As of 3:20 pm PST:
Clinton: - 2.5 (+ 0.5 minus three defections to Obama)
Obama: +21 (20 superdelegate votes + 1 Edwards pledged delegate)
Obama is 14 delegates away from the nomination, which is in the range of expected gains from Montana and South Dakota today.
Clinton Superdelegates: +0.5
Jon Ausman (FL)
-- DNC Superdelegate and member of the Rules & Bylaws Committee who supports Clinton because Obama already is the winner, so he has the luxury of sending out a "message of unity" to implore an Obama-Clinton ticket.
Obama Superdelegates: +21
Ex-President Jimmy Carter (GA)
-- The Distinguished Party Leader finally made his decision known after months of speculation and signs that he would support Obama.
Congressman John Spratt (SC)
-- He joined with Congressman Clyburn in endorsing Senator Obama today.
Ralph Dawson (NY)
--A member of the DNC who is the last member of the New York superdelegate pool to endorse, save for Party Leader George Mitchell.
Debra S. Kozikowski (MA)
--A member of the Massachussetts DNC, she made her decision known today. Her press statement:
I made a commitment to wait until the end of the primary process and now it is
time to make my choice. Barack Obama has won my support for President. Hillary Clinton ran a great race, I respect her hard work and commitment to the issues I care about, but Senator Obama's message of bringing our country together is in sync with the agenda of building rural-urban partnerships for the good of all of America.I care about issues facing rural families and businesses, everything from our food supply to the challenges of economic development, and Barack Obama is committed to ensuring that rural residents aren't left behind. All you have to do is compare the websites of John McCain and Barack Obama to see who is the candidate with real ideas to help rural communities. I am committed to delivering Barack Obama’s message of hope and change to voters all across the country and working to convince my fellow superdelegates who have yet to support a candidate to join me in
supporting him.
Congressman John Olver (MA)
--This Massachussetts member of Congress made his decision today after holding out for a long time as a result of his district's split vote for both candidates. An excerpt from the article:
"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.
Joyce Beatty (OH)
--This DNC member from Columbus and Minority Leader of the Ohio state legislature threw her support to Obama today as well, citing her conversation with the Illinois Senator:
"I have spoken to Sen. Obama several times about his ideas for moving our nation past the failed policies of the Bush administration. I like Sen. Obama's stances on issues important to all Americans, and I am proud that an African-American has the trust and the support of people across all cross-sections of our society in this historic campaign. He has brought energy and an excitement to this race that inspires people, and he is the right person for the job."
Jennifer Dechant (ME)
--Citing the support for Obama from the majority of the Maine state convention delegates, Dechant also announced her decision to support Senator Obama.
Maria Chappelle-Nadal (MO)
From her statement today:
"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."
Carnelia Pettis-Fondren (MS)
--The Vice Chairwoman for the Mississippi DNC has announced her support for Obama today.
Per the article:
John Perez (CA)Fondren, an attorney, said Obama is "an equally impressive presidential candidate" and "a dynamic leader who offers a compelling vision for the future of our nation and the state of Mississippi."
"The people of our country have spoken and shown they support Sen. Obama - now it's time for party leaders to unite behind one candidate and head toward victory in November," Fondren said.
--This member of the California DNC and Los Angeles-based labor leader made his decision to support Obama on his belief that Obama would be "the best positioned to lead this party forward."
Of interest is that Perez' cousin is Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was an early and prolific supporter of the Clinton campaign.
Congressman Dennis Moore (KS)
--The Kansas Congressman announced his support for Obama today.
Harriet Windsor
“As a superdelegate from Delaware, I am representing the people of my state, where Barack Obama won in our primary. Senator Obama is an outstanding candidate who will unify the Democratic Party and be a strong candidate to beat Senator McCain in the November election."Rhett Ruggiero
--A Delaware DNC superdelegate
John Daniello
--The Delaware Democratic Party Chairman released the following:
“Senator Obama has inspired Democrats across the country over the course of this
primary, and we saw here in Delaware that his appeal will help our candidates up
and down the ballot. As a state party chairman, I know how valuable this contest
has been in energizing the grassroots, and I wanted every state to be able to
participate and reap the benefits of this historic race. Now that all of the
primaries and caucuses are behind us, I believe it’s time for Democrats to unite
in taking on John McCain, and I’m pleased to be joined by Rhett Ruggerio and
Secretary Windsor in endorsing Barack Obama for president.”
Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
--Chairwoman of the Black Congressional Caucus
"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."
