Reply #82: OK, but the difference in the relative delegate totals was not a problem

[Tom Rinaldo]

The difference in the number of delegates Kerry had won relative to Edwards was a far larger gap for Edwards to have to close, but that did not deter Edwards from trying anyway, and publicly stating that he could still win the nomination. The problem with focusing on a 60 or whatever delegate gap between Edwards and Clark is that that number was trivial compared to the amount of delegates any candidate needed in order to win the nomination. A good showing in New York or California alone could have more than wiped out that spread. The gap that really mattered was between Kerry and the rest of the field.