I'm getting annoyed by the line, "The math supports Obama"

[tridim]

Because in actuality it's the majority of DEMOCRATIC VOTERS that support Obama. "The math" is just a symbolic representation of that support, the MSM is using the phrase to diminish Obama's real support.

To (mis)quote the Elephant Man, "I'm not a number, I'm a human being!"

[rucky]

1. But if math can be annoying... well, isn't that a human-like quality?

Maths are people, too.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Both Are True

The Voters have demonstrated what has happened in the past, and in present polling. The Math is a look forward to see the possibility/likelihood that, in the event that The Voters change their minds, Clinton can't win.

At this point, The Voters and The Math both support Obama.

(Hey, I'm an engineer - I have to defend math! :hi:)

[tridim]

8. Right, but lately the MSM has only been talking about the math.

Everyone who is paying attention already knows that the math is solid and the Dem nomination is essentially over. If the media were honest they'd be talking about Obama's massive support all across the country relative to his presumptive opponent, John McCain.

I guess I believe the MSM needs to move past the math and get on with the general election.

[onehandle]

3. The math supported Bush in 2000.

Not the voters, though.

You're right, the whole math thing is getting old.

Obama is ahead. No shit, Sherlocks.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

4. Unless you are a registered Democrat in Florida, of course.

Then you are a symbolic representation of your state's parties primary election committee. And you will be annihilated.

[SoonerPride]

5. Or actually, you could quote The Prisoner.

over the opening of each episode - Number 2 played by various actors]
Number 6: Where am I?
Number 2: In the Village.
Number 6: What do you want?
Number 2: We want information.
Number 6: Whose side are you on?
Number 2: That would be telling. We want information... information... information.
Number 6: You won't get it.
Number 2: By hook or by crook, we will.
Number 6: Who are you?
Number 2: The new Number 2.
Number 6: Who is Number 1?
Number 2: You are Number 6.
Number 6: I am not a number, I am a free man.

[BlooInBloo]

6. Thanks Captain Obvious. It's just shorthand.

[hendo]

7. the math

refers to probability. It is highly probable that Obama will win, hip hip hooray!

[Seabiscuit]

9. It's annoying, all right. Obamannoying. But not for the reasons you cited.

It is NEVER used by the MSM right-wing bobbleheads to "diminish" Obama's "real support". It is ALWAYS used in conjunction with every dismissive phrase imaginable to dump on Hillary and count her out prematurely. Last night they couldn't get enough of the phrase "THE MATH" to counter every bit of Hillary positive information coming out of West Virginia, as in: "Hillary Clinton is ahead of Barack Obama in every demographic in West Virginia, including Obama's core demographics, but lest we forget, the only thing of any importance is that "THE MATH" says it doesn't matter by now because she CAN'T WIN."

"THE MATH" is a phrase used every day by Obamanoids (noun form of Obamannoying) on DU to take a dump on Hillary and her supporters here. They take their cue directly from assholes like Wolfie, Tweety, and Potato Head. That says all you need to know about Obamanoids.

And "THE MATH" is pure speculative bullshit which has absolutely nothing to do with how the democratic party's electoral system really works.

[Bill McBlueState]

12. just because it's speculative doesn't mean it's bullshit

And "THE MATH" is pure speculative bullshit which has absolutely nothing to do with how the democratic party's electoral system really works.

I suspect you're referring to the superdelegates.

Properly done, "the math" acknowledges the role of superdelegates in selecting the nominee. It leads us to a conclusion that basically looks like this, although my numbers are guesses:

After all the primaries and caucuses are over, Obama will need at least 30% of the superdelegates to win the nomination. Clinton will need at least 70% of the superdelegates to win the nomination.

If you disagree with that conclusion, you need to outline what will happen in the remaining five primaries, Florida, and Michigan to change it. If you agree with that conclusion, the next step might be to conclude that Obama's getting 30+% of the superdelegates is way more likely than Clinton's getting 70+%.

[Seabiscuit]

13. Yes, because it's purely speculative, it is bullshit.

And it's bullshit because it completely disregards the rules of the Democratic Party with respect to how primaries are held and how Conventions are conducted.

And you know it.

Neither candidate can or will win the nomination based on "pledged" delegate counts and you know it.

Having a majority of "pledged" delegates (without reaching 2025) is meaningless, beyond just being one of many factors superdelegates may consider in making up their minds.

And no "pledged" delegate or superdelegate is legally bound to any candidate. They are free to make up or change their minds right up to the final vote at the Convention.

You can toss around all your speculative numbers until the cows come home. They're utterly meaningless. The only thing that means anything at this point is which candidate can convince enough superdelegates that they'll be the better candidate and the better President. It has virtually nothing to do with numbers.

[muryan]

14. you're under the assumption that Obama won't reach 2025

before the nomination. Under that premise, I would say you are mistaken.

[Bill McBlueState]

15. pretty much what I said

Anything *can* happen, but we can make reasonable guesses about what *will* happen.

We could get hit by a comet next week.

[Bill McBlueState]

10. I don't like the phrase either BUT

It's also nebulous to talk about what the majority of Democratic voters want. Since each state uses a different process to select delegates, and since the contests are spread over several months, you have to make a few assumptions if you want to compute the total popular vote.

On the other hand, "the math" makes it sound like there's some kind of esoteric calculation going on that hardly anyone understands.

I don't have a catchy phrase for it, but the reality is that the Democratic party has a process to select the nominee. The process is almost over, and barring a massive defection of superdelegates, Obama is virtually guaranteed to come out on top.

[barack the house]

11. I dunno mathpopularity I'll take it we are winning. Just listen to Randi rhodes novamradio.com