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Reid, Pelosi Talk Tough to Superdelegates

Dem leaders want endorsements well before Aug. convention

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 25, 2008 2:17 PM CDT

(Newser) – Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Howard Dean plan to coordinate demands that uncommitted Democratic superdelegates endorse a candidate—and well before August's convention. Senate Majority Leader Reid said yesterday that “this matter will be over no later than July 1,” Congressional Quarterly reports. House Speaker Pelosi added that the party's nominee needs to start the general-election battle before August.

"There’s too short a time” between the convention and Election Day, Pelosi told CNN's Larry King. She also said she doesn’t think Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should be conscripted to a dream ticket by party elders—noting, “there’s plenty of talent to go around.” Reid, meanwhile, let it be known he’s tracking which superdelegates have yet to pick a horse.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., left, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D- Calif. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

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Reid, Pelosi Talk Tough to Superdelegates

Dem leaders want endorsements well before Aug. convention

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