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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



Weekend delegate update: Obama 6-1

Posted: Monday, May 26, 2008 10:29 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
Obama picked up six delegates to Clinton’s one over the weekend. He got one from Alaska (former Gov. Tony Knowles 5/25), Wyoming (W. Patrick Goggles 5/24) and Georgia (Stephen Leeds) and three from Hawaii Brian Schatz -- new HI party chairman 5/25; Kari Luna -- new HI party vice chairwoman, and James Burns -- add on) after state conventions this weekend. Clinton also got one – add-on Verna Cleveland from Georgia.

The NBC NEWS Delegate Counts:

PLEDGED: Obama 1,647 to 1,502
SUPERDELEGATES: Obama 315.5 to 282.5
EDWARDS PL. DELEGATES: Obama 12 to 0
TOTAL: Obama 1,974.5 to 1,784.5

* Obama is 51.5 delegates away from the required 2,026, according the NBC NEWS counts.

(We are also checking to see if we will adjust Alaska’s count. NBC had a 9-4 split for Obama, but according to AP, Obama picked up both statewide PLEOs. That would give a 10-3 split there. We will update if adjusted.)

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Comments

My question to the “under 30 generation” who for the first time in their lives “found their voice”… in Obama…..where have you been? Why not until now have you not exercised your right to vote?  You place your faith in a man who has not been tested, pocesses little record of accomplishment and little to no experience in international or economic matters.  For shame!

Life to you folks seems rather simple. I suppose in your minds, Obama offers a sense of entitlement --- your time has come. The simple fact is that if you look past his rhetoric there is little substance. You buy into his chant of “change..yes we can” with little thought as to the complexities involved in bringing about change.  Some of you worship him like  he is a “messiah”, here to save us from ourselves.  He may in fact be anointed the nominee, and you like him, will think nothing can stop you. The simple and relevant truth is……. One can fool some of the people some of the time…but not all the people…. all the time.

McCain may represent a party for which I may not find a lot of common ground however, I respect his honor, integrity and sacrifice to our country, the scars of which he still bears as a testament to his courage…. And I will place my hope for change in him. He has earned my respect and most likely my vote and the votes of millions of others who feel the same way.

For the sake of our country and that of our future….thank god there are more of us than you, and we will not allow this fantasy to continue past Nov. DNC party chairs and uncommitted superdelgates…..you either stop this false prophet now….or we will do so with our votes come Nov.
Obama is going strong lets end this quickly and start working on winning Obama for President.


Obama 08
President Obama - Start getting used to it. :)
First Read's diligence and timeliness of coverage is appreciated. You've earned your moniker.
If Obama is the candidate, which is a given, if Democrats follow the rules. I think it is safe to say Hillary will get concessions, but I don’t think the VP slot is in the cards, nor should she want it.

I would love to see Obama chose a woman for the slot and there are some good candidates out there, but I think Hillary supporters would view it as a betrayal because she wasn’t offered the position. If she wants to try again in 2012, she needs to stay in the Senate. If the DNC wants to help Hillary they should vote her in as the Senator Majority Leader. I think she would do a wonderful job.      

As far as a Vice Presidential Candidate, forget about swing states, demographics, think about strengths and inclusiveness. Go outside the box and pick Senator Hagel from Nebraska for his VP slot. What an effect that would have to the American Voters.

I can picture all the Democratic insiders lighting torches. What they need to understand is that if they really support change in our Government, this is the best way to do it, If they want to win in November this is the best way to do it.      

Senator Hagel would be a superb Vice President and Yes, I am a Liberal Democrat and proud of it. It is time for a President to chose the best people from both parties to bring us together and save this Country.      
People wake up and read your bible.  If you do, you will see that Obama is NOT the answer for the UNITED STATES of AMERICA!!! Please WAKE UP before it is TOO LATE!!!
Rain and wind in Montana today. No cook out:(
But good news on the delegate front!

GoBama!
What's wrong with Howard Dean and the superdelegates? Step up! Do you want to win in Nov? It's time for Sen Clinton to gracefully (smile) exit. She owes an apology to the Obama family.  
lets get this over with and bring the arty together
it is plain to see what Clinton it trying to do and will succeeded if the supers dont step in and it might be to late, i never though the day would come that i would have this much distain for the Clintons
Everyone knows this is over and has moved on.
After Clinton's June comments, I would hope that the Obama Supers would come out in force tomorrow and put an end to this.
Great news! Unfortunately the whole math will probably change May 31. (God, I sound like Clinton).

