Under Clinton's Rules, Obama Still Wins

Barack Obama can fully accept Hillary Rodham Clinton's terms on Michigan and Florida and still win a majority of pledged Democratic delegates on June 1, allowing him to lay claim to the nomination under the New York senator's own rules.

A Politico analysis of the delegate numbers after Tuesday's primaries in North Carolina and Indiana shows Obama can concede to Clinton's position on Michigan and Florida and still claim victory -- potentially forestalling the Democratic nightmare scenario of a floor fight at the Denver convention.

The Clinton campaign rejected the premise of Politico's analysis, dismissing it as "artificial metrics" that "might make for interesting cocktail party conversation" but would give Obama no legitimate claim on the nomination.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[mydogshakespeare]

From the article, "[Clinton] argues that to not recognize either contest would be equivalent to disenfranchising voters. Clinton"s aides also point out that Obama chose to remove himself from the Michigan ballot."

Actually, the Florida and Michigan voters were disenfranchised when their respective primary scheduling bodies decided to proceed with early primary votes despite having been told, in advance, that their delegates' votes would not count. Clinton even agreed, at the time.

It's a sore loser who wants to rewrite the rules after the game is over.

[DMW1]

And yet, on Thursday, May 8, Hillary rejected Michigan's plan to seat the delegates in her favor.

[Braveheart1]

Yes I believe they would give Hillary 69 delegates and Obama 59. Terry McAliffe on Meet the Press yesterday stated that Obama should not get any delegates because he took his name off the ballot. I think that's why the Clinton campaign rejected the plan. It is the twisting of rules, making their own interpretation of the rules and going back on agreements that has alienated most people from Hillary. Both Obama and Edwards played by the rules with respect to Michigan and Florida.

[debrouillard]

Thank God for Obama.His success thus far is evidence that anyone can succeed by simply being who they are and speaking out their heart.I am not saying he is always right,but then he doesnt pretend to be the person standing right infront of him at any particular time.

This to me is a vendication of the fact that,honesty is the most effective weaponry in the world.
I am sure at this point the entire Clinton clan and friends are still asking themself,what has this guy really got? But if they could put themselves back in to real human world,it wouldnt take them long to figure out the answer,He is simply Honest. He is not always right,but One can feel he is always Honest.

[GiggidyGeshmoygen]

shillary 2 campaign director:

"GET ME SOME NEW RULES !!! - I DON'T CARE WHOSE BUTT YOU HAVE TO PULL THEM OUT OF, JUST GET THEM ... NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Gasparilla]

Rasmussen has a continuing trend of Hillary by 5 over McCain. Obama beats him by 1.
http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/general_election_match_up_history

[DMW1]

Probably not the best polling firm to cite. Perhaps you missed this news item:

"National polling firm Rasmussen Reports announced on Friday that it will stop polling people about the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton because her opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, will win the Democratic nomination.

The company"s vice president of finance and operations, Michael Boniello, distributed an e-mail stating that after 19 months of tracking the Democratic race, it is now clear that Clinton will remain a close second."

[harriscrl3]

This means NOTHING he was leading by 10 and McCain was beating Hilary throughout. I think both candidates can beat McCain but imo Hilary is PUSHING with AA voters. Something that these polls dont show and she is GOING to NEED AA to come out in large numbers in places like PA and Ohio her so call swing states.

AA is who put Bill over the edge because their vote is LOYAL thats why the democratic is NOT going to go against it so some of those that vote for Hilary in the primary will not be voting in the general for her but AA vote is CONSTANT if you can get them to turn out and she wont with the way she is behaving. She is saying Oh they'lll vote for me yes but they wont turn out in the numbers she needs. This has to be done fairly and that means the person who wins the most pledge delegates. SHe thinks her supporters are only ones who are important I'v got news for her HIS SUPPORTERS are important too and they will NOT come out if they believe she has tricked and stolen her way to this nomination.

Carol

[CarlyCorday]

Dang it! What is "AA?"

Now I'm gonna be silly. If it's Alcoholics Anonymous, look at Jack Cafferty. Old white guy from blue collar background, ex-alcoholic, doesn't strike me as Ivy League or much of a latte drinker (strong black coffee from a 1961 percolator, bet ya), but he supports Obama--mainly by roundly condemning Clinton and McCain.

Be aware, Democrats: Old Jack Cafferty exemplifies a LOT of "older" state university educated white people from blue collar backgrounds, not to mention antiwar Republicans, Ron Paulies and what not. And guess who else constitutes an "Obama demographic"? TROOP FAMILIES and YOUNG ANTIWAR VETS. They skipped that one, but it's there, and it's feverish in its support of the Illinois senator.

