Obama reaches 200 superdelegates

Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:43 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
With the pick up of Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) today, Obama has now reached 200 superdelegates. He has cut what was once a 90-delegate advantage for Clinton to what is now 56 since Super Tuesday, Feb. 5th. Since Feb. 5, Obama has gained 30 publicly declared superdelegates, and Clinton has lost a net of four.

Clinton maintains a 256-200 advantage in our overall superdelegate count.

NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan adds...
Dorgan (D-ND) endorsed Obama in a conference call with reporters, and stressed Obama's support for free trade. He also praised his call, though, to renegotiate agreements like NAFTA to include labor and environmental protections.

Dorgan also repeated the call of many other Red State Dems, who argued that Obama can help down-ballot candidates and appeals to independents and Republicans.

This is Obama's second senatorial endorsement in as many days. Yesterday, he received the endorsement of Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, the first former presidential candidate to endorse Obama.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Did you include John Lewis' official switch today?

Dan, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:51 PM)

The American People are coming together !

Frank (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:52 PM)

The endorsements keep on coming. If it was ANYONE but Hillary and Obama in this race, after 11 wins in a row, this race would have already been decided. Lets hope that Obama is able to get an even bigger lead after the March 4th elections and then get the democratic party to focus on the general election vs McCain.

Johnson, New Orleans, LA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:53 PM)

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/today.guest.html

Read this. It supports my claims that Democrats are being set up.

Democrats you have been punk'd

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:53 PM)

Obama has many questions to answer about why he has been a membe for 20 yrs. of this "racists toward whites" church, with a Pastor who supports and praises Farrakhan, who by the way is the leader of Nation Islam.
Do people not check anything out about this man?

He needs to answer the questions.

John Doe (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:54 PM)

John Lewis has formally switched

Yiannis, Baltimore (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:54 PM)

Where's the story msnbc about all the military endorsing Hillary?

Obama has many questions to answer about why he has been a membe for 20 yrs. of this "racists toward whites" church, with a Pastor who supports and praises Farrakhan, who by the way is the leader of Nation Islam.
Do people not check anything out about this man?

He needs to answer the questions.

John Doe (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:55 PM)

It's funny isn't it how some of you guys try to tear him down and smear his name, but Sen. Obama has a way of landing on his feet? A million "first-time" donations, and now more super delegate endorsements. Nothing can stand in the way of progress.

OBAMA, 2008!

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:56 PM)

Patty, John, your attempts are futile. Just like the right-right wing of the Republican party. Remember how there were some officials in Nevada going on about Barack being a Muslim? Well, now Tennessee joins them in disgracing their own party!

http://knoxnews.com/news/2008/feb/27/tenn-gop-stands-anti-semites-obama-piece/

Key quote;
"The Tennessee Republican Party today joins a growing chorus of Americans concerned about the future of the nation of Israel, the only stable democracy in the Middle East, if Sen. Barack Hussein Obama is elected president of the United States." -Tennessee Republican Chairman Robin Smith

Sean, Boston (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:56 PM)

John Doe (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:57 PM)

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) told The Trail moments ago that he will be endorsing Barack Obama for president this afternoon, becoming the 10th senator to officially endorse the Illinois senator's bid for the Democratic nomination.

--------------------------------------------------

...Rep. John Lewis on Wednesday said he's switching his support from Sen. Hillary Clinton to Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Lewis cited the overwhelming preference for Obama in his district as a reason for his change of heart, but he also talked about Obama's campaign as transformational for the nation.

"Something's happening in America, something some of us did not see coming," Lewis said. "Barack Obama has tapped into something that is extraordinary."

Marbw (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:57 PM)

John Doe (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:04 PM)

it maters not Im affriad - the same type hate group yet an oposite rce of the Nation of Islam that obama supports will take him out as soon as he gets in office. Race wars - blacks burnig cites is our future. Why did obama stall to reject Farakhaan?He must align himself with Farakhaan somehow??? live by the sword, die by the sword as they say. - i fear this will come true and our country will be in civil upheavel.

tsg (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:06 PM)

In the interest of transparency, please consider making your superdelegate list public or explain why you cannot do so.

