From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
Here are some quick hits about Bill Clinton's courting of rural voters:

1. Stunning stat of the week: By tomorrow, he will have done almost
100 events in Indiana and North Carolina combined. (At least 52 in NC, not counting tomorrow's stops at polling places, and more than 40 in Indiana.)

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VIDEO: NBC's Carrie Dann talks with MSNBC's Tamron Hall about former President Bill Clinton new niche — an exhausting schedule campaigning for his wife in small towns throughout America.

2. Most events ever: Today's nine-event marathon is his longest ever, but doing six or seven events in a day is typical for the former president. Almost always, these towns have populations of less than 40,000, and events are frequently held on front porches (yes, you read that right -- porches), as well as in high school auditoriums, train depots and town squares. People line the streets waiting for him, and often camp out in lawn chairs at the daytime outdoor events. At some events in NC, a smoking BBQ pig is ripe for the pickin' and bluegrass bands entertain the crowds. (Read more on Bill Clinton as Small Town Ambassador.)

3. Texas, part two? It's important to note that this primary sprint is not the first one that's seen Clinton work this hard. He did a comparable number of stops in Texas and PA, and quite a few in OH. To get really in the weeds, NC looks a lot like Texas, part two because the whole Clinton field team from TX, led by operative Ace Smith, is in the Tar Heel State now. 

4. Best of Bill: Here are some of the best bites from Bill courting rural voters:
LENOIR, N.C. -- "All the people that aren't for Hillary, who think that, you know, we're a little too connected to folks like you, they have made merciless, unmerciful fun of me about this. 'Bill Clinton's out there in the country, exiled to the country.' I grew up in the country. I know where I am and I wanna be right here."

NEW BERN, N.C. -- "I love that sign. And if North Carolina wants Hillary, and you elect her, she'll be the nominee and the next president of United States. That's up to you. She would not be here today but for rural America. In Missouri, 109 of the 114 counties voted for her. In Arkansas, 72 of 75 counties. In Texas, 230 of 254 counties. A sweep in the  rural areas of Ohio. The people in small towns in rural America, who do the work for America, and represent the backbone and the values of this country, they are the people that are carrying her through in this nomination."

WHITEVILLE, N.C. -- "Just remember this, she got this far because of people like you. And if you show up and you vote for her, in big enough percentages and big enough numbers she'll go right on. …She's gonna end this thing roaring. And what are they gonna say if she wins the popular vote? 'I'm sorry we are gonna give it to the caucus states that are going Republican in November?.' No. So all these people tell you she can't win and that are rushin' to get all the people to declare for it, to send it off, to cut you off, and stomp your voice, don't you believe them. You are still in the driver seat. "

For some context on just how small these towns are, here are population breakdowns, according to 2006 U.S. Census estimates:

Elizabeth City, 19,056
New Bern, 27,650
Jacksonville, 69,688
Smithfield, 12,271
Louisburg, 3,726
Zebulon, 4,329
Henderson, 16,204
Roxboro, 8,732

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Hillary Clinton wants to know, "What's happened to Barack Obama?" A day out from the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, here's her latest attack on Obama/defense of her gas tax holiday proposal:

[YouTube:eF48jPeZDsQ]

Here's the script for "What's Happened?"
ANNCR: What has happened to Barack Obama?
WOMAN: Right now we are living paycheck to paycheck.
ANNCR: He is attacking Hillary's plan to give you a break on gas prices because he doesn't have one.
MAN: The price of gas going up.
WOMAN: It's hard to fill up the tank.
ANNCR: Hillary wants the oil companies to pay for the gas tax this summer – so you don't have to. Barack Obama want you to keep paying: $8 billion in all. Hillary is the one who gets it.
MAN: Hillary Clinton is the candidate who is going fight for working people.
CLINTON: I am Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

From NBC's Mark Murray
Earlier today, we clipped this Wall Street Journal piece, which asserted that "Obama won the endorsement of the Teamsters earlier this year after privately telling the union he supported ending the strict federal oversight imposed to root out corruption." We even asked this question: Quid pro quo?

However, Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor tells First Read that Obama told the Teamsters his position on ending the government's oversight of the union back in the summer of 2007 -- but the Teamsters didn't endorse Obama until February 20.
 
Vietor also passes along a 2004 clip from Crain's Chicago Business, which suggests that Obama favored lifting the government's oversight of the Teamsters back then.

Finally, per Politico's Ben Smith, it seems Clinton also believes that the oversight has run its course. Here's what she said in March: "I am of the opinion that based on what I've seen over years of observation, this union has really done a tremendous job in turning itself around. That's my observation. At some point the past has to be opened. If you screw up in the future, that'll be a new day, right? That's the way the system works. But you gotta -- you can't go around dragging the ball and chain of the past. And I think that's true for anybody, any organization, any individual, you know, and so I would be very open to looking at that and to saying, what is it we're trying to accomplish here? And seeing what the answers were because at some point turn the page and go on."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
GREENVILLE, NC -- Clinton, facing a mountain of criticism over her gas-tax plan, offered a new twist to the argument she's been making to voters in past weeks, saying that Washington has been ignoring their calls for relief.

"I don't think folks in Washington listen enough, because if we listened we would hear this incredible cry, 'Please, just pay attention to what's going on in our lives,'" she said this morning. "You know, I don't think they do."

She again outlined the benefits of her gas-tax plan, ignoring critics who have challenged whether it will have any impact.

"What I want to do is provide some immediate relief. I want the oil companies to pay the gas tax this summer out of their record profits, because they need to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem," she said. "Sen. Obama doesn't want to do anything."

Clinton also repeated her call for revising the tax code so that it "starts working for hard-working Americans," a point she often makes. But this time she made included to her own family's wealth in the process.

"We're gonna get rid of all the benefits that go to all the wealthiest of our fellow citizens," she told the audience of a few hundred at Pitt Community College. "You know, bless'em, they've been successful. My husband has been more successful than any of us could have dreamed. But we like to pay our fair share to support the federal government."

Clinton began the stretch run of the primary campaign in the Tarheel State, where the campaign feels it's made up significant ground in recent weeks. On a conference call held shortly after the event, pollster Geoff Garin cited internal polls that had her behind nearly 20 points, but said since then they are "moving in the right direction."

