Clinton Superdelegate Reveals He Voted for Obama

Clinton superdelegate Brad Ellsworth said Wednesday that he cast his vote in the May 6 Indiana Democratic presidential primary for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, adding yet another intriguing twist to the mystery of just who the conservative freshman lawmaker supports.

"In the booth, I voted for Obama," said Ellsworth, who announced after the Indiana primary that he planned to use his vote as a superdelegate to support New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton unless there was a compelling reason not to back her.

That was taken by many observers, most notably the Clinton campaign, as an endorsement. But Ellsworth's office quickly sought to clarify that, saying that the commitment of his superdelegate vote was contingent on the race going all the way to the convention and was not tantamount to an endorsement.

Instead, Ellsworth notes that he is following the wishes of the Democrats in his southwestern 8th District, who overwhelmingly favored Clinton and helped her to a narrow win in the Hoosier State.

Superdelegate endorsements have been few and far between for Clinton since the Indiana and North Carolina primaries May 6, and even a 41-point win in West Virginia Tuesday night has not prompted a flurry of support.

Overall, Obama has 1,885 delegates, including 287 superdelegates, and Clinton has 1,717 delegates, including 271 superdelegates, according to the Associated Press.

Ellsworth offered few specific clues as to why he voted for Obama.

"It's just my personal preference in the primary," he said.

• Email Story
• IM Story
• Printable View
• Yahoo! Buzz

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Recommend It:

Not at All Somewhat Moderately Highly Very Highly

Average (Not Rated)

» Recommended Stories