Hillary Clinton’s campaign, seemingly out of positive favor with the media, hit back strongly on Friday by touting a convincing early lead in not only the polling figures but also in superdelegate commitments.
The Democratic presidential candidate is showcasing her strong case for the presidency based on her close connection to a number of superdelegates in the race for the Democratic presidential ticket.
But how do these numbers total and will she maintain their support when Vice President Joe Biden throws his hat into the ring?
In Minneapolis on Friday, at the Democratic National Committee meeting, Clinton staff claimed the Democratic frontrunner had already secured the commitments of over one-fifth of the required pledges needed to clinch the Democratic Party’s ticket. The pledges, Clinton’s staff alleged, came from former party officials, current officials, former dignitaries and committee office holders.
The numbers fronted by Hillary’s campaign team told a story of 130 delegates currently backing the former Secretary of State.
In addition, they claimed the figure was actually higher, up to 440, taking into account private commitments from state party officials not keen on coming in the open.
How many delegates would a democrat require to clinch the ticket? Estimates have pegged the number of delegates attending next year’s nomination convention at about 4,491. Should this be so, a candidate would require just over 2,245 for the win. The number of superdelegates has been put to 713. If so, Clinton’s claim to 440 delegates would place her at a commanding 60 per cent likelihood to clinch the ticket hands down
This time round, Clinton has turned her attention on delegates like never before.
In the meeting on Friday, she said her focus was as a “result of the lessons that I learned the last time – how important it is to be as well-organized and focused from the very beginning on delegates and those who are superdelegates.”
In 2008, Clinton enjoyed an early lead over then Senator Barack Obama. However, her grip on the delegates was shaky and when Obama got his foot in the delegate door, he charged full throttle, easily clinching the coveted ticket.
Clinton said, “This is really about how you put the numbers together to secure the nomination. As some of you might recall, in 2008 I got a lot of votes but I didn’t get enough delegates. And so I think it’s understandable that my focus is going to be on delegates as well as votes this time.”
This year, Clinton is miles ahead of where she was at a similar period in 2008. However, superdelegates have the leeway to change their commitments any time before next summer’s convention. Should Vice President Joe Biden choose to go for the top seat, it would certainly place her at unfamiliar territory, having in mind she is still struggling to clear her name from her private email scandal.
This year, Clinton is not taking any chances with her election The Democratic frontrunner is filling all her gaps and asserting her dominance in the quest for America’s top job. Should her superdelegates stick with her to the every end, the former first lady will have the White House in her sights one more time, only this time, as the main resident.
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