Obama picks up 6 superdelegates, union endorsement

Obama picked up the backing of six superdelegates, including Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who had been a Clinton supporter.

In addition, the American Federation of Government Employees announced its support for Obama. The union claims about 600,000 members who work in the federal and Washington, D.C., governments.

Obama, who won a convincing victory in the North Carolina primary and lost Indiana narrowly on Tuesday, has been steadily gaining strength in the days since.

Clinton also gained a superdelegate.

The developments left the former first lady with 271.5 superdelegates, to 269 for Obama. Little more than four months ago, on the eve of the primary season, she held a lead of 169-63.

Superdelegates are party leaders who attend the convention delegates by virtue of their positions, and are not selected in primaries and caucuses.

In addition to Payne, Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, two members of the Democratic National Committee from California and a party official in South Carolina announced they were supporting Obama.

"The election is over, everybody knows that. Obama has won," said Vernon Watkins, one of the two Californians.

So, too, John Gage, president of the AFGE.