Obama wins pledged majority

Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:04 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama has won a majority of the pledged delegates, according to the NBC NEWS count. NBC NEWS has allocated 20 of Oregon's 52 delegates, so far with a 10-10 split.

Obama now has 1,636 pledged delegates, including the 10 Edwards delegates. He needed 1,627.

The NBC NEWS Delegate Counts:
PLEDGED: Obama 1626 to 1491
SUPERDELEGATES: Obama 304.5 to 280.5
EDWARDS PL. DELEGATES: Obama 10 to 0
TOTAL: Obama 1,940.5 to 1,771.5

*** UPDATE *** NOTE: Obama needs 17 more pledged delegates to win a majority of the pledged delegates, INCLUDING splits favorable to Clinton in Michigan and Florida.

There are 32 delegates left to be allocated in Oregon. Obama has won 24 pledged delegates thus far tonight.

The 17 needed includes nine delegates from Edwards in Florida who have indicated they would vote for Obama. Without those Edwards delegates, Obama would need 26 more delegates. (The splits, which mirror the "beauty contest" primaries in Michigan and Florida, are how the Clinton campaign hopes they are eventually seated.

Those splits would be:
MI: Clinton 73-55
FL: Clinton 105-76 (w/ Edwards dels, 67 without)

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Comments

How come Russert keeps saying Clinton is a "fighter, keeping her pledge to her voters..." C'mon, she's only staying in it to raise money to erase her debt!

Ann, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:11 PM)

Domenico, thanks for this! I'm so glad to see this allocation so early after the polls close. Wonderful news.

You guys are all doing a great job tonight (and today as well)!

Marihelen (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:12 PM)

OK, SUPERDELEGATES.

Whose recommendations are you going to follow?

(1) Ted Kennedy, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, ...

(2) or Rush Limbaugh

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:12 PM)

WOO HOO!!!

Go Obama
He's our man
Go Obama
Yes we can!!!!

Let the deluge of Super Delegates begin!!!!

SandyP Louisville, KY (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:14 PM)

Happy Days are Here Again. We finally have a winner as Barack Obama has shown he can't be beat no matter what the Wicked Witch of the East says.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:14 PM)

Anybody but Obama (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:15 PM)

YES,YES,YES, Thank you Oregon ROCK ON PEACE OUT

leni,westland,michigan (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:17 PM)

LET'S GET READY TO RUMMMMMBBBLLLEEEE!!!!!! BRING ON MCCAIN, WITH HIS SENILE, FLIP FLOPPING BUTT!!!

P.S. HEY MR OBAMA, I VOLUNTEER TO BE UR VP CANDIDATE.

ROBTHESECOND--- OBAMA'S ROADDAWG

robthesecond,arlington, tx (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:19 PM)

Pat Pukecannon just said that Oregon is the most unrepresentative state in the union. He just pulled it out of his ass because he didn't like the result. Could we replace him with someone who knows what analysis means?

Who's Sane (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:19 PM)

Obama wins big in Oregon !
83% of his votes came from 'WHITE VOTERS'

No APPEASEMENT for Hillary
Don't appease a crooked political hack !!

According to MSNBC, Hispanics, women and whites are shifting to Obama....
Obama leads the Gallup Daily Tracking poll"

PRINCETON, NJ -- National Democratic voters prefer Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton as the party's presidential nominee by a 54% to 40%, according to May 17-19 Gallup Poll Daily tracking.

Obama leads Clinton by 14% kiddies !!

Wrap it up, I'll take it

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:19 PM)

Go Obama!

YES WE CAN
YES WE WILL

Tina, NC (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:21 PM)

Who wants to be a part of shaping history? Who will follow the Deliverer through the sea that G-D has opened before us?

I am proud to call the Obama supporters my sisters, brothers, and friends. We are the forgers of destiny. We are the future.

To the rest of you, don't get left behind, where the people of WV, and Kentucky crawl around in the dark.

G-D bless us everyone.

american (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:22 PM)

Anybody but Obama'...BHO wants Americans to stop driving their SUV's, stop eating, stop keeping their houses warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. Where does he get off telling us what to do with our money??? ...'

Have you ever considered a career in Philosophy ?
Either that, or panhandling

You got the mind for it

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:22 PM)

Congratulations, Barack! You have earned the nomination! Super delegates, come on board and let's get ready to take on McCain and Bush term 3. Bush has been the worst President in my lifetime. Democrats, unite to make sure a 3rd Bush term does not happen.

