The Superdelegate Battle (Open thread) [UPDATED]

Should we have a thread to tally today's Superdelegate action?

So far Barack has gained 3, Hillary gained 1 and lost 1.

Barack was endorsed by Kevin Rodriguez and Carole Burke, two superdelegates from the Virgin Islands, (Rodriguez switched),  and the Utah add-on, Kristi Cumming.

Hillary gained Arthur Powell, an add-on from Massachussetts.

Drip, drip, drip!

Update:

Hmmn. I have been asked to "flesh out" the diary. I really just intended for this to be an open thread, to catch folks up with the superdelegate counts.

So, instead I will post a clip of highlights from his speech at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner.

Update: Ooh, according to First Read, the Virgin Island superdelegates are BOTH switchers.

And for another great clip, here is Barack's interview with Wolf Blitzer from a few days ago.

Update: Someone in the comments just said that Obama picked up one of the Ohio Add-ons! I will wait for confirmation, but that will make it 4 superdelegates for Obama with Hillary losing 2 and gaining 2. I am looking around for a link.

And...since I feel compelled to add a video with each update...here is a vintage clip of Barack answering a question about Bill Clinton being the "first black president".

•  Do the two VI supers

  have full votes or half votes?

  by smash artist on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:05:06 PM PDT

  •  Full. NT

    by jimmyhoffa2222 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:05:25 PM PDT

  •  asdf

    I think the SDs from the territories have a full vote, and it is the pledged delegates that are half.

    by edgeways on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:10:37 PM PDT

    •  I know the supers from Dems Abroad

      have half votes, so that's why I was confused.  Full votes is awesome for the VI delegates.

      by smash artist on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:12:12 PM PDT

  •  Why would you think VI delegates would be 1/2

    votes.  You should know that the only place there are 1/2 votes are the Ex-patriots.  Oh!  Of course, if MI and Fl are seated, they will undoubtedly be placed as 1/2 vote to punish them for violating the rules.

    by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:17:16 PM PDT

    •  Because the pledged delegates from

      VI only have half a vote (along with those from Guam)

      by smash artist on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:18:15 PM PDT

      •  Are you sure? I was under the understanding that

        only th ex-patriots had 1/2 votes.

        by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 02:02:46 PM PDT

        •  Look at GreenPapers

          They saying Unpledged Delegates from Territories have Full Vote

          by Daniel Gruhn on Sat May 10, 2008 at 02:06:20 PM PDT

  •  157 delegates to go to win the nominatio

    as per Obama'08

    by Kitty on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:26:14 PM PDT

•  Obama passed Clinton for first time today on DCW

  Obama passed Clinton for first time today on http://demconwatch.blogspot.com

  His super that switched from Clinton in the VI is what did it.

  by jimmyhoffa2222 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:05:07 PM PDT

  •  It will most likely be brief

    as there are three more add ons to come from MA/OH.  It should put her back over the top.

    by smash artist on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:06:47 PM PDT

    •  It will probably be back and forth the next few

      days.  But eventually he'll pull away with the lead.

      by The Distillery on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:24:07 PM PDT

    •  Are we getting

      another one from Ohio? it was posted here but haven't heard anything official.  

      Also add ons can switch as we've been seeing lately.  It's not a lock that Hillary will get 3 more delegates.

      by Kitty on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:28:20 PM PDT

      •  AP reported Ohio add-on Regan for Obama!

        by Carthage on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:27:59 PM PDT

  •  Woo Hoo!

    The Obama campaign actually has some different numbers since I guess they know of some more people who are undeclared. Their page shows them like one or two behind, I think.

    by islandinthesun on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:07:36 PM PDT

    •  They usually update at the end of the day!

      by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:13:37 PM PDT

  •  Breaking: HRC is ahead in Pants Suits!

    by hideinplainsight on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:21:28 PM PDT

•  please add a bit more info...

  to flash out your diary.

  thanks

  
  
