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Obama May Declare Victory Before Winning
May 08, 2008 5:17 PM
In an interview with Brian Williams on NBC, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, said that he may declare victory on May 20 after winning the Oregon primary (assuming he does) -- even though he will not have reached the magic number of 2,205 delegates.
“That will be an important day," Obama said. "If at that point we have the majority of pledged delegates, which is possible, then I think we can make a pretty strong claim that we’ve got the most runs and it’s the ninth inning and we’ve won.”
Except of course that this isn't a fight for a majority of pledged delegates. It's a fight for the majority of total delegates -- which includes superdelegates. And the number is 2,025. Not the majority of pledged delegates -- the majority of total delegates.
So to use a football analogy: Up by 14, Obama has the ball at Clinton's 10 yard line with 30 seconds left. Clinton has been arguing with the ref to include touchdowns and field goals that they ruled illegitimate. Clinton has been trying to convince the refs to go into overtime, and she wants to move the goal posts into the stands.
Now Obama wants the game to end early, and he wants the goal posts moved to the 10-yard line.
This strikes me as possibly a huge miscalculation.
- jpt
UPDATE: The Obama campaign says that despite Obama saying on May 20 he may make the claim that his team has the most runs and "we've won," he was not talking about winning the nomination, but rather winning an "important metric" -- pledged delegates.
May 8, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (298)
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This cocky elitist will never get my vote!
Posted by: HoosierSue | May 9, 2008 9:23:58 AM
All he need behind him is the banner
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED also.
This will have the same meaning as president bushes declaration.
It will not mean a thing. because he still will not have the number of 2209 delagates.
Posted by: toby | May 9, 2008 8:59:12 AM
---It is what I hate about Obama---he is so sure of himself--too sure---thinks everyone is below him---he is really nuts ---coconuts----
Posted by: Jesse James | May 9, 2008 8:00:48 AM
Okay
Obama is MORE electable than Clinton...and less tied to old school politics that got us here. (her ceiling was low to begin with and her high floor has now dropped because of this primary we have seen this now not only in polls but elections). Her base is convicted and will fight for her until the death...but it was at 51% of Americans at it's height...that has now shrunk so far that she CAN NOT WIN. Obama has not.
It will come down to character on one level but not all ...and look at Obama's "character" numbers they are still (after all of this recent mud) still almost as strong if not stronger than McCain's.
Then there are the issues... a no brainer.
and for those who say 50% of Clinton supporters won't vote for Obama...that is hog wash...and anyone who keeps typing might as well say Obama is Godzilla...or the stay puff Marshmallow Man...because those are about as accurate.
Maybe 10-15% of Clinton supporters are going to be angry enough at Hillary losing to vote for a Pro-life...economic stale mate of a candidate as McCain...who wants to continue the foreign policy that is making us and the world less safe ( as much as theywant to portray the opposite...it's not hard to see we have fanned the flames of alquaeda)...
so all these arguments you all want to write are either just plain dumb or just plain out of not wanting to lose...I am pretty sure they are the latter.
Posted by: dl | May 9, 2008 6:37:12 AM
What I really believe is this.
Hillary Clinton is the best candidate. She is the strongest candidate.
Obama is the better public speaker, and had the far better team. He deserves the nomination.
Many folks are putting out this crud that democrats must win and republicans lose. Its the election cycle.
However, Al Gore won the 2000 election in reality, in spite of the Lewinski scandal.
Bush beat dukakis in 88 as well.
The problem is that both John Mc Cain and Barack Obama represent the weakest election candidates I have seen since Ford vs Carter.
Obama is deeply flawed on a personal level . The fact that he is african american means he needs to make an extra connection with whites to show them we are all the same.
But Obama isnt a populist, nor would he wear it well. He is a super star. A latte liberal. High minded, and high ideals.
But Obama has no experience, nor anything but a past that his handlers are determined to keep shut.
His pastor is a drastic problem that sheds him as different than other americans, no matter how he tries to spin.
His wife is angry, and reminds people of a young angry Hillary Clinton far more than Michelle Obama would ever want to admit to even herself .
