Clinton, Obama vie for superdelegates

IF HILLARY DOESN'T GET THE NODD I WOULD HOPE FOR A LARGE WRITE IN ON THE BALLOT ITS THAT OR MCAIN I KNOW WHICH WAY I'M GOING

We should be a good deal more specific in this sort of reporting. Senator Obama has trouble among CERTAIN white working-class voters. He has had no trouble gaining support from the white working-class in Oregon (and Iowa, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Kansas, Washington State, etc.) Rather than simply repeating the oversimplification that he has trouble with this entire group, good reporting should pin it down further, yes? My guess is that he has trouble with the less thoughtful and with the more racist, but then most of us do.

Hillary Clinton has and will maintain the popular vote. Niether she nor Obama will have enough delegates to win the nomination by results of the remaining primaries . The nomination will be decided by the party elders who will decide upon the most significant factors A. Which candidate got the most popular votes and B; Who is best able to beat McCain.

By all measures, Clinton is best able to beat McCain. That is why the GOP controlled media is downplaying Clintons landslide victories (they actually mean something) and trying to portray Obama (prematurely) as the winner to influence the ongoing primaries to minimize her popular vote momentum, as they don't want to see Hillary nominated only to have McCains head handed to him during the general election.

Caucuses and the superdelegate math is not representative of the popular vote. The GOP does not control the DNC nominating rules.

Hillary Clinton will have earned the nomination by and for the people.

I believe Obama will attract many of those white working-class voters when Clinton is not running. As long as she is, they can vote for her. The primary is not the general election.

Obama has run a better-managed campaign, has done better with financing and has attracted much interest and new voters. He has shown a depth and grace of personality, especially under pressure, and a willingness to be generous. Not only does he have the majority of delegates, I think he will make the better President.

White working class voter here supporting Obama! We need a big change in Washington, and I think Obama's the best chance to make a change. We've had 8 years of deficit spending, war, and a steady pace of middle class, blue collar jobs leaving our country. I wonder who the oil companies and greedy corporations think will buy their products when we're all out of jobs or under employed to the point where we're all working for minimum wage?

We also need to clean house and replace all of our washington politicians who have been there so long that they have forgotten who they're suppose to represent.
They are so entrenched in their pork barrel ways, that about the only way to turn it around is to replace everyone. I'm talking about both parties.

The results are in. Obama won the Democratic Primary in Oregon, and Clinton won Kentucky. Both candidates and their supporters should be proud. However, consider what statistics you get when you combine the results from the two states:

Of all those that voted in both Oregon and Kentucky, Clinton won 55.4% to Obama's 42.1%. That's a 13% lead for Clinton.

Of all the delegates earned in both states, Clinton won 59.3% to Obama's 40.7% That's an 18% lead for Clinton.

While it's probably true that the math says Hillary Clinton won't win the Democratic nomination, her math in several recent primaries has been looking pretty good.

Neil - Salem, MA USA

God bless those Clintons! Ol’ Hill and Billy are roaring out of the hills of Kentucky, fired up on the moonshine of victory, driving their trusty old rattletrap Ford all the way to Denver if she’ll make it!

While you’ve got to admire their gumption and conviction that the South Will Rise Again, reality bites. While the ol' engine keeps sputtering along, real regular like, them darn wheels are about to fall of that tired old truck and soon it’ll be back to the hills (Capitol Hill) for Ol’ Hill and Billy after all.

Shucks, pass that jug of moonshine, will ya? I'm gonna crank up the ol' Victrola, put on Stephen Foster's Greatest Hits, sing along a mite and cry me a crick of tears! "Oh, Beautiful Dreamer..."

I'm a life long Democrat and support Hillary Clinton. If she does not get the nomination, I will vote Republican for the first time in my life!

Once again Sen Clinton had proven that she can win in Big & Swing states that carries huge electoral votes in the general election, while Obama consistently failed.This is one key factor that the Dems superdelegate should consider before casting their vote to Obama. Also, Obama's weaknesses are; inability to win the votes of white working-class, blue-collar workers, elders, and less educated people. And, the most damaging of all was the re-emergence of Obama's ex-pastor for 20 years controversial anti-white & anti-American racially-charged statements. Racial issue will surface and will play a big role in November as this was already introduced and inflammed by Obama's pastor Rev J. Wright. I believe Sen Hillary Clinton is more electable than Obama in the fall election.

The sentence in this article should be changed:
FROM
it appears likely he needs superdelegates to go over the top.

TO
it appears likely he needs MORE superdelegates to go over the top.

The 70 margin includes superdelegates too.( the actual Pledged delegates for Obama is 1652 and super del 305 )

Anyway, Biased media; corrupt journalism. I hope sometime in future, you will be honest to your profession.

Troubling development for Senator Clinton is the fact that more and more people are of the opinion that she is only in the race to spoil Obama's chances of winning so that she could run again in 2012. This mistrust of Senator Clinton, coupled with the fact that she cannot draw educated voters, does not bode well for her long term viability.

Now lets do the simple math. Obama is only 75 delegates away from nomination whereas Clinton is 250 from it. Do we have to be rocket scientists to figure out who is going to clinch the deal comes the 3rd of June? Even if Obama does not collect all 75 from the remaining primaries, he is sure to have more supers lining up behind him from now and then.

Any undecided super who has any sense of what is going on, will not waste his or her vote by jumping on to a sinking ship that is the Clinton campaign, unless of course that super is so blinded and delusional as Clinton herself seems to be.

We will find out who these blind and delutional supers are during the next couple of weeks.

Hillary needs to drop out. She lost fair and square and trying to win the nomination by super delegates when the popular vote was CLEARLY for Obama is just the kind of political BS that makes me (and I'm sure other voters) so fed up with politics. The fact that there are even super delegates in the first place rubs me the wrong way and I want to see a reform soon that eliminates super delegates from the system. I think Americans are smart enough to vote for themselves thank you, we don't need our politicians voting for other politicians in an election. The very idea is rediculous.

"Hillary Clinton has and will maintain the popular vote. Niether she nor Obama will have enough delegates to win the nomination by results of the remaining primaries . The nomination will be decided by the party elders who will decide upon the most significant factors A. Which candidate got the most popular votes and B; Who is best able to beat McCain."

What are you smoking Chris? Obama wasn't even on the ballet in Michigan which is counted in these numbers and she throws out all the caucus states. People like you and Clinton are no better than the Bush administration.

I find it patently offensive and absurd that someone who supports Clinton would vote for McCain if Obama gets the nomination.
On most fronts, there is little difference in the policies of Clinton vs. the policies of Obama - they both are very clearly Democrats.
In addition, those who choose a party affiliation (I'm an independent, before anyone jumps to asinine conclusions about my motivations) are generally expected to support the candidate for that party, even if they didn't vote for them in the primaries.

What would drive a Democrat to vote for McCain instead of Obama?
Spite?
That's a GREAT way to exercise your voting power and take advantage of our republican democratic process - to be a spoiled whiny baby and help ensure the candidate that is most opposite of your beliefs is the one that gets into office.

For god's sake, at least vote for Nader if you're going to throw away your vote out of nothing but a weak-minded emotional response, at least he's closer to your beliefs.

shouldn't the Super-Delegates intervene only when there is no majority, as when 3 candidates are running and they get 40, 35 and 25% of the votes? The Super-delegates will intervene in that case to push a candidate over the top. But in this case we have 2 candidates, and somebody is going to get 50% + 1 of delegates. Why should the super-delegates have a say in this case? If they can over-turn the people's decision, maybe next time they should ask the super-delegates to nominate a person for President without asking the people for their vote. How can people be sure the super-delegates are not receiving "offers" and "promises" from one of the candidates? This is very irregular and fishy.

Hey Clinton......here's a little advice........If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it !

MY FELLOW DEMOCRATS:

ISSUE # 1

We need to come together as a party following the primaries. I was (am, insofar as this race is not completely over) a Hillary supporter. However, when I hear people say that if she does not get the nomination, they will abandon the party and vote for McCain, I must say that I am very disturbed. If you believe in Hillary, as I do, then it is in your interest to support the party in November. I am as hurt as the rest of you that "my candidate" might not get the nod, but that doesn't change the fact that we ned to come together in Nov. and make sure that GWB does not have a third term! The result of we Americans making that choice, I think we can all agree, would be horribly disastrous.

Chris, you are living in the same fantasy world as your candidate. She is done, and by the way, only by her twisted math has she won the popular vote, or any other category for that matter. Give it up.

The reason Obama won Oregon because people in Oregon are not racist...I'm a white male so I could say that.

Clinton/McCain...The ultimate conservative ticket. Us college educated Obama supporters are really, truly "shocked" that you conservative Clinton supporters wouldn't vote for a man who wants to change all the crap you complain about yet are to scared to admit. If any of you truly think Hillary is as liberal or moderate as Mr. William Clinton then you are truly as lost as your candidates ideology. Hillary Clinton has supported every Bush Administration measure that has restricted personal privacy so if you call yourself a Democrat and support Hillary, you might want to change that voter card to read Independent or Republican. It blows my mind that Hillary supporters think anything will change in this country when SHE HAS VOTED FOR AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE BUSH ADMINISTRATIONS POLICIES. And if you geniuses are going to vote for McCain, learn to spell his name right so you at least look like you deserve the right to vote.

Interestingly, Obama has the support of educated whites while Clinton takes the other white voters. I wonder what this says about American whites?

Obama will win.

The popular vote does not matter in the general election! Hillary Clinton can not FAIRLY win the nod. I don't politics too well but I know math when I see it. Even a simple minded person can see the Obama has bigger numbers than Clinton and he is closing in on the nod.

The longer this gets drawn out, the more time is given to the GOP to sharpen their attacks and to make excuses about their failed policies. Hillary should bow out gracefully and let the Democratic party begin to come together and stop George Bush's third term!

Those folks that Obama can't seem to "win over" are a small minority of voters who are afraid to say that they do not want a black man to be president. GET OVER IT!

Anyone who says they support Clinton but will vote for McCain is missing one small point: McCains stands against everything Hillary stands for.

But oh yeah, makes perfect sense.

Yikes! Clinton lives in a dream world. Those same rednecks who would vote for a white woman over a black man would never vote for a white woman over a white man. Hillary's legacy, "...working, hard-working Americans, White Americans..."

Kevin, please stop insulting half of this country because of your bigoted ideas of how or why they vote the way they do. Your candidate is supposed to be about uniting us, and all you're doing is giving more reason not to support Obama. It's turned me off from supporting him, and I know I'm not alone.

When I found out that an African-American was going to run for the Dem nomination, I was Obama all the way. As time wore on, however, all these creepy connections Obama has to people like Ayres, Rev. Wright, Malley, etc., etc. (the list is a long one) started chipping away at my confidence in him. I really, really want an African-American president. It is time! But I just don't think he is the right one. For heaven's sake, why can't Colin Powell run for President? This country has confidence in Powell. He KNOWS foreign policy. This is NOT about uneducated white voters being racist. Get a clue! What it is about is not really knowing who Obama is. Michelle said it right when she said the other day, ...here is a "man who came out of total obscurity and he is now running for President of the United States." My point exactly. Thanks Michelle, I couldn't have said it better myself. It is NOT about race and who does or does not have a college degree. We are all still a little nervous regarding what happened on 9/11 and Barack's ties to Islam (some which, like his brother, are radical ties). Thanks, but no thanks. And yes I am white, yes, I am from KY, and yes, I have a PhD.

