Sen. Barack Obama, who has widened his superdelegate lead over Sen. Hillary Clinton considerably, stated on Wednesday that he expected to become the Democratic US presidential nominee after next week.

Obama, who just needs some 48 delegates more to clinch the nomination, got two more superdelegates added to his delegate count, when two Oregon superdelegates, State party Chairwoman Meredith Wood Smith of Portland and Democratic National Committeeman Wayne Kinney came out strongly for Obama.

Wood Smith - Wayne Kinney announced that they endorse Obama because he won last week's Oregon primary and has demonstrated leadership the country needs. Thus, the endorsements gave Obama a 6 to 2 lead in Oregon over Clinton, with four more of the state's superdelegates yet to declare.

Kinney is an aide in Sen. Ron Wyden's office in Bend. Josh Kardon, Wyden's chief of staff, is Hillary Clinton's Oregon campaign director.

In a statement, Smith said it was personally difficult for her to endorse Obama over Clinton. She said, "As a 65-year-old woman, I have a visceral understanding of the fight for gender equality. My deep respect for Sen. Hillary Clinton and what she means to that fight continues and will continue in the years to come," but Obama "demonstrates the leadership needed to get us out of Iraq, restore our economy, begin the tough job of providing health care for all Americans and, most of all, heal the divisions in our nation."

Kinney stated that while either Obama or Clinton would make good a president, "the skills that Sen. Obama has are more of what the country needs." Kinney said, "He has an ability to lead and inspire that is enormous. I would like to look at my president and feel inspired."