From NBC's Robert Windrem
Hillary Clinton has pledged to "obliterate" Iran if it strikes Israel with nuclear weapons (it doesn't yet have). Iran has protested the Democratic presidential candidate's fiery rhetoric as a violation of the UN Charter and asked for Security Council action. Sen. Barack Obama has condemned Senator Clinton's statement.

All the sturm and drang misses one critical point.

Israel does not need the US to counter attack. Israel has the world's sixth largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, behind only the US, Russia, China, the UK and (maybe) France. It can handle ANY Iranian threat on its own, thank you very much.

The U.S. estimates Israel has about 200 nuclear weapons made up of five different classes of weapons. Israel assembled its first two bombs on the night of Nov. 2, 1966. In the Six-Day War, it had two weapons on alert; by the Yom Kippur War in 1973, 20 were on alert; by the Gulf War, the number had reached more than 200.

There are thermonuclear missile warheads on missiles with intercontinental (Jericho II) and intermediate (Jericho I) range, nuclear landmines, artillery shells and neutron bombs to stop assaults across their vulnerable borders, aerial bombs attached to American-made F-15's dispersed and on alert. It has a nuclear target base of nearly 100 targets, which, like the US base, is continually updated and which, like the US, can be updated in near real time. And it has an entire wing of its Air Force, the secret 2nd Wing, to manage it all.

More importantly, Israel has a second strike capability, that is, a capability of striking any enemy even if that enemy has already destroyed Tel Aviv. A single nuclear weapon might able to take out most of the Israeli population, which lives around Tel Aviv, but Israel has enough capability to deliver a society-smashing blow on Iran within hours. Iran would be triumphant, and then incapable of functioning as a society, in very short order.

And there isn't a strategic thinker in the Middle East who doesn't know that, as should Senator Clinton.

The Israelis use a "triad" much like the US, with bombers, land-based and submarine-based missiles, all controlled through a multi-node command and control system. NO enemy can be sure that it can take out Israel's nuclear capability even with the most devastating attack.

Key to that strategy is its nuclear-armed submarines. Israelis bought two Dolphin submarines from Germany in the 1990s (half paid for with U.S. funds) and modified them to carry nuclear-armed cruise missiles with ranges capable of striking any nation that could do it harm. The cruise missiles fit neatly into the subs' torpedo tubes. They guarantee Israel a second strike capability in the unlikely event that its planes and missiles were knocked out in a first strike.

This is a sophisticated command and control system. Blue-green, sea-piercing lasers, developed, in part, at a U.S. weapons lab, can be used to communicate with the subs in so-called "bell ringer" operations. In situations in which war was imminent or had actually started, deployable rockets carrying the lasers would be fired to send the submarines a signal to come to periscope depth for further orders. Blue-green lasers, of the type Israel was known to be developing in the 1980s, can penetrate to 3,000 feet over a range of 6,200-square miles.

Israel and Iran have been involved in a war of words for years (after secretly sharing U.S. technology during the Shah's days). Is there really a need for a presidential candidate to join in?

Robert Windrem, NBC News Investigative Producer, Special Projects, is co-author of "Critical Mass: the Dangerous Race for Superweapons in a Fragmenting World," Simon & Schuster, New York, 1994, which featured discussions of Israel's nuclear capability.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** The Math Game: Both candidates seemed very exhausted during their morning show appearances on TODAY and Morning Joe. And that probably isn't surprising -- tomorrow is the last BIG primary day. Despite the fact that another month of contests is still on the docket, nearly half of all remaining delegates will get handed out tomorrow. And the math will be a lot more crystal clear after tomorrow, both in delegates and the popular vote. Following Guam, there are now 404 pledged delegates up grabs, and 187 of them will be decided on Tuesday. Plus, per our count, there are 268 undeclared superdelegates. Here are the basics of what each candidate needs: Assuming he wins half of the delegates tomorrow (93), Obama needs just 38% of ALL remaining delegates to get to the magic number of 2,025. If Clinton wins 94 delegates on Tuesday, she will need 66% of all remaining delegates. In addition, assuming that delegate split tomorrow, then Clinton will need 85% of all remaining PLEDGED delegates to catch Obama for the lead in that category. Moreover, if Clinton simply wanted to cut Obama's pledged delegate lead to 100, she'd need to win 62% of all remaining delegates after tomorrow. As we've noted before, the math is certainly difficult for Clinton.

*** Enough baggage to fill a plane: There's also plenty baggage going into tomorrow… Clinton can't name a single economist to back up her gas-tax plan. While it's easy to dismiss the idea that economists are heartless folks, isn't one of the chief criticisms of Bush is that he doesn't listen to experts? Also, Clinton defended her "obliterate" Iran comment on Sunday, but refused to reuse the word (doesn't that suggest she DOES regret the choice of words?) Meanwhile, Obama may have to explain at some point his quid pro quo with the Teamsters; how does one who is promising a new transparency in politics promise something that the general public has to find out about via reporters asking tough questions? And then there's Wright, Wright, Wright. When Obama can get through a TV interview without the name Rev. Wright coming up, that's when he'll know he's out of the woods. So far, he's not out of the woods.

*** Poll watch: A new USA Today/Gallup poll out today is disastrous for Obama. He now trails Clinton by seven points and trails her by five on the question of who would be the more electable nominee. A Clinton sweep, and the CW on Obama could absolutely reverse course over night. Then again, an Obama win in just one of the two states and he probably stops the national poll slide. Meanwhile, the latest New York Times/CBS poll has better numbers for Obama: He has a 12-point lead over Clinton; a strong majority approves of the way in which he handled the Wright controversy; and both he and Clinton sport double-digit leads over McCain in hypothetical general election match-ups. 

*** Bill's excellent adventure: If there was ever a day to do a day-on-the-trail story about Bill Clinton, today's the day As we mentioned last week, Bill Clinton makes a whopping nine stops in North Carolina today, most of them in rural parts of the state. The stops? Elizabeth City, New Bern, Jacksonville, Smithfield, Zebulon, Louisburg, Henderson, Roxboro, and Raleigh. As the Washington Post puts it, "After a series of awkward moments and costly missteps while campaigning for his wife, Clinton has finally discovered a role that suits him. He's become the campaign's self-proclaimed 'ambassador to small-town America,' traveling to places where the mere arrival of his motorcade signals a significant moment in local history, where his charm and affability carry substantial weight among voters." 

