Obama says Jones mailer is not an endorsement

— Barack Obama's presidential campaign distanced itself Thursday from a mailer by Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Vernon Jones that shows them together under Obama's signature slogan: "Yes we can." Jones defended the mailer, saying it shows he supports the Illinois senator, not the other way around. "It shows that I am the best person to work with Barack Obama to turn this country around," Jones told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday. Two of his four Democratic opponents pounced, saying the mailer suggests Jones — who twice voted for Republican George W. Bush — has Obama's backing. "This last-ditch attempt to drape himself in the Barack Obama aura is not going to work," said challenger Dale Cardwell. "A gross abuse and misuse of Barack Obama's wonderful success in Georgia," added candidate Rand Knight.... [read full story]