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Crossposted at The Nebraska Progressive:

There's been quite a bit of talk this election cycle about how Superdelegates might be the deciding factor in this years Presidential election. There are over 800 of them and they include elected officials, party leaders, and past Presidents. So we know where Bill Clinton's vote is going but just who are Nebraska's Superdelegates and where is their vote headed?

The Omaha World Herald ran a story on them this morning:

The Nebraska Democratic Party will send 31 delegates to the national party convention in Denver. Of those; 24 are pledged delegates and obligated to vote based on the Feb. 9 caucus results. Sixteen will cast ballots for Barack Obama and eigh for Hillary Clinton.

The other's are superdelegates -- party leaders who are free to vote for any candidates...

   

U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson - Obama

   

National Committeeman Vince Powers - Obama

   

National Committeewoman Kathleen Fahey - Obama

   

Chairman of the DNC's Native American Caucus Frank LeMere - Obama

   

Party Chairman Steve Achepohl - Undecided

   

First Associate Chairwoman Audra Ostergard - Undecided

   

To be determined at the state convention - ???

This leaves the Superdelegate count at 6 Obama, 0 Clinton, 3 in play. Achepohl and Ostergard have said they plan to wait until after Tuesday to make a decision.

The seventh delegate will be voted on at the convention, no candidates have officially announced but word is that Nebraska for Obama Chairman Sol Kleinsmith is going to make a run for it. Which of course means that delegate would go to Sen. Obama.

All of the Superdelegates may vote for whomever they choose, and are not obligated to vote for the candidate they endorse - that includes the elected superdelegate. It is an interesting process to say the least. I will be interested to see where outgoing State Chair Steve Achepohl's vote goes - he has strong ties to the Clinton's, but may vote with the will of the Nebraska people who overwhelming supported Barack Obama in the Feb. 9th Caucus.

Great news for Obama with another big name endorsement for Obama...and another superdelegate.

OMAHA, NE - Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) today endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing Obama's ability to bridge the partisan divide and to carry Democratic candidates across the country to victory in 2008.

"Those of us on both sides of the aisle who have made it our purpose to set aside partisanship to address some of the important issues of the day want a president that will join the effort, not foil it. Barack Obama, to me, represents the best hope for our own political reconciliation and a future where the cogs of government are working smoothly for progress instead of being gummed up by partisanship," said Senator Nelson. "Barack Obama will be the strongest candidate in the heartland, because he puts solutions and consensus fist and he inspires great crossover appeal among Republicans and independents."