In making the increasingly improbable case for staying in the race and becoming the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton's campaign claims that Clinton leads Barack Obama in the popular vote.

She doesn't.

According to the widely cited popular vote tally on Real Clear Politics, Obama leads Clinton by more than 450,000 votes, 16.7 million to 16.2 million when rounded. Add caucuses in Iowa, Maine, Nevada and Washington, where official vote totals have not yet been released, and Obama leads by even more.

When you add the results in Florida--where neither candidate campaigned, though Clinton's allies ran get-out-the-vote operations and Clinton visited the night of the primary--Obama still leads Clinton by 164,000 votes. Only when you include Florida and Michigan, where Obama wasn't even on the ballot, does Clinton pull ahead.

But including Michigan is patently absurd. Does anyone really believe that Clinton should receive 328,000 votes from the state and Obama should receive none? Not even West Virginia was that bad of a landslide!

Moreover, the popular vote is no more than a symbolic statistic when it comes to choosing a nominee. The Clinton campaign knew full well when the race began that delegates determine the Democratic nominee. As Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said back in January, "this is a race for delegates." It was only when Obama starting racking up delegates at a faster pace than Clinton that the Clinton campaign started hyping the popular vote.

They've pursued a similarly surreal strategy with regards to Florida and Michigan. Lest you forget, the Democratic Party voted near unanimously to strip Florida and Michigan of their delegates last August when the two states moved up their primaries in violation of party rules. Clinton adviser Harold Ickes backed the decision on the Democratic Party's Rules Committee, as did other Clinton confidantes. Yet Obama gets the blame.

Arguments like these stoke divisions at the very time the party is trying to unify. Comparing Florida's sham primary to elections in Zimbabwe or the 2000 recount, as the Clinton campaign has done recently, feeds the myth that this election was rigged against Clinton. As Josh Marshall blogged: "What she's doing is not securing her the nomination. Rather, she's gunning up a lot of her supporters to believe that the nomination was stolen from her--a belief many won't soon abandon."

Maybe Clinton is just trying to gain enough leverage to force herself on the ticket when she exits the race in a week. If so, she's going about it in an increasingly bizarre and cynical way.

Comments (33)

1. Come on, FRANK....this'll draw you out, won't it?

   BTW, I love how the Hillary'ites think we're being "un-democratic" if we don't count Michigan's primary...

   a primary with a SOVIET-style ballot, with only Hillary's name on it!

   Posted by Mask at 05/29/2008 @ 1:06pm

2. "bizarre and cynical"

   That pretty much sums up most of the Inevitable's campaign since last year ... from the Clintons' impersonating the sociopaths Mr & Ms Soprano in a TV ad ... to Hillary's Empress Lady Bountiful Xmas ad ... to Bosnian sniper fire & hard working whites & assassination invocations ... it's quite a record. The historians of this campaign (Carl Bernstein?) are going to have a field day with the Clintons' performance. What a legacy.

   As for some polls matching HRC v. McCain 5 months from now ... 5 months ago, those same pollsters showed HRC as the inevitable nominee, hands down, slam dunk.

   Posted by sloper at 05/29/2008 @ 1:07pm

3. The Clinton supporters will pretend that Hillary did not agree to the rules that pertain to Michigan and Florida and will do their usual whine.

   Posted by i'm nobody at 05/29/2008 @ 1:13pm

4. If you would like a little recap of the clinton tactics....please check out this olbermann video. Although I am not a huge fan, he does a great job summarizing all of hillary's dirty deeds:

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Wduqr8yAk&feature=related

   Another is him summarizing her and her campaigns insane metrics and fuzzy math for popular vote and electabilitiy.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWSl6bEisUA

   Posted by moochnips at 05/29/2008 @ 1:20pm

5. Does anyone have a running tally of times Frank has promised/declared to never post again on these boards?

   Posted by davefoley0 at 05/29/2008 @ 2:45pm

6. would you guys hurry up??!?!?

   sheesh.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 05/29/2008 @ 2:46pm

7. 17,546,897

   Posted by frosty zoom at 05/29/2008 @ 2:46pm

8. that's the same number of times hillary has had a "slip of the tung (oil)."

   Posted by frosty zoom at 05/29/2008 @ 2:47pm

9. Posted by HAPPY3 at 05/29/2008

   And on another Hillary thread, HAPP will offer 'serious advice to or defense of' Hillary...out ot the kindness of his heart.

   Keep THIS (above) post in mind, when he does!

   BTW, despite the "division"....go to Polling Reports...

   Obama leads or ties McCain on average.

