State’s undecided delegates stay mum

Some of Washington's uncommitted Democratic superdelegates are staying neutral in the presidential nomination process until June, but after Tuesday's vote in Indiana and North Carolina, one top party official says she is ready for a group huddle.

"I think over the next 48 hours, I'll be talking to the other uncommitted delegates in the state to see where the mood is. … It may be time for us to make that choice as a Washington delegation. It's definitely time for us to start talking about that," superdelegate and party Vice Chairwoman Eileen Macoll of Pullman said Wednesday.

"I'm waiting until I hear what others have to say. It's definitely time to have a serious discussion."

Six of the state's superdelegates are with U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, four are with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and seven are uncommitted — part of the throng of superdelegates nationwide who could help throw the nomination to Clinton or Obama before the Aug. 25-28 Democratic National Convention.

Another of those uncommitted is state Democratic Chairman Dwight Pelz, who said he is not ready to take a position — not while states still are voting, and the party is picking delegates. Pelz said he hopes the party can have a nominee in June and avoid a divisive national convention.

The six superdelegates who sided with Clinton statewide include U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell; U.S. Reps. Norm Dicks of Belfair and Jay Inslee of Bainbridge Island; and King County Executive Ron Sims.

Those with Obama are Gov. Chris Gregoire; U.S. Reps. Brian Baird of Vancouver and Adam Smith of Tacoma; and party official Pat Notter.

The seven undecided include Macoll; Pelz; U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen of Everett and Jim McDermott of Seattle; and David T. McDonald.

McDonald also serves on the Democratic National Committee's rules and bylaws committee, which plans to review the status of delegations in Michigan and Florida that were barred from participation after those states moved their primaries to earlier dates than the party approved. McDonald wants to preserve his neutrality until after a May 31 hearing on the disputed delegations.

Pelz said he has not heard of other delegates changing positions after Tuesday's results.

"I think it's clear that Obama took a major step forward yesterday, and Hillary has to make the case why she should be the nominee of the party," Pelz added. "I think this has increased the pressure on Hillary, but she feels strongly she has a lot to offer the party and the country."