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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Delegate Update

Posted: Monday, February 25, 2008 12:48 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:

The latest NBC News delegate hard count:
DEMOCRATS
Obama 1,192
Clinton 1,036
 
There are 16 delegates unallocated, including 10 in Colorado, 2 in Maryland and one each in Hawaii, Abroad, New York, Tennessee.

Superdelegate Count
Clinton 257
Obama 194

(Obama has gained 24 publicly declared superdelegates since Super Tuesday, Feb. 5. Clinton has lost a net of three.)

GRAND TOTAL
Obama 1,386
Clinton 1,293


REPUBLICANS
McCain 930 (AP allocates 102 more for McCain to bring total to 1,032 -- just 159 short of nomination)
Romney 293
Huckabee 246
 
There are 35 unallocated, including 20 in Louisiana, 5 from WA caucus, 5 from WA primary, 3 from WI, 2 from TN.

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Comments

Wow, I don't understand why Huck is still in the race if he is way far behind in delegates? Is he trying to give Hillary the excuse she needs to remain, too? Or, is he helping McCain by making it look like the primary election is competitive?
I think it would do McPig good by allowing him to plan ahead to confront whoever emerges as te nominee on the Democratic side, while making look like the Dems are a very divided, childish party of ideologues. Either Obama or Hillary has to step down after March 4.
MY God to think we would think you guys could count.  NOT!
I'll say it again because it bears repeating.  You people who continue to try and run this ridiculous whispering campaign about Barack's religious beliefs and his church are either beneath contempt or dumb as stumps, take your pick.  Here is the link to the the Annenberg Political Fact Check, which is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The factcheck site examines these spurious campaign claims from an  objective point of view.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html
Now crawl back under your rock.
"America, with the same voice which spoke herself into existence as a nation, proclaimed to mankind the inextinguishable rights of human nature, and the only lawful foundations of government."  John Quincy Adams Address on July 4, 1821

America is the people and the people of Democratic and Independent persuasion so far have said they want Senator Obama.  Yes we can!
What is most interesting to me about these numbers is that were it Obama trailing there would be zero talk of him quitting the race. Instead the chattering class would be demanding Hillary put him on the ticket as her VP. All the talking heads would be saying how she can not upset all these people who have become "Obamafied". Very interesting indeed!!
Newsweek is calling on Hillary to drop out......

If she doesn't whip Barock's butt tomorrow night, she should go ahead and get out....

By the way....
How many pizza's is her campaign ordering for the debate tomorrow night????
With all the media hype about Obama, he still has less than 200 super delegates
Hillary has more than 250 and she has only lost three since super Tuesday.
WOW, I'm really surprised about that.
Looks like she has a much better shot at winning this thing than we thought!
YOU GO GIRL!
HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!
This Somali photo is disgusting. Issues are one thing but fear mongering is out of bounds. If i am Obama I decline debate and issue a speech on how Hillary has beome a cancer to the Dems.
Just disgusting.
Jerry...Jonathan Alter is not Newsweek...he is a reporter at Newsweek. Get your facts straight.
Obama is widening the gap. It just seems everytime the delegate count is updated Barack Obama gets a wider lead, and that makes Hillary's uphill climb much more steep and more improbable.

Go Obama!
I love the politics in this country. I am amazed that Clinton can yell at Obama, "Shame on you Barack Obama" like a mother yelling at her kids on Jerry Springer's show, and Obama keeps his head cool as though her words are just wind.
Where are the christians? Obama is the fruit of a forbidden union. Read your Bible, sinners!!!1 His name is evil. Do you need more?
Hillary the inevitable picked up most of her superdelegates before any actual voting was done.  This demonstrated that she was the favorite of the entrenched and endebted Democratic machine.  Since then the voters -- who do not fear political backlash from the Clintons -- have chosen another candidate.  The superdelegates will stop fearing them, too, and will pay attention to the voters.  For if they don't, they'll lose in November and lose their own re-election bids.

