IDP Chairman & superdelegate R. Keith Roark officially announces support for Obama *UPDATE x4*

This brings Obama's superdelegate vote total to 279 to Hillary Clinton's 276.5. Roark will be holding a press conference via phone in a few minutes, and we'll try to get you more news as it comes in.

UPDATE #1 12:36PM -- Official press release from the Idaho Democratic Party:

After ‘careful consideration,’ IDP Chairman and superdelegate supports Obama nomination

The following statement was issued today by
Idaho State Democratic Party Chairman R. Keith Roark:

“After several months of careful consideration, I am announcing today that I will cast my vote this August at the Democratic National Convention for the next President of the United States, Senator Barack Obama. I have evaluated the two remaining candidates for our party’s nomination based upon the answers to three critical questions: 1) Who would make the better President of the United of the United States; 2) Who is more electable? 3) Who will run the stronger race in Idaho?

As to the question of who will make the better President of the United States I believe that both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama are exceptionally gifted leaders who can and will begin immediately to undo the damage that eight years of the unholy Bush-Cheney-Rove trinity has brought to our country. Both candidates are vastly superior to the presumptive Republican nominee. Each candidate would bring a different background, style and tone to the White House but they are both committed to essentially the same policies and I do not find that one is markedly superior to the other in their qualifications for office.

Second is the question of which candidate, if nominated, is more likely to prevent John McCain from serving out a third George W. Bush term. I have watched every debate between the candidates this year, carefully studied the results of every primary and caucus beginning with Iowa, I have tracked hundreds of polls and read hundreds of pages of election analysis. Both of our candidates can and will beat John McCain in November and I have no doubt that, ultimately, this great Democratic Party will pull together so that either candidate is eminently electable. My lingering concerns about Senator Obama’s ability to take hard punches and keep going were laid to rest with the results of the primary contests last week in North Carolina and Indiana.

Thirdly and most importantly from my particular position and point of view is the question of who will run the stronger race here in Idaho where Republicans have prevailed in every Presidential election since 1964. I have no doubt that Senator Obama will run the stronger race. The unprecedented enthusiasm Senator Obama has generated here in Idaho is unlike anything I have seen in my 31 years of active political participation in this State. He has captured the imagination and mint fresh optimism of young voters from Coeur d’Alene to Caldwell, from Murphy to Montpelier, from Twin Falls to Idaho Falls. I firmly believe that the critical process of rebuilding the Idaho Democratic Party will receive a once in a lifetime boost from Senator Obama’s candidacy.

I spent time just last Friday in Chicago with Senator Obama’s senior campaign staff and secured their commitment to place real campaign resources here in Idaho for the entire Presidential campaign – something we have not seen in decades. His campaign is committed to a grass roots approach to this campaign that meshes perfectly with our plans to rebuild the Idaho Democratic Party. I have also secured a commitment that Michele Obama will be visiting our State soon after the conclusion of the primary campaign and it’s likely that Senator Obama, who has a very special place in his heart for the warmth and enthusiasm he experienced here, will be back in Idaho before election day.

While I greatly admire Hillary Clinton, I believe strongly that her husband’s presidency, whatever it may or may not have done for the nation, was a disaster for Idaho Democrats and for Democrats throughout the Intermountain West. Our counterparts in Montana, Wyoming and Nevada have slowly but powerfully rebuilt their Democratic
State parties in the last eight years. Our day here in Idaho is coming and I cannot for a moment believe that a return to the polarizing politics of the past is in our best interests.

I have not come quickly or easily to this decision. Democrats are blessed to have two outstanding candidates vying for our party’s nomination at this defining moment in American history. I realize that my decision will disappoint a number of Idaho Democrats who have worked tirelessly for our party through thick and thin and are passionate in their support of Senator Clinton. Many good friends have contacted me personally to express their support for Senator Clinton and I thank them sincerely for their advice and counsel. I hasten to add that I am not suggesting that Senator Clinton should drop out of this phenomenal primary campaign. On the contrary, I think she should remain until the last primary votes are cast. Senator Obama owes Senator Clinton a debt of gratitude for making him a better and stronger candidate.

We can have only one nominee and I can make but one choice. There have been unkind cuts inflicted in this campaign - but we now have millions of new, registered Democrats, effective ground organizations in all fifty states and an electorate that realizes it has been lied to, cheated on and treated like dirt for eight long years and they aren’t going to take it any longer. We will soon join hands and when we do the Republican Dark Ages will come quickly to a well deserved end. Idaho’s super delegates are now united in their support for Barrack Obama. Idaho’s entire Democratic party will soon be united as well.”

Press notes:

Idaho has a total of five superdelegates; four have now committed to an Obama nomination; the final Superdelegate will be chosen at Idaho’s state party convention on June 12-14. Idaho also has 18 PLEDGED delegates. Of those, 15 will represent Obama, and 3 will represent Clinton. Those delegates will be chosen at the state convention as well.

UPDATE #2 1:21PM -- In a phone conference with IDP chair R. Keith Roark, as well as former Idaho congressman and current U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco, they both spoke of their tremendous support for Senator Obama's presidential campaign. Chairman Roark met with Senator Obama in Illinois last Friday, and came to his decision shortly after.

Chairman Roark also spoke of his great respect for Senator Hillary Clinton, and that his choice had nothing to do with personally liking one candidate more than the other, but which was best prepared to run again Arizona senator John McCain and win the office of President this November.

Roark observed that, after the last difficult six weeks that Senator Obama has had to deal with, he came out with flying colors and showed he can handle the nasty campaigning the GOP is prepared to throw his way during the rest of the election season.

During the call, Chairman Roark also mention that it was his belief that Idaho was the first state to have its entire slate of superdelegates commit to Senator Obama. Roark said the 5th superdelegate will be decided at the Idaho Democratic State Convention in June, but that it would almost certainly be in favor of Barack Obama.

UPDATE #3 2:15PM -- For more tasty nougat-filled posts about today's superdelegate smorgasbord, go check out the wunderbar writing at Red State Rebels and NewWest Boise.

UPDATE #4 2:39PM -- Geez, I almost forgot: During the phone conference I asked Chairman Roark if, during his meeting with Obama's crew last week, he had inquired if Senator Obama would be stopping back in Idaho before the November election. Roark said he couldn't confirm if the good Senator would make another visit to the Gem State anytime soon, but that it was quite possible that his wife, Michelle Obama, would drop back by the 43rd State for a visit sometime this Summer or early Fall. Considering how strong Idaho Democrats went for Senator Obama, that would be a nice gesture indeed.