   Posted by Mask at 05/29/2008 @ 3:09pm

10. libzsuck. Hillary stole all the furniture from the White House when they left and were forced to return by Secret Service. Hillary Lied about Sniper fire and claimed she "misspoke" She will not admit she made a mistake voting for the war in Iraq and claims it was not a bill for war She lied about Canada's Nafta She lied about Colombia Free Trade Agreement She worked at Walmart and shipped jobs to China She and Bill had sessions with Reverent Wright after Bill's affair with Monica and invited Rev Wright for dinner. Hillary lied about pregnant women during campaign Hillary endorsed McCain instead of a democrat Hillary swears like a maniac yet can go on the podium and talk about what a great mother she was. She will destroy the party so that she can run again in 4 years. Both she and Bill did not fully support Kerry 4 years ago so that Hillary can run now. She signed not to allow MI and FL delegates when she was leading and now that she is behind she is wants them to count She is in debt 20 million and have not paid vendors in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and NC. She cannot manage her tiny little campaign and finances yet claims to be ready to run the biggest superpower on day one. Hillary's experience amounts to Barbara Bush's experience in the White House. Hillary tried and botched healthcare reform by taking money from healthcare companies. Hillary claims to know everything about economy and too prideful to listen to economist. (hint: look at her campaign finances) Bill Clinton injected race into the campaign in SC and blamed Obama for race issue. Hillary injection race (again!) after NC by segregating white and black with her comment on "white hardworking people" HIllary injection gender by claiming that the country needs a women.

    Posted by Debbiemcc at 05/29/2008 @ 3:59pm

11. Right on the money, Ari!

    Posted by Metteyya at 05/29/2008 @ 5:21pm

12. "WHAT IS Clintons position on the Columbia Free Trade Agreement?"

    Posted by LibsWarnedU at 05/29/2008

    That's gotta be a Jeopardy question.

    Posted by ACook at 05/29/2008 @ 5:43pm

13. Still trying to decide who infuriates me more: Clinton and her change-the-rules surrogates or her fairness- and morality-challenged supporters.

    Posted by opeluboy at 05/29/2008 @ 7:30pm

14. The Clinton campaign is crazy making behavior. Her supporters mirror, in almost a mocking way, all the legitimate criticism leveled against Senator Clinton's campaign onto the Obama campaign. They also mirror Obama's movement right down to stealing the organic chant that evolved from his supporters: "Yes We Can." The Clinton camp projects all of its transgressions onto Obama's camp. And despite the prolific criticism of Clinton's campaign, her supporters embrace the misleading information and fabricated criticism against Obama. The inaccuracies perpetuated on Clinton's website and through stump speeches fuel the anger and resentment of her supporters.

    The most disturbing aspect of Clinton's campaign is the dissemination of smear against Obama, a fellow Democrat and likely nominee. The swiftboating was expected from the Republican opposition not from a member of the same team. There are numerous pro-Hillary sites that emphasize distasteful false rumors and exploit racism to smear Obama. The participants on her official web site post links to Obama smears. Clinton's decision to use the classic Rovian tactic of personal destruction against a fellow Democrat is repulsive and hard to forgive. Even today, Clinton praised McCain at the expense of Obama. I have to wonder which team Clinton wants to win in November. If it is the Democrats, she has an odd way of expressing it.

    Posted by SandyFeet at 05/29/2008 @ 8:46pm

15. In other irrelevant news, Al Gore won the popular vote in the Presidential election of 2000. Anyone want to talk about Grover Cleveland in 1888, Rutherford Hayes in 1876, Andrew Jackson in 1824? Anyone want to talk about the 1924 Democratic National Convention or how "democratic" these conventions have been historically?

    Or, how about a larger question? Who says democratic elections are a good thing? I think there is a decent argument for having our Senators appointed by our state represenatives so we have better state represenation at the federal level. Remember, we are a republic. Despite everyone's best efforts to get confused on the terminology, if you don't vote for legislation, you don't live in a democracy - and no, referendums don't count because that's simply a way for people with the actual legislative authority to punt the issue.

    Posted by srjenkins at 05/29/2008 @ 9:02pm

16. For "libzsuck."

    CAN WE SAY BOB DOLE.

    Times do change, albeit rather slowly in America. But if you think McCain is up for this battle, you're deluding yourself. And if you're just a kool-aid drinking HRC supporter, get over it; no Clinton is returning to the White House anytime soon.

    Posted by jkl70 at 05/29/2008 @ 9:57pm

17. and no, referendums don't count because that's simply a way for people with the actual legislative authority to punt the issue.

    Posted by srjenkins

    i sure would have liked to have voted on afghanistan!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 05/29/2008 @ 10:20pm

18. That's gotta be a Jeopardy question.

    Posted by ACook

    on jeopardy, one is given answers....

