superdelegate rush hour in full swing

As the clock runs out on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's bid for the democratic nomination, superdelegates flock to Senator Barack Obama's camp. Representative Maxine Waters (Ca.) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (Ca.), both longtime Clinton supporters, jumped ship in the name of unity and healing. Majority whip Jim Clyburn (Sc.) stated early in the primary season he would remain silent until the contests were over and there was an apparent nominee. Today the South Carolinean went back on his word and broke for Obama.

This recent switch of allegiance comes hours before the final two primaries, South Dakota and Montana, come to a close. A member of the Democratic National Committee who wished to remain anonymous stated, "I am not surprised at the recent switches." When the DNC member was questioned about the timing, he said, "I am definitely not surprised at the timing, either." After being pressed more, the DNC member would not comment as to whether or not there was an organization of superdelegates to committ to Senator Obama before all of the votes in the primaries were counted; however, he did say, "Democrats cannot afford to have our nominee limp into the general election."

CNN reporter John Roberts said of the delegate flood, "If you switch today, you get your name in the news - if you switch tomorrow, you're just part of the herd."