With 70 delegates of the 2,026 needed to win, Obama sees himself as the nominee and suggested it in his speech today during the rally in Tampa, Florida. He stated that now was the time to start striking at McCain. Obama made a subtle overture to Clinton, to unite the party, by praising her for an outstanding campaign that deserves our admiration and respect because she set the standard.

However, Clinton is far from ready to concede at this time. We believe the popular vote is the truest expression of your will [the people], she said in Boca Raton, Fla., drawing comparisons between the recognition of Florida votes with the states disputed 2000 presidential vote that favored George W. Bush in the end. The lesson of 2000 here in Florida is crystal clear. If any votes aren’t counted, the will of the people isn’t realized and our democracy is diminished, she added.

OBAMA, A GENERAL ELECTION CONTENDER.
By Bonney Kapp (FOXNews / A.P. 3/21/08)
Abstract By Johana Nadler

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With a resounding win last night in Kentucky, Clinton has proven that tenacity and perseverance do pay off. Counting on Florida and Michigan?s votes, she flew to meet with Florida voters before the scheduled, May 31st, DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting that will decide the fate of those two states votes.

One stipulation is to count half of these votes and distribute them as per the January?s Florida and Michigan primaries. Clinton won 50-33 over Obama in Florida and 55-40 (uncommitted) in Michigan. The other is to count the superdelegates as whole votes.

However, it might not enough to win Clinton the nomination, even if she wins the next primaries in Puerto Rico, South Dakota and Montana.

CLINTON?S LAST HOPE: FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN VOTES
By FOXNews.com (5/21/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler

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With Clinton winning Kentucky 65-30% and Obama winning Oregon 60 to 40%, the results are self explanatory yet not enough to propel Clinton as the Democratic front runner. Obama subtlety assumes the role of the Democratic nominee by gearing his campaign on attacking McCain and stating the differences between the Republican agenda and his. Obama has focused his strategy to win white working-class voters, independents, Hispanics, Catholics and Jews. Obama’s goal is to have voters in November see McCain as offering a third Bush term. His campaign aides are launching propaganda against McCain’s image of a maverick by emphasizing alleged similarities with Bush, especially McCain voting for the war in Iraq. On Obama?s benefit may be McCain?s age, who turns 72 in August, and is the oldest man to enter a first term presidency. However, Obama needs to finalize Clinton’s exit and remedy his problem with the Jewish community but especially placate some voters on his rather soft stance of talking with leaders of Iran and Syria.

OBAMA AND CLINTON SIMILAR BUT REVERSED RESULTS
By Tom Raum (A.P.in AJC 5/21/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler