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Obama Claims Delegate Majority; Wins in Oregon

He returns to Iowa, says 'change is coming to America'

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 20, 2008 9:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama said tonight that his campaign had reached a pivotal milestone by clinching a majority of the pledged delegates at stake in the Democratic primary, CNN reports. Addressing a rally in Iowa—the state that put his campaign on a winning path—Obama declared that victory is "within reach." He spoke just before learning that he had defeated Hillary Clinton in the Oregon primary. With 72% of returns in, he led 58% to 42%.

"The skeptics predicted we wouldn't get very far," said Obama, who earlier in the night lost a lopsided primary to Clinton In Kentucky by 35 points. However, he picked up enough delegates there to give him 1,627, a majority of the 3,353 at stake, CNN notes. Only three contests remain.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrives for a rally in Des Monies, Iowa, Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with his wife michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia, second from left.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrives for a rally in Des Monies, Iowa, Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with his wife michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia, second from left.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Machaela Fishback, right, of Waterloo, Iowa applauds while a band plays as she waits to hear Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speak at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines.
Machaela Fishback, right, of Waterloo, Iowa applauds while a band plays as she waits to hear Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speak at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6,  join together on stage at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, join together on stage at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, join together on stage at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, join together on stage at a rally Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrives for a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with daughter Sasha, 6, left.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrives for a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with daughter Sasha, 6, left.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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