Here is the lead from the New York Times Story
MILWAUKEE – Representative John Lewis, an iconic figure from the Civil Rights era and one of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s most prominent black supporters, said Thursday night that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic convention.
This is amazing. I have always thought the blather about super delegates currently in the media was a smoke screen, that would drift away as the breeze of Obama's momentum came in. The story line for the Clintons is terrible -- they have been arguing that super delegates should make up their own minds, and their delegates are defecting to Obama.
more after the jump
Here is some more:
Mr. Lewis, an elder statesman of the black civil rights establishment who carries great influence among other members of Congress and in the black community, disclosed his decision in an interview as the Service Employees International Union was on the brink of endorsing Mr. Obama. It also came as fresh signs emerged that Mrs. Clinton’s support was beginning to erode from some African American lawmakers who also serve as superdelegates.
The key thing is that this is not just "black" delegates. Over at the field Al Giordano makes an excellent point. The defections are occurring among all types of delegates.
Update: Since this has hit the rec list, i want to emphasize the point others have made here tonight on other diaries-- good news means we must work harder. The goal for Obama supporters is to put this away - so we can get on to general election battle. Here is the phone bank link. If we can each contribute - time, money, volunteering, calls - we will be closer to victory not just in Wisconsin, but in Ohio, Texas, and the nomination. It's pedal to the metal time.
update 2 One of the commenters- Rob83- saw this: Time's MSM Mark Halperin's take (he writes The Page) "EarthQuake"
Update 3 There appears to be some pushback - or confusion on this - but not the quotes that Lewis gave to the Times. The Washngton post is reporting the Clinton Camp's denial that this has happened.