Philadelphia Dems: No endorsement for Obama or Clinton

Philadelphia's ward leaders this afternoon unanimously decided not to endorse either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama -- at least for now.

About 50 of the city's 69 ward leaders met this afternoon and heard from former President Bill Clinton, appearing on behalf of his wife and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, a Bucks County Democrat who also represents part of Northeast Philadelphia, who addressed the ward leaders as the surrogate speaker for Obama.

"We're not going to make a decision at this time. We want to hear from the candidates themselves...if it's that important to them, we need to have thm come before us," said U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, the city Democratic chairman, after the session.

Brady said the ward leaders want to hear from both Obama and Hillary Clinton in person before deciding on an endorsement. Even then - the ward leaders may opt not to endorse a presidential candidate in the April 22 primary.

Both candidates have been invited to appear before the ward leaders.

Bill Clinton and Murphy met separately with the ward leaders at party headquarters on the 1400 block of Walnut Street.

After meeting with city pols, Clinton is to appear at a mid-afternoon rally in Media at the Brandywine campus of Penn State University.

Clinton will meet with campus representatives and local politicians, then be introduced at the rally by Rep. Joe Sestak (D. 7th). The former president is expected to give a speech and field questions, school officials said.

The event, at the athletic center on 25 Yearsley Mill Road, is open to the public. Doors open at 1:45.