It's Almost a Wrap: Obama to Have the Requisite Delegates by Week's End
Monday June 2, 2008
By the end of this week, it's a virtual certainty that 46-year-old Sen. Barack Obama will have enough delegates, committed and super, to officially be the Democratic party's presumptive 2008 presidential nominee.
Beyond that, confirmed and unconfirmed internet rumors today about the rival Clinton campaign are thicker than the throng of lotion-slicked beachgoers crowding Southern California beaches on a sunny summer day.
Here are a few of the more believable stories making the blogosphere rounds:
- From Thomas Edsall at the Huffington Post: "Hillary Clinton has summoned top donors and backers to attend her New York speech tomorrow night in an unusual move that is being widely interpreted to mean she plans to suspend her campaign and endorse Barack Obama - if not that night, within a day or two."
- From CNN Political Ticker: "Most of the seventeen Democratic senators who have remained uncommitted throughout the primaries will endorse Barack Obama for president this week... Two sources... said the endorsements will come sometime later this week."
- From Chuck Todd at MSNBC's First Comment: " Bill Clinton acknowledged Monday that today may be his last campaigning for his wife... Acknowledging the campaign's likely fate, he went into more detail reflecting on the experience of stumping across the country for her."
- From Marc Ambinder at Atlantic.com: "Clinton Campaign staffers and former campaign staffers are being urged by the Clinton campaign's finance department to turn in their outstanding expense receipts by the end of the week. That's a sign, to them, that the campaign wants to get its affairs in order soon. If Clinton were staying in the race, there'd be no real reason to collect these receipts now... "
- Per Ben Smith at Politico.com: "Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee says the advance staffers haven't been let go or told to find other jobs, just sent home. They aren't typically paid for off days. 'We just haven't figured out our schedule past Tuesday,' he said."
But the confirmed story that most intrigues is from The Hill's Blog Briefing Room:
"Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will both be in New York City Wednesday, one day after the last two primaries. "Clinton will be in Gotham starting Tuesday night... Obama... will be in New York City on Wednesday for a Democratic National Committee event, his foreign policy adviser, Greg Craig, told MSNBC. "Craig did not say whether the two rivals would meet, adding that he didn't know many of the details of the DNC event. " 'But it will be an effort by Sen. Obama to reach out and embrace all the elements of the party where he has been the strongest, as well as where he has not been the strongest,' he said."
For the sake of party peace, and despite Sen. Clinton's tacky campaign tactics and torturous math, I would love for Sen. Obama to offer Sen. Clinton a meaty, meaningful role in his administration.... when Democrats, at long last, take back the White House!
(Photo taken on June 2, 2008: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Obama will not be my candidate in November no matter what the democratic party does. I will vote locally for democrats but not for the senator from Illinois.
I am a Senator Obama supporter. But, if Senator Clinton had won the nomination I would vote for her. I can not throw my vote away. I must help myself by putting my party in the Oval Office in November. The Republican party has hurt this country enough. Both Obama and Clinton as a whole share the same views, so you won’t be loosing much by voting for Obama.
I certainly hope that history does not repeat itself. The democrats are their own worst enemies. They divide themselves and stay divided, and when it comes to the general election, the republicans are more unified and get more people out to the voting booths. This is, and always has been — in my opinion as a fairly conservative democrat — an election for the democrats to lose. The only way the republicans can win is if the democrats are or stay divided in November. If that happens, the [more unified] republicans will walk away with the election even with a candidate that few people like. The smartest thing the democrats can possibly do to ensure a win in November is to unify into an Obama-Clinton ticket. If that does not happen, then the unhappy supporters of either candidate will rebel in some manner and, once again, a republican will win by default. How sad would that be!
Obama will not be my candidate in November either. After 30 plus years as a Democrat, I will not be voting for Obama. At least we know where we stand with Mc Cain.
Obama won’t be my candidate either in November. Having been a Democrat for the last 30 years or so, I will either not vote in November–yes, I will vote, but it won’t be for Obama.
