Delegate update: the Spitzer effect

Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:13 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Delegates

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
This is albeit gratuitously political, but as we noted in First Thoughts yesterday, Clinton loses a superdelegate with the Spitzer resignation. Here’s why:

Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who will take over the governorship, is already a Clinton superdelegate. State Sen. Joseph Bruno (R) will fill Paterson’s role as lieutenant governor, but since Bruno is a Republican, and there’s no provision in NYS to replace a lieutenant governor until the next election, Paterson will not be replaced as a superdelegate.

This brings Clinton’s superdelegate lead to 253-216.
The NBC pledged number has Obama leading, 1,398-1,244.
That brings the GRAND TOTAL to Obama ahead, 1,614-1,497.

VIDEO: March 12: Sen. Hillary Clinton tells supporters in Washington, D.C. that Florida and Michigan's Democratic delegates should be counted, either by honoring January's election results or by holding new contests.

*** UPDATE *** Pledged total has been corrected to reflect 1,398 for Obama. 1,394 was the total before the full Mississippi totals were factored in. (Thanks First Read commenter "Angel")

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Comments

HRC isn't even in the White House and her DISAPPROVAL rating nationwide is at 50%. That doesn't sound like good odds in November. Face it, people (except for angry, white women) just don't LIKE her.
Olivia, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:33 PM)

********************************************

That is what the media what people to believe.Truth is there are a lot of people that like hillary and that will vote McCain or not vote in November if Obama gets the nomination.

One more thing if people don't like Hillary supporter attacking Obama then Obama supporter should stop attacking Hillary.

Obama supporters call Hillary every name in the book and they expect Hillary supporters to just take it. well it doesn't work that way.

If you want your candidate respected then Respect mine.

Clinton 08

patty,sd,ca (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:21 PM)

It's fitting that Clinton lost a superdelegate in this mess. After all, a Clinton supporter got caught in a Clintonian sex scandal. Good thing for Hillary that Bill wasn't caught in this as well!

chuck, richmond (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:23 PM)

does that bring the magic number to 2024?

ME, Santa Ana, CA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:23 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
That hardly seems fair. They should let Elliot cast his vote from prison. Maybe he could parlay it into a Scooter Libby type pardon.

twocnapete (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:23 PM)

A few more prostitution rings, and Obama should secure the nomination.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:25 PM)

Patterson was chosen as an at large delegate (reserved for "important" democrats - like Bill Clinton), not an automatic (Governors, Representatives, Senators) delegate. Thus, another at large delegate can be selected and there is great liklihood that person will be a Hillary supporter.

Jen, Sandy UT (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:26 PM)

yet ANOTHER reason for me to spit venom at Spitzer.

Lynette, NYC (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:28 PM)

I call upon the Clinton campaign to reject and denounce Geraldine Ferraro's comments. Furthermore, Geraldine Ferraro should immediately resign from Clinton's finance committe.

Tim, Austin TX (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:29 PM)

She doesn't like BLACK MEN running for President

Keep sticking up for WHITE PEOPLE, Gearldine !

From the Baltimore Sun, the Swamp:

'...Ferraro sees Obama like she saw Jesse
by Frank James

With Geraldine Ferraro, what's past is prologue when
it comes to African-American presidential candidates.

Ferraro, the former 1984 Democratic vice presidential
candidate who yesterday sparked controversy with the
comment that Sen. Barack Obama has only gotten as far
as he has because he's black, actually said something
very similar in 1988 of then-presidential candidate
Jesse Jackson.

This is from an April 14, 1988 Washington Post story
by Howard Kurtz:

Placid of demeanor but pointed in his rhetoric,
Jackson struck out repeatedly today against those who
suggest his race has been an asset in the campaign.
President Reagan suggested Tuesday that people don't
ask Jackson tough questions because of his race. And
former representative Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-N.Y.)
said Wednesday that because of his "radical" views,
"if Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in
the race."

Asked about this at a campaign stop in Buffalo,
Jackson at first seemed ready to pounce fiercely on
his critics. But then he stopped, took a breath, and
said quietly, "Millions of Americans have a point of
view different from" Ferraro's.

Discussing the same point in Washington, Jackson said,
"We campaigned across the South . . . without a single
catcall or boo. It was not until we got North to New
York that we began to hear this from Koch, President
Reagan and then Mrs. Ferraro . . . . Some people are
making hysteria while I'm making history."

Uncanny, isn't it?

Posted by Frank James on March 12, 2008

Sierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:30 PM)

I guess Ferraro must think David Patterson is REALLY lucky!