And then there is Mc Cain. America already knows him. War hero, POW , old guy.
A long stand in the US senate and a mixed bag of signals. Half republican, half democratic.
But at least folks can Identify with him.
Obama will try to stay on course and call Mc Cain ' Mc Bush, and try to pin every failing of the bush administration on Mc Cain.
But it always come back to character, and whether voters can identify with the candiates.
Posted by: tomdavie | May 9, 2008 5:15:19 AM
I predict Hillary will win the nomination.
Posted by: Uma | May 9, 2008 5:12:33 AM
Senior Dems Constructed the Hillary-Stopper, a soft spoken black man who would take all of traditional support in the black community. Obama is a fraud, a smoothtalker with no policy but to keep a smart and focused woman, better prepared than anyone in the USA from getting to be President. These people gave us John Kerry when we could have gotten Howard Dean. Now it is Obama. Dems will always loose elections if they don't stop electing candidates who look good, instead of candidates with a substance and an agenda for America that win. Liberal polite snobs do not win! Obama has the Anatomy of Looser written all over him.
Posted by: Sylvia Johnsen | May 9, 2008 4:58:38 AM
I have watched for eight years as the neo-cons tore our country apart.I was so looking forward to this election, because it was our chance to make things better.
I am an Independent but support Hillary, because she is without a doubt the smartest, strongest candidate. I have been turned off by the MSM treatment of her, by Obama and his team's arrogant dismissal of her candidacy, and by the disrespect the DNC has shown her and in retrospect the many Americans who support her.
This election has been an eye-opener. I have watched Ted Kennedy shamelessly pass his brother's legacy to an unproven candidate; while Jesse Jackson
as shamelessly passed DR Martin Luther King's mantle to a man who has done nothing for his people or this country. The topping on the cake was when we were told to believe the talking-point that the out-spoken, opinionated Michelle Obama was like the very reticent, soft- spoken Jacqueline Kennedy.
Obviously, the Democrats are too stupid
to win, because they think the American people can't see the writing on the wall. If they cannot support Hillary, I for one will without hesitation vote for McCain, an American hero and patriot.
Posted by: BJinChicago | May 9, 2008 4:31:04 AM
Unless Obama sticks Hillary on the ticket, he aint winning the presidency.
I myself have tried to get Clinton supporters to come to Obama, but they are just so differnt socially that they cant stand the guy.
There really is a huge social split in the party. Its not just about Obama being a democrat.
Electing a president hasnt been about the issues since 92. Then it was Clinton nailing Bush with the enconomy.
Its always about character. Its so funny , but there are so many folks who would never vote for Obama cause he is pro choice, and those who wont vote for Mc Cain because he is pro life.
It really comes down to simple values like that.
Obama carries himself like an upscale liberal. Wearing overalls and playing the banjo is not going to get him clinton democrats.
He must convince them he is better than a war hero. He can pin the economy on him , but again it was Bush's economy , not Mc Cains.
This is why there is no way for Obama to get the clinton democrats back unless he stick her back on the ticket.
He can then dispatch Bubba out to the sticks to stump rural folks. He is better at getting their vote than anyone except ronald reagan.
Posted by: tomdavie | May 9, 2008 3:16:28 AM
Axelrod and Obama must be hoping for a new cluster of losers to come out of the woodwork, along with the raised level of Hillary bashing by the media to get him through this.
So far, just about every Democratic loser has come out in support of Obama. Perhaps they think that by using Obama as a surrogate to defeat the Clintons somehow it will magically turn them into winners.
Kerry, Kennedy, Carter, Dean, Gore's campaign folks like Brazile, Kerry's like Shrum, Reid the ineffective Sen. leader that has not won a single legislative victory, Pelosi to whom the same applies, and on and on. All losers.
It doesn't work that way. Losers are losers, winners are winners. Even if the losers help defeat the only winners we have had period in the last 42 years, and the only 2 term winners we have had in the past 64 years; nothing changes for them.
They are still losers, and history has recorded them as such.
Obama will soon join their infamous clique, either in the primary or the GE.
Posted by: MC | May 9, 2008 2:55:42 AM
Under Winner-Take-All system, Hillary would have been the nominee.
