Obey endorses Barrett in recall election

Former Congressman Dave Obey has endorsed Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in the Democratic primary for governor.

Congressman Obey had flirted with the idea of running for governor himself, but said he would much prefer Barrett to run and would stay out of the race if Barrett got in. Now that Barrett's a candidate, Obey says he gives Democrats the best chance to win.

"If we do not nominate the strongest possible candidate, that would risk watching all of the work that all of those volunteers did around the state go down the drain and I certainly wouldn't want to be a part of that,” Obey said.

Other Democrats running include former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Secretary of State Doug La Follette and state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout.

Obey also criticized unions for criticizing Barrett in an online video that implies Barrett supported Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining bill. Obey called the attack misleading and said it would not help Democrats defeat Walker. The Democratic primary for governor is May 8. The recall election is June 5.

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