*** The weekend in delegates: Obama picked up four superdelegates over the weekend, to Clinton's net of zero. Obama got the backing of New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colon and three add-on superdelegates -- former Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening, former South Carolina Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum and Guam add-on Jamie Paulino (after Obama won the Pacific island territory by seven votes). Paulino beat out Clinton backer Cecilia Mafnas, who was previously the vice chair and counted into our superdelegate count. Evening things out, Clinton picked up the other Maryland add-on: former Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Obama is also expected to pick up the three Illinois add-on superdelegates today around 2:00 pm after the Illinois Democratic Party's committee meets to officially name the trio. (Note: The Obama campaign announced Kalyn Free of Oklahoma as another super, but we'd already had her on the list as an Obama supporter.) The Delegate Counts: SUPERDELEGATES: Clinton 273-254; PLEDGED: Obama 1,492-1,338; OVERALL: Obama 1,746-1,611. There are 268 undeclared superdelegates. Since the Pennsylvania primary: It's Obama +17, Clinton +11; Since Super Tuesday, Feb. 5: It's Obama +84, Clinton +13; Since Junior Super Tuesday, March 4: It's Obama +41, Clinton +20.

*** Dems win another GOP seat: The questions about the GOP brand and the problems rank-and-file Republican congressional candidates are feeling will continue to linger after the party lost yet another special election Saturday -- this one in Louisiana, where Don Cazayoux (D) beat Woody Jenkins 49%-46 (R) to replace Richard Baker (R). The GOP will be hitting the panic button furiously if the Dems win another upcoming special congressional election in Mississippi district that's 60%-plus GOP.

*** McCain in the Tar Heel state: McCain, who probably is getting tired of getting the also-ran type of coverage these days, heads to North Carolina, where he's likely to grab some of the media coattails from the Clinton-Obama race.

*** On the trail: Elsewhere, Clinton begins her day in North Carolina (in Greenville) and then travels to Indiana (hitting Merrillville, New Albany, and Evansville); Obama begins his day in Evansville, IN, then goes to North Carolina (for a discussion with workers in Durham) and then returns to Indiana (for a rally in Indianapolis; and Michelle Obama -- like Bill Clinton -- is in North Carolina.
 
Countdown to North Carolina, Indiana: 1 day
Countdown to West Virginia: 8 days
Countdown to Kentucky and Oregon: 15 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 183 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 260 days
 
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NORTH CAROLINA: A CNN poll released over the weekend had Obama leading Clinton by eight points in North Carolina, 50%-42%.

INDIANA: A new Suffolk University poll (conducted May 3-4, MOE +/- 4%) has Clinton leading Obama in the Hoosier State, 49%-43%. "Despite Clinton's lead," the release says, "Obama was seen as more popular (58% favorable -- 29% unfavorable) than Clinton (53% favorable -- 36% unfavorable). In addition, slightly more voters said that Obama (35%) would be the next president, compared to 28% for Clinton and 25 percent for McCain. 

What will be the unintended consequence of so many Indiana Republicans crossing over and voting in the Dem primary? Could it spell problems for incumbent GOP candidates because the electorate will be so conservative?

Per TPM, Clinton dropped attack mailer in Indiana against Obama on guns. "Where does Barack Obama stand on guns?" it asks. "Depends on who he's talking to." And it also says, "And just this month, Barack Obama accused people in rural places and small towns of being 'bitter' people who 'cling to guns.'"

But Politico's Ben Smith notes the mailer contains a gaffe. "Hillary Clinton's mailing attacking Sen. Barack Obama's record on guns appears to include a striking visual gaffe: The image of the gun pictured on the face of the mailing is reversed, making it a nonexistent left-handed model of the Mauser 66 rifle. To make matters worse, a prominent gun dealer said, it's an expensive German gun with customized features that make it clearly European." 

The Boston Globe looks at the Catholic vote. "The gathering of Catholics for Obama near Notre Dame last week reinforced a perception that if Obama has a weakness among Catholics, it is with those who fit into other demographic subdivisions: women and older, less educated and lower-income voters, groups that Clinton has attracted. Conversely, the group that met in South Bend represented Obama's demographic strengths among the more educated, affluent, and, except for a small group of Notre Dame faculty members who attended, younger voters."

In her speech last night at the Indiana Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Clinton laid claim to the "Hoosier spirit," NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli reports. "If there's one thing you know about me, I am no shrinking violet," she said. "I may stumble, I may get knocked down but I will always get right, and I will never quit until the job is finished… That's the Hoosier spirit."
 
Clinton announced that her family has combined for 100 stops in the state, saying she has found that in her travels she has seen that "Hoosiers are the kind of hard-working people who keep this country going and growing." "And it is time that you had a president who knows that middle-class Americans are the backbone of this economy and the guarantor of the American dream," she said. "You deserve a president who will work with you to make Indiana an engine of prosperity. So with the Indy 500 right around the corner, let me ask you, Indiana Democrats: Are you ready to start your engines and get America going again?"

Obama's speech, meanwhile, focused on economic issues and on unifying people across racial, regional, and party lines, NBC/NJ's Athena Jones notes. "We have always been at our best -- our party, the Democratic Party -- when we summon the entire nation to lead not by polls but by principles, not by calculation but by conviction," he said. "When we say to the entire nation, we are calling you to a higher purpose, a common purpose. That's the party that America needs us to be right now and that's the choice that confronts the voters in Indiana and North Carolina on Tuesday."

Obama briefly on the major issues from his platform, from health care and clean energy to education and ending the war in Iraq. He was introduced by former Rep. Lee Hamilton (D), who called him "the candidate who can reshape the contours of American politics and bring us together again."

Per NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan, Howard Dean also addressed the dinner. "We are going to win the presidency. The truth is that the only thing that's going to stop us from winning the presidency is ourselves. We need to support whichever candidate wins the nomination," he told the crowd. "This is a tough race there are candidates who are deeply committed to the candidates that you came here for and to see and deeply committed are working so hard, from other states, state after state, giving the most money they can afford to give, working leaving their families behind," Dean said, acknowledging the massive effort that both candidates campaigns and supporters have put into winning the race."

