An Oprah Winfrey neighbor in California endorses Barack Obama

And then there were 10.

Given our particular interest in all things California, we've double-checked and confirmed that that's how many of the state's 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House remain uncommitted in their party's blistering presidential contest (no small matter since they're all convention superdelegates).

The number was reduced from 11 with Rep. Lois Capps of Santa Barbara (right) declaring her allegiance to Barack Obama. Indeed, today Capps was one of three "supers" coming out for Obama, even as the political world mulls how badly the latest contretemps sparked by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright damaged him.

The other two were Rep. Bruce Braley of Iowa and Rep. Baron Hill of Indiana (an especially interesting endorsement not only because of his state's impending primary, but because he represents one of the nation's most politically competitive districts.)

In their ever-so-tight race, Hillary Clinton countered with two new "supers" -- Democratic National Committee member Luisette Cabanas of Puerto Rico and AFL-CIO leader Bill George of Pennsylvania.

The moves were in line with recent trends in the hand-to-hand combat for superdelegates: Obama does well among those who are elected officials, while Clinton benefits from her institutional support within party ranks.

Capps is one of those with strong ties to the Clintons. Her daughter, Laura, worked several years ...

in Bill Clinton's White House (serving part of the time as a speechwriter). But that link was trumped by this one -- Laura recently wed Bill Burton, Obama’s national press secretary.

Personally, we wonder how much Capps was influenced by the fact that this campaign's most famous fund-raising event -- Oprah Winfrey's gala gathering at her vacation home in Montecito -- occurred within the congresswoman's district.

Capps made no mention of that detail in her endorsement statement. She did say that her decision had not been an easy one and that she has "enormous respect" for Clinton.

After praising Obama for his "proven judgment, his hopeful vision for America, and his unmatched ability to motivate millions of Americans eager for change," she added:

"Simply put, he has made a call to the better angels of our nature.  He is challenging us to lift ourselves out of the ugliness that increasingly consumes Washington, where the heat of your argument counts for more than the light it should bring."

So here's the current endorsement breakdown among the Democrats representing the Golden State in the House:

CLINTON BACKERS (16)

Mike Thompson (District 1, St. Helena); Doris Matsui (District 5, Sacramento); Lynn Woolsey (District 6, Petaluma); Ellen Tausher (District 10, Alamo); Tom Lantos* Jackie Speier(District 12, Burlingame); Dennis Cardoza (District 18, Atwater); Brad Sherman (District 27, Sherman Oaks); Hilda Solis (District 32, El Monte); Diane Watson (District 33, Los Angeles); Lucille Roybal-Allard (District 34, East Los Angeles); Maxine Waters (District 35, Los Angeles); Jane Harman (District 36, Venice); Laura Richardson (District 37, Long Beach); Grace Napolitano (District 38, Norwalk); Joe Baca (District 43, Rialto); Loretta Sanchez (District 47, Garden Grove).

* [UPDATE]: Lantos passed away on Feb. 11; Speier won a special election to replace him

OBAMA BACKERS (8)

George Miller (District 7, Martinez); Barbara Lee (District 9, Oakland); Anna Eshoo (District 14, Menlo Park); Zoe Lofgren (District 16, San Jose); Lois Capps (District 23, Santa Barbara); Adam Schiff (District 29, Burbank); Xavier Becerra (District 31, Los Angeles); Linda Sanchez (District 39, Lakewood).

UNDECLARED (10)

Nancy Pelosi (District 8, San Francisco); Jerry McNerney (District 11, Pleasanton); Pete Stark (District 13, Fremont); Mike Honda, (District 15, San Jose); Sam Farr (District 17, Carmel); Jim Costa (District 20, Fresno); Howard Berman (District 28, Valley Village); Henry Waxman (District 30, Los Angeles); Bob Filner (District 51, Chula Vista); Susan Davis (District 53, San Diego).

-- Don Frederick

Photo: Stephan Osman/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[John Quimby]

Lois Capps is my Representative. I am so glad that she remembered what the voters of her district said at the polls in the California Primary. Her district was solid for Senator Obama.

I'd like to think that Representative Capps has simply demonstrated once again that she is an honorable person worthy of her responsibility to represent us.

And furthermore, I read it here first! Thanks Ticket.

[OregonDan]

Way to go Louis,

Let's give Obama a chance. He may be the best President of our lifetimes, or he may suck-time will tell. But a new perspective and vision are deperately needed.

Californians have always led the country, so good to see you looking to the future!

[Tom J]

Doesn't it bother anyone that those coming out for Hillary just seem to talk about loyalty, particularly to Bill? Those coming out for Obama talk about excitement, engaging new voters, looking to the future - all positive things about the actual candidate. Maybe it's all the sub-prime stuff in the news, buy the Clinton supporters sound like they're just paying off a debt.

[threthan]

You folks make me sick. Obama has done nothing but give speeches. He's too lazy to serve even ONE term in the senate before running for President. He does nothing but talk.

The word "hope" doesn't solve anything. Experience and practical know-how solve problems.

If you want an actor, vote for Obama. If you want a true uniter who has proven through TWO terms as senator that she'll work with Republicans to SOLVE PROBLEMS, vote for HILLARY!

Hillary 2008!

If she loses the nomination, McCain is definitely my second choice based on his experience and similar history of crossing party lines to SOLVE PROBLEMS.