No, Hillary supporters who openly claim to "hate Obama supporters"...you're wrong about us...you aren't looking at us with your glasses on, or even with your eyes open! We aren't "just like Republicans worshipping a candidate for no reason except blind, stupid, thoughtless loyalty." We think YOU are that. We are diverse, multi-faceted, vastly different from each other, united by just one thing; Our candidate--the only choice we've got: Barack Obama. You guys, OTH, are incredibly 2-dimensional, and I'm just glad you are far fewer in number than I had thought last week.

So what is AA? LOL. Go ahead, please, embarrass me--at least I'll know.

Thanks,
Happy Mother's Day, All!
Kitty

[CarlyCorday]

(Oops! African Americans? OK, lol. Boy, I am a thickhead.)

[StillIRise]

I agree. Many people, including the MSM, believe that the possible defection of African Americans if Senator Clinton is perceived to have stolen the nomination is because of our commitment to Senator Obama, but that is not true. In using race as a political strategy, either overtly or covertly, Senator Clinton has insulted the entire African American community. Both she and Bill took our loyalty to them for granted, seriously underestimated our political astuteness to recognize what they were doing, and wrongly assumed that no matter what they did, we would always be there for them. Their strategy to marginalize Senator Obama as "the black candidate," was in effect an effort to marginalize all black people. In their attempt to portray Senator Obama as unelectable because he is black, she has attempted to portray the black community itself as unacceptable. This is a much deeper offense than simply having the candidate of our choice lose the nomination. She and Bill have permanently alienated the black community - their choice, not ours - and without the majority of African Americans, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for her to win in the general.

[Jason357]

It's a shame that Clinton is pushing this fight to the point of no return, often using GOP support to fight Obama. I don't want a president like that. The others are bad enough, but she's some sort of kamikaze personality. That's the last thing we need in this day and age, some narcissist of that degree with no limits.

That's why I stopped voting GOP, because they keep playing those same games, threatening victory of the other side if the voters didn't fall into line. If we're lucky, this whole struggle will result in 4 major parties instead of 2. The only reason that game works is because voters have no place else to go. I'd like to see McCain and Clinton get soe real competition instead of just threatening voters with the fear of the living with the other side. We're all Americans fr crying out loud. We should be able to figure out a way to lvie together and not keep voting for people who insist on dividing us.

[MalloMel]

If Hillary won't play by the rules now (which she agreed to in advance), What makes anyone think she will play by anything but her own rules if she were to become President. Seems a lot like Bush to me, and we really don't need, nor can we afford, any more of that. I wonder why more people can't see this?

[thirteen13]

No one really wants a third Clinton administration because of their chaos, chaos, chaos.

[harriscrl3]

Thats one of things that frighten me about her she has morphed into Bush. Ignoring the rules ignoring the people when they are not saying what she wants them to say. Insulting some states and demcrats in some states. What bugs me is the nerve of some Hlary supporters to say that we have to nice to Hilary when Hilary has done nothing but INSULT Obama supporters. I dont have to be nice to her she OWES Obama supporters an apology and until I get one I dont have to be nice to her I dont want her on his ticket and darn sure dont want money I gave to Obama to go to paying for her debts.

Carol

[GravitonX]

What do you mean he wins?!!! Time to change the rules again. We must allow the people of Alpha Centauri to be heard!

[lobo1939]

This nightmare has to end now. Bill is running his mouth again and poisening the well of democratic voters, Hillary is polarizing her "hard working whites" as well, Obama needs rest, time to focus on the hispanics, slam McInsane around for his inconsistencies. David Broder in today's WP is blaming the Democrats in congress for wanting to avoid a controversial vote. Poor babies. We are celebrating the SDs as they timidly announce in ones and twos. They have got to take the trashing from the Clintons and move on and stop this maddness.

[marijam]

He has won, he is the winner. He has asked us not to worry about these remaining primaries. We should take him at his word. Sit back and watch and don't worry.

[KBAR]

So Barry won't mind if the VOTERS in the remaining states plus the millions that VOTED in Fl and Mi write him OFF in November. He's written them OFF so they will write him OFF.

[eurydice]

Don't you know that nobody reads the posts that have the word "Barry" in them?

We start reading, see that word, quit reading, and move on to the next post.

Really, you're getting yourself ignored by putting that flag word in your posts.

[KBAR]

I see your point. I'll go back to using Osama Obama like Ted Kennedy and Dickless Durbin . Two true icons of the party.

[harriscrl3]

Thats what happens when someoen is leading in ALL areas. Thats why Hilary doesnt have a prayer he is leading in popular votes pledge delegates and states.

Carol

[foreffectivegovernment]

"Barack Obama can fully accept Hillary Rodham Clinton's terms on Michigan and Florida and still win a majority of pledged Democratic delegates on June 1, allowing him to lay claim to the nomination under the New York senator's own rules."
Oh Please, Mr. Barack, accept her terms. You don't have anything to lose now. You are the "presumptive nominee". She just wants to make a good showing before she drops out. She might even accept your plan to pay off her debts if you allow her to just get a few more delegates from Florida and Michigan. Surely you will soon reach the magic number and you will really be the candidate. What are a few measley delegates to a man like you who has so many in reserve.
Please Mr. Barack.