One source of Republican success in the past 30 years is this: S.W.M.V.R.--or, Southern White Males Vote Republican. Most Southern White Males are working-class. Those that vote Democratic had to choose between a mixed race man and a women. That white southern men overwhelmingly support Clinton, says a lot about prejudice in white southern working class men. The upshot is that , given a choice between a mixed race man and a white women, the lesser of the two evils will be the women. And if there is no women in the race, the white man will get their vote, regardless of party affiliation. It's just the plain simple truth; nobody take offence.

aren't the dems the ones that whined in 2000 that gore had won the popular vote? they called the electorial college unfair. Well, now hillary is poised to win the popular vote while obama is winning amoung delegates, but hillary should just move aside even though she has more votes than any primary candidate in history?!??

but I guess it's ok since hillary supporters are all ignorant racists, right? their votes shouldn't matter, let's let the delegates decide, after all, they're probably smarter than the commoners.

Senator Clinton has played the gender card over and over again. If Senator Obama played the race card whenever he lost a state primary the uproar would be ear shattering. Where is the outrage whenever Senator Clinton says she is the victim of gender bashing within her own Party. She has become divisive. Do I want a president who would put their own agenda over the better good? We already have one in the White House.

With Obama surely to clinch the nomination, Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, would be an ideal Vice-President to neutralize John McCain's foreign policy strengths while silencing those in the Democratic Party who say Obama is weak with White blue-collar workers.

Senator Webb has been fighting for veteran's, middle-class workers and is only one of a few who have actually talked about the growing disparities between CEO and worker's salaries publicly.

I think they would be a winning-combination and unbeatable in November.

Hilary has the majority of popular votes? Last time I checked, Michigan and Florida (where Hills ran virtually unopposed) negated themselves by violating party rules. Frankly now is the time that the Democratic Party needs to unite under a banner of change in order to beat John Wayne McCain this November. The longer this drags out, the more likely we will have another 4 years under the current regime. If, for once, the Democratic Party can get their heads out of their holes and unite in support of Barack Obama, then things might be productive in this country ... maybe, just maybe.

Why is it that we can not be candid about race in this country. White blue collar workers, that is a sweet way of putting it. Are there any black, hispanic, or asian blue collar workers, if so, why don't we hear about them demographically by the pundits.The fact is Barack has attracted white voters, black voters, asian voters, and hispanic voters. Maybe, just maybe there will be a new winning coalition that will win the White House. How is it that black voters, democrats, can see themselves voting for Hillary with her hefty baggage. Yet, these so-called white blue collars voters can not, despite personal interest, see themselves voting for Barack. Face it Appalachia! the Republicans do not serve your interest and ,not all but most of you are so blinded by his color. And to go so far as to state that his color is the reason is sad. You wonder why stereotypes exist about that region being backwards and racists. McCain can say "my fellow Americans " and your tongues wag while you are being pick- pocketed by special interest and corporate America. That seems to be okay as long as he is "whyte." Face it McCain is not like you, he is educated, wealthy , and socially connected is that what you see when you look in the broken piece of glass out in the dirt front yard. If the Republican spoke to your needs it would be one thing, they secretly mock you because you are simple minded who think you belong because you are white. The media is being kind calling you "blue collar workers" , when in fact they know most of you are backward uneducated racists who cling to guns and excuses. Barack is not like you and he never will be. Go ahead and vote for McCain if you want you can not miss things you never had. (i.e. running water, electricty, an education, healthy teeth, and independent thought not brought about by a moonshine stuper) Soon, you will be back in the whole for another four years.

For all of the rhetoric about how Sen. Clinton is best positioned to win against McCain, you need only have watched Fox News and the other Republican and/or conservative commentators who have helped prop up and sustain the Clinton campaign as they are frothing to run against her and not Obama. As Chris Matthews asked rhetorically, "Looking back over the last few months has there been anything that was unpredictable; any real surprises." No, post-Wisconsin, although Sen. Clinton should have stayed in the race and did, it all unfurled, primary by primary, pretty much as predicted despite the efforts of the media - right wing, left wing, mainstream - to infuse drama into each contest. Obama may have some perceived weaknesses but he is much scarier to the Repubs.

It is amazing what people will do to get power. Has SHE NO decency? The continued fight for the nomination will create more bitterness when its all over.

For all of the rhetoric about how Sen. Clinton is best positioned to win against McCain, you need only have watched Fox News and the other Republican and/or conservative commentators who have helped prop up and sustain the Clinton campaign as they are frothing to run against her and not Obama. As Chris Matthews asked rhetorically, "Looking back over the last few months has there been anything that was unpredictable; any real surprises." No, post-Wisconsin, although Sen. Clinton should have stayed in the race and did, it all unfurled, primary by primary, pretty much as predicted despite the efforts of the media - right wing, left wing, mainstream - to infuse drama into each contest. Obama may have some perceived weaknesses but he is much scarier to the Repubs.

Mathematically, the remaining states' primaries with the pledged delegates at stake unequivocacally proved the math numbers are NOT on her side. Well who know, maybe she might have taken a different calculus course that taught with a different methodological calculation. That's the principal reason why she has persistently pressed her convincing subjective arguments to the Superdelegates which can be translated into the objective mathematical numbers. I think the outcome of Oregan's primary has not only proved Sen. Obama can win the white votes from all socioeconomic backgrounds, but also has even better demonstrated the psychological electability to the super-democratic delegates who has a much better chance to defeat the Dinosauric Sen. McCain? The person is Sen. Obama.

