Obama gains six S.C. delegates

Most of supporters pledged to Edwards since the primary have switched

By JOHN O’CONNOR - joconnor@thestate.com

The majority of S.C. delegates earned by former presidential candidate John Edwards said Thursday they would vote for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama at the Democratic convention.

Of the state’s eight Edwards delegates, six announced they would support Obama. Two remain uncommitted.

Edwards, an S.C. native and former U.S. senator from North Carolina, endorsed Obama in Michigan on Wednesday night. He asked his delegates — 19 earned in three states — to vote for Obama.

Edwards earned more delegates — eight — in finishing third in South Carolina than in any other state. In 2004, Edwards won the South Carolina primary, and his support in the Palmetto State continues to run deep.

Under party rules, delegates are free to vote for whomever they choose.

“I was elected to represent John Edwards,” said Robert Groce, 40, a delegate from Summerville. “I will honor his request and vote for Obama.”

Groce said he has not followed the candidates as closely since Edwards dropped out Jan. 30 but said he could support either Obama or U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton from New York.

“I am very comfortable that either one could assume the office and do a good job. The party has really benefited from having so many good candidates.”

John Moylan, a Columbia attorney and Edwards’ top S.C. adviser, believed there would be strong support for Obama among Edwards’ delegates. Moylan released a list of those supporting Obama, including: Lauren Bilton of Columbia; Daniel Boan of Kershaw; Christine Brennan-Bond of Moore; Michael Evatt of Seneca; and Susan Smith of Pawleys Island.

In addition, Moylan, an alternate delegate, and state Rep. Bill Clyburn, a member of the platform committee, said they, too, would support Obama.

Barnwell resident Tim Moore said he would avoid the “feeding frenzy” and take some time to make a decision.

“I haven’t really had time to think about it,” Moore said. “I’m inclined to wait a little bit and see how things shake out.”

An eighth delegate, Marilyn Hemingway of Georgetown, also remained undecided.

“I am giving serious consideration of his decision to endorse Senator Barack Obama for President, and his endorsement will influence my choice for president,” Hemingway said in a written statement. “However, I am not prepared at this time to state the candidate that will receive my vote as a national delegate.”

The Associated Press reported at least one of Edwards’ New Hampshire delegates endorsed Obama.

As Obama tries to secure the Democratic nomination, S.C. Democratic Party executive director Joe Werner said every delegate matters.

Edwards’ endorsement also quashed chatter about Clinton’s resounding win Tuesday in West Virginia. Edwards’ delegates, if all endorse Obama, would more than make up the delegates Clinton gained in West Virginia.

Brennan-Bond said the decision to go with Obama was not an easy one. She and other Edwards delegates would work to incorporate his ideas into the party platform at the convention, particularly addressing the issue of poverty.

“It’s hard for many of us to feel like we’re in the position of abandoning him,” Brennan-Bond said. “But we’re not abandoning his ideals.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358.