SelectPlusObama Claims Majority of DelegatesObama Claims Majority of DelegatesThe Associated PressSen. Barack Obama returned to the state that sparked his Democratic presidential nomination bid to claim a majority of pledged delegates up for grabs in the contest. (May 21)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] [Notes:VO of Obama greeting crowd, walking on stage, crowd cheering]BARACK OBAMA IS NOT FROM IOWA. BUT, DEMOCRATS HERE MADE HIM A FAVORITE SON MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS AGO, WHEN THEY GAVE HIM A CAUCUS WIN, SPARKING HIS BID FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.AND WHEN HE TOOK THE STAGE IN DES MOINES TUESDAY NIGHT, HE MADE IT CLEAR THERE WAS MORE TO CELEBRATE THAN JUST A HOMECOMING.SOT: Sen. Barack Obama/(D) Presidential Candidate: "We have returned to Iowa with a majority of delegates elected by the American people and you have put us in reach of the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America." [Notes:VO of crowd, Obama on stage, crowd, greeting voters] THOUSANDS PACKED FOUR CITY BLOCKS NEAR THE STATE CAPITOL TO HEAR OBAMA. HE CHOSE TO COME TO IOWA, INSTEAD OF A STATE WHERE VOTES WERE COUNTED TUESDAY. OBAMA WON HANDILY IN OREGON.HE LOST KENTUCKY IN A LANDSLIDE. BUT, BEFORE THIS MOSTLY WHITE, LARGELY WORKING-CLASS CROWD, HE BILLED HIMSELF AS THE CANDIDATE FOR ALL DEMOCRATS.SOT: Obama: "You're veterans and church-goers, sportsmen and students, farmers and factory workers, teachers and business owners, who have varied backgrounds and different traditions, but the same simple dreams for your children's future." [Notes:][Notes:Obama, crowd] OBAMA'S CLAIM ON A MAJORITY OF PLEDGED DELEGATES LIKELY MEANS LITTLE IN A NOMINATION RACE THAT SEEMS DESTINED TO CONTINUE.FOR HIS PART, AFTER TAKING A STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING THE FIRST BLACK MAJOR PARTY NOMINEE, OBAMA HAD ONLY KIND WORDS FOR HIS DETERMINED RIVAL.SOT: Obama: "We all admire her courage, her perseverance, her commitment, and no matter how this primary ends, Senator Clinton has shattered myths and broken barriers and changed the America in which my daughters and your daughters will come of age and for that we are grateful." STANDUP: Bronis: "From here, Obama takes his campaign to Florida. He'll canvass that potential swing state over the next few days, taking his message to voters who never got the chance to see him during that state's disputed primary process. JB, the AP, Des Moines, Iowa."
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