By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer 

Posted Dec. 10, 2007 – Sen. Barack Obama’s momentum continues to escalate following a weekend of record-breaking crowds for him and campaign comrade  Oprah Winfrey. This week kicked off with another boost for the surging presidential hopeful, an endorsement from California Rep. Barbara Lee, (D). 

 Lee was one of only six members of 43 Congressional Black Caucus still up for grabs.  Her support is a “good get” for Obama because Lee’s district in Oakland gives Obama a strong advocate in California outside of Los Angeles area. And, remember, Oakland’s mayor – and former longtime stalwart in the U.S. House of Representatives – Ron Dellums, has already thrown his support behind Sen. Hillary Clinton, no doubt because he, like many other Black leaders who have sided with Clinton, initially doubted Obama’s potential to gain the nomination.
”He does represent that bridge to the future; he represents hope, new direction, which our country desperate needs,” Lee told reporters. ”This is a very powerful and defining moment for our country, and my conscience is my guide. I can’t sit on the sidelines when we have an opportunity to move forward.”
Lee and Obama were both longtime opponents of the war in Iraq. Lee was one of the few members in Congress who voted against giving the President Bush authorization for use of force.  So it’s no surprise Obama is her pick. 
There was more good news for the Obama campaign. 
A recent poll shows that the races in Iowa and New Hampshire are too close to call.  The McClatchy-MSNBC poll released Monday showed Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) has 27 percent of the likely voters in Iowa; Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has 25 percent; and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has 21 percent.  Only 11 percent of Iowa Democrats remain undecided.

In New Hampshire, where the primary will be held Jan. 7, Clinton leads Obama 30 percent to 27 percent; ;Edwards is third with 10 percent. 
In South Carolina, where Obama and Winfrey were greeted Sunday by tens of thousands of exuberant supporters, Clinton leads with 28 percent to his 25 percent; Edwards has 18 percent.   The margin of error puts Clinton and Obama in a virtual tie.