Another Super! Congressman Payne of NJ

Just a quick diary.

It is being reported that Congressman Donald Payne of New Jersey has switched his endorsement from Clinton to Obama.

The link to the news story is below:

http://www.nj.com/...

I have a sneaking suspicion that there may be a large number of supers coming out tomorrow.  Friday annoucements are the best way to frame the discussion for the Sunday talk shows.

•  From the link:

  Rep. Donald Payne (D-10th Dist.), a New Jersey superdelegate who had been supporting Hillary Clinton for president, has switched his allegiance to Barack Obama.

  "After careful consideration, I have reached the conclusion that Barack Obama can best bring about the change that our country so desperately wants and needs," Payne told The Star-Ledger for today's editions. It was "one of the most difficult decisions I have made," Payne said. "I've really been mulling it over for quite a while."

  Yeah, setting the narrative for the weekend would be nice.

  by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:17:30 PM PDT

  •  ROFL

    I diarized this like, the same moment as you.. haha.  I'll go delete mine.  All I really did was quote the original anyhow.

    by Canadian4Obama on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:18:24 PM PDT

    •  Great minds think alike, C4O.

      A diary of mine met the same fate today. It happens.

      by Sharoney on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:19:22 PM PDT

      •  Indeed, No big deal, if you want to keep it up

        that is fine by me.  We'll just double the fun of spreading the good news.

        by True Independent on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:20:26 PM PDT

        •  sorry I jumped your jar--I did wait a few minutes

          by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:24:11 PM PDT

          •  IS THIS NOW A TIE?

            I think it was ABC tonight that said Obama's Superdelegate deficit was down to TWO...

            A Switch makes it a Tie Right?

            Does that Mean John Edwards will be the tie breaker on Today Show????

            by Steven R on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:44:45 PM PDT

            •  Edwards is not a super delegate.

              by hyper on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:47:51 PM PDT

            •  Hummm....

              I dunno by whose count.  DCW has it at 9.5 before - so 7.5 now.

              by Canadian4Obama on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:53:51 PM PDT

            •  Clinton's now ahead by 7.5 SD's n/t

              by jamtown on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:55:56 PM PDT

              •  No Tip Jar???????

                by ourhispanicvoices on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:24:20 PM PDT

                •  For me the news is enough of a tip, but okay here

                  it is a delayed tip jar

                  by True Independent on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:26:30 PM PDT

                  •  This news deserved a Tip. Only thing better than

                    a new super is a switching super.

                    :)

                    by ourhispanicvoices on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:35:56 PM PDT

        •  nah, that's ok :)

          better chance of this one gettig rec'd

          by Canadian4Obama on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:55:02 PM PDT

    •  Poll

      Since I deleted my diary, can you please add the poll that I had -- it asked how many supers peeps thought, for Friday :)

      by Canadian4Obama on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:19:51 PM PDT

      •  Done

        by True Independent on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:23:47 PM PDT

    •  Hey Canadian where are you from? n/t

      by ObamaManiac2008 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:21:37 PM PDT

  •  I just argued agianst a big Friday wave

    Yeah, setting the narrative for the weekend would be nice.

    Though I did just comment contrarily, I think it is a legit point for Sunday politicals; and with a lot of peoplr Obama needs to wi over right now, this might be the #1 place they get their primary info (not the interwebs).

    by MooseHB on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:29:01 PM PDT

•  that's GREAT news for HILLARY!!!!

  (male supers switching to obama only serve to confirm the presence of the vast, sexist conspiracy, which will galvanize all women and hard working, working whites to defend the rightful queen).

  by dj from NC on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:19:38 PM PDT

  •  And if women superdels switch?

    by Choom Gang Vets for Truth on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:20:30 PM PDT

  •  He's black. Represents Newark.

    by DemocraticLuntz on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:21:33 PM PDT

    •  See? Hillary is hanging on to her base...

      ...or something...

      by Aqualad08 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:24:01 PM PDT

    •  So Wolfson will say

      this one doesn't count, even though he's from a 'big state.'

      by Black Mare on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:44:17 PM PDT

  •  Really? Are you sure?

