Former Brooklyn Congressman Backs Obama

One day after Senator Clinton traveled to Brooklyn to meet with Democratic leaders, a former congressman of Brooklyn, Major Owens, threw his support behind her chief rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator Obama of Illinois.

Mr. Owens, who retired from Congress in January, adds his name to the list of New York City officials backing Mr. Obama over Mrs. Clinton. Mr. Owens said Mr. Obama has the leadership, judgment, and will to change America. "Obama stands for the concerns of the masses in the black community who have been let down by the broken promises of past leadership," Mr. Owens said yesterday, according to a news release issued by Mr. Obama's campaign. "Our leadership on both sides of the aisle has continued to fail us by supporting the war in Iraq and by standing by while poverty, disparities in our healthcare system and lack of affordable education opportunities for young people weaken our communities."

Mr. Obama has won endorsements from the city's Correction Officers' Benevolent Association and a dozen city elected officials, including state Senator Bill Perkins.

The New York City Democratic congressional delegation is backing Mrs. Clinton, who is supported by 50% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll conducted over the weekend. Mr. Obama won support from 21% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents polled.