Eight Edwards delegates now moving to ObamaPosted: 04:30 PM ET
From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby, CNN Senior Political Producer Sasha Johnson, CNN's Beth Rotatori
Obama picked up several of Edwards' delegates Thursday.
(CNN) – At least six of John Edwards' pledged delegates in South Carolina will throw their support to Barack Obama following Edwards’ endorsement of the Democratic frontrunner, bringing the total number of delegates switching to Obama on Thursday to eight.
One Edwards delegate from Iowa, Machelle Crum, came out for Obama on Thursday morning, as did New Hampshire delegate Joshua Denton. Crum made the decision after receiving a phone call from Edwards supporters encouraging her to make the switch.
In South Carolina, Daniel Boan, Christine Brennan-Bond, Robert Groce, Susan Smith, Mike Evatt and Lauren Bilton — all elected as pledged delegates for Edwards following his third place finish in the primary there on January 29 — announced Thursday they will follow Edwards’ lead and pledge their support to Obama at the Democratic National Convention in August.
John Moylan, the Columbia attorney who directed Edwards’ campaign in the state and is now serving as an alternate delegate for Edwards, appeared on CNN’s “American Morning” Thursday. He stated his support for Obama and hinted that more members of the Edwards delegation would follow later in the day.
“I didn't reach all eight of them, but I can tell you that at least six of the eight are prepared to endorse Senator Obama,” Moylan said this morning.
He added: “I think you will see overwhelming support of John Edwards delegates standing with John Edwards and now standing for Barack Obama.”
Bilton appeared on the show alongside Moylan and confirmed that she, too, is now supporting Obama.
Boan, Brennan-Bond and Groce, all reached by phone or e-mail, confirmed they will switch their commitment to Obama. In a separate e-mail, Moylan said that Smith and Evatt will also move into Obama’s camp.
The remaining two delegates supporting Edwards in South Carolina are Marilyn Hemingway, who told CNN she would continue to support Edwards, and Tim Moore, who said he is waiting until the primary process concludes before deciding whom to back.
Obama had reached out to Edwards' South Carolina delegation even before winning the endorsement of the former North Carolina senator. Last Thursday while in Washington, the Illinois senator arranged a conference call with the delegates to introduce himself and take questions about his campaign
Filed under: Barack Obama • John Edwards • South Carolina
