This is not a joke.

This is not an illusion or an imaginary story.

We have not slipped into an alternate utopian universe.

John Edwards (THE John Edwards, Senator, married to Elizabeth, not some other bloke) is about to endorse Barack Obama for President of the United States.

I know there are other diaries and stories on this, but dammit - I'm happy!

This has been hinted at all day today
here & here & here

Edwards and Obama set up a surprise event at 6:30pm tonight in the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids to make this important announcement.

Jennifer Brunner, the Ohio Secretary of State, has released the official Ohio primary election results.

As svotaw1991 pointed out, there are several important changes from the unoffocial results on election night.

Notably, CLinton's Ohio win shrank (Clinton received 1,259,620, Obama received 1,055,769) for a difference of 203,851.  That's a change of 26,022 toward Obama.  The lead for Clinton is at a final margin of 8.8%, not 10.4%

Initially, this did not appear to change the delegate allocations.  However, IF I understand the rules correctly (and I admit this is a big IF), then the district level calculations should be recalculated excluding the votes of candidates who did not meet the viability threshold.  Edwards did not make viability in any district, so his votes should be subtracted and the percentages recalculated.  If my calculations are correct, Obama gains a pledged delegate in CD1.

Despite Clinton's recent "electibility email," the superdelegates are quickly shifting to Obama.

So far today, Obama has picked up:
DNC Ed Espinoza (CA) aka Mr. Super
Rep. Donald Payne (NJ) who switched from Clinton to Obama
Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR)
DNC John Gage (MD)
DNC Vernon Watkins (CA)
add-on Laura Weahkee (NM)
Wilber Jeffcoat

After Obama's convincing win in North Carolina and near-tie in Indiana, the superdelegates have all the cover they need to make the jump.

Obama increased his pledged delegate lead, wiped away any gains Clinton had from Pennsylvania, and gave a rousing speech in which he opened the door for a flood of endorsements.  He called for unity while also stating "this is the time to end it."

Yesterday, Obama's campaign sent a letter to the superdelegates urging them to bring the process to a close.

That could happen today when Obama meets with many of the remaining undeclared superdelegates.

While we're all waiting for results, it's never too early for a little good news.

Jeanette Council (NC) has endorsed Obama for President.

"I would have no problem voting for either of the two," she said. "But of the two, I think Barack Obama is the better candidate."

She indicated that she had withheld her choice until North Carolina had a chance to vote.  

She said she was drawn to Obama’s ability to inspire people, especially those who had never voted before and added:

"It’s life-changing to witness it happen," she said. "I know that we’ve got to do more than just talk about solutions. We’ve got to get people to the point where they work together and they are involved and are inspired enough to come up with solutions."

Barack Obama has wiped away almost 1/3 of Clinton's superdelegate lead in one day.

He just picked up endorsements from Maryland superdelegates Michael Cryor and Lauren Dugas Glover.

Earlier today, Kalyn Free, DNC and organizer of the Indigenous Democratic Network (INDN List), endorsed Obama

"Today, I am casting my support for a new kind of leadership and a new possibility of what America can be. Barack Obama is a once-in-a-generation kind of leader and the best hope the American people have to rebuild the erosion our collective foundation has endured the last eight years. In 2008, we must elect a President who will restore our faith in the possibilities of each and every American, including the First Americans."

Obama is also about to formally pick up 3 more superdelegates from Illinois around 2pm today: Barbara Flynn Currie, Todd Stroger and Richard Daley. (I thought he got these yesterday, but the formal announcement comes after the meeting today).

Wow ! - this has been a busy Saturday in politics.  The day is still young, and there's already been lots of news from the superdelegates.

Obama has picked up 8 superdelegates today and 2 pledged delegates from Guam.

So far today, Obama has been endorsed by Brian Colon, the Democratic Party Chairman in New Mexico.

Obama also received an endorsement from the South Carolina add-on, former State Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum.

He gained support from Maryland add-on, former Gov. Parris Glendening.

He has picked up:
Jaime Paulino (Guam) - an Obama supporter
Pilar Lujan (Guam) - undecided but on record stating she will support the popular vote winner in Guam.

I tried to write this a simple overview for a friend who doesn't understand the Democratic primary process and really believes, based upon everything she has heard in the media, that Senator Clinton is going to walk away with the nomination.

We are at the point where we can start counting down to the nomination.

According to DemConWatch Obama now has 1490 pledged delegates and 243 superdelegates (1733 total) supporting his bid for the nomination.

Clinton now has 1336 pledged delegates and 260 superdelegates (1596 total) supporting her bid for the nomination.

Only 408 pledged delegates and 291 superdelegates remain (699 undecided / undeclared).

The magic number for the nomination is 2024.

Obama needs 291 (41.8% of those remaining)
Clinton would need 428 (61.4% of those remaining)

As has been discussed, ad nauseum, the delegate allocation system will not allow her to reach the threshhold.  She would need to win all of the remaining primaries by unprecedented numbers and need the overwhelming support of the remaining superdelegates.

Senator Clinton's seemingly insurmountable lead among superdelegates has dwindled to less than 20.

Yesterday, Sen. Jeff Bingaman (NM) , and former DNC Chairman Paul Kirk (MA) endorsed Obama.  

Today,Senator Clinton picked up Gov. Mike Easley (NC), but Obama picked up Kentucky Representative Ben Chandler and DNC member Richard Machacek (IA).  

