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May 11, 2008
Posted: 04:53 PM ET
From CNN's Josh Levs
Barack Obama picked up his 273rd superdelegate endorsement Sunday.
(CNN) – A Young Democrats of America board member threw her support to Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday, bringing Obama to a tie with Sen. Hillary Clinton in the superdelegate race. Crystal Strait, 28, became the 273rd superdelegate in Obama's column, by CNN's count. Clinton had 273 Sunday as well — technically 273.5 because of some Democrats Abroad superdelegates who are given half a vote each. Obama holds a large enough lead among pledged delegates that many believe Clinton's presidential aspirations for 2008 are virtually over. But neither candidate is expected to have the 2,025 total delegates to win, so superdelegates — elected representatives and other party insiders given seats the party's convention — will ultimately award the nomination. A flood of superdelegate endorsements for Obama could effectively end the
The Obama campaign, in a written statement Sunday, called Strait "the 276th superdelegate to endorse Obama." Campaigns and various news organizations have slightly different counts, based on conversations with superdelegates and other factors. "Barack Obama has shown a real commitment to young voters in his campaign and in response young people have overwhelmingly voted and caucused for Obama in these primary contests," Strait said in a written statement. "We know that if a young person votes three times in a row for a party, they become a party voter for life. We know that because of high youth turnout in 2004 and 2006, 2008 is the third and critical election for young voters. And that's why I know I want to pledge my delegate vote to Barack Obama." Nationwide, young Democratic voters have overwhelmingly supported Obama. Strait was formerly the president of California Young Democrats. Clinton won this year's Democratic primary in California 52-43. CNN exit polls showed Clinton edged Obama out among the youngest voters age 18 to 24. Among California voters 18 to 29, both Clinton and Obama got 49 percent. Filed under: Barack Obama Hillary Clinton
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