Defection of key Clinton ally tilts balance to Obama

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/defection-of-key-clinton-ally-tilts-balance-to-obama-819734.html

By David Usborne in New York
Friday, 2 May 2008


For all his recent troubles – his resounding loss in Pennsylvania 10 days ago, his inability to crack Hillary Clinton's hold on white, working class voters and, of course, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright chronicles – Barack Obama still seems to be winning the battle that really counts: the one for superdelegates.


Harvesting superdelegates is now more important than ever since they will almost certainly determine who wins the nomination at, or before, the Democratic National Convention in August. And yesterday saw a defection that serves to underline that garnering superdelegates is an area where Mr Obama is still doing surprisingly well.

Joe Andrew, a former leader of the Democratic Party and a native of Indiana, announced he was flipping from Mrs Clinton's side and now supports Mr Obama.

He's got a good amount of influence within the SD's from being the past chairman of the DNC under Clinton.

the super delegates will break the stalemate. the super delegates know that Hillary has negatives over 50% and thus she would be a drag on anyone running for election b/c she would bring out the rabid voters who are now disaffected b/c they don't like McCain.

this is pretty simple, really. it's about the entire party winning, not just one candidate.

The SDs know who Joe Andrew is.

The voters are important only in how they may influence the SDs.

most voters don't know his name, but lots of other people do. People who have power and control over how this whole nomination process is going to be played out. Believe me, this endorsement is big:)