May 9, 2008 11:40 AM
- Text
More "Super" News For Obama
Hillary Clinton's superdelegate lead over Barack Obama has narrowed to just five in the latest CBS News delegate count.
His latest pickups? American Federation of Government Employees President John Gage, whose 600,000 member union officially endorsed Obama as well; New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne, who had previously supported Clinton; and Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio.
"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," DeFazio said in a statement. The congressman will campaign with Obama in Oregon, which is holding a May 20th primary.
Gage, meanwhile, suggested that Obama would be stronger than Clinton in "bringing along some of the downticket races."
The news wasn't all good for the Democratic frontrunner: Superdelegate Chris Carney, a representative from a conservative Pennsylvania district that broke for Clinton in the state's primary last month, has endorsed the New York senator. Carney told the Associated Press he made the choice in an effort to "respect" the will of those in his district.
The support of Sacramento, California superdelegate Steven Ybarra, meanwhile, remains up for grabs – though he's willing to sell it to the highest bidder. The cost? A cool $20 million.
CBS 13 reports that "Ybarra wants every cent of the $20 million to go towards registering and educating eligible Mexican-American voters, who he calls the key to the White House."
Asked if he would accept $5 million instead, Ybarra responded: "No, $5 million is nothing."
UPDATE: And another super goes to Obama: California DNC Member Ed Espinoza. The gap between Obama and Clinton now sits at 4 superdelegates.
"[Obama] has shown he has the character to lead our great nation, from his choice to spend his career serving people in the poorest communities in Chicago to his commitment to speaking truth to the American people, even when it isn't politically convenient to do so," Espinoza said in a release put out by the Obama campaign.
His latest pickups? American Federation of Government Employees President John Gage, whose 600,000 member union officially endorsed Obama as well; New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne, who had previously supported Clinton; and Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio.
"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," DeFazio said in a statement. The congressman will campaign with Obama in Oregon, which is holding a May 20th primary.
Gage, meanwhile, suggested that Obama would be stronger than Clinton in "bringing along some of the downticket races."
The news wasn't all good for the Democratic frontrunner: Superdelegate Chris Carney, a representative from a conservative Pennsylvania district that broke for Clinton in the state's primary last month, has endorsed the New York senator. Carney told the Associated Press he made the choice in an effort to "respect" the will of those in his district.
The support of Sacramento, California superdelegate Steven Ybarra, meanwhile, remains up for grabs – though he's willing to sell it to the highest bidder. The cost? A cool $20 million.
CBS 13 reports that "Ybarra wants every cent of the $20 million to go towards registering and educating eligible Mexican-American voters, who he calls the key to the White House."
Asked if he would accept $5 million instead, Ybarra responded: "No, $5 million is nothing."
UPDATE: And another super goes to Obama: California DNC Member Ed Espinoza. The gap between Obama and Clinton now sits at 4 superdelegates.
"[Obama] has shown he has the character to lead our great nation, from his choice to spend his career serving people in the poorest communities in Chicago to his commitment to speaking truth to the American people, even when it isn't politically convenient to do so," Espinoza said in a release put out by the Obama campaign.
-
Brian Montopoli Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »
Popular Now in Politics
- Santorum sweeps Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado
- Archbishop Dolan urges Obama to back down on birth control
- After Tues. sweep, Santorum seeks to gain speed
- STOCK Act passes in House
- GOP contests under way in Minn., Mo. & Colo.
- Fallon vs. Obama in fitness challenge
- Contraception issue heats up as Santorum gains
- Congressional approval hits another all-time low
- Callista Gingrich: The quiet wife
- What Does 'GOP' Stand For?
- Former Giffords aide to run for her House seat
- Dems fight back in contraceptive battle
- Rick Santorum finally gets his moment
- Obama leads Romney in Virginia poll
- No more Mr. Nice Guy for Santorum
- Romney, Gingrich blast Prop 8 ruling
- Mitt Romney glitter bombed, calls it confetti
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Asia stocks slip as Greek bailout remains in limbo
- Asia stocks slip as Greek bailout remains in limbo
- Brazil police strike a danger for Carnival
- Anchor recovering from dog bite during broadcast
on Facebook
- Adele opens up about vocal cord surgery
- Tenn. father charged with murdering couple who"unfriended" daughter on Facebook
- Mo. teen gets life in prison for murder of 9-year-old girl
on CBS News
