Day in Delegates: Obama 2, Clinton 1

Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:37 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats, 2008, Delegates

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama got two superdelegates to Clinton's one today. Obama picked up Madeleine Bordallo of Guam and Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Scott Brennan. The Clinton campaign, a short time ago, announced Martha Coakley, the Massachusetts attorney general.

The NBC NEWS counts:
PLEDGED: Obama 1,602 to 1,444
SUPERDELEGATES: Obama 304.5 to 280.5
TOTAL: Obama 1,906.5 to 1,724.5

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Comments

For the umpteenth time, the only superdelegates that count are the ones that support Hillary. Also, the only states that count are the ones that Hillary wins.

I'm a hardworking white person, and I support Barack Obama for President!

Obama in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:46 PM)

At this point when a SD goes with Hillary you can only assume that it's either pay back time or that there's something hanging over one's head. Hmmm....wonder what's going on with Martha?

garyd, amherst, nh (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:47 PM)

Long Tall Texan (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:47 PM)

I note that the MSNBC politics page now DOES count 10 Edwards delegates for Obama, which is great. I also love the idea of making the "Edwards delegates" their own line on the tabulation model. BUT, why don't you include the Edwards delegates here?

As we zero in on the magic number, precision will be more and more important -- especially given Clinton's determination to deny her loss as long as possible. Can't the universe agree on a consistent delegate count?

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:49 PM)

Keep them coming. I must have missed the news on the 10 delegates added to Obama from Edwards. That will make FL and MI not even matter so maybe Hillary can stop trying to wreck the Dem party. Let's get this Dem's and Rep's together and get this ill fought war over with now!!!

Obama 08 ;)

Mike, Charlotte NC (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:50 PM)

Down to 119.5 to reach the "magic number". Wow! I continue to be impressed with how Obama has run his campaign. I hope our party will be able to unite and bring about good changes in the future!

--white, over-40, hardworking woman for Obama!!

Beth, Denton, TX (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:51 PM)

Day by day, delegate by delegate Barack Obama closes in on the winning total and will not be denied his rightful victory.

I got a real laugh yesterday when Hillary "Republican" Clinton said that Karl "Math Flunky" Rove said she was the stronger candidate. Shows us where her real sympathies lie.

I also got a big laugh out of her claiming she was the more progressive candidate. She's been appeasing the conservative lunatic fringe for years with her backing their ban on flag burning and her total sellout to the medical insurance industry with her mandatory insurance scam.

The reason I voted for and support whole heartedly was that Barack Obama was the most progressive liberal candidate with the best plan to save our democracy from the NeoNazi crowd.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:52 PM)

Can we please move past the counting to 2,025? And move on the now more relevant number of 270? Thank you.

Regarless of the treatment of Florida and Michigan, this is over. Let's begin to act like it.

Pete, Denver, CO (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:52 PM)

Hooray! Thank you Super D's! Time to get this party started, unify and beat McCain!

Obama '08

37 year old, white, southern woman for Obama!

Renee, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:54 PM)

The math is getting increasingly dubious for the New York Senator. At this point, her only refuge is her argument that she is leading in the popular vote (if you count Michigan and Florida). Nevertheless, I have to wonder if it is wise to bring up a "popular vote" argument in light of what happened in the 2000 election. Check out the article below for some interesting ideas on this:

http://www.strangelegacy.com/2008/05/20/question-what-is-hillary-thinking/

Chris W. (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:54 PM)

Thank you Congresswoman Bordallo!
Guam USA - Where America's Day Begins!

Proud to be a Guamanian, Alhambra, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:55 PM)

As the Dem primary comes to a close I am wondering why McCain's speech today on Cuba received "Road-blocked" coverage?

He basically spouted the exact same policy that Bush currently has. I can't see why this was such big news that it needed to be covered simultaneously on all networks.

Can someone answer this for me?

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:56 PM)

Superdelegates should not be turning a blind eye to Clinton's subtle sabotage of Obama, e.g. the late-breaking sexism baloney designed to suppress women's votes and keep them cryogenically frozen for her 2012 run (assuming her attempts at undermining Obama are successful in his run against McCain).

