October 7, 2008
- Eugene, Oregon
Rep. DeFazio's superdelegate vote helps push Obama past Clinton
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a rally in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, April 22, 2008, on the night of the Pennsylvania Primary election. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) By Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - The movement of Democratic superdelegates to presidential hopeful Barack Obama gained steam Friday with endorsements from a union president and two congressmen, including one who switched his backing from rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Obama took the lead in superdelegates early Friday when Ore. Rep. Peter DeFazio pledged his superdelegate vote and a New Jersey superdelegate switched his vote from Clinton to Obama. That gives Sen. Obama a 2-vote edge over Clinton heading into the Oregon primary on May 20, which he is expected to win. Both Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton were in Oregon Friday campaigning ahead of the primary, which is unique in that voters can make their choice ahead of the May 20 primary date and then mail in their ballots. Statistics indicate a majority of Oregonian voters make their choice and mail in their ballots before election day. Vote totals are not released until polls close May 20 at 8 p.m. Obama has also picked up the endorsement of the influential American Federation of Government Employees union on Friday. "Our people, I think, recognize the enthusiasm and vitality behind Senator Obama's campaign," AFGE President John Gage said. Gage, a previously uncommitted superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, said he is also personally endorsing Obama. In New Jersey, Donald Payne - a black congressman who had been backing Clinton for the nomination - is switching his support to Obama, Dan Pfeiffer, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, confirmed. Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon also plans to formally endorse Obama and campaign with him at events Friday in Eugene and Albany, Ore. "Senator Obama has proven he is able to energize young Americans, independents, and even moderate Republicans to support his candidacy," DeFazio said in a statement released by his office. "I believe he represents our best hope of winning in November, and puts the needs and priorities of hard working Americans ahead of the powerful special interests that have been extraordinarily favored by the Bush-Cheney administration." Oregon holds its primary on May 20. While polling in the state has been sparse, Obama is believed to hold a significant advantage over Clinton. With DeFazio, he will have the endorsement of three of the state's four Democratic House members. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and David Wu earlier endorsed Obama, while Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Rep. Darlene Hooley have endorsed Clinton. Clinton won the New Jersey primary on Feb. 5 and has strong backing from the state's congressional delegation. "After careful consideration, I have reached the conclusion that Barack Obama can best bring about the change that our country so desperately wants and needs," Payne told The Star-Ledger in Newark, N.J. It was "one of the most difficult decisions I have made," Payne said. "I've really been mulling it over for quite a while." Obama's endorsements from superdelegates has picked up sharply since Tuesday, when he soundly defeated Clinton in North Carolina's primary and held her to a narrow victory in Indiana. Associated Press Writers Jesse Holland and Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this report. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
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