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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 News Political Reporter



The day in delegates, super switch

Posted: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 3:57 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama won a superdelegate switch, the campaign confirms. AP first reported that Virginia's Jennifer McClellan had switched her support from Clinton to Obama.

The day in delegates: Obama 4, Clinton 1
This is the fourth superdelegate endorsement Obama has won today. Clinton has netted one: She lost McClellan, but won the endorsements of Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), who said he'd back who won his district. NBC's Mike Viqueira reports Rep. Brad Ellsworth (IN-8) is also backing Clinton, since she won his district last night as well.

The Delegate Counts:
PLEDGED: Obama 1,588-1,422
SUPERDELEGATES: Clinton 273.5-260
OVERALL: 1,848-1.695.5

* Obama is 177 from the Magic Number of 2,025
* There are 261.5 undeclared superdelegates.

*** UPDATE *** For those asking or wondering, George McGovern is not a superdelegate.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Ellsworth's office sends along this distinction: "I stand by my belief the American people, not superdelegates, should decide who the Democrat nominee will be, and I was glad to see record numbers of Hoosiers getting involved and casting their votes in this historic race," Ellsworth writes in a statement, "If it comes down to the convention, I will cast my vote for the candidate 8th District voters chose unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise."  

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Comments

Keep them coming Obama!!!
Done
It looks like you added McClellan to Obama's count and forgot to subtract her from Clinton's count.
Come on Super Delegates, you can do it. Let's support Obama soon so we can win this election. It's time to concede HRC. I for one wish you would so the Democrats can win in November. Quit playing the people so dramatically.
I think the plug has been pulled out of the superdelegate dam....
Chuck, et al?

Could Obama get enough Supers that combined with the runners-up share of WVA delegates that he clinches next Tuesday?
May 20th = D-Day for the Clinton campaign.

I am an Obama supporter but I am looking forward to Sen. Clinton continuing her political career, she is a brilliant politician and no one can deny the good that she has done for our country. Now that the primary campaign is coming to a close, the Democratic party has no choice but to unite behind our nominee if we are to have any chance of winning the White House in the fall. We will need ALL of your help....not some, not half, but ALL. It is time.
Your tally should say Clinton O.  She gained 1 and lost one so that gives her a grand total of 0.
What about the switch of George McGovern? Clinton net should be zero today since she gained two and lost two.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/07/AR2008050702295.html
Super D's:  it's TIME. You know Obama is the nominee.  How much more evidence and data could you possibly need or want?  

Besides, the longer you wait, the more political you look.  Didn't you get the memo? The old politics are going.  Will you also be gone?
Will this race *finally* be over?!?  Kudos to superdelegates for getting off the fence!

And many thanks to Chris Matthews for expressing what everyone feels during his lead-in to the exit-polling on race.  I think he said, "Ugh!  Do we have to do this *again*?!  Can't we just skip it?  Okay. ..."  

To quote someone we all know, Chris "I feel your pain."

And, for the record... I am so proud that Obama is moving into general election mode.  Our country will be well served by a candidate who inspires activism instead of one who is more interested in herself than the American people.  (Did you get the feeling she was asking the man at the gas pump for directions?  "How do you work this thing?!?"   I mean, at least she could have gotten the squeegee thing and cleaned his windshield while she talked to the guy...)
How many of Obama's Supers have switched and jumped over to Hillary's camp?    Zero. Nada. Glitch!
Way to go, Senator Obama!
When does it become  detrimental to the DNC for Hillary to remain? How many distinctions can be made between in the name of unity? Let me get  this straight, you're dividing us to bring us together?
Will this race *finally* be over?!?  Kudos to superdelegates for getting off the fence!

And many thanks to Chris Matthews for expressing what everyone feels during his lead-in to the exit-polling on race.  I think he said, "Ugh!  Do we have to do this *again*?!  Can't we just skip it?  Okay. ..."  

To quote someone we all know, Chris "I feel your pain."

And, for the record... I am so proud that Obama is moving into general election mode.  Our country will be well served by a candidate who inspires activism instead of one who is more interested in herself than the American people.  (Did you get the feeling she was asking the man at the gas pump for directions?  "How do you work this thing?!?"   I mean, at least she could have gotten the squeegee thing and cleaned his windshield while she talked to the guy...)
261.5....... who is the .5?
Let's go superdelegates. The bandwagon is waitng. You need to support the nominee and stop all this nonsense,,. Then person with the most delegates, popular vote and states is Barrack Obama. We need to give our support and end this process...We need to win in the fall.
Is this counting McGovern??
14 away.  Should have this within a week, I'd think.

