Michael Buckley

Johnson stumps for Clinton in February: Politicker PhotoPrince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson's decision to leave Hillary Clinton for Barack Obama rasies the question of how pledged is a pledged delegate?

Johnson told The Washington Post today he could not “in good conscience” go to the Democratic National Convention and continue to support Clinton.

Johnson is one of 28 so-called pledged delegates committed to Clinton within the state. In the Maryland primary last February, Obama defeated Clinton by a margin of 61 to 36 percent.

So, could Johnson legally support Obama at the convention if so desires? If so, could he do it on the first ballot? According to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the answer is yes.

Michael Buckley, the Communications Director of the group Maryland for Obama, told PolitickerMD.com today that the organization will provide Maryland supporters with the opportunity to join the campaign on two separate bus trips to Ohio this weekend and next weekend. The Buckeye State is the sight of the crucial delegate-rich March 4 primary.

Obama, who currently leads Sen. Hillary Clinton by approximately 150 pledged delegates, trails his rival in recent Ohio polls, though the gap is narrowing. The two are in a statistical dead-heat in the Texas primary, also being held on March 4.

With Sen. Barack Obama's schedule understandably a little busy these days, Jim Shelton and Theresa Shaver are getting one of his top Maryland surrogates for their fundraiser today: Attorney General Doug Gansler.

Gansler will meet with supporters at Shelton and Shaver's Boyds house party this afternoon hoping to raise awareness and money on behalf of Obama's presidential bid.

"We have become strong Obama supporters and are interested in generating additional support," Shelton told PolitickerMD.com.

He said the response to the event from the local community "has been quite strong."

Maryland for Obama has released a statement in regards to yesterday's surprise loss in New Hampshire.

Putting an "extraordinary five days" since the Iowa caucuses into perspective, spokesperson Michael Buckley describes Obama's challenge to Sen. Hillary Clinton as one against "the long-term entrenched representative of the Democratic establishment."

"Two months ago, and even two weeks ago, he was projected to lose in Iowa and to lose big in New Hampshire," Buckley said.

"This is a great night," Michael Buckley, the communications director of Maryland for Obama, said during an interview with PolitickerMD.com. "It shows a great deal of enthusiasm for Barack Obama."

As of 10:20 PM (EST), with 96% of precincts reporting, Obama was the projected winner in the Iowa Democratic caucus with 38 percent of the vote, compared to 30 percent for John Edwards and 29 percent for Hillary Clinton. Buckley said the results demonstrated "diverse support," for the senator from Illinois.

Barack Obama: By Rob TornoeOrganizers Claim Activity In Every County

The state group Maryland for Obama, which is led by Rep. Elijah Cummings and Attorney General Doug Gansler, expressed confidence in Sen. Barack Obama's chances of winning both the Iowa caucus and the Maryland Democratic presidential primary.

During an interview yesterday with PolitickerMD.com, Michael Buckley, the communications director for Maryland for Obama, said the senator from Illinois would do "very well" in Iowa, where the caucus is scheduled for tonight.

He also said campaign volunteers from Maryland "felt great" about the responses they received from residents during their travels to Iowa and other early states like New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Buckley did not say exactly how many Marylanders had traveled on Obama's behalf, but estimated that "several hundred people" had gone to the early states.

Like the rest of the nation, Marylanders rang in the New Year as the ball dropped in Times Square and 2008 began. For political enthusiasts, the great celebration marked the beginning of an exciting election year. The Iowa caucuses are nearly upon us, and citizens in the Hawkeye State will have an immense say in who the nominees are in the Democratic and Republican parties. Caucus watch parties are planned throughout Maryland tomorrow night, as state supporters of the various presidential candidates will gather in support of their candidate.

The campaign of Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois will have a full contingent of Maryland supporters gathered in front of television screens Thursday night. A series of caucus watch parties have been planned on the senator's state campaign website, MarylandforObama.us. The state group, Maryland for Obama, who runs the site, is headed by Rep. Elijah Cummings and Attorney General Doug Gansler. Watch parties are scheduled in Baltimore, Lutherville-Timonium, Chesapeake Beach, Easton, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Brandywine, and Frederick.