Super delegate update

Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008 12:03 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
Obama picked up three new super delegates today, bringing our Super Delegate tracking total to Clinton 254, Obama 207. Notably, this puts Obama over 1,400 total delegates (Obama 1,401, Clinton 1,291) -- combining supers with the NBC News Hard Count, which stands at Obama 1,194, Clinton 1,037. Obama has picked up 37 superdelegates since Super Tuesday; Clinton has lost a net of six.

NOTE: The Obama campaign sent out a release showing four superdelegate pick ups, but one of those was already on a list provided to us by the campaign prior to Feb. 5, which is why we add in only three as new.

*** UPDATE *** For those wondering who the four are who have publicly said they have committed to Obama, they are Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez, Minnesota DFL Associate Chair Donna Cassutt, North Dakota DNC Member Renee Pfenning and Texas State Rep. Yvonne Davis. Pfenning was previously on our list; her endorsement at that point may have been private.

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Comments

Obama is so full ot it.

Release the whole list not just portions.

HE IS FULL OF IT.

Patty, sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:09 PM)

You all hear the Clintons are already trying to mess with the expectations? They're NOW saying Obama has to win ALL of these contests on March 4th, or it means that the Clinton campaign wins...

She's only won 11 out of 35 primary contests to date. She's -actually- only won less than 33% of the time.

Mathematically, she has to sweep Texas and Ohio by over 20% to even come close to catching up... Obama is ahead 150+ pledged delegates. She'd have to win by something like 45% to actually catch up...

Ron, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:11 PM)

It's like put one grain of salt at time into an ever widening wound.

MaineBLACKBEAR (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:11 PM)

Domenico,

Who were they?

CitizenJ (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:12 PM)

"One of Clinton's laws of politics is this: If one candidate's trying to scare you, and the other one's trying to get you to think; if one candidate's appealing to your fears, and the other one's appealing to your hopes; you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope." -- Bill Clinton, 2004

todd, boston, ma (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:12 PM)

Would First Read be so kind to share with us who the 3 new Super delegates are that moved to Obama? Thanks...

Sheila, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:12 PM)

WOW 100 delegates this is OVER how could anyone come back from that.MSNBZZZZ your slip is showing

kenn (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:12 PM)

Obama picks up two more Minn. superdelegates
February 29, 2008

St. Paul (AP) — Two more Minnesota Democrats who hold the title of superdelegate are swinging Barack Obama's way.

Minnesota Democratic Party Chairman Brian Melendez and the party's second in command, Donna Cassutt, say they're backing the Illinois senator for president.

Both had been neutral. But Melendez says Obama's decisive win in Minnesota's February precinct caucuses was a key factor. Melendez says Obama proved his ability to bring new voters into the process.

Superdelegates have a voice in the nomination vote at the party's national convention, which will be held in August in Denver.

Cassutt says she's confident Obama would carry Minnesota as the party's nominee in the general election.

Eight of Minnesota's 14 superdelegates are backing Obama. Three are for Senator Hillary Clinton and three are uncommitted.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/02/29/obama/

--To sum up: Dem Party Leaders, prev. neutral, factors of Obama's decisive win and new voters, and will win a purple (lt. blue) state in general. Oh, and triples Clinton's superdelegates by this states count.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:23 PM)

New moving video from Will.i.am: We Are the Ones!

(have a tissue handy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSJsEVf0pU

4 more days until Obama is our nominee!

Mary, Seattle (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:24 PM)

Obama is so full ot it.

Release the whole list not just portions.

HE IS FULL OF IT.

Patty, sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:09 PM)

And you apparently have none of it.

CitizenJ (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:24 PM)

todd, boston, ma

Excellent quote! Pretty much sums up why Bill was a great President and Obama will be too.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:25 PM)

Here is what is going to happen in Texas and Ohio. As with Wisconsin where the race was considered close just before voting day Obama ended up winning by 17% points, he will also win Texas by as much as 10% points and Ohio by 5-6% points. The reason. When those undecided voters enter that voting booth as well as some who say they now support Hillary, they will vote for Obama. Remember this on March 4 as you watch the returns come in. Then on the morning of March 5th or March 6th Hillary will concede and bow out.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:26 PM)

A story starting to concern me is intimidation by Obama supporters against Black Super Delegates supporting Clinton.