  ````
  peace
  
  

  by peace voter on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:05:15 PM PDT

  •  It's an open thread, basically

    Seems pretty pointless to add any further info, I guess he could copy paste current delegate counts

    by verily on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:06:37 PM PDT

•  Now he's ahead

  Today's SD action should put him ahead on the DemConWatch blog.

  by oxfdblue on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:07:50 PM PDT

  •  Maybe, maybe not. Unless another

    SD announces for O, or he manages to gain one of the addons from unlikely sources the day could easily be a wash with C back to a .5 lead.

    by edgeways on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:14:15 PM PDT

    •  You are assuming that Obama will not get

      any more Superdelegates today, and of course, he is very likely to get a few more today.

      by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:18:50 PM PDT

      •  Moot point now with the add on from OH

        and a possible rumored add on from MA as well... wild speculation says that with the VI switch C could end up the day only +1 when she was expected to be +4

        by edgeways on Sat May 10, 2008 at 02:07:42 PM PDT

•  I like that drip, drip, drip sound n/t

  by TidBits on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:09:07 PM PDT

•  TalkLeft wants you to know that...

  ... any delegates - super or otherwise - can still vote for Hillary at the convention.

  Until then, anyone who says there's a nominee is lying to suppress the West Virginia vote.

  Just letting you know what's happening in the lunatic fringe of the political blogosphere.

  by Joe Beese on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:09:08 PM PDT

  •  Here is my bored face: :- |

    (For TL not you)

    by edgeways on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:12:50 PM PDT

  •  LOL

    Yes, they CAN vote for whoever they want at the convention, but WHY would they vote for Hillary? It seems more likely that Hillary's delegates would be the ones switching...

    by islandinthesun on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:13:55 PM PDT

    •  When I politely pointed out that...

      ... post-Indiana SD declarations had been 14-3 in favor of Obama, I was accused of being "intentionally inflammatory". :-(

      by Joe Beese on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:21:54 PM PDT

      •  Tell your statistics to shut up. n/t

        by Dragon5616 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:28:22 PM PDT

  •  Hillaryis44 wants you to know

    that those who have switched are "unloyal bastards" and want Hillary to run Indy with Bloomberg or convice Clarke to come along. GAWD the unreality is thick.

    by JNSD on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:17:45 PM PDT

    •  Why would Bloomberg run with Clinton

      after he trashed her tax-holiday pander?

      by yellowdog on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:22:36 PM PDT

      •  Plus he likes Obama. NT

        by jimmyhoffa2222 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:23:21 PM PDT

        •  And introduced him during his economic address...

          during the Wright fiasco by the way.  lol

          by Niwind on Sat May 10, 2008 at 02:04:56 PM PDT

      •  Yeah, you got me?!....but somehow the voices

        inside their heads over there are telling them it could be so. They also have a short vid clip of Obama at an event saying (obviously snarking) that he's been to 57 states and they are all adrool in their belief of him being a baffoon who actually thinks there are 57 states....

        by JNSD on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:31:50 PM PDT

      •  I can't see a Jew running with a Dixiecrat

        because that's what she's turned into.

        by jhecht on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:37:19 PM PDT

    •  Those people on that site are cuckoo

      They scare me. But I really think it's just like 15 or 20 people ranting back and forth to each other.

      by islandinthesun on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:34:38 PM PDT

      •  Hey they were calling

        us the Daily KOOKOOS :)

        by JNSD on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:36:57 PM PDT

    •  Denial

      It's a necessary stage of the grieving process...

      by oscarsmom on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:28:10 PM PDT

•  Carol Burke had privately been backing Clinton

  So NBC counted her in Clinton's column previously, so two switchers

  http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/...

  by verily on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:14:58 PM PDT

  •  Burke is not a switcher if she was private. NT

    by jimmyhoffa2222 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:18:19 PM PDT

    •  Yes she is

      Privately as in there was no public endorsement, but she had told Clinton she would vote for her AND told some media sources this as well

      by verily on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:19:12 PM PDT

      •  Bottom line is Burke is not on any public lists.

        So she won't be counted as a switcher at places like DCW, AP, Nytimes, etc.

        by jimmyhoffa2222 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:22:49 PM PDT

        •  What matters is

          That Clinton team counted it as their superdelegate. This will affect their own perceived chance at the nomination and it will also be counted as a switcher on the non-public but just as valid lists.

