The flood: Obama 14 away

Posted: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:56 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The last hour has seen a flurry of endorsements for Obama, and he is now within just 14 delegates of crossing the needed 2,118. He's gotten 13.5 since the last update. The past hour has also seen a few switches from Clinton to Obama, including Rep. Maxine Waters, and DNC members from California and Delaware.

We will update with the details... but for now here are the counts:

COUNTDOWN TO THE NOMINATON:
OBAMA: 14
CLINTON: 200

The NBC NEWS Delegate Counts:
PLEDGED: Obama 1729 to 1625
SUPERS: Obama 354 to 293
EDWARDS PL.: Obama 21 to 0
OVERALL: Obama 2,104 to 1,918

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Whew!

I was afraid it was going to take 40 days and 40 nights!

Michael, Anderson, IN (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:06 PM)

Whoooooooo-hoooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! We're almost there!!!!! GObama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Texan For Obama (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:07 PM)

I say Chuck Hagel for VP if Obama really wants change and to win. Forget about Hillary. She's too divisive, negative and a bully who uses her gender as a weapon.

Noanie, South Pasadena, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:23 PM)

President Obama: Please don't allow yourself to be "hijacked" by the political desires of the Clinton's and make her your V.P. choice. She has only one goal and that is to bring you down.

Michael Martin California (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:24 PM)

Wow, it seems weird that after the primaries going on for so long that the actual election will be taking place in only 5 months...

Steve, Mt. View, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:24 PM)

I can just see my party keeping the white house another four years after this one is over tonight.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:26 PM)

I predict that it will stop now - until tomorrow. Obama will want "regular" delegates - those from South Dakota and Montana to put him over the magic number...

the campaign was expecting 15 delegates in tonight's contests...

Jocelyn, Rockville, MD (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:27 PM)

W0000t! I can't wait for the day Barack mops the floor with John McGeezer's face in my state of CA! W0000t!

It's time for the 18 million Clinton supporters to get behind our guy! Drop your bitterness, ignorance, and let's make it in the White House!

Obama/Edwards 08!

Californian for Obama (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:28 PM)

Even the Titanic sank and so did the Clintons!!!

Stan Watts Chicago,Il. (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:30 PM)

I as a hispanic woman will vote for Obama only if Hillary is in the ticket for VP. Otherwise I am sorry but I will stay at home on election day.

Fca. Rhoads, Fort Worth Texas (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:30 PM)

Obama's official website has the count down to 10!!!

YES, YES, YES!!!

KP, California (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:30 PM)

Real change is getting closer all the time. Yay!

Barry Morris, Aptos, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:30 PM)

Sweeet! Tonight is the Night!!!!

Eric (Houston) (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:30 PM)

10 away now at 5:29 central time!

Senator Obama is the nominee (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:30 PM)

FINALLY! :D

Obamaniac, California (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:31 PM)

What a great day! Barack Obama! Yes, we can !
Thank you MSNBC for doing such a great job covering the events.

Kay, Vincennes, IN (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:33 PM)

I'm glad this is finally over. I live here in california and I read that Maxine Waters has now switch to Obama, that's only because she wants to be re-elected here tonight. Well guess what I know a few people who will not vote for tonight even if she did switch over. Go Obama our next President of the United States!!!!

Yes he did, compton, california (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:34 PM)

Correction Domenico

Obama now needs 11 delegates. Keep them coming!

Richard, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:36 PM)

Actually CNN indicates Obama is 12 away from the nomination. In terms of having clinton as vp, there are pros and cons. Pros is that the democratic party can be united. Con-Obama will lose the independents and republicans who like his message of turning the page in old school politics. McCain does attracts independents. Obama can take some of those independents of McCain. Independents are the swing voters and will decide the election. There is also a question of what she can add to the ticket. Remember the big state stratigies as cost us two general elections. If we lose one of the big states and capture virgina and colorado etc we can win the general. Clinton might deliever us the big states, but we might lose some of the small states that are independent. just a thought.

voter (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:36 PM)

Please, not Hillary for VP. The book, 'The Truth About Hillary' is a firestorm waiting to happen. The Gov from AZ would make an excellent choice for VP; as she would satisfy the die hard fems and still put a person of ability and honesty on the ticket with Sen. Obama.

Grandma in Louisville, KY (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:36 PM)

Beware, the NIGHTMARE TICKET looms!!! Squash it.

MSR (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:36 PM)

I'm tracking this movement primarily online tonight. The updates are coming out in a very dramatic fashion. Keep it coming please Chuck, Mark and D!

NC Woman for Obama (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:36 PM)

Here's to Democrats in office for the next 8 years.

Jer, Seattle, WA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:36 PM)

Congratulations, Senator Obama on an outstanding campaign. Tonight is a night of great accomplishment and pride. This country is the first western nation to see a black person become a presidential candidate. I feel so proud to be an American, to live in a country where hard work, great skill and fine intellect are rewarded.

May the dark days of the Bush administration be forever banished to the history books.

