Indiana’s superdelegates are getting some love as the Democratic primary battle could turn on the ability of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to get the votes of those special convention voters whose vote counts for more than the regular delegates’. Indiana’s superdelegates who haven’t committed are probably getting calls right now offering all sorts of incentives to cast their vote worth tens-of-thousands of regular votes for either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

Northwest Indiana’s superdelegates are Representatives Pete Visclosky and Joe Donnelly as well as King of Steeltown former East Chicago mayor Robert Pastrick who has already thrown his support for Hillary Clinton.

Writes the Post-Tribune’s Andy Grimm in Pressure grows to win backing of power voters:

Hillary Clinton jumped out to an early superdelegate lead, notching endorsements from five Hoosier superdelegates, including U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh and former East Chicago Mayor Robert A. Pastrick.

Still on the fence

Northwest Indiana still has two superdelegate votes coming, from U.S. Reps. Peter J. Visclosky of Merrillville and Joe Donnelly of South Bend. But both superpowered voters are keeping mum on who they will back for the nomination.

“Pete is publicly uncommitted,” said spokesman Justin Kitsch. “He has full confidence that each voter will decide for themselves which candidate they support.”

Donnelly spokeswoman Samantha Slater said the 2nd District congressman is unlikely to announce an endorsement prior to the May 6 primary vote.

Still, it appears that neither Clinton nor Barack Obama can win the required 2,025 delegates to take the nomination at the primary polls, making superdelegate votes all the more precious.

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Democratic Party, East Chicago, Evan Bayh, Hillary Clinton, Indiana primary, Joe Donnelly, Pete Visclosky, Robert Pastrick

Doug Masson has a list of Indiana’s Democratic super delegates — those delegates whose vote for the Democratic nominee counts more than the little guys’.

The “superdelegates” are those delegates to the Democratic National Party that are not selected through the primary or caucus process. They get their position by being elected party members or members of the party establishment. Near as I can figure, the Indiana based superdelegates are as follows:

Sen. Evan Bayh (IN)
DNC Joe Andrew (IN) – Former DNC national chairman
DNC Dan Parker – Indiana state Democratic Party chair
DNC Phoebe Crane – DNC member out of Whitestown, IN
DNC Bob Pastrick – DNC member and (I believe) former East Chicago mayor
(These folks have already apparently endorsed Hillary Clinton)

Rep. Peter Visclosky (IN-01)
Rep. Joe Donnelly (IN-02)
Rep. Brad Ellsworth (IN-08)
Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09)
Cordelia Lewis Burks – Indiana state Democratic Party vice-chair
Connie Thurman – DNC member out of Marion County
(These folks have apparently not endorsed anyone yet.)

See also: Hillary Clinton news release and 2008 Democratic Convention Watch Superdelegate endorsements.

Technorati Tags: Democratic Party, Election 2008, Indiana, Pete Visclosky, Robert Pastrick, Superdelegates

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