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Long Island's Democratic operatives unite for Obama

BY DAN JANISON | dan.janison@newsday.com

June 28, 2008

The unity displayed Friday between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton was echoed - at least for the moment - by Democratic operatives on Long Island.

Suffolk Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor), one of Obama's earliest local boosters and his local coordinator, said: "Everything has pulled together great. I've heard from almost every major Hillary backer on Long Island, I think, at this point."

They've included Jay Jacobs, the Nassau Democratic chairman, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Executive Steve Levy and Nassau Comptroller Howard Weitzman, Cooper said.

"All called and offered their support, and even at the grass-roots level, community people who had been very strong Hillary backers, they're enthusiastic and offering support and offering to co-host fundraising events," Cooper said.

Schaffer said Obama coordinators for the first and second Congressional districts have been selected, Anita Katz and Susan Hornick, and "we're reaching out to town leaders" planning grass-roots efforts.

"The Democrats are coming back," he said. "People are excited about the upcoming race, more excited than in years past. A lot of people are paying attention."

Cooper said it has been easier serving as an Obama surrogate before local audiences now that the opponent is Republican John McCain rather than New York's junior senator.

"When it was Hillary and Barack, whether I was in front of women or seniors, I could understand there was a conflict and people were torn," he said.

But now, he's able to tout what are in some cases "diametrically opposed positions" between the candidates, Cooper said.