Obama Overtakes Clinton In Superdelegate Race

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has overtaken Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in the race among superdelegates.

With endorsements from four superdelegates on Monday, Obama gained the lead among unpledged delegates for the first time this primary season from the former first lady.

The Illinois senator now leads Clinton, 277 to 273, according to CNN, and 277 to 271 according to the Congressional Quarterly. NBC has the superdelegate race at a close 279 to 277 also for Obama, while Real Clear Politics says Obama leads with 279 while Clinton trails with 272.

Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Hawaii Democratic National Committee member Dolly Strazar, Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark, and Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) seperately endorsed Obama on Monday.

Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe sent a fundraising email to supporters the same day saying, "Barack needs your support to close out this nomination and start building for the general election.... Given the long history the Clintons have with the Democratic Party, it's no surprise Senator Clinton maintained her superdelegate lead for so long. But right now it's clear that the Democratic Party is uniting around Barack's candidacy."

Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) campaign, meanwhile, has continued to use the popular vote as their metric for the race. The former first lady is hoping to win the popular vote through big victories in three upcoming contests - Kentucky, Puerto Rico and West Virginia - and a decision from the Democratic National Committee Rules Panel late this month to have delegates in Florida and Michigan seated.