[keith]

"If you want a true uniter who has proven through TWO terms as senator that she'll work with Republicans to SOLVE PROBLEMS, vote for HILLARY!"

Which Hillary is this?

[Michael Keith]

Hillary is the anti christ!

[kenneth findlay]

WHY IS IT THAT HILLARY IS ALWAYS THE LAST ONE TO KNOW!!!!! IT'S OVER FOLKS

OBAMA 08

[Error]

You need to correct your list. While I know Congressman Lantos was supporting Clinton he has since passed away. I am not aware if Congresswoman Speier is supporting anybody in this race at this point.

[thebob.bob]

Why is Oprah relevant in this headline? Oh I forgot, it's California. It's over for Hillary, time to unite the Party and end the Republican disaster.

[NinaK]

You folks make me sick. Obama has done nothing but give speeches. He's too lazy to serve even ONE term in the senate before running for President. He does nothing but talk.

The word "hope" doesn't solve anything. Experience and practical know-how solve problems.

If you want an actor, vote for Obama. If you want a true uniter who has proven through TWO terms as senator that she'll work with Republicans to SOLVE PROBLEMS, vote for HILLARY!

Hillary 2008!

If she loses the nomination, McCain is definitely my second choice based on his experience and similar history of crossing party lines to SOLVE PROBLEMS.

posted by Threthan
------------------------
Oh, and what inspiring and motivating speeches he does give!! He is THE reason why we are seeing thousands upon thousands of young people getting involved in this election; he is THE reason why we are seeing HUGE turnouts at the voting booths and caucuses! He has ALREADY PROVEN he is a uniter!

Hillary, on the contrary, has proven she cannot run her own campaign (infighting, shakeups, poor money management, Bill's enraged temper trantrums--purple-faced, finger wagging/poining, popping throbbing veins, and squanty eyes), etc. etc. She divided the United States of America; those states with the BIG delegates are the only ones that count to her!! The smaller states with the smaller delegates are NOT important to her, nor are the caucus states, these states only do NOTmatter to her, she also said they are undemocratic!!! Now that we are at the end of the primaries, she suddently finds the remaining smaller states as important! What a hypocrite and a divider!!

Senator Obama is a great man of integrity, honest, wisdom, vision, good character, economical know how, has run a superb campaign second to none, and he is a tremendous leader!! I cannot say the same about Hilliary, she has NO integrity or dignity, she does NOT care about our citizenry; ALL she cares about is getting back into the White House; her unsatiable hunger for power has NO limits as she's proven time and time again. She is on a mission to satisfy her EGO, not on a mission on what is best for our United States. Hilliary has become a gross embarrassment to the Democrat party and to the United States olf America. She has also made bigger enemies by her loose and careless statements. I am glad Iran is taking her to task with the United Nations for her outrageous threat to "obliterate" Iran if they CONSIDER attacking Israel. You know what, with comments like this, Hilliary is inviting future 9/11 incidents!! Does she care? Heck NO!!! She is poison to our democracy, our safety, and our wellbeing!!

[Richard]

"If she loses the nomination, McCain is definitely my second choice based on his experience and similar history of crossing party lines to SOLVE PROBLEMS"

So you would prefer to vote for someone with the experience and know-how to screw you over and take your money? Mccain promised to leave the tax cuts for the rich in place, cut corporate taxes, continue a trillion dollar war, decrease the national deficit, deliver on healthcare, all while finding a way to also cut taxes for the middle class? Is he going to do all this with monapaly money?

Republicans say anything to get your vote. Bush said we would be greeted as liberators, the war would pay for itself and we would see gas prices drop as a result.

People like you believed him. People like you are now believing mccain. People like you should not be allowed to vote.

[jesse]

i suggest we all call for a more civil debate between democrats (and republicans). infighting in the dnc is a GOP goal, and it is having some success.

what does our ugliness and fighting say about our candidates and our nation?

let us debate policies and not make personal attacks.

i believe that the gas tax holiday issue speaks to Obama's wisdom and experience. economics experts are consistently agreeing with what seems to be common sense. the "holiday" would result in increased gas prices, and would likely benefit oil companies solely. i believe that this issue is doubly important because dependence on oil is an economic, environmental, and SECURITY liability. If anyone can find an economics expert who has refuted this I would be interested to read this.

yes, Obama and Clinton have voted differently about this issue in the past. In Obama's case, he voted for it, but later voted against making it permanent as he did not feel that it was helping consumers. I would argue that this is the very definition of experience. How better can we learn than from a mistake? .Another consideration is that conditions were different when these candidates last took a stand on these issues. Global warming and the environment were probably not such imminent issues at the time, as there has been a national shift in the sense of urgency of climate change and on the dilemma of being addicted to oil.

Please respond, and debate. Provide examples of issues you believe demonstrates the good in your candidate.

[Lol]

Lol.. anything related to oprah is OF COURSE gonna be obama endorsed.. And we know why she endorsed him and its TRUE

[Emi]

I have been a registered Democrat for years and have not voted in the past elections as one. I have not been this excited about voting for a Democrat since I voluntered for Bobby Kennedy's campaign in 1968. Have never liked Hillary or her immoral husband Billly. Go Obama Go! Down with the Washington insiders. Yes! Thank you Lois Capps.