Sue, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:22 PM)

and dont forget FL's delegates will most likely be halved. (perhaps MI, too). McAuliff even agreed to that as far....

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:23 PM)

Anybody but Obama - idiot? Look in the mirror.

Sue, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:24 PM)

Barack Obama leads Clinton in the Gallup Daily Tracking poll by 54% to 40%

How you like them apples, Clinton zombies ?

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:24 PM)

Domenico is the gift that keeps on giving burning the midnight oil to keep us up to date on the latest delegate count on this momentus night.

Barack Obama will go over the total needed pledged delegates even including Florida and Michigan and That's All Folks!

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:24 PM)

I really feel sorry for the hillbillary supporters, she is playing you like a drum. It is reported on msnbc that she is already in negoitions with the Obama campaign to exit the race gracefully. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but she could give a rats ass about the little boy that sold his bike and gave the money to her campaign, or why else is she negoitiating to get out of the race. Now don't ya'll feel just a little bit HAD! don't ya.

justthinkinoutloud (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:25 PM)

"BHO wants Americans to stop driving their SUV's, stop eating, stop keeping their houses warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer."--Anybody but Obama

Making up outrageous things and attributing them to someone you don't like is the worst kind of demagoguery. Stop pulling stuff out of your ass; it stinks.

Wikipedia defines demagoguery as:
"Demagogues may make use of logical fallacies, ... the use of half-truths, omissions, and distortions are what define demagogy — it is, in essence, giving bad-faith arguments for the purpose of political gain"

does the shoe fit Anybody?

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:26 PM)

BUMMER!!!!!

BHO wants Americans to stop driving their SUV's, stop eating, stop keeping their houses warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. Where does he get off telling us what to do with our money??? He is an idiot!!!!
Anybody but Obama (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:15 PM)
****************************************************

You had better learn to sacrifice for your nation, or get ready to pay 10.00 per gallon hardhead.

You are the idiot!

I guess you would rather drop a few nukes, and take what we need right?

It's time to anty up, and kick in you spoiled, soft, stupid, poor excuse for an American.

donna (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:28 PM)

hillary flauted the DNC rules by campaigning in FL and MI. So she must be penalised. this will detour future candiates from breaking the rules wit impunity. hillary's behaviour is appalling.

sem, va (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:34 PM)

I like your thinking, but Hillary is counting 0 for Obama in Michigan, since he wasn't on the ballot. Yeah, it's stupid and unfair, but "it's not over until the pantsuit says it is," remember?

Billy, Normal, IL (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:36 PM)

Hey Chuck T, that talk on air about the Michigan and Florida numbers was great. It's good to know what the real number is that Obama has to shoot to win for including those states, given the expected punishment from the DNC.

And you didn't make my head hurt. It was very clear and easy to understand. :)

Marihelen (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:37 PM)

Chuck Todd did an interesting piece on MSNBC Tv just a few minutes ago that the Florida and Michigan delegations may get cut down to half votes for some so the new goal posts may be around 2130 instead of 2210. They're also saying that Hillary better not get too greedy trying to get too much out of the Florida and Michigan seating or the DNC may show her the door ignomiously.

No wonder she hired Harold Ickes. She's hoping he'll give her everything she wants on May 31st after being one of the three fools who started this mess in the first place. That was the sneaky three-point shot she was referring to the other day.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:38 PM)

Dear justthinkinoutloud, no Hillary supporters do not feel had. They are like the band on the Titanic, going down with the ship, even to take down the Democratic party by saying they will vote for McBush! Why do they believe in her to the bitter end? Please, please,anybody but the "colored dude."

Cynthia, Philly PA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:39 PM)

I can't wait for Obama to take on McCain - the old boy is toast.

I am saddened by the clearly racist voting in WV and KY. Those people were not voting for Hillary they were voting against a black man. If her opponent was a white MAN they'd have blown her out. Hillary is going to regret this overt pandering down the road - she won't be able to excuse it as easily as I think she imagines. She thinks she's just been playing Clinton politics - like always - and it will be a piece of cake to smooth it over. She is going to be tarnished and find herself with more broken bridges than she can mend when she gets back to the Senate, this racist crap will drag her down for years to come. I hope she drowns in it.

feeling better in ne (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:46 PM)

It's only a matter of time now...