If the Super delegates are not important to Barack Obama why their supporters are using intimidation against Black Super Delegates trying to change their votes.

Like any type of voter intimidation, it is sad the Black -on-Black intimidation. I remember Jessie Jackson went to court in Florida on voter intimidation against Blacks during the 2000 election.

A story on intimidation by a Farrakhan supporter against US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee :
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/5573351.html

"Robert Muhammad, southwest regional minister for the Nation of Islam, said Jackson Lee may have a problem on her hands."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/29/politics/politico/main3891511.shtml

Angel, Spring, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:27 PM)

Sandy, Philly PA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:30 PM)

Boy they sure are running scared the Barry boobs. Way serious about chasing down every delegate they can. Must be those votes are more important than ever! If Hillary wants any she best get a move on, oh hey if she has them they do NOT count right Barry-lubbers? Now Barry needs some they must be used to Barry's advantage. We want Barry to have every chance the delegates are his ONLY HOPE FOR CHANGE! HE can cry foul when he comes up short.

He owes his soul to the DC cartel (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:30 PM)

Lay down with the Clintons, Get the fleas you deserve.

kc (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:32 PM)

Angel
You are so right.
goto; The Politico 2/29/08 Titled "Black Supports Steadfast for Clinton" by Josephine Hearn

Very Wooried,Bridgeport,NE. (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:33 PM)

Angel in Spring Texas-

Think about the storyline for a second and realize that the black people who are being "harrassed" are power elites! They are congress people and state delegates and mayors etc...ELECTED OFFICIALS. THEIR JOB IS TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS!!! These "threats" and "smears" are coming from the very people who voted them into office in the first place. This in itself should tell you something. I feel absolutely NO SYMPATHY for people who have been granted power by the public who feel "intimidated" by the voices of their constituents.

The problem with this storyline over the last few days is it insinuates there is a fight in the black community to drop their support for Clinton in favor of Obama. On the contrary. In the community, blacks already support Obama...overwhelmingly. The black community has already made their voice clear. Look at the exit polls. The numbers, depending on state are in the neighborhood of 80-90% in favor of Obama.

Come back when there is a story about your average black guy being threatened by his friends and neighbors for expressing his support of Clinton! That would be a story. But to hear the powerful elite complain that they are being yelled at by their constituents?!? Cry me a river! Or better yet, step aside for someone else who is willing to represent the voices of their constituents!

David, Bethesda, MD (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:33 PM)

He owes his soul to the DC cartel (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:34 PM)

SHEILA JACKSON VOTES HER MIND NOT WHATS BEAT POLITICLY LIKE OBAMA I AM AGAINST THE WAR I JUST KEEP IT GOING,I have to write in caps I am so OLD and stupid and unedumacated I can barely read I wish we all wrote in caps

kenn (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:34 PM)

Boy they sure are running scared the Barry boobs. Way serious about chasing down every delegate they can. Must be those votes are more important than ever! If Hillary wants any she best get a move on, oh hey if she has them they do NOT count right Barry-lubbers? Now Barry needs some they must be used to Barry's advantage. We want Barry to have every chance, the delegates are his ONLY HOPE FOR CHANGE! HE can cry foul when he comes up short. He steals everybody speeches, he has not one original thought, oh ya a BLANK SCREEN.

He owes his soul to the DC cartel (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:35 PM)

If supergeleagtes should vote the way their states voted in primaries, why are Ted Kennedy and John Kerry being urged to change their endorsement whereas black congressmen are. John Lewis was forced to change to match Georgia voters. Shouldnt the same apply to Kennedy and Kerry?.

