Washington (AP) Hillary Rodham Clinton's once-imposing lead among democratic superdelegates has all but vanished, as Barack Obama continues to pick up support.

Six of them endorsed Obama for president today, including congressman Donald Payne of New Jersey. The congressional black caucus member had been supporting Clinton, but he says “after careful consideration,” he's concluded that Obama “can best bring
about the change” that the country wants and needs.

On the eve of the primary season, Clinton had a lead of more than 100 superdelegates. Today, Obama has narrowed the gap to two and a-half.

Obama has been gaining strength since Tuesday, when he scored a convincing victory in north carolina's primary and Clinton took Indiana by only a narrow margin.