Political Buzz - Larsen the latest superdelegate to jump on the Obama bandwagon

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Thursday, May 8th, 2008

Larsen the latest superdelegate to jump on the Obama bandwagon

Posted by Niki Sullivan @ 04:23:41 pm

U.S. rep. and superdelegate Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) pledged his support to Barack Obama today, a move that will likely increase the "Clinton's presidential bid is dead" headlines by a measure.

I'll post the full statement below. But first, here's where Washington's superdelegates are at, according to The Superdelegate Transparency Project and our own notes:

Obama: 5
(Congressman Larsen, Rep. Brian Baird, Adam Smith, Gov. Chris Gregoire, Pat Notter)

Clinton: 5
(U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Ron Sims)

Undeclared: 7*
(U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, Ed Cote, Eileen Macoll, Sharon Mast, David McDonald, state party chairman Dwight Pelz, Tom Foley*)

(Total of 17. Plus, there are two unnamed add-ons that will be chosen later.)
* The New York Times and the Associated Press say Foley is undecided. The Superdelegate Transparency Project and a spokesman for the party says Foley is a Clinton delegate. We'll err on the side of caution and say he's undecided until or unless we hear from Foley himself.

And now, for the Larsen statement you've been waiting for:

“Today I am endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President. I believe Senator Obama is the best candidate to turn our country’s hopes for a better future into reality.

[More:]

“This week, Senator Obama has proven that he is tough and resilient. He has shown that he can take a pounding, come back and continue to communicate with the public to deliver his message of hope and change.

“In my district, Senator Obama has strong grassroots support. He has inspired and energized my constituents like no other candidate.

“I believe that Senator Obama will be the best President for our country. I have been particularly impressed by Senator Obama’s truth-telling on a proposed gas tax policy – a proposal which would make little or no difference for Americans paying too much at the pump.

“Our country faces great challenges. As President, I believe that Barack Obama can unite our country to overcome obstacles and deliver real change.”

Categories: Campaign news, President • 2 comments

COMMENTS:

Comment by jerrbud @ 16:44 - Thursday, May 8th, 2008

I don't know who notter is, but I now offically hate the other four.

Comment by gumbostu @ 18:15 - Thursday, May 8th, 2008

I think it's ridiculous that in a state where Obama won the primary by 31 points, the superdelegates are split 50-50.

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