Clinton supporters confident on KY, question Chandler's Obama endorsement

Hillary Clinton's Kentucky Campaign Chair Jerry Lundergan

Top Kentucky supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential bid participated in a conference call with reporters today to blast assertions from the campaign of Senator Barack Obama that the nominating process could end before the Kentucky primary.

Clinton's Kentucky Campaign Chair Jerry Lundergan, Co-chair and Louisville's 9th District Metro Council member Tina Ward-Pugh, and state Senator Ray Jones (D-Pikeville) all joined in the call, along with the Clinton campaign's Kentucky communications director Jamie Radice.

The spark for the discussion, Radice said, was an Obama campaign e-mail sent to supporters that suggested the Democratic nomination could be secured by Obama before the May 20 Kentucky primary.

"We disagree," said Lundergan. "We think the people of Kentucky need the chance to have their voices heard. For the first time, Kentucky is going to play a role...Our citizens have the right to participate in the nominating process."

Lundgeran also suggested large Clinton leads in recent polls may be encouraging Obama to avoid the Commonwealth.

"Kentuckians are flocking to Clinton's campaign," said Lundergan. "Maybe that is why the Senator from Illinois does not want to come to Kentucky to campaign, and maybe that is why the Senator from Illinois does not want to have an election in Kentucky."

Jones noted former President Bill Clinton, presumptive GOP nominee Senator John McCain, and former Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards all paid visits to the eastern Kentucky area he represents. He voiced his displeasure at the fact that Obama had yet to come to the area.

"Every major candidate understands the importance of the people in eastern Kentucky and Appalachia, except Senator Obama," said Jones.

On Chandler's endorsement and Obama superdelegates

The Clinton supporters also argued today's endorsement of Obama by Kentucky superdelegate and 6th District Congressman Ben Chandler would be balanced out by strong support within his district for Clinton.

"Congressman Chandler knows most likely the 6th Congressional District is going to go in favor of Senator Clinton," said Lundergan.

"At some point - while he may personally support Barack Obama - if his district goes for Hillary Clinton, he has to make a decision," suggested Jones. "Does he go contrary to majority of Democrats in central Kentucky? This is a decision we will have to see when the time comes."

Ward-Pugh also said she expected Obama superdelegate and Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) to switch his support to Clinton, should the New York Senator take Yarmuth's 3rd Congressional District.

"I fully anticipate on the evening of May 20 or the morning of May 21 to be able to pick up the phone and say ‘Congressman, welcome to Team Hillary," said the Councilwoman.

Focus on Electoral College

The supporters on the call all stressed their belief that the "momentum" of the campaign was with Clinton.

Lundergan also said he thought the debate over selecting between Senator Obama or Senator Clinton should be reframed.

"The picture should be focusing on electoral college votes and which one of the two candidates is most electable," said Lundergan.

Lundergan closed by saying the Clinton campaign would be "running up the number in popular vote as fast as we can."

"That's why Kentucky is important and why Senator Obama doesn't want Kentucky to be counted," said Lundergan, suggesting large poll leads for Clinton could give her a significant boost in the popular vote column.