XXX:
The latest delegate count is:
Barack Obama
Pledged: 1321
Superdelegates: 199
Total: 1,520
Hillary Clinton
Pledged: 1186
Superdelegates: 238
Total: 1,424
The remaining primaries cannot put either one of them over the top to 2,025. Furthermore, Obama's lead in pledged delegates is insurmountable. Of the 4,049 total delegates, about 800 are super delegates. That leaves about 3,250 elected delegates of which 2,500 have already been chosen. That means that there are only 750 delegates up for election in all the remaining primaries including Michigan and Florida if there is a do over.
Obama now leads Hillary in elected delegates by 135. Of the 750 delegates remaining to be elected, she would need to win an average of a 58/42 per cent margin of victory in the remaining primaries. That would mean that she would need a 16 percentage point margin in every remaining primary. And she is not going to win some of the remaining states.
The super delegates are going to put one of them over the top. Therefore, the remaining primaries are realistically a beauty contest as to pledged delegates. I have the following suggestions:
Both candidates acknowledge that the super delegates should make their choice freely and without pressure from either side.
Both candidates agree to have a positive remaining campaign and limit their spending to equal amounts by each candidate so the remaining states can cast their preferences.
Both campaigns will save tens of millions of dollars that could be better spent for the benefit of the November election.
That would reduce the need for major fundraising by either side that right now is Obama's advantage.
I understand that the campaign is in survival mode. But, living to breathe another day is going to cause a backlash as the media and the grass roots turns against Hillary in the next few weeks.