RALEIGH—Reps. Mel Watt and David Price are announcing their endorsements of Senator Barack Obama today.

Price was recently quoted sympathizing with Barack Obama’s “bitter” comments about rural voters. 

"Senator Obama could have chosen better words, but it seems to me that he's stating the obvious," Price said. "People are feeling a great deal of economic stress, anxiety, and there is a certain amount of anger out there. . . . I think it's most unfortunate that opponents simply pounce, particularly opponents in his own party."  (“McCain Echoes Clinton’s Attacks” Washington Post, April 15, 2008 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/14/AR2008041403057.html)

 Price also has also been a champion of earmarks and overspending in Congress

“This earmark process has become kind of a bugaboo and it's going to figure in some of the campaigns," he said. "Everybody should take a deep breath.”  (“Price defends earmarks” Under the Dome blog, March 26, 2008 http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/price_defends_earmarks_in_cary)

Chairman Linda Daves, North Carolina Republican Party, made the following statement:

“It comes as no surprise that two of the most liberal members of the North Carolina House delegation would embrace one of their own.  Of course, a defender of earmarks would endorse a candidate who secured 53 pork projects last year costing the taxpayers $97.4 million.  For a candidate who claims that words matter, Barack Obama sure spends a lot of time saying he could have chosen his words better.  Reps. Price and Watt just make two more defenders of a cause too liberal for North Carolina.” 

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