Obama picks up 3 superdelegates, union endorsement

[kpete]

May 9, 2008, 9:33AM
Obama picks up 3 superdelegates, union endorsement

WASHINGTON — The movement of Democratic superdelegates to presidential hopeful Barack Obama gained steam Friday with endorsements from a union president and two congressmen, including one who switched his backing from rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama has now climbed within a handful of superdelegates of catching Clinton in endorsements from the party and elected officials who will ultimately decide the nomination. With the three new superdelegate endorsements, the superdelegate count is Clinton, 271.5 and Obama, 266.

Obama also picked up the endorsement of the influential American Federation of Government Employees union on Friday.

"Our people, I think, recognize the enthusiasm and vitality behind Senator Obama's campaign," AFGE President John Gage said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/5767176.html

[hogwyld]

1. Kick for the morning rush! n/t

[grantcart]

2. One was a former Clinton endorser so it's a +4

Hillary has picked up one today Net +3

[grace0418]

3. This may be a dumb question, but how does one have half a superdelegate?

It says Clinton has 271.5, does that mean she only got a half-assed endorsement from someone? ;)

[SoonerPride]

5. If they live abroad, they only get a 1/2 vote.

Or they are a "little person"

[Poll_Blind]

6. Heh, possibly, but I think it refers to the fact that some delegates only get..

...a half a vote. They cast it just like everyone else but it only counts for .5 instead of 1.0

PB

[ampad]

7. I'm wondering the same

K&R

[grantcart]

9. Democrats abroad only get 1/2 a vote

Because they represent so many different countries the wanted to have more people involved so they doubled the people and gave them each 1/2 a vote

[Coexist]

4. .

[futureliveshere]

8. Wohoo!!! Way to go!!

[pberq]

10. It won't be long now

[grantcart]

11. Most Clinton congressional supporters fail to sign new letter of support

In order to try and stall the increasing defection of Clinton Super Delegates the Clinton campaign issued a letter from Congresspeople renewing their support for Hillary

ONLY 16 OF THE 79 CONGRESSPERSONS ENDORSING CLINTON AGREED TO SIGN THE LETTER




http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7597



We are writing to you because of our shared belief in our Party’s principles and our commitment to ensuring that we have the strongest possible nominee to lead our ticket against John McCain and the Republicans in November.

The decision about who to support to be our Party’s nominee is not one that any of us should take lightly. We haven’t. But, after giving this important decision a great deal of thought, we are convinced that Hillary Clinton has the vision, skills and commitment to make the changes our country needs. As Democrats who have run and won in competitive Congressional districts and battleground states, we believe that Hillary is best positioned to successfully lead the Democratic ticket in districts and states like ours around the country.

As you know, Hillary has racked up victories in bellwether states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and now Indiana that are absolutely vital to winning the White House and maintaining our Congressional majority in the fall. Hillary has won the big battleground states by connecting with voters whose support we must have to win the general election. Her victories in Pennsylvania and Indiana were all the more impressive after being outspent by as much as two or three to one.

Pennsylvania was not just a victory for Hillary Clinton. It was also a wake- up call for superdelegates, forcing us to ask ourselves two essential questions: 1) Which candidate can carry the magic 270 electoral votes to win in the fall? 2) Which candidate is most likely to help our fellow Democrats in down-ballot races? We believe the answer to both of these questions is Hillary Clinton.

On the first question, Hillary has shown she can win the all-important battleground states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida even while being outspent. This speaks to her ability to connect with voters we must deliver in the fall, including blue collar Democrats who can sway this election as they have in the past.

On the second question, Hillary has won rural and suburban districts which we as Democrats must carry to maintain our edge in Congress. Of the fifteen districts rated “toss up” by the Cook Political Report, Hillary has now won ten. Of the 20 districts we picked up in 2006 that had gone for President Bush just two years before, Hillary has now won 16. She is strong in the places we must win to hold and expand our majority.

This is a historically close race. The candidates are separated by a mere percentage point or two and the path to victory for each candidate is the same: win in the upcoming states and secure enough pledged and automatic delegates to get to the number required to win the nomination.

The race now turns to the remaining six contests where the focus will be squarely on the economy. Voters in our states and across the country are voting on issues that affect them, their communities and their children’s future. We believe that they will decide that Hillary is the candidate who best understands those issues and has the best solutions to address them.

We Democrats are justifiably proud of both of our candidates, and if Senator Obama is our Party’s nominee, we will enthusiastically support him. But our responsibility is not to choose simply to support the eventual nominee; it is to help select the nominee who is best for our party and best for our country. Our choice is clear: Hillary Clinton is that candidate. We believe she should be your choice as well.

Thank you for consideration.

Sincerely,

Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24)

Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV-01)

Rep. Marion Berry (AR-1)

Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY-20)

Rep. Gene Green (TX -29)

Rep. John Hall (NY-19)

Rep. Darlene Hooley (OR-5)

Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (FL-17)

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH-11)

Rep. Silvestre Reyes (TX-16)

Rep. Mike Ross (AR-4)

Rep. Joe Sestak (PA-8)

Rep. Ike Skelton (MO-4)

Rep. John Tanner (TN-8)

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20)

[backscatter712]

12. Front page of DU shows Obama took the superdelegate lead!!!

YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

GOBAMA!!!

[NightWatcher]

13. Obama takes triple crown: Most delegates, most popular vote and most superdelegates

http://rawstory.com/rawreplay/?p=1019
ABC News reports that Barack Obama has taken the lead in superdelegates. Obama has 267 to Clinton’s 265.

ABC’s Jake Tapper reports, “Senator Obama has two big endorsements — Congressman Payne, a former Clinton supporter, and Senator Defazio. That means he takes the lead with superdelegates 267 to Senator Clinton’s 265. For the first time, Barack Obama can now say he leads Hillary Clinton for the battle in the all important superdelegates and mounting odds against Clinton are taking a toll.”

[book_worm]

14. Rep. Donald Payne (NJ) is also a former Clinton super delegate coming out for Obama.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Kewl!