Uncommitted Status Has Benefits, Says Fla. Superdelegate

Wed, May 14, 2008 - 2:58 PM

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, a Democrat from Palm Beach Gardens and one of Florida’s uncommitted superdelegates, says he’s enjoying quality face-time with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton by not endorsing either.

Mahoney’s been invited to another meeting tonight in Washington with Clinton, after meeting with her last Wednesday. He’s also had a semi-private meeting with Obama, along with about six other superdelegates.

As Mahoney sees it, his main goal during such get-togethers is to insist Florida’s delegates get seated at the party nominating convention; he won’t even consider endorsing either candidates until that is assured, Mahoney said.

But Mahoney also says his uncommitted status is providing opportunities to talk to both potential presidential candidates about issues important to Florida, and “once you are with one or the other, you can’t talk to the other one.”

Will he ever endorse, then?

“The answer is eventually – not now,” he said in an interview.

More generally, Mahoney says he feels uncomfortable with the role of “superdelegate,” a role he got by virtue of his elected position in Congress.

He said he doesn’t like the idea that “some folks,” such as himself, are simply given that status and can show up at the nominating convention.

Still, Mahoney says he will attend the convention to perform his role of superdelegate, if he has to do so.

He also admits he didn’t even know he was a super delegate by virtue of being a congressman until a reporter called and told him.

“That was a surprise,” he said.

-- Billy House