Uncommitted Superdelegates Hope for Decision By June

Two uncommitted superdelegates outlined what they see as their role the Democratic nomination and made a plea for an fast end to the contest at a panel in midtown last night.

Put on by DL21C and moderated by NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd, the event hosted Ralph Dawson, a lawyer from New York, and D.N.C. Treasurer Andrew Tobias, who's from Florida.

Both seemed to see the role of superdelegates in terms closer to the position of the Clinton campaign--which believes that superdelegates should use judgment--than the position of the Obama campaign, which believes superdelegates should vote for the candidate elected in their district, or the candidate who wins the popular vote. Dawson said if superdelegates have to play a decisive role in selecting the Democratic nominee, there’s a few criteria they should look at, like electability and the policies the candidates would pursue once in office.

Perhaps more importantly that who, however, is when.

“I think what’s really important," Dawson said, "is that we’ve got to get this done by the end of June. If we go much past the end of June, we could have a serious problem in terms of putting together a convention that is helpful to the nominee and getting a fast start in the fall election.”

Both also said that the vigorous campaigning by Clinton and Obama has been good for party, generating more interest, money, and excitement in the race.

But Tobias offered a warning.

“We are raising something like $80 million a month to compete with each other,” he said, pumping his fists towards one another. “The problem is we’re raising $5 million a month to compete with Republicans.”

He then implored guests to pony up for dinner with Howard Dean later this month.