    I thought this was actually great news for Rudy 9ui11ani...

    by chrisfreel on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:21:36 PM PDT

  •  She is inevitable. Inevitably in denial...

    by kubrick2008 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:22:58 PM PDT

    •  I loved the joke on Conan the other night.

      "There are six states remaining now. Obama leads in the states of Montana, South Dakota and Oregon. Clinton leads in the state of denial."

      by GermanAmericanDem on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:29:42 PM PDT

  •  you are joking right

    because to make this situation about sexism ruins legitimate feminist concerns.

    by Snickers77 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:23:01 PM PDT

    •  check your snark meter n/t

      by mralex1974 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:43:10 PM PDT

      •  sorry

        overly sensitive...need some sleep

        by Snickers77 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:52:55 PM PDT

  •  LOL

    I forget -- does NJ count or not?

    by ppluto on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:23:34 PM PDT

    •  Hell YES it counts!

      A primary state that she won!

      by newdem1960 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:27:48 PM PDT

•  i'm somehow disappointed that

  his first name is not Max

  At any rate, net +2, which I think brings us well into the single digits.

  by Choom Gang Vets for Truth on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:20:09 PM PDT

  •  Now at 268.5 to 261...

    Down to 7.5...somebody's closer...

    by Aqualad08 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:25:59 PM PDT

•  The rats are leaving the sinking ship. n/t

  by GermanAmericanDem on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:20:23 PM PDT

  •  I wouldn't say that they are rats

    I never liked Clinton, but I understand that many people did and still do respect her. I don't think of the people as rats deserting Clinton at all. Rather they probably are long time supporters who have made a tough decision to take away their support.

    Welcome aboard Congressman Payne(and tell your freinds to come too!)

    Onward to November

    jamas nos venceran

    by magurakurin on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:55:04 PM PDT

    •  Didn't want to disparage Payne

      specifically. Just the convenience of that move.

      by GermanAmericanDem on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:03:02 PM PDT

•  Drip drip drip. Drip drip drip.

  by ObamaManiac2008 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:21:20 PM PDT

  •  Singing in the Rain Again

    Let the stormy clouds chase
    HRC from the race
    Come on with the rain

    by sweetliberty on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:27:40 PM PDT

•  AWESOME. That's a net gain of 2.

  by kubrick2008 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:21:44 PM PDT

•  They will roll out enough delegates today

  to go ahead of her.  That will be the talking point all weekend and on Sunday blab shows as well.

  by jalapeno on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:21:59 PM PDT

  •  I hope they are cautious

    The campaign seems to be walking on eggshells around her and that's certainly the right approach.

    I was watching Barack being interviewed by Brian Williams earlier and they were asking him the VP question. He was remarkably respectful, saying that he respected her campaign and her desire to go on and etc in a very deferential way.

    First I beamed at how classy he always is. Then I remembered how Hillary and Bill went on that idiotic campaign to make Barack her vice-president, a few months ago (while he was vastly ahead of her). And then  I realized that he HAS to be careful not to look like he is pushing her out. So, I hope they remain cautious.

    by jenontheshore on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:27:33 PM PDT

    •  His SD count will have to pass hers eventually.

      Obama might as well get it over with sooner rather than later. No point beating around the bush.

      by jamtown on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:15:34 PM PDT

  •  Good point. That would be great. n/t

    by pepper mint on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:43:32 PM PDT

  •  And he will have enough that on May 20 Oregon

    puts him over 2025 - Sweet!!!

    by mralex1974 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:44:26 PM PDT

    •  I think it's pledged delegates ...

      ... that he would get a majority of on May 20. He would need about an additional 130 superdelegates to get to 2,025.

      by state29 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:47:50 PM PDT

      •  Conservative numbers...

        I guess he'll nab at least 10 from WV, 17 from KY and 29 from OR...so about 116 or there abouts for a clincher...

        by Aqualad08 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:05:04 PM PDT

•  Payne's endorsement announcement...