    Posted by frosty zoom at 05/29/2008 @ 10:22pm

19. we've got an appointed senate.

    believe me, srj.

    you want no such thing.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 05/29/2008 @ 10:22pm

20. Americans have a very short attention span; it doesn't help when Big Media who favor McBush purposely inflame every potentially incendiary comment made by a candidate; HRC just has loose lips and her slip is showing....she cannot shut up and her selfishness will destroy the Democratic party...when McBush loses his temper, as he did when he told some kid who caught him lying and questioned him: now you're getting drafted, punk....it was really hilarious....I hope all the HRC supporters get drafted first....thanks clinton/bushes.....I hope people will wake up to reality eventually, but it won't be pretty, it might even make you cry like hillary....then when you stop crying, look at all the facts, who really promotes bipartisan change and who just promises the same thing to every different demographic, like mccain who admits he knows nothing about the economy while he pushes the red button or hrc whose idiotic mis-statements, insults, lies, mudslinging knows no bounds and would make dubya proud...please superdelegates at least make an intelligent decision as soon as possible so ignorant Americans can f it up all over again for a third time.....

    Posted by jrs112 at 05/29/2008 @ 10:26pm

21. Your Senate is a mere imitation of the British House of Lords. Unlike the House of Lords however, the Canadian Senate isn't toothless. Lifetime appointments that can block anything the House of Commons passes, I don't know how y'all accomplish anything.

    And Srj wants us to go back to the original method the American Senate was selected. Members were chosen originally by state legislature and the people of the state had little to no input as to who could become a Senator. I believe the Twelth Amendment changed that.

    Posted by yutsano at 05/29/2008 @ 10:30pm

22. Oh and I honestly don't know what the Hades Clinton's deal is now. Unless you accept her strange arguments, her justification for staying until the end is just baffling. And she of all people should know popular vote don't mean bupkess. Even in the general election it don't mean boo.

    Posted by yutsano at 05/29/2008 @ 10:33pm

23. and the people of the state had little to no input as to who could become a Senator.

    they still don't.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 05/29/2008 @ 10:33pm

24. Posted by frosty zoom at 05/29/2008

    I'm not sure democratic voting for war would be a good thing either. Remember, in March of 2003, 59% of Americans agreed with "Sending in large numbers of U.S. ground troops to ensure control of the country."

    http://www.pollingreport.com/iraq16.htm

    I'm not convinced either way. I do think there is something to be said for having state representation in Congress as a way to provide a better check on federalism that does not happen when Senators are directly elected.

    On the other hand, I also think more democracy and decentralized power is fundamentally good - which is the argument for having them directly elected. I'm torn - much as I'm torn by the need to reduce government, but I don't want to do it by selling off our national parks (not in the Constitution under a strict "constructionist" point of view, but still a good idea).

    Posted by srjenkins at 05/29/2008 @ 10:42pm

25. If Obama is to change the tenor of the politics, I hope he is letter better than his hateful supporters.

    Posted by kevin99999 at 05/30/2008 @ 12:42am

26. Posted by libzsuck at 05/29/2008 | ignore this person | warn this person

    Can you say "HEY I POSTED THIS SAME INANE DRIVEL SEVERAL TIMES EARLIER ON ANOTHER THREAD. HOW UTTERLY CLEVER"?

    Can you say "DITTOHEADS DON'T LIKE TO BE BOTHERED BY SIMPLE STUFF LIKE, SAY, OBJECTIVE REALITY"?

    Can you say "ANYONE WHO THINKS ANN COULTER IS GREAT PROBABLY NEEDS PSYCHIATRIC HELP (ALONG, OF COURSE, WITH ANN)"?

    What I can say is this - they've lowered the standards for military service, Libz, so they'll probably take even you. So why haven't you gone down, along with ol' Happy here, to your neighborhood recruiter, enlisted, and volunteered to fight your Leader's and your party's and your ideology's war and occupation?

    Can you say "TO BE A WARMONGER FROM THE SAFETY OF YOUR HOME, SPEWING NONSENSE FROM A KEYBOARD IS AN ACT OF SUPREME COWARDICE"? Can you get to that, Chickenhawk?

    Posted by jmusolino at 05/30/2008 @ 12:53am

27. Posted by srjenkins at 05/29/2008 | ignore this person | warn this person

    Actually, SRJ, the elections of 1876 and 2000 were stolen, in each case by the Republicans, with Florida at the center of the crime. In the former case, a commission of 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats awarded the election to Hayes (the Corrupt Bargain, which ended Reconstruction), and in 2000, in the most corrupt decision in the history of SCOTUS, the usurper Bush was installed in the White House. If those are irrelevant, then you have ceased being free, as you now live in a society in which self-determination no longer matters.

