Obama clinches Democratic nomination

[Professor]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080603/ap_on_el_pr/primary_rdp

AP tally: Obama clinches Democratic nomination 6 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first black candidate to lead a major party into a campaign for the White House. Hillary Rodham Clinton swiftly signaled her interest in joining his ticket as running mate.

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Obama sealed his nomination victory Tuesday, based on public declarations from many "superdelegates" as well as private support from others who confirmed their intentions to The Associated Press.

[tecoyah]

I think everyone knew this was inevitable...it will be interesting to see what Hillary does next, but at least Obama can use all his energy on McCain and hopefully start addressing the issues (if the Republicans decide to do the same).

[lauren]

I can't wait to see what Obama has to say against McCain in foreign policy. I don't see how he could argue against the facts! We all knew that Obama was going to win, McCain is going to destroy Obama in debates on foreign policy, his eloquent speeches can't beat facts. Who do ya'll think the nominated VP's are going to be?

[Trish]

Well now the real battle will begin. The next few weeks and months are going to be interesting.

[NortheastCynic]

I can hardly contain or articulate my excitement.:rolleyes:

-NC

[preservanation]

I hate to douse the enthusiasm with a bucket of cold H20, but has this been independently confirmed?
Not only do I not trust the AP but NONE of the Supers' votes are certified nor binding until the Convention in Aug.
Hold on, both you Obama supporters (media included) and Hillary hating Democrats and Republicans.
Nothing has been formally decided yet.
Dancing in the streets still may be premature.

[NortheastCynic]

CNN estimates that Obama is 12 delegates away as of this minute.

-NC

[suedanim]

I can't wait to see what Obama has to say against McCain in foreign policy. I don't see how he could argue against the facts! We all knew that Obama was going to win, McCain is going to destroy Obama in debates on foreign policy, his eloquent speeches can't beat facts. Who do ya'll think the nominated VP's are going to be?

Whatever he has to say on the subject is a breath of fresh air since whatever John McCain has to say is exactly what George Bush and Dick Cheney have to say and the whole world can see how well that has worked.

:grrrr:

[Buck Laser]

I hate to douse the enthusiasm with a bucket of cold H20, but has this been independently confirmed?
Not only do I not trust the AP but NONE of the Supers' votes are certified nor binding until the Convention in Aug.
Hold on, both you Obama supporters (media included) and Hillary hating Democrats and Republicans.
Nothing has been formally decided yet.
Dancing in the streets still may be premature.
:madlaugh::madlaugh::madlaugh:
You truly do have either a terrible vision problem or a horribly warped sense of humor, preserv...who's gonna come in to grab the nomination away? In just a few minutes of watching the TV news coverage, three more superdelegates have declared for Obama.

When it happens officially and unchangeably, will you say "I was wrong," or will you construct another cockamamie scenario? :evil:

[PostmodernProphet]

Who do ya'll think the nominated VP's are going to be?

From what I have heard on the news today, I don't think Hillary is going to let Obama have a choice.....it will be Hillary.....

for McCain, I expect the governor of Minnesota to turn that state red long with perhaps Iowa and Wisconsin.....

[preservanation]

:madlaugh::madlaugh::madlaugh:
You truly do have either a terrible vision problem or a horribly warped sense of humor, preserv...who's gonna come in to grab the nomination away? In just a few minutes of watching the TV news coverage, three more superdelegates have declared for Obama.

When it happens officially and unchangeably, will you say "I was wrong," or will you construct another cockamamie scenario? :evil:Wrong?
I just am waiting till Obama reaches the official threshold...per the Dems rules.
Call me silly, and you will, but has Obama reached the 2118 delegate count yet?
If so...congrats.
However, none of the delegates are actually certified untill they officially do it at the convention.
Am I wrong?

[lauren]

Whatever he has to say on the subject is a breath of fresh air since whatever John McCain has to say is exactly what George Bush and Dick Cheney have to say and the whole world can see how well that has worked.

:grrrr:

Ha.
Is that seriously the only way that Obama and his supporters can argue against McCain? First of all the insurgent worked, look at the facts. Only 19 American soldiers died this May, in comparison to the hundred and something that died last may etc... So you can't say that Bush failed and seriously, do you think Obama has any idea what is going on in foreign affairs. Look at who he associates with (Ayers) and the words that come out of his mouth (he needs to learn his geography and history of the country and his family) . If he was smart he wouldn't ask Hillary for VP but he would find someone that has some clue about foriegn policy.

[lauren]

From what I have heard on the news today, I don't think Hillary is going to let Obama have a choice.....it will be Hillary.....

for McCain, I expect the governor of Minnesota to turn that state red long with perhaps Iowa and Wisconsin.....

I guess that is the Democratic dream team but I don't know if Hillary will accept...

