U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky today released a statement endorsing U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in his bid to become president, becoming the second superdelegate from Indiana in as many days to declare his support for Obama.

"My choice is Senator Barack Obama who promises to bring Americans together to reach pragmatic, progressive solutions to the problems we face," Visclosky said in a statement.

He added: "Right now, America needs a president who offers a vision of the future comprised of sensible solutions to today's problems."

Indiana has 12 superdelegates, plus one will be added later after the state party convention on June 21.

Of the 12, seven are supporting Obama and four are backing U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth has not publicly committed. Ellsworth last week said that if the presidential race goes all the way to the convention, he would cast his vote for the candiate his district's voters chose. Clinton won Ellsowrth district during Indiana's May 6 primary.

A Maine congressman and super delegate announced his support of Barack Obama this week and encouraged Hillary Clinton to withdraw from the race, according to Boston.com.

"I've watched independents and Democrats and even a lot of Republicans in Maine enthusiastically support Obama because they believe he can and will put America back on track," said U.S. Rep. Tom Allen to the Associated Press. "I believe the process of reconciliation, the process of unifying this party, should begin sooner rather than later. It should begin in May, and not in June."

One thousand bicycles will be available for a free exchange program during the 2008 Democratic National Convention to help folks get around, and officials hope to continue to offer some version of the program after the convention, reports The Denver Post.

Boulder's Bikes Belong has joined with the city's convention host committee and Humana to offer the program during the convention week.

Gov. Bill Ritter, Mayor John Hickenlooper and host committee officials, along with Humana and Bikes Belong representatives, are to offer further details today.

A new Obama endorsement from Arizona is one of those that propelled Sen. Barack Obama to a lead over Sen. Hillary Clinton in the superdelegate count this week.

Rep. Harry Mitchell, whose district includes Scottsdale, became the 275th superdelegate to endorse Obama, saying in a statement that he was inspired by Obama's vision for America.

That leaves only three of Arizona's 11 superdelegates on the fence. Attorney General Terry Goddard, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens have yet to commit. Four superdelegates are now in Clinton's camp in a state she won in the primary and four have declared for Obama.

"This state went for Clinton so I feel an impetus, in fairness, to let her (Clinton) play out the cards," Bivens said.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean made an appearance in Phoenix this week to raise funds, but Bivens said there was zero pressure from Dean on superdelegate choices.

Arizona is earning extra Democratic Party attention because even though it is presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain's home state he did not get a majority of his party's votes in the state primary.

California’s two senators are not wavering on their commitment to cast their super delegate votes for Hillary Clinton.

“I always go with the guy who brung me – in this case it’s a girl,” Senator Dianne Feinstein, said last week according to the Desert Sun.

Senator Barbara Boxer says she will vote for Clinton to respect the will of the California voters but she has not endorsed a candidate. Clinton won the state’s primary in February.

Clinton trails Barack Obama in the race for super delegates by 170, according to the Associated Press.

The 2008 Democratic National Convention choices remain hotly contested, but a century ago William Jennings Bryan — the great champion of Western mining and agricultural interests — had clinched the nomination early, writes historian Tom Noel in a reflection on the 1908 convention in Denver.

California Super Delegate Ed Espinoza endorsed Barack Obama today, according to the Obama campaign website.

Espinoza becomes the 269th super delebate to back Obama, which still leaves the candidates short 162 delegates.

The California DNC member cited Obama's judgement, character and his plan to end the war and the endorsement of Obama by New Mexico governor Bill Richardson reasons for his decision.

"From day one he opposed the Iraq war and has a plan to end the war in a responsible way and bring our sons and daughters home," Espinoza said according to the Obama website. 

"He has shown he has the character to lead our great nation, from his choice to spend his career serving people in the poorest communities in Chicago to his commitment to speaking truth to the American people, even when it isn’t politically convenient to do so."

Pennsylvania Congressman Chris Carney is backing Hillary Rodham Clinton in her continuing presidential bid, her campaign announced today.

Carney represents the Keystone State’s 10th district. The superdelegate said in a statement: “I have watched this primary process very closely--and as I said I would do, I have weighed the temperament and leadership displayed by Senators Clinton and Obama during the course of this campaign. We are extremely fortunate to have two very strong candidates vying to lead our nation. Pennsylvania 's 10th District overwhelmingly chose Senator Clinton in the Pennsylvania primary and I will respect their decision. On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet with Senator Clinton, and let her know Thursday that I am supporting her.”

Rep. Brad Miller held true to his word. Just days after
Barack Obama’s win in North Carolina Tuesday night, Miller, a superdelegate is
pledging his support to the senator.

Miller told the Associated Press Thursday that Obama is
capturing the nation’s desire for change in Washington, D.C.

“If Senator Obama and Democratic candidates up and down the
ticket win this year and then deliver next year, we can build a consensus that
will last a generation,” Miller told the AP.

Last month Miller told me that he would vote the way
his constituents did. (see previous post) Obama won Miller’s 13 Congressional
District with 63 percent of the vote, or 75,929. Hillary Clinton received 35.1
percent of the vote, or 42,415 votes.

A Colorado artist has been selected to design the credentials for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

The national party’s convention committee picked Kristi King, a graphics designer in Arvada. The committee said in its release that King “will incorporate images and landmarks reflecting Denver's rich history and diversity into the look of the credentials.”

Credentials are a keepsake and much-sought-after, as the cards give access to the hall to delegates, members of the media and other guests during Convention week.