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Posted: 1:03 PM- Two Democratic superdelegates from Utah have promised to vote for Hillary Clinton at the Democratic convention.
But now they are not so sure.
Karen Hale and Helen Langan are two of Utah's six superdelegates, party insiders who can back either presidential candidate regardless of the results of the state primary.
But Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's commanding victory in Utah's Feb. 5 vote has softened their support for Clinton. Obama, who is considered the frontrunner after winning 11 contests in a row, took 57 percent of the vote in Utah to Clinton's 39 percent.
"It is a really tough decision," Langan said. "I feel an obligation that my vote reflect the way Utah Democrats voted."
As Hale puts it: "I'm conflicted."
Hale, a state party's executive committee member, and Langan, party committeewoman, say they are being inundated with e-mails and calls from Utahns urging her to change her allegiance. She has also been contacted by Obama's campaign.
"There has been a lot of pressure to change my vote," said Hale, who is still listed as a superdelegate for Clinton, as is Langan.
Hale and Langan work together in the office of Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. Langan was a staffer in Bill Clinton's administration, she worries that switching sides would be seen as slight to Hillary Clinton.
Hale said she is considering making the switch because some party insiders believe the excitement of an Obama candidacy will boost the chances of Utah Democrats running in state races.
Obama has picked up 25 superdelegates in the past two weeks, while Clinton has lost two, according to a national survey by The Associated Press. In all, there are about 800 superdelegates, who are mostly party insiders and elected officials. If the race remains close, it is likely that these superdelegates will make the difference for either Obama or Clinton.
As it stands now, Clinton maintains a lead in this category, with 241 superdelegates to Obama's 181, while Obama holds an overall delegate lead of 1,362 to 1,266.5. The first candidate to reach 2,025 delegates will become the Democratic nominee.
Utah's other superdelegates include Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and state party Chairman Wayne Holland. Neither man has said which candidate they will support. Matheson has denied repeated requests for an interview. Holland has made his decision, but said he is not ready to say who it is.
Bill Orton, Utah's Democratic committeeman and a former congressman, has endorsed Obama. The sixth superdelegate has not yet been named. Holland will name Utah's last superdelegate at the state convention in May.
Party activists and even the candidates have sparred over the role superdelegates should play at the national convention. Obama has said voters should decide the nomination and superdelegates should simply go along with the result of the state contests, while Clinton has repeatedly said the superdelegates should vote for whomever they believe will be the best candidate.
Utah's superdelegates are also split in how they see their roles. Orton sides with Obama and he said he would switch his vote to Clinton if she won more pledged delegates, which are awarded through primaries and caucuses.
Holland said he will pick the candidate that will most help the Utah Democratic Party.
Hale and Langan exemplify the tough spot many superdelegates find themselves in. They may play the role of kingmaker, however uncomfortable that might be.
"Most of us didn't expect to find our votes mattering so much this time," Langan said. mcanham@sltrib.com" Target="_BLANK">mcanham@sltrib.com