Obama Memo: 17 Pledged Delegates Away From Winning Primaries

In a sign that they are likely to declare victory in the presidential primary very soon, the Obama campaign is now boasting in a memo to reporters that they are on the cusp of winning the pledged-delegate majority, thanks to the endorsement from John Edwards and a group of his delegates.

By the Obama campaign's math, they are only 17 elected delegates away from the pledged-del majority, a number that they are guaranteed to pull off next week in Oregon and Kentucky. Expect them to court super-delegates to break their way en masse after that happens, on the basis that Obama has the popular mandate to be the nominee.

Comments

[abouttime]

It's not over until the fat man sings!

[dentuso]

Well, the fat man and the fat lady are both at the post-opera buffet,, having completed their performances some time ago. How unfortunate that some missed it.

[abouttime]

I only meant that Obama is not going to delare victory soon, nor will Clinton concede. I concure this race was settled months ago. Obama will wait until the final delegate "Vote" at the Convention.- at which point Clinton will concede.

[Lagniappe]

The fat man and the fat lady GORGED to the tune of $20 million at that buffet,and STIFFED the folks who made the feast possible. How unfortunate and ungrateful is THAT?

[dontshootme]

I can see it now. . .Obama announcing he has clinched the prerequisite number of pledged delegates in front of a big sign

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

[rationalthought1]

If it was the other way around do you think Hillary would have hesitated declaring victory...LONG ago? If this had been any one except the Clinton's we all would have accepted our new nominee over a month ago. This is a new era for us Dems, and our country, we don't need to crow but why can't we celebrate what we've accomplished, against all odds.

[dentuso]

Hillary would have demanded that Obama concede after Iowa, had she won.

[BassMent]

I just hope the Obama camp can resist the temptation to declare victory before Clinton has had a chance to graciously concede. She's worked very hard, and deserves her moment in the sun before we (and by "we" I mean ALL DEMOCRATS) start partying.

[Actionmac]

She better concede on the 20, she could do it now. But she is not going to hold anything up, she wouldn't allow it neither should he. He has been gracious enough to her, he could have eviscerated her with attacks, it's time she do herself a favor and concede and endorse.

[politicojunkie]

Obama should be continue to be gracious and wait until she decides to give it up. It makes no sense to divide the party anymore than it is already by being mean.

[ashenthorn]

Clinton won't concede. Obama gave her the "moment in the sun" last Tuesday by keeping out of sight, in hopes for a concession. This tuesday, Obama should declare victory in the race for elected delegates, and publicly ASK the remaining unelected delegates for their votes.

[xmw]

YOU ARE CORRECT. SHE WILL NOT CONCEDE. OBAMA WANTED TO HER TO WIN VIRGINIA BIG IN AN ATTEMPT TO LET HER EXIT ON A VERY HIGH NOTE. CLINTON 'S STAYING IN GIVES HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE MORE MONEY TO HELP WITH HER DEBT ANS BECAUSE SHE VOWED TO HER SUPPORTERS SHE WOULD FIGHT TO THE END. SHE IS REALLY BOXED IN. I FEEL SORRY FOR HER...KINDA...SORTA...I AM NOT GOOD AT LYING.

[dentuso]

Actually, I don't believe he'll say anything.

I think you'll simply see an email from Axelrod to the MSM, congratulating Hillary on a well-fought campaign, and let them roll with it.

[BOBZILLA]

"Gracious" is not the adjective that comes to mind.

Like something out of a Terminator movie, Hillary simply won't go away until she takes everyone down with her.

[RonNYC]

"graciously concede"

there is nothing gracious about her.
she is an animal, which is way she can't be VP.

i am sure she will take it to the convention anyway so she can satisfy her hubris, with all her old, bitter female supporters.

[dentuso]

My only real concern at this point is the fringe wackos who are posing as feminists. The mandate? Sabotage the party that believes in women's rights, and demand that people instead support a man and party that will overturn a woman's right to choose - all in the name of a woman who worked hard for a woman's right to choose"

Ya can't make this shit up.

[mom2sons]

Thank goodness it's almost over. I hope it's before next Tuesday. Yes, Obama and Team came with their "A" game, but Hillary did help toughen him up too. Now if she will just be smart about ending her campaign, I think she will get a Cabinet level position, if she wants it. I did like the way she stuck up for Obama against Bush. Tensions do run high and I would have voted for Hillary if she were the nominee. It is time for a new generation to see what they can offer and do for this country. The world awaits a change in administrations. McCain cannot win. He is on the same level as Bush. I've noticed that he is not very bright either and if people are honest, I think he may be in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Just watch closely when he is speaking. We need a new way of doing things in this country. The smart pols will see that the model is changing and if you want to be seen as a good pol from now on you will change too! Obama has set a high standard and a new way of doing things. He ran an excellent campaign for the most part, and he has great people around him. These people will be his inner circle as they are now. Three cheers for Obama and team! Great job!

