Well, it looks like the Edwards endorsement has some value after all:
(CNN) – At least six of John Edwards’ pledged delegates in South Carolina will throw their support to Barack Obama following Edwards’ endorsement of the Democratic frontrunner, bringing the total number of delegates switching to Obama on Thursday to eight.
One Edwards delegate from Iowa, Machelle Crum, came out for Obama on Thursday morning, as did New Hampshire delegate Joshua Denton. Crum made the decision after receiving a phone call from Edwards supporters encouraging her to make the switch.
In South Carolina, Daniel Boan, Christine Brennan-Bond, Robert Groce, Susan Smith, Mike Evatt and Lauren Bilton — all elected as pledged delegates for Edwards following his third place finish in the primary there on January 29 — announced Thursday they will follow Edwards’ lead and pledge their support to Obama at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Obama has also picked up a number of superdelegate endorsements this week and now holds a 292-273 lead over Clinton in that category.
So, here’s how we look this morning:
Pledged Delegates
- Barack Obama — 1,599 delegates
- Hillary Clinton — 1,446 delegates
Obama +153
Total Delegates
- Barack Obama — 1,891 delegates (134 needed to win)
- Hillary Clinton — 1,719 delegates (306 needed to win)
Obama +172 (net gain of 4 for Obama since Wednesday)
Total Delegates w/ Florida and Michigan
- Barack Obama — 2,033 delegates (176 needed to win)
- Hillary Clinton — 1,897 delegates (312needed to win)
Obama +136
The noose continues to tighten.
[...] well, okay. I guess it’s nice to let people vote even though we already know how this is going to turn out, but if she really means it, she’ll drop out on June 4th after the last vote is [...]