Bill’s campaign chief backs Obama

THE man who served as national manager of former President Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign endorsed Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday.

David Wilhelm, who was led Mr Clinton’s campaign and later became chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said Mr Obama had the unique ability to encourage cooperation as a 65% president after the divisive years of a 51% majority.

He was referring to the notion that Mr Obama could govern the country with the support of a large coalition, as opposed to more polarised support for President George W Bush.

Mr Wilhelm is a superdelegate who was previously uncommitted in the race. His endorsement helps Mr Obama in the race for delegates.

Ms Clinton remains considerably ahead in superdelegates, who can vote however they choose at the nominating convention.

If the race for pledged delegates based on outcomes in caucuses and primaries remains tight, superdelegates could decide the nomination.

Mr Obama leads the delegate race with 1,224 to 1,198 to Clinton, according to the latest count by The Associated Press.

Persuading superdelegates to back Mr Obama will be a crucial role for Mr Wilhelm in the Obama campaign, he said.

“The only reason this race appears to be closer than it actually is is the number of superdelegates that bought into Senator Clinton’s inevitability early — too early, it seems,” Mr Wilhelm said.

The Clinton campaign predicts after March 4 primaries in Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island, they will be separated from Mr Obama by no more than 25 delegates.

Mr Wilhelm said the Democrats could never win a contest about experience over Sen John McCain but could win — with Obama — an election framed around change.