Louisville, Kentucky - May 12

Over the past four and one-half months, Barack Obama has contested 48 different primaries and caucuses against one of the most powerful families in American political history -- and he's come out on top.

He hasn't won every contest and he's made his share of mistakes. But viewed in perspective, what he has accomplished has been historic. And in the process, he's demonstrated the overwhelming strength of his candidacy.

It's amazing how far Barack Obama has come, from trailing Clinton by more than twenty points in national polls to the cusp of the Democratic nomination:

It's not just the polls -- Obama has done well where it counts, on election day. Ever since the first delegates were awarded in Iowa, he has led Hillary Clinton among democratically selected pledged delegates. And next Tuesday in Oregon, he will clinch the pledged delegate majority, securing his wire-to-wire dominance in this important category.

Early in the campaign, Hillary Clinton enjoyed a significant lead among superdelegates, the people who she is fond of saying know her and Barack Obama best. Their independent judgment, she says, ought to be respected.

And now, for the first time in the campaign, their independent judgment is that Barack Obama should be the next presidential nominee of the Democratic Party.

Of course, to actually win the nomination will require both pledged delegates and superdelegates. Because of her edge among superdelegates, Clinton led Obama in total delegates until the middle of February. Since then, however, he's continued to put space between himself and her.

Barack Obama is steadily and methodically sealing the deal. As long as Clinton remains in the race, he's not the presumptive nominee until he's secured 2,025 delegates.

But he is the presumptive nominee* with an asterick. Or perhaps we should call him the presumptive presumptive nominee.

Whatever the case, Barack Obama is winning this nomination by running a smarter and more effective campaign than his opponents. It's been the type of campaign Democrats can be proud of, engaging millions of Americans in the political process, giving people a voice to change our country.

And the best part is that this hasn't just been Barack Obama's victory -- it's also been our victory. That's what really matters -- and I think he would agree.