I bet Lenin is smiling thinking about you people. Oh and for the public school educated I do not mean John Lenin. Its sad that most of you never read about your old leader, you just surrendered to the new Comrade Obamailivich
Clinton ran a great campaign. Obama ran a greater one. I am impressed by the loyalty and passion of the Clinton camp, especially Harold Ickes. While it has sustained the Clinton campaign, its earlier mistakes allowed Obama to win.
Oh brother! I’m 58 years old, and I’ve been a democrat for many years, but if Obama wins it I’m heading for Disneyland and voting for Mickey Mouse in November. The democratic party sure blew it big time. We think we’ve had it bad with Bush, just wait until Obama takes over. I don’t want Oprah running our country.
I can’t believe how many of you are willing to throw your votes to someone who is for the war, has the lousiest health care plan, thinks NCLB was awesome, and wants to control what I do with my womb.
Seriously, folks. Get over your temper tantrums and think about where you really want this country to go. If you’re into worse health care, more war, fewer civil rights, and putting more conservative supreme court justices in power – by all means, show your spite at the polls.
Obama is simply an empty suit spouting popular platitudes with no substance. Beware!
I am a democrat and if Obama is our candidate I will unfortunately have to vote for McCain. I truly wonder how anyone could possibly vote for Obama…It boggles the mind to know that that man sat in that church for twenty years and gave merit to the rantings of Wright, Farrakhan, Pfleger and even had any dealings whatsoever with the terrorist Ayers and his wife. He has shown a total lack of judgement and character in my opinion. What would it take to change the mind of Obama supporter’s? I honestly do not understand it. I think he could actually say he is the #1 fan of Iran’s president (who wants to blow Israel off the map) and some people would still support him. He lacks experience and claims to want to bring change to the presidency. That’s laughable to me because I am smart enough to know that NO presidential candidate is truly going to bring change to politics. I am not that gullible…I would like to see Clinton as president..and I think if this Wright, Pfleger, Ayers mess had come out before ALL of the elections, Clinton would be the democratic nominee….Unfortunately we did not find out in time…..and its a shame because we will probably have a president that I simply cannot look up to.
John from the UK – you democrats got it all wrong, because what you have done is fielded two candidates, neither of which is presidential material and hence McCain will win hands down and the Bush regime continues. Heaven help us all. If, heaven forbid, Obama does become president we may as well give the terrorists the keys to the Capitol now!
After 58 years as a registered Democrat, I am now an Independent and will vote for John McCain. After all, 4 years of McCain can’t possibly be as horrendous as 8 years of Obama. He has constantly lied and the media fluffs it off. I feel the Chicago Mob has been funding his campaign because he has spent money like there’s no tomorrow. Is that who you want in the White House? Do you want us to have a greater debt than we already have?
I am amazed at the women who say they wanted a woman president and if they can’t get that they will vote for McCain. McCain is AGAINST EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN! He is against the GI Bill, for heaven’s sake. He wants to overturn Roe v. Wade. He consistently shows that he knows nothing about the economy and can’t keep straight the terrorists and how many trooops we have fighting now. He says it is better on a violent day.
Is it worth that–and the economy getting even worse–just to spite Obama? Give him a chance. He respects women. There are many things he could have brought up about Clinton that he didn’t out of respect.
I am a Texan,transplanted to Florida about 25 years ago. I have been a Democrat since 1964. I was stunned when our votes counted for nothing in 2000, and thought such a travesty couldn’t ever happen to us again…and then it was the Machiavellian manipulations of the GOP that nullified our votes. Now my own party has done far worse to us here, with enthusiatic assistance from our Republican Governor and Republican State Legislature. I will either have to sit this one out(although I have been told that I will be throwing my vote away, or giving the election to McCain) but really it has just become an exercise in futility…I feel the days are gone forever when every vote did count. I cannot in good conscience vote for Senator Obama, ONLY because I do not feel he has the wisdom and experience to take on such a daunting task yet. Perhaps in the future, but not now , in these terrifying and difficult times. Whoever occupies the Oval Office after January, 2009 will have to spend the first 4 years trying to restore our honor, economy, and all of the other things that Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, and their ilk have taken from our beautiful and proud land. I see nothing, to inspire hope or faith any longer. I truly wish I could…
Senator Obama gives hope to many of us.The USA is in for some terrible years brought on chiefly by the occupant of the White House.We Democrats deserted our party twice to elect this man. We can’t afford to do it again.Listen with an open mind.We can NOT afford to elect another Republican President.
