Obama Overtakes Lead in Superdelegates for First Time
12, May 2008 22:30:01
WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama has overtaken Hillary Rodham Clinton in superdelegate endorsements for the first time.
Obama picked up four superdelegate endorsements, including two from the Virgin Islands who had previously endorsed Clinton. The additions erased Clinton's once-imposing lead among the party and elected officials who will automatically attend the party's national convention this summer.
The milestone is important because these are the Democrats who will decide the nomination for president, and Clinton would need their support by a wide margin to win. Obama has a big lead among delegates won in primaries and caucuses, but neither candidate can win the nomination without support from the superdelegates.