Iowa superdelegate commits to Obama
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Another Iowa superdelegate said Tuesday he is supporting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Richard Machacek, who farms near Winthrop in northeast Iowa, said he's been mulling his choice for months because he considers both Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton strong candidates. But he decided to go with Obama after the Illinois senator's strong showing Saturday in Iowa's district conventions.
"I think politically they're both quality candidates, but the obvious organization and momentum is on his side in Iowa," Machacek said on a telephone interview. "I cannot fly in the face of my precinct, county and statewide totals in good conscience."
Obama received 16 of the 29 delegates at stake at conventions in Boone, Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Mount Vernon and West Des Moines.
Hillary Clinton received nine delegates and former presidential candidate John Edwards received four, despite dropping out of the race in January.
"The district conventions and the statewide totals contributed to my decision," Machacek said.
Machacek had endorsed Edwards during the former North Carolina senator's bid leading up to the Iowa caucuses. Obama's positions offer a good alternative for Edwards' backers, he said.
"I think his agenda appeals to Edwards' supporters," he said.
Machacek was elected to the Democratic National Committee four years ago. He has also been on the Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee and has served as party chairman of Iowa's second district and Buchanan County.
Iowa has 57 national Democratic delegates. Eleven of those are party and elected officials known as superdelegates. There are 17 other delegates who will be chosen at the state Democratic convention on June 14.
Because the Democratic race is so close, the party's nearly 800 elected and party officials dubbed superdelegates will likely decide who gains the nomination.
Richard Machacek, who farms near Winthrop in northeast Iowa, said he's been mulling his choice for months because he considers both Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton strong candidates. But he decided to go with Obama after the Illinois senator's strong showing Saturday in Iowa's district conventions.
"I think politically they're both quality candidates, but the obvious organization and momentum is on his side in Iowa," Machacek said on a telephone interview. "I cannot fly in the face of my precinct, county and statewide totals in good conscience."
Obama received 16 of the 29 delegates at stake at conventions in Boone, Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Mount Vernon and West Des Moines.
Hillary Clinton received nine delegates and former presidential candidate John Edwards received four, despite dropping out of the race in January.
"The district conventions and the statewide totals contributed to my decision," Machacek said.
Machacek had endorsed Edwards during the former North Carolina senator's bid leading up to the Iowa caucuses. Obama's positions offer a good alternative for Edwards' backers, he said.
"I think his agenda appeals to Edwards' supporters," he said.
Machacek was elected to the Democratic National Committee four years ago. He has also been on the Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee and has served as party chairman of Iowa's second district and Buchanan County.
Iowa has 57 national Democratic delegates. Eleven of those are party and elected officials known as superdelegates. There are 17 other delegates who will be chosen at the state Democratic convention on June 14.
Because the Democratic race is so close, the party's nearly 800 elected and party officials dubbed superdelegates will likely decide who gains the nomination.
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