With Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton neck to neck in the race to the Democratic presidential nomination, every delegate could prove pivotal come convention time in August.
While the state of Tennessee already committed 68 Democratic delegates on Super Tuesday, 17 unpledged delegates have yet to be decided upon in the Volunteer state; 15 are the so called 'superdelegates' and two are unpledged delegates that will be decided by the state executive committee and should be announced by the end of the week.
Superdelegates are a combination of current and former influential elected officials and members of the Democratic National Committee that are elected by the state party, and in some cases other citizens that are designated by the state party.
Unlike regular delegates, superdelegates are not bound by presidential primary votes and are allowed to vote by their conscience at the Democratic National Convention.
As of March 9, four of the superdelegates support Obama and four support Clinton. The rest officially remain uncommitted.
As of March 9, four of Tennessee's superdelegates support Obama and four support Clinton. The rest officially remain uncommitted.
Elisa Parker, who originally supported Sen. John Edwards, of the state DNC announced that she will support Clinton shortly after Edwards withdrew from the race.
Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis offered his endorsement of Sen. Obama the night before the Tennessee primary and later went on to pledge his support to Obama at the convention.
“[Obama] will demand higher ethical standards so that the government finally belongs to the people once again, and he will bring our troops home,” Cohen said in the statement. “This nation can be proud to have such a candidate running for president.”
Cohen's endorsement of Obama came as a surprise to many as he strongly supported Bill Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas and in his presidential campaigns.
Rep. Jim Cooper, Will Cheek and Lois Deberry of the DNC also supported Obama.
Clinton found support from DNC members Jimmie Farris, Myron Lowery, William Owen and Elisa Parker.
Tennessee Superdelegates
Democratic National Committee
- Will Cheek, Nashville, Tenn. - Obama - A former state party chairman.
- Inez Crutchfield, Nashville, Tenn. - uncommitted - First African-American member of Davidson County Democratic Women.
- Lois M. Deberry, Memphis, Tenn. - Obama - The current Speaker Pro Tempore of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
- Jimmie Farris, - Clinton - The wife of the late William Farris who was chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party.
- Myron Lowery - Clinton - This Memphis City Councilman, addressed the Democratic National Convention in 1996.
- William Owen, Knoxville, Tenn. - Clinton - A former state senator, Owen is a consultant and lobbyist based in Knoxville.
- Elisa Parker, Franklin, Tenn. - Clinton - Vice Chair of Tennessee Democratic Party.
- Gray Sasser, Nashville, Tenn. - uncommitted - The son of former U.S. Sen. Jim Sasser, has served as legal counsel for the Tennessee Democratic Party for four years.
Democratic Governor
- Phil Bredesen - uncommitted - Governor of Tennessee since 2003, formerly mayor of Nashville.
U.S. House of Representatives
- Steve Cohen, Memphis, Tenn. - Obama - Representative from Tennessee's 9th district, which consists of all of Shelby County and most of Memphis.
- Jim Cooper, Shelbyville, Tenn. - Obama - Representative from Tennessee's 5th district, which is located in Middle Tennessee and includes parts of Davidson County, Wilson County and Cheatham County.
- Lincoln Davis, Paul Mall, Tenn. - uncommitted - Representative from Tennessee's 4th district, which stretches through East and Middle Tennessee.
- Bart Gordon, Murfreesboro, Tenn. - uncommitted - Representative from Tennessee's 6th district, which consists of East Nashville and other Middle Tennessee cities.
- John Tanner, Halls, Tenn. - uncommitted - Representative from Tennessee's 8th district, which is made up of Northwestern Tennessee including Union City and Jackson.
Distinguished Party Leaders
- Al Gore, Carthage, Tenn. - uncommitted - Former vice-president of the United States, former representative of Tennessee's 6th district.
Comments
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rep. steve cohen commented, on March 10, 2008 at 9:26 a.m.:
Was never on Gov.Clinton staff.
Rep. Steve Cohen commented, on March 10, 2008 at 1:36 p.m.:
Was a member of Gov. Clinton's staff during one of his campaigns. Just because he wasn't paid, doesn't mean he wasn't on staff.
Bertha Walker commented, on March 10, 2008 at 1:44 p.m.:
It is a pretty sure bet that no one cares what the average voter or resident of this country thinks about the process of casting votes during critical election periods, but I feel that all "super delegates" and "distinguished party leaders" should be listed as "UNCOMMITTED."
The opportunity to cast their committed votes is available to them in the Primary Elections, as it is for each voting citizen. When they arrive at the Convention site, why should they be allowed to campaign for one candidate or the other? Is the Convention floor considered "neutral"? Shouldn't it be? In the "what if" scenario: if all of the 'super delegates' supported one candidate, who would represent the voters who cast Primary votes for the other candidate? Is this fair to voters who are not considered 'super,' 'special,' or anything but ordinary?
rep. steve cohen commented, on March 10, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.:
No never on staff.Never.Friend ,yes.Staff ,never.
Assistant Politics Editor commented, on March 10, 2008 at 4:54 p.m.:
The article does not say that Rep. Steve Cohen was on Clinton's staff, just that he supported Clinton during Clinton's campaign.
Happy Reader commented, on March 11, 2008 at 8:12 a.m.:
Thanks for covering an issue that relates to Tennessee and campus.
Casey commented, on March 12, 2008 at 8:14 a.m.:
Give Rep. Cohen a break. Of course he doesn't want to be labeled as a Clinton staff member. Assistant Politics Editor is right - all it says is "strongly supported." If I was him I'd deny that too.