Hill endorsement draws criticism locally

FINAL UPDATE AT 9:52 a.m. FRIDAY

U.S. Rep. Baron Hill's endorsement Wednesday of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has drawn critcism from his party chairman in Jackson County.

"I'm against it," Jackson County Democratic Party Chairman Jeanette Hackman said Thursday in response to Hill endorsing Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination. "He (Hill) said he was not going to endorse anyone until after the primary."

Instead, Hackman is endorsing Obama's opponent, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Questioned about Hackman's comments, Hill said that's not the case.

"I never said that," Hill said. "Never did. I've always said that I took that into consideration, but the other consideraton is what I think is best for our party to come together."

Hill has had many conversations in the last four weeks with Democrats across the district, including county chairmen, state representatives, mayors and committee people.

"Overall, I'd estimate 65 percent of the 100 calls or so, people favored Sen. Obama," Hill said. "The majority of county chairs favored Sen. Clinton, but the majority of all calls favored Sen. Obama."

Katie Moreau of Hill's staff added those conversations across the district made it clear Hill was not pressuring anyone.

"He always said people are free to make their own decisions," she said.

Hackman said she is endorsing Clinton be-cause "she is the right person to the job."

"She has much more experience," Hackman added. "She is pointing out the real issues. Hillary's health care plan is what we need. As president, she'll get the job done by making health care affordable, holding oil companies accountable, protecting American jobs and strengthening the middle class."

Hill said he expects Obama to end the primary election season with a lead in the popular vote, a lead in the number of delegates and number of superdelegates.

"I think he will be close to almost having enough for the nomination, and I strongly believe that Democrats will come together and he'll be the nominee," Hill said.

He expects Clinton, too, will support Obama's nomination and his candidacy against the presumptive Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain.

"This is how democracy is supposed to work," Hill said. "You have your fight, then you see who your winner is and we try to come together. On balance, there's a lot more in common between Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama than there are differences."

Jackson County Republican Party Chairman Dennis Carmichael said he was surprised, but not greatly, that Hill and Hackman have come out with endorsements ahead of Tuesday's primary.

"Typically you stay away from things like that because you don't want to fracture your party. But this is a unqiue situation," Carmichael said.

Questioned about the potential impact of Hill's endorsement on his re-election bid, Carmichael offered little comment.

"I have my own fish to fry and would just as soon avoid commenting on what's going on with the other side." he said.

"It certainly has given the next president, John McCain, the opportunity to present who he is and what he stands for without getting beaten up," Carmichael added. "It's also allowed him to raise money for the fall rather than spend it in the primary."