New Mexico superdelegate among 9 to back Obama

Native American says candidate can build trust with Indian communities

| The Associated Press

5/9/2008 -

Laurie Weahkee of Albuquerque says she plans to support Barack Obama's presidential bid, becoming one of nine superdelegates to announce their support for him Friday.

Weahkee, who is of Zuni, Navajo and Cochiti heritage, cited Obama's ability to address Native American issues. She said she believes Obama has demonstrated during the campaign that he is "an honest and genuine leader" who can build trust with Indian communities.

"That's the real key to improving relations between tribal governments and the United States government," Weahkee said. "I think he's really going to fight for Native Americans."

In addition to gaining the support Friday of Weahkee and eight other superdelegates — including Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who previously had supported Clinton — Obama won the backing of the American Federation of Government Employees. The union claims about 600,000 members who work for the federal and Washington, D.C., governments.

The new support announced Friday means Obama has all but erased Hillary Rodham Clinton's once-imposing lead among national convention superdelegates.

Weahkee said she doesn't see how Clinton, who gained two superdelegates Friday, can make up her deficit in pledged delegates after losing the North Carolina primary to Obama on Tuesday, even though she narrowly won in Indiana.

Since those primaries, Obama has steadily gained delegates. Friday's developments left the former first lady with 272.5 superdelegates to 271 for Obama. Little more than four months ago, on the eve of the primary season, she held a lead of 169 to 63.

"She would have to win the rest of the races with a high margin of victory, and I don't think it's going to happen," Weahkee said. "Her fundraising efforts are waning. That is very concerning."

Weahkee's decision leaves Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., as New Mexico's only uncommitted superdelegate.

A spokeswoman for Udall's U.S. Senate campaign said Friday that he is not ready to make a commitment.

In recent weeks, Sen. Jeff Bingaman and state Democratic chairman Brian Colón joined Gov. Bill Richardson and former U.S. Sen. Fred Harris in endorsing Obama.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez are among the six New Mexico superdelegates who are supporting Clinton.

Superdelegates are party and elected officials who will automatically attend the national convention and can support whomever they choose, regardless of what happens in the primaries and caucuses.

Weahkee was named by Colón as an add-on superdelegate two weeks ago, prompting a split among New Mexico Democrats.

A faction of Clinton supporters had argued Colón's appointment broke party rules, but Colón insisted all national and state party rules were followed and refused to hold a runoff election.

The squabble highlighted the importance both the Clinton and Obama campaigns have placed on the superdelegate process in the razor-tight race.

Former state party chairman John Wertheim had called for a runoff election by mail to determine the state's final superdelegate, but he said Friday that there doesn't appear to be enough momentum to continue the fight. "We're probably disinclined to challenge the election," he said, adding that doing so would distract from Democratic efforts this fall.

Clinton won New Mexico's caucus in February, but Weahkee said that didn't influence her decision to support Obama. "As a Native American woman, I'm representative of a voice that barely gets heard," she said. "Part of my responsibility is to give voice to the concerns of overlooked, disenfranchised people."

Weahkee is believed to be among only a handful of Native American superdelegates from around the country.

New Mexican reporter Steve Terrell contributed to this report.