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Teamsters Back Obama As Clinton Gets Tough

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By JESSE J. HOLLAND, The Associated Press

Published: February 21, 2008

WASHINGTON - Sen. Barack Obama won an endorsement from the powerful Teamsters union Wednesday, critical labor support for the Democratic front-runner with upcoming contests in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania.

"There was very, very strong support for him" among the members, said James P. Hoffa, president of the 1.4-million member union.

Hoffa met with Obama on Wednesday in Texas, site of the next Democratic primary against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Teamsters endorsement is expected to help Obama there and in Ohio on March 4, as well as in Pennsylvania on April 22.

The Teamsters have 80,000 members in Pennsylvania, 60,000 in Ohio and 17,000 in Texas, Hoffa said. Campaigning in New York, Clinton launched a tough new offensive against Obama, asserting flatly that he is not prepared to serve as commander in chief.

""One of us is ready to be commander in chief," she told a cheering crowd at Hunter College in Manhattan.

Obama's wife, Michelle, sought to clarify her comment that for the first time she's really proud of her country.

On Monday, she told an audience in Milwaukee that "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change."

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential contender John McCain, later sought to capitalize on the remark, saying "I have, and always will be, proud of my country."

Asked by WJAR-TV in Providence, R.I., if she would like to clarify her comment, Obama replied that she has been struck by the number of people going to rallies and watching debates, as well as record voter turnouts.

"What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process," she said.

Information from The Washington Post was used in this report.

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