Obama's superdelegate gains

Posted: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:47 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama gained three more superdelegates today. And one of them is a superdelegate switch. Two of the superdelegates are from New Jersey -- State Sen. Dana Redd, who switched her support from Clinton, and Donald Norcross, who was previously undecided.

Obama also gained the support of Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind, who had pledged to support the winner of his congressional district; he officially did so today.

Two unions also threw their support behind Obama: The 1.4-million Teamsters and the 65,000-member Boilermakers.

For political and union insiders, NBC's Mark Murray notes this observation: the majority of the Change to Win unions (SEIU, Teamsters, UNITE-HERE) are now behind Obama versus AFL-CIO ones (AFSCME, the Machinists, the Letter Carriers, Bricklayers, AFT, etc), which are backing Clinton.

SUPERDELEGATE COUNT (as of 2:10 pm ET, Feb. 20)
Clinton 256
Obama 189

NOTE: This brings Obama's post-Feb. 5 superdelegate count to 18 to negative-4 over Clinton.

Super delegate numbers reflect totals gathered by the NBC News Political Unit from the campaigns and public endorsements.

OVERALL DELEGATE COUNT
NBC News Hard Count
Obama 1,168
Clinton 1,018

There are 53 delegates unallocated, including 19 in MD, 10 each in CO and GA, 6 in WI, 4 in HI, and one each in DC, TN, NY and IL. We estimate a conservative 27-26 split here for a count of Obama 1,195, Clinton 1,044

GRAND TOTAL (with supers)
Obama 1,384
Clinton 1,300

*** UPDATE *** Congressman Lloyd Doggett will hold a press conference today in Austin, Texas, announcing his support, per the Obama campaign. The above numbers have been updated to reflect Doggett's support.

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Comments

What a hard-to-read report. You get a do-over.

Jason, Seattle WA (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:59 PM)

There is no chance the boy from IL wins in November.

Linda, SD, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:59 PM)

And so it begins. Like rats abandoning a sinking ship the supers will very soon no longer be returning Billary's calls.

Karl Rove (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:01 PM)

Every count of delegates is different. Can't their be just one count and one system?

Harold Goodman, Portsmouth, Va (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:07 PM)

We are now seeing the slow drip, drip, drip of eroding support for Clinton. This must be what death by a thousand cuts is like. Give it up Clinton!!!

Patrick, Indianapolis (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:08 PM)

This is great news! Let's all go give $5 or $10 to celebrate. I know I am not alone in this, but I am really feeling the momentum today. Seems like everyone I talk to here in Houston is Obama crazy. Love it! Here is my fundraising page if anyone wants to help me reach my goal.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/BlakeEllis

Blake, Houston (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:10 PM)

Is this a presidential contest? It really looks more like American Idol.....don't ya think? No suprise here given the celebrity worship mentality of a majority of dumb Americans.

SadStateOfAffairs (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:10 PM)

hmmm, now who's playing dirty politics and delegate theft! It's Obama! He's the one destroying the dem party now, with his obvious back room deals to steal these super delegates from Clinton. Wonder what kind of dirty promies and money is being exchanged.

Pat huntington NY (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:12 PM)

I can smell the General Election... It smells so so good.

Obama/Edwards 08

Mike Texas (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:13 PM)

Hold the fort. By BO's logic shouldn't all NJ superdelegates support the winner of the NJ primary? How can these be representatives of the people? They are subverting democracy. Oh wait it's OK they support BO so everything is OK.

Alan, NJ (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:13 PM)

Just in per MSNBC news. Barack Obama will pick up, yet another Super Delegate in Texas today. It seem's as tho the Party elder's have seen Enough.

That makes 4 just today!!!

Barack Obama fro President!!!!!!!!!

Rick,ky (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:16 PM)

Obama is the anti-Christ, Hillary is only marginally better. This contest is choosing between a murderer (Democrate) and a maniac (Republican).

Steve Kellmeyer, Plano, Tx (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:16 PM)

This was expected seeing that Mr. Obama will do and say anything to win the nomination:

http://www.buckeyestateblog.com/Obama_is_speNding_the_to_get_the_supErdelegates

America Wake Up (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:17 PM)

By the way.....didn't Senator Clinton win NJ?
Why are these two yahoos voting against the wishes of their constituency?
Isn't that the argument the main stream media is making, and isn't that what Obama himself has been saying?
I sure hope the voters remember these two in the next election. Wouldn't want to be standing in front of them during a street fight....they'd cut and run.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:18 PM)

*Insert "If Obama wins, I'm voting for McCain" comment here*

Correction: Not if, but WHEN! :)

Obama '08

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:19 PM)

Apparently, the big names have been watching the news. It is becoming more and more clear that Obama is the one to beat, and people are responding. It is going to be a great day for America, to have a leader that understands and fights hard for real policies and solutions that benefit Americans.

Obama '08

Andrew, Missouri (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:20 PM)

The super delegates are finally jumping on the train of the people! Hillary Clinton needs to do the graceful thing and back out of the race. If I was her I wouldn't want to be remembered as the losing candidate who didn't know when to give up. Grace under pressure is a better epitaph, don't you think?

