Did Hillary lose *5* Superdelegates Today? Also, Pelosi endorsement?

[Alhena]

I found this blurb in the NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15clinton.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5099&en=c90356ac85dd47ce&ex=1203656400&partner=TOPIXNEWS&adxnnlx=1203047847-Cp2prTtVCs%20xLJuZlwLZGA

continued to hold a lead among superdelegates, even as a New Jersey official, Christine Samuels, changed her support to Mr. Obama and at least two others went back to being uncommitted.

- end quote -

Now, this story discusses the defection of Reps. Lewis and Scott, so the reference to two others going back to uncommitted would seem to indicate that Hillary had 3 superdelegates go to Obama and lost two more, and one would presume they are inclined to side with Obama at some point in the future. Any idea who these two mystery delegates are?

Also, since we've got this 3 post rule, I'd note that there are multiple stories saying that Pelosi prefers Obama and will likely endorse him at some point.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/14/664071.aspx

“Meanwhile, congressional aides said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is considering endorsing Obama,” the New York Post reports. “They say she's weighing whether a public endorsement would harm her ability to function in her job.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3359895.ece

However, voice would carry great authority among many uncommitted super-delegates on Capitol Hill – and she is said by one of those close to her to be leaning towards Mr Obama. “The party Establishment is not going to turn its back on a candidate who is generating this tremendous excitement and bringing all these new voters into the political process,” an adviser said.

- end quote -

I personally think a Pelosi endorsement would be much bigger than a John Edwards or even Al Gore endorsement because she has huge influence over the largest group of superdelegates- Democratic House members. Edwards and Gore have huge symbolic influence, but not nearly as much actual power as Pelosi. I think she's the #1 endorsement target and am excited she's leaning to Obama.

In my google searches on this topic, I found some references to Pelosi having said that she thought Obama could bring in 75 extra democratic House members if he's the nominee.

[sandnsea]

1. Not now

I think that could be a horrible endorsement, tie him to the establishment in the exact same way Dean was by Gore. I wouldn't take the risk if I were him. Not until at least after Wisconsin.

[Alhena]

4. But the Superdelegates ARE the establishment- and they have the power

for better or worse. I don't like it, but that's the system we have to work with in this election so Pelosi would be huge.

[sandnsea]

10. In a few weeks

It would be terrific. If he ends up looking just like another establishment candidate in the next couple of weeks, it could really backfire. It wouldn't surprise me for her to endorse him in order to try to sabatoge him.

[LiberalFighter]

15. What makes you think that the pledged delegates aren't the establishment too?

[stillcool]

9. I wonder if she's doing it...

to help her image.

[tulsakatz]

11. Ted Kennedy endorsed him.......

...and he's part of the Washington establishment and no one (as far as I know) has held that against him!

I understand what you're saying, I just don't think it would have a negative effect, on the contrary, I think it would be very good for him! As the original poster stated, she may have a big influence on superdelegates in DC!

[sandnsea]

16. He's the liberal lion

Completely different. Yes I know Pelosi is supposed to be a San Francisco liberal, but right now she is seen as a pretty worthless commodity with the young and the rest of the country seeking change. And the fact that she is seen as a San Francisco liberal could hurt with the more working class Dems of Ohio. No, she's a disaster he needs to stay away from.

[davidinalameda]

2. I'd say 75 is wishful thinking but she knows the races better than me

I would love to see Pelosi endorse Obama

He carried San Francisco

[OzarkDem]

3. If she lost Pelosi, that's very good news for Hillary

I don't think I have to remind everyone here what a terrible leader Pelosi has been in the House.

If Clinton has been rejected by the insider DC Dems, its a compliment.

[John Q. Citizen]

12. Yes, If Hill lost Pelosi and a hundred and twenty five delegates with her, I should think

Hill would be on top of the world.

She can give up this president busness and get back to being a Senator and elder stateswoman.

[jefferson_dem]

5. By my count, Hillary is -5 and Obama is +3 on supers for a net of +8 for Obama.

:bounce:

[Alhena]

6. It's kind of sad- that's a bigger margin than he got for many states he won

which shows just how ridiculous the superdelegate system is.

[bellasgrams]

17. Obama is paying thousands of dollars for those supers.

Read it yourself. It was on the first page when I signed on.