According to Machacek

I think it needs to be over, and in good conscience, I can't fly in the face of my precinct, county and district... The raw numbers coming out of the district conventions really sat me down hard."

It's 3am, and the Democratic Party has just gotten a call from Senator Clinton.

Heed her demands or the party suffers.

Clinton knows the numbers as well as anyone else. She can't win.  She wants something else.

This extended bitter fight is designed to hold the nomination hostage until she gets something she wants.

The question is - what's the ransom?

Clinton was counting on a big win last night to keep the superdelegates at bay.

Despite the media's false claim of a double digit win, Clinton's actual 8.5 - 9.0 point victory in Clinton-friendly Pennsylvania didn't quite cut it.  She netted only 10 pledged delegates.  This hasn't stopped her from claiming that the tide has turned and somehow she now leads the popular vote total.  

In the real world, a TIDAL WAVE of support has formed for Obama.

He received over 38,000 new contributors overnight!

The Gallup poll today shows a solid lead for Obama!  This puts Obama at 50% and Clinton at 42%.  

Additionally, at least 1 major superdelegate has already stepped forward today.

This is going to be a busy and exciting day in Pennsylvania.  The Democratic primary this year is expected to draw record voter turnouts.

Hopefully everything will go smoothly, but with any major election, there are going to be some problems.  It is also important, IMHO, to track any major problems that arise during the voting process.  Hopefully these problems can be identified and corrected immediately, but it’s also important to create a record so that problems can be prevented in the future.

I have started a summary of problems that I will try to update throughout the day (every hour or so).  

In light of the NYT bombshell regarding potentially illegal propaganda and psy-ops committed against U.S. citizens through the Pentagon and the complicit media, I think its time to revisit an old classic.

Does anyone else remember the 2005 Lautenberg "Stop Government Propaganda Act" (Introduced in Senate S 266 IS).

This was a 'Truth in Broadcasting' bill developed, in part, as a response to Bush's unethical use of VNRs (purported drug czar video news releases, propaganda by the Department of Health and Human Services, payments to columnists Armstrong Williams and Maggie Gallagher who flacked administration programs, etc.)

As you may remember, back on Feb, 2, 2005, Senator LAUTENBERG (supported by Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Corzine, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Dorgan, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Reed, Mr. Lieberman (!), and Mr. Leahy) introduced a bill to stop taxpayer funded government propaganda.  

The Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off their "Steelers Vote for Change" Blitz with rallies in Aliquippa, Carnegie, Charleroi, Greensburg and Uniontown later TODAY.

The events will include current and former members (including Franco Harris, Dwight "Mad Dog" White, J.T. Thomas, Robin Cole, Larry Brown and Edmund Nelson) and will conclude with a massive tailgate party outside Heinz Field (gates open at 6pm).

Sen. Bob Casey, Steelers owner Dan Rooney, and other high profile Obama supporters are expected to atttend.

This is a great idea, but I'm afraid it's going to miss the news radar.  There doesn't seem to be much information out yet.  We need to help spread the word about these events today.  All events are free and open to the public.

The last question of the "debate" last night was a pitch to superdelegates.  Now it appears that some of the remaining undecided superdelegates are responding.

Oklahoma Superdelegate Reggie Whitten endorsed Barack Obama today.

"I have decided to endorse Senator Barack Obama and will work wholeheartedly to see him become the next President of the United States. Some say there is no particular need to endorse at the present time. However, I believe this is a defining moment, not only for our Party, but also more importantly for our country. Therefore, I made the decision to commit now."

It also appears that DC add-on Harry Thomas Jr. has chosen to endorse Obama after watching last night's reprehensible hatchet job.

Barack Obama has maintained his lead in the Daily Gallup poll and does not seem to be suffering Senator Clinton's "bitter" pill.

Barack currently leads by ten percentage points (50-40).

This is encouraging news!

Here's the link.

Obama has maintained a significant lead since early March and has not suffered from repeated (manufactured) scandal attempts.

That 10-point lead matches Obama's best of the campaign.

Margaret Campbell and Jeanne Lemire Dahlman from Montana are backing Obama.

Jeanne Lemire Dahlman has indicated her strong support for Obama but acknowledged that she may reconsider if Montana voters pick Clinton on June 3.

Clinton's superdelegate lead has nearly evaporated and is down to just 23 individuals.  

In January, 71% of those who had endorsed supported Clinton.  Now only 52.6% of the superdelegates who have endorsed support Clinton.  

Since 2/10, Clinton has gained a total of 21 superdelegate endorsements while Obama has gained 95!

Since 3/23, Obama has a net gain of 12 superdelegates (despite the Wright attack), while Clinton has a net loss of 1.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Maragaret Campbell has retracted her endorsement due to party rules.

Former U.S. Sen. John Melcher has endorsed Barack Obama.

Senator Melcher became a superdelgate earlier this month by virtue of serving on a national Democratic Party committee.

Initially he indicated that he would remain neutral.

Once again, Obama's stance against the war has been a pivotal factor.  Melcher says he chose Obama because

the Illinois senator has been against the Iraq war since the start.

Another Montana DNC superdelgate, Ed Tinsley has already endorsed Obama (thanks for the info Oreo!).

Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Senator Max Baucus and Senator Jon Tester have indicated they will wait until the state's June 3 primary to decide.