From the Washington Post:
With endorsements coming in from California, Iowa and Indiana, Sen. Barack Obama yesterday pulled even with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the race for support on Capitol Hill ... Obama (Ill.) received the backing of Rep. Baron P. Hill, a conservative from a critical district in southern Indiana; Rep. Bruce Braley, an Iowa freshman who grabbed a Republican seat in 2006; and Rep. Lois Capps, who has held her liberal Santa Barbara, Calif., seat for five full terms and whose son-in-law works for the Obama campaign. A congressional contest that Clinton once dominated is now knotted at 97, and the senator from New York continues to lose ground with the one group that can still deliver her the nomination -- the party leaders and elected officials known as superdelegates. ... On Monday, Obama took the endorsement lead among his Democratic Senate colleagues when Sen. Jeff Bingaman (N.M.) announced his support. Obama then pulled even overall after four House nods in two days, with even some rural lawmakers in tough, Republican-leaning districts giving him the benefit of the doubt.
From the Pisgah Mountain News:
With issues like the economy and the war in Iraq, Kim Hamel didn't wait until Tuesday to cast her ballot. The Fletcher [North Carolina] resident was one of thousands in Buncombe and Henderson counties voting early this year. Like many, Hamel is excited North Carolina's primary could play a key role in the outcome of the presidential race. "I think it's important for us to vote anyway, but especially this year, to play a crucial role in it," Hamel said. The interest seems to be fueling higher voter registration. "The biggest excitement is in the fact that North Carolina is going to count in a primary. That our vote is really going to count," said Rose Stone, of Hendersonville, who volunteers at the Democratic Party headquarters. ... Voters can still register at early voting sites, which continues through Saturday. But those not registered Tuesday, will not be allowed to vote. ... This is the first year of early voting in a federal primary, said Buncombe County Elections Director Trena Parker. ... "I think there's more interest among young people and people who in the past had been turned off by politics," said Gary Prichard, chairman of Henderson County United for Obama. Prichard's group has been holding meetings and had a packed house when former Sen. Jean Carnahan spoke on behalf of Obama in Hendersonville. "We are definitely excited about the opportunity we have to put Sen. Obama if not over the top at least near the top," Prichard said.
From Reuters:
Voters are excited, said Russell L. Hanson, a political science professor at Indiana University Bloomington. "There's been a dramatic increase in voter registration," said Hanson. "People are gratified by it, interested in the race and paying attention, and they rather like the idea that they might determine the outcome -- or at least influence it in some important way." The last time Indiana held its primary before a presumptive nominee had been selected was turbulent 1968, when Democratic Sen. Robert Kennedy pulled out a victory against Indiana Gov. Roger Branigin and Sen. Eugene McCarthy.
From the Black Hill Pioneer:
Former senator Tom Daschle brought his pitch for Barack Obama to the Black Hills Tuesday. "I believe so strongly in the positions he has taken across the board," Daschle said of his reasons to back Obama in his quest for the Democratic nomination. "I've also never before seen someone inspire people the way he has." After 18 months of brutal campaigning, South Dakota may be much more important than anyone would have every thought, he told an audience at Black Hills State University. Several hundred gathered to hear him speak about the future of the presidency and why he believes Obama is the "only choice." "It's exciting," Daschle said. "South Dakota has always gotten the last word when it comes to the selection of our nominee. No one could have possibly believed that we could be as important." ... "He's a clear choice for South Dakotans because from my perspective, he's going to do a lot more for us than McCain really will. It's my opinion that McCain really represents George Bush's third term," he said. "Barack has seen the tremendous difficulty that our country has demonstrated to address the national's problems because of the deep polarization taking place," Daschle said of his reasons for supporting the Illinois senator. "He has demonstrated both in his capacity as state senator and then at his capacity as United States senator that he really is a different kind of politician and legislator. That he does have this ability within himself to bring people together and work across the aisle and create that kind of cohesion that this country really needs."
From Montana's News Station:
The race for the White House is gearing up in Great Falls as the Barack Obama campaign held an organizational meeting on Monday night.Volunteers shared their stories about why they are supporting Obama and staff members were on hand to answer questions."This is an exciting opportunity here in Montana. The primary is June 3rd. That's pretty late. No one ever thinks it will get beyond Super Tuesday" says Obama Regional Field Director Colin Walsh. "So we have a great opportunity here to have the voices of Montanans heard in who they want to be the democratic nominee for President."People were encouraged to volunteer and help the campaign with phone calls, data collection and knocking on doors.Obama's campaign has offices across the state and is expected to open another office in Havre later this week.
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