DC Flint – Your arguments are just plain weird. Rove is a McCain adviser. How exactly is McCain going to clear up the damage done by his own advisers? Someone who isn’t willing to talk with enemies, who votes for torture, and who is at best delusional and at worst lying about the state of the war in Iraq? How is this man possibly better for all his experience?
That’s like arguing that a heart patient should eat at McDonald’s instead of the new low cholesterol restaurant, because the new place doesn’t have enough experience cooking food.
If it were 2000 again, I might have voted for McCain. But I am never voting for a veteran who treats other veterans so poorly (against expanded GI Bill)and advocates torture (against waterboarding ban.)
I will not vote for Obama. I will have to vote Republican. Obama is highly intelligent, however, he hasn’t got the street smarts! Politics is a big city.
Obama frightens me. He has appeared out of nowhere, has no experience, comes from a church that preaches prejudice and hate, yet he smiles and all is well. He says what we all want to hear but his history, which is all one has to go on, is tainted.
All I have heard from his campaign is that he wants change, and he represents hope. I have not heard what he is going to change and how he is going to fund this change. He has not outlined his policies, or his financial plans.
Because of his past associates, I cannot respect the man or trust his true intentions.
I am an independent who leans towards being a democrat. I have no idea what I will do in November.
Having Clinton and Obama on the same ticket may be the democrats only hope for uniting the party. Republicans will vote party no matter who is running. Democrats may not be able to unite with only Obama on the ticket.
If Hitlery is the VP, Obama better hire a food taster.
lots of suspicious, stupid, and ignorant comments here! donna, rick, tanya, loretta, john, tedddy, val… you people are either incredibly gullible and mindless or these posts are all BS coming from the same person in a vain attempt to quiet the buzz surrounding obama’s impending nomination. shame on you, and shame on anybody gullible enough to take you seriously.
God help us if,(Who is he), is elected. All I know about him is he and his wife hate whites and America. 20 years is a LONG time to hear and believe nothing !! I’m scared to death as to just what change he is talking about. He doesn’t really tell us ! You all hate Bush so much, you would elect the Devil if he was running Democrat !! Watch what you wish for !!
Popadon
Maybe Hillary can get you a degree too. Ask me how.
*(Pat says: Obama frightens me. He has appeared out of nowhere, has no experience, comes from a church that preaches prejudice and hate, yet he smiles and all is well. He says what we all want to hear but his history, which is all one has to go on, is tainted.
All I have heard from his campaign is that he wants change, and he represents hope. I have not heard what he is going to change and how he is going to fund this change. He has not outlined his policies, or his financial plans.
Because of his past associates, I cannot respect the man or trust his true intentions.
I am an independent who leans towards being a democrat. I have no idea what I will do in November.
popadon says:
God help us if,(Who is he), is elected. All I know about him is he and his wife hate whites and America. 20 years is a LONG time to hear and believe nothing !! I’m scared to death as to just what change he is talking about. He doesn’t really tell us ! You all hate Bush so much, you would elect the Devil if he was running Democrat !! Watch what you wish for !!)*
I HAVE to agree with these people. I keep asking… Where did this guy come from? Who is he to America? His own wife stated she did NOT respect America!!! What kind of help are we going to get from this guy if he gets in the White House??? All I can say is God have mercy on His people if this travesty takes place!!! Even the Blacks *African Americans* do not want Obama!! That has got to make him wonder. Should make a LOT of people in America wonder. Well, I will say this while I can, while I still have the freedom to do so…America, ENJOY your freedoms and rights for now. They will soon just be something written in the History books like so many other things we as Americans have given away!!! I am just sick to my stomach!! I too will HAVE to vote for McCain only because not voting at all would be worse. ONE last question…IF all these people DO NOT WANT OBAMA IN, WHO THA HECK VOTED FOR HIM?????
Kudos to Obama and his team for pulling off a victory.
