There are nearly 800 Democratic superdelegates, making them an important force in a nomination race as close as this one.

The Obama and Clinton camps are furiously courting superdelegates through e-mail, telephone calls and personal pleas. Holland said both campaigns have wooed him, while Matheson said he "really hasn't been approached by anybody."

Matheson skipped the 2004 national convention to campaign for re-election and because the nominee (John Kerry) was already decided. He said he'll attend this year "if the convention has meaning."

Unique to the Democratic Party, superdelegates include national and local party leaders, senators, representatives and governors. Their votes aren't bound to party primary or caucus results. Many endorse a candidate before the convention but are free to change their minds. Others arrive undecided or uncommitted. Superdelegates make up about 20 percent of the total delegates.

"There's zero chance that superdelegates will buck what primaries and caucuses have done," Holland said.

Not necessarily. High-profile superdelegates Sens. Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, both of Massachusetts, support Obama even though Clinton won their state's primary.

---

Contributing: Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press

---

E-mail: romboy@desnews.com

• Page:
• < Previous
• 1
• 2