That is the number of the remaining pledged delegates Obama needs to eliminate any Clinton argument even the most absurd ones. See me on the other side...
As we all know, all that matters in America is that no Clinton delegate (even delegates she got in contests that were agreed wouldn't count) goes uncounted (as long as they are counted in the way that helps her the most). If we examine the current scenario in a light most favorable to Clinton, we see that if Obama wins 25 of the remaining 86 delegates, Clinton will have no argument left (although I am sure she will make one).
Under the current system (using the DemCon numbers http://demconwatch.blogspot.com), there are 3253 pledged delegates. Obama has won 1656.5 (30 more than a majority) and Clinton has won 1501.5. As a side, anyone who understands math knows this isn't as close as the TM wants to make it out to be when you are dealing with proportional allocation.
Anyway, for the sake of a ridiculous argument, let's give Clinton the 105 delegates she "won" in Florida and Obama the 69 delegates he "won". Obama 1725.5, Clinton 1606.5. The 13 delegates that Edwards' "won" will be forfeited by Florida as a punishment for moving their primary up. It also prevents those sneaky Edwards' supporters from following Edwards' endorsement. The total number of pledged delegates is now 3427.
In Michigan Clinton gets the 73 delegates she "won". The remaining 55 uncommitted delegates will be forfeited as punishment and also prevents them from supporting Obama because any voter who voted against Clinton shouldn't count. I'm sure 100% of Michigan supports Clinton anyway. Obama 1725.5, Clinton 1679.5. Total pledged delegates now at 3500.
There are still 9 delegates to other candidates (6 to Edwards and 3 TBD in Iowa convention), in the interest of fairness to Hillary we will eliminate them. We will also reduce Obama's total by 10 for the Edwards' delegates that endorsed him. Bringing the totals to Obama 1715.5, Clinton 1679.5, and the total pledged delegates to 3481.
That makes the magic number 1740.5.
The remaining contests have 55 pledged delegates to Puerto Rico, 16 to Montana, and 15 to South Dakota for a total of 86. That means that Obama would need 25 delegates to reach a majority and Clinton would need 61 delegates.
This is the only system I could devise that brought Obama below the majority threshold for pledged delegates. DemCon's scenarios agree. http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/...
Now I know, this system is completely unfair. It ignores the fact that Obama did not campaign in Florida (and many potential Florida voters did not vote because it didn't count) and we all know why Hillary's Michigan argument is ridiculous. But come June 3rd, if Obama has won 25 more pledged delegates then there will be no arguments left.
Bottom line is that there are no arguments left now. The above scenario is completely ridiculous and unfair and it still creates a situation in which Obama would win. The superdelegates need to end this today.