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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: Obama wins TX

Posted: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:12 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: ,

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
NBC News has allocated the remaining nine Texas caucus delegates, 7-2, in favor of Obama. That means the Illinois senator has won the most delegates, 99-94, as a result of both the Texas primary and caucuses.

Obama now leads by 129 in the overall delegate count, 1637-1508. Obama leads by 162 pledged delegates, 1415-1253. (There remains just one delegate unallocated from Democrats Abroad.) Clinton leads among superdelegates, 255-222, per the NBC News Political Unit count.

Also note, the Obama campaign has passed around that it has picked up two delegates in Mississippi, showing Obama with a 20-13 lead. NBC News' count remains 19-14 for Obama so far.

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Comments

This is just like Gore/Bush in 2000

Hillary wins the popular vote...
Barack wins the delegates..........
So, Obama can't win big states.  HRC, stop using it in your attempt to steal the nomination.  Or rather, go on using it.  It justs proves you are a liar.
I am one democrat who will vote for Hillary Clinton if she becomes the nominee. Michigan and FLA will be the key.

Having said that, I'm so impressed with the young people in this country who are breaking their backs, doing everything they can for Barack's campaign.

They are coming through for him. It's delightful to watch.
I would have voted for Obama if Sen Clinton had not made it to the Dem convention, but then I worked at the Primary and Caucus in TX and this changed my mind. Now I would never vote for BObama. The way the Obama supporters handled business was underhanded, pushy and unethical. There was no need for all this negative stuff; they had so many voters coming out for them, there was no need at all. The Obama people told lies, locked clinton people out of their caucus, Obama people from other states showed up and tried to take over the sign-up tables, they used so many dirty tricks it was pathetic. If this is the way his foot soldiers are with the opposition I wouldn't want to see him as President, because it would tear the country apart more than what Bush/Cheney have done in 8 yrs.
Finally!  So now we see that Hillary did not win Texas.  That puts a little hole in her big state arguement.  Does this mean that she has won 1 state since Feb. 5th?  How many has Obama won 16?  Huh, she is still in this race because???  Hard to argue you will be good on the economy when you suck at math and can't manage your own campaign finances.  Hard to argue that you'll be good on healthcare when you don't even pay the healthcare bills for your employees.  Hard to argue you'll be a good Commander in Chief when you think it is OK to lie about being under sniper fire.  
Finally!! It's now a fact!  NOW do you think Hillary will STOP saying she won Texas? No. Because if you say it enough times, people begin to believe it. Apparently Obama can win a "big" state!
The Obamas love the democratic process WHEN IT SUITS THEM, but only then.  
Interesting... Thanks firstread and more espectially Chuck Todd, for updating us with the details. Most MSM (msnbc not included though), especially Fox, ABC and CNN are just bent on the nagatives on both Hillary and Obama. I think we should focus on the positives and the position of these candidiates on the policies. Thank you...
So it appears that Mrs. Clinton didn't win Texas afterall! For someone who touts that only SHE can win the big states, let's see how her and Wolfson spin this.  I'm sure it will be more of the same downplaying as usual.  That's right, what am I thinking, only the states that Hillary wins count.  

Give me a break!  Just hang in there OBAMA. Remember, you're dealing with a bunch of crooks aka the Clinton machine!  

OBAMA '08!
Why not a headline on MSNBC saying Barack won TEXAS!!
'Twill be interesting to see how long it takes the Hillary camp to get this word.  I bet they are still claiming Texas as a victory in August.

Lie#88
Tony,

I find it interesting that you point the finger at the Obama camp.  I was in Texas for the primary & caucus and also have many friends there and I can tell you that the Clinton folks played dirty, just like they did in Nevada.  Hillary even sent you instructions to her people telling them to play dirty so don't even try to play innocent.

I have first hand accounts of the Clintons (all of them) trying to take over caucuses in Nevada - pictures and all.
I am one democrat who will vote for Hillary Clinton if she becomes the nominee. Michigan and FLA will be the key.

Having said that, I'm so impressed with the young people in this country who are breaking their backs, doing everything they can for Barack's campaign.

They are coming through for him. It's delightful to watch.
Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:24 AM

Kind of reminds me of the John Kerry campaign in 2004.
The real test will come election day...
Will the vote for Obama?
or will they stay home and play with their playstation 3?
You certainly can't fault Obama for doing what he has to do to win by the conventional yardstick.  He is running a fairly pitch perfect campaign against a pre-ordained establishment candidate and surprise, he's winning.  We can only hope he runs the country as well!

I salute all you TX delegates who participated on Sat.  I was aghast to read of some of your experiences.  I hope some of the more heinous violations will be investigated.  (I read more transgressions by Clinton supporters but clearly any transgressions should be investigated).  

Obama, we always knew you one Texas!  (now to recolor those maps??!!)

YES WE CAN!
Holy smokes.

