Ingwersen Apr 26, 03:15 PM CST #
— rick Apr 26, 09:10 PM CST #
Maybe it is time for Democrats who care, to unite behind the real winner of this deal, and work to turn this state a pleasant shade of blue.
Never forget,even for a minute our main task this year. Our White House has been occupied the last seven plus years by a gang of thieves and liars. Our grandchildren will spit on our graves if our bickering distracts us from the task of sending these rats packing back to their neocon nutcase think tanks.
— Steve Hollister Apr 26, 10:44 PM CST #
— rick Apr 26, 11:56 PM CST #
The NDP (the organization) does not make endorsements in contested primary contests. The NDP has not provided any aid or assistance to either candidate that was not available to the other candidate.
However, our leaders are free to campaign for their candidate of choice. In fact, Governor Howard Dean has encouraged all superdelegates (party leaders by definition) to make their preference known.
— Eric Van Horn Apr 27, 11:55 AM CST #
I am free to endorse any Presidential candidate. I backed Sen Edwards but he dropped out so I endorsed Sen Obama.
I would not back a candidate who would not come to Nebraska and ask for our vote. Only Sen Obama came to Nebraska. Unfortunately President Clinton was told by Sen Clinton supporter, Bob Kerrey to not come to Nebraska. I suggested to the Clinton campaign that Chelsea go to the third district and she went to Grand Island where Hall County Democrats put together a great event. It was no surprise to me that Sen Clinton did the best in the third district on feb 9th.
No doubt if Clinton wins on May 13th, there will six foolish looking Nebraska super delegates. But my suspicion is that neither Sen Clinton’s national nor Nebraska campaigns are savvy enough to take advantage of a primary vote 90 days after a caucus. Imagine what the Clinton campaign would tell the uncommitted super delegates if Hillary pulled the upset on May 13th?
Sen Obama’s supporters will turn out in huge numbers for the primary. I hope Senator Clinton’s supporters will as well. The more dems who vote May 13th, the stronger we are in November.
— vince powers Apr 27, 02:58 PM CST #
Well, I hope the savvy Clinton supporters come out and vote on May 13 to make you and the rest of the super delegates look more foolish than you already do by supporting Senator Obama. There goes the elistist attitude again by an Obama supporter thinking that Clinton campaign isn’t savvy enough. You only supported him because he pandered to your demands. I think you really need to rethink your decision to back Senator Obama. He doesn’t know the issues and can only read off cue cards. I don’t think that you and the rest of the super delegates are representing the voters will to it’s full extent. I am really tired of the Nebraska Democratic’s party politics. I will not support a candidate that has no experience. Thus if Senator Obama is the Democratic nominee for President it will be just like having George Junior in the White House again. I will vote for McCain and Nebraska will always be a red state.
— rick Apr 27, 10:47 PM CST #
Thank you for your insightful comments. I just don’t think Vince should be bad mouthing Senator Clinton. But I can except that from a Obama supporter. I think that the National Democratic party needs to follow the way of the National Republican Party in the way they select their candidate. If the Democratic Party would have winner take all contest this contest would have been over long time ago and Hillary would be the nominee. I just hope that the people of Nebraska can see through all the hype from the media, super delegates and the Obama camp itself and vote for a candidate that can delivery on their promises and knows what they are doing. I hope that Nebraska will vote for Senator Clinton and send a real winner to the White House.
— rick Apr 27, 10:59 PM CST #
By being chosen as a super delegate you were given the power of 10,000 voter and the criteria you used for casting those 10,000 votes is whether or not the candidate was able to personally campaign in Nebraska?
I’d like to know which candidates you’ve supported in the past, ‘cause I sure don’t recall many visits from presidential hopefuls! And I’d also like to know who picked the super delegates from this state and what criteria was used in making that decision.
— Blu Apr 28, 05:05 AM CST #
To most people the Nebraska Clinton folks are admitting that their candidate cannot do well in Nebraska and are validating the choice of the superdelegates.
Bottom line, I undersatand Sen Obama saying, “Been to Nebraska, I won” but why does Sen Clinton’s supporters say, “We do not want a rematch?”
— Vince Powers Apr 28, 07:28 AM CST #
13. Fair Reflection of Presidential Preferences
H) For the purpose of fairly reflecting the division of preferences, the non-binding advisory presidential preference portion of primaries shall not be considered a step in the delegate selection process and is considered detrimental. State parties must take steps to educate the public that a non-binding presidential preference event is meaningless, and state parties and presidential candidates should take all steps possible not to participate.