So how many McCain action points are y’all getting for trolling the comments here?
while im so excited a female and african american running and with full potential too win im scared that this man obama may be the next president. his past dictates a very dangerous road for the democrates. im not saying hillary doesnt have some baggage but it was all out there long before. what worries me about obama winning is the americans will not be happy because he is young inexpereinced and lets face it brings racism to the table in a hole new ball game (against whites) in 4 years because of him the republicans will be voted back in. I do believe Hillary should be president she has not only the eye on the ball but the experience the caring heart and the toughness that is needed to take back the craziness that is going on this world. not too mention a great advisor bill clinton at her side. the funny thing as a canadian i shake my head your country was amazing and strong with bill clinton but a bit of sex and the people gave it to a bush an illiterate monkey. sorry i apolagize but it is frustrating as a canadian who loves the usa to see such silliness i expect it here but not in the usa. after all you are supposed to be the mighty world power so for Gods sake start voting that way. Vote obama in i really do believe we are in for trouble not just world wide but the matters in our backyard as well. thanks for listening …trisha
I have never hear so much prejudice in America as I am hearing from all the previous comments.
That is all the comments that appeared previously are about.
For instance, American can turn the tide and elect a person of some color. Remember Obama is both black and white. He bridges two worlds and may have a heck of a lot more insight than any of the monkeylike comments that have preceded this one.
Come on ladies, let’s not be spoiled sports.
He gave a good fight, so did Hilary but someone Americans have spoken.
Guess you aren’t listening. Try it for a change. Then perhaps you will accept a change. Obama is the person (note I didn’t say man, and that’s my nonsexism showing through.
Go Obama. Maybe America will wake up and realize they are at the beginning of a new chapter.
I wonder what woman will come along in the next cycle without the baggage that a Clinton candidate, male or female now brings to the table as a result of 8 years of Clinton. How little we remember of what Clinton tried to take out of the White House.
On the RSS feed, the headline for this article was, “Is Obama the Democratic Candidate for President?”
The correct answer was “no, McCain is.” So, all of you democrats that are claiming that you will vote for McCain if Obama gets in, that is just fine — you are still voting for a democrat.
This year, we seem to be voting for the lesser of two evils. It looks like we have to choose between a social liberal and fiscal moderate (McCain) and a social liberal and fiscal liberal (Obama). I’m thinking of voting for a write-in: Reagan.
Even a dead president might be better this year than our current choices.
The only race oratories are from Obama and his wife. America could well be ready for a black or female president but Not these offerings. All I hear is Hillary is qualified merely because she married a president AND her efforts there failed. Now Obama jabbers on about his white mother and grandmother. What color is she. A black, moselum father, he flip-flops on his past religions, talks change and hope. WHAAAAT ?? Change what and hope for what ? Just too many secrets and questions he is not telling !! And his wife has more prejudice than whites. This is a racial election, as much as they say it isn’t. He and wife are making it that way. Like we really need to be reminded constantly and continue to talk about 200 years ago slavery. I didn’t, and my ancestors didn’t have slaves. I owe them nothing and am quite sick of having it shoved down my throat so get over it !! I could have voted for Colon Powell but not this guy we know nothing about except things we don’t like !! But his wife don’t like us either !! And, for once I would like to vote FOR somebody and not just vote AGAINST somebody. But I will vote !!!
Last night, Obama said “It’s time for Iraqis to take responsibility for their future.” When I heard that, I thought that if he could take that position with minorities and affirmative action, then we might actually have some inspiring change…
“It’s time for minorities to take responsibility for thier future… That’s what the American people want. That’s what change is.”
Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Tx,
George
Sport, you seem to be the gullible one I might add….
What kills me is that those who oppose Obama are called “racists”…yet, no hate is being spewed out of our mouths nor or we sitting in a church for twenty years listening to hate speech. All you have to do is use your head to see where all the hate is coming from or at the very least “being listened to”.
Funny how in most states 92%-97% of the black American’s are voting for Obama….if that isn’t racist I don’t know what is…
There are many black American’s I would vote for…Former Sen. Ford, J.C. Watts and so on….I won’t be voting for Obama…I find he eloquently says what people want to hear and yet really has no plan on how he is going to do it. He promises change and yet doesn’t share how he is gonna make those changes.
