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Superdelegates Pick Sides

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By WILLIAM MARCH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 3, 2008

With the issue of Florida's Democratic convention delegates settled - sort of - previously neutral Florida superdelegates are starting to choose sides in the Clinton-Obama race.

About a dozen of Florida's 26 superdelegates were still uncommitted when the Democratic National Committee decided Saturday to give Florida delegates half a vote each. Several superdelegates had said they wouldn't take sides in the race until the status of the delegation was resolved.

Janee Murphy of Tampa was the first to announce after that meeting, lining up with Barack Obama.

Others, including state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and state Sen. Steve Geller of Cooper City, say they won't take sides before the nomination is settled. Sink wants to "focus on helping the party unite behind a nominee."

Geller, angry at the national party's decision, said he will pursue his lawsuit to give Florida delegates full voting power.

Several superdelegates said they'll announce decisions today or Wednesday.

"I was certainly going to wait until Florida's Jan. 29 vote was validated to some extent," said former state party Chairman Mitch Ceasar of Fort Lauderdale, who said he will announce "in the next day or two."

WHERE THEY STAND

Florida superdelegates and where they stand, excluding three - DNC members Terrie Brady of Jacksonville and Andrew Tobias of Miami, and Rep. Allen Boyd of Monticello - who couldn't be reached Monday:

Announced Monday

DNC member Janee Murphy of Tampa, for Obama

Expected to announce soon

DNC member Jon Ausman, Tallahassee

DNC member Mitch Ceasar, Fort Lauderdale

DNC member Diane Glasser, Fort Lauderdale

Rep. Ken Klein, Boca Raton

Intending to stay neutral

State Sen. Steve Geller, Cooper City

Taylor County Commissioner Rudy Parker

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink
State party Chairwoman Karen Thurman
Rep. Tim Mahoney, Palm Beach Gardens
Previously announced for Clinton

Rep. Corrine Brown, Jacksonville

Ken Curtis, Sarasota

Rep. Alcee Hastings, Miramar

DNC member Raul Martinez, Hialeah

Rep. Kendrick Meek, Miami

DNC member Chuck Mohlke, Naples

Sen. Bill Nelson

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Weston

Previously announced for Obama

Rep. Kathy Castor

Joyce Cusack

Allan Katz

State Rep. Dan Gelber

Rep. Robert Wexler

Reporter Billy House contributed to this report. Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.com Reporter Billy House contributed to this report. Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.c

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