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These superdelegates could make the difference

WASHINGTON: Some of those U.S. presidential superdelegates Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are pursuing are more super than others.

One delegate, one vote does not apply to them. These prominent Democrats can name additional superdelegates, giving them control over multiple convention votes, and that could be the difference in a race that may not be decided until the August convention.

The clout of the nearly 800 superdelegates is unprecedented in this year’s race because neither Mr. Obama nor Ms. Clinton can clinch the nomination with only the delegates won in state primaries and caucuses. Largely overlooked in the arcane process, though, is the power of a select few to complete the superdelegate ranks by naming 76 newbies, and both are fighting hard over every one of those from State conventions to back rooms.

Separated by fewer than 140 delegates, both candidates are lobbying the hundreds of known superdelegates, employing family, friends and influential surrogates to woo the governors, lawmakers and other party leaders. Some are more important than others.

Consider Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party. He remains uncommitted, yet he could be the most powerful superdelegate of all. Mr. Torres gets to name five additional superdelegates, giving him control over six votes at the national convention this summer. “I am the super of supers!” said Mr. Torres.

He and other State party chairmen will appoint most of the additional 76, known in Democratic ranks as “unpledged add-ons.”

“They basically are gifts to the State party chairs,” Harold Ickes, said a Clinton aide. The additional delegates represent a lot of votes in a race this tight, and neither Mr. Obama nor Ms. Clinton has really capitalised so far. Only 20 of the party’s 56 State and territory chairmen have endorsed a candidate. Mr. Obama has 12 endorsements, Ms. Clinton eight. — AP

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