Obama Starts Off The Day With Superdelegates

Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly endorsed Obama this morning, moving Barack's gap to the nomination 149 delegates. The press release is below.

UPDATE: New Orlean Mayor Ray Nagin, another superdelegate, has also endorsed Obama (statement below). Also, the Washington Post reports that one of Clinton's pledged delegates from Maryland has announced that he will support Obama at the convention.

UPDATE: Former DNC Chair (and Colorado governor) Roy Romer makes three.

UPDATE: Anita Bonds, the chairwoman of D.C.'s Democratic party came out, rather unexpectedly, for Obama late last night.

CHICAGO, IL -- Today, Indiana Congressman Joe Donnelly endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his commitment to working families and building a real coalition for change:

"Today, I am pleased to announce my support for Barack Obama. At a time when too many Americans have lost faith in their government, Senator Obama can move us beyond the politics of stalemate and gridlock that has kept us from meeting the monumental challenges of our time: our dependence on foreign oil, a health care gap that leaves tens of millions uninsured, the steady deterioration of our manufacturing base, and an economy that is not working for working people.

The Democratic Party's strength comes from its core commitment to the American Dream and from a coalition that is ideologically, economically, geographically and ethnically diverse. Barack Obama will stand with working families while building that coalition so that we can change this country, and that's why he's the best choice for America."

Barack Obama said, "I am honored to have the support of Congressman Joe Donnelly. Joe has brought an independent, principled, and pragmatic voice to Washington that is more focused on getting results for Hoosier families than scoring political points. As President, I look forward to working with Congressman Donnelly to build bipartisan majorities to create jobs, make health care more affordable and accessible, and to give our veterans the care and support that they have earned."
Donnelly is the 282nd superdelegate to endorse Barack Obama, who is 149 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Comments

[kcinci]

Now it's 4!!!!!
GOBAMA '08

[Grunty1]

Three already? How many delegates is WV worth? It would be great if Hillary wins WV by 60% margins and STILL loses the delegate count for the day.

[ahsaki80]

WV is only like 28 delegates in the primary and 5 electoral votes for the general. Those people didn't even vote for Gore and Kerry so Obama was smart for ruling them out early on.

[Speakchic]

HRC is pathetic. The only reason she wants their support is b/c they help for her pathetic argument. But unlike her Obama WON'T downplay the state as a red state later on rather thank his supporters and congratulate HRC on her victory.

[Myshkin57]

It would be funny if Obama hauled out a dozen or so superdelegates after her win, so that the day is a wash.

[Bluejay00234]

I thought maybe the same thing might happen.

[iPolitics]

I heart mathematics: Obama '08

[OriginalScreenName]

I'm an Obama supporter, and I have a HUGE problem with that MD pledged delegate switching his support to Obama. He was elected to vote for Hillary, and that's what he should do.

It would be hypocritical for any Obama supporter who wanted to rip Hillary apart for suggesting that pledged delegates should switch to not be mad that this guy is bunking the will of his voters to switch sides.

[Grunty1]

True, but Hillary herself did say they could switch their votes, right? To me, Hillary opened the door for her own pledged delegates to leave, not the other way around.

[spiritualized]

even still... obama should make a statement that he believes that pledged delegates should reflect the voice of the voters..

i mean, seriously, if pledged delegates can do whatever they want, what kind of democracy do we live in? it's so ironic that we are on all these missions to spread democracy overseas when we don't really have one at home.

[Teritt]

I agree with grunty.

[OriginalScreenName]

Hillary is not our Dictator. Contrary to her belief, she does not get to set the rules. We are ruled by laws where elected officials carry out the powers in accordance to the will of the people. Does this happen all the time? No certainly not. But that doesn't mean we should stand for it and not call it out when it does happen.

[cinnysmom]

I agree with you 100% about the pledged delegates. I know Hillary said they could switch, but I just don't like that idea. I think a pledged delagate should stay with the person they chose. The supers are up for grabs though. And I am also an Obama supporter.

[ejay579]

Good catch. I failed to notice it didn't say "super". But you know what? It sucks to be her.

[OriginalScreenName]

No, it sucks to be us. The day that it becomes acceptable for an elected official to buck the *one* thing that person was precisely elected to do is a sad day indeed.

[obamanation31]

I am not very comfortable with it either. But I think Mrs. Clinton is going on a very destructive path and will step on anyone to get ahead.

[Myshkin57]

I think is idea is that Obama's going to win regardless, so they need to give the appearance of unity before the convention. I'm betting that if Senator Clinton pulls off some miracle and gets within 20 or so, he'll stay pledged to her. I don't think it will matter in the end. I'm actually wondering if he made this move to challenge Clinton on her assertion that the pledged delegates could switch sides. It would be very interesting to hear what she had to say on this.

[1PALady]

Maybe superdels had a plan afterall. Everyone knew that she would WV, therefore if supers come out for him today in large numbers, it takes the spotlight off her. Way to go!

[jeffp26]

Stick that fork in her a$$. (My advice, for a butt that large, use the kind of fork we use on a barbeque!!

[conscioushope]

No use being mean-spirited and small-minded.

That is not what Obama is about. Unless, of course, you are.......­...?

[IslandGyal]

They should wait until this evening though, to blunt the 80-20 thrashing he will get in West Virginia.

[candyc]

This is from the front page of the Washington Post. It's incredibly upsetting. Sure explains WV.
Makes me embarrassed to be white

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/12/AR2008051203014.html?hpid=topnews

[McPander]

Thank you for this post. This article along with her "Hard working Americans, white Americans" probably just lost her all the progressive states, California, New York, Mass.
I think there is an old saying, give them enough rope.....

[1PALady]

It's ok Candyc- you're not responsible for everyone. Hopefully, Senator Obama will bring us all together. I sure hope so.

[txgal44]

Don't be embarrassed sweetie, it's just they way it is sometimes. I think it's they way they were raised and I also think that Obama made a good point when he used the "bitter" remark. I think people in these small towns who've seen their jobs go, are very angry and so they direct their anger at what they've been raised to hate. Same thing with some black people when the blame the white man for not being able to find a job or what have you. There are going to people who'll never take responsibility for themselves. It's easier to blame somebody else for their misfortune. While we can sympathize with them, we must move on to something bigger and better. Barack Obama.

[melboogie]

wow, the people on the ground are heroes as well...hop­efully we can find a way to reward them too!

[OlderBudWeiser]

What a shame. I'm an old white woman and never considered skin color when I voted for Obama in Ca. I think he will be a great President. Race is still a big issue to a lot of people but you have to walk tall and do what you think is right. Sounds like these folks may be disgruntled Clinton supporters who are simply afraid of the unknown. This election is a leap of faith toward a better country and situation. We can't go backward.

[spiritualized]

i don't know...
pre-blunting helps in changing the media narrative.
i hope more people come out for obama today.. she will certainly take WV by a massive landslide.

[going2ireland]

I think you will find that not only will there be a couple more come out this morning, but even post primary this evening. That too, will take the edge off of Hillary's W.VA win.

[PrObama29]

Is it possible that with todays superdelegate movement to Obama, that he could actually get more delegate support then Hillary, even though she'll clearly win the WV primary?

[Repub4Obama]

Good idea. WV is 26. A 70/30 split for Clinton would mean roughly 17/9. Let's see if he picks up 8 today - like he's done several days this week already! Whoo Hoo!

On to Obama v. McCain soon...

[spiritualized]

that would be SO amazing. all he needs is 5 more.. 6 for a lead.
completely within the realm of possibility.

[BikerJim]

And from MSNBC First Read... From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama picked up the endorsement of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (a Louisiana add on) and Colorado Gov. Roy Romer is set to hold an Obama conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET. Romer is currently uncommitted.

Way to Go Colorado..­..

[creo13]

He's up to 3 today already!

http://thepage.time.com/2008/05/13/obama-picks-up-indiana-superdelegate/

[spiritualized]

4 if you count the MD pledged delegate that announced his support for obama.
5 more SDs for a net gain for obama despite hillary's largest margins to date in WV.

[McLaren]

Wow, Mr. "Chocolate City" endorses Obama. But don't bring up race. Hypocrites, all of them.

[going2ireland]

Should Nagin's endorsement be completely overlooked just because he is black?

That was a totally racist remark, McLaren.

[Freedomscap]

You should read this article from the Washington post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/12/AR2008051203014.html?hpid=topnews

You don't see black folks coming out vandalizing Hillary's campaign office because she is white.

[obamagal]

By your comment, McLaren, perhaps you are also 'part of the problem'.

[amst]

Perhaps there will be even more SD's coming out for Obama today. Nice way to take focus off Hillary supposedly hugh win in WV no?

Hopefully she'll get out of the race after today, with whatever dignity she has left......­or maybe not (sadly)

[IslandGyal]

Ray Nagin of New Orleans, a super delegate just endorsed, so that's 148 to go.

[Charmed]

Obama08!

[Sabella1]

Thanks for your support, Congressman Donnelly.

Congratulations Obama..

Keep it coming, Superdelegates

Obama '08 !!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!

[SMP]

I am truely hoping that the Clinton supporters will see that it is time to stand behind the Democratic Nominee...­.Sen Obama.....­..........­....

I have been disappointed by the behavior of supporters on blogs. Clinton supporters threaten Obama supporters­...that is so immature. We have a country that desperately needs fixing. Obama and Clintons policies have very little difference. If you did your research..­you would see that it is true.

It comes down to this

Negotiator vs old style politics
Obama Clinton

Change is in the air

Time to accept Obama as our Democratic Nominee The party needs to UNITE

[going2ireland]

An Obama supporter here. You only make reference to the Clinton supporters threatening Obama supporters.

It has worked both ways. You failure to mention Obama supporters actions will only bring on the attacks from the Clinton supporters. Way to go.

[bryang78]

Ive been reading alot of posts on here and I cant understand for the life of me how people even think that mcain has a chance in nov. He ran his primary campaign almost perfectly and he mopped up the floor with hillary. What reason do people have to believe that the general election will be any different?

[ejay579]

Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by standing in the middle of the choir. A lot of hard work remains to be done. As a middle aged white guy I cannot believe the reaction of people who tentatively broach the subject when I effusively tell them I am for Obama. It is almost as if I validate what they have concluded on their own.

[poco767]

Because the love taps that Hillary gave Obama are nothing compared to running against the GOP. I have no doubt that he can weather them, but the republicans are being pushed into a corner nationally. They are losing more and more of the house daily, in my mind one of two things could happen, they will get dragged to centre in an attempt to woo independant centrists, or they will dig in and fight to the death in the nastiest most personal campaign you have ever dreamt of.