State's superdelegates split between Clinton, Obama

Washington's superdelegates have split loyalties to Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama — and split opinions on who will be the Democratic nominee for president.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, U.S. Rep. Brian Baird and other top Democratic politicians face the prospect of choosing who will take the party's slot on the November ballot.

"I have every confidence that this is going to be decided in a good way before August," Murray, a Clinton supporter, said during a stop Tuesday in Tumwater.

But Baird, an Obama supporter who represents southwest Washington, said that only a huge change in Obama's fortunes could give the lead to Clinton in the few remaining primaries.

"Even if she were to win substantially in Pennsylvania, I don't see her garnering enough delegates that would in any way put her over the top," he said.

Clinton and Obama can't clinch the party nomination until they win 2,025 delegate votes. With Obama leading in the number of delegates in the primaries so far, 1,406 to 1,249, the battle might last until the Democratic National Convention in August.

That's when superdelegates — including 17 Washington party leaders, such as Murray and Baird — can vote and decide the winner in the state.

Clinton leads in superdelegates who have taken sides, 250-214, according to The Associated Press. There are nearly 800 superdelegates, and the prospect of leaving the decision until the convention, then in the hands of Democratic Party insiders, already has generated controversy.

"The superdelegates have received a lot of criticism. But on the other hand, many of the superdelegates have worked with the person running for office," Baird said. He thinks that perspective is a worthy way to decide the race — with a caveat.

"There might be some dissatisfaction if popular vote and elected delegate vote were to go one way and the superdelegates were to turn the other direction," he said. "That might be a problem. Then people might have a challenge."