Clinton's wave: Fla. CFO joins Obama

by Mark Silva updated at 4:30 and 8:30 pm

If Hillary Clinton's resounding endorsement of Barack Obama today has its intended effect, women who have fought hard for the prospect of the first female president will turn their energy to the junior senator from Illinois.

Score one early clarion call for Obama: Alex Sink, elected chief financial officer of Florida, the state's highest-ranking elected woman and an add-on superdelegate who had been uncommitted to any candidate until today, issued a statement in support of Obama little more than an hour after Clinton had exhorted her supporters -- and women throughout the party --to line up behind Obama.

"I had remained as an uncommitted delegate,'' Sink told the Tribune. "I have many friends on both sides, and as the only uncommitted statewide elected official believed it was my most important mission to help unify the two camps once a nominee
was decided. Now my real work begins!''

Sink (pictured right), a successful career banker who was president of the Bank of America operations in Florida before retiring, also is married to Bill McBride, a Tampa attorney and Democrat who ran for governor against former Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002, and Sink is clearly identified as one of the Democratic Party's best prospects for governor in Florida down the road.

The hometown papers have suggested more: The Sun-Sentinel of South Florida editorializing that Obama should tap Sink for a running mate (see more below).

Florida for Hillary, a Democratic group that was backing Clinton, also spoke out today for Obama: "Throughout this historic campaign and her incredible life, Sen. Clinton has fought for issues that the people of Florida care deeply about, including the expansion of children's health care, the creation a national catastrophic insurance fund and the protection of Israel," said Ana Cruz, co-founder of the group. "Sen.Barack Obama will fight for these same important causes as president, and we look forward to working with him to make sure that Florida voters are heard."

"Barack Obama has secured enough delegates to assure him the Democratic nomination for president, and he has my whole-hearted and enthusiastic support,'' Sink said today. "Senator Obama has run an extraordinary campaign and has demonstrated a remarkable ability to bring people together and lead our nation forward.

""In an unprecedented fashion, he has motivated millions of Americans, especially our young people, to participate in the democratic process for the first time. I will do all I can to help him win the presidency and lead the entire Democratic ticket to victory.

""Senator Clinton has run an inspiring campaign,'' Sink said. "She is one of the most important leaders of our party, and all Democrats should be proud of everything she has accomplished. I know that she will play a critical role in putting our nation on a better path. "For me and so many Floridians, this election is about making the needed changes that will put our nation on a road to prosperity. I'm confident that Barack Obama will deliver real change Floridians can believe in."

This is what the Sun-Sentinel had to say about Sink herself:

If Alex Sink, Florida's chief financial officer, is that rare breed of Florida Democrat. A former banker, she's a new face who brings more of a business acumen to the Cabinet than many former members. She's also one of the few Democrats to run and win a statewide election, and the fact that she defeated a former president of the Florida Senate who had the support of former Gov. Jeb Bush shouldn't be overlooked, either.

Sink in many ways shares some striking similarities to her party's presumptive presidential nominee. She and Barack Obama are different types of politicians who share an enthusiasm for new ideas and getting things done.
The Illinois senator should recognize the synergy immediately and realize that its potential will make for an appealing combination that should spur Democrats in Florida to support Obama's bid for the presidency.

The benefits of an Obama-and Sink alliance working together are obvious. Sink brings an independent, outsider viewpoint that will bolster Obama's "change-the-ways-of-Washington" appeal. She's also well-connected to the state's business establishment, which should help Obama raise money for what is expected to be one of the most expensive campaigns for the White House.

Plus, Sink's banking background also bolsters Obama's credibility on the economy and fiscal matters, helping him hark back to a time of balanced budgets and economic prosperity that is typically associated with former President Democratic presidents, most recently Bill Clinton.

The payoffs are huge for Sink, too, as she becomes better known and connected with the Obama campaign. Those contacts, no matter what happens in November, will strengthen her bid for any future campaign in Florida. The bottom line here is that a close working alliance between Obama and Sink in the fall campaign will help Obama, but it almost guarantees a bigger payoff for Florida Democrats in the future.