Obama dislodges Clinton from superdelegate lead

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama erased Hillary Rodham Clinton's once-imposing lead among Democratic superdelegates Saturday when he added more endorsements from the elected officials and party leaders who will decide the party's nomination for president.

Obama surpassed Clinton's total for the first time by adding superdelegates from Arizona, Ohio and Utah, and two from the Virgin Islands who previously had backed Clinton. Clinton added one in Massachusetts. Obama picked up nine endorsements Friday.

"I always felt that if anybody establishes himself as the clear leader, the superdelegates would fall in line," said Don Fowler, a former Democratic National Committee chairman who supports Clinton. "It is perceived that he is the leader. The trickle is going to become an avalanche."

The 796 superdelegates automatically will attend the Democratic national convention this August in Denver. They can support whomever they choose. Neither Obama nor Clinton can win the nomination without them.

Obama has 276 endorsements, according to The Associated Press. Clinton has 271.

A little more than 200 remain undecided, and about 40 others will be named by state parties at state conventions and meetings this spring.

Obama's pickups Saturday included Kevin Rodriquez and Carole Burke of the Virgin Islands, Arizona Rep. Harry Mitchell, Ohio labor leader Dave Regan and Kristi Cumming of Utah. Clinton added Arthur Powell, a superdelegate from Massachusetts.

Obama has added 21 superdelegates since winning big in North Carolina and narrowly losing in Indiana on Tuesday. Clinton has had a net increase of two.