Are Obama Supporters Crossing the Line in Getting Superdelegates to Leave the Clinton Camp?

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Pressure Point

Some African-American superdelegates who support Hillary Clinton are reporting threats and intimidation from people wanting them to switch to Barack Obama.

Pressure on black superdelegates has intensified since civil rights icon John Lewis switched his allegiance from Clinton to Obama earlier this week.

Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II tells The Politico some superdelegates are receiving what he called nasty letters and phone calls, along with threats that they'll now be opposed by other Democrats in reelection bids. Cleaver says some even report being called an "Uncle Tom."
Adding — "This is the politics of the 1950's. A lot of members are experiencing a lot of ugly stuff. They're not going to talk about it, but it's happening."

California Congresswoman Diane Watson reports she also has received threatening mail — but says she would rather lose her seat than violate her principles. She says she cannot switch her vote simply because Obama is black.

Gender Issues

Senator Clinton says she is not running on an even playing field — because she is a woman.

Clinton tells ABC News — "It's hard being a woman out there. It is obviously challenging with some of the things that are said that are not even personal to me so much as they are about women."

"No woman has ever won a presidential primary before I won New Hampshire. This is hard. And I don't expect any sympathy, I don't expect any kind of ...allowances or special privileges, because I knew what I was getting myself into."

"Every so often I just wish that it were a little more of an even playing field. But, you know, I play on whatever field is out there."

The good news for John McCain is that a new Gallup poll found that 76 percent of those surveyed said he is not too old to be president. Just 20-percent thought he is too old.

But — more than half think he is younger than he really is. Fifty-seven percent guessed that the Arizona senator is under 70 years old. McCain is actually 71 — only 14-percent got that right.

On the other hand — 84-percent do not believe Barack Obama is too young to be president.

And 49-percent believe he is actually younger than he is, 39-percent think he is older. Seven percent know he is 46 years old.

Picture Imperfect

And tribal elders in Kenya are demanding an apology from the U.S. government for release of the picture of Senator Obama in traditional Somali clothing earlier this week.

Clan members also want Hillary Clinton to — "clear her name." The Clinton campaign has denied involvement in the picture's release.

Kenyans are said to resent the implication that Obama did anything wrong. They held what was called a crisis meeting Thursday in Wajir — and a demonstration was planned for today after Friday prayers.
Kenyan elders say if they don't get an apology — they will demand the expulsion of U.S. troops based in the town of Garissa.

— FOX News Channel's Martin Hill contributed to this report.