Md. Leaders Endorse Obama at Annapolis Rally
The Washington Post | February 07, 2008
By Philip Rucker
The Howard County executive and an influential state senator from Southern Maryland today endorsed Sen. Barack Obama as the Illinois senator's presidential campaign sought to broaden its appeal beyond Maryland's Democratic strongholds of Baltimore and Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
County Executive Ken Ulman (D) and Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles) said at a rally in Annapolis that they joined Obama's campaign because they were inspired by the political movement he has created.
"In my 62 years, I can't remember a time when Maryland or the United States was holding out hope like they are in this election," said Middleton, a farmer and popular figure in Southern Maryland.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), co-chairman of Obama's Maryland campaign, motivated Obama's supporters with a stirring speech, saying that Obama "was told so many times, 'How dare you hope,' but he hoped anyway."
