Washington: Sen. Barack Obama has undoubtedly given crushing defeats to Sen. Hillary Clinton recently, but he still lacks confidence of superdelegates, who can play vital role in the absence of a clear-cut winner.

With Tuesday wins, Obama has won 23 of the 35 sanctioned Democratic primaries and caucuses so far, but he is far behind lady Clinton as far as the confidence of superdeligates in concerned; Clinton still has the support of more superdelegates than Obama.

According to a media survey, the strong possibility even after Obama's wins Tuesday is that neither Obama nor Clinton are going to emerge with a clear victory from the primary balloting, and the 796 Democratic Party insiders will play crutial role in break the tie between the two. Survey articulates that Hillary Rodham Clinton still has the support of the majority of superdelegates.  

Mannie Rodriguez, a "super delegate" and one of the 796 Democratic Party insiders from Colorado, openly supported Clinton. He has the right to back Clinton, no matter that Colorado and a majority of other states have so far chosen Obama. Rodriguez said, "I do not go with the candidate who is always winning. I go with the candidate I believe in."

The chairman of the state party in Indiana and a super delegate, Dan Parker also feels just as strongly and same as Rodriguez. Parker said, "I have made my decision, and I am supporting Sen. Clinton, and that is not going to change."

Hence, besides preparing for Wisconsin and Hawaii vote next Tuesday, Clinton and Obama camps are devoting a huge amount of energy to gain the support of maximum number of the super delegates, most of whom are members of Congress or party officials.

According to unscientific media survey, Clinton has won pledges from just over 200 super delegates so far, and Obama from about 150. The super delegates can change their allegiance at any time.

According to an Associated Press tally, Tuesday wins have pushed Obama ahead for the first time in the race for delegates overall.

Obama will certainly use his victories to convince the super delegates such as Parker and Rodriguez to change the minds in his favor. Definitely, victories will help Obama to impress superdelegates.

According to the Survey, some super delegates think that the party insiders should be wary of overturning the collective decision of rank-and-file Democratic voters; this has triggered up a hot debate on the role of superdelegates in the entire process.

Donna Brazile, a party strategist and super delegate who has threatened to quit her post with the Democratic National Committee if super delegates decide the race, said, "My one vote shouldn't matter more than a voter who stood in a long line in the rain in St. Louis to vote."