          by verily on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:25:07 PM PDT

          •  Furthermore, even AP counted it as hers

            http://news.yahoo.com/...

            by verily on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:26:32 PM PDT

        •  she was on the NYT list

          I just looked.  Rodriquez was the one uncommitted there.

          by jakester on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:53:59 PM PDT

    •  It just depends on the count.

      She's not a switch in most counts, but if MSNBC had her in their count, then it will be a minus one there.

      by The Distillery on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:22:21 PM PDT

•  OMG! He looks soooooo good without a tie.

  Especially when he's got a jacket on.  Michelle is so lucky.  Sigh...

  And I guess the speech was good too.

  by The Distillery on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:19:32 PM PDT

  •  Hey! Put the energy speech back up. n/t

    by The Distillery on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:22:54 PM PDT

  •  LOL!

    Gee, I feel bad now. I removed that press conference clip and posted a clip from the Jefferson Jackson speech that I thought had more pizzaz.

    by islandinthesun on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:23:25 PM PDT

    •  Why not all three? n/t

      by Dragon5616 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:31:21 PM PDT

  •  Cut the sexism!

    /end semisnark

    Seriously, think about it if men drooled about sexy women politicians. Hey, actually, that would be ok with me, you just gotta remember to accept it so as not to apply dobble standards....

    by Mbuto on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:33:50 PM PDT

    •  I don't mind if men say a woman looks good.

      There just aren't that many sexy female politicians (in my humble female opinion).  Come to think of it, there aren't that many sexy male politicians.

      You can't tell me men and woman alike don't drool over Barack in that cowboy hat picture.  That is one fine-looking next President!

      by The Distillery on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:38:18 PM PDT

      •  Haha,

        sure he looks cool in that picture. There's also that "men in black" sunglass picture. However, I think the very best pair of pictures of Obama so far are two pictures where he lifts up a little girl, aged 5 or so, in some kind of yard. It would be cool if somebody could repost those. They were the subject of a hugely popular diary.

        by Mbuto on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:44:12 PM PDT

        •  Yeah, you can tell he loves kids when you see

          him in those pictures.  He's always making a face when he looks at a baby.

          by The Distillery on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:55:28 PM PDT

•  Fox News just said we picked up 4 today.

  I only know of three.  Any idea about a possible 4th?

  by BradF on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:24:06 PM PDT

  •  Maybe the other Mass add-on?

    I haven't heard anything about the 2nd one yet.

    by The Distillery on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:25:33 PM PDT

    •  Actually I just ready BHO picked up one of the

      two add-ons in Ohio.

      by BradF on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:26:19 PM PDT

      •  Wow

        That's a surprise! I thought Hillary would get both!

        by islandinthesun on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:27:57 PM PDT

      •  Great news! Thanks Brad.

        by jeepdad on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:28:46 PM PDT

      •  If that is indeed the case then

        it is likely he will stay ahead of her on the DCW list today. 5/10/08 the day Mrs Clinton lost another metric.

        by edgeways on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:29:36 PM PDT

      •  That's what the AP is reporting:

        By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press Writer

        WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama erased Hillary Rodham Clinton's once-imposing lead among superdelegates Saturday when he added more endorsements from the group of Democrats who will decide the party's nomination for president.

        Obama added superdelegates from Utah, Ohio and the Virgin Islands, enabling him to surpass Clinton's total for the first time in the campaign. He had picked up nine endorsements Friday.

        The milestone is important because Clinton would need to win over the superdelegates by a wide margin to claim the nomination. They are a group that Clinton owned before the first caucus, when she was able to cash in on the popularity of the Clinton brand among the party faithful.

        Those party insiders, however, have been steadily streaming to Obama since he started posting wins in early voting states.

        by jeepdad on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:35:30 PM PDT

      •  correct, Regan, an Ohio add-on

        by Carthage on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:33:35 PM PDT

  •  2 from Virg Isl, 1 utah add-on 1 Oh add-on

    by Carthage on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:32:20 PM PDT

•  GUAM results now certified; Pilar Lujan for BHO!

  Chief Pilar Lujan has stated to endorse the winner, and now that Guam certifed the results, that's one more for Sen. Obama!  

  by Carthage on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:26:39 PM PDT

  •  But didn't she get wobbly? nt

    by BradF on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:27:56 PM PDT