Obama will be the nominee, he'll take the White House, and sweep a lot of other Dems into office on his coattails.  Bring on McCain & his cronies.  We're ready.
HP from Boston,
Are you a math whiz yourself, then? What is your own calaculation of the delegates? 1 million for Hillary and only 100 (one hundred) for Obama? Because I noticed you are a die hard Hell Raiser -- Oops! Hillary supporter. Or a sweetheart of J. Merle? If not, how about dating Patty from SD, CA? I can imagine you two smooching lovingly if Hillary wins both Texas and Ohio, but breaking up painfully when she loses both states!
"I'll say it again because it bears repeating.  You people who continue to try and run this ridiculous whispering campaign about Barack's religious beliefs and his church are either beneath contempt or dumb as stumps, take your pick.  
Now crawl back under your rock."
--  jaycee, Ventura, California

You got that right!
Elliott, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 1:12 PM)
"What is most interesting to me about these numbers is that were it Obama trailing there would be zero talk of him quitting the race."

Amazing how you seem to have this miraculous insight into alternate realities, of how things "would be if...".
Maybe Ohio and Texas won't be smitten by the girlie guy. He is quite effeminate in a cute, whiney, coy way.

McCain is macho by comparison and come to think of it so is Bush.

Barack would never win in the general. His thoughts are mostly embellished copies of Hillary or someone else.

Its Hillary or stick with the Republicans!  :)
Elliott, you simply cannot be serious.  If Obama had just lost 11 in a row, there wouldn't be any talk of Obama dropping out, because everyone would figure the race was over a long time ago.  If Obama had just lost 11 in a row, his candidacy would automatically be dropped down to "fairytale" status.

Unfortunately, the same standards don't apply to Clinton, since she's married to a former president, "we just can't count her out yet!"

Let's put this in perspective: Obama has won TWO-THIRDS of the contests to date.  Hillary has lost -66%- of the time.
Face the fact's is right, Elliot. If Barack had lost 10 contest in a row, he would have the Decency to drop out, given the Decency he's shown so far to the Clinton onslaught. 1st of all he's a real Democrat& cares about the party above oneself interest(the clinton's don't.
One thing for certain is Barack closely watched the 50 State strategy that Howard Dean employed in the 2006 election's.Control of Congress was No Fluke with that strategy.If Hillary had shown she cares about voter's instead of Ridiculing any State that does'nt vote for her, maybe she would'nt be in the Position, she's in now.
Don't be expecting any softball question's Tuesday for either candidate. Brian & Tim do their homework . There will be No"Diamond's or Pearl" question's. It still amazes me that anyone that voted for Hillary in a state she lost, can still support her after she called them All, Insignificant.
Blind leading the Blind!!!!!!!
It is truely amusing that she is counting on Texas voter's to save her Hiney! How about That, jerry? Since McCain has it all wrapped up, wonder what republican's are gonna come out & save Hillary in Texas.Talk about Delusional!!, That's downright Hysterical!! Who need's the Comedy Channel when we still have the Clinton's out on the Trail?



Barack Obama for President!!!!!!!!
Fellow christian dems...Obama has women dancing at his feet, singing songs about him, could this be worshiping him? He is buying into all the hipe like he his so much better than anyone else. Beware of this man with a name of Barak Hussein Obama giving false words. We have all paid a hugh price because of the last Hussein. The anti will walk among us.
check out trinity united church of christ.Dont take anyones word go to the source
Let's see Jose from Fargo.  Hillary loses 3 superdelagates since super Tuesday: Obama gains 24!  And you think that's a good sign for Clinton?  I'm guessing that you also think that she's run a competent campaign so far?  

Also Elliot of Los Angeles, speculating on how the media would react if the tides were turned is just that, speculation.  So your argument isn't interesting at all, it's completely lacking any substance.  I don't believe that any experts have seriously thought that Obama and Hillary would be a good ticket, no matter the billing.  I think that Hillary could do a decent job as President, but I believe that Barack Obama will do better.

Let's stop being so divisive within the Democratic Party, either way it goes, we will all need each other.  Let's not damage the party for small potatoes.  And ultimately that's what we're fighting over right now.  When it comes down to it, Obama and Clinton aren't EXTREMELY different, they both have similar goals.  I happen to believe that Obama's goals have more potential to be actually realized, and I believe that more Americans across party lines would be more likely to get behind his plan to get those goals accomplished.  That said, let us not forget that the main goal is to get a Democrat in office.  If the people vote for Barack Obama, I am calling on the Clinton supporters to back him.  If the tables were turned, I can tell you that this Obama supporter would not vote for McCain to spite Obama, because I believe that would be spiting the American People.