She is a joke and should go away!

nofriendofeliott (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:31 PM)

DO NOT FORGET A PLEDGED DELEGATE IS NOT A GUARANTEE
MY ONLY HOPE IS THE ONES WHO HAVE BEEN PRESSURED FOR THEIR VOTE HOLD OUT TO THE END AND THEN COME OUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHICH OF COURSE IS HILLARY CLINTON

LEELER,FL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:32 PM)

Last night the TV showed Clinton with 238 Super Delegates

How accurate are the SD totals ?

Sierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:32 PM)

I will take that one. (sorry it happened under those circumstances)

Kim (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:33 PM)

Off topic, I know, but we never get anything anymore except info on the candidate's underwear.....I'd just like to point out that the BushCo criminal conspiracy TELLS THE TRUTH if you know how to listen.

Gates said it is "ridiculous" to think that Fallon's leaving will "change policy."

Off course not, you disengenuous right-wing punk! It was policy he quit over!

Thank you - boxers or briefs, Barrack? Hill?

Lee in CA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:33 PM)

Now, before all you Clinton supporters tell us how you're going to vote for John McCain if Obama gets the nomination, try something novel: THINK.
Unless McCain's had a sex change operation that I'm not aware he's not a woman and his record on so-called women’s issues is well documented. Perhaps you might wish to review them. Then again, he IS white and Geraldine wants to blame the blacks for not voting for a woman candidate that has tacitly approved of using their skin color as a wedge.

Ian (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:35 PM)

Let the Clinton Campaign know your distaste for their racist politics here:

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/help/contact/

SL, NJ (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:36 PM)

What was interesting for me is that I was hearing through the news outlets that Paterson had been interested in filling Clinton's Senate seat should she get elected President (or become the nominee perhaps) and had planned to ask Spitzer for the Senate seat...so clearly they were partisan in Albany anyway (who isn't...).

But thanks for clarifying the superdelegate count.

Lisa in New Britain, CT (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:36 PM)

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Come to Our2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll

At http://www.votenic.com
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Thanks For Voting!

votenic (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:36 PM)

Add these numbers to Clinton's experience below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwLaCb07lAs

Democrats should wrap this up ASAP and stop running McCain's campaign.

New Wave (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:36 PM)

Gloating will get you nowhere - MSNBC Obama Central. Things will turn after Pennsylvannia, Puerto Rico, Florida and Michigan have been heard.

Hillary for President! Just say Nobama.

Zack,NY,NY (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:38 PM)

Well, it looks like HRC and her mindless camp have successfully divided not only the democratic party, but quite possibly the nation.

With the continuance of racial and sexist remarks spewing from the Clintons and her camp, she has not only offended African Americans, but women, young people, and white people.

As a woman myself, I am not only appalled, but also embarassed, and disgusted, that the woman who so desperately wants to be the first woman president would stoop to such lows. The way she has run her campaign is disgusting. Believe me, I would LOVE to see a woman as President, but NOT THIS WOMAN. How could I expect my daughter to look up to someone as desisive and polarizing as HRC.

The supers and elders of the DNC have been watching, and I am sure they are REALLY not happy about this latest fiasco from the Clintons. There is NO WAY that the AA's will give there vote to Hillary in the general. HRC, unfortunately has changed this from only about politics, to about RACE. The AA's, and MANY white's are outraged about these latest comments. Last I checked the dems couldn't win the general without the AA vote. I guess that means Billary is UNELECTABLE!!!!!

This only adds to the MANY reasons HRC WILL NOT be the dem nominee. I could list all the rest but everyone already knows it.

ANgry Iowan (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:38 PM)

Like chopping wood, Barack is slowly making this more and more unreachable for HRC.

Quick aside: For the record for all the Hillary supporters out there who think everything begins and ends with Pennsylvania these days...you better start thinking about what happens after PA because it won't make things easier whatsoever.

I live in North Carolina and the by and large people I've talked to and many democrats find Hillary to be a caustic, divisive, and untrustworthy shark and Barack has a chance to really clean up here. Throw in the absolutely huge number of colleges and universities through the state, lots of intellectual camps,fast-paced technology people around the urban areas here of Raleigh-Durham/Triangle, Charlotte, and the Triad (Greensboro/High Point) as well as much larger black population and well, watch out.

There's a lot of delegates here so I'd pay it more attention as we draw closer to PA.

Mark, Raleigh (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:40 PM)

Sharon stone (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:41 PM)

Don't worry. There's enough sleeze-bags in Hillary Land to go around.

