Tuesday, May 6, 2008; Posted: 5:20 p.m. (CDT)
Oklahoma City -- Another Oklahoma superdelegate has come out in support of Barack Obama. Fifty-four percent of voters chose Hillary Clinton in our state's primary, so we asked why our state's superdelegates have chosen Obama over Clinton. KSBI-TV's Kealey McIntire has the answer.
As a longtime member of the state senate, Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, is used to making big decisions. However, this year, one of his bigger decisions will not be made at the capitol.
Morgan is one of 10 Oklahoma superdelegates, so he must pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
"I never was a football star or a prom queen, but I think I know what they felt like," says Morgan.
He has received phone calls literally everyday from both sides, but he remains undecided.
"I've gotten more attention over the last several weeks than you would believe," says Morgan.
Four Oklahoma superdelegates have announced they're supporting Obama and one is supporting Clinton.
KSBI-TV asked Ivan Holmes, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, why more Oklahoma superdelegates are picking Obama when Oklahoma voters chose Clinton.
"He could get a lot of new people in the party and get support. I think most of the people who have come out for Obama are coming out for that reason," explains Holmes.
Superdelegates are not bound by how their constituents vote. Holmes says they're appointed and they have the power to choose either candidate.
"That's why you call them superdelegates. They're there to look at the big picture and think of what might be best for the party down the line," says Holmes.
The race is currently so close, many experts believe superdelegates will decide the nominee.
Morgan says he'll most think of who is more likely to be elected president when it comes time for him to make that tough decision.
"Because I am technically not an Oklahoma delegate. So how the state voted certainly plays on me, but that won't be a paramount factor in my decision," says Morgan.
Morgan says he is receiving pressure from the national party to make a decision so that a nominee can be designated. He says his decision won't come until this summer.
Holmes is also a superdelegate, he too remains uncommitted.