We have seen the polls break for Obama in the last week or so including states won by Clinton (California and New Jersey), where Obama now does better against McCain than Clinton.  The same is true in Michigan.  Yesterday, a Gallup poll shows Dems believe by a whopping 59-30 margin that Obama is the strongest candidate (the margin is even greater among Republicans).

Today, the latest polling from Pennsylvania is out showing Obama has reduced Clinton's lead of 15-20 points of just a few weeks ago to a mere 5 points.

We have heard a great deal about party bigshots and/or superdelegates stepping in to say it is over.  Perhaps that is all unnecessary, and the electorate is speaking.
Wow.  I'm impressed that you guys have reported this.  Big news for the Obama camp.

http://thepajamapundit.com/
Tony in Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:25 AM)

Clinton supporters were reported to be doing the same thing in Nevada that you accuse Obama people of doing.  Go look it up.

The thing is, these are supporters, like you and me.  Trying to blame the candidate for how voters react in a voter run caucus is silly.

I find it hard to believe your post is sincere, and would more likely suspect you 1) wouldn't have voted Obama anyway, and 2) didn't even attend the caucus event to begin with.
This is for Tony in Houston, TX
I think you are a wolf in sheep clothing. In other words I think you area a "Clinton" supporter. Get real! You think people are going to fall for your blog?
I consider myself to be a reasonably smart person, but this whole Texas two-step would give even the most talented mathematician a migraine.  Is this the "new" new math?
The MSM (Media) cannot headline "Obama won Texas" because he did not. He won more Delegates, but not the popular vote. Get a clue, Obama supporters! Think!!!
Yes Obama can win big states if his name was as known as that of Hillary. He is, after all, not an establishment candidate. Nonetheless, he narrowed Hillary's 20% point lead in both Texas and Ohio. The only problem for Obama in not being able to defeat her in big states is time and name recognition, not inability to win.
Not onlydid she loss Texas but if the latest Rau poll is right she may be close to lossing Pa .Her huge lead is now down to just five points  

An there is still three weeks to go
The results in TX are total BS. Hillary WINS the state by 4% but gets less delegates. It is undemocratic and unfair. The DNC has the most stupid way of allocating delegates and winners. No wonder no one can win this election.

If Hillary isn't the nominee, I'm leaving the party and will do so happily with their stupid way of choosing a nominee.
YEAH !!!
When do announce this on air
Thank you for the good news 'First read'.

THANK YOU TEXAS!

YEEE - HAAAA!!!!!

Bill, you been bucked out yo saddle!

You Go, Bronco Barack!

Pulling for Obama'08
"If she wins Texas and Ohio I think she will be the nominee. If you don't deliver for her, I don't think she can be."  - Bill Clinton, 2/20/2008

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

Well, Bill, she didn't win Texas...so...
jerry, give them some credit for goodness sakes. Over the years they have been unreliable. I don't see it this time around.

Whether Barack wins or not, these young campaign workers are smart and they are determined. They are "out there" unlike most of us.

I can't wait to watch Chris Matthews tomorrow night on his college tour with Senator Obama. I can't wait to see the enthusiasm. I had that enthusiam at one time - for Bobby Kennedy and then Jimmy Carter.

Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King, JFK, FDR.

And now Barack Obama for a new generation - good for them!
While you are counting, do you think we might include Michigan and Florida.

The least MSNBC could do is some honest investigative reporting on the impact Michigan and Florida will have on the national election.  I do mean something more than opinion.  A little homework if you please.

Lately, you have turned a 24 hour news cast into what the campaigns have told you. Is this news or a never ending infomercial?
"This is just like Gore/Bush in 2000

Hillary wins the popular vote...
Barack wins the delegates.........."

jerry, Hillary is losing the popular vote. And unless you count Florida and Michigan, she is down in the popular vote significantly. Even if you include the FL/MI vote, she is STILL down by a bit. Obama is winning popular AND delegates. Please be well informed.
I can already hear THE HRC Penn and Wolfson Spin Show.  It will sound something like this;

"Well, Texas doesn't REALLY matter anyway, because it will go red in November, and you know, caucuses really "disenfranchise" voters, and you know, Pennsylvania and Florida and Michigan are REALLY the only states that matter.  And by the way superdelegates, please, please, please, go against the will of the voters and give this election to ME ME ME!!!!".


Same spin different day.


Oh well, OBAMA WON TEXAS!!!


And just a reminder HRC, it's almost time for you to release those TAXES!!!!!!
John McCain is running for president and doing fairly well. However, he may run but he can't HIDE from Obama. Eventually they will go head to head in their 1st debate, that is going to be the beginning of the end of McCain as a candidate! That first debate will have more viewers than the Superbowl. Unless they allow Lieberman to sit next to him McCain will be dumbfounded. Run,run as fast as you can John,but you can't hide!
Tony in Houston,
We all know the truth and here's the fact:

Anytime a Clinton starts accusing somebody of dirty tricks, you can be assured of 2 things:  1) the other person isn't guilty and 2) the Clintons are using precisely the dirty tricks they claim the other guy is using.  