In a New York Times op-ed, election analyst Rhodes Cook looks at how Clinton could catch Obama in the popular vote without counting FL and MI (and also not counting some of the caucus states). It's not easy but it means running up some HUGE margins in West Virginia and Kentucky, as well as pulling an upset in North Carolina.

Take a look at the list of undeclared superdelegates in California. The list is long, despite the fact Clinton won the state handily. "Clinton, stung last week by the defection of a prominent superdelegate, could lose the backing of more of these Democratic Party leaders and elected officials if she fails to make significant gains in the remaining month of presidential nominating contests, several California superdelegates said this weekend. Two of the five superdelegates aligned with Clinton who spoke at the annual California Democratic Convention here said they would reconsider their support if rival Barack Obama maintained his lead in elected delegates and the popular vote after the last contests on June 3," the Los Angeles Times reports.

"Christopher Stampolis of Santa Clara, a superdelegate who endorsed Clinton after the Iowa caucuses, said that he remained in the New York senator's camp but that his commitment expired with the end of the primaries. 'When it's done, all of us, whether we're committed or not, we're going to take a look' at the final eight contests, said Stampolis, who until recently worked in external relations for a Bay Area environmental firm. 'Our job is to represent the constituents who trusted us to win the White House.'"

"Garry Shay, a Los Angeles attorney, said that if Clinton remained about 150 pledged delegates behind Obama, the current estimated margin, he would have to 'reassess the entirety of the situation.' 'It doesn't mandate me switching,' he said, 'but it does mandate me reconsidering.'"

Bloomberg's Al Hunt looks at Obama's desperate need for a substantial win with the world watching; he really hasn't had one since February.

Huffington Post's Tom Edsall looks at Clinton's "nuclear" option when it comes to the delegates -- and that's forcing a seating of Florida and Michigan at the May 31 DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting. But Edsall notes she will only have a sympathetic hearing at this meeting if she continues on a primary roll. 

The Los Angeles Times leads its coverage of yesterday's Meet the Press (featuring Obama) vs. This Week (featuring Clinton) showdown, with the two candidates sparring over the gas tax and Clinton's "obliterate" comments regarding Iran and Israel. 

What was interesting about Clinton's defense of her use of the word "obliterate," she took pains to NOT use the word again.

USA Today notes Clinton's decision not to attempt to cite a single economist who supports her gas tax proposal.

Speaking of, the latest New York Times/CBS poll, 51% said a gas-tax holiday was a bad idea, compared with 44% who said it was a good one. Moreover, a whopping 70% said that candidates proposed such a measure to help them politically, versus 21% who said it would provide relief to Americans.

The Boston Globe called Clinton and Obama's appearances on Meet the Press and This Week "dueling appearances" that "were the closest thing to a debate the two Democratic contenders will have before tomorrow's contests in Indiana and North Carolina." 
 
Reuters: "Clinton on Sunday dismissed the 'elite opinion' of economists who criticized her gas tax proposal, using a term that has dogged rival Barack Obama in recent weeks. Obama, meanwhile, accused the New York senator of pandering on gas taxes and saber rattling toward Iran as both candidates gave television interviews before primary contests in North Carolina and Indiana."

The New York Times' Stanley: "Senator Barack Obama sat hunched on Sunday across the desk from Tim Russert on 'Meet The Press' on NBC and wearily endured question after question about his relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton stood up from her armchair on Sunday to tower over George Stephanopoulos on 'This Week' on ABC and merrily took on all critics, even the king of the Clinton-bashers, the talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh."

More: "Together, 'Meet the Press' and its rival 'This Week with George Stephanopoulos' provided an arresting tableau of the reversal of fortunes in the Democratic race. Mrs. Clinton was forceful, confident and at times even frisky as she easily deflected questions from Mr. Stephanopoulos and members of a town-hall-style meeting in Indianapolis. Mr. Obama, usually the one to see the humor in politics, instead looked grave and dispirited."

Politico's Martin looks at McCain's age and asks is McCain Dole or Reagan?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was asked in an online interview with "Big Think" if a McCain victory in November would be a mandate to stay in Iraq. Reid replied, "I can't imagine the American people endorsing this war," adding that the war is costing $5,000 a second. He said that it's vital Democrats expand their majority in the fall and claimed to be competitive in 11 Senate races currently. He said Dems really had no majority in the Senate currently because Joe Lieberman votes consistently with the Republicans on the issue and Democrats were largely without the votes of Tim Johnson (SD), who suffered from brain trauma.

The New York Times examines Clinton's never-say-die campaign. "In recent days, Mrs. Clinton has chided the experts for 'counting me out' and Senator Barack Obama for his inability to 'close the deal' and declared that no one was going to make her quit. 'She makes Rocky Balboa look like a pansy,' North Carolina's governor, Michael F. Easley, said in endorsing her, and a union leader in Portage, Ind., praised her 'testicular fortitude.'"

"This kind of language and pugilistic imagery, however, also evokes the baggage that makes Mrs. Clinton such a provocative political figure. For as much as a willingness to 'do what it takes' and 'die hard' are marketable commodities in politics, they can also yield to less flattering qualities, plenty of which have been ascribed to her over the years. Just as supporters praise her 'toughness' and 'tenacity,' critics also describe her as 'divisive,' 'a dirty fighter' or 'willing to do anything to win.'"

The Washington Post writes about Bill Clinton stumping in small-town America.

Per NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann, Bill Clinton rarely diverts from his stump speech nowadays, but yesterday he tacked on a new heartfelt plea at the end of an appearance in picturesque Marion, NC. At the conclusion of his remarks, the crowd started to cheer but was quickly shushed by the former president, who realized he had something to add. Recognizing the talented 13-year-old local singer, McLain Rose, who sang the Star Spangled Banner before he took the stage, Clinton lowered his voice with trademark emotionality.

"Here's what I want you to remember," he said.  "In little towns like this, all over America, there are countless people like her. I just want you to think about that. If you had to hire somebody, to make the best possible future for her -- who would you hire? You think about that girl."

"That's a simple test," he continued. "You ask them that question. There's no good answer but Hillary."