Can't wait until Keith's "Special Comment" tonight, I'll be watching.

adam/Brooklyn New York City (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:41 PM)

Spitz paid more for his hussy than I earned last year. Who is this venus? And Heidi says, it's a service men need---it's been going on for thousands of years---what's wrong with that? Those chicks who are hot now, will be hot forever...where they are going. "How the mighty are fallen."

Pete King, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:42 PM)

What kind of fuzzy math are you guys using? That means Spitzer superdelegate count was one? what's the point of SD?

one guy, AL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:43 PM)

Geraldine Ferrar is OUT OF CONTROL

From Huff Post:

'... The Huffington Post

Charmayne Brown, Black Reporter, Attacked On Camera By White Family In SC

March 12, 2008 11:08 AM

Three people upset that a news crew was reporting on the arrest of a relative attacked the television reporter and yelled racial slurs at her and a photographer, authorities said Tuesday.

The family members, all white, began yelling and charged at black WSPA-TV reporter Charmayne Brown while she was standing in the street near the family's home in Union, said news director Alex Bongiorno.

Brown was punched in the head, and black cameraman Ti Barnes was also struck as he tried to pull family members off Brown, Bongiorno said. A video of the attack shows Brown, who wasn't seriously injured, defending herself.

"I think she's more affected by the verbal abuse than the physical abuse. She's really shaken up," Bongiorno said.

The fight was taped by a white crew from a second television station. They were not attacked...'

Are they relatives of Geraldine Ferraro ?

I'm SURE THEY ARE !!!

Sierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:44 PM)

I am somewhat confused. Even given that Hillary wins PA as well as split all other contests 50/50 (which we know will not happen) and even if given Michigan and Florida, she still cannot catch Obama in the delegate lead or the popular vote lead.

Can anyone here (you too Chuck) tell me why it is we are still having this race. Is it not really over?

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:45 PM)

Just go away. The bad omens just keep pilling on The Clintons.
Retire in peace

banko (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:46 PM)

Domenico -
Why no posts? We have come to expect it from Mark, but you're usually better at posting our comments on your threads!

Kathryn in Bham (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:47 PM)

Hillary just can't win for losing. I mean that is two super's down one passed away the other one was blown away so to speak. Of course GF explained it all, as Spitzer would not have gone to a prostitue if Obama had not been black.

Vincent KC (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:47 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
Enough with the crybaby apologies, I want to see the Spitzer perp walk.

twocanpete (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:47 PM)

Obama will lose the general election, as he should. He has no experience and we know little about him. As a dem, I will not vote if he is our nominee.

Joe, Chi (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:49 PM)

So now that brings the total number of delegates to 4048. So what happens with a 2024-2024 tie? Get to work figuring it out.

Rob V, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:50 PM)

A prominent democrat was "outed" by this republican administration. Since we do not know the identity of the other eight "Johns" we can only presume that they were prominent republicans or they would have been "outed" at the same time as Spitzer. As for Spitzer, he must be one of the least forgiving persons known to mankind. He has, as far as we know, never cut anybody any slack. He got what he deserved.

Opa2 (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

even unrelated issues are working against clinton! so, this means that since super tuesday, clinton has lost 7 superdelegates while obama has gained 47? it is unfortunate for Spitzer, and subsequently for Clinton.

sem, va (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

Hopefully, Paterson will switch to Obama, thereby depriving Clinton of another delegate.

AG (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

What about newly elected Indiana Rep. Andre Carson? I assume he becomes a superdelegate? Has he endorsed?

More Axe, Atlanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:54 PM)

This is still an "enlightening post." As I recall, yesterday all the commenting Obameds [not unlike Cheeseheads] were ASSUMING that Paterson would be voting for Obama based on race. On a day when race is very much front & center thanks to Ferraro [meant as a "lafthanded" compliment to be sure], it goes to show that in this election the "river of race & gender runs both ways"

GG (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:55 PM)

There is a mistake in Obama's pledge delegate lead -- It's actually 1,398 not 1,394. Easy to calculate by a) looking at the figures below b) by adding the pledged delegates and superdelegates to notice that in order for Obama to be at 1,614 there need no be 4 more delegates. 1,394+216=1,610 / 1,398+216= 1,614!!

Angel (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:58 PM)

Chuck Todd is clearly a lapdog for Obama. He's consantly in touch with the Obama campaign and crunching numbers in Obama's favor.

Dirk, Brunswick, Georgia (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:36 PM)

For all the Clinton supporters who will not vote for Obama if he wins great...America will go on without you.

