In a conference call with reporters, the Obama campaign focused on the relatively small number of pledged delegates they need to win the majority, and had five of Obama's top elected supporters arguing his case for electability.
Campaign manager David Plouffe said Obama is now just 33 pledged delegates away from winning a majority, and predicted confidently that they would reach that plateau May 20, when Oregon and Kentucky hold primaries. Plouffe noted that Obama has led Clinton by a two-to-one margin among superdelegate endorsements since the Pennsylvania primary, and said the campaign would continue to make the case to superdelegates that Obama is the strongest candidate.
On the call, Sens. John Kerry, Claire McCaskill and Amy Klobuchar, and Govs. Janet Napolitano and Deval Patrick, noted Obama's strengths and argued his case for being the strongest nominee. Here are excerpts from their statements:
-Kerry (D-Mass.): "Despite the toughest weeks of his campaign...he beat every poll and beat every single expectation. That's significant."
-McCaskill (D-Mo.): "Obama squared off against the electability argument, and he won."
-Napolitano (D-Ariz.): "It's time for the superdelegates to start bringing this process to a close and announce their preference."
-Patrick (D-Mass.): "Democrats are on fire in this country, and Barack Obama has a lot to do with that."
-Klobuchar (D-Minn.): "He did well last night precisely by connecting with middle-class voters." Klobuchar also noted Obama's big wins in Republican districts in Minnesota, and argued that he would help Democratic House candidates around the country.
Plouffe also reiterated that the number of total delegates needed to secure the nomination is 2,025, not the figure the Clinton campaign has been touting recently -- 2,209 -- which would include the delegates from Michigan and Florida. On seating the delegates from those states, Plouffe said he hoped "there would be a solution that satisfies all parties."
In a conference call with reporters, the Obama campaign focused on the relatively small number of pledged delegates they need to win the majority, and had five of Obama's top elected supporters arguing his case for electability.
Campaign manager David Plouffe said Obama is now just 33 pledged delegates away from winning a majority, and predicted confidently that they would reach that plateau May 20, when Oregon and Kentucky hold primaries. Plouffe noted that Obama has led Clinton by a two-to-one margin among superdelegate endorsements since the Pennsylvania primary, and said the campaign would continue to make the case to superdelegates that Obama is the strongest candidate.
On the call, Sens. John Kerry, Claire McCaskill and Amy Klobuchar, and Govs. Janet Napolitano and Deval Patrick, noted Obama's strengths and argued his case for being the strongest nominee. Here are excerpts from their statements:
-Kerry (D-Mass.): "Despite the toughest weeks of his campaign...he beat every poll and beat every single expectation. That's significant."
-McCaskill (D-Mo.): "Obama squared off against the electability argument, and he won."
-Napolitano (D-Ariz.): "It's time for the superdelegates to start bringing this process to a close and announce their preference."
-Patrick (D-Mass.): "Democrats are on fire in this country, and Barack Obama has a lot to do with that."
-Klobuchar (D-Minn.): "He did well last night precisely by connecting with middle-class voters." Klobuchar also noted Obama's big wins in Republican districts in Minnesota, and argued that he would help Democratic House candidates around the country.
Plouffe also reiterated that the number of total delegates needed to secure the nomination is 2,025, not the figure the Clinton campaign has been touting recently -- 2,209 -- which would include the delegates from Michigan and Florida. On seating the delegates from those states, Plouffe said he hoped "there would be a solution that satisfies all parties."
