That is when one candidate for the Democrat nomination plans to declare himself the winner. On the other hand, the other candidate plans on staying in all the way to the convention, seeking to convince the party she is more electable.

Not long after the polls close in the May 20 Kentucky and Oregon primaries, Barack Obama plans to declare victory in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

And, until at least May 31 and perhaps longer, Hillary ClintonÂ’s campaign plans to dispute it.

ItÂ’s a train wreck waiting to happen, with one candidate claiming to be the nominee while the other vigorously denies it, all predicated on an argument over what exactly constitutes the finish line of the primary race.

The Obama campaign agrees with the Democratic National Committee, which pegs a winning majority at 2,025 pledged delegates and superdelegates—a figure that excludes the penalized Florida and Michigan delegations. The Clinton campaign, on the other hand, insists the winner will need 2,209 to cinch the nomination—a tally that includes Florida and Michigan.

“We don’t accept 2,025. It is not the real number because that does not include Florida and Michigan,” said Howard Wolfson, one of Clinton’s two chief strategists. “It’s a phony number.”

Wolfson said they intend to contest the DNC’s 2,025 number “every day,” as well as any declaration of victory made by Obama based upon that number, because it does not include Florida and Michigan.

Pass the popcorn, please. This one will be quite entertaining.

Personally, I urge Hillary to contest the race all the way until the convention, just like this guy did in 1980 even though he was much further behind.

Posted by: Greg at 09:50 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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