Dave, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:58 PM)

This is over and I don't understand what is going on with dragging this out?

The republicans were not worried when McCain lost states by 40 pts or more, so why are the dems dragging this out to save face for a sore loser?

I am seriously primary electioned fatigued and I am ready for the general to start.

Michelle Zee (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:58 PM)

I hadn't been paying attention, so I didn't realize Obama had jumped to a 20-plus lead in supers.

I'm just sorry to see stories out of the news for a day about how Republicans shake in their boots with fear at the mere mention of two-bit dictators. That's always fun.

Plus, some Israeli newspaper is reporting on Bush plans to launch an attack on Iran before he leaves office, though it also reports Gates and Rice have been a moderating force to these nutty plans.

If that happens, it will create (among the other more serious consequences) a unique election dynamic. I really believe much of the country - including most independents, who like it or not matter more than any other bloc - will recoil at the stupidity of this Administration. It won't be the usual "back the war" kneejerk reflex, I don't think. Obama's position is pretty easy to see, but it will be interesting to see how McBombbombIran handles it.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:58 PM)

If the Edward's delegates are actually pledged then I'd like to see them in their proper place as pledged delegates since they are the most important kind of delegate there is. Placing them separately throws off Obama's large pledged delegate lead.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:00 PM)

When are you going to update your political calendar? West Virginia was a week ago.

Sarah (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:01 PM)

Eric, u really need to get a grip! I get it. U like obama better. Some of the things u say about Hillary make you look completely irrational!

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:02 PM)

One of Sen. Hillary Clinton's top financial supporters offered $1 million to the Young Democrats of America during a phone conversation in which he also pressed for the organization's two uncommitted superdelegates to endorse the New York Democrat, a high-ranking official with YDA told The Huffington Post.

Haim Saban, the billionaire entertainment magnate and longtime Clinton supporter, denied the allegation. But four independent sources said that just before the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, Saban called YDA President David Hardt and offered what was perceived as a lucrative proposal: $1 million would be made available for the group if Hardt and the organization's other uncommitted superdelegate backed Clinton.

Contacted about the report, Saban, initially very friendly, became curt. "Not true," he said, "it's simply not true." He declined to elaborate. Did he talk to the YDA superdelegate? "I talk to many, many superdelegates. Some I don't even remember their names." Did he propose any financial transaction? "I have never offered them or anybody any money" in exchange for support or a vote, he said. The Clinton campaign did not return a request for comment.

From: Huffington Post

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:03 PM)

Hillary said that delegates can and should switch their vote before and at the convention (after the miracle she is hoping for happens). She also said that she is staying in until there is a nominee. Since only a vote a the convention can determine a nominee should we just forget the counting and wait? I think Hillary's plan is to be the equivelent of the understudy hoping something will happen to the lead actor before opening night.

Who's Sane (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:03 PM)

The reason I voted for and support whole heartedly was that Barack Obama was the most progressive liberal candidate with the best plan to save our democracy from the NeoNazi crowd.
********
Erick in Salinas: You better go study some more. There's a very, very thin line between Obama and fascism. June 10th...Indpendents Day...Democrats changing affiliation to Independent to deliver an en masse message we will NEVER vote for Obama.

NObama (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:04 PM)

It is amazing that ANY Super Delegates are still endorsing Senator Clinton at this point since her defeat is now a near mathematical certainty. Those Super Delegates who endorse Senator Clinton from this point forward are going to be left out in the cold very soon.
*************8
Long Tall Texan: Perhaps, some people DO vote their conscience and what they believe in and don't jump on a bandwagon (that's going nowhere but to defeat.) As far as being "left out in the cold", wouldn't that punitive attitude be "playing old politics"? June 10...Independents Day..Democrats changing affiliation to Independents to demonstrate en masse we will NEVER vote for Obama

NObama (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:07 PM)

Go Obama, this thing will soon be over. Although I heard a politcal author on the Clinton's (Jack Cashill) who wrote John Brown's Body state why he thinks HRC is still in the race. He thinks the Clinton's are trying to pin something more on Obama because Obama could not survive another Rev. Wright. Let's keep Obama in our prayers. I respect the Clinton's like I respect the Mafia.

karen bourland overland park ks (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:12 PM)

Erick in Salinas: You better go study some more. There's a very, very thin line between Obama and fascism. June 10th...Indpendents Day...Democrats changing affiliation to Independent to deliver an en masse message we will NEVER vote for Obama.