  •  Well, we still have to wait until she officially

    endorses. :(

    by The Distillery on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:33:59 PM PDT

  •  Do you have a link to the certified results?

    Was just wondering.  :)

    by ObamaManiac2008 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:47:40 PM PDT

    •  guam results certified

      http://www.mvariety.com/...

      by Carthage on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:35:04 PM PDT

  •  Guam final number?

    500 "spoileds" is an awful lot!

    by newdem1960 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:07:11 PM PDT

•  Possible Add-On

  The fourth might be one of the Add Ons

  by Daniel Gruhn on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:27:28 PM PDT

•  If you read this article closely

  it suggests we got one of the Ohio add-ons.  No names, however.

  http://hosted.ap.org/...

  by SouthSideDem on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:27:29 PM PDT

•  ickes said she's staying in till the end

  "* Ickes came under questioning from a super-delegate who said he would have "a problem" if she didn't win the pledged del count or the popular vote, and declined to say what she would do. Indeed, he repeatedly maintained that she would still be ahead in the popular vote at the end of the contest, Florida and Michigan included, and predicted flatly that she would be behind by less than 100 delegates at the end of the voting."

  can someone explain how she is ahead in the popular vote after florida and michigan?? is this when obama is given ZERO votes for michigan??!?!

  by ye ye ye on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:28:10 PM PDT

  •  Yes

    They mean to count the "popular vote" with zero votes for Obama not just in MI, but also in every caucus state that doesn't publish an official tally of the number of participants (including Iowa, WA, etc.)

    by Stevie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:39:07 PM PDT

    •  yes

      When they say this, or are quoted saying it, what they really need to do is add quotation marks, for example:  

      She is ahead in the popular vote including "Florida" and "Michigan"

      by oscarsmom on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:31:42 PM PDT

  •  "less than 100" but still "more than zero"

    And thus she will have no claim on the nomination as far as I'm concerned.

    Plus, I personally don't see her netting 60 delegates in the last six contests, unless Puerto Rico is going to do something ridiculous.

    by jakester on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:45:48 PM PDT

  •  I will SO glad to see Ickes

    retire to the pastureland of Old-Style politicians!!

    by Vicky on Sat May 10, 2008 at 02:46:14 PM PDT

    •  Time To Get Down On His Knees And Ask McCain To

      Take Her As VP.

      by DFutureIsNow on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:58:17 PM PDT

  •  Are we including the popular vote for PR?

    How are their raw vote numbers related to "electibility" exactly with 0 votes?

    by newdem1960 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:08:58 PM PDT

    •  If she wins, definitely

      If she doesn't, definitely not :)

      by oscarsmom on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:32:50 PM PDT

•  For clarification, the AP says both supers

  form the Virgin Islands switched. Maybe the AP had both of them in Clinton's coulmn?

  http://ap.google.com/...

  by jeepdad on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:28:14 PM PDT

  •  I think some lists had Burke for HRC.

    Others had her uncommitted.

    by BradF on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:29:28 PM PDT

    •  NYT had Rodriquez uncommitted

      And Burke for HRC.

      DemConWatch had it the other way around.

      by jakester on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:41:01 PM PDT

•  Yeah

  Fox reported Obama surpassed Clinton in superdelegates.  You could almost see them choke on their words.

  by paj1 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 01:38:23 PM PDT

  •  So far today

    Ohio: the AP article is unclear if he got one or both and does not name anyone, which would not meet the standard for Dem Con Watch.

    Virgin Islands: Dem Con Watch had 1 previously recorded as Clinton, and one previously as unknown.

    Lets give it a few hours and see how it pans out but so far today.

    Dem Com watch numbers were:
    269 BHO, 270.5 HRC 1.5 HRC Lead

    Uhah +1 BHO 0.5 HRC Lead
    Ma +1 HRC 1.5 HRC Lead
    VI -1 HRC
    VI +1 BHO
    VI +1 BHO 1.5 BHO lead
    Oh +1 BHO 2.5 BHO lead, unknown who delegate is.
    Oh add on unknown,
    did both go to BHO? is the second undecided,
    Ma add on unknown,
    if 2nd was not mentioned in Clinton press release presumably at least unknown or may be BHO

    By that BHO is in the lead by anything between 0.5 if the 2 remaining add ons are Clintons or 4.5 if they are BHO.

    by dansmith17 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 02:32:59 PM PDT

    •  Dave Regan

      MSNBC is just reporting that one of the Ohio Add-Ons is Dave Regan.

      by Daniel Gruhn on Sat May 10, 2008 at 02:37:07 PM PDT

•  OH Add-On

  The Ohio Add-On for Barack Obama is Dave Regan.

  by Daniel Gruhn on Sat May 10, 2008 at 02:28:08 PM PDT

•  157 Delegates To Go. Yes We Can!

  by DFutureIsNow on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:56:02 PM PDT

•  Icky Saying They Are In Till "The Bitter" End

  What fools. Its over.

  by DFutureIsNow on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:57:07 PM PDT