Lewis To Be An Obama Super Delegate

Georgia Congressman John Lewis will switch his super delegate vote to support Barack Obama. In a statement released this afternoon, Lewis said he had reached his decision to relfect the wishes of his consituents. Obama won Lewis' district overwhelmingly. Lewis had endorsed Hillary Clinton early in the campaign.

"After taking some time for serious reflection on this issue, I have decided that when I cast my vote as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention, it is my duty as a representative of the 5th Congressional District to express the will of the people," Lewis said in the statement. "As a U.S. representative, it is my role not to try to subdue or suppress the will of the people, but to help it prosper and grow."

More: "Something is happening in America. There is a movement, there is a spirit, there is an enthusiasm in the hearts and minds of the American people that I have not seen in a long time, since the candidacy of Robert Kennedy. The people are pressing for a new day in American politics, and I think they see Sen. Barack Obama as a symbol of that change." Lewis said his decision was difficult. "I have a deep and abiding love for both Sen. Clinton and President Clinton," he said.

Lewis stirred up confusion earlier this month when he said he was leaning toward supporting Obama after having endorsed Clinton early on in the campaign process. Lewis' office called a report that he was switching his support inaccurate at the time.

Senior Clinton spokesman Doug Hattaway told CBS News that Clinton "respects him enormously and respects his decisions."