But after more than 40 primaries and caucuses and innumerable opinion polls, the electability issue -- so irresistible for political junkies, so important to Democratic superdelegates, so central to the Obama-Clinton rivalry -- is proving ...

He or she will need the support of the "superdelegates", some 800 Democratic grandees who may cast their votes as they please ... But if he were to end the primary season in early June on a losing streak, his lead shrinking both in terms of delegates ...

Even superdelegates who previously supported Clinton have suggested the battle should end when the primaries conclude ... A floor fight in Denver would undermine any hopes for uniting party faithful or attracting independent voters - the very ...

As a superdelegate, Richardson also could sway other superdelegates _ elected officials and party VIPs _ if the nomination goes to the convention floor. Richardson, who dropped from the Democratic presidential race in January, is a friend of Bill ...

They do not include 26 unpledged "superdelegates. " Options include seating all of the pledged Florida delegates based on the statewide primary results, which Clinton won with 50 percent of the ...

Obama aides calculated that he also lead in delegate counts that include so-called superdelegates, the party officers and elected officials who control 20 percent of the total delegates to the Democratic convention. The Obama campaign is ...

Obama began the evening with eight straight primary and caucus victories, a remarkable run that has propelled him past Clinton in the overall delegate race and enabled him to chip away at her advantage among elected officials within the party who ...

As a superdelegate, Richardson also could sway other superdelegates -- elected officials and party VIPs -- if the nomination goes to the convention floor. Richardson, who dropped from the Democratic presidential race in January, is a friend of ...

The working class "is a critical vote when superdelegates look at who's going to be a stronger candidate" against presumed Republican nominee John McCain, said Mark Penn, Clinton's chief strategist ... " The Obama campaign says many ...

In the overall race for the nomination, Clinton leads with 1,136, including separately chosen party and elected officials known as superdelegates ... In Maine's largest city, Democrats carrying "Obama" and "Hillary" signs waited to get into the ...

So the path ahead will unfold, into Pennsylvania, and even West Virginia, Oregon, Indiana and the remaining primary and caucus states, all the while superdelegates fretting and dodging ... All of it points to the need for the party look seriously ...

Also, apparently 50 superdelegates will be commiting tonite, and Richardson is going to call for everyone to jump behind the leader in pledged delegates tomorrow. So, Obama will be the nominee in 24 hours, he'll have a huge cash advantage over McCain, ...

* Eleven so-called "superdelegates," party or elected officials who are not pledged automatically to any candidate. Ten have already been named, with a "bonus" delegate to be selected at the state ...

That would toss the nomination decision to the 795 party officials who, as superdelegates, control about 20 percent of the Democratic National Convention's vote. As Obama and Clinton head into spring break for the nominating season, both can claim ...

Clinton, on the other hand, is hoping a victory in Pennsylvania will help persuade party superdelegates to support her and allow her to catch Obama in the race for National Convention delegates ... Patrick Leahy, a Vermont senator who endorsed ...