Obama Wins Clinton Backer on Wright, Gas Tax

Policy and principle: Obama wins! AP reports this morning that Joe Andrew, a former Democratic National Committee chair, is calling on Democrats to unite behind Barack Obama. Why is this a big deal?

1. Bill Clinton apppinted Andrew DNC chair in 1999.
2. Andrew andorsed Hillary Clinton the day she declared her candidacy.
3. Andrew is making his announcement in his hometown of Indianapolis (Indiana primary in 5 days).
4. Obama has won Andrew's respect without pandering:

Andrew said the Obama campaign never asked him to switch his support, but he decided to do so after watching Obama's handling of two issues in recent days. He said Obama took the principled stand in opposing a summer gas tax holiday that both Clinton and McCain supported, even though it would have been easier politically to back it. And he said he was impressed with Obama's handling of the controversy surrounding his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright [Nedra Pickler, "DNC Chairman Under Bill Clinton: Unite Behind Obama," AP via Yahoo News, 2008.05.01].

I want a big South Dakota primary as much as anyone else, but hey, Indiana Dems -- if you'd like to stick a fork in the primary season with a big win for Obama, feel free.