Cheer Sen. Obama 08

YES AFTERALL MCCAIN WOULD BE BETTER THEN A DEMOCRAT ANYWAYS.
I REFUSE TO VOTE FOR THAT MAN OBAMA. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF HUSAIN'S FOR A LIFETIME. MCCAIN IN 2008

I guess I should not be surprised by the number of posters I see who say they would vote for McCain if Obama wins the nomination. It just shows how much HRC and McCain have in common. I am sure you also voted for Bush in the last election, even though you will not now admit it.

This has been one of the more memorablel run ups to the nominating convention
in either party. As far back as I remember which is John F Kennedy, I cannot recall any competition so long and so tough. Clearly the two have great power and influence and seem to have generated great interest in the potential for wholesale changes which we all know is due for this nation. In the area of foreign policy alone it will take a complete over-haul to revive a moribund approach to dealing with friends as well as adversaries. The politics of fear which was ushered in during a time in history when we as a nation grieved and at that moment the world held out its concern and compassion was lost while Bush prepared for war against Iraq. We have never rebounded from that blunder and in fact poured gas
on the fire by the intransigence demonstrated by this inept president and vice president. It will take a concerted effort on behalf of the next president to rebuild our preeminence in world affairs and international relations. I have no reason to doubt the ability of either democratic candidate to succeed in accomplishing this most important goal
The United States and the world at large have alot to look forward to.

Very disappointing to see such reactions against a possible Obama victory. I fully intend to vote for whoever wins the democratic nomination, and trust that this notion that democrats whose candidate loses will turn to McCain is not really what those folks will do.

The idea that Clinton is the only one who can beat McCain is not a foregone conclusion at all. This all depends on who you ask, and there are plenty of analyses for either scenario. But why would we suggest with hope that one or the other can beat McCain, then if our choice doesn't win, turn to McCain? How does that even make sense? I think each of us considering such a position should take a deep long look at McCain as a possible President before simply throwing their vote to him because their candidate didn't win.

Is it possible that either of the democratic candidates is still a far better choice than McCain??

I think so.

Go Hillary 2016

----
We are all still a little nervous regarding what happened on 9/11 and Barack's ties to Islam
----

Wow Charlene, pure ignorance at its finest. Keep drinking the GOP kool-aid.

Any so-called Hillary supporter who says they'll vote for McCain is missing one small point: McCain is against everything Hillary is for.

Don't have to be a college grad to figure that out.

In Democratic Country like ours (or i am wrong) is the popular vote who elect candidates, is hard to understand ,what is happening superdelegates, caucas and not counting votes in Florida, and Michigan thats the way we are going to elect a democratic candidate , for me and millions more of citizens thats not democracy. In Mexico that's call dedaso no Democracy

Bill and Hillary are waiting for an Obama catastrophe that will never happen. Wishful thinking will not make her a candidate. It is time to gracefully exit and unify her party. "A terrible beauty is born".

Yes, those of us with an edcuation, a critical mind, and a high income are voting for Obama, so why are some people ranting that we are somehow being fooled by him. It seems counter to logic to suggest that the most intellegent and most succesful individuals are the ones being fooled.

People are so gullable, they hear something and they run with it like it is the gospel. Point one, foreign policy is making the best decision with the best and time appropriate information as it relates to national security and the well being of other countries as well. Point two, electability refers to if a candidate has a legitimate chance to win an election. Well, who has the most baggage, Hillary of course! Can we say White Water, Monica Lewinsky, failed healthcare initiative, travel staff scandal, and law firm billing practice scandal. Point Three is judgement. Have you ever had someone to say something at the dinner table, church, social gathering, or at work that you did not approve of. What did you do? Did you quit, disown, or refuse to have anything to do with them? Have you ever had someone in your family that was the black sheep? Did you renounce them? See it is easy to have associated with someone who later is revealed as this or that so when did the actions of other become who we are. Lets be real, we work, sleep beside, fellowship along side, carpool with, have play dates with, go to school with and are friends with people who have and are doing numerous things that would sadden us. The question is," when does their behaviour become an indicator of who or what you are and believe". Are we free thinkers? We are not the country we think we are, until we start living and believing what we pretend we believe and are.

For those who think we should vote for the candidate of our party, just remember that we are American first before we are a Democrat or Republican. We should vote for who we believe will keep American safe and well. That means I will vote republican if not Hillary. Why wouldn't Hillary run as an independent? She has half of the country supporting her. The race is not over until the last person has his says. Some people are just fearful of an intelligent, strong women in charge more than they are of any male.

To Chris...you are drinking the Clinton Kool-Aid on popular vote. She is only ahead IF you count Florida AND Michigan, both of whom held votes that violated party rules, and Obama was not even on Michigan's ballot. Hillary signed off on these rules and now she looks like an idiot try to re-invent the rules. You can include Florida's vote and Obama is still ahead, and would be further ahead if you included caucus votes.

The Clintons and supporters like yourself only look to the rest of us like you are trying to cheat to get Hillary to be the nominee, which makes you all look foolish.
Not all of us are uneducated voters who believe everything the Clintons say.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama has opened an 8-point national lead on Republican John McCain as the U.S. presidential rivals turn their focus to a general election race, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
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Obama, who was tied with McCain in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup last month, moved to a 48 percent to 40 percent lead over the Arizona senator in May as he took command of his grueling Democratic presidential duel with rival Hillary Clinton.

The Illinois senator has not yet secured the Democratic presidential nomination to run against McCain in November.

The poll also found Obama expanded his lead over Clinton in the Democratic race to 26 percentage points, doubling his advantage from mid-April as Democrats begin to coalesce around Obama and prepare for the general election battle with McCain.

Charlene, from Kentucky, with the PhD... Had you done some research, like that PhD suggests you would know that Barack Obama's father is Kenyan, hence the name. His mother is a white woman. And the Whole family is CHRISTIAN. There has never been any release that he has any ties to Islam. Even CNN chatised SOME of your fellow Kentuckians on the fact that you are still ignorant to the facts.