Throw the caucus results out and Obama's real strength shows.
Barack McGovern Obama is simply not electable.
Posted by: Roger Miller | May 9, 2008 2:37:12 AM
catleya...Hillary is in Oregon tonight and they are all excited. I would love for her to do well, thou they are predicting it's Obama's to win.
I have to tell you, I am a registered Republican who was able to get a Democratic ticket on Feb. 5th, here in Calif. and voted for Hillary. I will support her all the way, for her work ethic, solutions, intelligence, and expert spouse in these troubled global times. (Michelle is no asset for BO). That said...if she was to be the VP, I would still have to vote McCain as he is Presidential material and Obama is not. Hillary would have to lead him by the hand (he copies whatever she says anyways if you saw any of the debates). I really hope Oregonians pressure him to debate Hillary....they have given him 4 different dates, yet he always runs scared. There aren't that many more states to campaign in so he HAS time. It would be a ratings getter, for sure. He has only debated her FOUR TIMES one on one....but they spin it like its 21 debates. Stay supportive...Hillary or McCain '08!
Posted by: Debra | May 9, 2008 2:22:42 AM
catleya...that one word is "fullos---"!
I can't believe Obama is really serious about declaring himself a victory today. He was walking around Capitol Hill like he's the man. He really is so arrogant. Why can't the Rev. come out and play again? Tell us the truth Rev...don't let us wait for your book in October.
Posted by: Debra | May 9, 2008 2:07:56 AM
Obama should let the game play out till June 3 so that Hillary can be seen to be utterly beatten. She wouldn't have any real or imaginary grounds for claiming that the party pushed her out of the race when she had even a remote chance of success.
Posted by: Drew Rocker | May 9, 2008 1:58:39 AM
I think the bombshell that is going to happen in October that could hurt Obama's chances of winning the general election is that Bush will attack Iran.
In that case experience vs. inexperience may become a much larger factor in the race. We have to remember there our polls that show that the American public when it comes to foreign policy trust the Democrats more than the Republicans. When asked though about specific candidates -Clinton, Obama and McCain- they go overwhelmingly McCain.
Posted by: alpaig | May 9, 2008 1:33:38 AM
The beloved Messiah Obama who can walk on water who will unite the Democratic Party and cause change in our government. Oh please tell us how you will do this Mr. Obama. Please tell us we really want to know. While we are waiting for our Messiah Mr. Obama to tell us how he is going to do all the things he has promised. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts articles that point to the real character and essence of our beloved Messiah Mr. Obama.
1. Obama donor received a state grant (Obama caught laundering money)
April 27 article La Times
2. The Truth VS. Barack Obama (full version) savagepolitics.com
3. Big Donors Among Obama's Grass Roots
'Bundlers' Have a Voice in Campaign
By Matthew Mosk and Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, April 11, 2008
4.Obama and Farc (Obama cuts deal with FARC)bornagainredneck.blogspot.com
5. The Kenyan jihad
Sunday,6th January 2008 spectator.co.uk
6. Facts about Rezco Trial.
rezkowatch.blogspot.com
7. OBAMA LAUNDRY LIST OF LIES as of April 16, 2008 (76 lies and counting)
audacityofhypocrisy.com
8. Interesting news articles on Obama
slickbarry.com
There are so many many more sources that will give ineresting news articles on Obama. All it takes is time and patience to look them up.
After you read all this information is Obama really the Messiah of the USA? He most certainly is not. On just one point who can vote for someone who Laundered $112,000 thru his Law that he received from Mr. Blackwell. Who can vote for some one who has lied to us so many times and played dirty politics, Who pulled the race card so many times and accused Hillary of doing all of this and she didn’t? Obama did all these dirty Politics as usual tricks. Who brushed Hillary off his shoulders like dandruff or the dirt he walks on. 9No respect for Hillary and No respect for Women)Obama did. Who flipped off Hillary? Obama did. Who has Lied more than any candidate running for President of the USA? If you guessed Obama your right!
Lets find out how Obama supporters have been bamboozled, lied too, manipulated, conned into such an emotional frenzies that all their common sense, logic and reason have been thrown under the bus like the majority of Americans who earn less than $250,000.