Love the site

Dave, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:06 PM)

Please don't tell me you just referenced Rush Limbaugh as a source of good information. People who listen to Limbaugh are the ones getting "punk'd." He's a showman, not a serious journalist. You might as well base your political beliefs on Howard Stern's radio program. Seriously, that is weak.

The Republican party can't pull its head out of its nether regions long enough to find a candidate that isn't recycled. While I feel that McCain is not a strong candidate, don't think the Democrats are taking anything for granted. Now would've been a good time to come up with a new Ronald Reagan, but the GOP dropped the ball. It's our turn for a while. Bye bye.

Megan, Madison, WI (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:08 PM)

WAIT out of this story is hilliary leads Obaama by 56 supers, couldnt spin it so obama is winning welly well well,there will be such a backlash from the publicans if you blame them for driving the bus into the ditch,Hilliary and the other dems OBAMA blame the war on were trying not tobe thrown out of office like max clealand who voted against the war and was compared to OSAMA and kicked out by the people,so you had alot of dems giving him enough rope to hang himself BUSH that is not to get blamed for a war the other partys president started ,One more thing was OBAMA saying reagun was a good president wasnt he the one who cut and run from BERUIT

kenn (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:08 PM)

You ditto heads need to grow up and think for yourselves. Or are you so bigoted that any thing will do. You aren't going to scare us so get over it!

Tia, Ca (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:10 PM)

You are all lashing out just like Hillary is because Obama is beating her fair and square! One minute she says he has no experience the next it's his record is bad, she can't make up her mind!! It's desperation to hold on to the politics of the past, it's time for a real change! Hope is in the air!!

Deb, Myrtle Point, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:13 PM)

Come on, Patty. Rush Limbaugh?

Laughable.

You're giving him WAAAY too much credit... credit he doesn't even deserve in the first place.

M. Boley (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:14 PM)

I am surprised he hasn't done this before---he probably got deaththreats like Tavis smiley if he did not support a black man.

HMT-MI (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:14 PM)

To John Doe, or whatever other name you used on the other posts in which you keep stating Obama's Pastor's actvitities.

The politics of guilt by even minimal association is exactly that type of politics that got us where we are today. Time to move on !!!

Next item please ....

TOLD YOU So (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:15 PM)

Yes I've heard those stupid rumors about Obama's church being racist please..republicans bring on those smears..This election people are reading and actually getting informed. If you think Obama goes to a racist church go to this INDEPENDANT site

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/282/

If you think anything about the Louis Farrakhan non issue go to this link

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/298/

LET THE TRUTH COME OUT..JOHN DOE NEEDS TO STAY ANYNOMOUS BECAUSE WE KNOW HE IS FULL OF BOLONY!!!

CHRISTINA,MIAMI,FLORIDA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:17 PM)

Obama is a yound upstart that should get more experience before he plays with the big boys and girls.

LOU NY (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:18 PM)

Obama is a young upstart that should get more experience before he plays with the big boys and girls.

LOU NY (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:19 PM)

The Clinton team must be in an absolute panic.

Louis, OH (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:20 PM)

No matter how many superdelegates Obama has he will never beat Mcain in the general election. The media darling will go down in flames. I blame the media and msnbc for ruining the best candidate by biased unfair reporting. I am a democrat that would never vote for Obama. He will never win the big states. Shame on you media, you have ruined us for another 4 years.

kevin fl (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:21 PM)

By BOB KEMPER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 02/27/08

Washington — Hoping to put an end to a month of confusion and dismay, Rep. John Lewis on Wednesday said he's switching his support from Sen. Hillary Clinton to Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Does the 200 number include Lewis

Lyn,MD (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:21 PM)

kevin fl (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:22 PM)

For the record, I support neither Hillary or Barack but am infinitely more concerned if Barack is the next president.