This will dominate the news cycle for a day or two.
I think she has to answer the painful question of "WHY" she cannot maintain her superdelegate endorsements. There is never any focus on that glaring fact. It gets reported on an almost daily basis lately that people are defecting! Why does it only get passing attention from the media. THIS IS A MAJOR FLAW...HER LACK OF HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND BELIEVABILITY!!!!!!!
I am amazed that Hillary's team is allowing this slow humiliation.  If she had conceded last night, and gave a rousing speech, she would have preserved her legacy.  Now she is an embarrassment that her colleagues are running away from in the Halls of Congress.
Typical Clinton, "only-in-it-for-ourselves" logic. Hoping that plastic Chelsea is taking notes for the inevitable Senate run of her own in 12 years.  But in which "home state"?  There are now at least 6 Clinton "home states": Ark, Ill, Pa, NY, DC, and Indiana. Wonder if she could run for two states at a time to improve her odds?
What about McGovern? Isn't he a superdelegate?
These people are like rats....only loyal to the biggest trash bin.
Interesting...the dems are for their person until it doesn't look good and then it is abandon ship abandon ship...what will they do when barry gets beaten like a step child in the GE? Join the repugnants?
Way to hang in there jennifer...with friends like this who needs enemies...talk about a bunch of backstabbing democrats...you just can't trust them not to abandon their friends or raise taxes...
Its over Rush and HRC in bed wow sad scaife/fox/cnn/abc/nyt and rets "media"- bunch of lazy partisan bums.. cant media try 2 pretend 2 be neutral, GS try swiftboating him for HRC and the RNC, along with gibson idiot, they brooks, kristolof nyt should be FIRED!  tried 2 railroad obama with nonstop crap
She's toast!
13.5 behind in super delegates!!! I remember breaking the 100 mark.

Frank
Chicago
Obama '08
Superdelegates are supposed to be the leaders of the party.  We're all watching to see if you have the courage to do what's best for the party.  In this economy we only have so many $$$ to contribute to this election--Let's not waste them by continuing this primary just to stroke someone's ego.
Hillary Clinton has just loaned her Lost-Cause campaign 6.4 million dollars that she knows it will never be able to pay back. I am now concerned, first, about her mental health. I am concerned, second, about what sort of behavior may be imposed on others as she becomes increasing desperate. The superdelegates need to put an end to this before she really hurts herself and everyone within reach.
I thought former Senator George McGovern also made a switch to Obama.  I saw it all over the news on MSNBC.
actually, the total number of delegates to go for Obama is 170 not 177.  
are you forgetting george mcgovern's switch from clinton to obama? isn't he a superdelegate?
She has netted zero on the day because of her TWO defections (Ms. McClellan and Mr. McGovern) and her two new endorsements. So, Obama picked up three new endorsements makes it a gain of +5 for Obama, with nothing changing for Clinton.

Just wanted to make sure our math is correct for today. :-)

Hello everyone.
My parents said they would not blog this site ever again, so here I am.
I hear the below from reporters on every station.
I`m kind of longed winded so bare with me for a moment.
I have been hearing  reporters state over and over again that Clintons supporters  will not vote for Obama in the general election.
Obama supporters would do the same likewise.
I also hear reporters state that Obama cannot win the BLUE COLLAR WHITE WORKERS.
Just wanted to understand or clarify something, are there no BLUE COLLAR AFRICAN AMERICAN WORKERS?

So here are some things to THINK about as we get closer to  the general election.
Why would anyone want to vote for a republican when they know full well that it will be as though George Bush had not left the White House?
Why is it fair for Hillary Clinton to change the rules as she pleases and there is no one to tell her that she cannot do that in the middle or at the end  of the game?
I understand that there are people out there that just would not vote for an African American – Why, because he is BLACK.
Why is that, is being BORN BLACK a very BAD thing?
Do BLACK  PEOPLE not have the same goals in life as their WHITE counterparts?
Did not BLACK PEOPLE fight in wars alongside their counterparts?
To coin a Phrase, do BLACK PEOPLE not bleed the same as the WHITE PEOPLE?
Is the color of a HUMAN skin so important that we as a country have come to the point that we cannot seek our DREAMS
If the color of  our skin is not WHITE? I think that that in itself is a fair question.
This country really has some Very HARD HEALING to do as a whole.
First the African Americans were brought here against their will and  they are finally a Free People they are treated with
The regards of garbage on the streets, cannot eat, drink or go see a movie in the same places at the same times as White People.
When they fight for the rights that all HUMANS should have they are still denied certain aspects of these simple things in life.
When they finally do get a chance to vote than that is taking away as well METHODICALLY (SYSTEMATIC) , with all the voting booths
being RIGGED to vote for whom that official in that district thinks should win.
Why do you think that Obama decided NOW is the time to run the President of the United States?
The word UNITED is a word that Obama uses often and I truly believe that this man can UNITE this country.
We are really showing the rest of the world that we are NOT as UNITED as we label ourselves, think about it.
Be HONEST with yourself.  Are we UNITED?
When I saw that a BLACK Man was running for the highest position in our wonderful country, I was so proud for the first time
In my life of our country. Yes I stated this and it is the way I truly feel at the moment.
I thought to myself, WOW are they going to really let this BLACK Man run?
We don`t need to go back to the DARK times of our country do we?
Deny this man this chance to show the rest of the world they we are NOT UNITED, than the game for the U.S.A.
Is over.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE, WE RUN THIS COUNTRY
DO NOT LET JUST A FEW ELECTIVES TELL US WHAT WE WANT.
TAKE BACK WHAT IS RUGHTFULLY OURS, THE GOVERNMENT OF THIS COUNTRY.
WE PUT THEM THERE WE SURE AS HELL CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM THEM.
LET`S GO AND BE UNITED.