It's called throwing dirt in the umpire's eyes.  Hillary may not have a lot of domestic or foreign policy experience but she's very experienced at throwing dirt.
I was at SD17 in Houston on Saturday and there was a great deal of passion and exuberance on both sides, but there were no dirty tricks - just hordes of people who didn't really understand the process.

Our precinct sent both a delegate and an alternate to the state convention for Obama even though our numbers should have resulted in the alternate going to Clinton.  Why?  Because 2 of the Clinton delegates left before the official vote.  We even tried to call them on their cell phones to get them to come back to vote, but we couldn't get them.  So, long story short, HRC so inspires her supporters that they don't even bother to stay to vote for her.
Luv it!!! Let's see HUGE headlines retracting this win for Clinton and moved to Obamas side.
The young people are amazing!
HOW CAN THAT BE?

It's an illusion.  Bill and Hillary both say she won Texas.  The Clinton campaign says she won Texas. If all these people say she won Texas, how in the world can you print an article saying Obama won Texas.

Didn't I see that someone(Comfidentioa Source) said that Obama wouldn't win Texas until Hell froze over.

GUESS WHAT?  I Snowed hard in Dallas the other day.
Well anybody can and do say what they wish, but young people are coming out in droves for Obama, not Hillary.  
Not because he is Black but seems exciting and new and with new ideas.  

That's just the truth no matter who you support.  Young people will not be denied once they have their mind made up

Awaken Yoshikawa
Second Life

The nominee of the party is picked by delegate count.  I'm sorry that the Clinton supporters don't seem to understand that.  

Which means that Senator Obama won Texas, which means that it will be taken out of the win column for Senator Clinton.  

Rules are rules.  
This says it all: if you want to debate how we should have beaten McCain for the next 4 years, vote Hillary Clinton; if you want a team that plays to win the game, vote Barack Obama.
That's funny Tony in Texas...I was reading first hand accounts (on multiple sites) pointed out the reverse (the way Clinton supporters treated Obama supporters).

I'm sure people were overzealous on both sides.  However in the County caucuses there were widespread reports of Clinton supporters challenging everything under the sun and holding up the process.  Wasn't reading reports the other way around.

By all means investigate improprieties, I think we all know who is more adept at playing dirty politics.

To the Clinton supporter applauding the younger people getting involved for their candidate, I agree with you.  Its inspiring to see and gives me hope for the future.

Obama 08
Why is this not a headline ...well...hoping Chris Matthews and KO will jump on this ...its a big state big Win for BO
"Jessica, Wisconsin" is right! I live in Nevada and attended the caucuses. The Clinton people tried to steer and manipulate the entire process! I remember the the old lady who was the precinct captain for Clinton in the caucus constantly yelling at everyone and trying to assume leadership of the caucus. The Clinton people, like the Clintons themselves, are sneaky people.
Congrats Obama...to bad come November there are no states that have a Caucus and Primary together to split the Electoral votes. The real number to remember in Texas and in all the other Caucus states is the total vote. Just take a look at the individual caucus states and you will see they are in mostly republican states and the repub candidate that finished second even third sometime woops Obama in the number of total votes.  
"This is just like Gore/Bush in 2000

Hillary wins the popular vote...
Barack wins the delegates.......... "

Jerry,
You're delusional.  It would be just the same if Obama didn't lead the popular vote by 700,000 votes!
If she lost Texas, she cannot win. So says Bill Clinton. Now it's time to move the goal post, Pennsylvania, maybe?
Obama is out there campaigning against Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and John McCain and Obama is winning.  What does that tell you???
Obama still can't win big states.  Obamabots can spin this all day long.  However, a MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN TEXAS SUPPORTED HILLARY. If Obama wants to do his impression of "W" in 2000, that is his decision.
but but but...wasn't the texas caucus system tilted towards minority voters to reward them for their shameless support of their white liberal enslavers, the democratic party?
Clinton won the popular vote in Texas, and now Obama gets more delegates. This is Gore/Bush all over again. The peoples will was for Clinton. The Democratic party is so screwed up.
Don't you think it's funny that when ever there is a victory for Barack, the Clinton supporters start bringing up something will very likely NOT happen. Geesh. MI and FL screwed themselves. Do the research, even your girl Hillary said at one time they didn't matter.(Sniper Fire) She thought she was going to steam roll Edwards and that Barack would be a long shot third. (Sniper Fire) That's why you never, ever, under estimate the American People. I love this country!!!
I can't wait for the Clinton spin on this.She won the popular vote in Texas with the help of Republican voters who hate her, but want to keep her in the race as long as possible to damage Obama.In the caucus vote Obama won by a huge margin among real democratic voters. Excuse me, I forgot that caucus votes are not as important as popular votes, especially when they go against Hillary. I also keep forgetting that 'every vote should count' means pledged delegates for Obama count less than superdelegates for 'big state' Hillary.


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