Denver Congresswoman Diana DeGette on Monday endorsed Hil lary Rodham Clinton for president, saying that although she has great regard for all Democratic presidential contenders, Clinton is the go-to person in 2008.
“I just think that Sen. Clinton has the greatest depth of ability, and I think from every issue — to the war in Iraq to a woman’s right to choose — I think she is the best choice,” DeGette said at a news conference at the state Capitol. “… She will bring the troops home as quickly as possible.”
Monday, Clinton named DeGette national co-chair of her Health Care Policy Task Force and a key adviser on stem-cell research.
“I’m honored to have her support and delighted she’ll lead our efforts in Colorado,” Clinton said in a statement.
DeGette said she will actively campaign with Clinton in Colorado and across the country.
DeGette said that as vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee — which has jurisdiction over health care policy — and as co-chair of the Health Care Policy Task Force, she will be uniquely situated to help Clinton move important legislation through Congress, should she be elected.
She said that Republicans who think Clinton may be the easiest of the top Democratic contenders to defeat are miscalculating Clinton’s strengths.
When she ran for the Senate in New York and now on the national campaign trail, Clinton has shown she is a tireless candidate who works hard and who has a vast understanding of and experience with the issues, said DeGette.
“I think any Republican who thinks she might be the easiest Democrat to beat is fooling themselves,” said DeGette.
Republican National Committee spokesman Paul Lindsay said DeGette is making a mistake by aligning herself with Clinton.
“It is disappointing that Diana DeGette would associate herself with HillaryCare 2.0, a government-run health care plan that would be paid for by massive tax increases on working families in Colorado,” Lindsay said.
But DeGette said Clinton believes that rather than throw out the whole health care system that’s in place, Clinton would work with the health care insurance system and incorporate other strategies to “make sure everyone gets enrolled in health insurance.”
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
