Schneider: Clinton's delegate problem
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(CNN) - In what may be bad news for Clinton, Democrats across all four states overwhelmingly say they want super delegates to vote based on which candidate finishes ahead in the pledged delegate count at the end of the primary season.
Majorities of Democrats in Texas (62 percent), Ohio (61 percent), Rhode Island (57 percent) and Vermont (66 percent) all said the super delegates should cast their vote for the primary winner, not for who they think can best win in November.
Why is this bad news for Clinton? As CNN's John King has made clear on his interactive delegate map, it is nearly impossible for Clinton to catch up to Obama's pledged delegate count. She would have to win the rest of the states convincingly to do so, given that the party allots delegates proportionally. Barring large blowouts in the remaining contests, its likely Clinton will finish behind Obama in pledged delegates.
Related Video: CNN Political Editor Mark Preston discusses Tuesday's results
–CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider
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Oh, you know Clinton is going to yell about Florida and Michigan. However, unless the primaries or at least caucases are re-done in those states, the votes cannot automatically go to Clinton. She agreed to the rules upfront; now she has to honor those rules. If Obama can hold onto Texas tonight, the pressure is going to be on her tomorrow and the superdelegates will start moving into Obama's camp. In the general election, Ohio is usually a Republican state. Even if Clinton wins in Ohio tonight, she will not be granted all of the delegates and Obama will take some with him. Clinton cannot overtake Obama's deledgate lead. For the good of the party she should bow out gracefully. But that is not the Clinton way – she will become downright dirty and destroy the party in the process. She has already given the Republicans ammunition to use in their campaign against the Democrats. I shudder to think what else she may have in her barrel.
Fla and Mi will have the last word. It is not over until the fat lady sings.
Tammi. You can start tomorrow and your Obama will still lose against McCain and anyone he chooses for a running mate. Hillary has the best chance of winning, but you people never gave her a chance. Go Hillary or McCain.
The last thing we need complaining about Florida and Michigan not being counted... even if they were, the best she would do is most likely 60-40 and so it would really not make a difference and just cause more headaches than anyone needs. Some times you have to call it what it is.
Well, it's clear who CNN supports. But I believe that Clinton WILL win the nomination AND the White House. If she does not, I will vote McCain. Obama is inexperienced and will destroy the country with his incompetence.
IT'S Time to say goodbye to Billery!!!!!
TO WestCoastMessenger: Yet the Clinton image seems to be forgotten too! How clean do you think the Clintons are?
I hate to break it to the Hillary supporters (not really), but with a 54/45 victory in RI but a 59/39 loss in Vermont....is an 18 to 18 delegate...when you're trailing by 160 pledged delegates. That doesn't get you ANY closer to catching up!
Are ALL Hillary supporters this bad with math???
schneider, quit trying to discourage Clinton voters. Obama doesn't have much needed experience and that counts for more than a college degree!!! We need gender change and I sense a lot of men being afraid of having a woman leader that's why we had to fight so hard to get to vote in the first place.
Superdelegates should vote in the best interests of the party and not according to the popular vote as the latter was determined in part by Independents and Republicans some which have voted to confound the results for Democrats.
Honestly no one considers MI or FL. I realize they aren't officially recognized but they will officially count in the Presidential nomination. Therefore Superdelagates should take this into consideration and vote for who they think can best win against McCain. That is clearly Clinton.
I agree with Denise. the delegate count is still very close. There is not a McCain front runner in the Dem party. It sounds like Bill Schneider may be Obama's campaign manager but there are still many of us voting for Hilliary. She's calm, smart and persistent.
Go Hilliary – don't give up the ship!
If they change the rules for this then they should change their decision regarding Michigan and Florida also. It is really not fair many that States don't get to weigh in on the decision at all. Everyones vote should count including Florida and Michigan. Isn't that what being a democracy is about?
yes sen. clinton. the at lady has sung....
IF OBAMA IS NOT THE NOMIENEE. FOR SURE, DEMOCRATE WILL LOSS THE POPULAR VOTE
Obama cannot win the nomination outright either and looking at teh early results, Clinton is having a strong night. The Democrats are going to nominate the person who will be competitive in NY, CA, PA< Ohio, Florida and Texas: Hillary Clinton.
If Obama wins the nomination, I will not vote for him. I don't trust him AT ALL.
lets she the Dems win general election w/o those 2 states.
Donald: You don't change the rules in the middle of the game. Michigan and Florida will not count. What would you be saying if Obama had won both of those states?
How, in any way, shape or form is the Democratic Race "over"? The race is still up in the air and to suggest that either Clinton or Obama should drop out at this point is shameful and disrespectful to the democratic process.
Why do we need supper delicates? This is america and when i vote i wont it to count, i dont wont the goverment telling me who my next president will be. if that happens we are no better thanif we were in a place like cuba or iran come on now dont we have any say anymore? Glenda .
Experience does not equal age and longevity in Washington...
So from now on, anybody who brings up Hillarys experience should actually say what experience they are talking about.. do you even know?
The super-delegates need to grow a set and end this now. If they don't, they'll show everyone how useless they are by allowing our candidates to slaughter each other for the next several weeks. McCain has won which means that conservative republicans can now select the weaker democratic candidate in upcoming elections and they have already identified who that is.
Hello! Half of the Democrats are voting for Hillary and that's why she is still in the race. Why does she have to quit? She is strong and we trust her. What make you all think that if she exits, we will vote for someone who we don't believe in...
I am Canadian!! Given the chance I would have voted for Hilary. The way it looks Obama will win. GO MCCAIN!!!!
Uhm no way hillary should bow out. count florida and michigan and if your gonna lean that direction otherwise shhhhhhhhhh let the system do its job.