POLITICAL BRIEFING

CHOOSING SIDES: In New York and Illinois--two states that historically have played major roles in determining who will be the Democratic presidential nominee--key party members have begun publicly taking sides, announcing under whose banner they plan to run, seeking to become national convention delegates.

In New York, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton and Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin have snared the lion’s share of heavy hitters so far. Clinton’s slate will include the chiefs of the city and state teachers’ unions--major forces in Democratic primaries. Also on board are the head of the state public employees union, a former New York City Council president and two prominent minority politicians, Adam Clayton Powell IV and Jose Rivera.

Harkin picked up support from leaders of the transport workers, communications workers and steelworkers unions, as well as former U.S. Rep. Herman Badillo of the Bronx and several members of the current New York City Council.

In Illinois, Clinton pulled off a deft political trick by winning support from leaders of Chicago’s Democratic machine, from prominent reform politicians and from each of the major factions in the black community.

In both states the best known politicos--including Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, New York Mayor David N. Dinkins and, of course, Gov. Mario M. Cuomo--remain on the sidelines, waiting to see who is winning before they bet on the game.

More good news for Clinton came from National Journal magazine’s poll of Democratic “super-delegates”--national committee members who automatically go to the convention. A few more than half of them responded to the survey; of those, 38% backed Clinton. Harkin was second, with 28%.