  ...of Clinton back in January:

  New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne Endorses Clinton
  The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of New Jersey Congressman Donald M. Payne.

  "These serious times call for a leader with Hillary Clinton’s ability to tackle our biggest challenges from her first day in office," Rep. Payne said. "Her 35-year record fighting for children and families demonstrates the kind of change she will deliver as President. Having worked closely with Hillary in the White House and in the Senate, I can personally attest to her effectiveness and commitment to the issues facing our community."

  Rep. Payne was first elected to Congress in 1988, becoming the first African-American to represent New Jersey in the House of Representatives. A past Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, he is a member of the Democratic Whip Organization and has served as a member of the House Democratic Leadership Advisory Group.

  Since 2003, he has served as one of two Congressional delegates to the United Nations, and is a senior member of the Education and Labor Committee and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa. He was the sponsor of the House resolution declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

  Before his election to Congress, Rep. Payne was a member of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and served on the Newark Municipal Council. He also served as National President of the YMCA and as an educator in the Newark public school system.

  "Donald has devoted his life to serving the people of Newark and New Jersey," Clinton said. "I'm honored to have his support and look forward to rolling up our sleeves together to solve America’s challenges."

  by Aqualad08 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:22:32 PM PDT

  •  I dunno about these switches.

    Seems to me that it's sad that the cravenness of the undeclared has to be compensated by the defection of one who aligned with Senator Clinton in the beginning.  

    Doesn't make me as happy as undeclareds coming out, that's for sure.

    by foxsucks81 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:24:35 PM PDT

    •  Hey, when the writing is on the wall...

      ...better they read it and act than wait until it means zippo...

      They took a stand, their candidate lost but won't bow out...I think it takes some guts to accept reality...

      by Aqualad08 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:29:18 PM PDT

    •  Yes, but

      If you read the article he basically says that he didn't know anything about Barack, when he first endorsed Hillary. Remember that Hillary had 100 superdelegates before ANYTHING happened. She would never have gotten some of these endorsements if these folks knew they had a choice.

      Well, now they have a choice!

      by jenontheshore on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:30:00 PM PDT

    •  makes me happier

      cuz they count as (a net of) 2!

      by oilcreekdem on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:43:57 PM PDT

    •  The part of this I agree with,

      is the fact that we are not shrinking the pool of undecided's who are still lurking out there. Those are the people who need to keep moving in our direction. I don't think that there are many elected superdelegates left,  just 125 or so, the rest are party "insiders" they have no one voting for them, so why the delay?

      by pvmuse on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:03:31 PM PDT

•  Yeah, I think 5 sounds right. Just to rub it in

  by kubrick2008 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:24:52 PM PDT

•  I've been waiting...

  for this flood of delegates for more than 48 hours.  

  Let's get on with it!!!

  by Moxie Gurl on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:25:19 PM PDT

•  Payne

  Payne doesn't count he's a black super, Hillary wins the hardworking white ones we need in the fall.

  by nevadadem on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:26:18 PM PDT

  •  super-snark.

    by kubrick2008 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:27:35 PM PDT

  •  lol, I wonder if that had anything to

    do with Payne's decision.

    by jj32 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:36:47 PM PDT

•  We shoudl make a note to thank him

  He will likely get hit hard by Clinton's attack dogs as well as her supporters.  He deserves to know we welcome him whole-heartedly to our side.

  Contact info below:

  Donald M. Payne
  2209 Rayburn House Office Building
  Washington, District of Columbia 20515
  Phone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]

  by Snipe6ib on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:28:28 PM PDT

  •  Meh. His constituents have been hitting him

    for months.

    He's just finally decided there's 0 chance of Hillary winning and that it's safe to endorse Obama.

    Typical NJ pollution.

    by DemocraticLuntz on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:30:23 PM PDT

    •  True..

      Considering Newark...but dosent meant he wont get the hate mail from some of the crazies.

      by Snipe6ib on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:32:34 PM PDT

•  Reality

  For those of us who live in the real world, this is fantastic. +1 O, -1 C.

