CNN reports that Obama "clinched" the nomination. They say he has "secured" enough delegates to win.
Both claims are false.
To "clinch" implies that it is not possible for someone else to win. To "secure" a delegate means that the delegate is yours, and can't be taken away.
You probably see the point here. Hillary can still win, if superdelegates choose to switch to her. Obama therefore has not secured enough delegates to win, and therefore has not clinched the nomination.
All I am saying is that we should be a bit more accurate in reporting what is actually happening. It's so easy to be accurate. Say he currently has enough delegates to win the nomination. Even call him the presumptive nominee. That's all fine.
But those don't sound as sensational as saying that he "clinched" the nomination or "secured" enough delegates to win.
Cross-posted on <pudge/*>.
Posted by pudge at June 03, 2008 06:51 PM | Email ThisWhat on earth makes you say this? When the military "secures" a target, or a base, or whatever, it does not mean that the target cannot be taken away, it means that it would take something extraordinary to lose it. If you have files that are "secure" it does not mean that they cannot be taken away, it means that to do so would require someone to break into your house, computer, or office, and steal them - a highly unlikely event. So when the media says Obama has "secured" enough delegates, that is really in line with standard use of the word secure; it would take something extraordinary and unexpected for Obama to lose those delegates. If you are going to parse words like this (a fairly pointless practice in and of itself, I'm not even sure why I am writing this comment - I really couldn't care less), at least make sure you do it right!
Posted by: Noble on June 3, 2008 10:25 PMFeel free to move out of your glass house before you start chucking rocks.
Posted by: Hinton on June 3, 2008 11:24 PMI did just read your post above and am pleasantly surprised you are willing to step out of the "all conservatives good, all liberal bad" chant and post some thoughtful analysis that transcends ideology. You did take excessive care to promise that you would criticize Obama in the future.
I have a degree in Political Science and one of my pet peeves it bad policy analysis based on blind ideological allegiance.
I do appreciate your point of view, even when I disagree with it. And I share your disdain for what passes as journalism these days.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on June 4, 2008 05:52 AMI think you might be projecting your own sour psycho-emotional profile onto my posts. I am almost always smiling as I type these comments.
If I find myself getting bitter about the posts on any blog, I simply quit reading it.
Life is too short, especially at my age.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on June 4, 2008 05:56 AMSupers can still float; the other delegates are committed if they can figure out how Texas votes get counted when they have both a vote and a caucus.
Posted by: swatter on June 4, 2008 07:32 AMYou are technically correct and it is the last remaining "hope" for Hillary. Technically speaking, neither is nominee until they have been voted the nominee at the convention. Practically speaking, for a undecided Super Delegate to come out now and support Obama, then later switch to Hillary at the convention is political suicide for them and the party. Given Dean, Pelosi, Reid and the WV Governor's statement to the Super Delegates that they all must declare by Friday, it can be assumed that the Party Leaders are finishing this race off. As much as Clinton and Obama may want to think it is their party, in essence, it is a split party and the party leaders will be the ones most responsible for bringing it back together. What will be the real test is whether Dean, Pelosi, and Reid can demonstrate real leadership this will or whether they will vacate to Hillary. Bill and Hillary want to still control the party. They don't want to go quietly off unto the sunset.
Posted by: tc on June 4, 2008 07:58 AMThe difference between McCain and Obama is that McCain has more than enough delegates who are REQUIRED to vote for him to win the nomination, and Obama is several hundred short. It is fair to say, therefore, that McCain has clinched the nomination, but not fair to say that Obama has.
And no, it is not political suicide for a super to switch: they would do so if they came to believe, for whatever reason, that Obama *cannot* win the general election. And in such a case, it would political suicide to NOT switch to Hillary.
Also, what Dean, Pelosi, Reid, etc. say to the supers doesn't matter. They have no authority there.
Posted by: pudge on June 4, 2008 08:07 AMThat is a serious question that needs to be considered in the run-up to the November election. The MSM wants to crown BHO and they will twist and spin the truth as much as it takes to put him in position to win. There will be occasional dirt that comes out on him, but it will not deter the mission of American Government Media complex.
Posted by: KS on June 5, 2008 07:34 PM