Portland Mayor Tom Potter today threw his support behind Senator Barack Obama.

As mayor of Portland, I want to let my fellow Oregonians know that I will be casting my vote on May 20th for Barack Obama.

Senator Obama is the only presidential candidate who has the right combination of strength, integrity and wisdom needed to bring reconciliation and hope to our nation.

We need a change after eight years of Bush’s wars and disastrous economic policies that have called into question our commitment to democracy and divided our country. Senator John McCain has promised another four years of the ruinous policies undertaken by President Bush. We cannot afford that. We need Barack Obama to show ourselves, and the world, that America can be the country we have always wanted it to be.

During the course of this campaign we have watched Senator Obama come under fire and work through difficult issues with grace and integrity. At each step of the way he has responded by unifying our diverse communities and inspiring us to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

Obama has articulated detailed plans to address our nation’s most pressing problems, such as ending the war, closing the achievement gap in our schools, expanding health care coverage, and making the economy work for every American – not just the privileged few.

Most importantly, millions of Americans – white, brown, black, wealthy and poor, urban, suburban, and rural – have for the first time been moved to join the political process and have rallied to his vision. Senator Obama will bring fresh leadership and new ideas to make our nation and our world a better place.

I am confident that Obama will show the same leadership in the White House that he has on the campaign trail. At last, we will have someone on our side at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

I am asking people who want real change to vote for Barack Obama.

- Mayor Tom Potter

Change is coming to America and Oregon will be the place where it all begins on May 20th.

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