Yes, that would be smart for McCain

[preservanation]

Ha.
Is that seriously the only way that Obama and his supporters can argue against McCain? First of all the insurgent worked, look at the facts. Only 19 American soldiers died this May, in comparison to the hundred and something that died last may etc... So you can't say that Bush failed and seriously, do you think Obama has any idea what is going on in foreign affairs. Look at who he associates with (Ayers) and the words that come out of his mouth (he needs to learn his geography and history of the country and his family) . If he was smart he wouldn't ask Hillary for VP but he would find someone that has some clue about foriegn policy.This is troubling to me too, lauren.
His command of simple American history and facts seem egregiously lacking.
I mean...don't we all know the number of states in the union...by rote.
None of us would make a mistake like 57 or more states...no matter how tired we were.
I really scratch my head when he makes flubs like this.
What exactly has he learned in the highfalutin schools to make him qualified to be CIC?
Confusing Memorial Day with Veteran's Day was just another one, or that the Soviets liberated Auschwitz, not the USA.
I can understand this from an average person and they can be easily corrected, but Obama is applying to the most important job in the world representing all 50 states and all who inhabit them.
Personally, I'm very worried if he wins.

[Buck Laser]

I guess that is the Democratic dream team but I don't know if Hillary will accept...

Yes, that would be smart for McCain

Hillary is the one slavering for the VP post. I think it's wrong, but we'll make the best of it. Sure won't do McCain much good.

[lily]

From what I have heard on the news today, I don't think Hillary is going to let Obama have a choice.....it will be Hillary.....

for McCain, I expect the governor of Minnesota to turn that state red long with perhaps Iowa and Wisconsin.....


Ah, the news today. I wake up and hear that Hillary will be giving a speech saying it was a tough campaign, but she thinks it's over. Two hours later her campaign headquarters say she never said such a thing.......now it's she will accept the nomination if offered. I don't think there is a chance in Hell, but if the offer isn't at least hinted at, she'll start crying sour grapes.

What a weird newsday.

[preservanation]

She will probably suspend her campaign...soon.
Hillary is not going to fully concede..
The Associated Press reported that Clinton would concede Tuesday night. However, the campaign quickly released a statement saying that the article is incorrect and that Clinton would not concede the nomination this evening.http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/mcauliffe-if-obama-reaches-2118-clinton-will-concede-2008-06-03.html

[preservanation]

Obama...2,129 delegates
Needed...2,118.

Has the dragon been slayed?

[apdst]

Hillary isn't going to just walk away empty handed. If DNC tries to force her to walk away empty handed and she's digs in and goes to war with her popular vote, it's going to get very ugly.

[preservanation]

Hope springs eternal, apdst!

[tecoyah]

I can't wait to see what Obama has to say against McCain in foreign policy. I don't see how he could argue against the facts! We all knew that Obama was going to win, McCain is going to destroy Obama in debates on foreign policy, his eloquent speeches can't beat facts. Who do ya'll think the nominated VP's are going to be?

Yeah...as soon as McCain actually figures out his foreign policy....it will be a hard thing to beat, especially when he changes it mid sentence. I'm sure he will figure out the difference between Shia and Sunni and gets his head out of Israels ass long before push comes to shove.

[Buck Laser]

I heard the last few minutes of Obama's speech tonight, and I am totally stoked. My favorite (paraphrased):"Senator McCain talks about all his trips to Iraq, but I'd like him to take trips to Michigan, and Ohio, Indiana, New Orleans, and right here to St. Paul, so he can see what Bush's policies have done to us."

McCain is going to have to get a LOT sharper if he's going to campaign effectively against Obama. Frankly, I don't think he's agile enough mentally to keep up with Obama.

[NortheastCynic]

McCain is going to try to make Obama look like a fool when talking about foreign policy, and will most likely succeed.

Obama is going to try to make McCain appear to be Bush, Take III. If this works, Obama may win. If not, he has no chance.

McCain needs to explain why he is different than Bush. In truth, on the issues, they are similar. The difference will lie in their: respect for the Constitution/law, transparency and lack of corruptness/criminality.

Truth be told, we don't know how good or bad a Bush Administration would have been without corruptness, criminality and a lack of transparency coupled with a contempt for the Constitution; but it would certainly would have been better than what we got.

-NC

[Buck Laser]

McCain is going to try to make Obama look like a fool when talking about foreign policy, and will most likely succeed.
<snip>
Truth be told, we don't know how good or bad a Bush Administration would have been without corruptness, criminality and a lack of transparency coupled with a contempt for the Constitution; but it would certainly would have been better than what we got.

-NC
NC, every administration has to deal with corruption and the attendant problems of a bureaucracy. I think the truth is that the US does a hell of a lot better on that score than any nation I know of. I think the real problem for Bush's administration has been the influence of the neo-cons and the arrogance they brought to the office. Couple that with the fact that Bush isn't a very bright fellow, and very susceptible to flattery, so he bought the whole stinkin' mess.

No one knows with any certainty that Obama will succeed, but he has a tremendous wave of desire for change rolling with him. That doesn't mean he'll be able to sweep all the bad guys out and make everything all OK. But if he's got the gift of leadership I think he has, I can see several VERY significant changes of course coming.

Just speculating now, but here's what I see:
1. A major change in middle east policy with real pressure on Iraq to take responsibility for itself, coupled with honest diplomatic efforts to heal the rifts and solve the problems.

