Tom Hanks Backs Obama

Posted: 2008-05-06 15:17:10

Tom Hanks Obama Endorsement Video

NEW YORK (May 5) - Tom Hanks has taken to his MySpace.com page to pledge his support for Barack Obama, who is competing to be the first black president. Obama, who faces rival Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, has also been endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen and Scarlett Johansson.

Peter Kramer, AP

"As an official celebrity, I know my endorsement has just made your mind up for you," the 51-year-old actor says in a short video titled, "Beware: Celebrity Endorsement."

"History with a capital `H' is going to be made this November, no matter who the president-elect is. I want Barack Obama to be president of this country, a country that once said people with his skin color were only three-fifths of a human being."

Celebs Supporting Obama

2008 Elections

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens to his Senior Campaign Advisor David Axelrod, left, during a flight between Chicago and East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
AP
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to photographers during a flight between Chicago and East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
AP
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to photographers as he talks with Senior Campaign Advisor David Axelrod, left, during a flight between Chicago and East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
AP
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gestures during a flight between Chicago and East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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US Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama is welcomed by Caroline (L) and Sen.Edward Kennedy(D-MA) upon arrival in Newark, New Jersey on February 4, 2008. Obama is on the campaign trail to try to clinch the Democratic Party ticket in the race to the White House. AFP PHOTO/EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama is welcomed by Caroline (L) and US Sen.Edward Kennedy (D-MA) upon arrival in Newark, New Jersey on February 4, 2008. Obama is on the campaign trail to try to clinch the Democratic Party ticket in the race to the White House. AFP PHOTO/EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama exits a plane after flying from Chicago, Illinois to Newark, New Jersey on February 4, 2008. Obama is on the campaign trail to try to clinch the Democratic Party ticket in the race to the White House. AFP PHOTO/EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama and his senior campaign strategist David Axelrod aboard a plane from Chicago, Illinois and Newark, New Jersey on February,04, 2008. Obama is on the campaign trail to try to clinch the Democratic Party ticket in the race to the White House. AFP PHOTO/EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
CHICAGO - FEBRUARY 04: Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) talks with his staff members on the charter airplane before departing Midway Airport for the last full day of campaigning before Super Tuesday Feburary 3, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. Voters go to the polls February 5 in 24 states on a day dubbed Super Tuesday where 41 percent of the Democratic delegates and 52 percent of the Republican delegates are up for grabs. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO - FEBRUARY 04: Obama Campaign communications director Robert Gibbs (L) and chief strategist David Axelrod talk with reporters on the charter airplane before departing Midway Airport for the last full day of campaigning before Super Tuesday Feburary 3, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. Voters go to the polls February 5 in 24 states on a day dubbed Super Tuesday where 41 percent of the Democratic delegates and 52 percent of the Republican delegates are up for grabs. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Hanks, who won Oscars for his roles in "Forrest Gump" and "Philadelphia," explains his decision: "It's because of his character and vision, and the high road he has taken during this campaign. He has the integrity and the inspiration to unify us, as did FDR and Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy and even Ronald Reagan when they ran for the job."

The actor says Obama and Clinton have each "pretended to eat cheese-steak sandwiches and go bowling," "committed gaffes" and distanced themselves from supporters who could damage their campaigns.

But Hanks thinks an Obama presidency could bring about a "seismic shift," and "live up to the great promise once shaped by our founding fathers."

Signing off, the star says: "I'm Tom Hanks, I wrote and approved this message, and I'm now going to turn off the camera."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-05-05 12:53:13

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