Obama narrows Clinton superdelegate lead to 1 - CNN.com
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton's superdelegate lead over Sen. Barack Obama was narrowed even more Saturday, according to CNN's latest delegate estimate.
Sen. Barack Obama greets supporters Friday as he campaigns in Beaverton, Oregon.
Obama closed to within one superdelegate of Clinton, picking up the support of four party leaders after a flurry of new endorsements over the past two days. Clinton, meanwhile, picked up the votes of two superdelegates but lost one to Obama.
That brings Clinton's superdelegate total to 273 and Obama's to 272.
At the beginning of the year, Clinton led the superdelegate race by more than 100.
Superdelegates are Democratic officials who hold the balance of power in determining the party's presidential nominee.
Obama holds a commanding lead in the number of pledged delegates awarded from primaries and caucuses: 1,592 to Clinton's 1,424.
Since Friday night, Obama has picked up four superdelegates, including Arizona congressman Harry Mitchell and Carol Burke and Kevin Rodriquez of the Virgin Islands.
"Like the primary voters of my congressional district, which Sen. Obama carried, I am inspired by Barack's vision for America, his ability to unify our country and bring much-needed to change to Washington," Mitchell said in a statement Saturday.
Rodriquez had backed Clinton but decided to switch his endorsement, citing Obama's ability to unite the Democratic Party and win the White House, according to Obama's campaign.
Kristi Cumming, named an add-on superdelegate by the Utah Democratic Party late Friday night, also said she will vote for Obama.
U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez of Texas announced his support for the New York senator Saturday, and Arthur Powell was named an add-on superdelegate by the Massachusetts Democratic Party and said he would vote for Clinton.
The Obama campaign had announced the support of seven superdelegates Friday, including one previous Clinton backer. Find out where the superdelegates stand »
A flood of superdelegate endorsements for Obama could effectively end the Democratic race."