Maine congressman backs Obama
A Maine congressman extended Barack Obama's newfound lead in superdelegates and called on Hillary Clinton to withdraw before the final nominating contests next month.
US Representative Tom Allen said that both hopefuls are "supremely qualified," but declared that it's time for a "graceful end" to the nomination fight, according to the Associated Press.
"I've watched independents and Democrats and even a lot of Republicans in Maine enthusiastically support Obama because they believe he can and will put America back on track," he said. "I believe the process of reconciliation, the process of unifying this party, should begin sooner rather than later. It should begin in May, and not in June."
UPDATE: Obama also announced the support today of three other superdelegates: US Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, state party official Dolly Strazar of Hawaii, and state party chairman Keith Roark of Idaho.
That makes Obama's lead among superdelegates 281 to 271.5, according to the latest AP count.
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Glen Johnson is Politics Editor at boston.com and lead blogger for "Political Intelligence." He moved to Massachusetts in the fourth grade, and has covered local, state, and national politics for over 25 years. E-mail him at johnson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen. |
