Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson Endorses Obama

Jeff just called from the Michelle Obama rally in Cleveland. He reported that Cleveland City Mayor, Frank Jackson came onto the stage and endorsed Sen. Barack Obama. Big news.

Jeff will be back in a short while to post photos and audio clips.

UPDATE (by Jeff): Just recently Jackson revealed that he had sent a 14-page wish list of federal support for urban programs to each of the presidential campaigns and said that their responses would influence his decision on endorsing. Today, just before Michelle Obama spoke at a rally at Cleveland State University, he announced his decision. Here is what he said in the first portion of his remarks:

I have a couple of purposes today. One of which is to announce my endorsement of Barack Obama. [wild cheering and applause]

You know, Senator Obama is committed to working people. And he understands and he watches how they struggle and sacrifice every day to make ends meet as their costs go up.

Senator Obama is committed to urban centers. And he understands that to redevelop the urban centers of America will serve as an engine for business investment, and for job creation so that people can support their families. And he'll help Cleveland.

Senator Obama understands the devastation of foreclosures based on predatory lending, and the devastating effect that this has had on the lives of individuals and communities. And he is willing and able to assist those who become victimized.

Jackson becomes the third big city mayor in Ohio to endorse Obama after Mike Coleman of Columbus and Democratic-leaning independent Jay Williams of Youngstown. (Mark Mallory of Cincinnati and Rhine McLin of Dayton are so far neutral.) His endorsement is especially important to the Obama campaign because Cleveland dominates vote-rich Cuyahoga County, the state's largest, and because his stature as an African American elected leader is eclipsed in this area only by Clinton supporter Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Cleveland).