DENVER – There are plenty of familiar faces in North Carolina's delegation to the Democratic National Convention - from congressman such as David Price, Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller to state legislative leaders such as House Speaker Joe Hackney and Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand.

David Parker, a veteran Democratic National Committeeman from Statesville, said he didn't know a large number of the delegates, many of whom are attending their first Democratic convention

Barack Obama will give a speech on the economy at the N.C. State Fairgrounds today.

Dome is at the event, where doors opened about a half hour ago.

So far, we've spotted a few of the usual suspects: U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, state Sen. Floyd McKissick, state Reps. Dan Blue and Ty Harrell, former lieutenant governor candidate Hampton Dellinger, former Raleigh City Councilman Brad Thompson and Capstrat founder Ken Eudy.

The campaign of Sen. Janet Cowell, who is running for state treasurer and lives nearby, is handing out fliers at the front of the Exposition Center building.

Update: Also in the crowd: Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, House Speaker Joe Hackney, Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, superdelegate David Parker, former state Auditor Ralph Campbell, state Reps. Linda Coleman and Jennifer Weiss, and Raleigh businessman John Crumpler.

State Treasurer Richard Moore just wandered through the press section by mistake and Dome asked what he was doing in our less illustrious section of the room.

"I don't know, but I'm going to do my best to get out of here," he said. 

The superdelegates in North Carolina mostly backed Barack.

Here's a breakdown of the state's 19 superdelegates in the Democratic presidential primary race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Clinton

Gov. Mike Easley
U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler
Susan Burgess, Charlotte Councilwoman

Obama

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield
U.S. Rep. David Price
U.S. Rep. Mel Watt
U.S. Rep. Brad Miller
Jerry Meek, N.C. Democratic Party chair
Dannie Montgomery, N.C. Democratic Party vice chair
Everett Ward, former Democratic Party director
Joyce Brayboy, public policy lobbyist
Jeanette Council, Cumberland County commissioner
Muriel K. Offerman, Democratic National Committee
David Parker, Statesville attorney
U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge
U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre

Carol Peterson, Buncombe County commissioner
Two delegates to be named at the state convention.

David Parker has endorsed Barack Obama. 

The Statesville attorney, a Democratic superdelegate long courted by Obama and rival Hillary Clinton, said Obama will not only make North Carolina competitive, but a winner for the Democrats, the Associated Press reports.

"It's time to focus on the finals instead of the regular season," Parker said. "It's time to get about the serious business about electing the next president of the United States."

Parker said he'd like to see Obama select Clinton as a vice presidential candidate.

Meantime, Buncombe County commissioner Carol Peterson, after listening to Clinton's speech from South Dakota in which she declined to concede the race, said she'd like to hold her endorsement until the party can conclude discussions about disputed delegates in Florida and Michigan.

"There are still some things out there, and I feel like everyone needs to be heard," Peterson said. 

David Parker's gut is about to report.

Parker is the Statesville lawyer who long relished his status as an uncommitted Democratic superdelegate. Back in February, he said, "Frankly, I'm torn both ways. My mind is with Hillary, my heart is with Obama, and I'm waiting for my gut to report."

He says he's going to declare tonight after polls close in Montana at 10 p.m. EDT, Jim Morrill reports. That's the official end of the primary season. So who will he choose?

"You do have a brain, I don't think it's too hard to figure out what an announcement after the polls close would mean," he says.

More uncommitted superdelegates are expected to announce for Barack Obama after the primaries are over. Obama already has nine of North Carolina's superdelegates to Hillary Clinton's three. Parker is one of five uncommitted. When he talks about the fall campaign, it's not hard to figure out who he'll come out for tonight.

"The thing that moves me is electability," he says. "And I firmly believe that when Obama begins to talk about issues of the economy ... his issues and his statements will resonate with the public."

David Parker will decide next week.

The Statesville attorney, a North Carolina superdelegate, says he will look to see what the final count of pledged delegates is after next Tuesday's primaries in Montana and South Dakota, the last in the country.

At that point, Parker said he has a simple calculation for his decision between presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton:

"If Obama or whoever is ahead by 30 to 50 (pledged delegates), I feel like the superdelegates have a green light to vote as they see fit," he told Dome. "At more than 150 pledged delegate lead, that's a read light for superdelegates and they should not do anything to thwart the will of the primaries and caucuses. In between 50 and 150, superdelegates should proceed with caution."

By the New York Times estimate, Obama is currently ahead by 200.5 delegates, but that number could change after tomorrow's meeting of the Rules & Bylaws Committee.

On that point, Parker has another suggestion. He thinks that the delegates from Michigan and Florida should only be allowed to vote after the first ballot at the convention.

"If you go to a second ballot, then everybody in the room is unpledged," he said.

Previously: The Hamlet Superdelegates.

David Parker, superdelegate from Statesville, takes issue with Dome's read that he likes the attention that comes with being  undeclared in the tight presidential primary.

"I don't know that I enjoy the attention. I enjoy talking about Democratic politics," he said.

Look for Parker's endorsement decision after June 3, when South Dakota holds the last primary. That will be "a logical time," Parker said.

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.

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.

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