— Blu Apr 28, 07:42 AM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 28, 07:45 AM CST #
As an aside why are you so ashamed of your comments that you post anonymously? I thought you had some good questions so I will answer them.
I speak for myself only.The other super delegates can choose to answer questions or not, it is an individual choice.
In July 2004 I was elected as National Committeeman in a contested election at the state convention by the elected delegates.
All of the superdelgates, except Frank and Sen Nelson are elected at the state convention. Frank, a great democrat is an at -large DNC Committeman. Frank is the most influential Nebraska democrat other than Sen Nelson by virtue of his being on the DNC exec committee.
In the past I have supported whoever the candidate was in May when our primary rolled around and the nomination contest was over.
I thought it was important that we have a candidate who could win in November and not a candidate that ran another “battleground states” strategy.
I also felt strongly that my role as Committeman required that I do everything I could to help the Nerbaska Democratic Party.
Please reread my earlier post, I backed Sen Edwards. I thought he was the better of all the candidates. After he dropped out I made my pick based on electability.
May 13th will be another fun day in Nebraska. As a Clinton supporter said after voting by mail,”This is great, I got to vote for Hillary twice”
Why not use your energy to get out the vote for Sen Clinton on May 13th, afterwards you can get back to criticizing me.
— Vince Powers Apr 28, 07:56 AM CST #
I questioned your reasoning when you stated, “I would not back a candidate who would not come to Nebraska and ask for our vote.” We need to support the candidate that has the best plans for solving the nation’s problems and has the best chance of winning in November. It is my opinion that the best candidate is Sen. Clinton. I also asked what Democratic candidate you supported in the past since I don’t recall any viable candidate coming to Nebraska in decades.
The second issue was about Sen. Clinton campaigning for the non-binding primary vote in Nebraska. You said, “…my suspicion is that neither Sen Clinton’s national nor Nebraska campaigns are savvy enough to take advantage of a primary vote 90 days after a caucus.” I asked you if the DNC rule (13-H) prevented the candidates from campaigning for the non-binding primary. Here’s the rule I’m referring to:
13. Fair Reflection of Presidential Preferences
H) For the purpose of fairly reflecting the division of preferences, the non-binding advisory presidential preference portion of primaries shall not be considered a step in the delegate selection process and is considered detrimental. State parties must take steps to educate the public that a non-binding presidential preference event is meaningless, and state parties and presidential candidates should take all steps possible not to participate.
Perhaps Sen. Clinton is savvy enough to understand the DNC rules and also savvy enough to spend her campaign funds in the remaining states, not in a NE beauty contest.
— Blu Apr 28, 08:28 AM CST #
It doesn’t take much money to do a grassroots campaign. The Nebraska Clinton campaign could self finance an effective campaign.
President Clinton on democrats who participated in caucuses:
“Of his wife’s recent travails, he said, “the caucuses aren’t good for her. They disproportionately favor upper-income voters who, who, don’t really need a president but feel like they need a change.”
On May 13th we will find out if President Clinton was right or wrong.
— Vince Powers Apr 28, 09:15 AM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 28, 01:36 PM CST #
— Blu Apr 28, 02:38 PM CST #
In all seriousness, I’ve been reading assumptions about Nebraska going purple and Obama splitting it’s electoral votes, etc. ... and this is all based on 6.5% of the registered democrats in Nebraska going to a caucus and standing up for him. I think it is a mistake to make these assumptions and I have told 4/5 SD’s that some, if not all of them should have held off their vote until after May 13th. Only one replied to me … and I thank Vince for that. At least Vince is engaged in this discussion. Where are the rest of you?
I do understand that Obama excited the NDP by coming here and taking time to talk to them. It does mean something. I’m just not sure it means what individuals think it means.
We’ll see. In the meantime, Blu and others – vote, vote, vote. Hillary Clinton doesn’t give up. That is her defining statement.
This vote will help her argument.
