Superdelegates endorse Obama

Washington - The movement of Democratic superdelegates to presidential hopeful Barack Obama gained steam on Friday, with endorsements expected from two more lawmakers.

Obama spokesperson Dan Pfeiffer said the Illinois senator plans to receive the endorsement of Rep Peter DeFazio of Oregon at an event on Friday in his home state. Oregon holds its primary on May 20.

While polling in the Oregon has been sparse, Obama is believed to hold a significant advantage over New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. With DeFazio, he will have the endorsement of three of the state's four Democratic House members. Reps Earl Blumenauer and David Wu earlier endorsed Obama, while Governor Ted Kulongoski and Rep Darlene Hooley have endorsed Clinton.

In New Jersey, Donald Payne - a black congressman who had been backing Clinton for the nomination - is switching his support to Obama, Pfeiffer confirmed.

Clinton won the New Jersey primary on February 5.

"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 in Newark, New Jersey. It was "one of the most difficult decisions I have made," Payne said. "I've really been mulling it over for quite a while."

Obama's endorsements from superdelegates has picked sharply since Tuesday, when he soundly defeated Clinton in North Carolina's primary and held her to a narrow victory in Indiana.

The latest contests leave Obama with 1 849.5 delegates to Clinton's 1 697, with 2 025 needed to win the nomination. With just six contests remaining and 217 elected delegates at stake, it is mathematically impossible for either candidate to secure the necessary number. This makes the support of the roughly 800 superdelegates - party officials and lawmakers free vote as they chose ? vital.

- AP