Superdelegates predict quick primary end

[babylonsister]

Superdelegates predict quick primary end
By AMIE PARNES & CHARLES MAHTESIAN | 6/2/08 8:01 PM EST


As the Democratic nomination marathon neared a potential finish line, key senators said the results of Tuesday’s South Dakota and Montana primaries will have a domino effect on uncommitted superdelegates – quite possibly clinching the nomination for Barack Obama.

“We want this locked up sooner rather than later,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who has remained undeclared. “Let’s have the nominee and let’s move on. That’s the common thread among the uncommitted superdelegates. … I will be ready after tomorrow night.”

With only 31 total pledged delegates at stake in the two states, Obama cannot win enough in the final two primaries to reach the 2,118 necessary to clinch the nomination. But Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), one of Obama’s strongest Senate supporters, said that she had spoken to enough uncommitted superdelegates around the country Monday to determine that he will reach the threshold necessary to claim the Democratic nomination by the end of Tuesday evening.

“I think tomorrow will be a very big day. I’ve spoken to 10 uncommitteds, and they’ve said yes, they’ll be committing , and they’ll be committing sometime tomorrow. “

The magic number has “been shrinking so quickly,” McCaskill said.

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