— Marian Ingwersen Apr 28, 03:18 PM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 28, 04:23 PM CST #
— Cathy Kamran Apr 28, 06:27 PM CST #
Cathy, please explain how McCain having voted wrong for decades is the type of experience that you value? What policy of Sen. McCain do you favor? A 100 years in Iraq? His belief that the wealthy pay too much in taxes? The GOP policies McCain has supported that gave us gas at $3.75 a gallon? Or McCain’s involvement in the Keating 5? and on and on. Seems to me that the experience of being wrong about almost every important economic and foreign policy decision in the last few decades is not what America needs now.
— vince powers Apr 28, 07:07 PM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 28, 07:26 PM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 28, 07:50 PM CST #
So if your proposal would have past and Senator Clinton wins the May primary, would you vote for her? I was just curious because I know that you think Senator Obama is going to win the May primary.
I do have to commend you on your interaction with the voters on this blog. I think talking about the candidates and the election is a good thing.
— rick Apr 28, 11:14 PM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 29, 07:38 AM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 29, 07:56 AM CST #
Do you agree with Sen McCain that the welathy pay too little in taxes?
Do you agree with SenMcCain that there is no problem with the Iraq war going on 100 years?
Do you agree with Sen McCain that women should not be able to go to Court when they are not paid the same as men. (Sen McCain refused to vote to overrule the Ledbetter decison last week).
Do you agree with Sen McCain that government is in a better position than a woman and her doctor to decide on personal health issues?
Do you agree with Sen McCain that the economy has done well the last 8 years?
What about the 40 million Americans without health insurance, how will your vote for Sen McCain solve that problem?
Just what is it about Sen McCain’s positions on issues that attracts you?
It is a mistake to buy into the right wing’s standard method of winning elections, that is, they turn electoins in tocontests about perceived character issues rather than policy.
The last 8 years have demonstrated that conservatives cannot be trusted to run government. Are you better off today than you were 4 years ago?
More importantly, is America better off today than it was in 2000?
— Vince Powers Apr 29, 09:08 AM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 29, 09:57 AM CST #
— Marian Ingwersen Apr 29, 10:26 AM CST #
Do you agree with Sen McCain that the wealthy are paying too much in taxes?
Jacquie, you lost your credibility when yoiu tell me that you would vote for McCain. Obama and Clinton have very little differences on the issues. Seems to me you just want one candidate and if it is not your candidate then you will vote for someone who diasagrees with Sen Clinton on almost every major issue.
— Vince Powers Apr 29, 11:08 AM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 29, 11:19 AM CST #
— Jacquie Apr 29, 12:08 PM CST #
— Johan Apr 29, 08:06 PM CST #
The picture of Obama in some Somali garb … of course understood that Hillary Clinton herself, mailed it to Drudge. I hear lots of Obama people say Drudge is evil and a liar … but on this note, it is accepted that the HRC campaign sent that photo. Let’s just say they did … what was the big deal? Is Obama embarrased or what?
She said he was an elitist … if he’s not, then who cares if she said it. If there is some truth to it … that’s when such a statement bothers people. He said a stupid thing … she brought that out to the public but only after the media “leaked” the story. Is she supposed to sit there and say nothing about his negative statements? He uses her words and others against her all the time … every time I hear him talking he’s ridiculing or mocking her (along with the MSM I might ad – although I think there is some traffic finally going the other way).
Hillary also, correctly pointed out that Obama doesn’t take money from oil companies—just like she doesn’t —but went on to say he does take money from people who work for Oil companies—- which is true. What of that?
She asked the people of Texas who they would rather have answer the 3 am call – they told us.
She asked Pennsylvanians who they think could handle the pressures of the presidency better and they told us.
She said MLK needed the help of a pro-civil rights president to pass the Civil Rights Bill. I think that is true and does not slam Obama.
Help me out here Johan. Tell me all the details of Hillary’s assault on Obama. I think this line of reasoning is accepted but I’m not so sure it is true. The biggest problems Obama has had … have little to do with Clinton. But it feels like Obama supporters want to blame her in some way … after all, if she had just dropped out – non of this negative stuff about Obama would be happening. [until November].
I have always said that what Obams is offering is very attractive but I see no evidence that he can do any of the things he is promising us he will do. To go from his current stance (on the left to far left) to bi-partisan agreement, he will have to move right – which will make his supporters unsupportive. If he stays left, he will not get the Republicans to jump on the Obama train.
Hillary knows the process and how to use it to actually get things done. It’s not a perfect system, she is not a flawless person, but I go with her know-how over his promises.
— Marian Ingwersen Apr 29, 10:47 PM CST #