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Hill Newbies Slow to Commit

Superdelegate lawmakers let hopefuls come courting

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 17, 2008 6:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A surprising number of freshman congressmen are holdouts in the Dems' superdelegate derby, Time reports, with  half of the House's 40 newbies and six of eight rookie senators still officially undecided. Impressive that they're tough enough to take the pressure, the magazine notes, but they also may be more averse to making enemies.

“Why would I endorse and risk alienating a group of Democratic voters in a re-election race that promises to be incredibly close?” one Florida lawmaker asked. Both candidates are courting heavily: Obama is inviting some to travel on his campaign, spouses in tow, while Clinton hosted lawmakers at her Washington home last week. But she faces an uphill battle: Of the 20 House freshmen who have endorsed, 15 went with Obama—and four who picked Clinton were from New York.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama attend rallies in two undated file photos.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama attend rallies in two undated file photos.   (AP photos)
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama   (AP and Getty Photos composite)
Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shake hands at the end of the Democratic presidential debate Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shake hands at the end of the Democratic presidential debate Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a town hall meeting at Plainfield High School in Plainfield, Ind. Saturday, March 15, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a town hall meeting at Plainfield High School in Plainfield, Ind. Saturday, March 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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