by Mike Dorning
updated
RALEIGH, N.C.--The Barack Obama campaign claims three new superdelegates backed his candidacy today as of mid-afternoon. Hillary Clinton has picked up at least one new superdelegate today.
In New Mexico, state Party Chair and superdelegate Brian S. Colón endorsed Obama today in a statement released by the Obama campaign. Colon endorsed Obama despite Clinton's victory in the state's Feb. 5 primary.
Colon noted in his statement that the New Mexico primary was "a very close election" and argued Obama would do a better job of expanding the base of the Democratic party.
"Barack Obama has proven to inspire a movement that has brought a record number of people into the process. He's proven to be a candidate who can compete and will fight hard to expand the Democratic Party's reach and put Western states in play in the general election," Colon said in his statement. "His message of change is resonating across all ages, races and economic backgrounds in New Mexico."
Two superdelegates elected today at state party conventions also said they would support Obama while one new superdelegate elected today is a Clinton backer.
In Maryland, where Obama overwhelmingly won the state primary but the party establishment backed Clinton, the state party convention split the difference in picking who would serve in the state's two "add-on" superdelegate slots. The state convention chose former Gov. Glendening, an Obama supporter, and former Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a Clinton supporter.
In South Carolina, former state Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum won out over 14 other candidates to be selected for an unpledged delegate slot at the state convention. According to the Associated Press, Tenenbaum pledged to support Obama at the national convention.
Obama won an overwhelming victory in the South Carolina Democratic primary in January. Tenenbaum argued that entitled him to the support of the superdelegate chosen at the party convention.
Obama maintains a wide lead among the pledged convention delegates elected by voters in party primaries and caucuses.
Clinton began the campaign with a big lead among the elected officials and party leaders who are given automatic slots at the convention as superdelegates but Obama has whittled down that lead since the Feb. 5 "Super Tuesday" primary.
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Comments
Obama is the only real choice in 08.
Posted by: Deward Bowles | May 3, 2008 1:22 PM
That's wonderful! Barack is also leading in votes in the Guam primary. Go, Senator Obama!
YES WE CAN!
Posted by: Joan | May 3, 2008 1:31 PM
I think it might be time for Senator Clinton to do the right thing for herself and for the Party and throw her considerable support over to Senator Obama. This would allow the wounds of the primaries to heal and for feelings to be soothed. It has been a brutal and uncharacteristically vicious campaign for the Democrats and I hope we can get past it, if not, it is four more years of Republican lies and deceptions. I'm pretty sure, none of us Democrats, want that!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | May 3, 2008 1:33 PM
I agree it is time for Hil to show some class and pull out of the race and stand by Obama and the Democratic Party. Everyday she loses ground. Her campaign tries very hard to spin it to the people that she is winning, but in my opinion that is a true insult to the American People.
The superdelegates need to end this now so we can get ready for McCain.
Posted by: Kathy Schroeder, Texas | May 3, 2008 2:04 PM
Clinton is a liar. She is manipulative, narcissistic and dishonest to the core.
Posted by: fred17 | May 3, 2008 2:07 PM
The wonderful Barack Obama has finally moved on from the Judas effect of his pastor and the mudslinging by Hillary Clinton.
ROLL ON OBAMA. YES WE CAN!
Posted by: Mary M. Mansour | May 3, 2008 2:07 PM
Everyone has forgotten about Health Insurance and the war in iraq. the big news of the week has been about suspending the gas tax... for the summer . It's called HUSH money and designed to keep you quiet for at least for a couple of months.At first I was I was concerned that perhaps there were a lot of Hillary supporters blogging.... then I remembered Lush Rhimbaugh and his operation..... It seems to me that the Republicans are going out of their way to get Hillary nominated, because they believe she would be the BEST opponent against McCain. That would be great ..... getting to pick your own opponent. That's what they do in wrestling... isn't it ?
Posted by: mrtutto | May 3, 2008 2:15 PM
Only the Democrats could come up with such a biased,unbalanced and potentially crooked system like "Superdelegates". It is no different from back room pay off deals I am surprised they feel no shame. No matter what the ignorant masses vote for, we Democrats and Patricians know what is best for you and will make sure you get it. Who was the wise-girl that accused President Bush Senior of having been born with a silver foot in his mouth?
Seems like the Democrats are looking for a silver coin payoff like Judas. May they confuse themselves mightly.
Posted by: roneida | May 3, 2008 2:22 PM
Don't count your indictments, er, chickens, er, hidden lobbyists, er oil company contributions, er, chickens, er UNGENTLEMANLY FLIP OFF OF OPPONENTS, er pink tube topped, cleavage showing wifies, er Daley positions at U of C,
BEFORE THEY'RE ACTUALLY VOTED IN AT THE CONVENTION.
Grow up alreadyl.
Face the facts.
Posted by: Obama = Rezko = Blago = Daley | May 3, 2008 3:23 PM
Go Obama!
20 more, and the superdelegate lead is gone for hillary.
Vote Obama in 2008!
Posted by: Jen Boileau | May 3, 2008 3:26 PM
EVER WONDER WHY NOBODY POLLS ON WHETHER OBAMA WOULD WIIN ILLINOIS AGAINST HILLARY IF THE ELECTION WERE TODAY?
HMMMMM?
They want his campaign money, that's why. He'd have to drop out if that was published.
Hillary took ONE THIRD of Illinois.
Obama only won one county in New York--Ithaca's Cornell University helped there (great arugula soup there!)
The delegate counts have a lot of flaws--mainly the dishonesty and lack of 'fessing up' on the part of the Obamas before we voted people off the ticket.
Hillary is not the enemy. Her supporters want a great country for everybody.
Join us.
Before it's too late.
Posted by: Obama would LOSE ILINOIS TODAY | May 3, 2008 10:17 PM