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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 snags 1 more

Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2008 3:41 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: , ,

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama has pulled within two of taking the lead in what was once Clinton's formidable superdelegate lead in the NBC News count. Today, the Illinois senator picked up the endorsement of California superdelegate Crystal Strait, a Young Democrats of America board member.

Strait is the first superdelegate to endorse this Sunday, but is Obama's sixth pick up this weekend. Clinton gained one yesterday, but lost two for a net of negative one in the NBC News count.

The NBC NEWS delegate counts:
PLEDGED: Obama 1,590, Clinton 1,426
SUPERS: Clinton 276.5, Obama 275
TOTAL: Obama 1,865, Clinton 1,702.5

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Courtesy of Saturday Night Live...

"Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton" says she has no ethical standards.
On this lazy, one-delegate Sunday, a thought that I am surprised not to have yet seen in print: Everyone makes much of the fact, although a generic polls shows Democrats trouncing Republicans, the actual candidates are nearly tied in head-to-head match-up. But, the Obama vs. McCain (and Hillary vs. McCain) polls certainly reflect the sentiments shown in other polls -- namely, that Obama supporters are resistent to Hillary and Hillary supporters are resistent to Obama. Surely some of McCain's support in the general election match-ups results from this phenonenon. And, nevertheless, he is behind. Assuming the almost certain Obama vs. McCain match-up in the Fall, even if only a quarter of the Hillary supporters who currently say they won't vote for Obama end up changing their minds and supporting the Illinois senator, that would likely result in at least a ten point surge in the polls for Obama -- and he is leading McCain by a few points already. The same analysis applies to state-by-state match-ups, especially in swing states.
A leader the caliber of Obama comes along once every 50 years, at best. Our time has come. Our nation's future is now.
To all those non-Obama supporters, please have some faith in the man.  He will lead us in the right direction.  For the first time in my life I feel as though I will have some faith in our President.  He talks from the heart and only wants what is best for our country.
Thank you Ms. Strait.

I won't say welcome to the Obamanation, because I find that handle undermines our agenda as Americans.

When First Read, after the debate in Pa. that caused such an uproar, referred to the Obama supporters as, 'The Obamanation', I was concerned. I immediatly told them so in multiple posts, which they did not publish on this thread. I hope this gets through.

Obama supporters have been called many names that attempt to paint us as a mindless cult. One Hillary supporter stated we look like zombies in a trance.

Their jealous rants do not bother me. However, we should not let ourselves be seduced into helping repubs, or other dems spread propaganda aimed at impuning our patriotism.

This is great news -- Obama's lead in overall delegates has never declined in recent weeks -- he was up 110 at the time of Ohio; 130 for Pennsylvania and now 160 plus. How in god's name did anyone think Hillary had momentom after Ohio and Pennsylvania???
Mr. Joe Wilson, and Ms. Valerie Plame,

I made a comment regarding Hillary's Oregon ad, featuring your endorsement, that was ignorant, and disrespective.

I was not aware of your struggles against the war in Iraq, and the persecutions you endured from the Bush administrations tyrannical machine, as a result.

May G-D accept your courageous deeds, bless, and reward you.

I sincerely apologize to you, your families, all of the First Read staff, and blogggers.
GoBama  08!
Dear Fellow Dems and Number Junkies:

below is a website to get some different numbers on the super delegate watch. While I'm perplexed as to how counting can vary so significantly, the superdelegate count is probably not REALLY going to matter in a few days -- esp if Hillary remains divisive and negative.

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegates-who-havent-endorsed.html

And to Oregon:  we LOVE you!!  'always a frontrunner in the environment and in human rights!

Former Pacific Northwest Girl and 55 y.o. white woman who supports Obama
Congratulations for one more superdelegate, Senator Obama.  More will come in - one by one, day by day.

Like Lincoln, I was born in Kentucky.  Unlike him, however, I spent the first 26 years of my life there and I will forever be a Kentuckian.  I want all to know that I take offense at Senator Clinton's remark about the hard working blue collar white workers without a college education.  To me, this insinuates that we are all just dumb and bigoted rednecks. I hope that other Kentuckians and those citizens from West Virginia can read those remarks as they are intended - - - an insult!

If I were not already an Obama supporter (and have been since his speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004) this one thing would certainly change my mind about ever supporting Hillary Clinton.

