Two NH Edwards delegates back Obama

LEBANON -- Two New Hampshire delegates for John Edwards said this morning that when they go to the Democratic National Convention they will be voting for Barack Obama, PolitickerNH.com has learned.

State Sen. Peter Burling (D-Cornish) and Hanover activist Deborah Bacon-Nelson made the announcement this morning at Lebanon High School, where Bacon-Nelson is a teacher.

With his third-place finish in New Hampshire in January, Edwards secured four delegates in the Granite State. Nationwide he has 19 delegates.

Earlier this month Edwards endorsed Obama. A day later one New Hampshire Edwards delegate, Joshua Denton, of Portsmouth, announced he too would back Obama. With Burling and Bacon-Nelson following suit today, it leaves only state Rep. Sharon Nordgren (D-Hanover) as the only New Hampshire Edwards delegate undecided. Though she is said to be leaning to Clinton.

In an interview Burling said he believed that Obama best represents the change Edwards spoke for and that Clinton "doesn't get the issue about change at her core the way that Obama gets it".

While they are just two delegates they are important nationally as Clinton and Obama are fight over every delegate.

"For those of us workers bees who have tiny roles to play, now is the time to play," said Burling.

Timing is also important. Though he wouldn't say it, Burling will attend the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee where his No. 1 job as a New Hampshire Democratic Committeeman is to fight for the first-in-the-nation primary. Before today state Sen. Martha Fuller-Clark was the only Granite State person backing Obama on that committee.

The Rules and Bylaws Committee will gather for a high-profile meeting next Saturday to decide the fate of Michigan and Florida. Adding another Obama voice to speak with his top advisers at their meeting next Saturday could be important for New Hampshire.