by John McCormick
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Sen. Barack Obama’s Democratic presidential campaign picked up another endorsement today, this one being from a former chairman of the Democratic Party in South Carolina.
Saying Obama could “change the course of American politics,” Joe Erwin announced his endorsement on a conference call this afternoon with reporters.
Erwin said he plans to work aggressively with the campaign to boost Obama in the early voting state of South Carolina.
“It’s a first-rate team,” Erwin said. “They’re on fire. And I anticipate a victory here.”
Erwin also said Obama can win in South Carolina — a state where racial conflict has a long history — even though he is black.
“White Democrats are ready to support Barack Obama,” he said. “Times have changed.”
Speaking to reporters who might be spending more time in colder climates in Iowa or New Hampshire, Erwin gave a weather report of 80 degrees and sunny. “We can’t wait for you to spend more time in sunny, warm South Carolina,” he said.
That doesn’t sound bad.