Mike, Charlotte (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:38 PM)

Mike, Charlotte (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:39 PM)

Superdelegate intimidation, eh? Now that is one for the books. Now, I suppose Senator Clinton is having difficulties because of a "vast left wing conspiracy."

Come now, folks, really. The superdelegates are switching because they can see what I can see -- although Senator Clinton is a good, qualified candidate in the regular sense of the word, Senator Obama is a transformative candidate who is also qualified and a great, inspirational candidate.

Senator Obama has already transformed fund raising so much that Senator Clinton is copying him. Senator Obama's message so resonated with the American people that almost every candidate dipped into Senator Obama's well and tried to take part of his message. Remember when even Governor Romney was speaking about "change?" Senator Obama has brought young people into the process with a vengeance-- you know, the thing everyone said couldn't be done before this year. Finally, Senator Obama can bring this Country together to make it better.

Kim, Pasadena, CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:40 PM)

Why is the main politics page not synced with these results?

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:40 PM)

You know I am not a Obama suporter but Farrakhan making speeches about suporting Obama are not helping.

Obama is giving the Republicans so much material to work with.

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:41 PM)

It looks that after Texas and Ohio two dinasties will end (Bush & Clinton). Obama will be a great president for everybody !

M. Albin Morariu, M.D Delray Beach, Florida (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:41 PM)

To paraphrase..."it's the super delegates, stupid". If and when the supers start moving decisively to Obama, the race is over. (Has that begun already?) That is how the Democratic party will announce to Hillary that it is time to drop out. If Obama gets to 350+ supers, Hillary will not "mathematically" be able to capture the nomination. Watch for a mass movement of supers and that will signify the race is over. My guess is that will start on March 5th, if it hasn't started already.

Al, KS (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:43 PM)

Riddle me this:

If Clinton cries in the woods, and no one is around to hear it, is she actually sad?

Ron, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:43 PM)

Don't count your chicks till they hatch. Hillary will be the President.

Josh (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:44 PM)

Time for Hill to go to sleep....

The GOP needs a good woman attack dog Hill. GO FOR IT

Darth Hill lives...............

Nj (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:45 PM)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAJYMgX4JuU

obama campaign calls Canada and assures them, his comments on Nafta just campaign talk.

Obama, just another lying politician

Obama, Politics as usual

Obama: All black racist church, Rezco slum lord deals and contributions, Ayrers the terrorist who bombed the pentegon, Farrakhan leader of Nation of Islam who hates all Jews and whites. Racist pastor Wright.

It's Feb 29, 2008 and atill no answers.......

John Doe (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:46 PM)

The Clinton campaign is in shambles. They are threatening to sue the DNC if Obama wins Texas, want to challenge the party for Michigan and Florida delegates (the same delegates all candidates agreed would not count), and now she's saying Obama is the "blank screen" he described himself as in his book. But, at the same time, she's "honored" to campaign against and be on the same stage with Obama. The "smart" girl in class is losing to the good-looking, popular guy. Childish!!! There's more at stake than Prom King/Queen Hillary. On Wednesday morning, do the nation a favor and exit instead of disgracing the political process in court. Votes = Victory.

AJ, California (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:46 PM)

Patty you need to go over to The McCain camp with Rush, Bill Orally, Cunnigham etc...

Nj (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:47 PM)

Patty, can you please stop rambling as if you lost your mind? I do not understand your points other than to say that you are zealous and a moron. Better join other blogs and rant up a storm over there. Frankly, I don't want you to fill up MSNBC with nonsense, hateful posts, you little brat.

Ron Allen (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:47 PM)

Don't count your chicks till they hatch. Hillary will be the President.

Josh (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:44 PM)

***************************************

Remember the superbowl this year?

Patriots vs Giants.The press had crown the Patriots weeks before the game happened. We all know what the result was.

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:48 PM)

Net loss of six since Super Tuesday. The Clinton Machine is almost finished!!! YAHOOO!!!!

Jonathan, Reno, NV (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:49 PM)

Mathematically, Hillary should have been out of the race. Obama would have been forced out!!!!!

