Political Buzz

Another benchmark for the “presumptive” Democratic nominee (Rahm Emanuel’s words, not ours) has been easily met today, with a current net sweep of 7 superdelegates to Hillary’s 0 propelling Obama to his first lead among the tally of super’s. It was always seen as Obama’s toughest climb and something that would signal the end for Hillary. Are we there yet?

Obama picked up a net total of 7 super’s today, with Hillary’s one add-on merely balancing out the defection of a former pledged super to Obama’s camp.

Obama’s haul is complete with a few key names that have been viewed as major uncommitted gets in the campaign. American Federation of Government Employees leader John Gage (and the endorsement of AFGE ) and Congressmen Pete DeFazio of Oregon and Don Payne of New Jersey (the HRC defector) are solid names that, especially in Gage’s case, bring in lots of potential supporters just with their backing. The moderate Dems are coalescing behind Obama for sure.

Hillary got PA Rep. Chris Carney to take a bit of the sting away from Payne’s departure.

NBC doesn’t yet have the math that shows Obama leading among superdelegates, but ABC is officially placing Obama in the lead - by one SD - among the vaunted super’s for the very first time. It’s a major event for a campaign always seen as lacking in support with mainstream Washington-style Dems. Hillary had built relationships with many of these folks over her years in the White House and Senate. They were expected to stay loyal. But late-game inevitability holds greater sway in this revolutionary race.

Chalk up the score as Obama ahead 13-1 since Tuesday’s primaries in IN and NC.

Sphere: Related Content

Filed under: Democrats, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, The Blog