superdelegates

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin endorsed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama today saying he was confident that U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Governor

Martin O'Malley, who both threw their support to Hillary Clinton, would also rally around Obama's candidacy.

"I have no doubt that Senator Mikulski will be aggressively working on behalf of the nominee," Cardin said at a Washington press conference, where he announced his endorsement. "I am equally confident Governor O'Malley will be supporting the nominee."

As the Democratic presidential primary race reached its conclusion tonight, 12th District U.S. Rep. Rush Holt joined a pack of other previously unconfirmed superdelegates to back Barack Obama this evening. 

"Barack Obama has a remarkable life story, has run a stirring campaign, and has offered an inspiring vision and an impressive strategy to bring about much-needed change in our nation," said Holt. "His successes in the primaries suggest that we can rise above cynicism and bigotry in America, and I am honored to offer my endorsement and support." 

Holt was one of two high profile superdelegates to hold off on a presidential endorsement.  U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who's up for reelection tonight, is not expected to endorse anyone until the presidential race wraps up. 

As the Democratic primary winds down and Barack Obama more than likely moves towards the nomination tonight, it is worth looking at the three superdelegates in Arizona who avoided taking a stance. 

Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens is uncommitted, and of the three uncommitted he probably has the best reason to remain so.  His Governor is with Obama, some of his biggest donors are with Hillary Clinton and his delegation is split.

As superdelegates flood to Barack Obama throughout the day, Pennsylvania has four holdouts.  Congressmen Bob Brady, Jason Altmire, Mike Doyle and Tim Holden continue to take their strong stances of no comment. 

Maybe after Obama reaches the magic number later today they will be willing to take a stance once and for all.

House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus)Superdelegate and Ohio House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty (D - Columbus) announced her support for Barack Obama in a statement, saying he is the right person for the job. Beatty becomes the seventh Ohio superdelegate to support Obama, compared to eight for Clinton and six more who are still undecided.

"I have spoken to Sen. Obama several times about his ideas for moving our nation past the failed policies of the Bush administration," Beatty said. "I like Sen. Obama's stances on issues important to all Americans, and I am proud that an African-American has the trust and the support of people across all cross-sections of our society in this historic campaign. He has brought energy and an excitement to this race that inspires people, and he is the right person for the job."

One of Washington's automatic delegates, DNC member David McDonald, has pledged his support to Sen. Barack Obama, per the AP.

McDonald sat on the DNC rules committee that met over the weekend to decide the fate of disputed delegates in Florida and Michigan, and waited until after the meeting to endorse in order to avoid a perceived conflict of interest.

Obama "has brought astounding new energy and hope to the Democratic Party nationwide," he told the AP.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski is prepared to switch his support from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama, but only if he can be part of a larger group of prominent Clinton backers to go public, according to Democrats close to the Governor.  Kulongoski has been the target of some intense lobbying in recent days, and has deliberately avoided any effort to stop key Oregon Democratic Party leaders to join the Obama team.  Last week, three Oregon superdelegates announced their support of Obama.

Obama won 31 of Oregon's pledged delegates in the primary (Clinton took 21) but it looks like the win is also helping his superdelegate count.

Meredith Wood Smith, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Oregon, is the second of Oregon's 12 superdelegates to get on the Obama boat since the primary.

She announced her decision in a column published in today's Oregonian.

She says Obama "demonstrates the leadership needed to get us out of Iraq, restore our economy, begin the tough job of providing health care for all Americans and, most of all, heal the divisions in our nation."

Philadelphia Congressman Bob Brady is trying to get his colleagues to move a little quicker in deciding who they will support for President as a superdelegate.  Brady sent a letter to his colleagues urging them to make their choice public within a week of the final primary on June 3rd.

Yesterday, Westminster City Councilman and Democratic superdelegate Greg Pecoraro threw his support behind Sen. Barack Obama.

In a statement, Pecoraro said he is "very excited to join the large majority of Maryland Democrats who expressed their enthusiasm for Senator Obama’s candidacy in our state's presidential primary."

"Like them, I believe Barack Obama is the right leader for our time. With Barack Obama as our nominee and as our President, we have real hope that a new way of governing the nation is at hand. I strongly believe that Senator Obama offers us the best opportunity we have had for many years to turn away from the politics of division and despair, and look towards an America of opportunity and progress."

Obama now has 10 of Maryland's superdelegates while 11 are supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton. Of the 99 delegates voting at the Denver convention in August, Obama leads Clinton, 53 to 38, while 8 are unknown.

PolitickerMD.com most recently spoke with Pecoraro on May 15.