I just hope that other natives of these two states see the harm that these phrases do to them and to their reputations throughout the country.  As a word of advice:  She is not our "friend" just as she does not support us.  

Wake up, Please!  No 43 points for Hillary!  Anything less will surely convince her to withdraw from the race and draw all Democrats to the one candidate of quality - - - Senator Obama.



 
I agree Obama is a once in a life time leader. We need to come together as a Nation. No more divide! We are the people who can make a difference in our own life as well as the lives of our children and grandchildren. We are the people to come together! Obama 08
TO: MSNBC

Please could you inform us when you don't want to post more comments (such as CNN does)? This would save us a lot of time. Hope you understand.
Hillary supporters seem obsessed with seeing the corrupt pathological liar Hillary Clinton win the White House.  I wonder if they could answer a question for me.  Would they settle for another female president, someone like Janet Napolitano?  Or, does it have to be Hillary Clinton?  There are plenty of qualified women for commander in chief, and they have an advantage Hillary Clinton will never have:  integrity.

Obama in 2008.  Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.  Obama/Napolitano 2008!  Don't pick Hillary as your running mate, Senator Obama, or you will have to sleep with one eye open!
Thank you Crystal!!

Obama 08 !!!
This is a positive trend.  Here’s a summary of some good reasons to consider supporting Obama.  Feel free to share with friends in West Virginia and Kentucky:
http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/top-reasons-to-give-barack-obama-your.html

Don't forget Obama's 50 state strategy to recruit new democratic voters. Neither Hillary or McCain have attempted such a thing to help their parties. Obama will be awesome in the general! The republicans are terrified they have nothing on Obama, Wright and Ayers are old news and didn't help anyone's political agenda.
Amen Mr. Peek.
Geoff,

spot on.  

just watch the polls shift after Hillary's apple finally falls off the tree.

What makes the redefining of Hillary Clinton as the poor working class whilte candidate is not only mystifying( the Clinton's were never viewed favorably by the white working class before) but also damning.
Regardless of the ourcome in the fall election it stands as a watershed event in U.S.History.  It will be thee frist time that a viable Non White candidate has been endorsed by a major political party as their candidate.  The discussion should be not on race but on the issues.  It is the duty of the Democratic party to rise above race and define this election on the future of the U.S. In the ealry decades of the 21st century our batttles will be global in nature.  How we can lead morally and ethically as an economic superpower will determine the safety of not only the U.S. but the world.  That is why going to the base arguement of race that Hillary and Bill are doing takes us backword not forward as a country.  This should be the last chapter in the sad History of race and gender since the War of Independence. It is about how we live up to the doctrines laid out in the Declaration of Indpendence that is of importance.  This is a time of closing that sad History in inequality based up race and gender to one that should be about ecnomic justice for all U. S. citizens.  It should be about what makes us better not worse as world citizens. It is time to show the world we are still the beacon of Fredom and hope not of tortue and fear.  That is why I am determined to make my vote count in the fall and vote for Obama.    
Finally a few of the Super Delgates have found their balls. I'm glad this fiasco is almost over. Time to focus on McCain and win this thing and get this nation turned around. It won't happen overnight. Anyone who has ever navigated a super tanker can tell you it can take a nautical mile or more to turn it around once its speed is up. To turn this nation around will take a few years, but we have to get the right Captain at the wheel who has a current set of maps and an up to date GPS system. Bush apparently thought the maps were board games and has been playing "president" for 7 years. Clinton apparently has been trying to rewrite the maps as she changes the rules every two weeks as she slowly loses the campaign.

Honestly I wish the best for Hillary, although she has more bags than Queen Elizabeth travelling to her summer castle, I just don't want to continue the Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton cycle. This is America, not an aristocracy. Sorry Hillary it has nothing to do with you being a woman. It has everything to do with America needing a fresh start from scratch.

Obama 2008,(and if he proves worthy 2012)
Ms J. Thank you , thank you , thank you!!!! I have been saying the same thing all over the blogs on the net. Some people took what I said as an insult, but I was saying the same thing you just said. Clinton, by using the statement, "non college educated blue collar workers who earn less than 50k a year" is the politically correct way of saying "dumb white people who can't think for themselves" She tries to temper it by throwing in "hard working" which should be offensive to everyone. I made the statement that Bill Gates didn't graduate from college either. People jumped all over me.