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:48 PM)

I think that Hillary is not going to be graceful on her exit. Just listen to the rhetoric that her and Bill used today claiming sexism and gender bias.It is sad that Hillary plays crippled sheep for her supporters when it is politically expediant. The truth of the matter is,Hillary does not know what truth is,she and her adviser sit in front of each other and practice lying so they can tell their lies with straight faces. Now this might come off sounding bad but it is not said in a mean spirit. The people that voted for Hillary in WV and Kentucky those poor people that need help, believed the lie she was selling them on the gas tax vacation and now she has a new lie this $10,000.00 tax credit for buying a Hybrid vehicle. Hell that last one would have sold me, if I didn't know any better. All I can say is this Hillary and Bill Clinton and the entire Clinton Campaign should be ashamed of themselves for perpetually changing the Goal Post just to suit Hillary's needs. Shame on All Of Them.

Brian M. De. (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:49 PM)

People, please be smart. No one is in so grand a financial position to be bailing Hillary Clinton out of her financial mess. She created it, she chose to keep going despite mounting campaign debt. How smart is that? Is there anyone out there bailing you out of your financial predicament? Gas prices are climbing, healthcare costs are out of control, people are losing their jobs and homes left and right, and you want to bail out a MULTI-MILLIONAIRE WHO HAS MISMANGED THEIR CAMPAIGN DONATIONS?!?!?!?! Remember, the Clintons will be allllllllllllright when its all over. President Clinton will only need to hit the speaking circuit and their debt will magically disapper. Where will YOU be financially?!?!

JWilson, Atlanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 12:22 AM)

What if Hilary crosses party lines? (Republican party)

Jim, Wheeling IL (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 12:32 AM)

Just noticed that Fox refers to Barack Obama as "BHO" and John McCain as "Mac" on their political info display at the bottom of the screen.
Also, noticed their explanation of why he won in Oregon was because people there are "liberal, upwardly mobile and educated". You know... worldly, successful and smart. No surprise then.

Ian (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 12:34 AM)

How Obama has run his campaign is how he will run the White House...How Hillary has run her campaign is how she would run the White House. American's, wake up and smell the coffee.

Janet Conlon (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 12:48 AM)

Cynthia from Philly PA....

WOW! you gave the world a glimpse of why thinking, logical Americans dislike Hillary supporters when they say they'd vote for another third Bush term over a much better candidate...A candidate, that although he wasn't your choice, is LOGICALLY better than McCain to someone who is a Democrat

Tyler, CT (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:00 AM)

Oh Happy Days. Obama has done battle with two tasmanian devils and has maintained his dignity throughout the process.

I look forward to voting for Obama, out next president. A man with a new vision for our country; a breath of much needed fresh air for the country.

It's time for Tasmanian Tess and Tasmanian Tommy to pack their bags and head back to New York, or Hope [Arkansas]. No one bought your lies, deceit, and your nasty choice to drag race into the process.

Smick (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:02 AM)

I AM A WHITE MALE IN KY WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA. MOST PEOPLE JUST DO NOT KNOW HIM YET. THERE ARE ALSO SOME THAT ARE VERY CLOSED MINDED. I WILL SAY THAT THEY AE NOT THAT FOND OF HILLARY EITHER. HAD EDWARDS BEEN A LEGITIMATE CANDIDATE IN THIS PRIMARY, HE WOULD HAVE WON HANDS DOWN AND IN WVA ALSO. HILLARY COULD NEVER WIN KY IN THE GENERAL ELECTION. TRUST ME! MOST WERE DISAPOINTED IN THE CHOICE BEFORE THEM.IT WAS MORE OF A VOTE AGAINST THAN FOR ANYONE. KY DEMS WILL SUPPORT HIM IN NOV. I AM AFRAID THOUGH THAT ONCE AGAIN WE WILL GO REPUBLICAN AS WE HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS. I LOVE OBAMA AND HIS MESSAGE. HE WILL BE THE CHOICE IN NOV.

BILL, OWENSBORO, KY (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:04 AM)

After tonight, Hillary has a total Pledged and Super Delegate count of 1,779 and Obama has a total Pledged and Super Delegate count of 1,959.

