April 26, 2008 Update

Let's see.

Four superdelegates up for grab today, with one in Iowa, two in Arizona and one in New Hampshire.

Obama lost a delegate in Iowa as a result of Edwards gaining new-found viability in a district where his previous lack of viability meant an extra delegate for Obama. This delegate now goes to Edwards. RESULT: OBAMA -1

Obama picked up a superdelegate in Arizona, when Obama supporter Charlene Fernandez was elected to the position of Vice Chair, which carries with it a superdelegate vote. RESULT: OBAMA +1

Clinton picked up the add-on delegate in New Hampshire, when Kathy Sullivan was elected to the position after being the only name submitted by the New Hampshire chair for consideration. RESULT: Clinton +1

The Arizona add-on delegate was named (Terry Goddard), but he has remained uncommitted at this time.

New Mexico's add-on delegate was named but not yet made public at this time.

4/27 UPDATE: Laurie Weahkee, lead organizer for the Native Amerian Voters Alliance, was named. She has not committed to either candidate.

Demconwatch found the article in the Albuquerque Journal that showed the behind-the-scenes fight over who was to be nominated. In short, Clinton backers wanted the nominee to come from the Central Committee members, which is strongly allied with Clinton. However, the rules dictate that the State Chair nominate for the position, and the overriding concern was to have Native American representation, with an uncommitted status in place to protect interest in New Mexico as the nomination fight continues.

Clinton +1, Obama 0 today, with two undecided add-on delegates.

The loss of a delegate to Edwards by Obama is only half as damaging to him as the declaration of the Arizona superdelegate's support for Obama is to Clinton.

In the first case, this was a delegate already decided, and that does not count for Clinton either, while removing one more delegate from the field, which benefits Obama.

In the second case, not only does Obama move one more delegate toward the nomination, but Clinton loses another superdelegate from the field that she needs to keep static in order to preserve her best chance at the nomination.