Legal Commentary

RCP Updates Its Popular Vote and Delegate Totals

By Jeralyn

Real Clear Politics as of 10 pm ET:

• Votes with Michigan and Florida as cast: Hillary leads by Clinton 303,785.

• Votes with Michigan and Florida as cast and the cacus states estimates for WA, IA, ME and NV which didn't keep track: Hillary leads by 193,563.

• Votes with Florida and Michigan, with uncommitted in Michigan going to Obama: Hillary leads by 65,617.

• Obama is only ahead if you give him the uncommitted in Michigan and count the above caucus states, and then it's by 44,605.

More...

The superdelegates are free to choose their own popular vote totals. They can factor in the votes she got in the Nebraska, Washington and Idaho primaries if they want. They can decide Obama shouldn't benefit from any Michigan votes because Obama removed himself voluntarily from the ballot.

As for pledged delegates from the state primaries and caucuses, not including superdelegates, Obama's lead is 1739 to 1624 -- meaning his lead is only 115 delegates. The superdelegates are free to change their mind or weigh in any time up until the convention.

Seems to me since Obama has a small lead in pledged delegates and Hillary leads in the popular vote, the superdelegates need to turn their attention to the electoral map and who would be the better candidate against McCain.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on June 01, 2008 (boomark / email).