Esther (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:37 PM)

Lyrics Celebration Kool & The Gang

CHORUS

YAHOO! 2x - (Its a Celebration)
Celebrate good times
come on ! - Let's celebrate
Celebrate good times
come on ! - Let's celebrate

There's a party going on right here a celebration
to last throughout the years.
So bring your good times and your laughter too
we're gonna celebrate your party with you
Come on now (Celebration)
let's all celebrate and have a good time.
(Celebration)
We go celebrate and have a good time.

It's time to come together, it's up to you
What's your pleasure, (Everyone around the world come on!)
YAHOO! 2x (it's a celebration.)

YAHOO! 2x - (Its a Celebration)
Celebrate good times
come on ! - Let's celebrate
Celebrate good times
come on ! - Let's celebrate

We're gonna have a good time tonight, let's celebrate
it's alright, we're gonna have a good time tonight
let's celebrate, it's alright...baby (Celebration)
we're gonna have a good time tonight, let's celebrate
it's alright, (Celebration)We're gonna have a good time tonight
let's celebrate, it's alright.

YAHOO! 2X
CHORUS (Lets Celebrate)(Its a Celebration)
YAHOO! 2x - (Its a Celebration)
Celebrate good times
come on ! - Let's celebrate
Celebrate good times
come on ! - Let's celebrate

YAHOO! 2x - (Its a Celebration)
Celebrate good times
come on ! - Let's celebrate
Celebrate good times
come on ! - Let's celebrate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwEMxYggoKQ

Come on and celebrate - tonight
'cause everything's gonna be
alright. Let's celebrate

eSPO (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:37 PM)

To see this in my lifetime ... what a rush!

E. Robinson (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:37 PM)

I'm glad this is almost over. I don't think America can do another four years with a Bushalike.

Austin,Phoenix,Arizona (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:38 PM)

13.5 delegates in only an hour... let's go obama!!

Dinosaur (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:38 PM)

Paging the Fat Lady... Fat Lady to stage now please

Trent, NC (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:38 PM)

Kansas Rep Dennis Moore has FINALLY announced his endorsement.
http://www.kjrh.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=3e22e8ac-c19c-4446-8364-e77da6a856de

Suz in KS (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:38 PM)

We're there. I have cried and cried and cried. When I think I'm done, I cry some more!
Tim Russert is just grand. NBC/MSNBC has been awesome! Love it ... Love it!
We've made history! God bless America! God bless Barack Obama for President!!! yahooo........ here ocme the tears again!

Wanakee, Mandeville, LA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:38 PM)

Thankfully the Democrats appear to be finally coming around and realizing that Obama has won this primary.

Now if we can just avoid having to put Hillary on the ticket and allow the GOP attack machine to use those 1000+ pages of intel and attack material they have already prepared for her.

Anyone who thinks Hillary has been properly vetted is delusional. Barack has been the story and the front runner for so long that her extensive and sordid past has been put on the back burner. If she is the VP, you can bet the GOP will user her to attack Obama the same way the Democrats are using Bush to attack McCain.

I would love it if Obama would pick a female Vice President as there is a great pool of female candidates to choose from. It just can't be Clinton. It breaks the brand, it breaks the message, and it would be a huge distraction.

AC, Carpinteria CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:39 PM)

Watching history being made. My heart is overflowing! What an amazing day!

CB, Hadley, NY (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:39 PM)

It has been a great historic race between 2 amazing candidates in the primary. Although each person reserves the right to vote for who they want for in the General election, please think about the issues the democrats and the republicans are representing on the ballot. The democratic party is representing change and Sen Obama will make a great leader. In addition, he has the characteristic makeup to learn from his mistakes and to surround himself with bipartisan cabinet members that will be for the people. I dont like to loose at anything in life and I am sure Mrs. Clinton's supporters will be disappointed. Senator Clinton is passionate and she brings out the passion in people. The same can be said for Obama supporters. I am speaking as an Obama supporter. I ask the Clinton supporters who are passionate and upset. We are all in the same family. We love your passion, but I for one dont want the same policies from the Republican party to be elected in the fall. We need your support because the republicans will throw any and everything at the democratic party to win. Remember what happen to the election in Florida in 2000. The republicans are very powerful and we need the entire nation of democrats to unite.. Obama supporter with love for the Clinton supporters... "ONE PARTY" democrats lets unite to continue this movement

Wayne Porter, Seattle, Washington (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:41 PM)

NO HRC for VP. Absolutely, hands down NO. Let her do something else. She needs to recover the debt she's incurred for this campaign and all the pain she has caused the party staying in so long...and still staying in!If HRC is on the ticket, I want my donation back! Just kidding. But, we need a clean-slate from the "establishment". Besides, HRC needs to reflect.

Michelle (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:41 PM)

HILLARY IS MARRIED TO A USED CONDOM (BILL CLINTON).

