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Superdelegate count: Obama 4, Clinton 1

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor May 7, 2008 03:01 PM

One superdelegate to declare today -- the day after Barack Obama's resounding win in North Carolina and near-miss in Indiana put him on the brink of the Democratic nomination -- shows that for some superdelegates, their own political prospects are paramount.

Congressman Heath Shuler, a first-term conservative Democrat, is announcing for Hillary Clinton, The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., is reporting.

Shuler, a former quarterback at the University of Tennessee and for the Washington Redskins, represents a GOP-leaning district in the western North Carolina mountains. The district went strongly for Clinton on Tuesday, and voters there might not look kindly on someone supporting Obama.

According to the News & Observer, Shuler had said in advance he would back whoever won his district. Clinton won by 13 percentage points, though Obama won statewide by 14 percentage points.

The Associated Press reports that four superdelegates have announced for Obama.

The Obama campaign named three of them: North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek, North Carolina Democratic National Committee member Jeanette Council, and California DNC member Inola Henry.

The AP said the fourth is Virginia's Jennifer McClellan, who used to support Clinton.

"Over the past year, I’ve watched as Barack Obama has drawn countless new people to the political process," Meek said in a statement provided by the Obama campaing. "Although my position as State Chair has led me to remain neutral through the primary, I’ve quietly celebrated as Barack Obama offered new hope to millions of Americans who have lost faith in the American dream after years of disastrous Republican policies. Rarely does a public servant emerge with Barack Obama’s ability to unite our country and produce real change."

That narrows Clinton's lead among superdelegates to 271.5 to 260. Obama leads in the overall delegate count, however, and is within 180.5 of clinching the nomination.

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GO HOME HILARY ITS OVER

Posted by PAT THOMPSON May 7, 08 02:33 PM
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I am in total support of Obama and wish that America would join him and his team. Hillary & Bill are out, and in my opinion was out long ago. I worked for Clinton Administration and I lost interest quick and fast. The Clinton's care nothing about America only the benefits it has to offer. I would ask Bill & Hillary to donate half of their fortune of $109 Million to a worthy cause or to Working Class & poor. Why lie? Giving is a gift of Love.

Posted by George E. Laster May 7, 08 04:17 PM
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I LOVE YOU HILARY BUT PLEASE LET GO

Posted by HEATHER NGOLE May 7, 08 04:39 PM
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TURN OUT THE LIGHTS..........THE PARTY IS OVER..

Posted by Dee May 7, 08 05:13 PM
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It's sad to see someone that I used to consider an american icon. Now they're looking kind of pathetic.

Posted by Dustee May 10, 08 06:22 PM
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HILLARY I LOVE SO MUCH BUT PLEASE KNOW THIS YOUR TIME IS UP OBAMA WIN , UNDERSTAND THAT AMERICA NEEDS CHANGE AND OBAMA IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MAKE THAT CHANGE.

Posted by ADOLPH MENSAH May 16, 08 12:15 PM
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