Kwame Kilpatrick
--Mayor of Detroit and DNC superdelegate
"I enthusiastically pledge my support to Senator Barack Obama, who will bring much needed hope, change and leadership to take our country in a new direction. I will work hard to ensure he will be victorious in November.”
Debbie Dingel
--DNC Superdelegate
"Now, as the nominating process comes to an end, it it time to unite behind
Barack Obama, who will be our Democratic nominee for the White House."
Rick Wiener
--DNC Superdelegate
"It is clear that Senator Obama will prevail as our nominee. It is time to unite
the party behind our candidate and close a historic primary season.”
Joyce Lalonde
--DNC Superdelegate
"With his leadership, we will move away from a nation of test bubblers to a nation of highly educated individuals that will return us to global leadership in all areas. I am excited to begin the campaign that brings America to the best that it can be."
Tina Abbott
--State DNC Vicechairwoman and Secretary-Treasurer of state AFL-CIO
Sharon Nordgren (NH)
--State Representative Nordgren announced today her switch from Edwards to Obama. Nordgren is a pledged delegate and ups Obama's total from the Granite State.
A full list of the Edwards switches to Obama was released earlier today by the Obama campaign:
FLORIDA -- 10
Joseph Beuttenmuller, Lake Mary
Barry Birdwell, Melbourne Beach
E. Alan Brock, Crawfordville
Deborah Courtney, Jacksonville
Rita Ferrandino, Sarasota
Fred McDowell, Leesburg
Mary Mooney, Crawfordville
Linda Spisak, Hobe Sound
Gregory Shimkaveg, Oviedo
Bill Vincent, Gulf Breeze
IOWA -- 4
Machelle Crum, Newton
Arlene Prather-Kane, Cedar Falls
David Relawsk, Iowa City
Merci Wolff, Sioux City
SOUTH CAROLINA -- 8
Lauren Bilton, Columbia
Daniel Boan, Kershaw
Christine Brennan-Bond, Moore
Michael Evatt, Seneca (birthplace of Senator Edwards)
Robert Groce, Summerville
Marilyn Hemingway, Georgetown
Tim Moore, Barnwell
Susan Smith, Pawley’s Island
NEW HAMPSHIRE -- 4
Deborah Bacon-Nelson, Hanover
Senator Peter Burling, Cornish
Rep. Sharon Nordgren, Hanover
Joshua Denton, Portsmouth
This makes a total of 26 pledged delegates worth 21 pledged delegate votes at the Convention (Florida pledged delegates are worth 0.5 votes) that have switched from Edwards to Obama.
These 21 pledged delegates represent a net gain for Obama (via switch) larger than most primaries afforded--more on this to come in a separate post.
--The California Congresswoman was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton, but made her decision today to switch to Obama.
“Senator Hillary Clinton has run a superb campaign and has proven to be a hard worker while gaining the support of many key constituencies that will be essential for Democratic success in November. Despite that, Senator Obama’s delegate numbers more than describe the enthusiasm for his candidacy and I believe that by the end of the day, he will have the necessary numbers to become the Democratic Party nominee for President."
“It is now time to close ranks and time for all remaining delegates to put their support behind the presumptive nominee, Senator Obama. Senator Obama has run an effective campaign and has overcome many obstacles to create an energy that has brought many new Democrats into the party. Together, both of these candidates have generated an unprecedented involvement in Democratic Party politics. This is something that all Democrats can be proud of."
Kamil Hasan (CA)
--The California DNC superdelegate made the announcement of the switch from Clinton to Obama in the following press release:
Ben Johnson (DC)"I am endorsing Senator Obama as Democratic Party’s nominee not only because he
has clearly won more pledged delegates, but I sincerely believe that he can provide the necessary leadership in taking this country in a new direction at this critical juncture in our history. Fortunately, we have had two excellent candidates. I have great admiration for Senator Clinton and the way she has run a spirited, high energy, issues based campaign.I am looking forward to continue to energize the Indo-American and the South-Asian communities in ensuring that Senator Obama becomes the next President of the United States. His election as the President of the United States will not only help unite a very divided nation, but elevate the image of the United States in the world to a level not seen since John Kennedy was the President."
--A District of Columbia superdelegate finally makes his switch known today:
"It’s time to close ranks behind Barack Obama, who has run an outstanding campaign and made many of us proud. This is no way diminishes my respect and
admiration for Senator Clinton, who is a fine public servant who I have known for many years. But it is clear that Senator Obama has the momentum needed to help us win in November and I am proud to endorse him today."
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