NBC's Ron Allen notes how Evan Bayh did his best to play political diplomat at last night's Indiana J-J dinner, doing his best to avoid being booed (a la Mike Easley in North Carolina). Bayh made it clear that he was FOR Clinton, but not AGAINST Barack Obama. At one point, he asked the crowd to applaud Obama for running such a great campaign. The guests, who based on their response to the mention of the candidates names by a prior speaker seemed to favor Obama, were eager to applaud. All of that is of course good decorum in a banquet hall filled with finely dressed Democrats feasting on fine food and drink, while listening for the faint sound in the distance, as Clinton put it, of the moving van pulling up to ship President Bush and his possessions back to Texas.

And, a bit oddly, Bayh did not introduce Clinton, as he has countless times in countless events across the state. He finished his call for Democratic detente. Some of Clinton's stump music filled an awkward void. And then an anonymous announcer's voice brought Clinton to the stage.

In the latest New York Times/CBS poll, majority of American voters say that the furor over the relationship between Senator Barack Obama and his former pastor has not affected their opinion of Mr. Obama, but a substantial number say that it could influence voters this fall should he be the Democratic presidential nominee… The poll … found that most Americans said they approved of the way Mr. Obama had responded to the episode and considered his criticism of Mr. Wright appropriate. But nearly half of the voters surveyed, and a substantial part of the Democrats, said Mr. Obama had acted mainly because he thought it would help him politically, rather than because he had serious disagreements with his former pastor."

More: "For all the concern voiced by some Democrats that the party might be suffering damage from the nominating fight as it headed into the fall election, the survey found both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama in a strong position against Mr. McCain in a hypothetical general election match-up. Mr. Obama would defeat Mr. McCain by 51 percent to 40 percent among all voters, the poll found, and Mrs. Clinton would defeat him 53 to 41."

The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama may have offered the Teamsters a quid pro quo in order to win the endorsement. "Obama won the endorsement of the Teamsters earlier this year after privately telling the union he supported ending the strict federal oversight imposed to root out corruption, according to officials from the union and the Obama campaign. It's an unusual stance for a presidential candidate. Policy makers have largely treated monitoring of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters as a legal matter left to the Justice Department since an independent review board was set up in 1992 to eliminate mob influence in the union."

Clinton has not taken a position. More: "Neither Sen. Obama nor Teamsters President James P. Hoffa has spoken publicly about easing up federal oversight, a top priority for Mr. Hoffa since he became union president in 1999. On the campaign trail, Mr. Hoffa stresses Sen. Obama's criticism of the North American Free Trade Agreement as the big factor in winning the 1.4-million member union's support. But John Coli, vice president for the Teamsters central region, who brokered the Teamsters endorsement, said Sen. Obama was 'pretty definitive that the time had come to start the beginning of the end' of the three-member independent review board that investigates suspect activity in the union. Mr. Coli said that Sen. Obama conveyed that view in a series of phone conversations and meetings with Teamsters officials last year."

"Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor confirmed the candidate's position in a statement to The Wall Street Journal, saying that Sen. Obama believes that the board 'has run its course,' because 'organized crime influence in the union has drastically declined.' Mr. Vietor said Sen. Obama took that position last year."

The AP: "Republicans can hardly contain their glee as they watch Barack Obama battle through a rocky period. And why should they? Nothing else is breaking the GOP's way this year. But, at least now, the Democrats' political phenom is tarnished, and, if he defeats Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, will enter the general election campaign not only bruised and battered -- but also carrying baggage as he faces Republican John McCain."

Politico looks at Obama's small event strategy. "Obama, once the king of the arena rally, is downsizing. He came in contact this weekend with only a fraction of the voters he usually does in the lead-up to a primary. It completes an almost 180-degree shift from two months ago, when the Illinois senator jumped from one massive event to another, attracting media coverage that focused more on crowd counts than his message or his biography. Obama's approach in Indiana has been noteworthy for how far he has strayed from the formulation that, aides say, worked in earlier primary states, but not as much anymore. 'We were on a steady diet of large rallies,' said David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist. 'And that can become a fatty diet.'"

The Wall Street Journal runs a similar story. "Obama's approach differs from the tack he took in Texas and Ohio in March, when his campaign largely scrapped the town-hall venues that were credited with his surprising win in Iowa at the beginning of the political season. In Pennsylvania, the campaign mixed large rallies -- including one that drew an estimate 35,000 in Philadelphia, the largest of the campaign -- with more town-hall meetings. The rapid succession of primaries after the beginning contests led the campaign to use larger rallies that offered a wider reach."

"Using the arena approach in Texas in particular is seen in the campaign as 'a mistake,' said Mitch Stewart, who oversaw Obama's field strategy in Texas and holds the same role in Indiana. Sen. Obama lost the popular vote in Texas by a fair margin, though he eked out a win in delegates. 'I think we overworked the rallies, to be honest,' said David Axelrod, Sen. Obama's top political adviser. 'The images were of him talking to people but not people talking to him. It became sort of this monotonous backdrop.'"

Meanwhile, the Boston Globe looks at how Obama is back to re-emphasizing his Midwestern roots.

The New York Times: "The Democratic victory in a special House election in Louisiana this weekend was interpreted by leading Democrats on Sunday as a sign that Republicans would fail in their efforts to damage Congressional candidates by tying them to national figures and presidential contenders. Party officials said the victory by Don Cazayoux in a Baton Rouge-area district over the Republican candidate, Woody Jenkins, showed that the economy and other concerns remained more important to voters than whether Mr. Cazayoux (pronounced KAZH-oo) would be an ally of Senator Barack Obama or Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker. The election marked the second time this year that Democrats have taken over a seat in a Republican stronghold." 

"Even as Democrats rejoiced Sunday at having snatched a Louisiana congressional seat long held by Republicans, observers warned it doesn't necessarily mean voters are spurning the GOP. And the victor's hold on the seat could be shaky, one analyst said" of Don Cazayoux's victory in Louisiana. "Democrats have a hard time winning in Louisiana, except when Woody runs," said Bernie Pinsonat of Southern Media and Opinion Research. "I think Cazayoux got the only Republican opponent he could have beaten."
 
