Clinton wins, Obama closer to nomination

Hillary Clinton won the Democratic primary in Puerto Rico, but still badly trails Barack Obama as he draws closer to clinching the party's presidential race.

Izvor: Reuters

Monday, 02.06.2008.

11:34

Default images

Hillary Clinton won the Democratic primary in Puerto Rico, but still badly trails Barack Obama as he draws closer to clinching the party's presidential race. Clinton's win in Puerto Rico, a territory where residents are not allowed to vote in the November election, gave her more fuel for her argument that she has won more popular votes in the five-month nominating fight and is the best Democrat to face Republican John McCain. Clinton wins, Obama closer to nomination But the results pushed Obama closer to the magic number of 2,118 delegates needed to become the nominee, and the Illinois senator already has turned his attention to a general election fight with McCain. Contests on Tuesday in Montana and South Dakota, with 31 pledged delegates to the August nominating convention at stake, conclude the voting in the Democratic presidential race. Obama is about 45 delegates shy of securing the nomination and could reach the number quickly with help from some of the approximately 180 uncommitted superdelegates -- party officials who can back any candidate. Clinton made a direct appeal to those delegates on Sunday, saying they should consider her argument that she would have the best chance to beat McCain and had won more votes than Obama. "More people across the country have voted for our campaign. We are winning the popular vote," Clinton said during a loud victory celebration in San Juan, Puerto Rico. "I do not envy the decision you must make," she said. Clinton's claims about the popular vote are disputed by the Obama campaign and do not include states won by Obama that used a caucus system where individual votes are not tallied. But popular votes do not determine the party's nominee, who is selected by delegates at the convention. Obama's lead in delegates is unassailable unless Clinton wins nearly all the remaining uncommitted superdelegates. Obama, who called Clinton to congratulate her on her Puerto Rico win, looked past the New York senator while campaigning in South Dakota to focus on her role in his general-election race against McCain. "Senator Clinton is an outstanding public servant. She is going to be a great asset when we go into November to make sure that we can defeat the Republicans," he said at a rally in Mitchell, South Dakota. Hillary Clinton (Beta)

Clinton wins, Obama closer to nomination

But the results pushed Obama closer to the magic number of 2,118 delegates needed to become the nominee, and the Illinois senator already has turned his attention to a general election fight with McCain.

Contests on Tuesday in Montana and South Dakota, with 31 pledged delegates to the August nominating convention at stake, conclude the voting in the Democratic presidential race.

Obama is about 45 delegates shy of securing the nomination and could reach the number quickly with help from some of the approximately 180 uncommitted superdelegates -- party officials who can back any candidate.

Clinton made a direct appeal to those delegates on Sunday, saying they should consider her argument that she would have the best chance to beat McCain and had won more votes than Obama.

"More people across the country have voted for our campaign. We are winning the popular vote," Clinton said during a loud victory celebration in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"I do not envy the decision you must make," she said.

Clinton's claims about the popular vote are disputed by the Obama campaign and do not include states won by Obama that used a caucus system where individual votes are not tallied.

But popular votes do not determine the party's nominee, who is selected by delegates at the convention. Obama's lead in delegates is unassailable unless Clinton wins nearly all the remaining uncommitted superdelegates.

Obama, who called Clinton to congratulate her on her Puerto Rico win, looked past the New York senator while campaigning in South Dakota to focus on her role in his general-election race against McCain.

"Senator Clinton is an outstanding public servant. She is going to be a great asset when we go into November to make sure that we can defeat the Republicans," he said at a rally in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Komentari 0

0 Komentari

Možda vas zanima

Podeli: