Rush of superdelegates to Obama

Just after the polls closed, Barack Obama's campaign announced endorsements that will add up to 26.5 votes at the Democratic convention, and more are likely on the way.

Published June 4, 2008 3:32AM (EDT)

Reporters and observers have been predicting a wave of superdelegates that would come Barack Obama's way as soon as the polls closed in the final minutes Democratic primaries. It looks as if this forecast will prove prescient: Obama's campaign announced what may be the first part of that wave just five minutes after the official end of voting in Montana.

In one e-mail to reporters, Obama spokesman Dan Pfeiffer announced endorsements from 28 superdelegates. Together, because of the recent decision on delegates from Florida and Michigan, these new endorsers represent a total of 26.5 votes.

There were no major endorsements and only a couple big names, like Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, DNC member Christine Pelosi, the daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But even despite the lack of a party leader's name, the number spoke for itself.

If an earlier report from the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza proves true, then Obama will also add an extra five superdelegates by virtue of his win in Montana.

Hillary Clinton will likely pick up at least one as well. South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson had endorsed Obama in January, but said on Tuesday that he'd support the winner of his state's primary, which ended up being Clinton.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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