Who are Oregon's superdelegates?

They’ve been around since the 1980’s but noone paid much attention to them -- until now.

The so-called Democratic Pary superdelegates are likely to decide the Presidential nominee, since neither Senator Clinton nor Senator Obama will have enough pledged delegates to win.

“They’re not bothering us a lot,” said Jenny Greenleaf, a freelance technical writer and Democratic National Committee member. “I’d say we hear more from reporters than candidates.”

But Greenleaf did say that she’s been contacted by both campaigns with both Clinton and Obama scheduled for Oregon visits on Friday.

Not including Florida and Michigan, whose delegates have not been seated at the convention, there are 795 superdelegates, none of whom is olbligated to follow the popular vote in their respective states.

Greenleaf and the other DNC members are bound to stay publicly neutral until after the primary. “It would be like a ref picking a side in the middle of the game,” she said.

But the superdelegates who are elected officials are more likely to make their allegiances known. Governor Ted Kulongoski is backing Clinton, and he says he won’t switch, even if Obama wins the primary.

“I’m going as a superdelegate and I have an individual vote, and I’m going to cast that vote in the best interests of Oregon,” said Governor Kulongoski.

There are 285 superdelegates who have announced support for Senator Clinton, including Oregon Representative Darlene Hooley. Obama has 271 announced superdelegate supporters, including Oregon Representatives David Wu and Earl Blumenauer.  

The spotlight focused on superdelegates has often not been flattering. Many voters say the system needs to be changed.

“I think we get away from one person, one vote when we have superdelegates whose vote counts for more than anyone else’s,” said Sandy Castles.

The Republican Party also has delegates who can vote for anyone at the convention

- Secretary of State: Bill Bradbury

- Frank Dixon Oregon DNC Member

- Jenny Greenleaf jgreenleaf@mac.com (Click here for info online)

- Wayne Kinney---rural Oregon (Click here for info. online)

- Gail Rasmussen (Click here for info. online)

- Merideth Wood Smith---head of Oregon Democratic Party

- Ted Kulonogoski

- Ron Wyden

- Darlene Hooley

- David Wu

- Peter Defazio

- Earl Blumenauer