Obama expects pledged delegate majority

WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama was expected to have a majority of pledged delegates after Tuesday's primaries in Oregon and Kentucky, but he says he won't claim victory.

He and his campaign are mindful of the delicacy of the hard-fought primary race against Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who argues she is winning the popular vote if results from Florida and Michigan are counted, The New York Times reported.

Obama's campaign said it anticipates Tuesday's results would allow the candidate to reach a threshold his camp sought to establish as key: win a majority of the delegates awarded in primaries and caucuses, the Times said.

While Obama, D-Ill., praised Clinton for running a "magnificent race," Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe said, "A clear majority of elected delegates will send an unmistakable message -- the people have spoken and they are ready for change."

Clinton said neither candidate will have the number of delegates needed to secure the nomination after Tuesday's primaries.

The Democratic National Committee stripped Florida and Michigan of their delegates as punishment for changing their primaries. The DNC rules committee will meet May 31 to consider how -- or whether -- to seat the states' representations.