Superdelegates pressured in key states

WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- Increasing pressure is being put on Democratic superdelegates in Maryland, Virginia and the Washington area as presidential primaries continue, analysts say.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., are fiercely competing for superdelegate votes as they move forward with intense campaigns in the area to gain the support for the Democratic convention in August, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

As it is unlikely either will secure enough delegate votes to win a nomination, the 793 superdelegates across the country reportedly will have to make the final decision on which candidate will continue in the race.

Clinton is leading the way in pledges from superdelegates in the Washington area, but many have yet to make a decision and some have said they are switching sides.

"This is the most stressful thing I've been through in my whole life. It was never supposed to be like this," said Virginia Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, a superdelegate who backed Clinton last year but is considering switching.