  For Clinton, it will be spun this way. "Payne's black. Of course he will go with 'them'".

  Sad, but true.

  by heliosfootball on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:28:34 PM PDT

•  Question?

  Do we trust her flippers?  Is this a plan to keep the uncommitted from stepping out.

  Her Supers seem to be loyal to a fault even with the race baiting and all the other KRAZY campagin tatics.

  She's only raised $1 million since Tuesday.  Obama was making that in a day.

  BTW, what were last months numbers?

  Did you see him on Capital Hill today?  He was awesome.

  by Moxie Gurl on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:30:46 PM PDT

  •  So George McGovern's conspiring against us?

    I think we can trust them.

    by jaywillie on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:32:32 PM PDT

  •  asdf

    Well can trust them as long as he is winning I think. Many of her SDs committed well before their state elections so where betting on a "sure thing" which has turned sour now.

    Last month #s will probably not be released from either camp until the last possible legal day, which may be after Clinton drops (if she does before June)

    by edgeways on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:33:43 PM PDT

    •  I read they'll be out May 20.

      by venatrix on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:49:20 PM PDT

      •  Not sure when the reporting date is

        off-hand but in the past it has been near the end of the month. So my assless read is that if Mrs Clinton can't pull something together quickly she'll bail just before she has to report her dire finances

        by edgeways on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:57:16 PM PDT

        •  duh, sorry I misinterpreed you comment..

          ignore my ramblings...

          I was thinking May 20th as in the KY and OR primaries...

          by edgeways on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:58:15 PM PDT

•  Didn't see that predicted 30 SD, Zogster

  was talking about. Perhaps on Friday?

  WV only has 39 total delegates, think he can counter that with 30 SDs a few defections and, say 10 delegates out of WV? That would put her crushing win in WV as a net loss.

  by edgeways on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:31:14 PM PDT

  •  For months we've been hearing about how

    X number of supers are about to endorse Obama.  If it actually happened every time those sources said it would, Obama would have like 2000 supers by now.

    The only time I believe anything about Superdelegates is when I see a quote from a super saying that are endorsing Obama.

    by smash artist on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:38:39 PM PDT

    •  Just keeping their powder dry

      Those supers are people who have been keeping their powder dry for almost a decade now. I think it's been so long that they don't even know where they keep it any longer.

      by gmhowell on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:23:29 PM PDT

  •  Only 28 tied to the primary....rest are supers...

    He'd only need 36% to nab 10 delegates there...38% could get him to 11, roughly 40% for 12...

    by Aqualad08 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:40:30 PM PDT

  •  It's the ghost of Brokaw's 50!

    by jaywillie on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:41:10 PM PDT

    •  heh

      by edgeways on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:45:39 PM PDT

•  Washington State also delivers one:

  The Seattle PI also reports:

  Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., on Thursday became the third member of Washington's congressional delegation to endorse Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

  The no-holds-barred campaign leading up to the North Carolina and Indiana primaries showed that Obama is "tough and resilient," that he can "take a punch," and yet successfully deliver his message to the American people, said the four-term congressman from northwest Washington.

  "Tuesday was a game-changer even though Obama didn't win both states," Larsen said.

  by doberg on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:33:51 PM PDT

  •  His district

    is a real egg(head) carton -- the San Juan Islands went for Obama by almost African-American margins ... with barely a single African-American present!

    by newdem1960 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:09:33 PM PDT

•  With another Clinton NJ SD wavering...

  per the article.

  Makes sense to announce a handful of these endorsements around WV to offset her win.  I expect a few more at the beginning of next week too.

  by jaywillie on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:36:19 PM PDT

•  Does anyone know

  who the wavering SD is? Maybe a few e-mails may tip that person in the right direction.

  With Payne's switch Obama has the backing of five of New Jersey's 20 superdelegates. Clinton has 11, including Gov. Jon Corzine; three are uncommitted and one who has backed Clinton is wavering.

  by sweetliberty on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:36:26 PM PDT

  •  My guess is Dana Redd....

