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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.

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Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Clinton adds two more supers

Posted: Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Christina Jamison and Domenico Montanaro

Three superdelegates in one day. It’s been months since that’s happened for Clinton. In addition to the pickup we mentioned earlier of former Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff, the New York senator’s campaign just announced it has also picked up the support of CA Rep. Jackie Speier, who recently won the special election for the late Tom Lantos's seat, and the former president of the Ohio state AFL-CIO, Bill Burga, a DNC member.

Obama picked up one superdelegate earlier today.

That adds two more to Clinton’s superdelegate total: 259-226 over Obama. In the overall count, Obama leads by 131 (1,642 to 1,511). He has a 164 pledged-delegate lead (1,416 to 1,252).

[EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified Masloff's first name. Also, we identified Bill Burga as the current head of the state AFL-CIO; he previously held that position. ]

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I am so happy to hear that the Superdelegates are measuring experience and knowledge over hope and dreams.  We all have hope and dreams, but only a few have the experience to become Commander in Chief and that's Hillary.  Thank you Super's for being wise.

For women putting down Hillary - you think about your thoughts in the next 4 years, "if" Hillary doesn't get elected, when you're still just "another woman" and get no respect, o.k.  Remember that you contributed to your own downfall (period!!!!)...
Poor Obama even with his big ears he is never going to hear the swiftboats a coming.  There will be dancing that night!
I agree with Pajama Pundit.  The superdelegates should not overturn the election.  Clinton has won every major "blue state" except Illinois, and with PA will have won enough states to win the electoral college.  The superdelegates should recognize this and not overturn the election.  Clinton should be the nominee.
San Mateo County Times on April 5, 2008 quote: "Even more surprising, Speier said that despite her endorsement of Clinton, she would decide whom to vote for after the primary, leaving open the possibility that she'd go for Obama. She declined to say which candidate would get her vote, but her silence itself was revealing."
James Memphis... if Obama cannot win the major states of the Democratic coalition, tell me how he wins a general election when he sure can't carry the red states he won in the primaries.  He's going to carry South Carolina in the general?  Wyoming?  Idaho?  They're as red as red gets, and he can't win them.  The electoral college map is stacked against him.  Face the reality of it, he can't win.
The people who are biased to Hillary complain about things that are biased to Obama this is funny Hillary people regularly come on the Hannity show and talk down Obama, what a bunch of cowards, at the end of the day we are all democratic family and as both canidates said they will be united when this is over, why cant we be mature enough for that? You wouldn't go to your enemies house to bad mouth your brother well thats what we are all doing everytime we get on fox to bad mouth a fellow democrat and fox is eating it up. If Clinton was the front runner fox would be trashing her. And to all the Clinton supporters wahts with the gender card lately thats all we hear comming from the Hillary camp, if we dont vote for her we are sexist but if Obama says you don't support him because of race Clinton supporters take offense, lets stop with the race and gender cards none of these millionares have been subject to sexism or racism in any real way.
BUT are the Oregon former governors superdelegates??  I see no evidence that they are.
I am so tired of hearing from Hillary supporters that if Obama cannot beat her in a primary in the large states, then he would not win them over McSame in the general.  Of course he would.  

Those of us Democrats who live in traditional Blue states like Pennsylvania, California, Massachusetts and New York are going to elect the Democrat.  When Hillary finally, mercifully, concedes, and Obama becomes the nominee, we traditional Blue staters will support him.  The fact that Hillary squeaked out a few narrow wins in those states in the primaries will not alter that result.

What IS revealing from the primaries is Obama's ability to do FAR better than Hillary in more traditional Red states like Virginia and Colorado.  Hillary would get crushed by McBush in those states in the general, just like she did by Obama in the primaries.  However, unlike Hillary, Obama actually has a prayer in those states to beat McOld in the general.

So wake up Hillary supporters.  The primary results to date (as well as the reputable national polls) prove that Obama is the Dem with the best chance to end 8 years of Republican tyranny.  
FOR DEBORAH IN TEXAS:

Please don't be condescending to me and many other women.  The idea that women should vote for Hillary Clinton simply and only because she is a woman is grotesque and insulting.

How dare you imply that we are somehow disloyal to our gender if we dare to use our brains and our judgment to make an informed decision?

You should be ashamed of yourself -- And just for the record --- every woman I know - from my 85 yr old mother (who would dearly love to see a woman in the WH) to my daughters and nieces who range in age from 17 - 24, my cousin and her 3 daughters and my friends and their daughters are all Obama supporters -- and very proud of it!!!!

Hillary is not the right person for President -- woman of not!!

Obama '08
What I find sad is these so-called strong women who whine relentlessly that Clinton is not being treated fairly by the press. Her history makes her a target not her gender. Clinton has rallies specifically for women & constantly talks about putting a woman in the oval office, as that's as important as healthcare or Iraq. Imagine the backlash is Obama did the same with race? If she uses the same old politics of her husband, how will she be any different than a man?Just like Katie Couric, the right person for the job may be a woman, but not THAT woman. She lied repeatedly to manipulate the public. At a time when we need to trust our president again, I find all these gender accusations selfserving. A strong leader knows who she is, but Clinton seems to be acting. I'm not saying she could not do the job, but she lacks leadership qualities. Raising your had first in class doesn't make you a leader. Inspiring others to follow you does. And that is what we will need more than anything for the forseeable future.
I'm getting sick and tired of Clinton supporters crying over how MSNBC's coverage of Clinton is so unfair, of course until they present a story in her favor. It is very childish! Bunch of babies. I will take MSNBC's new coverage over that of CNN or FOX Noise any day, any time of the week. MSNBC IS TRULY THE BEST!!!!
You people need to do your research, the two FORMER  governors of Oregon are NOT SUPERS.  Just former governors throwing their support to Obama.  The CURRENT Governor is supporting Hillary.  Get your facts straight.
Geoff in Brooklyn. No, the Oregon Govs are not superdelegates


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