Given this, I think a different "magic number" for the nomination should be used: 1,600. That number is 50% + 1 of the delegates that will be determined by primaries and caucuses across the nation and overseas. As soon as a candidate receives 1,600 pledged delegates from states other than Florida and Michigan, then that candidate should be declared the nominee. At that point, s/he should be given the right to seat the Florida and Michigan delegation she or he wishes, and the Super Delegates should fall in behind him or her, as well.
1,600 seems like a good benchmark to be used, not to mention a nice round number. Right now, the count stands at Obama 63, Clinton 48, Edwards 26. On Super Tuesday, 1,688 pledged delegates will be up for grabs. After Super Tuesday, there will be another 1,145 pledged delegates. So, the question is, how close does Obama have to be after Super Tuesday in order to keep going? Certainly, if Obama is ahead on his own, or if Edwards and Obama combined are ahead of Clinton. Other than that, with only 1,374 pledged delegates left, I think a gap of 100 would be manageable, but a gap of 200 or more would not be. Given the current polling situation on Super Tuesday, that is going to be a tall order for Obama, but certainly tonight should give his supporters hope.
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