by: RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer 4/23/2008 12:00 AM OKLAHOMA CITY -- Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday said he intends to cast his lot -- and his Democratic National Convention vote -- with Illinois senator Barack Obama.
"I believe Senator Obama is uniquely positioned to unite our nation and move beyond the divisiveness and partisan skirmishes that too often characterize politics as usual in Washington," Henry said in a prepared statement issued through the Obama campaign.
Henry thus became the third Oklahoma "superdelegate" and the second in a week to pledge for Obama. In doing so, he went against the results of the Feb. 5 state Democratic primary in which Sen. Hillary Clinton won 54 percent of the vote to 31 percent for Obama.
"Senator Obama understands that the serious concerns facing average Americans must transcend partisan games if we are to rise to the challenges of today and tomorrow," Henry said.
Obama said he appreciated Henry's ability to work with both Republicans and Democrats.
"Gov. Henry . . . has achieved real results by reaching across the aisle to tackle the state's big challenges," Obama said.
Thirty-eight of Oklahoma's national convention delegates were allocated according to the results of the state primary. Twenty-four went to Clinton and 14 to Obama under the party's proportional allocation system.
The delegates themselves were elected during the state convention in late February.
"Superdelegates" earn their spots by serving in high public office or through party service and are unpledged.
Superdelegates have had little impact on previous conventions because the party's nominee has won the nomination through the state primaries and conventions. This year, however, it appears unlikely either Obama or Clinton can win without support from a substantial number of superdelegates.
Henry follows Edmond attorney Reggie Whitten and state party vice-chairwoman Kitti Asberry in committing to Obama.
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