Clinton's Black Allies Defecting

Hillary Clinton is starting to lose the support of prominent black leaders—and superdelegates— who previously backed her. Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who carries great influence in Congress, says he's now tilting toward Barack Obama. Another Georgia Democrat, David Scott, already switched, the AP reports. “Something is happening in America," Lewis said, "and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.”

The pressure on black lawmakers who endorsed Clinton months ago is increasing. Obama supporter Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. told congressional colleague Emanuel Cleaver: "If it comes down to the last day and you're the only superdelegate, do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a black from winning the White House?" Cleaver said he'd think about it. (More Democratic National Convention stories.)