Woody Jenkins, whom Cazayoux defeated, is a "solid Christian conservative," but "is a polarizing figure known for displaying plastic fetuses to gain attention to his strong anti-abortion stance."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
SOUTH BEND, IN -- Hillary Clinton, her voice hoarse as the latest round of primaries approaches, kept up her populist message here this afternoon, telling a small crowd of supporters that she is "unabashed" and "unapologetic" about her fight for the middle class.

"Let's just do this final push," she said outside her campaign's field office here before volunteers were set to canvass the neighborhood. "We came from so far behind in Indiana. We're still the underdog, but we are moving forward, and we're moving forward because of you, because of the help I've received across this state."

Her remarks again included a pitch for her gas-tax plan, and a comparison of her health-care plan and Obama's, which she called inadequate. "It would be wonderful if all you had to do is show up in Washington say, 'Health insurance companies, quit exploiting Americans," she said, critiquing Obama's approach. "I would like to believe that we would have just massive conversions... But I think we can take them on."

Clinton has been keeping an active schedule all week, and it began to show as she started to lose her voice here. "I've been talking all the time," she said, before asking for a lozenge. "We have been talking non stop for days now... See that's why we need universal health care."

Running ahead of schedule, Clinton followed up the stop with a trip to the local Dairy Queen, where she ordered a Snickers Blizzard. "Two of my favorite things -- ice cream and Snickers," she said as she spooned bite after bite.
 
Clinton, joined by Sen. Evan Bayh, was asked by one customer if the two would run as a ticket. "First things first," Bayh said. Clinton, speaking with her mouth full, echoed the sentiment, saying they first had to get the nomination.

From NBC's Abby Livingston
With the battle for Indiana raging, native son and rock star John Mellencamp has managed what few liberals and Democrats have done: He is campaigning on behalf of both Obama and Clinton.

Mellencamp, a pro-labor and Farm Aid activist, endorsed John Edwards early in the 2008 cycle. But in the last few weeks, he has performed for both Obama and Clinton. The candidates, in return, have made various Mellencamp songs a staple in their event playlists during their Hoosier State barnstorms.

Mellencamp writes on his Web site, "John Mellencamp is a long-time supporter of the Democratic Party which he feels represents the best hope for sorely needed change in this country. He is lending his support to welcome both of the candidates as a Hoosier and a Democrat."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
This morning, Obama campaign announced the official support of Guam superdelegate Jamie Paulino, vice chair of the Guam Democratic Party.

That brings totals to:
Superdelegates: Clinton 274-254
Pledged: Obama 1492-1338
Overall: Obama 1746-1612

From NBC's Mark Murray
Here's the latest salvo in the gas-tax war -- a new TV ad by Obama running in Indiana and North Carolina:

The script...
Announcer: "More 'low road' attacks from Hillary Clinton…Now she's pushing a 'bogus' gas tax gimmick… Experts say it'll just 'boost oil industry profits'... They'll 'simply raise prices and pocket … the difference.' Clinton aides admit it won't do much for you – but would help her politically. So here's the choice…Clinton gimmicks that help big oil… Or Barack Obama… a real energy plan and a $1,000 middle class tax cut to help families truly pay the bills."

From NBC's Mark Murray
About the same time Clinton appeared on ABC, Obama sat down with NBC's Tim Russert to discuss Jeremiah Wright, gas taxes, Clinton's comments on Iran, and the Obama-Clinton race.

On Wright: "Well, obviously it's distracted us. I mean, we ended up spending a lot of time talking about Reverend Wright instead of talking about gas prices and food prices and the situation in Iraq.  And so it, it's, it wasn't welcome. But, you know, I think that the American people understand that when I joined Trinity United Church of Christ, I was committing not to Pastor Wright, I was committing to a church and I was committing to Christ... [W]hen Reverend Wright, who married me and baptized our, our children, when he made those statements, or I learned of those statements that I found so objectionable, I, I felt that they didn't define him. And so I spoke in Philadelphia about these issues and tried to construct, you know, a, a conversation about issues of race. But when I saw, this week, him come out and speak in a way that was just as divisive, that didn't explain or apologize, but rather worsened some of the comments that he had made previously, I felt it was very important to make clear that that's not who I am, that's not who I stand for. I don't think it represented well the church or the African-American church. And I had to make a clear statement. Hopefully we've been able to put it behind us."

On what he's learned from the episode: "Well, when you're in national politics, it's always good to pull the Band-Aid off quick... But life's messy sometimes, and, you know, it's not always neat, and things don't proceed in textbook Political 101 fashion. And so, you know, when I reflect back, you know, what I'm proud of is that, in the speech in Philadelphia, I think I made a contribution to the overall dialogue about how we deal with race in America. And I think that me denouncing his words without denouncing him was, at the time, the right thing to do. You know, I'm, I'm sorry that he didn't see an opportunity for him to reflect on the justifiable anger and pain that he had caused and to maybe, you know, suggest to the American people that's not, that's not what he believed. But clearly, you know, one of the things when you're running for president is that you don't have -- all this stuff is happening under a spotlight, and you've got to deal with it quickly."

On the gas-tax debate: "[T]his defines, I think, the difference between myself and Senator Clinton.  This gas tax, which was first proposed by John McCain and then quickly adopted by Senator Clinton, is a classic Washington gimmick. It, it is a political response to a serious problem that we have neglected for decades. Now, here's, here's the upshot. You're looking at suspending a gas tax for three months.  The average driver would save 30 cents per day for a grand total of $28. That's assuming that the oil companies don't step in and raise prices by the same amount that the tax has been reduced... Now, Senator Clinton says that she's going to use the windfall profits tax to fill it. First of all, she's already said that she's going to use the windfall profits tax for something else, as I have, and, and that is to invest in clean energy and, and other important measures. So that money, she's already spending twice. More importantly, nobody thinks that George Bush is actually going to spend--or is actually going to sign a law for windfall profits taxes, so that's not going to happen this summer. So what this is, is a strategy to get through the next election."