So support who you believe in, but do so with respect for the greater good of our country.
I support Barack Obama!
So, based on the hub-bub, I checked out the Drudge Report.  Are you kidding me?

Talk about double-standards...the Clinton campaign sees no problem with distributing this photo in the hopes of fear-mongering and I suppose they want us to forget how they fired staffers in Iowa who forwarded the spam about Senator Obama as a radical Muslim (long since debunked).  It seems to me that Senator Obama didn't change other than the fact that he was behind then and he's ahead now.

"Shame on you, Barack Obama. It is time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public — that's what I expect from you." - Senator Clinton

Sham on you, Senator Clinton.  It is time you ran a consistent campaign - one that has the same message 2 days in a row instead of going "Sybil" on us by switching from honor to anger to mockery - that's what we expect from you!


PS - Wearing an american flag pin on the lapel of your jacket DOESN'T make you more patriotic...it just means that you know how to stick a pin on your jacket.  Seriously, if Chavez or Ahmadinejad put an american flag pin on their jackets does anyone think they suddenly started liking this country?
Senator Obama has 156 more elected delegates than Senator Clinton.  

For some perspective:  Hillary's biggest win was New York, where she gained only 45 more delegates than Senator Obama.   In California she gained only 43 more delegates than Senator Obama.    So he could give her another New York and California victory and STILL be 68 delegates ahead, which by the way is more than any reasonable way of allocating the margin she had in Florida.   (There is no reasonble way to allocate Michigan since he wasn't on the ballot; since she only got %51 of the vote let's call it a tie.)

Just walking though the states, there is no reasonable way for the math to work for her.   Even New York sized victories in Texas and Ohio would not get her anywhere close to Senator Obama's lead, since those states have far fewer delegates at stake.  (New York has 232, Texas has 136.)  

One interesting note is that her home paper New York Times numbers try to make it a close race -- but they do not count *any* results from the caucus states!   I think it is the people in the Clinton camp who are delusional...

Texas is a cross over state. In the primaries a republican or democrat can vote for either a democrat or a republican. So, if the republicans or democrats want to determine the candidate for the other party, they simply vote for whom would be the worst republican or democrat. The cross over vote is unlikely to show up in any pre-primary polls. Jerry from Corpus could vote for Clinton, since John McCain is almost certainly the Republican Candidate.
I'm glad Sen. Obama is pulling ahead in the delegate count.  Sen. Clinton constantly changing the message and tone of her campaign reveals her as flaky -- a great attribute for a breakfast pastry but not for a presidential candidate.  Open the toaster oven door, Myrtle, this pop-tart's done.  
People need to let the voters vote and the media needs to stop trying to determine the outcome of this race.  This is about the voters.  The candidates are less than 100 delegates apart and we have some big primaries ahead.  Obama's camp shouldn't be so worried about Clinton quiting unless they are worried that Obama will be "found out".  See the U-tube video.....There will be bamboozling!!  It's a real eye-opener for someone who was open to him.  It's no wonder Obama's so inspiring......as he has chosen to copy in speach and mannerisms the most influental speakers in American history.  Where's the beef?
I WONDER WHY OBAMA IS SO…………………. UP IN THE air about a photo. This man has something to HIDE, because every little thing said about him that is not approved by his staff sends him into a PANIC MODE. This REALLY makes me WONDER WHAT ELSE IS OBAMA HIDING AND AFRAID WILL GET OUT?

The question I have is: If he is such a STRONG Man, why do he let a simple picture scare him?

Something to think about America.

Win or Loose the nomination, Obama will NEVER WIN THE GENERAL ELECTION AND HE KNOWS IT.
But Obama isn't fear mongering by sending out a flyer telling people that Hillary will throw them in jail because she will force them to buy expensive health insurance.........GE ME A BREAK!!!  This didn't come from the Hillary campaign.  Any excuse to hate!!!  Your hating instead of making the best choice for yourself is the cancer in this democratic party.  
Jose from Fargo,

