Obama Campaign Claims a Sort of Victory [updated]
An Obama campaign manager is declaring a victory of sorts in Nevada, after their campaign edged out Hillary Clinton in delegates, 13 to 12.
“In terms of the delegate count we came out with a one-delegate lead,” David Plouffe said in a conference call that just ended with reporters. When asked if that meant Obama had actually won the caucus, Plouffe replied, “We’ll leave that to you guys,” and “It’s very important numerically.”
Another Obama aide, Jeff Berman, who ran the campaign’s delegate selection, explained the convoluted process by which Obama apparently had won more delegates despite losing the state by a significant margin to Clinton.
What it all meant, Plouffe said, is that the candidates are destined for a "long and protracted” nominating process.
UPDATE: The Clinton campaign begs to differ. Here's their statement:
"Hillary Clinton won the Nevada Caucuses today by winning a majority of the delegates at stake.
The Obama campaign is wrong. Delegates for the national convention will not be determined until April 19.
UPDATE: Here's the latest on this matter from the Nevada Democratic Party:
**Clarification** of Statement by Nevada Democratic Party Chair Jill Derby
(Las Vegas, NV) "The Nevada Democratic Party and its officials have taken great effort to maintain our neutrality in the presidential campaign and the integrity of our process. Today, two out of three Nevadans who caucused chose a Democrat instead of a Republican for president. That is an overwhelming majority vote for a new direction. Just like in Iowa, what was awarded today were delegates to the County Convention, of which Senator Clinton won the majority. No national convention delegates were awarded. That said, if the delegate preferences remain unchanged between now and April 2008, the calculations of national convention delegates being circulated by the Associated Press are correct. We look forward to our county and state conventions where we will choose the delegates for the nominee that Nevadans support."
The AP-circulated calculation she's referring to is Obama 13, Clinton 12.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.6
- 44.2
- Obama +2.4
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.8
- 35.8
- +20.0
- McCain
- 54.8
- 36.6
- +18.2
If Obama says he won the election in Nevada perhaps Bill Clinton in right, Obama is living in a "fairy tale" world.
Obama clearly lost the Caucus, and then ran home to Chicago to lick his wounds, and dream up another fairy tale.
Obama lost because of his campaign of "race baiting" which had a back-lash among the Latinos, Women, and White Folks.
He will continue to win until he understands that playing the "race card" in the USA, which is less then 18% Black and 82% non-Black.
WestVirginian,
Your comment is obnoxious and factually incorrect.
This speech at the Ebeneezer Baptist church was one of inclusion, hope and a heightened awareness of where we were, how far we have come and that our journey must be educative so we understand, care about and work with each other.Too many of us are functionally illiterate, lack independent thinking and are unable to think critically. We must read,read,read,to from opinions; then evaluate our positions. Such profound thought,depth and insight.For the past 40 years we have been deprived of political/ community leaders who are deep thinkers or possess any level of political maturity. If Obama is bi-racial why would race matter to him. Has anyone read all the comments since Obama announced his run for president. The race card started monthe before Iowa. Black people have no idea where they are going or how they plan to get there. Listen to the comments made by prominent black leaders. No one waited until sometime in February to comment on the true front runner. No one admonished those who spoke out of turn. What a disgrace, it is 2008 and people are still talking about race. The world is looking on thinking that we are a retarded bunch. Who is demanding we discuss the issues. The media wants a dog sport and so fueling this garbage is what they are about. They have no interst in educating the people, the plan is to keep everyone dumb and ignorant so oppression thrives, and the 'masters' control how much we earn, where our kids go to school, what they learn, where we live and what garbage we eat.
WAKE UP!
I agree.
You know, it is so interesting that so many attacks are thrown out at Senator Obama. I have been reading a lot of comments on various webpages, and most of the attacks are at Senator Obama.
This is the sad reality. If you go to the candidate's webpages,and you really take a clear look at them, all of them are good in certain areas. The one thing that makes Obama better is that he does transcend race and that through this whole campaign, he has been the most relaxed candidate. Sure, his surrogates have made comments, but if you look at his campaign in detail, he really hasn't struck out against anyone until recently when he addressed former President Clinton on his stances on issues.
In that same respect, it saddens me that we still have black leaders who will openly say that someone out of our community is not ready to lead America. So many of them talk about Clinton and her experience. Well, the sad commentary about this is that she has been in Washington since 1993, officially, and evidentally, she doesn't have the pull among Democrats that most people think because if she did all of the things that she says she has, America would not be in the state that it is now, but it would be more united (as far as the Democrat party goes and as far as bipartisanship goes).
Besides, I think it is time that we had someone new in Washington because the older politicians have been doing the same things and are getting no where. Even following the elections, yes, Clinton has won two states, but Bill Clinton has been using underhanded techniques...is that what we really want in a candidate? Someone who allows her spouse to openly belittle and try to destroy someone elses character.... I THINK NOT.
Also, I am sick of black America saying that to put Hillary in the chair is to get Bill back. The CLINTON era is over. We don't want to go back to the Clinton era, but we want to move towards a more progressive era in years to come. Bill Clinton did great things when he was president, but his time has come and gone.
On the other hand, John Edwards is still very much a part of this race. Even though his numbers are dropping, he is still impacting the people of America. So don't sleep on this brother. I think that he would be a great leader also.
My advice to everyone is that you really understand each candidate for who they are. Don't make presumptions based on the news, endorsers, or what others say. Have an independent mind, and I am sure once you put all of the puzzle pieces together, in the end, BARACK OBAMA will be the candidate of choice. If not, that's ok because you have the right to formulate your own opinions.
Be blessed.
P.S. for those of you who read this, this is not an attack on Hillary Clinton, but my opinion about recent things that have been happening and I have a right to feel as I do. I believe that all three of the remaining Democratic candidates are great, and either way, will make great Presidents, but I do favor Barack Obama over the other two candidates. ALSO, I ASK THE QUESTION, IS A PLATFORM BUILT ON HOPE FOR THE AMERICAN FUTURE TRULY A FAIRY TALE, OR IS BUILDING A PLATFORM OFF OF FALSE PREMISES A FAIRY TALE...I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHICH OF THE TWO ARE A FAIRY TALE!!!