Michelle R. (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:21 PM)

The superdelegates must support Obama after March 4th so that the party can begin focusing on John McCain. To drag it out any longer just doesn't make any sense. (If Clinton wants to be like Huckabee at that point she has the right, but after March 4th the Supers need to do their job and make a decision)

S. Ruff (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:22 PM)

Americans are waking up everywhere and realizing that Senator Obama is inspiring us to once more take charge of this great Country our ancestors gave to us. Inspiration is not meaningless; words do have power and together, we will make this Country a better land by expanding our liberty and giving everyone a better chance at that elusive "pursuit of happiness."

Don't worry folks, I am still too old and too jaded to think we can fix everything tomorrow, or by January 20, 2009, or even January 2012. Yet, I cannot thank Senator Obama enough for finally getting the ball rolling forward in this Country again.

Yes we can! Obama '08

Kim, Pasadena, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:23 PM)

I think you should be fair and at least mention that one of Hillary's super delegates passed away. You leave the impression that all moved to Obama...which is not true. Try to be fair...I know how hard that has to be for you three.

Elliott, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:23 PM)

This week gives Obama a lead of about .02 % in the popular vote.

If Clinton wins Texas and Ohio as projected, Clinton will take the lead in the popular vote and close the gap in delagates.

So, do the supers go with the number of states won ( many of which will NOT vote Dem ), or go with the one with most popular votes?

Ed, Fresno Ca (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:25 PM)

Could it be that the presumed nominee (Clinton) is going to lose this? It is looking like she won't make it. That could be good for the Democrats and bad for Republicans since Clinton could be seen as a polarizing person; that could be the thing that the Republicans need to bring out their base to support McCain.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:27 PM)

February 20, 2008 -- Mayor Bloomberg charged yesterday that "fraud" was behind the unofficial results in the New York Democratic presidential primary that produced zero votes for Barack Obama in some districts.

"If you want to call it significant undercounting, I guess that's a euphemism for fraud," said the mayor.

Unofficial tallies on election night gave Obama no votes in 78 out of more than 6,000 election districts.

NY needs a recount...I smell a rat!!

John (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:27 PM)

yea! i knew we could count on lloyd!

ladiabla (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:27 PM)

All superdelegates should vote the way their congressional district's vote - otherwise they are not really representing their district at all.

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:28 PM)

I thought last night's Obama speech was a little long but by far his most substantive speech I've heard.

Political races are all about momentum. I believe the super delegates will continue to add up for Obama.

Mary, Holland, MI (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:31 PM)

The Obama lead widens slowly after every primary. If Hillary does not have a good showing in either Ohio or Texas, she really needs to consider what is best for the democratic party.

Johnson, New Orleans, LA (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:34 PM)

How do we know for fact that Hillary has definitely sealed 256 superdelagates to Obama's 189? Post the list of her 256 and his 189. Who claims these superdelagates are commited to whom you say?

Steve, San Diego (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:34 PM)

Honestly, no need to be nitpicky about the CTW vs AFLCIO here. The two unions who basically run the AFLCIO(usw and cwa) haven't endorsed either candidate. Neither candidate is pro-labor, but AFSCME ect endorsed early when it looked like Hillary was the ticket, and now the others are endorsing Obama late.

Brett, Pittsburgh (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:35 PM)

In related news, former president Bill Clinton has reversed his position on same-sex marriage and announced that he intends to marry Sen. Barack Obama after the Illinois leader wins the Democratic presidential nomination.

Clinton called Obama "the most qualified candidate to run for president in my lifetime," and added that he would think so "even if I did not intend to marry him."

Asked what role he would perform in the Obama White House, Clinton said he would do "whatever he asks me to do." And then stared hopefully into the middle distance.

David T., Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:35 PM)

Thanks for your reasonably accurate delegate count. I also love your analysis; you must have the best political analysts working for you. Thank you!

Murna Gilbert, Portland, OR (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:36 PM)

All superdelegates should support their constituent majority primary choices! If not, vote them out of office!

ELECTION REFLECTION (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:40 PM)

Mrs. Clinton needs to take a hard look at these numbers and needs to seriously reevaluate the probability of winning the nomination in these conditions. I am sorry time has passed her by. I am sorry she can't seem to organize a 50 state long-term campaign. I am sorry we don't have a parliamentary election which she would win. I am sorry so many of her supporters who post here are filled with such vitriol and distain for what is now reality.

She should try to be graceful now and bow out after Ohio and Texas.

Rodney (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:43 PM)

OBAMA 'ROBBED' IN NY
By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

February 16, 2008 -- Barack Obama's primary-night results were strikingly underrecorded in several districts around the city - in some cases leaving him with zero votes when, in fact, he had pulled in hundreds, the Board of Elections said yesterday.

Unofficial primary results gave Obama no votes in nearly 80 districts, including Harlem's 94th and other historically black areas - but many of those initial tallies proved to be wildly off the mark, the board said.

In some districts getting a recount, the senator from Illinois is even closer to defeating Hillary Clinton.

Initial results in the 94th, for example, showed a 141-0 sweep for Hillary Clinton, but the recount changed the tally to 261-136.

