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Clinton Did Not Cross the Threshold in PA

With 99% of the vote counted in Pennsylvania, the NY Times is showing a Clinton lead of 9.4%.  With only 7 counties not reporting 100%, and all but one of those already at 98 or 99%, it's looking like Obama will pick up an additional net 2,000 votes when all the ballots are counted.  Adding that to the totals at 99%, Clinton will garner 54.6% to Obama's 45.4%, a 9.2% spread in favor Clinton.

Is it picking nits to look at the slight percentage difference above or below 9.5% that could round up to a 10% spread?  No, there is a clear psychological threshold at the 10% margin.  Clinton cannot claim a double-digit victory.  And Obama can point to the long-stated expectation by his campaign that getting within 10 points of Clinton in PA would be considered a victory, given the demographics of the state.

We can certainly concede that Clinton won Pennsylvania.  But we should not concede that she triumphed, or that she scored a significant victory.  Her net delegate pickup will make no significant difference in the race, leaving Obama in commanding lead in the delegate count.  And her pick-up of 200,000 popular votes will not bring her anywhere near as close as she needs to come to claim a popular vote mandate.

Congratulations Senator Clinton, on your less than convincing victory.


Comments (6)

avatar

Exactly. Well, I bet Clinton supporters can't be bothered with decimals. 'Coz middle school is only for the elitists.

Well, I bet Clinton supporters can't be bothered with decimals. 'Coz middle school is only for the elitists.

Condescending remarks are change we can believe in!

avatar

Yes, Customer0012, condescending remarks are change that Hillary Clinton can xerox. But she doe not have to, because she already owns the original - her "change" is "more of the same".

Only a day or two ago, the crowing was about a 15 point victory, so even 10 was nothing to crow about.

Now it might be 9 points. She still can't catch him in pledged delegates.

avatar

Actually, based on the more recent numbers, the spread is going to be something like 8.4%. (The current numbers show 8.4% -- the few areas remaining out are all expected to favor Obama). Not even *close* to 10.

Why can't Clinton "close the deal?" :-)

Thanks for this info.

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