How about you use the research techniques you learned in getting that PhD and find all of the facts before you make a claim.

Dan, in Chicago, working as a technician in a low-income public school, with only two years of college.

McCain or Clinton will get my vote... period.

Obama is over. And if you don't believe me look at the people in Ohio or PA, or WV, or Kentucky that could have - if they really wanted to get "behind" the democratic party - vote for obama and put an end to this. More importantly, look at the percent difference in Oregon... that should have been larger. Period.

And most importantly, why would the democratic party chance a loss with Obama when they could have a guarantee win with Clinton?

To Clintonites who are talking about a 'write in" for Hillary -- recognize that doing so is a vote for McCain! I am an Obama supporter, but if Clinton somehow becomes the nominee, I will vote for her just to keep McCain out of the White House. I do not trust her, I do not like her ethics (or lack of them) and I do not appreciate her Machiavellian attitude....but I will vote for her if it comes to that. Be smart about this people -- don't help the Republicans win!

Obama is going to be our next president.
Obama has won the majority of the plugged delegates, the popular votes, more states, more super delegates, raises more money than Hillary. Yet through it all, he does it with grace and stability.

If you take a look at Hillary's campaign all along, she lost in every front. And also her campaign reflected, deceitfulness, anger, facts twisting, exaggeration of the facts, willing to say anything and do anything to get elected. This is an exact symbol of what kind of president she would be if she were to be elected.

Let's stop and think, people. This presidential race is not about Hillary or Obama. It is about our Country. I don't have Hillary or Bill. But I strongly believe that they should not take the office. Not this time, not now.

But Obama has all it takes to be a great president. He will change the tone of how politics plays in America going forward, he will unite the country. He will help us focus on what needs to be focused. He will make America proud around the world.

Mark my word.

Obama has problems with only a few working class and undereducated whites. These seem to be situated in the Hillbilly areas of the Appalachians. I am white, senior and female and I have been for Obama since 2004. I am also an Alabamian. If Hillary gets the nod, I suppose she is better than McCain but not much. If it weren't for her husband, Bill, who I voted for twice....I would write in Obama.

For all the people that thinks Obama shares the views of Rev. Wright, please think about this. Obama was raised by his white mother and white grand parents. He was a full grown adult when he met Rev. Wright. His values and the way he thinks was already shaped by his family. Think about yourself, could your views as an adult be completely changed to reflect the opposit of what you were thought by your parents? If Obama started going to Trinity church 20 yrs ago, then he was about 26 yrs old. Don't you think as a man that he had his own view of the world.

I've read through the last 19 posts here, and I wish to make a few comments (my opinions) regarding some of the comments of others. Many have mentioned that a majority vote should be the only thing consider in an election. Well ...maybe not.

There are several processes in our system of government where the majority vote is not the ultimate decider. For example, how about the Electoral College? We all know how Gore won the most "popular" votes but Bush won a majority of the electoral votes and thus he won the election. And why does the Electoral College even exist? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but if my memory serves, it was set up to give small states some additional power which they lacked because of their small populations. It was a compromise between the power of the individual citizens and the power of the states.

Consider too our Congress. Our elected representatives vote on law, not we, the citizens. That doesn't seem very democratic, and it isn't! This is a Republic, not a Democracy. As politically incorrect as this might sound, our forefathers created a Republic for several reasons, including the belief that an elected representative should be wiser and more educated than the average citizen. His or her decisions are presumed to be better than ours. We expect him to vote for what he thinks is right, even if many or most of us have a different opinion. The theory is that he knows better (or at least he's suppose to know better) than we. Of course, if we learn after voting him into office that he's not a good legislator, we vote him out of office at the next election.

I can understand those who wish the Super Delegate system were done away with. OK, let's imagine what it would be like if it were.

Without the Super Delegate system, any candidate who achieved over 50% of the "pledged" delegates would immediately win. In other words, Barack Obama would in fact be the Democratic nominee today. We could just skip the Democratic Convention altogether.

But the Super Delegate system does in fact exist, at least for now. That said, it's not enough to win a plurality or even a majority of the "pledged" delegates. A candidate must cross the finish line, which at this time is 2026. If neither Clinton nor Obama can reach 2026, then clearly the Super Delegates will decide the election.

Some argue that the Super Delegates should vote exactly the way the people voted for the "pledged" delegates, no more, no less. But, think about that, please. If Super Delegates in fact voted in lock-step with the way the people voted for the "pledged" delegates, then why have Super Delegates at all? Any candidate who won 51% of the "pledged" delegates would be guaranteed to win! The "purpose" of the Super Delegates would be null and void.

...Which leads to my last point, which is really a question and not a comment. Exactly why do we have Super Delegates? What was the motivation to create them in the first place?

Your thoughts?

Neil - Salem, MA USA

Good luck, America.

When you vote someone, at least you should have enough trust.

Anti-Iraq-war is the only credit for Obama. But not so sure now whom he stands for after all Uncle Wright-like connections. It will take time to prove rather than just divorcing one after another.

What else are SO FAR LEFT?
"The Emperor''s New Clothes"

One see the clothes.
One see the color.
One see the body.

Are you thoughtful or simply over exicted about hte new clothes?

No blame if you admire the body.
No blame if you see the color.
But those who design the new clothes?
Not more than a bunch of political guys.

The educated whites are too smart to buy into another Clinton. They remember how devided the country was straight down party lines. Most people want change and you will not get change in a strictly partisan house.The uneducated whites are easily deceived and in the case of southern whites you can throw in a good dose of racist as well. As a man born in the south I had to ask myself if I was ready to vote for a Black man. I am. I also asked myself if I was ready to vote for a woman. I am, but not this woman. She is a cold calculating, power hungry witch. Not to mention egotistical. She had a taste of the White House for 8 years and she wants that power and prestige back. Can't do it with Slick Willie. He got himself impeached and disbarred during his terms. Last thing I want to see is the same old good ol boy's ways in Congress. We have to change. We cannot keep ignoreing the business of America, Social Security, Health Care, Job retention, immigration and a host of other issues need to be worked on now,

I am an independant leaning towards Obama and I reserve my right to vote for anyone. No party tells me I have to vote for their idiot.

