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Clinton's Black Allies Defecting

Posted Feb 15, 08 8:09 AM CST in Politics    Most Covered

(Newser) – Hillary Clinton is starting to lose the support of prominent black leaders—and superdelegates— who previously backed her. Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who carries great influence in Congress, says he's now tilting toward Barack Obama. Another Georgia Democrat, David Scott, already switched, the AP reports. “Something is happening in America," Lewis said, "and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.”

The pressure on black lawmakers who endorsed Clinton months ago is increasing. Obama supporter Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. told congressional colleague Emanuel Cleaver: "If it comes down to the last day and you're the only superdelegate, do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a black from winning the White House?" Cleaver said he'd think about it.

Sources Associated Press, New York Times

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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets supporters following his address at a town hall meeting in Waukesha, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)   (Associated Press)
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Barack Obama  • Hillary Clinton  • Democratic nomination  • superdelegates  • Nancy Pelosi  • endorsement  • John Kerry  • Democratic National Convention  • delegates  • primary  • campaign  • caucus  • Edward Kennedy  • Jim Clyburn  • John Lewis  • Emanuel Cleaver  • Jesse Jackson Jr.


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Related Threads: Obama 2008, Clinton 2008, Election 2008, Clinton-Obama Tussle, DNC Convention = War

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