More cracks in the wall. | Mark the date.

"'If we have a candidate who has the most delegates and the most states,' the Democratic party should come together around that candidate, Cantwell said. The pledged delegate count will be the most important factor, she said, because that is the basis of the nominating process." Senator and Clinton superdelegate Maria Cantwell (D-WA) says she'll vote for the pledged delegate leader in the end, meaning -- barring a political meltdown of historic proportions -- Sen. Obama. If this steadfast commitment to the actual rules represents a trend among her super support -- and it likely does, despite the electoral vote Hail Mary -- Clinton's in real trouble. This also further supports Chris Bowers' recent argument that the Democratic race will end on or soon after May 6, the day Sen. Obama most likely crosses the threshold of 1627 pledged delegates (a.k.a. 50% + 1 of the pledged total.)

Update: Add unaffiliated super and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen to those leaning Obama in the final analysis. "Bredesen also joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in warning that superdelegates should not overturn the outcome from primaries and caucuses." And Harry Reid, at least, also seems to think there's an exit strategy before the convention: "I had a conversation with...[Howard] Dean today. Things are being done." Update 2: Uncommitted and Clinton supers are not amused. Update 3: See also Clinton super Joe Andrew.