Let’s say that Clinton and Obama split the Pledged Delegates from South Dakota and Montana ( 15.5 each ) and Clinton wins Puerto Rico 60% to 40% giving Clinton another 33 Pledged Delegates to Obama’s 22 additional Pledged Delegates.

That puts Clinton at 1,827.5 and Obama at 1,996.5

Let’s say that Clinton gets a fine compromise on Michigan and Florida, and all Pledged Delegates from Michigan and Florida are seated, giving Clinton the percent of the delegates that she won in Michigan and Florida and giving Obama the remainder. That adds another 178 Pledged Delegates to Clinton and another 131 Pledged Delegates to Obama.

That puts Clinton at 2,005.5 and Obama at 2,127.5

Now the magic number to win the nomination increases to 2,335. Also, the number of unpledged Super Delegates increases to 267.

To reach the magic 2,335, Obama would have to win 78% of those unpledged Super Delegates and Clinton would have to win 123% of those unpledged Super Delegates.

Why is Clinton still in the race?

Murgatroyd, Umpqua, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:21 AM)

When are the talking heads going to put the screws to Clinton mouthpieces who spout the popular vote myth without acknowledging caucus states that don't count votes, as wel las the very nature of caucuses where voter turnout is lower/ We all know that these are favorable to Obama. Also, since Edwards declared for Obama, if Clinton supporters want to count MI and FL, they had better be prepared to give Edwards voters to Obama in FL and all of the uncommited in MI to Obama.

So, it is pretty much over, RIGHT?

Eric, St. Paul, MN (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:42 AM)

The only reason that Obama won Oregon is because of the Portland area. About 80% of orsgon blacks live there, Most of the well to do liberal people live there. The rest of the state split evenly by less then 1 to 2 thousand votes, some for Obama and some for Clinton. This realy show how much of an loser he really is. If the message that he deliver tonight is an example of what we can expect when he is in office. What HOPE have we? Sen McCain at least is telling us that he has no idea and will continue the policies that Pres Bush has brought this country to it knees with. Sen Clinton speach tonight give more hope to the American People that Obama even thought about.

On the subject of who is best one to beat Sen McCain ( if he does get the nomination) Sen Obama or Sen Clinton. I don't belive that either one can do it alone, unless there is some sort of healing between them and the overall democrates parties come together and defeat Sen McCain The GOP will pull no punches and give up no ground to either one of them. It will be an all out cat fight Then if you believe as I do, that back in 2006, it was projected that Sen Obama was selected to be the next president after Pres Bush. These same group of people have gotten all the presidents elected since Ike, except Pres Carter

On the subject of Race: If the news folks would shut up about it, then it would not be an factor, or at least not an big one. People who will vote because of of a person's color, will also vote for fear, god, guns,taxes and anti-gay. They will not go out and vote for local improvements, health issues, children education, or justice.

garmel from Oregon (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:42 AM)

Sen. Obama congrats!

Don't give an inch on the Michigan and Fl voters until after Sen. Clinton bows out of the race. She simply cannot be trusted.

gg, fl (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:52 AM)

Regardless of who was actually at fault, regarding Florida and Michigan, it now appears to me that they were not a mistake. Has it occured to anyone (besides my giant sixth-grade mind), that the psychology of the Clintons was obvious here? Is it possible that they might have calculated that someone else (sic, Obama?) might win those states in the primary, and that having them both violate the DNC rules, that it would erase the possibility of someone winning what they might not be able to win themselves? In other words, "if we can't have them, you can't have them, either. But, if we can't have them now, we can put in a contest for them later". That is to say, who knows if the machinations of the Clintons did not determine, in advance, that these states could be their political football, in the end. Like say, a possible ace-in-the-hole?

What say you?

Marc MN (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2:36 AM)

History will go back and tell the truth, it was the same "Rush" people (kudos to Rush)....that voted for Hillary...Rush has affected this primary in a big way...she must know that....My point is..those "Rush" people re-elected Bush last election....What is "right is right"....My point is Hillary...our country needs CHANGE....I so changed my opinion of THE CLINTONS these last few months...media isn't the problem...independent thinking is our problem...no more career politicians. Hillary enlightened me!

Lynda, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2:36 AM)

Looking at numbers - Hillary won by 200+ million votes in Kentucky. Obama won in Oregon by less than what??? You guys are busy talking percentages instead of looking at the millions who still are voting for Hillary Clinton even though you guys have declared everything over and done with.

