Superdelegate Wyden 'neutral' as Rasmussen backs Obama
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Gail Rasmussen has become Oregon's third Democratic superdelegate in two days to come out in support of Barack Obama.
Obama beat Hillary Rodham Clinton by 18 percentage points in last week's Oregon primary, and the Democratic National Committee member cited that win in explaining why she will vote for the Illinois senator at the party's national convention in Denver this summer.
The decision announced early today gives Obama a 7-2 edge over Clinton among Oregon superdelegates, with three yet to declare.
Nationally, Barack Obama is fewer than 45 delegates away from the 2,026 needed to capture the party's nomination.
Superdelegates are elected and party officials whose picks are not bound by what voters in their home states decided.
Those who have remained mum about their choice include US.. Senator Ron Wyden, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and state party Vice Chairman Frank Dixon.
But Wyden told KDRV-TV in Medford yesterday that he expects Obama to wrap up the presidential nomination shortly after Montana and South Dakota hold their last-in-the-nation primaries June 3rd.
Wyden, whose chief of staff ran Clinton's campaign in the state, says he prefers to stay neutral for now.
Governor Kulongoski and Representative Darlene Hooley have endorsed Clinton.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Obama beat Hillary Rodham Clinton by 18 percentage points in last week's Oregon primary, and the Democratic National Committee member cited that win in explaining why she will vote for the Illinois senator at the party's national convention in Denver this summer.
The decision announced early today gives Obama a 7-2 edge over Clinton among Oregon superdelegates, with three yet to declare.
Nationally, Barack Obama is fewer than 45 delegates away from the 2,026 needed to capture the party's nomination.
Superdelegates are elected and party officials whose picks are not bound by what voters in their home states decided.
Those who have remained mum about their choice include US.. Senator Ron Wyden, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and state party Vice Chairman Frank Dixon.
But Wyden told KDRV-TV in Medford yesterday that he expects Obama to wrap up the presidential nomination shortly after Montana and South Dakota hold their last-in-the-nation primaries June 3rd.
Wyden, whose chief of staff ran Clinton's campaign in the state, says he prefers to stay neutral for now.
Governor Kulongoski and Representative Darlene Hooley have endorsed Clinton.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)