I will say one thing about the Bush Presidency. We have not been attacked again on US soil since 9/11. Hope I can say the same thing eight years from now. God Bless the USA.

Charlene,
Just because you have a PHD does not make you smarter than anyone else. I hate it when people jut throw in that information as if that makes their points valid. Obama's connections to Islam do not make him a terrorist. Colin Powell for president sounds like a fantastic idea, IF YOUR OUT OF YOUR GODDAMN MIND. God, people. Get over yourselves. If your a democrat you are absolutely stupid if you vote McCain. I think it is a deep seeded racism thats making people talk this way. It is very very sad.

We, democrats must act as democrats if we believe in the core value of the Democratic Pary. Unity is strength. Fighting among Hillary's and Obama's supporters does not help our party to win the presidency next November. Let us not try to interrupt the democatic process of the on-going primaries. When all votes are counted and delegates are seated, the nomination will be decided upon in accordance with the rules and regulations in force. Let's stop this political bickering among ourselves and work for unity.

I am also going to vote for McCain if Obama is a nominee.
I am a well-read person. Yes, I am with PhD from MIT with very good career and handsome compensation.
I will never vote for Obama. He is the most inexperienced candidate, who is put on the top by liberal media and his half brain, blind followers.
I heard that when you are poor and young, you are democrat. When you are rich and not that young (late thirties), you vote Republican. I never believed it until now. But now I am following the same route (at least for 2008).
If Hillary does not get nomination, I will (I promise it) vote for McCain.

I am requesting Obama supporters, not to come up with stupid reasoning such that Supreme Court judges, War and bla, bla, bla to convince smart people (not to vote for McCain). We have bore enough of your naïve (stupid) actions.

I am a bitter white male democrat supporting Hillary, and if she does not win the nomination I will vote for real change. Hillary/McCain, Democrats for real change.

For all YOU "Supposed" Democrates.. What is wrong with you? It is serously the thinking of, "if Hillary Dosent win I'll vote Republican", thats keeping this nomination process from taking so long. More then anything its tearing the Democrartic party into sections. Honestly, Obama and Clintons politics are virtually parallel with only minor differences. I don't care who takes the Democratic nomination if it'll be Hillary or Obama, as long as there is no Republican in the White House in 2009. Shame on you for thinking that way, and maybe its just that way of thinking from the Clinton supporters that is keeping her from grabbing the nomination.. NEGATIVITY!

FELLOW DEMOCRATES. REGARDLESS OF WHO WINS OUR NOMINATION , WE NEED TO SUPPORT THAT PERSON FOR THE SAKE OF THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE BIG ISSUES BEFORE US THAT WE CANNOT TRUST TO MCAINE: SUPREME COURT, SOCIAL SECURITY, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, THE WARS AND WARS, JOBS, THE ECONOMY , BUILDING WORLD PEACE AND OUR CONSTITUTION.

WE NEED TO STICK TOGETHER. THIS IS NOT ABOUT A CANDIDATE, IT IS ABOUT US, OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FUTURE!!!

sigh....Someone actually said the GOP controls the media. This is laughable as even the great majority of democrats will tell you that the media bias is slanted much further left then it is right. Other than Fox News all other political news stations can easily be classified as more liberal than conservative. The trick is watch ALL of them and get variying opinions and viewpoints. Most people have inherited their party affiliation, or just voted the way all their friends did, (i.e. republican in the 80s and democrat in the 90s). What is sad is that most people only hear ONE side of an issue before forming their opinion. Then when someone with an opposing viewpoint expresses it, they shut down and won't listen because they have already made up their mind. It's sad really. Honest discussion and debate is so much better than blind partisan bickering.

And by the way...anyone who believes the DNC rhetoric that McCain represents a 3rd Bush term should really examine his Senate voting record rather then just lap up what party leaders tell you. Also, any who believes that Obama hates America because of certain spin that GOP leaders have put on some of his comments should really use their brain rather than just just spit out out party verbage. Excercise some independant thought everyone...we're more than capable.

I am one of those women who support Hillary Clinton and if Barrack Obama should get the nomination, I will vote for John McCain. Since the 1970's, I've always voted for a democrat with the exception of 1992 when I voted for Bush, Sr. because I didn't like Bill (he eventually grew on me) and I'll cross party lines again.

I think these are serious times and we need the experience that Sen. Clinton has to offer. The presidency is no place for rookies. If we cannot have the experience of Hillary R. Clinton, then I want the experience of Sen. John McCain.

I am a resident of Washington State. Clinton is saying she has the majority vote and saying that FL and MI put her over the top in terms of votes cast claiming that not to do so disenfranchises them. I ask what about WA and all the other caucus states. With her fuzzy math she is disenfranchising us. WA is a blue state, does she not want our electoral votes? Her position is ludicrous and she demeans herself and her supporters with this ongoing charade.

It's obvious Clinton campaign strategists are trying to create a story along the lines "Angry White Clinton democrats will switch to McCain if Obama wins". It's all over the comments sections of major media outlets. Whole storyline is a bit of a stretch to put it mildly. And blatantly obvious propaganda.

BOB:

WOW....whoever told you that education "success" (as you define it which is probably monitarally) means you are more intelligent and less likely to be fooled must have had a doctorate. In fact generally the more educated you are the more close minded you are in your world view. (1) because you generally think you education was exhastive and that you've seen every side of the issue, and (2) because of arrogance like yours. People speak what they're taught...left or right, red or blue, democrat or republican. There were thousands of well educated Nazis....were they right too?