AJ, Los Angeles CA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:37 PM)

Hey interesting note pledged delegates are not required to vote or stand by those who won the state. They can go the other way. I found that interesting and wonder if everyone knew that. Google it and you can see for yourself. It is more of a custom or understood thing but by no means binding.

JF SC (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:37 PM)

Hillary's experience is a total FRAUD voters! She never even held a security clearance so it’s impossible to say she was a foreign policy player. She DID NOT have a seat at the table and probably never has even seen the "red phone"!! Take it from someone who holds a clearance...SHE'S A JOKE!!!

Yesterday, her "experience” was debunked by the people who actually did play a key role in the Northern Ireland situation and who won a Nobel Peace Prize for it. She was never at that table either folks.

It also came out that her so-called Somalia peace experience was actually a troop entertainment trip with Sheryl Crow and Sinbad! No role played at all except celebrity status.

NYT reported that the little girl in Hillary's 3 am commercial is almost 18 now and is actually a huge Obama supporter and may be a delegate for him too!

Hillary is a LIAR. We can't respect her candidacy when she’s a completely fake politician wht completely fake supporters like Spitzer out there.

At least Obama stands for better politics, honesty, and unity instead of division. Obama 08.

Kevin (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:37 PM)

"If you want your candidate respected then Respect mine."

this from the woman that said all that Obama has is Farakhan's church? You have a lot of nerve, considering your lack of respect for Senator Obama.

Kerry, Toledo, OH (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:39 PM)

My, My, how will Hillary MONSTER Clinton be able to live in NY having a black governor with her racism.

Keith Olbermann's special comment tonight on Hillary MONSTER Clinton. Be sure your buddy Geraldine watches too!

MiddleTN (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:39 PM)

If she will concede that all the votes that were not for her were Obama's then I bet he would go for it. How does that sound?

Jim Tekcirc, Chicago (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:41 PM)

I find it interesting that being called a "monster" is more apalling and Called for HRC to ask for and get the removal of the culprit is more reprehensible than having everything you've worked for be diminished simply becausse of the color of your skin.
I DON"T SUPPORT EITHER candidate...

But I am an African American executive. I deal with this EVERYDAY. It's old, it's tired and it's a pathetic excuse from whites who cannot except the fact that times have changed and we AA's are not going anywhere except up in society. ALl of you speak of of Obama not having any experience. Let's look at facts:

- He's run a campaign without any lobbyist money AND funded by his futture employers...you and me
- He has trailblazed a new way of generating money for political purposes. If it was not successful then HRC would not have copied it.
- He has withstood and is withstanding the barage of hate and race mongering that this entire campaign has evolved into.
-His campaign has drwn millions of new voters to the Democratic Party.
-THe CONSTITUTION dictates the qualifications of a President NOT the people. He IS qualified.
This has shown me that most of you have forgotten about his WHITE heritage...his mother is WHITE. This smacks of the old south philosophy of "if you got one drop o'black blood den you black".

LEt's use the brain God gave us and THINK not REACT. THe Dems were supposed to be the party of inclusion and the defender of the people, but this campaign has brought out the worst in a lot of you. WHether you like it or not, whether you like him or not, he is winning and CAN win in november...why else would Rush Limbaugh tell his supporters to back HRC? Think people, please just think

Artie (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:41 PM)

Democtatic women everywhere please vote for Hillary.
If Obama wins we are giving the presidency back to the republicans. After Bush do you really want four more of McWar. Obama can't win the general. He has created a racial divide and the media wants to cover it up, until he wins. Then they will have a field day.
Sharon stone (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:41 PM)

Then if you don't want McWar vote for Obama if he wins. Oh, thats right. You'd rather be spiteful and scornful and vote against Obama because Clinton blew what should have been a lock. She blew it by having a mismanaged crew, tried to run as the inevitable experience candidate in a change year, and let Bubba run his mouth in South Carolina.

You want to bash on Obama for being nothing. But he's held up against the attacks of Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and 2 Presidents (Bill and GW) and is still winning. You also have Chelsea campaigning to get the youth vote. Lets also not forget the name recognition, 8 years of a good Bill Clinton presidency, and a long standing Clinton campaign machine. If she can't win fair with all these advantages, she should pack it in now, and support Obama. And so should her supporters. Sorry about your luck but just as Edwards, Biden, etc didn't win, neither will she.

So, the question is are you going to be mature and vote for the Democrat that gets it, even if its Obama. Or are you going to act like a scornful, spiteful child and vote for McCain because your candidate lost?

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:42 PM)

Hey, congrats Angel on the catch and blog mention.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:42 PM)

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