Still, Whether 2026 or something higher. Obama has won and will be the President in January 09!
Happy Memorial Day First Read.....Please investigate the FOX News anchor that said yesterday that Obama should be "Assasinated"

Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!
If HRC had a hint of class, she would remover herself from the race today. I hope the history books will reflect her true nature.

47 wbcm

I believe in Obama
Welcome back
Verna Cleveland,

Your endorsement bodes of something defiant, to be sure.

After Hillary's 'assasination' remark on Friday, when many are calling on her to end her bid, as enough is enough, you step up, and immediately endorse her.

This is monstrous.

I think Clinton's staff can still spin this, and come out with unimaginable logic that she still is ahead, and can win the nomination from the democratic party for the President. Her clowns/advisors have no shame and no respect for themselves.    
Congratulations to all the delegates from Alaska, Wyoming, and Hawaii. Thank you.

Pulling for Obama '08
It's all over for Hillary.
Aaaaawwwwww! (As said, when you fawn on something)

GGOOO OBAMA!!!! (As stated with emphasis when you believe in somthing)
Good Stuff !

Yes We Can !

p.s Hillary has lost her marbles !
North Texas is Obama country!!!!!
One of the characteristics of hyper-partisan politics is the instinctive, self-protective mechanism that kicks in in dealing with mistakes, bad luck, or bad news:  Blame shifting.

We've seen it time and again with Bush, and now we are seeing it regularly with the Clintons.  It's very sad to see this happen to Bill - but it comes from a fear of showing weakness - the inability to admit mistakes since that would expose a deeply felt vulnerability.
Welcome Back and thanks for the update! I expect that the tide will continue to roll after the holiday!  
YAY NUMBERS! Glad to know I'm not the only one working today.
BTW, Mike Viqueira looks angry in his correspondent pic. Cheer up Mike!
Why is is that Hillary is constantly complaining (whining) about sexism.  When it is beneficial for her to tout her gender to dredge votes.  She is such a chamellion.,
from my understanding he has picked up 9 superdeligates this weekend, and has 49 to go, thats according to Obama's website, and if you check another web site, "2008 Democratic Convention Watch: Superdeligates" they have listed 9 SD's for Obama as well.  I also want to say that Clinton is saying the Obama campaign inflamed her assasination blunder, which is totally false, they made one statement as to the fact it had no place in this campaign, but Obama came out and said he did not feel she meant anything by it, and that they are moving on from it, and as usual took the high road and the positive one, even though she continues to take the low road.  She has no one to blame for her losing but herself and her campaign.  It's really too bad she cannot take responsibility for the inadequate running of her campaign.  I am sorry for her, but blaming Obama for her mess is just not realistic, and totally off base.
The math is the RIGHT thing to watch and to inform the selection; anything else smacks of elitism or chicanery.
You folks need to call Hillary in Puerto Rico and let her know that her campaign is officially TOAST.  To continue this long drawnout hopeless quest is destructive to the Democratic party and our nominee, BARACK OBAMA.  The Clintons need to be loyal Democrats, endorse and support Obama NOW.  No more games!  Too much is at stake...the worst case scenario being a 4 or 8 year McCain presidency.  It is disgusting to see George W. Bush at Arlington Cemetery this morning.  His policies have filled a lot of graves there as we move into the 6th year of this illegal, immoral war.  His presence there today dishonors the ultimate sacrifice of the brave 4,081 troops killed for this neo-con inspired blunder in Iraq.  This chicken hawk spouts platitudes about supporting the troops...yet threatens to veto a new GI bill that would correctly reward them for their sacrifices. John McCain is BUSH III and will continue the occupation...continue America's loss of blood and treasure.  No more! Send the war criminals Bush and Cheney packing on January 20, 2009, and let President Barack Obama end this insanity...
barack Obama has given this 46 year old white woman a newfound HOPE for the future of the United States.  His words have inspired me to change the way I think about our obligation to veterans.  He gives me hope that our country will end the war in Iraq and become  strong, diplomatic leader in the world.  He will inspire investments in our future...teachers, technology, and service.  I have hope that my 2 children will have a president that they can look up to to tell them the truth and work towards a better future.
A question: Why is ANY delegate count assumed to be conclusive before the party convention?
The Clinton's have done this to themselves. They have disparaged every voting group except their hard core older women supporters. To top it off they are whipping those into believing that Hillary Clinton is a victim of sexism. Hillary Clinton has run a campaign that has been awful, plagued by debt, plagued by divisiveness and plagued by inept lobbyist seeking to buy the presidency for their own personal gain.

