NPR: Okla. Governor to Endorse Obama

Okla. Governor to Endorse Obama

And the first person to pick up a new superdelegate after Sen. Hillary Clinton's 9 point victory in Pennsylvania last night is ... Sen. Barack Obama.

The Oklahoman reports that Gov. Brad Henry, who earlier this year said he would not endorse a presidential candidate until this summer's convention, will announce his support for Obama.

"Senator Obama is uniquely positioned to unite our nation and move beyond the divisiveness and partisan skirmishes that too often characterize politics as usual in Washington," said Henry, who is in the middle of his second term.

Clinton won the Democratic primary in Oklahoma over Obama, 55% to 31%.
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Tom Note: Several people have written to note that according to the most current figures available at the Pennslyvania Secretary of State Web site, Clinton's margin of victory was not 10 points but smaller. They are correct. According to the site, the margin of victory is 9.2%. As a result, we've changed the reference above.

7:20 AM ET | 04-23-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Well said:

Sent by Gary | 7:44 AM ET | 04-23-2008

With all Clintons prep work over 4years, Democratic machinery, home base in PA, she could only beat Obama by 10%. Yes Obama had to spend, that was the only option to mitigate an existing strong network and name recognition.Give Obama that existing connection and he would beat Clinton by 50% no matter how much she spends. The fact is it did not change much, it would be negated in NC and IN. Obama continues to lead.

Sent by Ty | 9:16 AM ET | 04-23-2008

Wow...Governer Henry choose to support Obama when his state went for Clinton...Superdelegates are all over the map in their process of deciding (some go with their constituency, some against)...obviously Henry has the courage to make a decision that may not set well with his constituency (I'm sure he has his reasons)...perhaps, when they change the Superdelegate process in the future, the rule makers should consider secret ballots and/or having the superdelegates make their decision by a certain date (avoiding this mess)...I understand that they need time to view the candidates, but the voting public doesn't get to fully view the candidates either...I'm sure there are voters that would change their votes if they knew as much about the candidates back then when they voted as they do now...that said, I suppose we just have to challenge ourselves to be the best we can and make the best decision possible.

Sent by ard | 10:44 AM ET | 04-23-2008

With 99% of the vote counted, (using the raw numbers on NPR) I calculated the percentage difference myself and got only 9.4% spread. Has anybody noticed that this is a single digit, not the double digit number being claimed by Clinton?

It seems like almost everybody, including NPR, is using the 10 point number that Clinton is claiming. Only BBC has done their own arithmetic and discovered 10 points is an exaggeration.

Sent by Gary | 10:48 AM ET | 04-23-2008

LOL, what's with the quibbling over 9.4% or maybe 9.2% or maybe 10%?

She's not quitting. She has seen that he could fall apart at the drop of a hat and she will not stop. Neither of them will have a winning number of delegates come convention time. So why does everyone say that SHE can't win when HE can't win either?

Hilary seems to know that it doesn't take much to emasculate Obama since he starts out a little low on the testosterone scale to start with; that's part of his drawing power. She is going to keep pecking.

It's funny, I am actually getting to admire her just a little.

Sent by deek | 11:27 AM ET | 04-23-2008

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