Clinton Gets Nod From Black Leader

Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton received another boost from a prominent black leader on Wednesday as the head of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators endorsed her candidacy.

Georgia state Rep. Calvin Smyre said the New York senator has "the strength and experience" to bring about needed change.

"Hillary is ready to lead this country on her first day in the White House, and her agenda to expand economic and educational opportunities for all Americans will be a welcome change from the last seven years of presidential neglect," Smyre said in a statement.

Clinton is locked in a battle for the black vote with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who is trying to become the nation's first black president. That fight is heated in Georgia where blacks have made up nearly half the vote in the state's recent Democratic primaries. Georgia's presidential primary is Feb. 5.

Clinton has already been endorsed by Rep. John Lewis, R-Georgia, a hero of the civil rights struggle. State Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, the state's only two black statewide elected officials, are also supporting Clinton.

Obama has the support of two black congressmen from Georgia, Democrats Sanford Bishop and Hank Johnson.

Smyre has served for nearly 30 years in Georgia's legislature, where he has held a number of leadership roles. He's a past Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and a past President of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials. He is an executive vice president for corporate affairs at Synovus Financial Corp.

Clinton called Smyre "a passionate advocate for lifting up the less fortunate and creating a more equal and just society."

"I am honored to have his support and delighted that he'll help lead our efforts in Georgia and across the country," she said.