As yet, none of the results have been certified, but a ballot-by-ballot canvassing of all voting machines has begun, a board spokesperson said. Many of the mistakes were chalked up to human error -- and some Clinton tallies were wrong as well. In several congressional districts she was shown as having received zero votes when in fact she got hundreds, Boe said.

Brooklyn City Councilman Charles Barron called the understated figures "outrageous."

"I think this is an all-out effort to stop a campaign that is about to make history and render America's first black president," he said. "We need some kind of independent or federal agency to investigate this."icate that she may not even come out the winner - Obama currently has 116 votes to her 118.

justwaitandsee (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:48 PM)

Obama is the ONE! What an exciting time we live in! He is actually doing it!

Jennifer James Orlando, Florida (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:50 PM)

Super delegates or not..The America people want real change and we are sending Barack Obama to the white house come November. Hillary has CHOKED and Mccain is no JOKE but history will tell that Obama represented all of us FOLKS...Obama 08

rh, knoxville (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:56 PM)

I sure hope the voters remember these two in the next election. Wouldn't want to be standing in front of them during a street fight....they'd cut and run.
J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:18 PM

I'm sure they'll be standing with the rest of America & feeling Real Proud, That we elected a Democrat as President. Once You & other's get over the Smackdown layed on your candidate, we're pretty sure, you'll be smiling also on Januarary 20th, 2009.

Barack Obama for President!!!!!!!

Rick,ky (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:57 PM)

Obama is playing the race card and we all know it.

It amazes me that his supporters and bloggers have the audacity of calling my family members in Wisconsin and telling them the Clinton's stole the black votes in Harlem and no vote was cast for Obama in Harlem and President Clinton has just opened up an office in Harlem to get the black vote.

Come on people. He is a phony and so are his supporters to have to use these kind of lies. There is no way he will take office in November because republicans are not going to be lady like and will examine his past and dealing and the truth will be told and we will see he is no messiah.

He has no experience, no substance and uses cheap tricks and talk. Kerry was suppose to win huge according to all polls. We saw what the result was. Action speak louder than words!

Dan, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:59 PM)

This is sooooo exciting! I can't wait to see how
these "Super Delegates" vote. Will they listen to the
little people or just the DNC big whigs? I really
am paying attention at HOW the DNC is treating the base. Because it will determine the 2008 elections.

marge strach (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:01 PM)

We all know it is inevitiale tha Obama will beat Billary Clinton.(hillary and bill clinton) but what i was suprised about was that Chris from hardball attacked an Obama supporter for not knowing what Obama did During his short life in politics and being on his show. +1 For Chris

John McCain, Panama Canal Zone, Panama (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:04 PM)

Looks like Hillary has a choice; concede gracefully or try to win ugly. Since these are the Clintons you can guess which way she'll go.

Mr 270, Corona CA (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:05 PM)

Looking for new ideas and I believe that Obama has it. It is time for a change.
Obama 08

Alvarez, Chesapeke, VA (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:08 PM)

MSNBC's estimate of the unallocated delegates seems very "conservative" indeed. I think a better estimate of them would be:

Maryland: Obama - 11, Clinton 8
Colorado: Obama - 6, Clinton 4
Georgia: Obama - 6, Clinton 4
Wisconsin: Obama - 3, Clinton 3
Hawaii: Obama - 3, Clinton 1
Washington DC: Obama 1, Clinton 0
Tennessee: Obama 0, Clinton 1
New York: Obama 0, Clinton 1
Illinois: Obama 1, Clinton 1

That comes out to 31-22 for Obama, which would give him 4 more delegates and give Clinton 4 less delegates.

Keith (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:17 PM)

David T,. Los Angeles
Thank you for the best laugh I've had all day!

Kaye,NC (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:19 PM)

Back in the 90s when Clinton was President, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld & etc., wrote him a letter begging him to invade Iraq to "secure the world's assets", OIL.

With Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia holding the bulk of the worlds oil, its no surprise Iran was to be next. As he continues to veto every bill, nothing will change until a Democrat takes over. Exxon-Mobil is in the top 10 most profitable companies for 2007, along with drug companies, finance companies, and Wal-Mart. Corporate America is making money off the things middle-class America needs: GAS, PRESCRIPTIONS, MORTGAGES and LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

Since there is so much proof of Bush's blatant disregard for what American people are most in need of, I am so confused as to why more of us aren't doing the research? Getting involved? Taking action? Voting for who/what will benefit them?

In comes Obama. He makes a beautiful speech--no need for America to worry, he's saying everything we're thinking. Great! Let's just vote for him and our problems will be solved.

Wrong!

This is what Republicans and their slanted media slaves want you to do. Hillary poses the biggest threat to them, not Obama. Don't suck in the media coverage of the election, just do a little research. You won't find it on tv, but you will online! I really would trust Obama more if he weren't shaking the hands of those greedy GOPs already. And if his speeches offered clear solutions rather than just appealing to those who are satisfied with just soothing speeches.

Hillary '08

Sharon Jenson Anytownville, Ca (Sent Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:24 PM)

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