Prime example of him being like all other politician’s in Washington is when he resigned from his church. Only difference is that 99.9% of those in Washington would have NEVER sat in that church pew.
Obama represents my generation, on the tail end of the baby boom. We are tired of watching the folks 10-30 years older than ourselves running the country and making big messes that our generation and our children will have to fix. It is time for us to step up and take our turn at the helm. Obama is well qualified for the job, having strong leadership skills and wisdom beyond his years. I say let’s give the man a chance to lead the country.
It’s funny that the only negative comment “white” America can come up with is his “former” pastor. We don’t know what sermons are being preached from any church pulpit on any given Sunday. Probably because a lot of you are at home. LOL The media blew that out of proportion and you know it. Bush was an average student in school and only got in the ivy league he did because of daddy. Both of the Obama’s EARNED their degrees. That’s the least I can say for Bush. He has had his opportunity to make America better and he blew it. But, what else can you expect from an average student. Mmmmm, didn’t he go to Private schools too? To state that only blacks are voting for Obama is unfair. Whites are the majority in this country and he could not have gotten his nomination on Black votes only. Wake up people. You are scared to vote for Obama because you have repressed “slave” issues. Hillary has been so negative throughout this campaign that I would be upset if she was Obama’s VP choice. But, if it means getting the Democrats in the White House, so beit. The Republicans out number the Dems on the Supreme Court and if we don’t watch out we’ll loose more than our Pro-Choice voice!
I can honestly say I don’t care for Obama or McCain. McCain does at least have experience and a admirable service to our Country. Obama claims to offer change and hope. I hope he doesn’t get his “hope” from his spiritual advisors. Obama claims to be “one” thing in his speeches, but the choices he has made in his personal life lead you to believe something else. I find his character and judgement in question and therefore because of that I refuse to vote for him. This democrat will have to cross party lines to place their vote.
For Tanya and other commenters who claim that Obama has no real or specific plans for change, you might be interested in my newest post:
Obama 101: Change and the Issues
http://usliberals.about.com/b/2008/06/04/obama-101-change-and-the-issues.htm
“In his uplifting primary races victory speech last night, Sen. Obama was quite specific about what change means to him…
To help you further understand what Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama means by change, I’ve pulled together specifics of his policy proposals and plans on a number of issues.”
Obama didn’t get 90+ percent of the black vote in the first couple of primaries. In fact, Clinton had pretty good numbers among African Americans at the start of the campaign. Clinton, her husband, and Ferraro’s racist remarks were probably what pushed them over the edge in later races. “Hard working white Americans” indeed.
In response to “M”…I did not say that I would vote for Senator McCain…I said that I could not at this time vote for Senator Obama, for a variety of reasons..the primary one being his inexperience. I have not yet voted for a candidate that I had such grave misgivings about, and I won’t start now. I said I would probably just not cast a vote for anyone this year as far as a presidential candidate. I will continue to follow the race very closely, and perhaps I could change my mind. I do respect Senator McCain as a person who has given much to his country, over his lifetime, especially his service in Viet Nam, which I did not support, as I do not support the present quagmire in Iraq….but I have always respected our military personnel, completely. I can not, in good conscience, vote for him either, due to his close association with the Bush/Cheney policies and apparent plans for the basic continuation of these.
I am from developing Asia. You guys don’t know how oil prices are sky rocketing here and the chaos we are going through. Prices for all commodities and services have gone high is people are getting thinner without food to eat. As a human being we need food, shelter and clothes and we cannot fulfill our basic needs. But as Americans, regardless of democratic or repuplican goverments, your goverments will make sure that you have your basic needs, so you don’t feel the pain being poor and don’t feel the pain we are going through. You guys are selfish as Americans. Do you know you are the people who can make the difference in our world. We don’t want deadly people to rule the world and make war everywhere. If you bring in Peace in Iraq and in the middleeast, we can expect oil prices to go down more than 50% and we have room to loosen our belts.
