Posted on Sat, May. 10, 2008
Today on the presidential campaign trail
The Associated Press --
IN THE HEADLINES
Obama wins endorsements from 9 superdelegates, government employees union ... GOP leader says his party benefits from bitter Democratic primary season ... Clinton presses ahead, campaigns in the Blue Grass State
---
Obama picks up 9 superdelegates, union endorsement
WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama all but erased Hillary Rodham Clinton's once-imposing lead among national convention superdelegates on Friday and won fresh labor backing as elements of the Democratic Party began coalescing around the Illinois senator for the fall campaign.
Obama picked up the backing of nine superdelegates, including Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who had been a Clinton supporter.
In addition, the American Federation of Government Employees announced its support for Obama. The union claims about 600,000 members who work in the federal and Washington, D.C., governments.
Obama, who won a convincing victory in the North Carolina primary and lost Indiana narrowly on Tuesday, has been steadily gaining strength in the days since.
"I'm gratified that we've got some superdelegates who are coming our way. And I think we've got a strong case to make that I will be a nominee that can pull the party together and take on John McCain. Our focus has always been on the pledged delegates and just getting the American people to vote for us. And we think that ultimately that should be the strongest measure of who's the nominee," Obama told reporters in Woodburn, Ore.
Clinton also gained two superdelegates.
The developments left the former first lady with 272.5 superdelegates, to 271 for Obama. Little more than four months ago, on the eve of the primary season, she held a lead of 169-63.
Superdelegates are party leaders who attend the convention delegates by virtue of their positions, and are not selected in primaries and caucuses.
---
Boehner: GOP benefits from Democratic contest
WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) - The dragging presidential primary contest between Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama is only helping the GOP, said Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner.
Boehner said the fight will only help likely Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
"If you look at the damage they're doing to each other, it's serious," he said Friday during a visit to his southwest Ohio congressional district for the Butler County Lincoln Day Dinner. "The longer they fight ... that's fine with me.
"McCain is in a solid position to win this year's election."
He urged those in attendance to get out the vote for the November presidential election and said Ohio will be crucial in 2008, just as it was in 2004 and 2000.
---
Clinton campaigns in Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton, pressing on with her presidential campaign, says Kentucky "will play a major role" in choosing the Democratic nominee.
Clinton was the headliner Friday evening for a Kentucky Democratic Party fundraiser that was expected to raise at least $100,000 to bolster the campaigns of state-level candidates for seats in Frankfort and Washington. It was Clinton's third visit to Kentucky this year.
"The last time I was here, I got a Louisville Slugger, and I want you to know it was an appropriate gift because I will always go to bat for you," she told more than 1,000 Kentucky Democrats gathered inside the International Convention Center in Louisville.
Clinton touched on a number of familiar campaign themes in Louisville, ranging from health care for the uninsured to the war in Iraq. She called for abandoning a Bush administration education initiative known as "No Child Left Behind" and promoted coal as an alternative energy source in a state that has a bountiful supply of the black mineral.
Besides raising money for Kentucky candidates, the appearance allowed Clinton to make another appeal to Kentucky voters before the May 20 Democratic presidential primary and gave her face time with uncommitted Democratic superdelegates, elected officials and party activists who could play a major role in selecting the Democratic nominee because they can back any candidate they wish.
---
THE DEMOCRATS
Hillary Rodham Clinton attends Mothers Day celebration in New York. Barack Obama campaigns in Oregon.
---
THE REPUBLICANS
John McCain had no events scheduled.
---
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"I know we're already in silly season, but my record stands very clearly of campaigning all over this nation on behalf of the candidacy of President Bush." - John McCain responding to a report that he didn't vote for Bush.
---
STAT OF THE DAY:
Turnout for West Virginia's Democratic presidential primary in 2004 was 252,839. The highest in the last 40 years was 372,577 in 1976.
---
Compiled by Ann Sanner and Ronald Powers.
Compiled by Ann Sanner and Ronald Powers.
