Superdelegates begin moving toward Obama

WASHINGTON–Democratic Party superdelegates began to move in large numbers today to Barack Obama, bringing him to the brink of winning the party’s presidential nomination over Hillary Rodham Clinton.

As voters went to the polls in South Dakota and Montana, the final two states to hold primary elections, Obama picked up at least nine superdelegates who had until now remained neutral or supported other candidates in the 16 months of campaigning. The Associated Press projected that Obama would gain enough delegates to be able to claim the nomination tonight, becoming the first African American to lead a major party in its campaign for the White House. Obama, 46, would face Republican John McCain, 71.

Sen. Clinton, during a phone call with the New York congressional delegation, said she was open to serving as Obama’s vice president.

When Rep. Nydia Velazquez said that Obama could best win over Hispanic voters by choosing Clinton as his running mate, the New York senator said, “I am open to it,” according to the Associated Press.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, a staunch Clinton supporter, called today “a moment of truth.” She urged party unity and said it is not “in the best interest of winning in November” to continue the primary process. She also said she is “a very strong supporter of Hillary being placed on ticket as a vice presidential candidate.”

Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, who announced today that he would back Obama, also predicted that the Illinois senator would have enough support by tonight to claim the nomination.

The Obama campaign’s own calculation had him about 30 delegate votes shy of the 2,118 needed to clinch the nomination. That tally did not include any delegates that Obama is expected to win from Montana or South Dakota this evening.Clinton has been arguing to superdelegates that her victories in recent state primaries show that she is the candidate best able to beat McCain in the general election. But Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said today that if Obama “gets the number, I think Hillary Clinton will congratulate him and call him the nominee.”

Several high-profile superdelegates, who are free to cast their convention votes however they choose, have yet to declare their intentions. The list includes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, former Vice President Al Gore, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois and two Democrats who campaigned for the Democratic nomination – Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.

Others who had been neutral or pledged to Clinton declared for Obama today. Aside from Clyburn of South Carolina, U.S. Reps. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan and John W. Olver of Massachusetts announced for Obama. Los Angeles labor organizer and superdelegate John A. Perez said that he would back Obama because he “is in the best position to lead this party forward to November.”

Perez said that he had alerted the Clinton campaign about his decision, but had not talked to her most prominent Southern California supporter, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – who happens to be his cousin.

Perez expressed confidence that the current Democratic schisms will heal, but he does not necessarily advocate speeding that process with an Obama-Clinton ticket. “I don’t know that it is desirable for Sen. Clinton to be vice president,” he said. “She is an amazing legislator. I think she’s got a long and very positive future in the Senate.”

Two Michigan superdelegates – whose votes under a Democratic National Committee compromise count as one – today announced for Obama. DNC members Debbie Dingell and Rick Wiener backed Obama hours after Michigan superdelegate Joyce Lalonde also backed Obama.

“Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have run vigorous campaigns, demonstrating to the American people that Democrats are ready to lead,” Dingell said. “As the nominating process comes to an end, it is time to unite behind Barack Obama, who will be our Democratic nominee for the White House.”

Clyburn, one of the nation’s most influential black politicians, said it was fitting that Obama’s August address to the Democratic National Convention in Denver would occur on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

“That to me is history worth living for,” said Clyburn, who credited Obama with expanding the map of states that the Democratic nominee could capture in November. “He has energized voters like I have not seen since the 1960s.”

Both Democratic candidates are expected to deliver speeches this evening – Clinton at 7 p.m. Eastern from her home base in New York, and Obama at 8 p.m. Eastern from St. Paul, Minn. In a bid to deny Democrats the stage to themselves, McCain also plans to speak tonight, at 9 p.m. Eastern, from Louisiana.

Times staff writer Cathleen Decker contributed to this story.