[politicojunkie]

Ditto! I've been saying for months that McCain displays signs of early stage Alzheimers. Ronald Reagan had issues when he was president, but Nancy had the smarts to work with his cabinet.
I don't see Cindy McCain as having that kind of knowledge. Repubs should be weary of McCain's mental capacity. He changes his policy friom one day to the next. It never stays the same.

[dentuso]

Yup. An all-out assault by the Clintons and Carville et al turned out to be the best thing that could happen to Obama, really.

Now it's time to back him, get this party back together, and get rid of these yahoos for no less than 20 years.

[okayigive]

This is great news but, there is still a long road ahead. Every trick in the book and conceived measure to divide us will be at work. Our task unitl elcetion day will be to put down all false statement and counter with the truth in all socil settings ( work, school, supermarkets, communities, blogs, etc) We must also be just as gracious to Sen. Clinton and her supporters as Sen. Obama has been by showing respect. Our enemy is not each other but, Sen. Mccain and every rep. up for election. Welcome all dems, rep, and ind. from every spectrum left to right. who want change. Most importantly remember to Vote!!!

[petuniafish]

Obama supporters....

Let's let the negative HRC talk go. It's just going to hurt us.
We can always feel what we feel inside, but OUTSIDE we need to play nice.
Do what Obama does, brush it off- it's just politics.

HRC fought like he!!. She deserves a lot of respect.
Let's let it go and WIN!!!!!!!

[k6007]

Hear. Hear.

[txgal44]

Let's do it!!!!

And that should include not responding to any negative Obama post.

It's just a waste of time and energy.

[divaatty]

Plus, many of those negative posts are from Repbulican trolls passing themselves off as Hillary supporters. The divisivness between Clinton-Obama supporters is all the GOP has left. Don't fall for it!!

[sfsj]

As an Obama supporter, I echo this request. It has been a long, hard fight igniting passions and excitement in the Democratic Party!

I hope the 50% of Clinton supporters who say they'll stay home or vote McCain, will reconsider and remember:

That McCain WILL appoint Supreme Court Justices who will take away a woman's right to choose, he WILL keep us in Iraq (and spending BILLIONS there rather than at home), he WILL continue America's characterization as bully within the world, he WILL keep the corp loopholes, he WILL make permanent the tax cuts for the top 1%, he WILL continue the failed leadership in education, he WILL NOT support food labeling so we know where are food comes from, he WILL NOT vote for green initiatives (no matter what he says), he WILL NOT (and does not!) support a GI bill that gives our troops education, he WILL NOT support movement toward national health care etc.

If we let McCain become the President, it is truly four more years of Bush atrocities that have left us bankrupt of leadership!

Just think of the military officials walking to someone's door -- right now! -- to tell them that their loved one has died in combat or by suicide (as evidenced this week by a leaked VA email saying "shhhh, we had 12,000 suicides by vets this year, not 760."

These deaths will be on our collective souls if we don't stop McCain!

[Dakini9]

If Obama, as seems likely, gets the nomination, it will be the
Democratic party in the rear view mirror for me. I want no part
of them with Obama as DEAR LEADER.

I'll reregister with the GREEN PARTY. My only question will be
whether or not to write in Hillary's name or go with Cythnia
McKinney. Basically I will do what ever I can to cause problems
for Obama, excuse me, DEAR LEADER.

[Actionmac]

I agree that we should move on, but don't tell me she deserves respect for fueling the negative race sh!t. I am AA and I will not forgive her or bill for trying to use me and my people in a negative and subservient way to gain white votes. So the next time you want to move us together for the purpose of unity, you may want to leave out the "fought like he!!. She deserves respect." line...

ok, got it, moving on to WIN in November.

[petuniafish]

I like to look at people for their positive and negatives.
She fought negatively and divisively. I will never forget her tone, some of her disgusting comments and her obvious addiction to power.
Yet she is a dedicated public servant. She has positives too.

Obama has been my choice for pres. for for years. I see his strengths and weaknesses. He too has positives and a few negatives. He's not perfect.

Help the campaign by following his lead and quitting the negative talk. He shows respect for HRC. Time for you to as well.

Obama 08

[petuniafish]

I'm sorry.
The "fought like he!!" is a positive and a negative. yeah disgusting and divisive. But give the woman credit for sheer energy and persistence.

"Fought like he!!" still deserves a little respect, while we may not agree totally with the style.

Let it go. Turn the other cheek. Be a Buddha. be like Obama.