Thanks for your patience, Littleoldme.
Obama is changing the face of politics as he goes. This is his first big test and win against the old politics of the divisiveness and distraction within the Democratic party. Obama withstood the blistering attack machine that defines Clinton and not only survived but did very well in last nights crucial contests. It seems odd last night and today to watch the talking heads of the mass media and politics  (not most of you guys) trying to figure out what happened, most don't get it yet and some will never be able to understand it. The politics of tearing people down, dividing them up, making them hate each other and then marginalizing them are dead, the American people simply will not fall for it anymore. If you want proof of what I am saying look at what happened last night in IN and NC (bitter, gas tax pander, elitist, Rev. Wright, etc.).

Next stop the Republican party.
GO MR. PRESIDENT OBAMA 08!


177 AND COUNTING....
I read on Politico that superdel Gelber from Fla. declared for Obama today.
Chuck,

Can you take one super off Clinton's total.

Jon
Clintonistas pack it up and go home.... The street lights are on and its time to go in the house....
-
HILLARY IS DISPICABLE IN HER BLATANT DETERMINATION TO DO EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO DESTROY OBAMA AND "STEAL" THE NOMINATION FROM HIM.

HILLARY IS AN OUT-OF-CONTROL EGOMANIAC WHO WILL DESTROY OBAMA & THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SO SHE CAN GET HER WAY.

DEMS MUST S-T-O-P HILLARY or LOSE IN NOVEMBER.

-----------------------------------------------------
Drip, drip, drip...

Drippity-drip.

http://thepajamapundit.com/
How about George McGovern...
Doesn't this make the daily count 5-0 for the O-man
NBC ENDORSES CLINTON!

WILL NOT COUNT JIMMY CARTER FOR OBAMA BUT WILL COUNT BARBARA BOXER FOR CLINTON !

THEY BOTH HAVE NOT OFFICIALLY SAID WHO THEY WOULD VOTE FOR IN THE CONVENTION...

INTERESTING...
Thanks for caring about the 'numbers'...Goodness knows that Clinton doesn't! Obama in 08!
I predict that Obama will have enough delegates by May 15 that Hillary will have to withdraw. Hillary has already lost two so called super delegates this morning who switched to Obama thus negating her gain in Indiana and these are only the vanguard. By this time next week enough supers will commit to Obama she will have to drop out. Up to now many of the supers have been waiting to see how the primaries and caucus' went and some still give lip service to letting the voters in the remaining six states have a say but now that the outcome is no longer in doubt and as more and more supers move into Obama's camp they will recognize there is nothing to be gained by waiting and endorse Obama. Look for the endorsements of Obama by uncommited supers to increase dramatically over the next few days which will prompt enmass desertion of Hillary by supers who had previously endorsed her. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, she's broke too. A fact that will expedite her withdrawl.
Hillary:

It's time for you to dust off your swan song. It's over!

just maybe my comments will make it this time(4th)

well the fat lady is singing now.

help,help i'm losing can we please count the votes in florida and michigan its the only way i have a chance of winning. i know i agreed not to count them,but i thought i would have won the nomination by now. i have supporters and superdelegates that are switching over to obama. my campaign is broke but i am sure that i will get my money back that i loaned myself to campaign in indiana and won by only 2 points,and lost in north carolina in a land slide. i hope everyone can forgive me for being a liar and a deceiver.

I am Hillary Clinton and i wrote and support this song.    
69 is the real magic number....

Assuming a 50-50 split of the remaining pledged delegates, that means only 69 more super delegates puts Obama passed 2025....

261.5 supers remain undeclared..

The answer to FLA and MI should be a revote. If the
states are not able to afford it then an alternative
should be it. Hillary may find out that she is not
as electable as she seems to think.

--- Obama to pay for Hillary's debt?
Not even if she were to drop out now.

Obama has shown his grace time and
time again. Hillary could take some lessons from him.

Hillary wants to obliterate Iran-- even using Nukes.
Maybe she forgot about Chernobyl. Nuclear waste from
it hit Japan and went as far as the Netherlands.

Who would suffer if Hillary nuked Iran.

We need a leader not a dictator.

Obama '08
Why are we still sitting on our hands why why why??? It's time for change let's make it happen........


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