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V.I. Superdelegate Supports Clinton, Then Obama, Now Back to Clinton
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ShareMay 27, 2008 9:41 PM
ABC News' Karen Travers reports: The nearly 800 Democratic superdelegates are free to support any candidate and are free to change their mind at any time, as many times as they want.
In the ABC News delegate estimate, about a dozen unpledged "superdelegates" have switched their support from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama, but until tonight none had switched from Obama to Clinton.
Kevin Rodriquez, a superdelegate from the Virgin Islands, was supporting Clinton earlier this year, then switched to Obama and, according to the Clinton campaign tonight, is now back in the New York senator’s corner.
The Clinton campaign announced in a press release that Rodriquez was backing Hillary Clinton but did not provide a statement from Rodriquez.
On May 10, Rodriquez, an African-American Democratic committeeman and the director of personnel for the Virgin Islands government, announced that he was switching his support from Clinton to Obama, citing the Illinois senator’s judgment, courage and energy.
"While I have great respect for Senator Clinton, today I am announcing my support for Barack Obama," Rodriquez said in a statement released by the Obama campaign on May 10. "Senator Obama has brought a new generation and energy into the democratic process and the Democratic Party. He has shown he can connect with Democrats, Republicans and Independents across this country, whether we live on the mainland or an island.
"Senator Obama’s judgment to lead, courage to tell the truth and commitment to working men and women make him the best candidate to lead this country forward."
Just three months earlier, Rodriquez was in Clinton’s corner.
Obama went on a 10-contest winning streak in February, including the Virgin Islands caucuses on Feb. 9. On Feb. 18, Rodriquez told The St. Croix Source that he was supporting Clinton because "she’s a better candidate."
"I'm very proud of Barack Obama. I think he's doing a great job," Rodriquez said. "I'm honored as an African-American to have him in the position he is in, but I feel Hillary is still the better candidate to lead the party to victory in November."
May 27, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (174)
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Kevin Rodriguez - other superdelegates should see your COURAGE and may be learn something from it. Only the COURAGEOUS ones like you have the spine to make political decisions that are good for the country. Most SDs only think about their career. You certainly are different and worth people's respect.
Posted by: Jkan | May 27, 2008 10:36:23 PM
None of the campaigns should trust that snake. I bet he'll be looking for another reason to switch again and again until his pockets are full. Mr Flip flop for real.
Posted by: Owen | May 27, 2008 10:39:47 PM
This guy lost his bearings. why did he leave Hillary at first place? To me her policy is the same as the one she had in December the only difference is that she made more mistakes an lies.
Posted by: leche | May 27, 2008 10:45:41 PM
Thank you, Kevin Rodriguez! You are obviously a very astute man and I hope
you can convince other superdelegates to
do the same!
Posted by: paul | May 27, 2008 10:45:50 PM
Next he will be pledging his support to McCain.
Posted by: Omentum | May 27, 2008 10:47:14 PM
I dont think Hillary is a stronger candidate. Especially when Fox News and Rush Limbaugh says she is. Think about it these people want republicans in office!! Super Dels should realize this!!! Obama is the best candidate!! and Obama is the only one to beat McCain!!!
Posted by: James | May 27, 2008 10:47:57 PM
Jkan:
My thoughts exactly the more I thought about this.
What a brave and courageous man to take this necessary step.
I wish all of the Super D's has this type of courage and independence.
Posted by: SandyB | May 27, 2008 10:48:55 PM
This was probably a stunt from the start. Switch from Clinton to Obama, then two weeks later switch back to Clinton to create a false sense of movement. There is no movement. Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee.
Posted by: Erik | May 27, 2008 10:51:41 PM
As Hillary once said, "Not so fast!"
Posted by: Harerta Tesfa | May 27, 2008 10:57:46 PM
How can you count PR's primary as a basis of winning the popular vote they are as relevant as Guam and then discount caucus states. Their votes don't even count in the general election.
Posted by: Jim | May 27, 2008 11:04:13 PM
This is funny. Clinton's case for the Supers is that the carribean loves her. Puerto Rico is a huge swing state huh Hillary.
Posted by: Tom | May 27, 2008 11:07:53 PM
Aha! He realized that Hillary is the Real Deal.
Posted by: brigitte | May 27, 2008 11:12:36 PM
if this is real why arent the clintons broadcasting this all over?
I cant find any other source with this info...
holding off till tomorrow? or did everyone have some party plans tonight and couldnt bother to update the news...
lol...
im skeptical about this, but could be true, if it is we will hear about this
Posted by: bhrandon | May 27, 2008 11:15:33 PM
I am an a democrats reristered and im for hillary. But it gets to the point now that im being fed up by those OLD IDIOTS democrats who are in OBAMAS favor, sorry OBAMA you will not get my vote and not deserve my vote, i vote for mccain if I must. I dont trust that OBAMA speeches!
Posted by: tonni | May 27, 2008 11:16:45 PM
THANK YOU KEVIN! Let's hope that this is just the first of many to switch as they recognize Hillary will make the best candidate to beat John McCain. The longer the campaign goes on, the more obvious it is that Obama can't close the deal. He cannot win.... the handwriting is on the wall!
Posted by: Jon | May 27, 2008 11:19:22 PM
Actually, Deval Patrick is about the closest thing we can compare to BO. He gave the lofty speeches, galvanized the masses, spoke of mighty "change" from the highest dais...Guess what...Turns out he's a very ineffective Governor of Mass....hmmmmmmm.
.......................................
Obama can just thank his lucky stars there are caucuses tailored just for his demographic, and fortunate most people don't get to vote at all in a caucus, and he's lucky that although he lost TX by 100,000 votes, he still received more delegates..That's a hoot! I'm sure he's thrilled with all the red states he claimed victory in. That's sure gonna bring it home for him in November. Again..Hillary tried to warn you far left liberals.
Posted by: kmb08 | May 27, 2008 11:19:32 PM
To all OBAMA supporter you might as well just shut up. We have a large family and you OBAMA supporter do not get our vote, recently OBAMA has been doing speeches like his the nominee already, so so so shame so disprate, we dont trust you and most of all didn't accomplished anything, except voted present in anything you do,
Posted by: ricca | May 27, 2008 11:24:22 PM
Hillary will lead the Popular Vote totals after the Puerto Rico Primary, even when FL and MI are NOT included.
We'll be seeing a lot more Obamaites jumping off the Obama Boat and getting on board with Hillary a week from now.
Posted by: Johnny at Work | May 27, 2008 11:26:50 PM
Just for the record remember the Puerto Rican popular vote is not valid in general elections and should not be used a as determining factor in the primary vote total for those very reasons, other than to send delegates in representative portion.
Posted by: Jimmie G. | May 27, 2008 11:28:54 PM
Is this the best the Clinton campaign can come up with??????
Posted by: The Unshrub | May 27, 2008 11:29:55 PM
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