[CreekDog]

24. So HRC gave 88k and Obama gave 300k+ and this means that just Obama has a problem?

do explain.

[Tatiana]

7. I am praying to Jesus that Pelosi does NOT endorse Obama.

We have some momentum going right now. We don't need to kill it with reminders of her overall poor leadership.

[Imagevision]

13. Pelosi will pull an Edwards/Gore and not announce who she supported

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

20. I support Obama, but I think Pelosi should probably stay out of it

It just doesn't seem right for her to endorse anyone, since she is the speaker.

IMHO.

I don't think John Edwards should endorse anyone either, as it will look like
he is doing it for payback.

I mean the former US Senator John Edwards, not the psychic.

:rofl:

[ButterflyBlood]

8. It's actually as good as a loss of 7 superdelegates

Since Lewis and Scott actually defected to Obama and added two more delegates to his total in addition to two lost from Hillary's. That's as good as Hillary losing four endorsements.

[WillyT]

14. There Were Some Pundits A While Back Who Thought...

that George Miller D-Martinez, CA endorsing Obama, was a signal that Pelosi felt that way too.

He's one of her top lieutenants, and it was speculated, that he would have not done so without Nancy's prior approval.

:shrug:

[Tropics_Dude83]

18. Well unlike you all...

I was thrilled and almost but not quite moved to tears to see a female Speaker of the U.S. House of representatives for the first time ever and to see her introduce the president for the first time ever at a state of the union address back in 2007. Nancy Pelosi has my adoration and love. She is a tremendous lady.

Her endorsement would be a huge plus for anyone that gets it.

Now, as for the power mad desperate junior senator from New York....well that's another story.:(

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

19. they are dropping like flies n/t

[ShadowLiberal]

21. I'm not sure if that's a good endorsement

Yeah Nancy has a vote, and power, but I think she would help tie Obama to what's viewed as many as a 'failed' (well maybe not failed, but bad) establishment. Unlike Ted Kennedy, who was just a vote in the senate, and not the guy scheduling votes, Nancy has been getting a lot of the blame for nothing ever getting done in Washington. If Obama got endorsed by the very kind of Washington insider he's campaigning against it would work against his change message.

[my3boyz]

22. I would prefer that she not officially endorse him BUT that she use

her power to get the other super delegates to line up behind Obama.

[snappyturtle]

23. Off to the greatest!! n/t

[Apollo11]

25. Pelosi will not endorse either candidate. She will chair the Democratic National Convention.

Nancy Pelosi on CNN Late Edition, February 10th

BLITZER: Let's talk about this extraordinary moment in the Democratic Party right now. There is either going to be a woman who will be your presidential nominee or an African-American.

PELOSI: Yes, it's an exciting...

BLITZER: Who do you want?

PELOSI: Well, as chair -- I'm the chair of the Democratic National Convention, which will be in August in Denver, Colorado.

And as such, I am neutral in the race because I have to bring everyone together and make decisions, rulings, et cetera that affect what goes on at that convention. I'm just so proud. I was proud of all of our candidates.

Now we're down to two. I feel certain that one of them will be the next president of the United States. Both of them are extraordinary -- loaded with talent, extraordinarily blessed with many gifts that will serve our country well and bring us together.

BLITZER: Are you, though, torn without telling us who you support, between the first woman being president of the United States or the first African American being president of the United States?

PELOSI: No, I'm torn between two extraordinary leaders in our country as to who will -- and the people will speak. They will make the decision. That's the beauty of a democracy.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0802/10/le.01.html

[HeraldSquare212]

26. A Pelosi endorsement would make it easier for other House members to come out for Obama now.

[theHandpuppet]

27. Pelosi should remain neutral

Doesn't matter who she personally prefers, as Speaker she should remain neutral and then support the nominee after the primaries are over. I would feel the same if she came out and said she was going to support HRC.

[Apollo11]

28. Pelosi IS remaining neutral!

See my post #25 above.

[theHandpuppet]

29. Good. That's as it should be.

The Speaker should never endorse during a primary. Thanks for confirming this. :hi:

[bigtree]

30. just from my perspective here at DU

I'm loving the Pelosi endorsement 'threat' :rofl:

[catgirl]

31. A Gore endorsement is the biggest prize (not just symbolic)

although he won't do it. He commands enormous respect among
his collegues and dem voters.