By Stephanie Samuel

Sentinel Staff Writer

Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson (D) stirred the debate over the delegate count in the Democratic presidential primary last week after he switched sides for the second time. Johnson told The Washington Post May 12 that he, "cannot in good conscience go to the convention and not support [Democratic candidate and Illinois Sen.] Barack [Obama]."

Johnson, who endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) nine days before her arrival in Maryland and appeared with her at Bowie State University, was said to be a pledged delegate. However, Terry Speigner of the Prince George's Democratic Central Committee says it's not that simple.

"Jack Johnson is a pledged, at large add on delegate for Clinton," he said via e-mail. According to Speigner, Johnson's status as an at large delegate allows him to retain his delegate status despite changing his support. This remains true, Speigner said, even if Johnson was added on to the delegate count specifically to vote for Clinton – which he says Johnson was.

Pledged delegates are held to much stricter guidelines. According to definitions provided by the Maryland State Democratic Party, pledged delegates sign agreements pledging to vote for a specific party candidate and are elected by the voting public. They are also subject to scrutiny from the candidates.

"It's important for the campaigns that have permission," said Democratic National Committee member Karren Pope-Onwukwe, a lawyer and a former candidate for a Democratic District 22 seat in the Maryland House of Delegates. Without the pledges, Pope-Onwukwe said, "it looks disorganized."

She said Johnson's sudden switch to Obama's camp was also disorganized.

"He switched from Obama to Hillary before the primary," she said.

An early list of Maryland Obama supporters circulated in February listed Johnson as an Obama supporter. Johnson said his change of heart came about because the Clinton campaign "fell short of the line." He did not respond to telephone calls seeking comment by the time The Sentinel went to press.

Pope-Onwukwe, a super delegate, said that delegates who supported a candidate who are lagging behind in the popular vote usually wait it out.

"Normally if you're a pledged delegate, you take your cues from the candidate," she said. Pope-Onwukwe added that some candidates drop out of the race and endorse other candidates or release their delegates to vote any way they choose.

When asked about Johnson's apparent indecisiveness, Pope-Onwukwe said, "Maybe he's more reflective of the nation that we think because Hillary and Obama were neck and neck."

Several Maryland super delegates have not made up their minds which way they are going to vote, including House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Dist. 5), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8) and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.).

"Maryland has the second highest number of uncommitted delegates," said Speigner. The silence of many Maryland's super delegates may hint at some hesitation to decide the best candidate or some strategy.

"It brings the spotlight on back on Maryland and Prince George's County since we are the largest Democratic stronghold in the state," Speigner said. However, super delegates shouldn't wait too long if they want to influential in the race. Speigner, an Obama supporter, believes most of the undeclared delegates will announce in early June.

"By the first week of June, I think it will come together for Obama," he said.

In the meantime, Johnson has said he will try to convince Gov. Martin O'Malley and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) to switch sides to Obama.

"If he thinks he has that kind of leadership ability that's great. We'll see," said Pope-Onwukwe. So far, neither O'Malley nor Mikulski have changed their allegiance from Clinton.

Contact Stephanie Samuel at

ssamuel@thesentinel.com