NObama (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:04 PM)

Actually, maybe YOU should study a little bit more. Anyone with any semblance of political knowledge knows extreme liberalism is socialism, and extreme conservatism is fascism.

So your "thin line" is more like a gaping abyss. Much like the one residing between your ears.

CitizenJ (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:20 PM)

When Karl Rove energizes the GOP's base by tapping into their darkest nature, he's lauded as a genius. When the REAL Dem base (blacks, liberals and young people) comes out for Barack Obama in significant numbers because he appeals to their best qualities and runs as a Democrat, Hillary's surrogates dismiss them as living in a fairytale, deluded and unimportant to the outcome.
News flash! Hillary voted to authorize the war in Iraq, runs like a Republican and never fails to appeal to the darkest nature of a group of voters who'll abandon the party and it's higher principles at the drop of an innuendo.
AND, what does one say to idiots like Geraldine Ferraro who won't vote for Obama because they think he's sexist? Nothing. If they're so stupid as to hold that opinion then there's no point in telling them that a John McCain presidency condemns their daughters, grand-daughters and great-grand daughters to a lifetime of pro-life, "constructionist" judges -- it'll take that long to rebalance the supreme court after his 2-3 nominations.
Good thing I don't have a uterus. What's your excuse?

Ian (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:22 PM)

The photo of the Obama rally in Oregon. Are you kidding me?

Blaine (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:24 PM)

Superdelegates should not be turning a blind eye to Clinton's subtle sabotage of Obama, e.g. the late-breaking sexism baloney designed to suppress women's votes
Dave, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:58 PM)

Right, you are, Dave. And I can assure you that if there is any scheming on her part to see that Sen. Obama loses so that she can have another shot in 2012, the voters in my home state of Ohio won't forget the major role that our Gov. Strickland played in assuring her victory here.

John, Delaware OH (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:25 PM)

NObama, you don't have to "change" affiliation on June 10. Do it now, save the trouble. Operation Chaos is dead. Get over it.

Walt, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:35 PM)

He needs 16 more and then Obama is off to defeat McClain!

-------------
http://www.MyObamaStore.com ( Coupon: Obama-X2Y9-10 )

America for Obama (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:35 PM)

I just realized HRC is playing reverse sexism. She is using the claim to get women upset to vote for her. Also, this deal where her supporters are offering people money for their vote-very suspicious!! I am a w/f over 50 and I don't buy this. Hillary is a manipulative woman and Bill is right there with her. If she could steal it she would.

Cherie Kansas City MO (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:40 PM)

I did some math and here's how it looks. I assume the following results:

Hillary wins Kentucky 60-40 an Puerto Rico 55-45
Obama wins Montana 52-48, SD 54-46 and Oregon 56-44.

That would put Obama at 2007 and Hillary at 1819 total delegates based on the current MSNBC count.

If you were to seat the Florida delegates as they voted (and give Obama the Edwards delegates) which is Hillary 105 Obama 80 (67+13 Edwards delegates), and give Hillary the 73 Michigan delegates she claims and Obama the remaining 55 you get a total of Obama 2142 delegates and Hillary 1997.

So Obama would need just 68 delegates to get to the "new" Clinton magic number of 2210 (from a recent Wolfson memo) to clinch the nomination while Clinton needs 213. Unless the superdelegates break over 76% to Hillary there is no way she gets the nomination even if she gets Michigan and Florida seated as she wants.

So if I'm Obama, I say, ok, seat Michigan and Florida as they voted. It will make no difference and not tick off two important states.

