The good news hasn't stopped on the Iowa march to support Barack Obama.
Iowa held district conventions on Saturday, the next step along the line from precinct caucuses to the state Democratic convention in June. Another delegate was added to Obama's total of committed delegates fron one congressional district.
The March 15 county conventions had flipped 9 delegates to Obama, adding to the totals of January's precinct caucuses.
This week, Richard Machacek, a member of the Democratic state central committee and also a DNC member, had been uncommitted. Previously he had worked hard for John Edwards, and had waited for an Edwards endorement, which has not yet happened. So, noting the very strong showing of Obama delegates at the district conventions, he announced his support for Obama, saying,
"I think it needs to be over, and in good conscience, I can't fly in the face of my precinct, county and district."
And, just today one more SD is poised to announce his support for Obama. According to Iowa Public Radio news reports, freshman Congressman Bruce Braley is scheduled later today to announce his support for Barack Obama.
Here is a list of the Iowa SDs and their announced support:
Obama
Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA)
Gov. Chet Culver (IA)
DNC Michael Fitzgerald (IA)
DNC Sarah Swisher (IA)
DNC Richard Machacek (IA)
Rep. Bruce Braley (IA) (soon to be announced)
Clinton:
Rep. Leonard Boswell (IA)
DNC Sandy Opstvedt (IA)
DNC Mike Gronstal (IA)
not committed
Sen. Tom Harkin (IA)*
Scott Brennan (IA)
* Several of these supers spoke at our district 2 convention on Saturday, one being senator Tom Harkin. Though he has not announced his support, some of the phrasing he used in his speech,including talking about the need for hope, and a new kind of politics, lead several of us listening to conclude that he will also declare for Obama.
I'm proud of Iowa for paying close attention to the candidates in the caucus run-up, and for showing the way on Jan. 3. Iowa continues to show the way, by not only holding that support for Obama, but also by pulling in more state Democratic support him.
Flogging the Rev. Wright controversy has not made a difference.