Kate Michelman endorses Obama

ABC News’ Sunlen Miller Reports: Kate Michelman has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, announced in a statement today in the Huffington Post. Michelman, former NARAL Pro-Choice America President was a supporter of Edwards and campaigned actively with both John and Elizabeth Edwards.

Michelman says, "John Edwards is not going to be president, and so what we who were helping him must do is now elect the individual who has deep in his core John’s principles and vision for this country. And so today, with every passion and enthusiasm I have, I am endorsing Senator Barack Obama to be president of the United States."

Michelman makes connections between Obama and Edwards, "Both are focused on changing our politics, both are committed to shaking the foundation of the Washington establishment, and both are profound voices for what our country should and can be. When I endorsed John Edwards for president, I did so because I was confident he would help lift women out of poverty and protect a woman’s right to make her own decisions about if or when to have a family. I was confident that if John were in the White House, the single mother, who was working two jobs, living paycheck to paycheck, and worried about health care and child care, would have more influence than the well-healed corporate CEO armed with a team of lobbyists. And when I endorsed John Edwards I also knew that Barack Obama shared every one of these concerns, and over the course of Barack’s own campaign, the nation has come to believe in him just like I always have as well."

Here is a paper response from Barack Obama – and the linked article in which Michelman states her decision.

"I’m proud to have the support of Kate Michelman" said Senator Obama. "Through her nearly two decades of leadership, Kate helped found the movement to protect reproductive rights in this country, and her support reflects our shared commitment to this cause."