By the way this has nothing to do with your support for Obama...support whomever you like....just you rediculously absurd notion that as someone with money and education you are somehow more immune to to being fooled.

DEAR GOD, TURN OFF YOUR CAPS KEY.You know, I wanted to do a write in for Obama if he didn't win, but let's face it, anyone is better than McCain. He's not a bad person but he's going to give us four more years of Bush.

As someone from Florida I don't think it's coincidental that he is leaning towards Crist (our governour) as his running mate. Florida voters have gotten screwed by our corrupt government in the past few general elections and we had the White House stolen from us by a corrupt, inept little man because of it.

Republicans want us fighting, we need to UNIFY as Democrats NOW.

It's obvious that Clinton is spin doctoring anything she can to try and wrestle the nomination. Little to no spin doctoring out of Obama to retain the nomination. It's here that the difference lies - she is "wrestling" for the nomination, he is "cruising" to the nomination.
The simple fact remains (and all true to the Democratic values will support either of the two candidates regardless of who wins) their platforms ARE VIRUTALLY IDENTICAL!
Take race out of it. Take sex out of it. Realize whoever wins will build a strong cabinet to support them in their decision making, policy development, management of the resources. Odds are they are eyeing a very similar cabinet from the same select few Democrats qualified and available to serve in the cabinet.
Now ask yourself - am I ready for GWB III? No matter how much McCain tries to distance himself from Bush, his major policies are the GOP status quo. Where has that taken our country in the past 7 years? Over 4000 deaths in Iraq. Over $10 billion per month spent on the two wars (that's money that could have improved our failing infrastructure, educated our children, etc.). An economy in crisis. An out of control housing crisis. An Executive Branch continually pushing the boundaries of the Consitution.
So fellow Democrats out there - whether you are supporting Clinton or Obama - get your heads on straight and get ready to support whoever wins the nomination. It's the only sane choice. They are both qualified and ready to serve. Both have different strengths and weaknesses. Both will be supported by all of us and make the best decisions for our country.

I'm for Obama, but quite frankly, I really don't care who gets into the White House. I like Obama because I feel he will try and help the masses, but I'm content to go forward with McCain as I have always done well individually with Republican administrations. What I don't want to hear is all those Clinton supporters who cry about losing their homes, jobs, or children to war when McCain takes office. You'll be able to say "there... I showed that Obama and DNC" when you're standing in the unemployment line.

Hilliary is a sore loser! A Hiliary write in campaign is for sore losers!

Lets's see, Clinton is just 250 delegates shy of clinching the nom so all she needs to do is win 2 more primaries and she has it. See! I had the same math teacher as Hillary. Now, there is a trick to this math, you have to be very high to understand it. GO HILLARY!!!

On a serious note, we Democrats are letting the Right winged media tear us party apart. If you look back in Febuary time fram, Obama was doing quite well among white male voters. I recall Lou Dobbs finding this information out and quesioned his contributer on the statistics three times. He could not believe that white men where the strenth of Obama's support. Fox news also had a problem with these numbers so the media started putting this info out there in every way that they could to make people aware that you are about to vote a black man into the office. The media then started polling everything about race, sex and gender it could think of. This made people choose sides. I know some blacks who were not offended by what Bill Clinton said in South Carolina, it's when the media did the spin on it that's when it started looking bad especially to those who hadn't heard the comment. Come on people, we need to pull together for the Democrat party and support whoever the nominee is. Barrack is trying to end the racism in this country, I know it's not going to happen over night or even during the next 4 years but at least if we all get together and say we're not going to stand for racism, the culprits will eventually weed themselves out.

WE HEAR OVER AND OVER :OBAMA IS NOT GETTING THE RURAL WHITE VOTE
AS IF THAT IS THE LITMUS TEST FOR ELECTABILITY.
CLINTON IS NOT GETTING THE BLACK VOTE(OBAMA GETS >80%).
SHE DOES NOT GET THE COLLEGE VOTE.
SHE DOES NOT GET THE INDEPENDENT VOTE .
IN OTHER WORDS -SHE IS NOT ELECTABLE.

MY COMMENT IS................I think that Hillary can beat McCain (yes I can think and am entitiled to say my peace) but I am not so sure that Obama can. I am sick of the race issue, when it really isn't supposed to be. We are all Americans, regardless of our skin color, so just think about who could best represent us against McCain and who has the experience.
Why don't people quit the black/white thing? The person who is the next President should be able to work with world matters and home matters (meaning the US) and not in the office because of color or lack thereof.

It is NOT OVER until someone crosses the threshold in required delegates. Until then, the process should be allowed to proceed.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/05/clinton-and-capitulation.html

It would be undemocratic to do otherwise.

To everyone who says they will vote Republican if their candidate is not nominated, please think hard and long....spite won't help you when McCain continues Bush's war effort and supports his plan to expand the war into Iran., or you lose your health coverage when his health plan is implemented or even when you have to continue to work longer since he will bankrupt Social Security......you will be able to nobly say "I stood by my principles and didn't vote for...(you fill in the blank)"

It is time to begin to focus on the issues not the person and whether it be Obama or Clinton they are closer in policy to each other, and we need to vote who is best for America.....

Wake up this is not American Idol and once McCain is elected you will be screwed....think about his lobbyists who are foreign agents and the impact he will have the supreme court etc......

