Wisconsin Superdelegate Endorses Obama

that's six today.

Today, Wisconsin Superdelegate State Senator Lena Taylor endorsed Barack Obama, citing his ability to unite Americans for change.

Taylor’s endorsement means that Obama has been endorsed by 289.5 superdelegates. Obama is 133.5 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Taylor said, “After much reflection and soul searching I am pleased to announce my endorsement for Senator Barack Obama. After a review of my recent County Executive race I am more aware then ever of the need to galvanize, motivate and inspire political participation by every member of society. Senator Obama has been a lightening rod in the effort to return citizens to the process. He’s awakened a sleeping giant – the people. He has reenergized those weary of politics as we have come to know it by demonstrating both character and personal strength. He has connected with a cross-section of Americans, with a desire to do things better then we have done before. He has an energy and commitment that is inclusive, thoughtful, contagious and deliberate. Senator Obama has the essential skill set to foster positive changes desperately needed for our nation. His track record on policy, his diplomatic approach to conflict resolution and his keen awareness of the issues have positioned him to be the catalyst for change we need. Visionary, courageous and capable, Senator Obama is not only prepared to answer that 3am crisis phone call, he’s smart and experienced enough to avert it. I’m proud to endorse him today.”

Superdelegate Lewis Switches to Obama

By BOB KEMPER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/27/08
WASHINGTON — Hoping to put an end to a month of confusion and dismay, Rep. John Lewis on Wednesday said he's switching his support from Sen. Hillary Clinton to Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Lewis cited the overwhelming preference for Obama in his district as a reason for his change of heart, but he also talked about Obama's campaign as transformational for the nation.

"Something's happening in America, something some of us did not see coming," Lewis said. "Barack Obama has tapped into something that is extraordinary.

Lewis, an Atlanta Democrat and an elder of the civil rights movement, at first sparked outrage from Georgia's African American community by backing Clinton, a friend, over Obama, the nation's first viable

African American candidate.

Then confusion struck about a week ago when Lewis told the New York Times that, as a super delegate to the Democratic National Convention, he would feel compelled to vote for Obama as the nominee because his district – and the state's African American population overall – so overwhelmingly for Obama in the state primary.

Lewis's office later charged that the story was inaccurate but did not clarify who Lewis was actually backing. read the rest.

also, from the washington post:

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) told The Trail moments ago that he will be endorsing Barack Obama for president this afternoon, becoming the 10th senator to officially endorse the Illinois senator's bid for the Democratic nomination.

"I decided I wanted to determine who out there can inspire people to move in a new direction," Dorgan said, deciding that Obama was that candidate.

one more thing, obama's campaign surpassed its goal today of signing up 1 million donors.

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24 Superdelegates Go With Obama

see the up to date superdelegate tally and add-ons in my sidebar.
today:

Democratic National Committee Member (and superdelegate)Leon Lynch endorsed Barack Obama, citing his ability to lead the American people in the right direction and his record of making change that matters for working families.

where it stands:
Obama delegates: 1,180
Obama Superdelegates: 174
Obama total: 1354

Clinton delegates: 1,026
Clinton superdelegates: 240
Clinton Total: 1266

306 superdelegates are "undecided." i believe they will vote the will of the people.
obama has nearly 1 million more in popular vote, the absolute number of people who voted.
obama has won 11 contests (including democrats abroad)

the reality:

Problem is, looking at the numbers, Clinton has to win both of them big. Obama has a lead of 150 elected or "pledged" delegates, according to NBC's calculation (The Washington Post uses a different formula to count). Clinton needs to win 58 percent of all remaining pledged delegates simply to get her lead back, NBC political director Chuck Todd notes. But that's hypothetical. The reality is worse.

If Obama wins the remaining states he's favored in, such as Vermont, Mississippi, North Carolina and Oregon, then Clinton will need to win 65 percent of the vote in places such as Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania, Todd said.

Most observers are beginning to focus on the numbers of elected, or pledged, delegates because they've concluded that those are almost sure to be the only ones who will matter -- unless Clinton can persuade the superdelegates at the nominating convention to overrule the voters and destroy the Democratic Party once and for all.

