The endorsement by Cieslewicz reflects an ongoing split in preferences among elected officials from the Madison area.
It's really no surprise that Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced his support for the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama on Tuesday afternoon. Previously a backer of John Edwards, the mayor's official support for the Illinois senator has been sought after by campaigners in Madison.
Now with Obama speaking on Tuesday evening at the Kohl Center -- in the biggest political rally in town in nearly four years -- hizzoner is jumping on the bandwagon at a particularly opportune time.
As Cieslewicz declares in a press release issued on Tuesday: "I am supporting Sen. Obama in the Wisconsin primary because I believe he can reach out to new voters, to young people and to independents who will decide the next election."
And as with other supporters, Cieslewicz compares Obama to political lions of the recent past: "He is a truly transformational national figure who has the chance to inspire and unite Americans like no national leader since John Kennedy."
The mayor will not be speaking at the Obama rally at the Kohl Center, which will include an address by Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and music from Madison-based Irish rockers The Kissers in addition to the big speech from Barack.
The endorsement by Cieslewicz reflects an ongoing split in preferences among elected officials from the Madison area. His counterpart in Dane County government, County Exec. Kathleen Falk, is supporting Hillary Clinton, along with District 2 Representative Tammy Baldwin.
The highest profile elected official from the region, Senator Russ Feingold, has yet to make an endorsement though. After all, he will have to continue to work with one or both in the Senate no matter the outcome of the primary this spring and the general election come November.