If you can read this,
http://beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=5413#more
and still vote for Barack Hussein Obama then please leave this country quickly and move far, far away. How about Iraq or North Korea?

Truth Hurts (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:24 PM)

Obama is part of a cult and he was stunned last night in the debate when Russert ask about Farrakhan. He tried to evade the question but Russert pressed him and also brought out about Obamas adviser and Pastor Jeremiah Wright who praises Farrakhan and has been on trips to meet with Farrakhan and Khadify. I applaud Russert for bringing that up. I also applaud Hillary for making him say he rejects Farrakhan, (even though he was very reluctant to say that) It will be a sad day for American if Obama should become president of our America. Hillary is a great candidate but the cult following and the backing from those who really don't seem to care about Wright, Farrakhan, Resco, Malley and other Obama associates is very hard to understand.
I pray he does not win the Democratic nomination.

Lynne, LR,AR (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:24 PM)

No wonder Hillary is begging superdelegates to hold off on endorsing anyone until AFTER March 4! They're all going to Obama! If she doesn't win big March 4, she's finished, especially now that she can't claim she has the superdelegate momentum. Since February 5, Obama has gained something like 30 superdelegates. Clinton has LOST five!

Ron, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:26 PM)

I am constantly amused and amazed at the idiocy of the Clintonistas. Fact, Obama has won more votes. Fact, he has more delegates. Fact, he has won more states. Fact, since Super Tuesday has picked up more superdelegates, while she has had some defect to Obama. So, we should believe that they are ALL delusional victims of the Obama "cult? The easier and more rational explanation is that he has run a better, smarter campaign. The only thing you Clintonista hacks are doing is a desparate smear job and praying for a miracle that won't come (and playing into Republican hands as mentioned above). Instead of spending your time spewing venom on these web sites and blogs (with the same cut and paste crap), you'd be better off looking for a real job when your campaign crashes next week. It's time to get real! Oh sorry, was that plagiarism?

Old Soldier, West Point, NY (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:27 PM)

Could FirstRead/MSNBC please share their superdelegate list? 200 is a lot higher than I've seen at any of the other major sources. Politico has it 244 to 183.5. By my tally, from published accounts, it's Clinton 244 to Obama's 183.5 right now.

Matt, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:27 PM)

HEY vote for who you want look at the news CAPITALISM is dead your system has eaten it own soon china will own your oil companies and the the makers of our weapons you know why were are capitalists and we will sell them anything ,they are capitalist but thier goverment is in charge of everything nice system america seems fair to me 4.00 gas MOBIL EXXON NEEDS MORE PROFITS AND security be dammed,great americans so you see it wont matter who you elect you will just be more dissapointed with OBAMA for not coming through

kenn (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:28 PM)

why can't I ever see my comments posted? what kind of blog is this? Do you weed out all anti-obama

kevin, fl (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:30 PM)

This growing number of superdelegates that are supporting Obama must worry Clinton and her staff. If this keeps up, she might not have enough to compete with Obama.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:30 PM)

WHO IS PLAYING THE RACE CARD NOW !! SEN. JOHN LEWIS ON A TALK SHOW STATED THAT IF HILLARY CLINTON WINS THE ELECTION THE BLACKS ARE GOING TO BURN THE NATION DOWN JUST LIKE IN 1968. HE USE TO SUPPORT THE CLINTON'S. HE IS NOTHING BUT A BLK AFRICIAN SOB.

W.J.RUSSELL, OCALA, FLORIDA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:31 PM)

To Patty in San Diego...

What on that page were we supposed to be reading?

Pete, Albany, NY (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:31 PM)

It comes down to this, if you are looking for the same old politicians in the White House then by all means support Hillary Clinton. God forbid, that a politician has the momentum and the class to uplift the American public from a emotional stalemate. Obama is what this country needs.

