Joan Baez Endorses Candidate for the First Time

Joan Baez has always been very politically active, but has never endorsed a candidate for office until this year. The singer has come out in support of Barack Obama in his bid for the presidency.

Baez wrote in today's San Francisco Chronicle:

“I have attempted throughout my life to give a voice to the voiceless, hope to the hopeless, encouragement to the discouraged, and options to the cynical and complacent,” she wrote. “From Northern Ireland to Sarajevo to Latin America, I have sung and marched, engaged in civil disobedience, visited war zones, and broken bread with those who had little bread to break.

“Through all those years, I chose not to engage in party politics. Though I was asked many times to endorse candidates at every level, I was never comfortable doing so.”

“At this time, however, changing that posture feels like the responsible thing to do,” she said.

“If anyone can navigate the contaminated waters of Washington, lift up the poor, and appeal to the rich to share their wealth, it is Barack Obama. If anyone can bring light to the darkened corners of this nation and restore our positive influence in world affairs, it is Barack Obama. If anyone can begin the process of healing and bring unity to a country that has been divided for too long, it is Barack Obama. It is time to begin a new journey.”