Endorsers may influence elections

From the initiation of their campaigns, presidential candidates began courting politicians for endorsements, with one of the most sought-after political approvals given this past weekend by Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Fellow candidates have boasted a lineup of endorsements as well, with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., receiving the most of all the candidates vying for a presidential bid from their party.

But it is still to be determined whether these endorsements will translate into delegates for the upcoming primaries, and ultimately, the general election.

Some experts said these endorsements do not heavily determine the White House seat, though they may play a role in the decision-making process for less-informed voters.

“Informed voters are issue-orientated, and they’re not going to be swayed by endorsements, whereas the people who are less well-informed and use the endorsements as a shortcut, might be more dependent on endorsements,” said Bruce Cain, the executive director of the UC Washington Center.

Currently with the most endorsements, Clinton’s list of support includes California politicians such as Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles).

But Berkeley political science Professor Henry Brady said that who gives the endorsement is more important than the number of endorsements a candidate receives.

One of the most prominent examples is Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama, a move which Brady said he believes is politically symbolic.

“Kennedy has a symbolic meaning. He is, after all, the brother of a popular Democratic president,” Brady said. “He’s receiving an important endorsement from an importance source.”

Cain added that because the Kennedy family has been supportive of the Latino community, the endorsement could help Obama appeal to Latino voters.

In addition to Kennedy’s endorsement, Obama also received the endorsement of former presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Mitja Muller, the media relations director for Bruins for Obama, said he believes these endorsements are important since they provide deeper support for the candidate’s platform.

“Sometimes people say (Obama’s) vision of changing American politics … is not feasible. But then you have people like (Kennedy and Kerry) with more experience than anybody that support you,” Muller said.

Clinton currently has received the most endorsements from Democratic members of congress, with 89, while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney received the most endorsements from Republicans, with 39.

Former Arizona Sen. John McCain follows on the Republican side, with 35 congressional endorsements, according to the Capitol Hill Web site TheHill.com.

Cain said he believes the congress members’ decisions were based on who they think the ultimate presidential victor could be.

“We have so many nominees coming out of Congress and there’s personal relationships coming out of this. So jumping on (a candidate’s) bandwagon could mean more funding for your district … or a cabinet appointment,” Cain said.

Romney has the approval of Congressional figures as well, such as Republican California Reps. Buck McKeon and Dana Rohrabacher.

“I’m confident in Gov. Romney’s character and commitment to the principles at the heart of the Republican party. I cannot say that about the other candidates vying for the Republican nomination,” Rohrabacher said in a statement.

Though McCain fell behind Romney in the number of endorsements, he has received the endorsements of several major media publications, such as The New York Times, the Boston Globe and the Washington Post.

But Cain said he believes one of the most important factors for an effective political campaign stems more from fundraising than endorsements.

“(Fundraising) allows you to communicate your message to voters. You can do a lot more with money,” Cain said.