OBAMA NOW HAS ENOUGH DELEGATES: AP says Illinois senator has 'effectively clinched' the Democratic presidential nomination

*The Associated Press is reporting that Illinois Senator Barack Obama has "effectively clinched" the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, based on a tally of convention delegates.

Needless to say, Obama will make history by becoming the first black candidate to lead a major party in a run for the White House.


The AP tally was based on public commitments from delegates as well as more than a dozen private commitments. It also included a minimum number of delegates Obama was guaranteed even if he lost the final two primaries in South Dakota and Montana later in the day.


The 46-year-old first-term senator will face Sen. John McCain of Arizona in the fall campaign to become the 44th president.


Meanwhile, NY Senator Hillary Clinton, Obama's Democratic nomination opponent is causing a ruckus of sorts in the media over whether she will concede tonight. One the one hand, the AP and other news organizations are reporting that she will throw in the towel during a speech in New York tonight. On the other, her campaign is disputing the report.


"She is in this race until there is a nominee and we don't expect there to be one tonight," said Clinton campaign spokesman Mo Elleithee.


So now that Obama has "effectively clinched" the nomination it is assumed that if she doesn't throw in the towel tonight, maybe she'll do it tomorrow.