It's over, time to rally around Obama and win the presidency in November.
Congratulations to the Obama Campaign on their recent increase of 6 additional Delegates.
Now for a little humor, we can't take ourselves too seriously.
The solution for the sexism vote, all those who would only vote for Hill-Billy (female) can vote for Cynthia McKenny ex Representative from Georgia who is running on the Green Party Ticket. She is a woman but black. The white female only Hill-Billy voters would have to stay home unless Geraldine Ferraro declares to run on the "if Obama was white" ticket. Obama is only half white so that may not work either. I guess you are stuck with Hill-Billy who has "solutions" and not speeches. Check with Miss Speak Hillary for the latest  Math Solutions where 1 is greater than 6.  
The only reason she still in this race is because if
she drops out. She will have to appear in court. If
she becomes President she can pardon her husband
again. Peter Paul vs Clintons
No No wait, you see HRC still has a chance... What if Jesus decides to come down from the heavens and endorse her, the superdelegates will have to follow suit. This is so not over... And the confederates can still win the civil war
What is the early line on how many he will get from the Tuesday voting?
And now if the remainder of the superdelegates will courage up and move, we could end this tomorrow.  What are they waiting for? It isn't as if she has a chance.
I guess the fish weren't biting?

Welcome Back!  Thanks for the update...
the numbers do not lie..unlike clinton. this race has been over for awhile..i know i am asking for alot from the clintons..but..have some class..i'm sure obama whould have done so if he was behind..weeks ago.
None of this, of course, matters to Clinton fanatics. They'll insist on some new number as soon as it becomes mathematically impossible to reach the old one. They're already blaming Barack Obama for Hillary's RFK comments and are continuing their overreaching rants about sexism ad nauseum.
FACT: Hillary was the frontrunner last December by double digits. She ran a pathetic campaign throughout most of January and February. She offered little in the form of a consistant compelling reason to vote for her and Bill did the rest. It wasn't until it was too late (Ohio) that she effectively elucidated her messaging.
Is that our fault? No. No, it isn't. Stop blaming us for her campaign's shortcomings!
Obama '08
Thought you were gone fishin'  Thanks for the delegate update....
After Hillary message that she is in the race that late because she hopes somebody may assasinate Obama, it simply dishonorable for the superdelegates to continue to stay offside. I wonder what else they want to hear from Hillary in the days to come that they will be persuaded to announce their choice. This women is radioactive, she should be finished as soon as possible. Clintons are poison for this country and Democrats, god save us from them
Could someone please explain this to the Clinton's and their supporters?!

Obama 08'
WOW! What a surprise! Ok. So I when I quit smoking, I didnt have such a difficult time like having to wait the entire weekend for an update!  I cna at least relax for an hour.  Dang, what happens now? I still have to wait until tomorrow?????? HELP!!!!!!!!!   LOL
I think the best way for the dem presidential race to end is to have NY governor and Hillary trade places.
Good grief.  Getting to the magic number is like watching paint dry.  
Could Chuck or Mark/Domenico pls explain, given these most recent numbers, why the Clinton campaign continue to argue that she is more electable? How do they account for the caucus states? why would they be worth any less?
Thanks,

51.5 DELEGATES FROM ELIMINATING THE DISTRACTION OF THIS PRIMARY. SOON WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONDUCT A FULL UNITED DEMOCRATIC ONSLAUGHT AGAINST JOHN McCAIN. I PRAY OTHER DELEGATES WILL NOW UNITE BEHIND OUR NOMINEE. ITS TIME!
the TOTAL you post is TOTALLY wrong. In fact, it is FRAUD!
you know for a fact that superdelegates do not vote until convention and that they cannot pledge.
so why are you trying to create a false impression here? because you are paid by the obama campaign!

the big story the media never told is how often, how insistent and how ruthless has the obama campaign been against the most fundemant right people have in our democracy: the VOTE!

the obama campaign fought against and tried to suppress the VOTE every single chance they've got.
the obama campaign knows that superdelegates do not VOTE until the convention! the obama campaign knows that even the pledged delegates do not VOTE until the convention. the obama campaign knows that obama will lose the popular vote. the obama capign knows that they cannot get the winning number of pledged delegates. and yes, the obama campaign knows that obam lost the VOTE in FL and MI.

we all know whythe obama people are doing this - they know that obama is behind in the popular vote! they know tha obama cannot get to the winning number of pledged delegates! they know that obama cannot get the sufficient number of electoral votes in the general election! they know all that and they are trying to make people believe something else so that they can suppress the vote.

we VOTE in this country and that is how we elect people!

LET DEMOCRACY RUN ITS COURSE!
LET PEOPLE VOTE!
COUNT ALL VOTES!

Investigate MSNBC and Huffingtonpost.com for illegal in-kind campaign contributions to the obama campaign!

Why are the delegates waitng so long????


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