Vote for someone who can bring in peace and have sympathy over poor countries. After increase of prices on all commodities and services by our goverment, people cannot afford anything other than food. So businesses have gone down big time and companies here are reducing salaries or firing people to decrease their expenditures. Can you imagine this chaos? Prices have doubled and salaries have gone down and we don’t have money to survive. Your people are lucky to live in America. Please have some sympathy on us.
I am from developing Asia. You guys don’t know how oil prices are sky rocketing here and
the chaos we are going through. Prices for all commodities and services have gone high is
people are getting thinner without food to eat. As a human being we need food, shelter and
clothes and we cannot fulfill our basic needs. But as Americans, regardless of democratic
or repuplican goverments, your goverments will make sure that you have your basic needs, so
you don’t feel the pain being poor and don’t feel the pain we are going through. You guys
are selfish as Americans. Do you know you are the people who can make the difference in our
world. We don’t want deadly people to rule the world and make war everywhere. If you bring
in Peace in Iraq and in the middleeast, we can expect oil prices to go down more than 50%
and we have room to loosen our belts.
Vote for someone who can bring in peace and have sympathy over poor countries. After
increase of prices on all commodities and services by our goverment, people cannot afford
anything other than food. So businesses have gone down big time and companies here are
reducing salaries or firing people to decrease their expenditures. Can you imagine this
chaos? Prices have doubled and salaries have gone down and we don’t have money to survive.
Your people are lucky to live in America. Please have some sympathy on us.
The African America community has been voting for all you democrats for decades but these single minded racists would rather cross party line and vote for McCain instead of voting for a black man? MOST negative stuff directed at Obama is someone else doing it e.g. Rev Wright, Ayers, wife’s patriotism and yes the “Bitter” comment was totally wrong but is that a reason to support a third term for Bush with Healthcare for the rich and a war killing Americans that was powered by lies, sky rocket gas prices with no pro-fuel economy policies and record number of foreclosures (for which McCain basically told Americans “F U” but I will give you 30 bucks over summer for gas!!!!!!) ??
And someone compares Obama to Bush? This is someone who came from nowhere. In 2005, he was being introdced to the senate and being told as a “Rookie” what to do. But he has crushed the biggest name in the democratic party 3 years down the line. Despite changing the rules in the middle of the game, he made it. The kind of organization of his campaign goes far to show how well planning goes with him. Bush … planning … HELL to the NO.
If this crossing party lines actually happens for the sake of keeping the black man out of the White House, then the democratic party will NEVER enjoy the strong support from the African American community now that we know what bunch of same OLD racists we are supporting.
And yes, Hillary lost because of her stupid Kitchen sink strategy as Obama won 11 straight contests back in February, NEVER attack your fellow party member that you may have to end up endorsing using funny 3AM calls claim yet you can’t respond to a 10PM call. And that free pass the Clinton family had to the BLack community, COMPLETELY REVOKED. You have to earn it like everyone else.
Democrats! We need to present a unified front.
The Reps have only managed to stay in the game for the past few decades using that principle, and the Dems have faltered for ignoring it. Compromise on the little issues, come together as a group with those who you disagree with the least – and defeat your opposition. Welcome to the Republic of the United States of America, this is how we do things.
Despite the minor differences in Hillary and Barack, Dems need to support the Democratic Presidential Candidate, whoever it may be. That’s compromise, which builds strength via numbers, which is why we have a political party in the first place. Do you want a Dem in office, or would you just lay down your swords now because you couldn’t get sprinkles on your ice cream cone in your favorite color?
I get the definite impression there is subversion coming at Dems right now from the Reps. I suggest that all who read articles from “Disenchanted Clinton Supporters who want to vote for McCain now” bear in mind that these are likely just liars pretending to have ever been Clinton supporters at all. Note that the Reps have purchased ClintonsForMcCain.com in order to undermine the Dems in this moment of division.
Hey, politicians are usually power-mongers anyway, just make the choice of lessor evils. If you wanted Hillary to be the next Pres, i can guess you’d be much happier with Barack than McCain, judging by their track records and the faults Bush-critics find with the administration. That is, of course, as long as you’re not a racist.