    ...State Senator...she represents Camden City and Gloucester City...

    by Aqualad08 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:52:17 PM PDT

•  Bring the Payne

  Love it

  by creweeny on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:41:12 PM PDT

•  Come on now??

  Cain't we git one super delegate to put their damn pants on for Hillary Clinton?

  (ducking the pelting)

  Gimme some a that down home hillary.

  (ducking the pelting)

  Is there not one that will stand up???

  (Exit sign blinks and fades)

  by ZappoDave on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:42:37 PM PDT

•  Payne switched from Clinton to Obama

  DCW now has Clinton up by only 7.5 superdelegate votes.

  Clinton still maintains her double digit lead ;)

  Payne's switch deserved it's own post

  Obama will get at least 1 super tomorrow in the form of a Utah add-on.

  by Oreo on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:44:43 PM PDT

  •  just what HRC needed a black super

    switching after her "whites vote for me" spin. She really must forgot what the demographics of party voters and super delegates are.

    by nevadadem on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:48:30 PM PDT

•  Rep. Brad Miller

  from North Carolina also endorses Obama.

  by EMKennedyLucio on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:46:31 PM PDT

•  Bill says...

  "I feel your Payne?"

  by mralex1974 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:46:43 PM PDT

•  Thanks for the diary

  I posted a comment about the news in a myDD thread (they should be aware of the news there too.

  by Student Guy on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:47:46 PM PDT

•  Stephanie Tubbs-Jones

  If anyone in the East Cleveland area is reading this and is a constituent, please call her office and ask what she thought of Hillary's "hard working Americans, White Americans" line.

  Maybe we can flip another Super...

  by Jim in Chicago on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:48:39 PM PDT

  •  Jones isn't going anywhere...

    ...she's fanatical in her suport for Hillary, making a complete ass out of herself on Hillary's behalf numerous times...

    Obama's from Kenya? Really?

    by Aqualad08 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:56:32 PM PDT

    •  They're fixin' to oust her

      I hear her position is mighty unpopular back home.

      by newdem1960 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:07:09 PM PDT

      •  Oh Please, Please, Please let this be true!

        My in-laws are "represented" by her...

        by Jim in Chicago on Fri May 09, 2008 at 09:41:43 AM PDT

•  Nobody wants to be number 2,026.

  When Obama gets to about 2,000, that little saying will be said in many one-on-one conversations by people showing lots of teeth but not really smiling.

  I expect Pelosi, Reid and Gore, maybe Edwards, to be the final nails, so to speak.

  by algebrateacher on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:56:48 PM PDT

•  Oh When The Saints

  Louis Armstrong When The Saints Go Marching In lyrics

  We are traveling in the footsteps
  Of those who've gone before
  But we'll all be reunited (But if we stand reunited)
  On a new and sunlit shore (Then a new world is in store)
  Oh when the Saints go marching in
  When the Saints go marching in
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
  And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  When the moon turns red with blood
  When the moon turns red with blood
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  On that hallelujah day
  On that hallelujah day
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
  Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  Some say this world of trouble
  Is the only one we need
  But I'm waiting for that morning
  When the new world is revealed
  When the revelation (revolution) comes
  When the revelation (revolution) comes
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  When the rich go out and work
  When the rich go out and work
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  When the air is pure and clean
  When the air is pure and clean
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  When we all have food to eat
  When we all have food to eat
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  When our leaders learn to cry
  When our leaders learn to cry
  Oh Lord I want to be in that number
  When the Saints go marching in
  Louis Armstrong When The Saints Go Marching In lyrics

  by ZappoDave on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:00:28 PM PDT

  •  Yes.

    When our leaders learn to cry

    by ZappoDave on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:01:10 PM PDT

•  Hillary ...

  Since you won't be having to take the drug test for President after all.

  I think you should have just a puff or two off of this -- before we go over things.

  Forget the shot and beer stuff for a second ...

  by ZappoDave on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:03:31 PM PDT