When she tried to soften it by saying "hard working" she actually insulted every other race outside of the "dumb red necks" she had already insulted.Is she saying that the only hard working people in America are "white blue collar, non college educated people who earn less than 50K a year?" So anyone who isn't white, or who earnes more than 50k or maybe has a college education is just a lazy no good bum?

The claim once again was that she was tired. Ok well I will give her that. Maybe she was tired. If thats the way you talk when you are tired then I definitely don't want you anywhere near that red phone at 3 am. In fact we need to make sure the Secret Service keeps her out of the city of DC when that phone rings just in case she is tempted to pick it up!!!
ANY THING CAN HAPPEN. WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN HILLARY CLINTON. DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING WE DONT KNOW. ARE YOU GOING TO FRAME OBAMA OR MAYBE KILL HIM LIKE YOU DID WITH THE OTHERS, SO THEY WOULDN'T TESTIFY AGAINST YOU?
according to two major organizations obama has had the lead since friday.  ap, abc.  why are you guys behind
To the poster "poor people", I was pleasantly surprised to see your apology to Mr. Wilson and Ms. Plame.  However, you also owe the people of West Virgnia an apology for this remark: "Hillary found the trailer park lookingest people in W Va, for this ad, trying to prove her point on the cheap."  West Virgnians have a hard enough time tyring to dispel the negative "ignorant trailer trash" stereotype without folks like you perpetuating it by making such remarks.  I would bet you've never been to West Virginia and met her fine people.      
I am a 71 year old woman who thinks that Obama is the most gifted leader I have seen in my lifetime.  Yes, I do have a college education------but I wouldn't vote for Clinton under any circumstances.  I am so thankful that Obama came along in my lifetime.  I look forward to seeing him in the White House, and once again, I can be proud of America's president.  Oh, yes, I am white.  JY  Iowa
Why are some networks reporting one more delegate for Obama out of Colorado?
Hillary Supporters -

Supporting her and the expense of Obama is a character flaw.  She did not care about the MI and FL contests until it became clear they could play a role in helping to determine the outcome, and even then, she would not leap over the top.

You seem to have a problem looking reality in the eye.  Hillary Clinton was INFINITELY more recognizable than Obama during the Michigan and Florida primaries.  At the time of the MI contest, there were really only three candidates with a legitimate chance at the nomination, Clinton, Edwards and Obama, polling in that order.  Edwards and Obama removed their names, Clinton didn't - what does that tell you right there???  And Obama did not actively campaign in Florida, but Clinton didn't seem to mind taking advantage of her superior name recognition that helped her win the state?  What's been proven is that when Obama has the chance to campaign, people vote for him.  His language is a breath of fresh air.

Her actions, on the other hand, indicate an individual and a campaign that acted with supreme arrogance.  Her handlers and political operatives bullied and intimidated the field and the press into a premature coronation.  Well too bad, guess what, she actually had to compete.

And when she did, what happened?  She burned through a $100M early lead in campaign contributions, a 100 person lead in super delegate endorsements, a 30 point polling national advantage, and the state political machinery of every "big" democratic state via the governor's house.  All of these party organizations cranked up to support her with get-out-the-vote drives.  Obama's organization was a volunteer army, Clinton's was a bunch of conscripts, state party people who do this for a living.  Not too surprising that they lacked passion, and therefore the organizational zeal, of Obama's supporters.

Look through the article archives and you will find that not only was the Clinton campaign disorganized, they were not even repared to campaign after Super-Tuesday at all!  Again, what does that tell you.  It should point to arrogance, because that's what it is.

And to top it off, when her back was to the wall, when she finally did succeed in redefining herself from the inevitable with the deep policy experience; she redefined herself as a "fighter", a "populist" and in the process, she took the low road on the campaign trail, playing race, crying elitism, moaning at the "double-standard" of the press - throwing the kitchen sink.  

She has forever tarnished her legacy, as has Bill.  They sold their "goodwill" as ambassadors of the party in a feverish, desperate power grab.  But they couldn't successfully disguise what they are, which is morally bankrupt; a sham couple engineered for political success at the highest levels.  