[Cuneo]

I will comply immediately upon her concession and endorsement of Obama and not one minute before. Take that as a sign of respect for her skills.

[Chapmanp2]

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!!
I'm even wearing my American flag shirt again.
I am so proud to be a part of this movement.
Oregon (my home State) will put Obama over the top in pledged delegates Tuesday (win lose or draw) & then the supers will simply step forward & ratify the will of the people. That's what I call Democracy!!!
Peace.

[Cuneo]

Go Oregon! I'll be in Louisville (from Indiana) over the weekend doing what we can there.

[k6007]

Walk softly - Obama prez

Carry a big stick - Jim Webb vp

[dsgeorge]

Obama needs to name a few positions prior to the election:

Not Webb - we need his senate seat so maccaca doesn't try to come bck

VP - Sebilius or Strickland (govenors)
Sec of State - Richardson or Biden
Sec of Def - Sanchez, Clark or Cinchecky (sp)
Attorney Gen - Edwards
or Edwards for the 1st supreme court justice opening

[UpstateNY]

I like Biden for the Sec of State. He was great 'giving it to Bush' after Bush's speech in Israel. Richardson would be fine as well.

But for VP, Edwards brings one real position - Elizabeth Edwards. He may be liked and respected, she is loved. If she would campaign, I really think all the disaffected and disappointed women who come home to the Democratic party, where they belong.

[thepoliticalcat]

ilcapo,

Your comment about ironing shirts is simply despicable. You can disagree with Clinton and find fault with her policies, positions, and statements as much as you like, but statements like yours simply invite dissent and enmity within the ranks of the Democratic party. You must be a Repulsivecan troll.

[JJeff88]

Uhhh....Not so fast.

Hillary won the popular vote in every state that begins with the word: "West."

[weinbob]

Since HRC failed the DC bar exam and her husband was disbarred! - those who recomment a Supreme Court nomination are not thinking straight.

The instant HRC is seen as defeated and off the ticket, the "Clintons" no longer continue to be the "Clintons". Obama will lead the party, he will invite HRC's supporters to join him, but please do not suggest that Obama be forced go back on his ideals and his supporters by either being blackmailed or strong armed into paying off the Clintons.

[Oreva]

Obama should appoint McHillary to rewrite the Rove playbook and McBubba to keep the young female interns in line

[Bluejay00234]

Hip Hip Hooray!

[Testtubebaby]

???? what happened to my post?

[amst]

I don't know how many of you are old enough to remember when JFK ran for President, but for me, it is that same excitement, that same feeling of "change" coming, and I was only 12 when I picked up on the JFK charisma. What keeps going through my mind was standing by the curb chanting (I'll replace it with Obama) "Obama, Obama he's our man. If he can't do it nobody can" Anyway, just sharing a memory. Those who were "around" at the time will get my drift.

Btw, I am seriously looking into tickets for one of the inaugaral events. Anybody have any info?

[sfsj]

My kids and I will be there too!... even if we're 5 miles away waiving as a Presidential limo!

... and probably shedding some tears of joy for our country and the world!

[Freedomscap]

That's wonderful and funny and I'm attempting to make arrangements to get there, too.

[amst]

Perhaps, as time progresses and things are more locked up, we could start an Inaugaration thread. I did find one site with events/prices for the 04 election. There are all kinds of Presidential balls in various cities, but you can also purchase tickets for the swearing in or the parade. Anyway, keep in mind anyone interested and we might be able to get info from each other. Keep your fingers crossed!!!

[schicklett3]

I remember the JFK years - they were indeed a time of excitement and of a change that Washington DC had never before seen. It was out with the old (literally) and in with the new!
Senator Obama is just what this country needs, and I pray that he wins this nomination and presidency.
Our country has so fallen from grace - we're now a hate filled country that is slowly losing its greatness and beauty.
I've been a life-long republican, and I'm pleased to say that I will vote for Senator Obama with great pride, and I pray that our country will join him in making our nation great once again.
Lets join together as a nation and take our country back!

[meltingpot101]

HERE, HERE!!

[Seattlelite]

Never under estimate the POWER of inspiration and hope!!

[Midnightrain]

The world shares your anticipation! Great post.

[youngone]

I just hope it doesn't have the same ending.

[Susanfrom29]

Did you know that Ted Sorensen, JFK's speech writer and close aide, endorsed Obama? If you Google Sorensen Obama a link to the Obama's You Tube site comes up. He too feels that Barack Obama shares a lot with JFK, who was also a man of integrity and change. Also see: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/20/opinion/main3082384.shtml for a Sorensen article pointing out the similarities between the two.

And yes, I remember the election that gave us JFK, as well as the day he was shot in Dallas.