Matt, East Hartford, CT (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:32 PM)

If Americans are intelligent enough, they would never ever waste their vote on Hillary. Look at her in last night's debate. If you really really paid close attention not only to the words she lied about but the slimy body abd facial languages of sarcasm, deceit and arrogance. If you want to be led (or misled) by this pretender Hilliar Clinton, you will vote for her. If you ask me, the world is watching if America is indeed smart enough to elect the right leader, not a liar.

Carl (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:35 PM)

I'm waiting for the ever-calculating and delightfully transparent Clintons - as super delegates - to endorse Obama. Hillary will stay in the race, of course, but when Obama gets the nomination she'll be able to say she supported him "from day one".

Dale, Denver (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:38 PM)

I am a health care attorney from Hendersonville,NC and am having a hard time concentrating on my work today due to the MSNBC misogyny I witnessed prior to the debate last night on Mr. Olbermann's pre show.(Hillary's "laugh," her "mood swings," "Which Hillary will show up at the debate?" Were there any Obama hits? Not that I heard,but I changed channels so that my daughter would not see how grown-up men behave like half-wits and get away with it.
Tuning back into the debate, I thought Tim Russert was going to throttle Senator Clinton at one point,and found his scathing hostility and body language alarming.Interruptions while Hillary was speaking was routine, as was allowing Senator Obama to go on as long as he pleased.(I was surprised they didn't rush to find Barak a pillow after Hillary suggested it; in fact, it appeared Brian Williams had to stop himself from doing just that.)
I have been particulary a Tim Russert fan for many years, but you folks are going to have to limp along without me. I intend to send a copy of this to the sponsors of "Meet the Press" along with the promise that they will have to join you in missing me.I will never return. It was that shameful.

Sharon Mills, Hendersonville, NC (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:40 PM)

Obama does not have to defend himself against racism and attacks on his character everyday. The media and the racist few need to wake up!!!

Lets take a poll and ask every elected official are they racist or do they belong to any hate groups. This country should not be divided we will never prosper or be respected around the world.

itsyourvoicestupid, Pa. (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:40 PM)

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:43 PM)

NOT ALL BUT MOST ANTI OBAMA are removed it just wouldnt look right to be 100% OBAMA

kenn (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:45 PM)

WJ Russell from Ocala, Did John Lewis really say on a talk show the blacks will burn the nation down if Clinton wins? I fear that too but of course John Lewis is an african American from a predominantly AA
State but for him to say that is terrible but I am afraid that I have to agree with him. Could you please say which talk show he said that on.
How can so many people be so wrong and support Obama.
Don't you Obama supporters on here fear that too?

Lynne, LRAR (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:45 PM)

Mo-Men-Tum! The super-d's are beginning to move toward Sen. Obama. Now, top that treat with Obama wins or near losses in Ohio and Texas March 4th and you get a Clinton concession. She's a great politician but wasn't inevitable.

bill, okla (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:48 PM)

Wow Kevin, way to show some patience. Oh and yes, they DO weed out all the anti-Obama comments. Just read this thread, there's not ONE anti-Obama comment on the whole thing ... Get a life. Your anti-Obama comment appears loud and clear.

That was sarcasm, in case you didn't realize, Kevin. Except the "Get a life." Seriously, you should do that.

: ) (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:48 PM)

Obama looks, acts and his mannerism is well suited for him to be president. He has class, grace and is a very humbled person. He could stare a dictator in the face and not react like a whining child. His presence is one that speaks class and his answers and words are carefully thought out.

Obama showed Hillary more grace and respect that she clearly does not portray on her own. Hillary ranted, raved and was very disrespectful to the moderators. The more she talked the weaker she appeared to look. Healthcare, healthcare and more healthcare. Obama "08"

itsyourvoicestupid, Phila., Pa. (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:50 PM)

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