Rahm Emanuel says long primary season has "positioned" Democrats to win in November, but still keeping superdelegate vote to himself.

WASHINGTON–House Caucus Chairman Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) has been, as he has said many times, hiding under a table not saying if he will cast his superdelegate vote for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) Emanuel is still keeping us in suspense, though Obama is on a path to clinch without Emanuel, who is a good Obama friend but knows that he would not be where he is today if he did not serve in the Bill Clinton administration.

The final primaries are Tuesday–in Montana and South Dakota–and Emanuel notes in a Monday statement that the excitement whipped up by the long-running primary season has boosted Democratic chances in the fall. Most important from the House perspective–the Democrats have won three special elections in three GOP districts–including the seat held by former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

“Most importantly, the last five months have ensured that the American people know Democrats continue to be the agents of change,” said Emanuel in a statement. “It has never been so clear that Republicans are out of ideas, out of energy, and this November, will be out of power.”

Statement of House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel as the Democratic Party heads into the final contests of the 2008 Democratic Presidential primary season:

(Washington, DC) — House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel released the following statement as the Democratic Party heads into the final contests of the 2008 Democratic Presidential primary season:

“This primary contest began on January 3rd. Five months later to the day, we hold our last set of primaries on June 3rd. Democrats should take stock of how the primary contest has positioned us to win on November 4th, five months from now.

The 2008 Democratic Primary has brought about record turnout and participation:

— Democratic voter turnout in competitive states is up on average more that 80 percent, with millions of new Democrats registered.

— Record enthusiasm has meant record financial support for candidates – more than $200 million for each of the two candidates.

— Democratic Party identification is up more than 11 percent over Republican Party identification.

— 3 special election victories in House districts formerly held by Republicans.

Most importantly, the last five months have ensured that the American people know Democrats continue to be the agents of change. It has never been so clear that Republicans are out of ideas, out of energy, and this November, will be out of power.”

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