NPR: Battle for Congressional Superdelegates May Be Over

Battle for Congressional Superdelegates May Be Over

It increasingly looks like the battle on Capitol Hill for the support of Democratic superdelegates is winding down, and that Sen. Barack Obama may be coming out on top.

Politico.com reports that "While more than 80 Democrats in the House and Senate have yet to state their preferences in the race for the Democratic nomination, sources said Tuesday that most of them have already made up their minds and have told the campaigns where they stand."

As a result the constant pressuring of these superdelegates has slacked off. But as Clinton supporter New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez puts it, "Right now, it's about making sure everyone still feels loved and wanted."

So who are the superdelegates supporting? Neither Sen. Clinton's nor Sen. Obama's camp are saying anything, but Obama supporter Sen. Claire McCaskill says it's her guy.

Obama currently holds an 18-13 lead among committed superdelegates in the Senate, while Clinton holds a 77-74 lead in the House. Asked which way the committed-but-unannounced superdelegates are leaning, McCaskill -- who has endorsed Obama -- said: "James Brown would say, 'I Feel Good.'"

But Clinton spokesman Phil Singer says hold your horses there, Sen. McCaskill. "Considering the rough patch Sen. Obama is going through, it's understandable that Sen. McCaskill would want to change the subject, but her observations don't jibe with what automatic delegates are actually saying," he said.
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UPDATE: No sooner did we post this piece when we received an e-mail from the Obama camp announcing that "An aide to U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, says he will announce his endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Wednesday."

That makes the House 77-75 for Clinton.

AND MORE: Clinton picks up another superdelegate too, but not from Congress. Pennsylvania Superdelegate Bill George announced his support for Hillary Clinton today.

Meanwhile, Obama gets another member of the House of Representatives. The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that Indiana 9th District Rep. Baron Hill, a previously uncommitted Democratic superdelegate, is endorsing presidential candidate Barack Obama today.

So its 77-76 in the House. Sen. McCaskill's prediction is looking better.

8:59 AM ET | 04-30-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

It is clear that the Obama people are feeling the pressure of the negatives suffered this past week. While it is understandable that they want to hasten this process along and suggest that it's time to give this to Obama...now more than ever, a rush to judgement should be avoided...especially, if the Dems want to win in November...I don't envy the gravity of the Superdelegates decision as it will weigh heavily on the November outcome.

Sent by ard | 9:53 AM ET | 04-30-2008

None of these particulars really matter. McCain simply will not win come November. If he doesn't fall and break his hip first, simply having to debate either of the remaining two Democrats publicly, and thereby revealing just how damaging and out of touch with reality his policies are, will ruin him.

Don't sweat the small stuff. There will be a Democrat as president in November.

Sent by anon | 10:35 AM ET | 04-30-2008

Baron Hill (IN) is set to endorse Obama today as well, and Clinton has picked up Bill George, president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

For crying out loud, if the rest of them have already decided, they should come forward already.

Sent by Michelle | 10:58 AM ET | 04-30-2008

Obama just got Louis Capps (CA); Clinton just got Luisette Cabanas (Puerto Rico).

Obama 3 elected superdelegates
Clinton 2 unelected superdelegates

Sent by Michelle | 12:52 PM ET | 04-30-2008

Is this a political suspense thriller? For sure the Democrats know how to keep us interested - and the media making the money.

Or have the superdelegates decided that the Clintons (of the Clinton dynasty_that_never_was) must face the stark reality by spending time on the rack - excruciatingly slowly - before their exit into a political oblivion?

Yet we have known for a while that the democrats have a nominee:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120899521565139921.html

And we have known for a while about the loser:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0427chapmanapr27,0,729175.column
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/hillarys-crocodile-tears-in-connecticut

"Bold Deceit and Bizarre Logic" / Hillary '08, WRONG for America

Sent by chokora | 1:51 PM ET | 04-30-2008

Bahy is afraid of swift boater against BHO I think that GOP will run an endless loop of Billary's nod to McCain saying Ready on Day One.

Sent by Daly | 6:25 PM ET | 04-30-2008

Please read.

Sent by D | 7:10 PM ET | 04-30-2008

"GOP will run an endless loop of Billary's nod"

Sen Clinton, Monica's Clinton and McSame have thrown quite a bit of mud at Sen Obama. Somehow, what my responses would have been has been different - and in retrospect, definitely worse - that what comes from Team_Obama.

I have an impression that the rabid GOP spinmeisters and the radical, bitter neo-con haters are in for a lesson or two.

Sent by chokora | 4:52 AM ET | 05-01-2008

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