This has been a ridiculously long hateful process from the Hillary camp, when will she stop? I guess to answer my own question, Hillary will stop when she is ready to call it quits.

Obama "08"

itsyourvoicestupid, Phila., Pa. (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:49 PM)

Mary of Seattle,thank you! Great video.

ariel,Jupiter Florida (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:50 PM)

Mary of Seattle,thank you! Great video.

ariel,Jupiter Florida (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:50 PM)

Why I vote Republican:

A balanced budget – the deficit in 2007 was 1.2 percent of GDP, which is lower than the average of the last 40 years.

More than 8.3 million jobs have been created since August 2003 in the longest continuous run of job growth on record…52 months of job growth.

The United States is bringing 5,700 troops home without replacement by the end of the year as a result of progress made by the surge of operations.

The Federal deficit declined by $250 billion in the last three years. In FY07, tax revenues grew by $161 billion to reach $2.568 trillion, the highest level of Federal revenues ever recorded. That is an increase of 6.7 percent, and it builds on the 14.5 percent and the 11.8 percent increase in revenues during the last two years. With Federal revenues at their highest level in history, the American people are not undertaxed. As families are dealing with rising mortgage rates, higher gas prices, college costs, and health care expenses, the last thing they need is a tax increase like the ones that Congressional Democrats have proposed.

M. Nuckolls, Dallas, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:51 PM)

Isn't this fun. I can't wait until Tuesday.Its like wating for the superbowl.

fun !!!!
fun!!!

Boys and girls, Obama is going down.

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:52 PM)

patty from sd, ca. you're a total moron if you think obama is "giving" republicans the farrakhan material. are you daft enough to think obama wants the farrakhan stigma attached to his campaign? like obama really wants farrakhan's support? use your brain for once before you post stupid crap on this blog.

jay (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:54 PM)

Patty, sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:54 PM)

Obama has always been in the lead on the real delegates that count, pledged delegates.

Obama supporter (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:58 PM)

I have no problem with Super delegates endorsing the candidate that they believe in, that is their personal right, but when it comes to pledging who they will vote for I think they owe it to their constituencies to reflect the will of the voters. I trust that they will be able to figure out the best way to accomplish this, for the good of the future of the Democrats.

I'm from Washington State where it seems an overwhelming number of our super delegates support Clinton though the caucuses overwhelmingly went for for Obama. I can unequivocally state that if the 'percentage' of our state super delegates doesn't closely reflect the 'percentage' of our actual pledged delegates I will have difficulty supporting these elected officials with much enthusiasm in future elections.

Shannon S, Clinton, WA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 1:01 PM)

The pragmatic view: Our economy is in trouble. It has been managed by a reckless underachiever who had the wrong priorities. The largest organization that either Hillary or Barack has ever managed is this campaign. Hillary's has been poorly managed, spent too much money on the wrong things, cannot find a clear message and she has still not released her tax records or the records of her WhiteHouse activities. Barack's campaign has been run very wisely, financial planning has proven very sound, transparency has been maintained. I know who I want handling the economy of our country. Please note this is not an emotional decision, it is quite pragmatic.
I choose Obama.
I choose to be motivated by Hope and clear thinking rather than fear.

JohnnyU, WA State (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 1:05 PM)

oh oh... you missed one...

A critical supporter from NYC...Representative Barney Frank

Obama '08

Karen 'Hussein' Jones from NYC - I reject AND denounce the politics of fear (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 1:08 PM)

Even if HRC doesn't win big in the remaining contests, she'll still have enough delegates to take the nomination at the convention should Obama have a huge misstep between now and then. The pledged delegates will still have to vote for him in the first round, but if something happens to show that Obama has some serious problems as the Democrats' standard bearer, the superdelegates will be able to vote for Clinton and give her the nomination. So I say, go for it Hillary. There's a lot of time for mistakes to happen (on both sides) and for people to check out the Senate records and the pros and cons of the two front-runners between now and the end of August.

Worcester Girl (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 1:09 PM)

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