Results by Google
Home News 

Story

John Lewis Switches Support To Obama

Posted: 12:36 pm EST February 27, 2008Updated: 5:10 pm EST February 28, 2008

Georgia Congressman John Lewis told WSB-TV Channel 2's Monica Pearson Wednesday that he is switching his support from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama.

Pearson met with Congressman John Lewis Wednesday afternoon in Washington. She was the only Atlanta TV reporter Lewis spoke to about his switch.

Talk had been swirling that Lewis might switch his endorsement from Clinton to Obama. Lewis is a superdelegate who will cast his ballot at the Democratic National Convention.

  • READ: Lewis Statement On Superdelegate Vote

  • Lewis told Pearson he was switching his support because his district voted for Obama and he believes Americans are looking for a great change. Lewis' Georgia district voted overwhelmingly for Obama earlier this month. "The people of the 5th District have spoken. I will never, ever do anything not to be in tune with the voters of the 5th District," Lewis told Channel 2's Monica Pearson.

    He also said he had not spoken to Clinton or Obama about his decision. "I placed a call to Mrs. Clinton but have been unable to reach her. As soon as she returns the call I will inform her," said Lewis.

    In October, Congressman Lewis announced in Atlanta at the side of his longtime friend, Hillary Clinton, that he would support her campaign. "It's been a long, hard, tough decision. I've known the Clintons for many, many years. They've been friends. Wonderful friends," said Lewis.

    Pearson pointed out when Lewis endorsed Clinton he said it was because of her experience and Obama is a freshman senator. Pearson asked him what had changed. "Mrs. Clinton has tremendous, unbelievable experience. But the American people are saying something so different. Yes, we need experience but we also want change," Lewis said.

    VIDEO: John Lewis Switches Support To Obama

    Lewis told Pearson that in recent weeks, he'd been sensing something different from the members of his 5th Congressional District and the American people. "This man, this senator, Barack Obama, somehow in some way has been able merge and carry the hopes and dreams and aspirations of millions of people," said Lewis.

    When asked if he'd had any pressure from either the Clinton or Obama campaigns, Lewis said, "I haven't had any direct pressure, not any direct pressure from any official in the Clinton campaign or any official in the Obama campaign."

    Lewis has represented Georgia's 5th Congressional District for more than 20 years.

    The civil rights legend said agreeing to march in the front of another campaign was an easier decision than backing Obama. "It was easier to walk across that bridge and face those state troopers and be beaten and left bloody. This has been hard. This has been difficult. But there comes a time when you have to make a decision," said Lewis.

    More Headlines

    2 Investigates

    A startling new report suggests that many weather observation stations in the U.S. and Georgia are gathering inaccurate data. Tom Regan reports. Full Story ››
    WEB EXTRA: Temperature Recording Stations

    A Whistleblower 2 Investigation has found that scores -- probably hundreds of people -- charged with violent felonies are released from the Fulton County Jail without having to post bail. The county's chief superior court judge says the program is a huge success -- but even she acknowledges it was never intended for defendants charged with violent crimes. Channel 2's Richard Belcher has the story. Full Story ››
    WEB EXTRA: Pretrial Release Program Documents


    Every week, the roads of metro Atlanta are the scene of major tractor-trailer wrecks. Now, the parents of a college student killed by a speeding truck have launched a campaign to mandate speed limiting equipment on heavy trucks. Channel 2's Tom Regan recently talked with the family. Full Story ››
    WEB EXTRA: RAW VIDEO: Truck Crashes Caught On Tape


    In record numbers, foreign students flock to the U.S. in search of a great education. But Channel 2 has learned that more than 170,000 have broken the rules while here. That has led to dozens of arrests in Georgia alone and critics wonder if the government's tracking system is in trouble. Channel 2's Jodie Fleischer investigates. Full Story ››
    Fake School Slipped Through Cracks For Years
    WEB EXTRA: Student Visa Violators By School


    If you're hurt in a collision with a MARTA bus -- be warned. Three quarters of the time, MARTA will fight before it pays. Getting MARTA to fix your car can also be a challenge. Channel 2's consumer investigator Jim Strickland found the evidence in MARTA's own files -- looking at more than 1,200 accidents over the last two years. Full Story ››
    WEB EXTRA: MARTA Spreadsheet Detailing MVA Claims
    WEB EXTRA RAW VIDEOS: Interview With MARTA CEO Dr. Beverly Scott | Interview With Attorney Who Represents Victim Of MARTA Collision