On Hillary's "obliterate" Iran comment: "Well, it's not the language that we need right now, and I think it's language that's reflective of George Bush. We have had a foreign policy of bluster and saber-rattling and tough talk, and, in the meantime, we make a series of strategic decisions that actually strengthen Iran. So -- and, you know, the irony is, of course, Senator Clinton, during the course of this campaign, has at times said, 'We shouldn't speculate about Iran.' You know, 'We've got to be cautious when we're running for president.' She scolded me on a couple of occasions about this issue, and yet, a few days before an election, she's willing to use that language."

And on what the remaining superdelegates should do: "I think the superdelegates, by rule, can make their own decision. I think the superdelegates are going to take a look not at momentary snapshot polls, but they're going to take a look at who's run the campaign that can bring about change in American and can actually govern after the election. And the number of new people that we've brought in, the organizations that we've set up in all 50 states, the enthusiasm, the energy that our campaign has displayed indicates to me and should indicate to the superdelegates that the American people are ready to move in a new direction, and that's what we're offering. And I'm confident that, if I am the nominee, that I offer Democrats the best chance of winning in November."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
INDIANAPOLIS -- Hillary Clinton said this morning that she does not regret her strong language about an attack on Iran, and also slammed the "elite opinion" of her proposal for a gas tax holiday.

During an hour-long appearance on ABC's This Week that was staged as a voter town hall, Clinton also said that "we should move on" from the discussion of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and turned the tables on host George Stephanopoulos when challenged over her positions on trade.

But the lengthiest exchange was about Iran. In an interview that aired on the day of the Pennsylvania primary, Clinton said that the United States "would be able to totally obliterate" Iran if they launched a strike against Iran. Host George Stephanopoulos asked the New York senator if she regretted the strong tone, which Obama compared to George W. Bush.

"Why would I have any regrets?" she said. "I'm asked a question about what I would do if Iran attacked our ally, a country that many of us have a great deal of, you know, connection with and feeling for, for all kinds of reasons. And, yes, we would have massive retaliation against Iran. I don't think they will do that, but I sure want to make it abundantly clear to them that they would face a tremendous cost if they did such a thing."

She also said that a "vigorous diplomatic engagement" should be the first strike, appealing to the "rational" Iranian people who are at odds with their government. "I don't think it's time to equivocate about what we would do," she said.

Issue No. 1 this morning was what has become the biggest policy flashpoint of the two-week campaign in North Carolina and Indiana -- her plan to impose a gas tax holiday, offset by a tax on oil companies. Clinton was asked if she could produce any economist who disagreed with the overwhelming consensus of experts and lawmakers who have questioned the plans merits.

"I think we've been for the last seven years seeing a tremendous amount of government power and elite opinion basically behind policies that haven't worked well for the middle class and hard-working Americans," she said. "I'll tell you what -- I'm not going to put my lot in with economists, because I know if we get it right, if we actually did it right, if we had a president who used all the tools of the presidency, we would design it in such a way that it would be implemented effectively."

Her answer reflected increasing efforts by the Clinton camp to place her on the side of middle-class voters against the views of those, including Obama himself, who they suggest are out of tough. She criticized "this mind-set where somehow elite opinion is always on the side of doing things that really disadvantage the vast majority of Americans."

More than 200 Hoosiers, chosen without input from the campaign, were invited to the Indianapolis hotel to be part of the event. A smaller number of North Carolinians participated via satellite. Michelle Skinner, who was one of seven members of the audience who got to pose a question, asked Clinton if the Jeremiah Wright controversy should still be a part of the discussion, or if people should "move on."

"Well, we should definitely move on," she said. "And we should move on because there's so many important issues facing our country that we have to attend to." But she did concede that "there's no doubt they talk about it."

Clinton also faced questions about agriculture, the economy, the possibility of an Obama/Clinton ticket, and trade issues. On the latter, Clinton enlisted host Stephanopoulos.

"George and I actually were against NAFTA," she said, noting he worked in the Clinton White House. "I'm talking about him in his previous life, before he was an objective journalist and didn't have opinions about such matters."

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann and NBC's Mark Murray
How hard is Bill Clinton working today?

The former president starts the day in the area around Asheville, NC, where he'll attend church with undecided superdelegate Rep. Health Shuler (D) before doing six campaign stops. That's (conservatively) 12 hours on the job, about six of which will be his own speaking -- his speech runs about 55 minutes nowadays.

His motorcade will travel about 200 miles today.
 
By the end of the day, his total tally of public appearances in North Carolina will be 43. By contrast, his wife has done 20. Obama clocks in at a paltry dozen.

Tomorrow's schedule makes today's look downright unimpressive -- a whopping nine events in the Tar Heel State. He'll fly for a few legs of the trip, but told, it's about 470 miles of travel.

From NBC's Christina Jamison
Just days ago, Sen. Hillary Clinton asked volunteers in Louisville, KY to "bet on the filly" in the Kentucky Derby. At a later event in Indiana that day, Clinton told the audience that she asked Chelsea, who attended the derby, to put a bit of money on Eight Belles, the only filly in the race.

Sadly -- after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby yesterday -- Eight Belles broke her front ankles in the race and was euthanized shortly thereafter.
 
It was an unfortunate metaphor for the senator trying to stage a comeback in the Democratic primary. Like the 15-to-1 longshot Eight Belles, Clinton is a longshot herself, behind Obama in the delegate count and NBC's popular vote count.

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
LA PORTE, IN -- Leaving a Bill Clinton town hall Saturday evening, I stopped at Family Express (a local Indiana chain) to fill up my tank to the tune of $3.69 a gallon. I patted myself on the back for finding a bargain. It costs about sixty dollars give or take to fill up the little Mazda rental car I've used to zip across this state, logging anywhere between 100 to 400 miles a day. The least amount I've paid for gas is about $3.63. The most? $3.77 on I-65 heading south into Louisville.

While the meter on the pump was whizzing upward, I went inside to buy a cup of coffee. And as I headed to the counter to pay, a man slipped in front of me. He was older than me, maybe in his late forties, and he wore faded loose blue jeans, a black and white windbreaker, and sneakers. He had the only other car at the station, a little red sedan. He came forward to the clerk, and said, "I'm sorry to have to do this to you."

And he plunged his hands into the pockets of his jeans and pulled out fistfuls of change, which he unceremoniously dumped on the counter. Pennies, nickels, quarters -- you name it -- was there. The clerk was mad and grumbled something like, "Come on." The man just looked out the window at his car and asked to pre-pay for $5 of gasoline. Five bucks at this station gets you less than a gallon and a half of fuel.