Richard McCabe, East Brunswick, NJ (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:50 PM)

Why is Lou Dobbs still talking about Florida & Michigan? He constantly refers to Sen. Obama in the context that the Senator had something to do with these two states not counting. I don't think it's fair to the votors, however, Sen. Obama had nothing to do with them electing to hold their primaries early and neither did Sen. Clinton. Stop accusing Sen. Obama of being the person responsibility. So you want Sen. Clinton to win, but you can't change rules just because you want to win. If you do, than you'll be that kind of president - changing rules to fit your agenda. That's what we have now with Bush.

Joyce Smith, Elizabeth, NJ (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:55 PM)

NoBrains: You better go study some more. There's a very, very thin line between McCain/Bush and fascism. Their corrupt government is controlled by corporations you blind fool. Go hug a lobbiest.

Obama '08 Baby..!!

Lex Wright - Seattle, WA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:56 PM)

I really hate to be conspiratorial but Martha just might be in line for Sen. Kennedy's seat if a need arises to fill it. I just wonder if the devil offered her support in that case. Otherwise, I see this as a slap in the fact of Sen. Kennedy considering his choice for President. You just have to wonder why she would have declared today. Awful timing or something more sinister.

Debra (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:56 PM)

"There's a very, very thin line between Obama and fascism." --NObama

What are you smoking NObraina? Can you read the description of facism below and seriously believe it fits Obama? To my ears it sounds a lot more like the Bush crowd. Just to calibrate you, would you agree the Bush crowd is over the line?

from MSN Encarta:
"Fascism rejects liberal ideas such as freedom and individual rights, and often presses for the destruction of elections, legislatures, and other elements of democracy. Despite the idealistic goals of fascism, attempts to build fascist societies have led to wars and persecutions that caused millions of deaths. As a result, fascism is strongly associated with right-wing fanaticism, racism, totalitarianism, and violence."

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:57 PM)

She will try to harm him with this bogus plan to protest the Superdelegates support of Obama. Read into these blogs some hyper women, who need to take valium but instead they have bought this trumped card of Clinton's propogated by Ferraro (someone dug her up)regarding sexism. Did you see what Ferraro's charges were, "Annie Oakley" and wiping his coat of the dirt she threw. That's really sexism. If you believe that is what sexism, you really very young. As a 56 year old female attorney, this is insulting. If young women buy this, they need to read a book on true gender battles.

Debra (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5:01 PM)

People please grow up. The true issue is the division of the democratic party. McCain will will because of this terrible divide. If Obama wins the nominee Clintons supporters will not vote for him and visa-versa. So four more yours of war!

Dorothy Durham, NC (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5:07 PM)

I gotta say it's refreshing to see so many democrats proclaiming to be white and over 40 or 50, and women. What I love about this is that even though racism still unfortunately exists in America, there are many out there that have already disavowed and abandoned it's divisive ideals. I am an AA aged 35 and I voted for Barack Obama in the NC primary and will vote for him in the GE as well. And it's NOT because he is AA (remember, he is only half) but because he is the candidate that seems to have the best grip on what needs to be stopped and changed in washington. If he was purple he'd get my vote. To the white women who post in this blog and show support for Obama, please accept my gratitude, you are proving that all this BS is inaccurate. If you're the better candidate, you will be voted for. Thank you.

HBOOGY, Charlotte, NC (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5:08 PM)

Eric, u really need to get a grip! I get it. U like obama better. Some of the things u say about Hillary make you look completely irrational!

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:02 PM)
*************************************************

Having read many of your posts, Bobbi, this one shows that you're as big a hypocrite as they get.
You know...throwing stones...glass houses...ever heard that one?

Mark P, NC (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5:14 PM)

Martha Coakley is a waste of space. Ask her about the 1998 "Au Pair" trial. As a 2nd rate Assistant District Attorney she blew a cookie-cutter manslaughter case. Somehow, the voters decided she'd make a good AG. If that is the best HRC can do, its fair to say she's cooked.

Chowdaman - Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5:14 PM)

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