Lib Dem candidates to join Obama campaign in critical US election

1.15.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 30th Aug 2008

Edinburgh North & Leith Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates Kevin Lang and Alex Cole-Hamilton are to join Democratic US Presidential Candidate Barack Obama's campaign in a key swing state later in the year.

Westminster candidate Kevin Lang and Holyrood candidate Alex Cole-Hamilton, will spend the last two weeks of the election campaign in Richmond, the capital city of Virginia, a key marginal state, which many US commentators suggest could determine the winner of the election. Virginia also has a critical Senate election, where the Democrats have a chance to gain an important seat from the Republicans. The election itself take place on November 4th.

Both Kevin and Alex are former campaign organisers for the Liberal Democrats and in 2001, ran the campaign that elected John Barrett as Member of Parliament for Edinburgh West, now one of the Lib Dem's safest seats. They are now the parliamentary candidates for Edinburgh North & Leith, a key target seat for the Liberal Democrats at the next UK General Election and Scottish Parliament election.

Now they plan to use their campaign experience to try and help Barrack Obama win a key state in the autumn election.

Kevin Lang said, "Barrack Obama is one of the most inspiring politicians of our generation and it's going to be great to be part of his presidential election campaign. To be able to campaign in the state that could decide the election outcome is an added bonus. The Democratic Party in Virginia have already told us how much they are looking forward to welcoming us to Richmond in October and I am looking forward to getting involved in the campaign rallies and the efforts to get out the vote on polling day.

"The election of an African American President would have been thinkable just a few years ago but there is now a realistic prospect that Barack Obama could win this election and become the next US President. It is going to be exciting to be a part of all that and hopefully our campaign experience will be of some help to the Democrat Party campaign in Virginia."

Alex Cole-Hamilton said, "We know this elections matters, not just to America but to the world and that is why Kevin and I are so keen to help. After eight disastrous years with George Bush in the White House, Americans have a historic chance to elect a president, which will provide real leadership on the serious issues facing the world and some of the big issues of concern to people in Edinburgh North & Leith.

"A key issue is climate change, where we desperately need the US, as the world's biggest polluter, to take serious action. Obama's decision to commit the US to reducing the US's emissions by 80% by 2050 shows he wants to provide some leadership on the environment. Obama also opposed the Iraq War, in stark contrast to the Republican candidate, John McCain, who has been one of the war's biggest supporters."