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Suitors Keep Lines Open to Superdelegates

From Michelle to Chelsea, big names get on the horn

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2008 1:20 PM CST
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(Newser) – Sometimes superdelegates respond to politics, ideology, or longstanding alliances. Other times, they're won by girl talk. For one Philadelphia party official, a morning call from Michelle Obama sealed the deal, the LA Times reports. The would-be first lady covered everything from strategy to motherhood. “She was talking to me like you would your girlfriend,” says Carol Campbell. “No pretense. Just real.”

Calls like that are a hot commodity. Each of the nearly 800 superdelegates merits special attention, usually in the form of a carefully calculated call from a campaign heavyweight. Chelsea Clinton was enlisted to woo one college student superdelegate; Madeleine Albright makes other calls. Michelle Obama spent weeks trying to reach Campbell, which in itself impressed: “That’s not your normal candidate.”

In this file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., takes the microphone from former Vice President Walter Mondale, a Minnesota superdelegate, after he introduced her at a rally at Augsburg College in Minneapolis Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008. With presidential candidates Barack Obama and Clinton in a...
In this file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., takes the microphone from former Vice President Walter Mondale, a Minnesota superdelegate, after he introduced...   (Associated Press)
Maya Soetoro-Ng, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama's sister who is a history teacher from Hawaii, makes campaign phone calls in this phile photo. Soetoro's been known to call superdelegates on her half-brother's behalf. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Maya Soetoro-Ng, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama's sister who is a history teacher from Hawaii, makes campaign phone calls in this phile photo. Soetoro's been known to call superdelegates...   (Associated Press)
Then Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, shakes the hands of supporters while answering his cell phone after leaving the Senate chambers at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., in this July 23, 2004, file photo. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
Then Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, shakes the hands of supporters while answering his cell phone after leaving the Senate chambers at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., in this July 23, 2004,...   (Associated Press)
Michelle Obama talks with women in Stamford, Conn. in this file photo. A phone call from Mrs. Obama won over at least one superdelegate to her husband's cause. (AP Photo/Douglas Healey).
Michelle Obama talks with women in Stamford, Conn. in this file photo. A phone call from Mrs. Obama won over at least one superdelegate to her husband's cause. (AP Photo/Douglas Healey).   (Associated Press)
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Superdelegates need to prove Democrats believe in democracy
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Michelle Obama • Democratic National Convention • Clinton 2008 • Obama 2008 • Chelsea Clinton • Madeleine Albright • superdelegates • Tony Podesta

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