Obama Will Declare Victory on May 20

Tally based partly on private superdelegate commitments

(NEWSER) - The AP declared today that Barack Obama has “effectively clinched” the Democratic nomination, basing its projection in part on 15 private commitments from superdelegates. Adding to that a minimum 11 delegates Obama is poised to capture in the final two primaries today, the wire service concludes that the Chicagoan has tallied the required 2,118 delegates and “outlasted” Hillary Clinton. More»

Let primary process continue, he urges party faithful

(NEWSER) - Former President Bill Clinton told California Democrats to "chill out" and let the long, bruising battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination continue. "We are going to win this election if we just chill out and let everybody have their say," Clinton told the state Democratic convention in San Jose yesterday. He said it would strengthen the Democratic Party to allow the rest of the states to vote. More»

Batch of party elites could pick the next nominee

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton lost Wyoming yesterday, but today the Washington Post has some welcome news for the Democratic underdog: Many superdelegates say they’ll wait until the end of the primaries to chose a candidate. “You’re going to see a lot of delegates remaining uncommitted,” said one neutral Democratic congressman. “There’s a sense that this is going to Denver not resolved.” More»

Waters calm ahead of primaries

(NEWSER) - There’s an eerie calm over the Democratic battlefield ahead of tonight’s primaries in Oregon and Kentucky, as the candidates have reached a tentative détente. Clinton doesn’t want to be seen as hurting Obama’s chances in November, so she’s softened her tone considerably. But it’s a fragile peace that will be tested tonight, when Obama is expected to celebrate his pledged delegate majority in Iowa. More»

Disparity in views of Obama from state to state vary wildly

(NEWSER) - On the eve of Democratic primaries in Oregon and Kentucky, polls show some movement in support for the candidates, the Boston Globe reports:

• Barack Obama once held a double-digit lead in Oregon, but two surveys today put him up only 4 points (45%-41%) and 5 points (50%-45%).