By the way, Obama holds a lead of nearly 1 million votes -- that's 1 million-- in the popular vote, according to the Web site Real Clear Politics. Of course, that doesn't really count -- ask Al Gore-- but it's worth noting. If you throw in Florida and even Michigan -- where his name wasn't on the ballot -- Obama still leads by 300,000 votes.

texas delegate projections.
Jumping Superdelegates

AP IMPACT: Obama Narrows Gap in Superdelegates As Party Insiders Follow Voters' Lead

STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
AP News

Feb 22, 2008 14:51 EST

The Democratic superdelegates are starting to follow the voters — straight to Barack Obama.In just the past two weeks, more than two dozen of them have climbed aboard his presidential campaign, according to a survey by The Associated Press. At the same time, Hillary Rodham Clinton's are beginning to jump ship, abandoning her for Obama or deciding they now are undecided.

The result: He's narrowing her once-commanding lead among these "superdelegates," the Democratic office holders and party officials who automatically attend the national convention and can vote for whomever they choose.

As Obama has reeled off 11 straight primary victories, some of the superdelegates are having second — or third — thoughts about their public commitments. more

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Superdelegate Chet Edwards For Obama

from chet edwards

"As the father of two young sons, I care deeply about the future of our nation, and that is why I am endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president of the United States," Edwards said. "I believe Sen. Obama can bring about real change in Washington - change that will make a positive difference for average working Americans struggling to keep up with the high costs of health care, gasoline and education."...
Edwards, the second most senior member of Texas congressional delegation, has earned bipartisan respect as a champion of veterans and military troops and their families.

As chairman of the U.S. House subcommittee over military construction and veterans affairs, Edwards worked on a bipartisan basis to pass the largest increase in veterans' funding in the 77-year history of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. On March 4, he will receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars highest award given annually to only one member of Congress.

"As someone who has spent most of my adult life fighting for veterans and for military troops and their families, I am convinced that Sen. Obama will be a champion for better health care, housing and quality of life for those who have sacrificed so much for the American family," Edwards said. "He knows that standing up for our troops, our veterans and their families is the right thing to do - for them and for our nation's security."

Superdelegates Switching to Obama

see the latest superdelegate add ons in sidebar

Representative John Lewis, an elder statesman from the civil rights era and one of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s most prominent black supporters, said Thursday night that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic convention.

“In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit,” said Mr. Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who endorsed Mrs. Clinton last fall. “Something is happening in America, and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.”

Mr. Lewis, who carries great influence among other members of Congress, disclosed his decision in an interview in which he said that as a superdelegate, he could not go against the wishes of the voters of his district, who overwhelmingly supported Mr. Obama.

“I’ve been very impressed with the campaign of Senator Obama,” Mr. Lewis said. “He’s getting better and better every single day.” nyt

washington post says john lewis is still thinking.

another switcheroo, superdelegate beverly davis

this blogger makes a case for why superdelegates shouldn't be included in the media's official counts.

The biggest problem, though, is the networks shouldn't be counting the Super Delegates at all in their reporting. And I'm not just saying that because currently Senator Clinton has anywhere from a 75-100 lead among those Super Delegates (almost mirroring Obama's lead in the pledged delegates). First, the media has been talking about how if Barack Obama wins the most pledged delegates, but loses the nomination fight because of these Super Delegates, the party will fracture. And that's probably right, but only if people understand that the election is being taken away from him. By reporting the inflated Super Delegate numbers, it appears Obama has been fighting from behind, when in truth, he's never trailed among pledged delegates. He started ahead in Iowa, and has never trailed, not one day of this primary campaign.

But the real reason I have such a problem with counting Super Delegates is they are uncommitted and change their mind at any time, for any reason. Tuesday's New York Times has a story about how Hillary Clinton supporters believe she must win both Texas and Ohio on March 4th to remain a viable candidate. And it quotes some of her Super Delegates as considering bolting and moving their support to Barack Obama.

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