Opinion: Breaking News: No Democrat wins any Florida delegates

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The Barack Obama campaign had an unusually succinct comment this evening on Hillary Clinton’s claim of victory in the so-called Florida primary. Clinton held a bizarre and ersatz victory party for the uncontested Democratic election.

‘Thank you, Florida Democrats!’ she shouted, hoping the gala scene would erase memories of her crushing defeat last weekend in South Carolina when she escaped to Tennessee rather than give a concession speech to Obama. ‘I am thrilled to have this vote of confidence!’

The Democratic National Committee had forbidden its candidates from campaigning in the state, suspending all its convention delegates as punishment for moving up its primary date, a move likely to be ultimately reversed by the nominee. The DNC issued the same punishment to Michigan, where all major Democrats except Clinton removed their names from the ballot.

But the Obama campaign had a reaction ready for the Clinton victory claim tonight. Obama press secretary Bill Burton issued a simple but pointed statement: ‘Obama and Clinton tie for delegates in Florida. 0 for Obama, 0 for Clinton.’

--Andrew Malcolm