Obama's countdown to the nomination

By Naftali Bendavid

The bulletins from the Obama campaign are coming fast and furious now.

Throughout the day, the campaign has, seemingly with choreographed care, rolled out one superdelegate endorsement after another as the Illinois senator nears the magic number needed for the Democratic nomination. The pace has picked up in the last few hours, presumably to create a growing sense of tension and excitement as the day wears on into night.

When possible, the campaign cites the Associated Press or some other news organization, presumably to provide a sense of legitimacy. And the campaign has taken to noting how many delegates Obama has left before he can claim the nomination.

At 4:33 PM, a news bulletin from the campaign reported, "AP - Miss. Democrat vice chair commits to Obama as superdelegate (28 until the nomination)"
The bulletins from the Obama campaign are coming fast and furious now.

Throughout the day, the campaign has, seemingly with choreographed care, rolled out one superdelegate endorsement after another as the Illinois senator nears the magic number needed for the Democratic nomination. The pace has picked up in the last few hours, presumably to create a growing sense of tension and excitement as the day wears on into night.

When possible, the campaign cites the Associated Press or some other news organization, presumably to provide a sense of legitimacy. And the campaign has taken to noting how many delegates Obama has left before he can claim the nomination.

At 4:33 PM, a news bulletin from the campaign reported, "AP - Miss. Democrat vice chair commits to Obama as superdelegate (28 until the nomination)"

4:43 PM: "Michigan Superdelegate Endorses Obama"

4:54 PM: "Former Florida Senator and Governor Bob Graham Endorses Sen. Obama"

5:10 PM: "Obama Announces Support from Edwards Pledged Delegates (Gains 10 and is 18.5 Delegates Away from Nomination)"

5:17 PM: "California and DC Superdelegates Back Obama (16.5 from the nomination)"

5:33 PM: "FL Superdelegate Endorses Obama (16 delegates from the nomination)"

5:37 PM: "Rep. Waters, 3 DE Supedelegates Endorse Obama (12 delegates from the nomination)"

6:11 PM: "AP: Kansas superdelegate to endorse Obama (11 delegates from thenomination)"

It's like some sort of countdown to a space shuttle liftoff or some other momentous event. And that's the exact feel the Obama campaign seems to be going for, building anticipation until Obama goes over the top. It's clear Obama's speech in Minneapolis tonight, whether he formally declares victory or not (and here's betting he'll tread carefully to spare the sensibilities of Clinton and her supporters), will sound like a victory speech.