Every news service has a different number of delegates and super delegates. Who is right. Until there is a definitive and final count, I say keep going Hillary.

Kay, Yuma, AZ (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2:38 AM)

Can anyone really see into the future of the Democratic National Convention? HRC and BHO should face off at the convention and may the best woman win.

Edward T. Spain Jr. (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 3:04 AM)

I'm a lifelong Democrat. My support for Hillary over Obama stems from what I view to be Obama's "loose cannon" policies of meeting with terrorist state leaders, and his choice to vote "present" in his own state senate, so many times, rather than making a clear committed decision and having to live with decisions consequences. I'm not a racist. I am for Sen. Clinton because she is more conservative and calculated in her foreign policy approach. I believe that is why so many retired Generals and military leaders endorse her. Hillary makes a decision and votes her conscience, and as a leader, she lives with that decision. Obama ran a whole campaign on "he was against the war in Iraq from the start", but the facts are-- the free Iraq Democracy would not be standing as it is now, if the USA had not liberated it. I'm still with Hill and I honestly believe some Republicans are too.

Why HER and not HIM (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 3:22 AM)

Chuck Todd's team is THE reason MSNBC is the best political news source, period. He presents the harsh reality of Political Math in a way that the average American can easily digest and understand. Furthermore, he does it with 'style and smile'. We love you, Chuckie-T!

Jeffrey, Florida (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 4:31 AM)

Seems goes the Unspoken/Unsaid...Why do you think Clinton won so big in WV, Kent and such places alike? Notice the common tread that no one wants to mention have been continuously linked for many years. NOT ALL, but many lower white class income and less educated voters follow Clinton and even to the point the Exit Polls say as much as 71% of those who voted Clinton will vote for McCain if she looses. Either just plain sore losers or some lower white class people can't stand to see a black man as President, just can't see him as a man with the idea to unite people of all for a better America. Yet want to be so bitter to have a BUSH type in the Presidency. Whites with more income and higher education(Oregan and similar states) obviously seem to see more of Baracks message and support him to help rid us of BUSH and hopefully McCain. How could you if your a "TRUE DEMOCRATE" consider McCain? Please get a second opinion and/or open your mind. Its 2008 and the future is now to get beyond somethings that need it despite the fact racism exist, the fight to be better and do better is for all of humankind

ja aurora, co (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 4:32 AM)

No matter who's President, etc...We The People have to wake up to the notion we have to change our lifesytle to some degree if not drastic in some cases given the effect we have on the planet. For those up in arms because whether if BHO or whoever says to stop driving your SUV, how to spend your money, etc. the truth is you have to change something. MY GOSH, you got to do something to help the change to the enironment. Its people like you that will probably only change when it becomes a Mandate rather then try to find it voluntarily or intuitively. Stop the Hate and Appreciate the life you have, but dedicate some common sense to help the environment for generations to come.

ja, aurora, co (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 4:40 AM)

There is quotes of McAuliff saying in the beginning of the campaign agreeing to let Mich. and FL. go ahead and that it wouldn't count. The rules were set and in place. NOW! Because Clinton is losing the rules are to be taken down and done away with as if they never existed. It hasn't be mentioned by the press much but Im sure it will come again if Obama is stripped of the nominee. Rules are rules. You speed you get a ticket or a warning, but still can be a ticket. FL and Mich. were warned now they have to pay the ticket. Next election the change can be put on the ballot. It so wrong in many ways to change in midstream to appease the Clinton campaign. Can you imagine if the shoe was on the other foot? The Clinton campaign would be so up in arms.

It is her and her staffs fault for taking the assumption of her to be a shoe in to the Presidency because of her Husband, being a senator and any associations. Thats a lot to take for granted when people are looking for positive change and not the same olde stuff. Say your going to do something and going back on your word. Have set rules and then balantly disregarding them. I guess somethings don't change for the complete desire of power.

ja, aurora, co (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 4:49 AM)

DNC made rules to be followed. Allowing Florida and Michigan to be seated sends a message that any state can do what they want to do. The Clinton's have put pressure on the DNC to seat those delegates. However, if the roles were changed, the Clinton's would push for Florida and Michigan not to be seated so that they could win.

vyb052856 Cincinnati, OH (Sent Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:31 AM)

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