For the real Obama and Clinton supporters...wake up! Do you REALLY believe there are all these die hard supporters of either of the candidates that would switch their vote to McCain if their candidate doesn't get the nomination? You are playing right into Rove and companies tactics if you believe this and allow them to give the impression that we are divided or will easily divide after the nomination process is over. The impression is all they need as they obviously have the media to amplify it which will provide cover for yet another election theft. They are hard at work on these message boards and comment pages with their plants saying..I'm a Democrat and support Hillary but if she doesn't get it I will vote for McCain..don't BELIEVE IT! It is so typical of a set up of their dirty election tactics...right out of Roves playbook and has been used over and over again with success! They have many more dirty tricks lined up for us in the fall that are much worse than this but rely on this groundwork of a perceived divide for their success. Lets not make it so easy for them this time!!

Why do people keep buying this absurd farce of an idea that Hillary Clinto has won the popular vote? This is nothing more than the George Bush doctrine of "If I say it, it's so." She has simply NOT won the popular vote. Barack Obama leads by half a million votes. Even if Florida is counted, she's not winning. Only if you count Michigan -- where he wasn't on the ballot -- and you DON'T count the four caucus states that had legal elections but don't release vote totals can she be considered to be ahead. In other words, SHE IS BEHIND IN THE POPULAR VOTE. She keeps telling that lie -- and her supporters keep spreading it -- in hopes of fueling a misinformed media to steal a nomination she has not earned. Barack Obama is, and has been for some time, the one and only true nominee elected by a majority of Democrats.

Clinton is not worthy of trust from citizens of the United States of America nor the World citizens.

Rachel Maddow has a theory that HRC is trying to use the rules and bylaws committee decision about MI and FL process to eventually bring the nomination fight to the convention floor. This would blow up the Democratic party. She states that the only way to short circuit this is for about 90 plus superdelegates to declare for Obama before May 31st.

Read the latest Reuters / Zogby poll. Obama has a 8% lead over McCain tied with Hillary. Her argument that she is more electable is specious.

My question for those of you who say they will vote for McCain is this. Are you saying you think McCain's policies are as acceptable to you as Hillary's? Obviously, they are dissimilar and everyone has agreed that Barrack's and Hillary's policies are very close. Obviously, it feels lousy when a candidate we believe in loses but why are you voting? Do you understand that it is their policies that will determine your available health care, social security, taxes, wars, U.S. relations with other countries, etc..? Why were you supporting any democrat?

This nomination process is over and there is no way Clinton will win. This is simply drama to manipulate the voters in some way. I think the character issues that existed 2 months ago still exist today. The American people were manipulated into voting for a man unqualified to be president who turned out to be worse than could have been anticipated. Clinton is too Bush-like and we are not going to repeat that error.

Popular Vote Count

State Date Obama Clinton Spread
Popular Vote Total 16,666,281 49.0% 16,216,795 47.7% Obama +449,486 +1.3%

Estimate w/IA, NV, ME, WA* 17,000,365 49.1% 16,440,657 47.5% Obama +559,708 +1.6%

Popular Vote (w/FL) Peope 17,24Pewfdwj2,495 48.3% 17,087,781 People really need to do their homework on politics because if you really look at the scenarios being discussed they absolutely make sense. This is fact:
(Iowa, Nevada, Washington & Maine Have Not Released Popular Vote Totals.)
These states are only assumptions based on people gathering in a room and stating who they like. But guess what in a caucus you have to show up at a very specific time and spend allot of time shuffling around hoping your candidate gets 15% of the nods in the place in order to be viable. How can you ever equate that to a number of popular votes? You cannot, therefore the Democrats still have a very flawed system.

Take words directly from a caucus chairman: "Party rules give the caucus 30 minutes for realignment. This may well be one of the most interesting aspects of the whole caucus experience; the strategic horse-trading, the wheeling and dealing. Just as in a well-played game of Monopoly, some of the more powerful preference groups may form alliances with other smaller groups in order to block other more-powerful candidates. If a preference group is especially powerful, it may even send some of its people over to another candidate's group! The theory behind this is that the weaker candidates will eventually drop out and free up their delegates, who may well go to "our guy."

Think about that. So maybe a candidate as they are campaigning greases a few palms, or just generally is a very affluent speaker and convinces you he's "Your Guy" well then how can you ever take results from a Caucus and try to make them will of the people? You can't and that will never change. The will of the people is when you walk into a booth and actually cast your one and only ballot, that constitutes the will of the people, and as far as I can tell that puts Clinton in the lead.

And has anyone ever asked why Obama took his name off in Michigan and not in Florida when both were in violation so to speak. So give Obama the 238,168 votes for uncommitted and call it a day. In the 3 remaining contests Clinton will take the majority of popular vote based on people actually casting a ballot for who they want. Hope that gives everyone allot to think about.

Since I know people will complain because the last post scattered the true numbers from RealClearPolitics.com I will post them again. These are as accurate as I have seen to date from what appears to be non biased media.

Popular Vote Count
State Date Obama Clinton Spread
Popular Vote Total 16,676,346 49.0% 16,221,628 47.7% Obama +454,718 +1.3%

Estimate w/IA, NV, ME, WA*
17,010,430 49.1% 16,445,490 47.5% Obama +564,940 +1.6%

Popular Vote (w/FL) 17,252,560 48.3% 17,092,614 47.8% Obama +159,946 +0.5%

Estimate w/IA, NV, ME, WA*
17,586,644 48.3% 17,316,476 47.6% Obama +270,168 +0.7%

Popular Vote (w/FL & MI)**
17,252,560 47.5% 17,420,923 47.9% Clinton +168,363 +0.46%

Estimate w/IA, NV, ME, WA*
17,586,644 47.6% 17,644,785 47.7% Clinton +58,141 +0.15%

Expected votes in remaining 3 primaries show overwhelmingly that she will take a large enough majority to make that claim very real. And come on people start looking at the whole picture, he cannot win the Electoral College, and that is what it is all about in the end.

It is the poor, the working class, and middle class going against the affluent. it is definitely not a race problem for white folks but I can't say that for the black community voting 92% all the way.