Some superdelegates just biding their time

WASHINGTON -- Debra Kozikowski's neighbors in Chicopee, Mass., voted in the Democratic presidential primary two months ago, but she is still bombarded by letters and e-mails imploring her to choose between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

She's in no rush to choose.

As vice chairwoman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, Kozikowski is a sought-after superdelegate — one of nearly 800 party leaders and elected officials likely to decide the Democratic nomination.

"Until America has (its) say, I'm going to wait to have mine," she said. "I don't want voters … to feel as though superdelegates are sweeping down and making the decision for them."

Pennsylvania's primary is Tuesday, but dozens of uncommitted superdelegates told USA TODAY and Gannett News Service that they feel little pressure to resolve the heated nomination battle before the last primaries on June 3. Few said they expected the ongoing fight to damage their party's chances in November.

"There's absolutely no urgency for any superdelegates … to worry about closing this thing down," said Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., whose White House bid ended in January.

Biden, a superdelegate because of his seat in Congress, said that surging voter registration in the states with upcoming contests shows enthusiasm among Democrats is high. "That's good stuff, man," he said. "When people vote in the primary, that is the surest sign they're going to vote in the general election."

Because neither Clinton nor Obama is expected to capture the 2,025 delegates needed for the nomination by winning the 10 remaining primaries and caucuses, the votes of superdelegates are likely to decide the race.

As a result, the candidates and their surrogates are working hard to woo the roughly 250 uncommitted superdelegates and to prevent defections from those who already have pledged their support.

"Former president Clinton offered to shine my cowboy boots and wash the window on my pickup," said Dennis McDonald, chairman of the Montana Democratic Party. "He was kidding, of course, although they need polishing."