The formula:
1. Agitate to engage emotions by telling stories of wounded veteran, the poor and uninsured.
2. Give message or spew lies
3. Heal with feel good emotions by giving feel good quotes, tell joke, tell story with happy ending.
Everything in step 2 when the emotions are engaged becomes absolute truth with out question. Why because we are hurt emotionally (Step 1) by the peoples true stories at this point all common sense, reasoning and logic have totally been thrown under the bus. Step 2. Everything said becomes truth eve if a bunch lies has just been spewed. Step 3 Ensures that you feel good emotionally about the message or lies just spewed to you and again all common sense, reasoning, and logic are thrown under the bus again. This is the reason why Obama can only give prepared teleprompter speeches and Obama fails to answer questions from the audience or in Debates. He only knows how to speak using this formula in prepared speeches. Obama supporters, DNC and Super-delegates vote for Hillary and tell Obama the jig is up and tell Obama to end his candidacy for President of the USA.
Posted by: Bob4USA | May 9, 2008 1:29:28 AM
I can't wait to see the defector DEMs numbers be the largest EVER in Nov., if Obama is the nominee. REALLY, it will be the other historic thing about this election. Hillary supporters are not just saying it either...they will strongly and maybe more silently do it...vote McCain. I know there is a website Recreate68 that is threatening riots if Obama doesn't get it, and everyone is all quiet now, because they believe this think is buttoned up. There could be an upset anyday. Wright could give another interview. There is BIG money to be made, for whoever has film of Obama in Wright's church during inflammatory sermons, or any info. I think Wright is in lock down mode and there are helicopters over his house all the time. I'm sure there is part of the Obama posse at all the doors to his house 24/7. It's not just Wright....there is SOMETHING out there and camp Hillary knows it. That being said, we all know enough, without another bombshell. IF NOT HILLARY, THAN McCAIN '08! Looking forward to next debate in Oregon.
Posted by: Debra | May 9, 2008 1:23:14 AM
It's amusing to note that since college is out the Obamabots, and their hateful divisive Internet spam has mysteriously disappeared up.
Hillary's supporters have valued her for her experience, dedication, and unrelentless fight for the common man. Many of us remember the 1990s when she worked tirelessly to implement universal health care for EVERYONE. We will be there for her now.
Posted by: Joanna | May 9, 2008 12:55:19 AM
I still think Hillary can win. She has very good reasons to argue that she's a better candidate than Obama, from what has been played out in the primaries so far. We shouldn't look at the so called delegates math because it's a flawed system which needs to be changed in the future.
First of all, caucuses should be canceled. I'm so surprised that this so undemocratic thing actually exists in the democratic party!!! This is the thing that has virtually killed Hillary. However, it does not represent voters much. All caucuses delegates should be canceled. Let all people vote! Then you will see that Hillary's a stronger candidate! Caucuses don't exist in the general election, so Obama might lose big!
Secondly, it should be winner-take-all, just like the general election. Hillary has virtually won nearly all the big states and swing states, yet Obama hasn't proven his electability in this aspect.
Hillary should definitely fight on until the end, because Obama will not want to lose the election and he's sent out signals that he might ask Hillary to be his running mate. In this case, Hillary should negotiate with Obama about the ticket. The deal she proposes should be clinton/Obama, not vice versa. Obama either accept the deal to be her VP, or Hillary run as an independent or even wait for 2012. So in the end, Obama might have to accept it because he will lose without working together with Hillary!!! Even if Obama doesn't accept it, the democratic party will beg him to accept to be VP because they can't afford to lose the party!!!
Hillary, you go, fight until August in the convention. You have so many adamant supporters lining up behind you. I'll not vote for Obama, never, ever!
Posted by: Cici | May 9, 2008 12:54:44 AM
How arrogant and presumptuous of Obama to coronate himself king already. In primaries held since Obama's judgement has been called into question by the Rev. Wright controversy, Hillary has won the vote in four out of the five big state primaries: Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, yet she's supposed to quit?
Posted by: andre | May 9, 2008 12:45:08 AM
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