05/28/2008

By BRAD CAIN  / Associated Press

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has won the backing of another Oregon superdelegate, giving him a lead of 5 to 2 over Hillary Rodham Clinton, with five more yet to announce their decisions.

State Democratic Party Chairwoman Meredith Wood Smith of Portland said Wednesday she would vote for Obama at the party's national convention in Denver because he won last week's Oregon primary and has demonstrated leadership the country needs.

Smith, in a prepared statement, said it was personally difficult for her to endorse Obama over Clinton.

"As a 65-year-old woman, I have a visceral understanding of the fight for gender equality," Smith said. "My deep respect for Sen. Hillary Clinton and what she means to that fight continues and will continue in the years to come."

But the state party leader also said Obama "demonstrates the leadership needed to get us out of Iraq, restore our economy, begin the tough job of providing health care for all Americans and, most of all, heal the divisions in our nation."

Smith is one of 12 superdelegates who can vote for whichever candidate they wish. They include the five Democratic members of Congress, five party officials, Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Secretary of State Bill Bradbury. Another superdelegate will be elected at the state party's June 21 convention.

Of those who have announced endorsements, Kulongoski and Rep. Darlene Hooley support Clinton while Reps. Earl Blumenauer, David Wu and Peter DeFazio, along with Democratic committeewoman Jenny Greenleaf of Portland, back Obama.

Obama won 31 of Oregon's pledged delegates in the May 20 primary, while Clinton won 21. Those delegates are apportioned according to the election results.

Nationally, Obama needs fewer than 50 more delegates to clinch the nomination.