Jimmy Carter Hints Possible Endorsement for Obama
MALVEAUX: You're in THE SITUATION ROOM. Happening now, former President and superdelegate Jimmy Carter drops a heavy hint about which Democrat he's supporting, but stops short of an endorsement. What impact will it have on the Clinton- Obama battle? Also, new developments in the tension between Clinton and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who endorsed Obama. Find out what Clinton denies she said to him. Plus, we will show you how many Americans believe the country is ready to make history with either a black president or a woman president -- all of this, plus the best political team on television. Wolf Blitzer is off today. I'm Suzanne Malveaux. And you're in THE SITUATION ROOM. Something Jimmy Carter said has many people wondering. The former president, who is also a Democratic superdelegate, has not endorsed a candidate, but he is making it clear whom he really, really likes. Our Brian Todd joining me now. And, Brian, it seems to me like we have heard some pretty strong hints today.</s>BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Some very strong hints, Suzanne. He all but says he supports Barack Obama. The question now is, does it tilt this over-so-tight Democratic race?</s>TODD (voice-over): As senior statesman and superdelegate, Jimmy Carter was seen as a leader who could help Democrats broker a deal on the nomination between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. But now that idea may be out the window. The former president, quoted in a Nigerian newspaper, says: "My children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My grandchildren are also pro-Obama. As a superdelegate, I would not disclose who I am rooting for, but I leave you to make that guess." An aide to President Carter confirms the quote is accurate, but reiterates the former president's position that he will remain uncommitted until the Democratic Convention. Still...</s>TAD DEVINE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: His sentiments clearly are that he supports Barack Obama and he intends to do so as a delegate and to help him in his campaign.</s>TODD: A Clinton spokesman said both Senator and Presidential Clinton have a great deal of respect for Jimmy Carter, that he's free to make whatever decision he thinks is appropriate, and, "people will be interested in the choice he makes." Carter's remarks are not a formal endorsement. And Democratic strategists say this does not rise to the level of Obama's endorsements from Bill Richardson and Ted Kennedy, who are also superdelegates. Hillary Clinton still has the lead in the superdelegate count, but the trend of superdelegate support has tilted heavily in Obama's favor since Super Tuesday. And one Democratic strategist, not aligned with any candidate, says that may continue.</s>DEVINE: Most of the superdelegates who today are uncommitted are from states that Senator Obama has won. And I think that's going to make the challenge for the Clinton campaign all that tougher.</s>TODD: Now, the Obama campaign would not comment on the former president's remarks. When we asked if they had any hint of this was coming, if Mr. Carter had given them any private indications of support, an Obama spokesman said no comment to that, too -- Suzanne.</s>MALVEAUX: Brian, thank you so much. And joining us to talk about what Carter said and much, much more, CNN senior political analyst, Gloria Borger, here in Washington; CNN's Jack Cafferty in New York; and CNN's senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, in Chicago. They are all part of the best political team on television. I want to start with you, Candy. Is this a watershed moment for Obama, to see the comments of Carter? Are we beginning to see, really, a turn with the superdelegates heading in his direction?</s>CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I think it's a nice moment for him. But there are still enough superdelegates out there that have not decided that can totally sway this race. I think they're mostly holding their fire. Brian is exactly right. Obama has been picking up superdelegates at a faster rate than Hillary Clinton. But you and I know that this race does change. But I think a lot of people, more and more, are looking at that map, beginning to count on their fingers like who can make it, who can't make it. And, you know, they're beginning to choose sides. But I think you will see the bulk of them -- and by that I mean as many as could decide this election -- really wait until June.</s>MALVEAUX: And, Gloria, I talked to a Clinton supporter -- a surrogate today -- who said there's a lot of pressure on these superdelegates to hold off. Why do you think they've been so effective with these superdelegates? Are these big time fundraisers? Why do you think they're pushing -- they're holding off a little bit here?</s>GLORIA BORGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, because, you know, holding off is easy. Holding off is sort of the easy thing to do, if your state hasn't voted yet or you want to see which way the wind is blowing. I mean, after all, these are elected officials. They want to go with a winner. So if they're not quite sure at this point who's going to win, they may hold back. But I agree with Candy, that I think after these primaries are really over in early June, you're going to see Howard Dean say to all of these superdelegates -- and he's going to be joined by a bunch of top Democrats -- who are all going to come out and say you folks now have to commit, because they don't want this to go to the convention.</s>MALVEAUX: Jack, I want to get to you. But on another issue here, we heard from Senator Clinton today, essentially denying that she had this conversation with Governor Bill Richardson, the former governor who is endorsing Barack Obama, telling him that she did not believe that Obama could win in the general election. Let's take a listen to this.</s>CLINTON: I have consistently made the case that I can win because I believe I can win. And, you know, sometimes people draw the conclusion I'm saying somebody else can't win. I can win. I know I can win. That's why I do this every day. And that's what my campaign is about. I'm in it to win it and I intend to do just that. That's a no.</s>MALVEAUX: Jack, it seems like a long and nuanced answer to what actually happened in that conversation. Perhaps we'll never really know what happened. But does it really make a difference at this point, this kind of ongoing feud between the Clintons and Richardson?</s>CAFFERTY: Well, you know, I don't know that it's an ongoing feud. He's endorsed Barack Obama. And for everybody except the Clintons, that's pretty much water over the bridge. The more telling thing is the experience that Bill Richardson had on the campaign trail and at the debates with Obama, with Hillary Clinton; his experience as a member of Bill Clinton's administration. I think of the endorsements that Barack Obama has gotten, the Bill Richardson one spoke volumes about how he views the two candidates. And he's probably in as good a position as anyone to have seen them up close and personally and observe the way they act when the cameras aren't on them. And based on his experience and alleged allegiance to the Clinton family, because of his experience in the Clinton administration, it was a huge endorsement for Barack Obama. It's not the first time she's suggested that Barack Obama is not electable. That's an old song and we've heard it from her before.</s>MALVEAUX: But, Candy, do you believe that this whole thing -- you know, we've heard these reports about the former President Clinton getting quite heated with some California superdelegates in meetings, that he was quite angry with Richardson. Is this kind of a signal to some of those other superdelegates, look, watch out here, you may have the wrath of this family and it may not be comfortable?</s>CROWLEY: You know, it's certainly not comfortable. But, you know, Suzanne, when Senator Dodd endorsed Barack Obama, he talked about what he said was a not comfortable phone call with the Clintons. I think there are a couple of things going on. I think it does feel personal when someone that has -- you are friends with, someone that, in fact, has served in your administration -- at least in President Clinton's administration -- opts for Barack Obama. Now, politics isn't personal. You know, it's that whole thing about getting a dog if you want a friend.</s>CROWLEY: So I think all of these conversations are, in fact, very hard to have. And Bill Richardson's, in particular, seems to have been very bad. As you know, there is some suggestion out there that he signaled the Clintons that he was going to be on her side. And I think that's added to it. But I think for precisely the reasons that Jack is now talking about, the closeness with which Richardson saw Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and also his sort of history he has with the Clinton administration -- both Clintons...</s>MALVEAUX: OK.</s>CROWLEY: ...made it kind of one of those bright endorsements that people paid a lot of attention to.</s>MALVEAUX: And, Gloria, we'll get to you at the other side of this break real quick.</s>BORGER: Sure.</s>MALVEAUX: Did John McCain want to be John Kerry's running mate in 2004? The former nominee is speaking out about who approached whom with the idea. And is John Edwards open to being a running mate with either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama? Find out what he's saying about the possibility. Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.