FACTBOX: Hillary Clinton and loyalty

(Reuters) - New York Sen. Hillary Clinton is counting on loyalty from Democratic Party leaders to help her beat Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for their party's nomination for the White House.

Here are a few facts about loyalty and the former first lady:

* When New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson endorsed Obama, he was compared to Judas by Clinton backer James Carville. Richardson, who served as energy secretary and ambassador under President Bill Clinton, said he was still loyal to the Clintons.

* Hillary Clinton is known to be fiercely loyal to her own staff, many of whom have been with her since her time as first lady in a group affectionately referred to as "Hillaryland."

* Clinton retained campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle until early February when a string of primary losses to Obama prompted a change to Maggie Williams, another loyalist, who was a top aide to Clinton as first lady.

* Clinton is wooing so-called superdelegates, party leaders and other officials, to help her beat Obama for the nomination, but the Illinois senator has announced more of those endorsements than she since the February 5 "Super Tuesday" nominating contests across the country.

* Analysts say loyalty plays a big role in U.S. politics. Clinton is relying on backing from women voters to help her win the nomination, while Obama has won support from black voters in many state contests.

(Writing by Jeff Mason in Washington; Editing by Xavier Briand)