NORWALK - James Clyburn of South Carolina, the majority whip and third-highest ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, was upfront yesterday about endorsing Jim Himes of Greenwich in his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays in the Fourth Congressional District.

But Clyburn was mum on his choice for the Democratic presidential nominee.

Clyburn, the highest-ranking black in either house of Congress, is one of the most prominent uncommitted superdelegates to the Democratic convention. He said he will announce his endorsement at 11 a.m. Tuesday, when the last two primaries in Montana and South Dakota are under way.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama leads U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, 1,978 delegates to 1,780. A candidate needs 2,026 delegates to clinch the nomination.

"As the House majority whip, I didn't want to interject myself into the process," Clyburn said.

But he knows exactly who he will support.

"I voted" in the South Carolina primary, he said, smiling. "I'm not undecided, just unpledged."

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Update: Jake Tapper,
I'm told the report that Clyburn will announce at 11 am Tuesday is not true -- that he will be on a plane at that time.