Nathan Smith

DENVER – Though it is ostensibly an Obama gathering, supporters of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) undeniably have a presence at this year’s Democratic National Convention in Denver. Among the rows of t-shirt vendors hawking Obama t-shirts and caps, some dedicated supporters of Clinton are making the rounds decked out in memorabilia harkening back to her presidential campaign that has been officially suspended since early June.

Pro-Clinton sentiment in the Kentucky delegation is noticeable, and for good reason: Clinton carried the state’s May 20 primary by 35 points over the eventual presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

As speculation abounds about the significance of a roll call vote with Clinton’s name on the ballot, some of the Commonwealth’s Clinton delegates are clear that they will vote for the New York senator if given the opportunity.

“I was elected by over 84,000 Democrats in western Kentucky to represent Hillary Clinton, and if her name is on the ballot, that is what I plan to do,” said delegate Pat Vincent, of Nebo, a former chair of the Hopkins County Democratic Party.

With today's "decision deadline" set by Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean looming, Kentucky's three remaining undecided superdelegates have finally made their endorsement in the now-completed Democratic presidential race today.

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington), Kentucky Democratic Party [KDP] Chair Jennifer Moore, and KDP Vice Chair Nathan Smith sat on the fence between the camps of candidates Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for weeks following Clinton's 35 point defeat of Obama in Kentucky's May 20 presidential primary.

According to a release dispatched today by the Kentucky Democratic Party, the three superdelegates will vote for Senator Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

As general election campaigns in the state kick into first gear, PolitickerKY.com will be providing full coverage of many of the major political events throughout the state. This weekend, expect full coverage on this site of the Kentucky Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and the Republican Party of Kentucky's state convention.

Tonight, prominent Democrats from throughout the state will gather in Lexington for the major annual J-J dinner. Among the guests expected are Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard), Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington), KDP Chair Jennifer Moore, and Vice-Chair Nathan Smith.

The last three account for all of Kentucky's remaining uncommitted superdelegate votes.Their joint appearance also falls on the day Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean set as the "deadline" for superdelegate decisions to be announced.

Despite Senator Hillary Clinton's (D-New York) big win on Tuesday in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the three remaining uncommitted superdelegates in the state sound like they aren't going to be picking sides anytime soon.

Today, Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) Chairwoman Jennfier Moore said she would continue to see how events unfold in forthcoming weeks before making her decision.

Moore specifically referenced the upcoming Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws meeting at the end of the month, from which a decision will emerge on whether delegations from Florida and Michigan are seated.

"I think its important to see what happens with Michigan and Florida on May 31," Moore told PolitickerKY.com this morning. "I anticipate that they’re going to try and work out some compromise where the delegations will be seated, but having a penalty assessed - which I think is appropriate."

Despite Senator Hillary Clinton's (D-N.Y.) resounding win in Kentucky's Democratic presidential primary over Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.), at least one of the Commonwealth's uncommitted superdelegates won't be picking sides any time soon.

Ryan Alessi of Polwatchers and the Lexington Herald-Leader reports Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) will see all the primaries through before he makes his decision.

"I haven't made any decision on that yet as a superdelegate," he said. "I do think Sen. Clinton ran very well of course here in Kentucky and obviously deserves the right to run out the primary races up through June 3."

Kentucky Democratic Party Chairwoman Jennifer Moore and her co-chair, Nathan Smith, are the state's other two uncommitted superdelegates.

Barack Obama superdelegate and Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) said he has participated in the lobbying of Kentucky's three undecided superdelegates today, but they remain in limbo.

Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) Chair Jennifer Moore, KDP Vice Chair Nathan Smith, and Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) all have not announced their intentions with regard to their superdelegate votes at this summer's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

"I have spoken with them. I know both candidates have tried to speak with them," said Yarmuth. "But, they have been pretty steadfast in remaining uncommitted."

Senator Hillary Clinton will make her return to Kentucky on May 9, just over a month after she appeared at a Louisville rally and the Governor Ruby Laffoon fundraiser in Madisonville.

This time, Clinton will be joining top state Democrats in Louisville for a fundraiser for the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP).

The event will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) at Chandler's endorsement announcement

LOUISVILLE -- Congressman and Barack Obama supporter John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) told PolitickerKY.com today that he spoke with his fellow Congressman Ben Chandler (D-Versailles) upwards of "twenty-five" times about Chandler's superdelegate role prior to Chandler's endorsement of Obama today.

"We've had conversations going back to last fall. We had probably twenty or twenty-five conversations about this. And I know this was a much tougher decision for him then it was for me. I think it took a little more courage than mine did, so I am very proud of him," said Yarmuth.