Oh, and were not done yet...Now we're supposed to hand her a VP slot because she "deserves it" and were supposed to pay off her debt from all those ill-advised "advisors" so we can help her exit gracefully.  Given what you have seen from Hillary, do you honestly think the same would be afforded Obama?  Absolutely not, her advisors would be laughing at Obama on the Sunday press circuit, hinting at sour grapes or whining.  Hillary doesn't deserve a soft landing, she is the one who brought up the toughness angle, wanting to compare cojones, well here's a swift kick in them, and take that country-hick Carville with you!

Good riddance Hillary, and good riddance to all of her supporters that can't see past their own blind allegiance and are threatening to bolt to McCain.  If you're so short-sighted to support a candidate that will not support your economic interests, then you deserve 4 more years of income disparity this choice will bring you.
Wow. I am reading the posts in here and honestly my heart is warmed. Obama is right. We are better together than we are apart!!! I'm wondering what took us so long to see this? It so simple yet so true. United we stand, divided we fall.

"We can't possibly overcome our faultering economy!".. Yes we can

"We can't possibly leave Iraq in a safe, responsible manner without causing chaos".. Yes we can

"The races in America will never come together, there are too many cultural differences dividing us".. Yes we can

"The dollar is in free fall, oil is at an all time high, the nation is doomed and we can never return to an era of porpserity!".... Yes we can

"People are losing their homes, banks are losing money, there is no way we can ever fix this"... yes we can!!!

I have noticed something in human history that is true of all nations, present and past. When the people of a nation seek to be scared and selfish, evil and dark, then leaders rise up to accomodate the people and exploit their weaknesses and lead them as far into the darkness as they wish to go. But when the people of a nation rise up and decide that honor, truth, respect, decency, and caring are what they need to become stronger and more powerful as a people, a leader will emerge to lead them to the "land of hope and opportunity."

God in his wisdom has made this world thus. It is like Playdough. Life becomes whatever we wish it to be. If we wish it to be dark and scary. It becomes so. If we wish it to be Mean and nasty. So it is. If we wish it to be full of hope, discovery, peace, decency, and opportunity. Then it is so. God gives us life, health and strength. The rest is up to us. We can choose love or hate. War or peace. Prosperity or poverty. Its up to us.  

Obama 08
Thank you,Crystal Strait, for endorsing Senator Obama!  Congratulations to Senator Obama!  I am looking forward to you being our President and Commander-in-Chief!  

Obama 08!!  
I agree with the comment made above somewhere that if Hillary is more electable then she should run as an independent. I think Clintons are crossing all the limits of selfishness and shame.    
Why does MSNBC have such a big difference in delegate count than other sources?  Other news agencies were reporting Obama in the superdelegate lead days ago.

-Trevor
Gee...what's up with MSNBC? Every other news agency has Obama surpassing Clinton in the super race and you guys, like usual,  are behind. Just makes you see what MSNBC truly is. Behind the times.
Whew, it is nearly officially over. I hope Hillary does stay in. It keeps the press and the people focused on likely one of the most important elections since prior to WW2. Hopefully the effervescent Barack fans will realize that the Democratic base must be brought home. Neither Hillary no Barack could win the national election without the lower middle class and the poor. That is the true majority of the country and it has sadly grown over the years.
How is the kool-aid? :)
I am a white 49 year old woman with a college education who earns less than 40K as a RN and I am a Obama supporter. I send Sen. Obama $50-100.00 every month because I believe in him. I cried when he gave his speech on race and again when spoke after winning North Carolina. This is a truly great man! I will however, be very upset if he selects Clinton as his running mate or if uses any of my hard earned money to bail her out her campaign debts. Sen. Clinton has behaved badly and I am so disappointed in her.
Hi,
I just took The Bush-McCain Challenge -- an online quiz to see if you can tell the difference between George W. Bush and John McCain. Check it out, and see if you can do any better than I did!
http://Bush-McCainChallenge.com/?rc=tafbonus

Please remember Senotor Obama you will need to sleep with both eyes open if Rendell ends up on the list.  dirty, liar admitted he will lie on the witness stand please please keep him off your list.  He's my Gov and an embarrassment to Pa.  
Listen people....Republican and Democrats, this is the first President since Ronald Regan (and before that JFK) that has given us a sense of hope in this country. A new direction is what we need right now, not the same old McSame way or the way of the 90's under a previous Clinton. I am 42 years old and not since Ronald Regan have I felt moved by a President. It is time for MY generation to take the reigns and lead this country. You 50+ baby boom crowd had your chance..with Bush and Clinton and they both failed miserably. Now is the time for REAL CHANGE, much in the way JFK and then Bobby moved this country in the 60's motivating young people to service. It is time for her to drop out of this race, all she can do now is try and tear down the party.

