The day has started with another Oregon superdelegate endorsing Obama. Gail Rasmussen, the vice president of the Oregon Education Association, said she will cast her vote for Obama "in honor of the support" he won from the state's voters.
Rasmussen has become Oregon's third Democratic superdelegate in two days to come out in support of Barack Obama. Yesterday, two other Oregon superdelegates -- state party Chairwoman Meredith Wood Smith and Democratic National Committeeman Wayne Kinney -- said they would back Obama.
Others Oregon superdelegates who plan to vote for Obama include U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, David Wu and Peter DeFazio, along with Democratic National Committeewoman Jenny Greenleaf.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Rep. Darlene Hooley have endorsed Clinton.
Those who have remained mum about their choice include U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and state party Vice Chairman Frank Dixon.
Wyden told KDRV-TV in Medford on Wednesday that he expects Obama to wrap up the presidential nomination shortly after Montana and South Dakota hold their last-in-the-nation primaries June 3.
But Wyden, whose chief of staff ran Clinton's campaign in the state, said he prefers to stay neutral for now.
Nice to see Wyden say positive things about Obama. Too bad he doesn't have the courage to back up his words with action.
Here's hoping the day brings more good superdelegate news for Obama.
UPDATE:
Some commentators have pointed out several potentially good omens from this particular superdelegate endorsement:
- The endorsement brings the number of delegates Obama needs to win the nomination to 44.
- Her last name is Rasmussen.
UPDATE 2:
Although this isn't an update about a superdelegate endorsement today, I thought it was worth noting. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the House majority whip, said he will announce his endorsement for president at 11 a.m. EST next Tuesday, June, 3, while the Montana and South Dakota primaries are underway, the Stamford Advocate reports:
"As the House majority whip, I didn't want to interject myself into the process," Clyburn said.
But he knows exactly who he will support.
"I voted" in the South Carolina primary, he said, smiling. "I'm not undecided, just unpledged."
Clyburn has longtime ties to Hillary Clinton, but recently he's had a number of sharp criticisms of Hillary's tactics and comments. If I were a betting man, my money would be on him endorsing Obama.
(H/T Slinkerwink)