2. Vast improvements in the care and rehabilitation of our troops who've spent the best years of their lives in the middle east.

3. A serious beginning at reining in the lobbyist and corporate interests that have so distorted the governing process.

4.Action, not just talk about making sure everyone has access to the health care they need.

5. Development of an energy policy not written by the "energy moguls"--one that takes climate change, the need for REAL conservation, and new technology into account.

6. Honestly, it will cost more, especially since we've poured all that money into Iraq with no result. But in the long term, we can once again become a nation all of us can be proud of.

[NortheastCynic]

NC, every administration has to deal with corruption and the attendant problems of a bureaucracy.That's just it, Buck, the Bush Admin. didn't 'deal with it'; that's the problem. It also was very rampant. Remember, Bush ran on a platform that included more open, less corrupt gov't coming off of 8 years of Clinton.

No one knows with any certainty that Obama will succeed, but he has a tremendous wave of desire for change rolling with him.Well, you know how I feel about his notion of 'change' and his history of creating it [that would be, zero].

But if he's got the gift of leadership I think he has, I can see several VERY significant changes of course coming.Based on what, Buck? What makes you believe that he has the gift of leadership? What has he done to give you that impression?

1. A major change in middle east policy with real pressure on Iraq to take responsibility for itself, coupled with honest diplomatic efforts to heal the rifts and solve the problems.I do agree with much of his foreign policy goals; I will give him that. Not all, but a lot of them.

3. A serious beginning at reining in the lobbyist and corporate interests that have so distorted the governing process.Highly unlikely. Such a 'change' would have to start in Congress, and that won't happen. Hell, it didn't happen when Obama was in the Senate; I've got no reason to believe it will happen after he leaves it.

4.Action, not just talk about making sure everyone has access to the health care they need.I suspect you know how I feel about this.:peace:

5. Development of an energy policy not written by the "energy moguls"--one that takes climate change, the need for REAL conservation, and new technology into account.I also like his energy policy. Energy and foreign policy are our main points of agreement.

-NC

[Buck Laser]

NC, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. But I think the political nerds among us (and I'm sure as hell one of them) underestimate what a powerful leader Obama is. When you "hire" a president, you never know what you're gonna get. And external circumstances can frequently override whatever talents the president himself may have. That surely happened to Bush: everyone in the world cut him lots of slack after 9/11, and we were all pulling for him to do the right thing. Then everything he touched began to turn to shit, and it's been downhill ever since.

I can't deny that the same thing might happen with Obama. But my instincts tell me that he's the only real grownup in the race this cycle. Forget third party candidates for the moment. I began to trust Obama when I read his book, The Audacity of Hope, and when I saw him speaking of the same values on the campaign trail back in early 2007. For me, choosing a presidential candidate is a whole lot like choosing a spouse. You never get the "ideal," but if you work with who you've got, some amazing things can happen.

I feel perfectly at ease right now having put my faith in Barack Obama. I pray that my judgment is as good as it was 50 years ago when I put my faith in my wife. Only time will tell.

[tony mitra]

Without being a pundit, I shall make a few predictions

1. McCain is no threat to Obama on foreign policy. I do not believe scaring Americans about Iran is a forign policy worth anything. I also suspect, with due respect to Mr. McCain, he appears to be looking at the rest of the world through the barrel of a gun, and has nothing on his mind much other than a phony war against ghosts, pardon my harsh words.

One does not need to be an expert on the world in order to beat McCain. One just needs to have an average idea about the world. Obama having his background of growing up in Hawaii and Indonesia, will have a much wider outlook about the world that McCain had through his military years. McCain idea about the world is outright silly.

2. Obama is going to win the election handily, with or without Hillary tagging along. That is not just because Obama might be a better candidate, but also because of the negative points the Repulicans picked up in the last few years.

The problem for Obama will not be about winning the race, but about Governing. If he is for change, his real fight will start once he gets to the white house. Clearing washington of lobby interests, the oil cartel and the military industrial complex - is going to be fiercely resisted by entrenched interest groups. I would not be surprised if attempts are made on his life and passed on as terrorist attacks.

If Obama can succeed, it will likely make for a wholly different USA and a different world. But that is a challenge that would need almost superhuman capabilities.

3. Things are going to get worse for Americans before it gets better. that is the medicine that goes hand in hand with difficult times. It is my guess that the public, not used to long term vision, will blame Obama for the hardships. If he can survive, and go on to the second term - things might even begin to look up brighter long term for USA, but, public being what it is, it is possible he loses the next election (2012).

4. Oil will stay about 200 or 300 a barrel, and American lifestyle will be greatly altered, no matter who is the president. Obama might actually kickstart a Manhattan type project to cure USA of its oil addiction, but the medicine, like I said, would be bitter at first.

5. Climate change will become "the" main issue, surpassing everything else in importance, not just for USA though. That is an extension to the efforts to cure us from the oil addiction. NO one wants to talk about it right now among the candidates, the public, or the media - but, trust me, this will be the prime issue, along with energy crisis, in a few years.

Cheers
Tony

[tony mitra]

No idea why my posts got duplicated !!