Do you people really want a member of the Keating 5 or Whitewater running this thing?
make that 2-
Kentucky Lt. Gov. Endorses Obama

Can't seem to convince you that AP, ABC, Politico.com have Obama ahead already in superdelegate count.

Can't you catch up, or do another audit to show us how they are wrong.


GTo Obama
We the people!
In oder to have a perfect union, we have to vote for Obama come November.
TO HELL WITH OBAMA GO MC CAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a white female, I feel insulted by Hillary's recent remarks. I see her and her husband as two very desperate people, continuously "dicing" this country.
I don't care what color Obama is. We need to get her out of the press while we still have a party left. Racial stuff is difficult to heal and they know it. They practice subliminal suggestion, or shall I say they specialize in planting ideas in peoples heads.
Obama is a real gentleman, many other candidates would really blast the womans statements.
I am so tired of the media trying to push the negative or the not so open minded peoples view on the every day American. Look the majority of Americans want the troops home. So ask me if I think that after Obama is the nominee for the democratic party "will the Americans that was for Hillary set home and let Mccain win and continue this senseless war?" And I will say I doubt it seriously. And this is the reason why..I don't know of anyone who would hate their substitute more than they would love their blood. I wouldn't care what color or gender. Just Bring My Baby Home!!
Terry, Great Plains,

     You are absolutely right. The time has come for real change for all people. The Billaries are wanting to keep the nation in the dark ages, they are not progressive and have their own agenda for the presidency. Google Cathy Obrien and see what comes up. Very interesting research. Obama is the only canidate who will bring this nation together with honesty, integrity, and courage.
Obama 08
LIFE LONG DEMOCRAT - 56 YR OLD LIBERAL SOCIAL WORKER - WILL VOTE FOR MCCAIN IN NOVEMBER!!!  SHAME ON ALL THE SUPERS - THEY KNOW HILLARY WILL MAKE A BETTER PRESIDENT - THEY ARE JUST FOLLOWING THE FRONT RUNNER - THEY COULD HAVE ENDED THIS A LONG TIME AGO IF THEY HAD COME OUT FOR THE PERSON WITH THE MOST EXPERIENCE!!  INSTEAD WE WILL HAVE A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT FOR 4 MORE YEARS - AND I GUESS IT SERVES THE GOOFS RIGHT - SHAME ON OBAMA FOR NOT LETTING REVOTES IN MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA - WHAT WAS HE AFRAID OF????
Hillary still has a few tricks up her pants suit. The Nixon race-baiting tactics will work in WV & KY and create some more question marks. That's why Obama is being more cautious than the media, which may well change their tune at least for next week.
I think you guys need a new calculator.  Since Saturday night, Barack has had the lead in supers and now the ones he got today are just helping to increase this lead.  Every other media sources - ABC, CBS, the AP, Fox News, demconwatch.blogspot.com, politico, CNN, etc. all show him ahead of her.  Get your count straight and report correctly.
Thank you
Hillary had lost the race at the time when lost 11 primaries in a row. She should have left at the time.
How was Hillary going to make up for what she had lost?

When Hillary joined the race she under estimated the mind of a young senator who had worked in Chicago for more than twenty years as a community organizer helping troubled kids, the homeless and AIDS people you name it. By the time he announced his candidacy he had already laid ground for the race. The Clintons were thinking in terms of the twenty years ago, when Bill was favored by people and forgot the issues that transpired while he was in office that people resented them so much. The reason was that Bill did not finish his second term in good standing, due to his impeachment and did not accomplish what he had promised the American people. When Hillary came to the race she with some false statements that she was more experienced than the rest of the candidates. Despite that Bill was campaigning for her, it did not matter at all. Even if the game is changed for Hillary still Obama is ahead. The American people want change which Obama is bringing. The people are going to support Obama so that we do not have another Bush term in the office we are ready for someone new who will bring a brand new book to the table. Please no re-runs in the White House, Hillary is a re-run.


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