Indy superdelegate endorses Obama

INDIANAPOLIS, May 1 (UPI) -- One of Indiana's Democratic superdelegates endorsed Barack Obama Thursday, less than a week before the Hoosier State primary.

Rep. Baron Hill, a state lawmaker from southern Indiana, said he saw Obama as the candidate best able to break the partisan gridlock in Washington.

"Some have advised me to be cautious, to wait and see which way the electoral winds may blow," said Hill, adding, "But the stakes are just too high."

Hill is one a dozen uncommitted superdelegates in Indiana in addition to the 72 that will be parceled out in the primary next Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Star said Hill, who is running for re-election, is bucking the polls that show Hillary Clinton running ahead of Obama in southern Indiana.

Clinton this week picked up the endorsement of North Carolina Gov. Mike Easeley. Polls had been showing Obama slightly ahead of Clinton in North Carolina, which holds its primary the same day as Indiana. However, a survey released Wednesday by InsiderAdvantage pegged Clinton, D-N.Y., with 44 percent of the vote to Obama's 42 percent.