there's no question that obama will have enough delegates and superdelegates at the end of the night to be the nominee.
Today, two Michigan superdelegates endorsed Barack Obama. DNC Members Debbie Dingell and Rick Wiener backed Obama today. Earlier this morning, Michigan superdelegate Joyce Lalonde also backed Barack Obama.
Obama is 35.5 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.
Debbie Dingell said, “Senator Levin, Governor Granholm and other Michigan leaders have fought hard to change the Presidential nominating process to be fairer and more representative of the American electorate. While this election season may have been challenging at times, Michigan has been a significant participant in the fight for real and fundamental change. And because Michigan Democrats have led the fight for significant change, I believe that we should also be leaders in the unity process. That is why today I am joining with Rick Wiener to endorse Barack Obama for President.
“Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have run vigorous campaigns, demonstrating to the American people that Democrats are ready to lead on reform for our broken health care system, to protect and create American jobs and to responsibly end the war in Iraq. Now, as the nominating process comes to an end, it is time to unite behind Barack Obama, who will be our Democratic nominee for the White House. Senator Obama has shown me and he has shown the American people that he represents change – a change that this country desperately needs after seven and a half long years of the Bush White House. He will lead our party to victory in November, carrying Michigan for the Democrats by running a campaign focused on bringing change to working families.
“I commend Senator Clinton on a well run campaign and while she would have made a terrific President, I know that she will continue to be a tremendous leader in the United States Senate fighting with the same dynamism that we all admire her for.
“This campaign has often been marginalized in the media, with the focus frequently on race or sex or age. That is not what the campaign is about. This campaign is about the future of the United States.”
Rick Wiener said, “We have had many outstanding candidates. It is clear that Senator Obama will prevail as our nominee. It is time to unite as a party behind our candidate and close a historic primary season.”
Chicago, IL – Today, United States Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13) endorsed Barack Obama.
Obama is 36.5 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.
Congresswoman Kilpatrick said, “We are at a very important time for our nation today and we must unite together to win in November. I am proud to announce my support for Barack Obama. From his years fighting for the poor on the South Side of Chicago to his proven commitment to working families in the United States Senate, Barack has proven he can lift up our nation and put the needs of our families and children first. We need change in our country today, and we need a leader who will end the war in Iraq and end the eight years of the failed policies of George W. Bush. Our families and our children deserve more – they deserve a President who has fought for change his entire life, and brought real results. Today we are uniting behind Barack Obama, and together we can win in November.”
“Today the primary process draws to a close," said House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-SC, in a statement this morning. "From the beginning, I have made it clear that I would put the Democratic Party’s best interest first and remain publicly neutral as this process ran its course, but it is now time to make my preference known. Today I am pledging my delegate vote to Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States."
Clyburn has been officially neutral until yesterday, though he has publicly expressed disappointment at the way Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and her husband conducted themselves during her campaign.
In addition to praising the "levels of energy and excitement that I have not witnessed since the 1960’s," the highest-ranking African-American in Congress also trotted out an electability argument about Obama, perhaps to contrast with Clinton's argument that she is more electable.
“Recent surveys indicate that Senator Obama is by far the most preferred presidential candidate among Democrats and independents," Clyburn said, "and I believe he is the most electable candidate that Democrats can offer. He will be able to dramatically change the electoral map for Democrats which will in turn expand our majorities here in Congress, and help elect more Democrats at the state and local levels. Furthermore, I believe that Senator Obama is the Democrat who can unite our people, help heal our nation’s wounds, improve our standing on the world stage, and steer our country in a new direction. What is especially exciting about Senator Obama’s candidacy is its attraction to young and independent voters. Our Party cannot hope to continue our recent successes if we don’t continue to attract new voters. Senator Obama has demonstrated the ability to draw a new map for Democrats by putting traditionally red states like Colorado, Virginia and North Carolina, and swing states like New Mexico, Missouri and Iowa in play."
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, an undeclared superdelegate, told the Republican today that he is pledging his vote at the Democratic National Convention to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who is expected to capture the party's nomination for the presidency after today's primaries in Montana and South Dakota.
"I think he gave more of a vision where he wanted to go," Olver said, in explaining his ultimate decision to back Obama over U.S. Sen. Hillary R. Clinton, D-N.Y. "Hillary was all about competence and experience," Olver said, but added that he was critical of her vote to allow the U.S. invasion into Iraq and that her experience was largely due to her role as First Lady and not through executive experience.
"I though Barack made a good case for himself in his presentation," Olver said. "He does a wonderful speech and really inspires people. The last several years have been really a bummer."
State Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a national Democratic superdelegate from University City, plans to announce today that she's endorsing Barack Obama for president.
Chappelle-Nadal, 33, has been among six Missouri superdelegates who've remained neutral in the combative contest between Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. The state's other 10 superdelegates earlier had split 5-5 between the two.
Last weekend, Chappelle-Nadal said she received more than 500 e-mails from supporters of Obama or Clinton.
She said she privately had shifted between Clinton and Obama for months. But in the end, the deciding factor was the enthusiasm that Obama has generated among young people and unaligned independents, said Chappelle-Nadal.
At 33, she is the state's youngest superdelegate.
"This is a year that the mere existence of a single candidate, Barack Obama, has inspired people in my district to believe in the greater good," Chappelle-Nadal said.
