The pledged delegate totals are now 1752 for Obama and 1661 for Clinton. Obama's lead is still over 90. That is to say, the lead in pledged delegates is still insurmountable.

The reason for all the wrangling over Michigan and Florida's delegations lies in something communications director Howard Wolfson said on today's conference call. The Clinton campaign, Wolfson said, is seeking the "largest possible advantage in the popular vote."

If the DNC counts the delegations as the Clinton campaign wants, Clinton staffers can then say, "The DNC is counting Florida and Michigan in full. We should use their popular votes in full. And when you add their popular votes to the popular vote totals, Hillary Clinton has a untouchable popular vote lead." This is the strongest possible case Clinton can make when she calls up uncommitted superdelegates, who are still her only route to the nomination.

Alternative explanation: The Clinton campaign is refusing to consider any option other than seating the delegations fully because if the RBC doesn't give it what it wants, the campaign has another rhetorical weapon in whipping up supporters. It can play the victim card, and use the situation to raise money and sympathy should Clinton decide to appeal the RBC's decision and take the race to a convention fight. The campaign wouldn't discuss this option on the conference call. "Our focus is on Saturday," said Wolfson.

The Obama campaign held a conference call later in the day. They sounded notes of compromise. "We'd be open to something where she nets delegates," said campaign manager David Plouffe. "And not an insignificant number." The campaign said it sent word to supporters telling them not to appear in DC on Saturday in order to hold a protest or rally outside the RBC meeting. The Clinton campaign is planning such a rally. "We shouldn't turn this into a spectacle," said Plouffe. "We could produce thousands or tens of thousands of people. We just don't think it's helpful."

Plouffe was asked about the calculations above. Why not just seat the delegations in full, exactly as the Clinton camp desires, a reporter said to Plouffe. You'll maintain your lead in the pledged delegate total. "We don't think it's fair to seat them fully," responded Plouffe. He pointed out that Clinton agreed, like everyone else, to follow the rules and not honor the Michigan and Florida primaries, and only changed her mind when it became politically expedient for her to do so. He also pointed out that the Obama campaign fought "ferociously" in small states where Obama won but netted fewer delegates than Clinton will get through some sort of compromise solution on Michigan and Florida. A compromise, Plouffe suggested, was fine. A wholesale capitulation was not.

In the end, though, what the Obama campaign seemed to be seeking most was resolution. It's time to "stop arguing about this and focus on the general election," said Plouffe.