    Posted by jmusolino at 05/30/2008 @ 01:01am

28. *If Obama is to change the tenor of the politics, I hope he is letter better than his hateful supporters.

    Posted by kevin99999 at 05/30/2008*

    Please point out the specific vitriol you are referring to. And I'll counter with examples from Clinton supporters. Watch those stones glass house dweller.

    Posted by yutsano at 05/30/2008 @ 02:27am

29. Re: Obama ... Wow, Obama's parrot's style of management (or Dubya's me-too style). So what if he doesn't know about Iraq or Iran or your health care or your working income ... Dubya used to listen to God rather to his countrymen. Now obama wants to listen to his wife rather to to his country men. Disaster.

    ------------

    Obama considering trip to Iraq Sen. Obama may make trip to Iraq before November election

    Trip would not be to "score political points or perform," Obama says

    Sen. McCain, Republicans fault Obama for not visiting country since 2006

    Obama camp calls McCain's proposal for a joint trip to Iraq a "political stunt"

    Posted by HelenDAO at 05/30/2008 @ 02:31am

30. RE: Obama ...

    Wow that's why all Americans call McCain heroe, patriot, ... and Mr. Obama is only so insolent in chaleeging the heroe. I recall 8 years ago even Dubya's got to refer to McCain as good man. So, in the end, who is one Mr. Obama? God's envoy? Well far from that.

    --------

    Campaign Jousting Returns to Iraq War McCain, Obama Trade Attacks

    After a strong push from Sen. John McCain's allies, the war in Iraq has moved back to center stage in the presidential election, with McCain attacking Sen. Barack Obama for making up his mind about the war without visiting the war zone and Obama charging that McCain has yet to learn the lessons of President Bush's mistakes.

    Posted by HelenDAO at 05/30/2008 @ 02:56am

31. libzsuck, you don't really want a contest of most sleazy associations, do you? The list of sleazy Clinton associations would take down The Nation webserver.

    Posted by paranoid36 at 05/30/2008 @ 08:51am

32. I am sure many of you have heard the song, I have a crush on Obama.

    Well, here are some lyrics for a new (but not improved) version. I

    I Had a Brush with Obama (And I Lost)(sung to the tune, with slight variation, of "I Got a Crush on Obama)

    I was a Yale and Wellesley Girl Never knew about being poor But then I met Bill and became his whore Rose Law Firm but I wanted more An Attorney General's wife I was secure But I wanted even more The Governor's mansion was Arkansas lore But the paltry salary was a chore.

    So like Barack at Convention 2-Oh-4,. In 1988 Bill was given the Floor Alas my advice Bill did ignore His speech an abysmal bore And when he said "in conclusion" they all cheered Our political future kicked in the rear Foretelling what was in store That I'd have a Brush with Obama That I'd have a Brush with Obama

    And then the "Comeback Kid" Bill was defined Despite Jennifer Flowers and Paula Jones dropping a dime, Like Bush, I had a politically royal blood line Too bad Barack wouldn't bide his time So I had a brush with Obama So I had a brush with Obama And I lost, but I don't care I'm still with Bill, where the money is near Screw 2008, eight years later ain't too late, Even though I Iost a Brush with Obama

    I am opportunist at heart, With Billy I got an early start And so I learned to stick by my man Although my move to New York was a sham. And when I scared Rudy away Elected to the Senate, I was talk of the dayBut then, like the other political whores, I glimpsed presidential opportunity and said yes to war.

    I never read the National Intelligence Report War fervor, I thought there'd be no retort But unknown and a thousand miles away A lowly state senator was having his say

    Six years later the war is still on The people now realizing it was a con But the press already had me crowned A new President allegedly found

    But then out of the blue Barack did appear With a pledge to restore our integrity The invective I let fly the folks didn't buy Yes I lost my Brush with Obama. I lost my Brush with Obama.

    So I'll have to wait past 2008 Because Barack Obama was simply the best candidate And tho I tried in vain to retaliate There was no way in hell I could break the spell of Obama Girl's Sell, And I ultimately fell Yes, I had a Brush with Obama (And I lost)

    Posted by bobforer at 05/31/2008 @ 4:09pm

33. The Clintons are attempting to hold this party hostage and have their supporters blackmail the party by threatening to vote McBush.

    Let'em. The Republican Party deserves them.

    Hillary Clinton's claim to the popular vote is ludicrous. It can only be made by excluding the caucus votes, yet she thinks that is fine. What's next - including Republican primaries? The woman is a lunatic lead by more lunatics - Ickes and McAuliffe.

    The party would be a better one without these bastions of the old. It's time for change and that is what we will have.

    Yes, we can.

    Posted by D.Casey at 06/01/2008 @ 1:29pm