Rep. Clyburn Endorses Obama as Other Superdelegates Prepare to Choose

Clyburn said he had advised Obama to reintroduce himself to the American people in the next few months by emphasizing his life story. “That is the kind of life expericne I think he has to share with the voters going forward for them to get a better idea of who and what he is,’’ he said.

Obama should tell the story of an ‘’ordinary person raised by extraordinary grandparents and a mother who made extraordinary sacrifices,’’ Clyburn added.

Clyburn said Obama, who won the South Carolina primary early in the year, “has created levels of energy and excitement that I have not witnessed since the 1960’s.”

“Recent surveys indicate that Senator Obama is by far the most preferred presidential candidate among Democrats and independents, and I believe he is the most electable candidate that Democrats can offer,” Clyburn said, rejecting an argument that Clinton has repeatedly made to wavering superdelegates.

Clyburn said Obama’s appeal to young people and independents “is especially exciting,” adding, “Our party cannot hope to continue our recent successes if we don’t continue to attract new voters.”

Senators Hang Back a Bit

Among those watching Tuesday’s voting were 17 uncommitted Senate Democrats, several of whom met Monday to discuss their next moves. They will gather again Wednesday.

Freshman Sen. Claire McCaskill , D-Mo., who supports Obama, said she a number of the 17 undeclared senators would wait to see if superdelegates outside the Senate give Obama the margin he needs to declare victory over Clinton.

“I think that because these are our colleagues . . . there has been some reluctance on the part of some of the senators to try to be the deciding delegates,” McCaskill said.

“We’re conflicted here . . . because we have huge regard and affection for both Hillary and Barack,” said Sen. Thomas R. Carper , D-Del., one of the uncommitted senators who met Monday at the headquarters of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Monday to discuss how and when to declare their preference.

Sens. Tom Harkin , D-Iowa, and Ken Salazar , D-Colo., were leading the effort to get their colleagues to pick a candidate soon. Salazar joked that he was now serving as the leader of a new clique: “I’m in the Peacemaking Caucus,” he said.

Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin , D-Md., said he wanted to see the outcome of Tuesday’s elections before declaring his intentions either late Tuesday or early Wednesday. “I thought it was fair to wait till the primary process was over in a close election,” Cardin said.

But he added, “My view, and this is just my view, is that this should be resolved this week. It needs to be completed. It’s time.”

Rep. Clyburn Endorses Obama as Other Superdelegates Prepare to Choose

Salazar said he wanted to hear what Clinton says Tuesday night. He said Obama’s backers had been urging him in recent days to make an immediate annoucement. “The supporters of Sen. Obama would like me to take a position now,’’ Salazar said. “But I think we need to allow an opportunity for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton , D-N.Y., to do what people expect her to do.”

Sen. Russ Feingold , D-Wis., who has said he voted for Obama in his state’s primary and is inclined to support him, said Tuesday that it was important for superdelegates not to usurp the process this late in the game.

“People are just edgy because it’s taken so long,” Feingold said. “It’s not in anyone’s interest to be harsh or over-aggressive.”

Montana Democrat Max Baucus said he would issue an endorsement Tuesday night and will support whoever wins his state. He said the party should unite “quickly” behind a nominee once the primaries are over.

Baucus said he had been invited to Wednesday’s meeting of undecided superdelegates but that — at least for him — the meeting will come too late.

“By tomorrow, I will have already declared.,” he said.

Kathleen Hunter contributed to this story.