Pennsylvania's Superdelegates Measure Clinton, Obama Coattails

[ariesgem]

By Laura Litvan

March 27 (Bloomberg) -- The prospect of a Hillary Clinton victory in Pennsylvania's April 22 Democratic primary isn't swaying some of the state's superdelegates, who are hanging back while they calculate whether rival Barack Obama might prove a stronger draw at the top of the ticket in November.

While the New York senator is leading in polls, some undecided superdelegates -- elected officials who get an automatic vote on the party presidential nomination regardless of the primary's outcome -- say they are concerned that her nomination would motivate greater numbers of Republicans to turn out in November to vote against her, and other Democrats too.

``If we nominate Senator Clinton, it is possible we are going to stir up the passions of people on the far right who otherwise would not be very excited about this election,'' said Representative Jason Altmire, a freshman Democrat in a competitive re-election race. ``And I do have that concern.''

The issue is critical for Clinton, whose hopes of winning the nomination depend on sweeping up most of the superdelegates nationwide to offset her deficit among delegates picked in primaries and caucuses.

Altmire, 40, whose Pittsburgh suburban district gave President George W. Bush 54 percent of its vote in 2004, said he is struggling to determine whether either candidate would provide ``coattails'' in his race.

`High Negatives'

He said he is concerned that Clinton's ``high negatives'' might increase the turnout for the presumptive Republican choice, John McCain, also benefiting that party's House candidates.

Representative Chris Carney, also a superdelegate and first-term Democrat, said he would make an endorsement after the primary if a candidate wins by a ``landslide'' in his northeast Pennsylvania district, which favored Bush with 60 percent of the vote in 2004. ``I'm going to wait and see how my district votes,'' he said.

more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aTmKZA2xVe2U&refer=home

[democrattotheend]

1. Jason Altmire was the first candidate I ever volunteered for who won

I spent a few days toward the end of the 2006 election season in Philadelphia making calls for the labor movement, and Jason Altmire was one of the candidates I made calls for. When he won I was shocked...that race was considered a long shot. I was in the director of our department's office at the time but when someone told me he won I started jumping up and down and yelling "the curse is broken!"

Him endorsing Obama would be the icing on the cake. Seems like he's leaning that way...

[Yael]

2. Where they are today:

Barack Obama
Rep Chaka Fattah
Rep Patrick Murphy
DNC Carol Ann Campbell
DNC Leon Lynch (ret. President Steelworkers Union)

Hillary Clinton
Rep Paul Kanjorski
Rep John P. Murtha
Rep Allyson Schwartz
Rep Joe Sestak
Gov Ed Rendell
DNC Rena Baumgartner
DNC Marcel Groen
DNC Gerald W. McEntee (President AFCSME)
DNC Jean Milko
DNC Ian Murray
DNC Evelyn Richardson
DNC T.J. Rooney
DNC Ruth Rudy

Undeclared
Rep Robert Brady
Rep Jason Altmire
Rep Chris Carney
Rep Mike Doyle
Rep Tim Holden
Sen Bob Casey
DNC Richard Donatucci
DNC William George
DNC Sophie Masloff (was Clinton)

[davidinalameda]

3. Mayor Masloff is no longer endorsing Hill?

interesting

[Yael]

6. She backed off after ST and went to uncommitted

I was shocked as well but appreciate her candor.

Article is about John Lewis. Excerpt:

Two other superdelegates, Sophie Masloff of Pennsylvania and Nancy Larson of Minnesota, are uncommitted, having dropped their earlier endorsements of Clinton.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/14/some-black-superdelegates-reassess-clinton-support/

[Cha]

5. Wonder what Jack Murtha thinks of

hilary's Bosnia lies? And the Theft of Valor? It's disgusting and they should recognize it.

Do you know the story behind "DNC Sophie Masloff (was Clinton)"?

[Yael]

7. Heya Zidzi

Posted the link just above your post on the switch.

I would LOVE to hear Murtha's thoughts on Snipergate...

Honestly, this state is about as corrupt as Louisiana. People are following Fast Eddie Rendell's lead for no other reason than he holds the permit (and cash) purse-strings to their pet projects, IMO.

[Cha]

10. Thanks Yael...let's hope

reality in the presidential political scene takes over and leaves eddie and his purse strings coughing in the dust!

[Yael]

12. From your lips

Every time I see a thread title here with his name in it, I just want to cry.

Please know that there ARE sane people in this state.

[Cha]

13. I know there are..there's you and

we've got some other good PA DUers. My son was actually born in Overbrook in '67 when we were on vaca visting my new husband's relatives..so I have a certain fascination with PA:)

[Cha]

4. hilary's turning herself into one of the highest negative people on the planet.

never mind the republicans.

I think from what I've read about Obama and his history that his coatails would be great for other races, too. And, the SuperDees know more than I do so what are they waiting for?

[FrenchieCat]

8. They are skeered.....

as usual. How do you think we got into this war? :shrug:

[EmilyAnne]

9. I agree!

[Cha]

11. Thanks...too bad. It's up

to us to then.

[anamandujano]

14. Obama's negatives are up and coming and he didn't have the Repukes

spending 300 million plus years of MSM attacks.

He's doing it all by his lonesome.

[hogwyld]

15. Kick!

and off to the greatest for ya!