Massachusetts superdelegate backs Obama

Paul G. Kirk, a Democratic superdelegate from Massachusetts, officially declared his support for Barack Obama today.

Kirk is the second former Democratic National Committee chairman in two days to back Obama, following Joe Andrew of Indiana. And his endorsement narrows Hillary Clinton's lead among superdelegates to fewer than 20. While Obama had the support of Senators John F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy and Governor Deval Patrick, Clinton won the Massachusetts primary in February.

"Senator Obama is the one candidate who has and will continue to expand the electorate beyond the traditional Democratic party base and bring young and new and Independent voters to the Democratic banner in November, an essential ingredient to a Democratic victory," Kirk said in a statement issued by the Obama campaign.

"America never turns back," he continued. "America always marches forward to seize the future. Eight of 10 Americans believe their country is on the wrong track. Senator Obama is the one candidate who, in the best tradition of American history, will not take us back but will lead us to a new future."

UPDATE: The Clinton campaign pointed out that Kirk had been previously put in Obama's camp and argued that it announced the endorsement in its "zeal to divert attention from their recent troubles" -- an apparent reference to the controversy surrounding his former pastor, whom he repudiated this week.

The Clinton camp also released a letter from seven other former DNC leaders to DNC members, who comprise a sizable chunk of superdelegates.

"Hillary can win our party’s nomination," they write. "....Her base of support includes women, Hispanics, seniors, Catholics, middle and low income Americans, and rural, suburban and urban voters. That’s a formidable coalition tailor-made for victory in a November general election."

"We encourage you to continue to fully consider Hillary Clinton and the fact that she is qualified and accomplished. Too much is at stake for us not to consider deeply the choice we must make for our party and our country."