[marijam]

Yes, Obama should assist Hillary in exiting the stage with grace and dignity, allowing her to save face.

[likeicare]

The BBC News website has an hilarious YouTube clip of how ridiculous Hillary's hanging-on effort is.

It shows Hillary as Hitler, screaming at the generals and blaming her defeat on the voters.

Art imitating life.

[whizkid]

Polls still have Hillary beating McCain by a wider margin than Obama.
But the Children love their fairytales.

[DMW1]

Do you know what's been great about this whole thing? Look how much people have learned! Let's review:

-The United States is a republic, not a democracy.

-The DNC (Democratic National Committee) sets rules as to when states can hold their primaries and/or caucuses and penalizes states if they break these rules.

-The Democratic Party candidate is selected through state caucuses and primaries.

-In order to get the nomination, that candidate needs 2025 votes from delegates.

-Delegates are allocated in states proportionately. Vote counts and districts come into play.

-Superdelegates are free to vote for any candidate.

The system is definitely confusing and, according to some, not fair.

BUT (notice the big but?), the candidates knew and understood the process before running for office. If you don't like the way the system works, fine, change it. But one candidate should not try to change that system in the middle of the process to suit their needs when they were fully aware of how the process worked to begin with.

Obama is leading in:
-States won
-Pledged delegates
-Superdelegates
-Popular vote without Florida
-Popular including Florida

Polls do not determine the nominee. That's just a fairytale ;)

[KBAR]

-In order to get the nomination, that candidate needs 2025 votes from delegates.

Hummm..............2209 is the number.

[j.gold]

2209? Hillery changing the rules again!

[Hillbug]

The DNC makes the rules, NOT Hillary.

And the DNC says 2025. Therefore, THAT'S the number.

[foreffectivegovernment]

DMW1: You said, 1)."Superdelegates are free to vote for any candidate." 2)."Polls do not determine the nominee." 3)."In order to get the nomination, that candidate needs 2025 votes from delegates."

I add 4)."Voters don't determine the nominee this year, superdelegates do."
Most people knew these things before this year. Why didn't you?
The first candidate that tried to rewrite the rules said that superdelegates had to vote like their districts. (Obama Rule #1).
The second candidate that tried to rewrite the rules said that the superdelegates could not over-rule the will of the people. (Obama Rule #2).
If you truly learned item #3 and you now have learned #4, why do you insist on posting the useless data at the bottom of your comment.
When Obama gets the required 2025, the Hillary supporters will honor his nomination just like we did the Supreme Court decision in 2000 and the not guilty verdict in the O.J. trial.
We do, however, reserve the right to write-in Hillary Clinton's name on the general election ballot.

[passport]

Why do you have to be so dishonest?
You just prove that either you are a Liar or do not know the difference between the words SHOULD and COULD NOT. Not many people are dumb enough to believe your bull.
The nominee will be determined by both elected delegates and super delegates not one or the other.
You and "most people" knew that the election would be so close as to make the super delegate portion more important this year ? Sure you did.... So did Hillary .....she predicted it would all be over on Super Tuesday.

[DMW1]

I'm sorry you weren't able to appreciate the sarcasm in my use of the word "we".

I won't even begin to get into how many times Hillary has tried to change the rules. I just don't have the time or inclination. I do wonder why, on Thursday, May 7, she rejected Michigan's plan to seat their delegates in her favor after all of the whining she has done over that issue.

Also, you might want to check with state's election board. The write-in option is not available in all states. How you choose to use your vote is certainly up to you.

[MalloMel]

Poor puppy. Sorry your candidate is going down in flames. Try not to feel too bad . You'll get over it. It just takes time.

[Trinidad707]

Hillary is our Warrior Princess...like Xena...she will keep fighting on!

[DMW1]

Wait! I thought she was Paulette Revere. Or was it Rocky? No, no it was Teddy Roosevelt. Was that before or after Goldilocks? Am I missing any?

[Midnightrain]

"Xena"? Really? That's some kind of parallel you draw. Sad thing; I think she sees herself in the same light. Sounds like psychosis.

[MalloMel]

It does seem as though Hillary is having some kind of breakdown. I hope she pulls through this ok, and doesn't come all the way apart.

Not long ago, I was for Hillary 100%, but she tore it with me when she started all her negative campaigning. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that she was a Republican.

We really don't need anymore evilness in the White House. It's all the evilness that is finally bringing our country down so low.

[Irons]

Hillary wants the presidency sooooo freakin' bad she just might take VP if offered just to get close to it, to sniff the bicycle seat so to speak, to be next in succession to the throne.

There ought to be a law that says if you want it that freakin' bad you cannot be trusted with it and so can't have it.

[bola47]

anyone remember 24. a black president declared incompetent by his underlings led by a delusional vp. keep hillary away from the white house and beef up the secret service protection.