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As expected, President Bush vetoed the 2008 Farm Bill this afternoon, immediately unleashing criticism from some Capitol Hill Democrats.

“The president seems to be all hat and no cattle,” said Rep. Bob Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat who helped craft the bill’s final version, reports Barb Barrett. “By vetoing the farm bill the president is standing against rural America and families in need.”

The veto came as no surprise, with Bush saying all along that the five-year bill was too hefty and didn’t go far enough to reform subsidy payments to farmers.

Etheridge defended the bill, saying the “safety net” helps keep farmers afloat in uncertain times.

The House plans a veto override vote this afternoon. Both the House and the Senate passed the bill earlier this month with plenty of votes to override a presidential veto.

Sen. Hillary Clinton postponed a planned meeting today with U.S. Reps. Mike McIntyre and Bob Etheridge, both of whom are still being wooed by the Democratic presidential candidates.

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge also is scheduled to meet with Hillary Clinton today.

The Lillington Democrat and U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre of Lumberton are the only two uncommitted Democrats in the Tar Heel delegation, Barb Barrett reports.

Earlier: McIntyre meets with Clinton; Etheridge meets with Barack Obama. 

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre plans to meet today with Sen. Hillary Clinton as he continues to be wooed by the Democratic presidential candidates.

McIntyre and U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge are the only Democrats in North Carolina's congressional delegation who have yet to make endorsements in the race, reports Barb Barrett.

“I’m remaining uncommitted,” McIntyre said in an interview. “Both camps understand that. That doesn’t mean they’re not trying.”

McIntyre met twice with Sen. Barack Obama last Thursday, once as a member of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats, once with other Democrats from North Carolina.

McIntyre, of Lumberton, said he talked with Obama about the importance of beach renourishment and dredging the intracoastal waterway, both issues that have not been high priorities for the Bush administration.

McIntyre said he thinks all the states and territories ought to have their chance to vote in primaries this year, a sentiment echoed by the Clinton camp.

“The superdelegates’ role is to broker the best nominee,” McIntyre said.

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge had this to say about his meeting last week with Barack Obama in Washington:

"I had a chance to listen to him. It was the first time to have a personal, face-to-face conversation with him. You can tell a lot about a person that way."

So what did Etheridge, a superdelegate, learn?

"He’s a good listener, and that's always healthy in a leader."

Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat, said he had spoken with Hillary Clinton previously. So when is he making an endorsement?

"I don’t know. I haven't laid out a timeline yet."

Previously: Etheridge is uncommitted, has no plans to endorse, wants process to work, will support eventual nominee.

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge will support the Democratic nominee.

A spokeswoman for the Lillington Democrat took exception to a recent Dome post that took a guess that he was not endorsing either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama because he does not want to be tied too closely to the nominee in a conservative district.

Joanne Peters noted that Etheridge endorsed John Edwards in 2007 and campaigned for him in Iowa. He also endorsed Edwards in 2004 and supported the Kerry-Edwards ticket that year.

"He's supported and campaigned with other Democratic candidates in the past and fully intends to support the Democratic nominee in 2008," she said.

She said Etheridge is not endorsing because he "wants the process to play out," but she would not say whether that meant he would announce after the final primary on June 3, before the national convention or after one of the candidates drops out.

There are gradations of support after all. For example, endorsing a candidate long before the primary. Endorsing a candidate shortly before a primary. Saying you'll vote for the winner of your district. And waiting until someone is the nominee to endorse them.

Etheridge also supported Al Gore in 2000, but went out of his way at a debate to say he wouldn't be "cowtied by any president." And Edwards, a native son and a candidate popular in rural areas, is a different situation entirely.

To endorse or not to endorse?

That's the question for the five remaining uncommitted superdelegates from North Carolina in the presidential primary contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Here's a roundup of them and our best guess on why they haven't decided yet.

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre: Met with Clinton Thursday and his district went for her narrowly. Told AP that superdelegates should "let the process work." Translation: Does not want to be tied to Democratic nominee in conservative district.

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge: Met with Obama Thursday and his district went for him substantially. Repeatedly says he has no plans for endorsement. Translation: Does not want to be tied to Democratic nominee in conservative district.

Carol Peterson, Buncombe County commissioner: County voted for Obama by double-digits. Willing to wait until the Democratic convention. Obama and Clinton have both called her personally. Translation: Enjoying the attention.

David Parker, Statesville attorney: Impressed with Obama; interested in economy. Concerned about racial inequality. Does not think superdelegates have to follow the wishes of voters. Willing to wait until convention. Translation: Enjoying the attention.

Muriel Offerman, Democratic National Committee: Concerned about racially lopsided victory of Obama in North Carolina. Met Clinton, Obama several times. Says she won't decide until all states have voted. Translation: Will announce after June 3.

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge attended a meeting with Barack Obama today in Washington, but he did not go to a similar meeting with Hillary Clinton.

The Lillington Democrat, a superdelegate, hasn't made a decision about endorsements, said spokeswoman Joanne Peters.

"He has no plans to make an endorsement right now," Peters said.

So, when might he decide?

"He doesn't have a timeline," she said.

Etheridge's Second Congressional District went for Obama, 57 to 40 percent.

Update: Peters notes that Etheridge was not invited to the Clinton event. 

Previously: Etheridge uncommitted after election.

Jerry Meek has endorsed Barack Obama.

The Democratic Party chairman, a superdelegate, said this afternoon that he had decided to support Obama months ago but did not want to interfere with the state's primary.

"Over the past year, I've watched as Barack Obama has drawn countless new people to the political process," he said in a statement. "Although my position as State Chair has led me to remain neutral through the primary, I've quietly celebrated as Barack Obama offered new hope to millions of Americans who have lost faith in the American dream after years of disastrous Republican policies."

The announcement is balanced by U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler's decision to support the winner of his Congressional District, Hillary Clinton.

The two decisions leave North Carolina with three superdelegates for Clinton and eight for Obama.

U.S. Reps. Mike McIntyre, Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller; Buncombe County Commissioner Carol Peterson; Statesville attorney David Parker; Democratic National Committeewoman Muriel Offerman remain neutral. (Though Miller may be leaning towards Obama.)

Meek will also have the opportunity to sway two more delegates. As state party chairman, he will submit four names for two delegate slots to be filled at the state party convention on June 21.

It is not known whether Meek will choose to name Obama supporters for those positions.

After the jump, his full statement.

U.S. Rep. Health Shuler confirmed he is pledging his support for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, according to a spokesman.

Shuler, who had been an unpledged delegate, had said he would back the candidate who carried his 11th Congressional district.

Clinton carried the western district by 13 points during Tuesday's primary, though Barack Obama carried the state, Rob Christensen reports.

Shuler, a former NFL quarterback, is serving his first term in Congress.

Meanwhile U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge intends to stay uncommitted, according to a spokeswoman.

Shuler is only the third N.C. superdelegate to back Clinton. The others are Gov. Mike Easley and Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess.

Obama has the support of seven North Carolina superdelegates.