Carol Peterson

North Carolina's superdelegates

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:57:05 -0400

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

Uncommitted

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

Parker endorses Obama

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:41:02 -0400

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.

The Hamlet Superdelegates

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:36:26 -0400

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.

Buncombe for Barack

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:10:19 -0400

Many uncommitted superdelegates have been swayed by the primary.

For elected officials, especially, the vote in their district or their state can be a pretty hard argument to overlook, since they will face those voters again.

So it's worth noting that uncommitted superdelegate Carol Peterson is a Buncombe County commissioner.

Buncombe went for Barack Obama, 55 to 44 percent.

Peterson told ABC News 13 in Asheville on Election Night that she wasn't ready to declare and may wait until the Democratic convention.

Meek endorses Obama

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:53:56 -0400

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.

Obama to announce two N.C. superdelegates

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:48:31 -0400

Barack Obama has snagged two North Carolina superdelegates.

Campaign manager David Plouffe will hold a conference call with reporters this afternoon to announce two new endorsements.

Charlotte City Councilwoman Susan Burgess has already endorsed Hillary Clinton, while U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, former Democratic Party director Everett Ward, party vice chair Dannie Montgomery and lobbyist Joyce Brayboy have endorsed Obama.

That leaves 14 more superdelegates. Two are add-ons who will be named at the state convention. One is party chairman Jerry Meek, who has said he will remain neutral.

That leaves Gov. Mike Easley; Reps. Heath Shuler, Mike McIntyre, Brad Miller, Bob Etheridge, David Price and Mel Watt; Buncombe County Commissioner Carol Peterson; Statesville attorney David Parker; Employment Security Commission employee Muriel K. Offerman and Cumberland County Commissioner Jeanette Council.

Obama will be in Raleigh and Greenville tomorrow, so today's announcement is likely strategically timed to give him a "momentum" story just as he comes to town.

Superdelegate: Carol Peterson

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:11:02 -0500

Carol Peterson will decide on the issues.

The Buncombe County commissioner, currently a member of the Democratic National Committee, will be a superdelegate at the national convention.

Formerly pledged to John Edwards, she says she isn't sure yet who she'll support if a clear winner doesn't emerge.

"I really am doing a lot of talking with folks in the party and a lot of research on both candidates," she told Dome. "Senator Clinton brings so much experience, while Senator Obama brings so much youth and energy and change. It's going to be a tough process."

Since her name was featured on the news as a superdelegate, Peterson said she has had her arms twisted by friends and Democratic officials, mostly for Clinton.

But she said she'll make her decision based on which candidate is a better "standard-bearer" for the party.

"You've got to look at it for the long haul," she said. "Who's going to be doing what's best for the country in three years and what is going to put them down as a wonderful president 20 years from now."