Activist Endorses Obama
|
|
| Also listed in: 7 groups |
By James Pindell, Globe Correspondent | July 10, 2007
One of the biggest liberal fund-raisers in the country, who also is among the most important Democratic activists in New Hampshire, yesterday endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Gary Hirshberg, chief executive of Stonyfield Farm in Londonderry, said Obama was the one candidate who could appeal to both Democrats and Republicans alike.
"This guy can heal a divided nation," Hirshberg said on a conference call with reporters. Stonyfield is an organic dairy specializing in yogurt and known for environmental activism.
The endorsement came a week after Hirshberg held a house party for Obama at his Concord home. He said that his choice came down to Obama and John Edwards.
He said that he had a long conversation with Elizabeth Edwards yesterday.
"This is not to be interpreted as a negative on John Edwards," Hirshberg said, but he added that what "moved my needle" in recent days was finishing Obama's book "The Auducity of Hope," watching Obama interact over dinner with the soccer team Hirshberg coaches, and hearing Republicans say they are interested in Obama.
"I thought that no matter how tortured I was [in deciding between Obama and Edwards], I was not going to sit on the fence," Hirshberg said.
Previously, Hirshberg endorsed former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack for president, but Vilsack dropped out of the race. In 2004, he endorsed former Vermont governor Howard Dean.
One of the biggest liberal fund-raisers in the country, who also is among the most important Democratic activists in New Hampshire, yesterday endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Gary Hirshberg, chief executive of Stonyfield Farm in Londonderry, said Obama was the one candidate who could appeal to both Democrats and Republicans alike.
"This guy can heal a divided nation," Hirshberg said on a conference call with reporters. Stonyfield is an organic dairy specializing in yogurt and known for environmental activism.
The endorsement came a week after Hirshberg held a house party for Obama at his Concord home. He said that his choice came down to Obama and John Edwards.
He said that he had a long conversation with Elizabeth Edwards yesterday.
"This is not to be interpreted as a negative on John Edwards," Hirshberg said, but he added that what "moved my needle" in recent days was finishing Obama's book "The Auducity of Hope," watching Obama interact over dinner with the soccer team Hirshberg coaches, and hearing Republicans say they are interested in Obama.
"I thought that no matter how tortured I was [in deciding between Obama and Edwards], I was not going to sit on the fence," Hirshberg said.
Previously, Hirshberg endorsed former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack for president, but Vilsack dropped out of the race. In 2004, he endorsed former Vermont governor Howard Dean.