By Justin Schneider
ANDERSON — Former Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana announced Wednesday that he would support U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., for the Democratic nomination for president.
Hamilton made the announcement during a conference call on Wednesday, and his support was expected to bolster Obama’s credibility on foreign policy issues.
“(Obama) will have as formidable a foreign policy agenda as any president in my memory,” Hamilton said. “I support the election of Senator Obama for many reasons. I think he has the best opportunity to create a sense of national unity, to transcend the divisions in this country.”
Hamilton served more than 30 years in Congress, during which time he served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He was also vice chairman of a commission that studied the Sept. 11 attacks and co-chaired the Iraq Study Group.
A senator from Illinois, Obama is locked in a close race for the nomination with U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. Both candidates have campaigned hard in Indiana in recent weeks.
“(Hamilton) provides our campaign with a lot of credibility,” said Mitch Stewart, Indiana state director of Obama’s campaign. “Having a congressman’s endorsement will provide us a lift as we continue building a campaign on the ground.”
Clinton spoke at the Wigwam in Anderson on March 15 and her daughter Chelsea appeared at Ball State University in Muncie last week. Obama has announced his intentions to visit Muncie on Thursday.
Hamilton commended Obama for his appeal, which has brought new voters into the political process. He supports Obama’s positions of pursuing Osama Bin Laden, focusing the war effort on Afghanistan and nuclear non-proliferation.
“I think that his foreign policy, obviously I pay attention to that given my background, is pragmatic and visionary and tough, all at the same time,” he said. “He certainly understands the urgent need for the American leader to restore respect to the world.”
Hamilton said Clinton had every right to remain in the race and that her candidacy would not hurt the Democratic Party.
“I’m quite pleased that Indiana, my state, has the chance to play an important role in the nomination,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time that happened.”