Now obviously, I know nothing about this man. As a reporter, I didn't chase after him asking if he was hard up and was this the only way he could pay to fill his tank. But the image of him pouring change onto the counter struck a chord. Maybe it's because my parents used to drive eight to ten miles out of the way just to save five cents on a gallon of gas. Or maybe because I haven't had one conversation with my mom in recent months, where she doesn't mention how expensive it is to drive somewhere. A few years ago she decided to splurge on an SUV and deeply regrets the decision. I have a feeling she's not alone.

To bring this back to politics, watching this man in the gas station, thinking about my own parents, I finally understood why a gas tax holiday could be so appealing: If all you've got is change to pay with, then 18 cents might make a difference.

As Bill Clinton said at a town fall, only 20 minutes away. "There are lots of your fellow Americans who are making choices everyday to about paying the price to fill up their gas tank to get to work and being able to buy food for your families or medicine. That's happening in this country and in this state," he said. "This is an emergency for American families."

He added, "She's been criticized for doing this by her opponent and by a lot of people… They're saying oh you can't bring down the price of oil. They all say oh this is pandering, you know you can't bring down the price of oil. She never promised she could bring the price of oil down. She said we can't fix your problems over night, and people need help to pay [sic] your bills. And I promise you, anybody who's out their criticizing this is somebody who doesn't have any trouble paying for a tank of gasoline. Anybody who's out there driving a lot, knows that every little bit helps."

The audience cheered. To them this wasn't political pandering, it was a way to help fill up the tanks of the pick-ups, and SUVS, and four door sedans crowding the parking lot and piled onto the grass outside La Porte High School. It made all the policy statements put out by the Obama campaign or written about in the nation's papers or discussed on cable news appear meaningless. The long-term good doesn't mean much if you can only put a gallon and a half of gas in your tank.

As for me, fuel efficiency was the last thing on my mind, as I raced the 180 miles to get to Bill Clinton's last event in Indianapolis. By the time I pulled into downtown Indy, my little Mazda had guzzled its way through half a tank of fuel or $29 worth of gas.  

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
INDIANAPOLIS -- Days before the primary in Indiana and North Carolina, Hillary Clinton's argument has become increasingly clearer -- that she thinks Barack Obama is out of touch with the concerns of ordinary voters.

Clinton returned to the Hoosier State last night for an outdoor rally featuring John Mellencamp, whose small-town lyrics have become omnipresent at her rallies. Speaking to thousands, she again touted her plan for a gas tax holiday paid for by a windfall oil profits tax, saying she wants to "see us finally stand up and fight for you and fight against the oil companies."

"Now, my opponent doesn't agree with me," she said. "He doesn't think that the oil companies should pay the tax, he thinks that you should pay the tax. Well, I'm sorry, I think that's just one more indication that he's not understanding what's going on in so many people's lives."

She extended that criticism to the home foreclosure crisis and health care, saying she first proposed taking action on the former, and that his plan on the latter is inadequate because not everyone is covered.

"I think you have to decide for this election on Tuesday who's on your side and who you can count on to stand up for you and to work for you and to fight for you," she said.

The rally had some light moments as it began, when former President Bill Clinton was late for his scheduled introduction by Sen. Evan Bayh. Trying to fill time, Bayh decided to introduce Sen. Clinton, and began alluding to a comment from a union leader earlier this week who said Clinton had the "testicular fortitude" to be commander in chief.

"Any of you see what he said? Our candidate is the one in the race …" he began, when Clinton shushed him. "She didn't want me to go there, OK, I won't."

He then made way for Clinton, before her husband belatedly worked his way on stage.

"C'mon Bill!" she said. "C'mon up and take a look at this great crowd. Evan was actually introducing you and then we were sort of stalling until you got here."

The former president spoke only briefly, saying he's visited 39 communities in Indiana, six that day.

"And they're all going for Hillary on Tuesday!" he said.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
In the special election in LA-6, Democrat Don Cazayoux beat Woody Jenkins 49%-46%, adding another seat to the Democrats' pick-up list. This is the first time Democrats have held the seat since 1974. In many ways this election was seen as a test run for a GOP anti-Obama strategy. The National Republican Congressional Committee ran an ad trying to link Cazayoux to Obama's and Pelosi's "radical agenda, very different from Louisiana's values. … Is Obama right for Louisiana? Is Pelosi? You decide."

[YouTube:n8ImjX-0aq0]

The seat had been held for 20 years by Republican Richard Baker before he resigned to become a lobbyist.

*** UPDATE *** Obama issued this statement last night: "I congratulate Congressman-elect Don Cazayoux on his victory tonight. By electing Don in this traditionally Republican district, the people of Louisiana rejected the politics of division and distraction, and voted for real change. Don's victory sends a clear sign that the American people are ready to turn the page on the failed policies of the past eight years. And I look forward to working with him in the coming months to fix our economy and lift up America's hardworking families."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
NBC News has allocated two delegates apiece for Clinton and Obama of Guam's four that were up for grabs. (Obama won the contest narrowly 50.1%-49.9%, or by seven caucus votes.)

The Day in Superdelegates: Obama 4, Clinton 1
Obama picked up three superdelegates today to Clinton's one. Obama got the backing of New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colon and two add-on superdelegates named today: former Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening and former South Carolina Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum. Clinton picked up the other Maryland add-on: former Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

(Obama is also expected to pick up the three Illinois add-on superdelegates by Monday.)

The Delegate Counts:
SUPERDELEGATES: CLINTON 274, OBAMA 254
PLEDGED: OBAMA 1,492, CLINTON 1,338
OVERALL: OBAMA 1,746, CLINTON 1,612

* There are 267 undeclared superdelegates.
* Since the Pennsylvania primary: It's Obama +17, Clinton +12
* Since Super Tuesday, Feb. 5: It's Obama +84, Clinton +14.
* Since Junior Super Tuesday, March 4: It's Obama +41, Clinton +21.

*** UPDATE *** The Obama campaign announced this morning (Sunday) the support of Guam superdelegate Jamie Paulino. (Numbers adjusted above.)