That really is a "glass half full" interpretation of the numbers. I wish I had your optimism at times. But I think you're missing the big point. Hillary racked up those supers when she was the perceived nominee leading up to Feb 5th. Since then she has not received one endorsement from a superdelegate and 2 of her former endorsers have jumped off her bandwagon and onto Obama's.
Shame on you Obama!! When I'm in my home watching T.V. I stand and put my hand over my heart anythime I hear the national anthem. I lost a Uncle in war, I do this for country and for the ones who fight for our freedom. But then I am an Americian who is always proud to be one. But if someway in hell you go foward I will want to leave this great Nation.
Many politicians within both the Democratic and Republican parties respect the pragmatic need for balance between personal ambition and support for the organization they use to run for office. Clinton and Huckabee are not among them.
Even so, the two of them will have radically different outcomes from maintaining losing their campaigns. Huckabee is not generating the level of resentment in his party that Clinton is building. He seeks to nurture a positive image for 2012 while she and her senior staff spew venom.
The scary irony is that both represent dangers to the Constitution, although hers is mild compared to his. With Clinton the country would face the weirdness of a former President serving as half of a duality not supported in our founding set of laws. With Huckabee it is the very fiber, ethics and morality of the protections contained in that precious document that would be at risk. Here's hoping that we never have to deal with either one getting their hands on the White House, now, in 2012, or at any other time.
Quick story that reminds me of the Clinton campaign:

A man falls off a 10 story building.  As he passes each floor the people inside hear him saying, “So far, so Good.”
When it comes to the Clintons, says Palmieri, "The one thing you can almost always say about whatever situation you're in is that you've seen worse. So they don't get rattled. They have a much better perspective about how to deal with difficult days."


MSNBC stop protecting Obama.

Why is MSNBC the obly netwrok not talking about the muslim picture?
Jerry/Corpus Christi... do you have anything positive to say about the best choice the Reps. could come up with?

Oh, I can think of one...."He is a very good example of a lousy candidate". Just a "Xerox copy" of Dubya. Another positive point.."He aint from Texas!"
When the Ku Klux Klan in 1980 announced its support for Governor Reagan over President Carter, the Reagan Campaign publicly issued a quick and clear rejection of the endorsement. Should not the Obama campaign make the same public rejection of the hate group endorsing Senator Obama?
Obama is a Christian because he attends a Christian church? Oh yeah sure.

Take a closer look at the so called church he attends Trinity United Church of Christ. tucc.org

A report in Investor's Business Daily, pointing to the Black Value System of Obama's Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, concluded that there is "little room for white Christians at Obama's church."

Black conservative pundit Erik Rush said the church has embraced "things African above things American," and he claimed that this should be as alarming as a Republican presidential candidate "belonging to the Aryan Brethren Church of Christ."

The TUCC supports the Nation of Islam and it’s Minister Louis Farrakhan.  And, just today Farrakhan said that presidential candidate Barack Obama is the “hope of the entire world”.

Tucker Carlson of MSNBC described Trinity as having a "racially exclusive theology" that "contradicts the basic tenets of Christianity." Scan Hannity of Fox News confronted Wright on TV and asked how a black value system is any more acceptable than a white value system. Hannity also suggested that Trinity's emphasis on black values contradicts Martin Luther King's famous hope that people would be judged "not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"The Same Christian Church" that Obama belongs to in an all Black church with an "African Centrist" doctrine. Trinity United Church of Christ, tucc.org, does not allow white members and places Black Africanism values above American values.

How can we have a Commander in Chief that is uncomfortable wearing an American Flag lapel pin, but is right at home in Muslim garb?

Now that the press has decided to look into his Muslim ties, Obama is furious. Who can blame him, these facts hurt his claim that he is for "all Americans".
The problem with the whole delegate system is that so-called superdelegates pledge to a particular candidate before the will of the people is heard.

There is no way Hillary should have that much super-D support after winning only 11 out of 36 contests. What happened to the will of the people????

The super-delegates should only come into play after all primaries & caucas's have been held. To distribute prior to that event, would suggest insider influence and that is contrary to the belief of a government for and by the people.
Negative Attacks, Personal Smear, indirect surrogates and direct campaign staffers sending pictures - how low we can go .. we need to ask
H(B)il-low-ry Clinton.  It appears they have exhausted all the goodwill that they had.  And can someone tell them that even Chelsea can forget my support - no matter what happens..!  
Hillary will take it to the convention -- as she should.  Neither Obama nor Clinton will have the magic number of 2025 by then, so why in the world would she conceed?

At least it will be interesting to see an actual nominating convention instead of a coronation.

Libertarian '08


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