BILL IS THE DEFINITION OF A "SCUMBAG"

SCREWING AROUND WHILE HIS WIFE IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

REMEMBER BILL 'CONDOM' CLINTON IS A CONVICTED LIAR.
----------------------------------------------------

SAY NO TO HILLARY AS VP... (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:41 PM)

Geez... I'm almost feeling bad for HRC...

But, what goes around, comes around...

It's a NEW DAY...

Obama 08

Lyn, KCMO (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:42 PM)

YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:43 PM)

Thank Goodness. Finally.

And Thank you Maxine Waters! James Clyburn

Go Obama/Webb. 08

Andrea, New York City (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:44 PM)

Clinton Campaign still fighting and hoping for a win...well, there are those stories about Japanese
soldiers still fighting WWII; some in the South
still fighting the Civil War...
War's over.

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:47 PM)

Finally-McCaskill. OBAMA. Please, stop with Clintons.
Stop playing into her it has to be about me always nonsense.
It's Sen. Obama's night. Boot her out for a day.

deborah greenlawn, ny (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:49 PM)

Wow, this is historic. Only in the democratic party, we would have a choice between the first woman or the first African American/White (biracial) candidate.

To John McCain trying to vie for Sen.Clinton supporters,

She is Pro-Choice, Sen. Obama is Pro-Choice, you are not
She is for univeral healthcare, so is Sen.Obama, you are for market based system, which is what we have today.
She wants to get out of Iraq, so does Sen.Obama, you want to stay for 100 years.

The list goes on. Why would Sen.Clinton supporters vote for you, Sir?

Becky Smith, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:49 PM)

I am watching the broadcast and am getting more and more upset as the evening goes on. Enough already, MSNBC pundits and pontificators, with the yammering about Hillary. Not tonight. Really, not tonight!

Please, just give the endless analysis a rest and allow the people of this country to celebrate such an historic and momentous event without all of the soap opera and pointless picking apart of each and every meaningless nuance. Tonight is about Obama. Tonight is about all of us. You owe it to your viewers to not let it slip away without paying attention to what is happening before our very eyes.

I keep hearing Keith and Chris ask every talking head that pops up whether or not Hillary is stealing the night. Hillary is not stealing the night all by herself, guys. You appear to be driving the getaway car.

Carter, NYC (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:52 PM)

The higher they rise, the harder they fall.

Thump (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:54 PM)

I would hope that Barack Obama would have a chance to choose his own running mate. Hillary, though I admire her fire,--would not take a second seat to him or anyone else. Look at how she has behaved to this point. I pray that somehow all the push to anoint her ends tonight! She does not get the right to choose the VP slot. She would be out of control--and what about Bill--too scary to think about. It would be a nightmare...remember Bosnia anyone?

Sheila, Columbia, SC (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:55 PM)

If she's #2 what about Bubba? Good luck with that.
The RNC is cocked and ready.

What a cheesy move by Sen. Clinton. You get ASKED by the winner to be VP; the two former candidates talk. It doesn't come out from Charlie Rangel on the news, before Sen. Obama has even clinched it on his big night; you don't hold out the concession as a blackmail squeeze. Bob HERBERT was right, again.
The Clintons have no grace or class.

deborah greenlawn, ny (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:57 PM)

What Hillary should say tonight - probably her best speech ever.

http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/What_Hillary_Clinton_Should_Say_Tonight

Diamond E. (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:58 PM)

As a football coach for 19 years, one of thing I have learned is this. In every contest there is a teacher and a student. Hillary and Bill Clinton for the last 28 years have always been the teachers. However, in this contest they are they are now the students, Obama has overcame insurmountable odds. He has overcome his race, age, experience, his wired name, his religious affiliations, his gaffes and one the fiercest competitors in political history in America the Clinton Dynasty.

We must all understand that what Obama has done is just purely remarkable and should not be taken lightly. As a man of color myself I stand in awe and want to thank every American that can see beyond the outer layer of Obama and who has judged him by what’s in his heart and not by his outer layer.

To all the Hillary Clinton Supporters I hope you all can over come you disappointment and anger before November. I will be the first with my arms open and embrace all of you. I urge all of us Obama supporters to reach out to all the Clinton people and bring them in with love and understanding. Tell the Clinton supporters we need them and we can’t do it with out them. Welcome them to a new and better America and the Obama campaign that is set to lift America to a Higher Ground!

God Bless you all!
God Bless America!

Obama 08

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 7:05 PM)

I hope the towels you guys had at the door kept the water out. Or did you finally get the life boat out.
Thank you first read for all you have done.
Chuck you are going down in history as the "numbers guy"
I look forward to you figuring out the electoral map.

lori Chicago (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 7:15 PM)

America is not racist..its SEXIST
hillary got robbed..hijacked and its an outrage, ive been a democrat for 35yrs..im voting mccain, and im sure many more like me will be thanked for helping mccain over OSAMA.

VOTE FOR MCCAIN!!!

we still love you hillary..its not your fauilt you were robbed by a racist..sexist anti american pig.

Robin (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 7:18 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1103548