She Didn’t Ask The Questions & He Couldn’t Answer Them
By Alegre on April 19, 2008 at 10:06 AM in ABC News, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Obamedia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Were we watching the same debate Wed. night? Because to hear Joe Klein and other Obama apologists talk, Hillary’s suddenly the devil (republican) in Democrats clothing. Let’s get a few things straight here guys…
Hillary didn’t set the tone of that debate by determining the questions - the moderators did. To claim that she “went on the attack” is just complete and utter bullshit and it’s time someone pointed that out. She had no more control over the tone of that debate than he did. The only thing they could control as candidates and participants is how well things turned out for each of them by the answers they gave.
There’s a reason people say Hillary won the debate - she handled the tough questions better than he did. There was one question in particular that was designed to elicit one of Russert’s signature gotcha moments from Hillary, and she answered it the only way she could.
Now folks have been declaring Hillary dead in the water since the Iowa results rolled in and she’s proved them wrong time and time again. New Hampshire, Nevada, Super Tuesday states and then Ohio and Texas - all of the millions of voters in those states told us this thing’s not even close to being over.
And then comes Joe Klein…
He’s taken Hillary’s answer to a gotcha question in the debate Wednesday night (you boys thought only BO got those right?) and is trying to wave it about on one of the highest flagpoles in the land as proof that she can no longer win this thing. She was asked about comments she may or may not have made in a conversation with Gov. Richardson. She said yes, BO can beat McCain in the General election and that if he’s our nominee, she’ll do all she can to help make that happen. She also said she’s convinced she’s got a better shot at beating him and that’s why she was standing there in that debate Wednesday night.
She didn’t say anything new Wed. night you guys - far from it. She’s been saying for months that if he gets the nod, she’ll work her fingers to the bone to help put him over the top in the General election. But Klein is clearly working from Axelrod’s talking points on this one. Forget that a) it was a political answer to a benign political question, and b) she whipped his ass on the important issues. No, Axelrod declared that the main point of the debate and the press instantly embraced it.
I woke up this morning with a gut feeling that the Philadelphia debate may have been the last straw for the Democratic Party, that the superdelegates are about to rush to Barack Obama in order to end this thing and liberate him to actually answer the Republican-style attacks that Hillary Clinton has been previewing. This New York Times piece is a pretty good indication of the zeitgeist. And these words from Obama pretty much sum up the current state of play:
“That [debate] was the rollout of the Republican campaign against me in November. It happened just a little bit early, but that is what they will do,” Mr. Obama said. “They will try to focus on all these issues that don’t have anything to do with how you are paying your bills at the end of the month. There’s no doubt that I will have to respond sharply and crisply, then pivot to talk about what exactly are we going to do for the economy and what are we going to do about the war in Iraq.”
I’ll repeat this one more time for those who’re having trouble following the facts - Hillary did NOT choose the questions for that debate. The moderators did and yet here we have BO on the campaign trail implying that Hillary’s the one who “attacked” him, and went all republican on his ass. But that ignores the real point of what he’s raised here - this was a taste of what the rethugs will be saying in the general if he’s our nominee and he failed miserably in answering those questions!
Sadly, he’s turning his failures into something that’s the fault of his opponent in all this.
The moderators chose and asked the questions.
He failed miserably in answering them.
Hillary put in her two cents worth when it came to her turn - this was a debate after all, where BOTH get the chance to answer. And don’t you dare tell me he would have said “I pass guys - I wouldn’t want to damage Hillary on the chance that she’ll be our nominee” if the shoe were on the other foot.
Yet somehow, this is all Hillary’s fault? Then Klein points to something BO said in an effort to pretend he was taking the high road in all this…
Until the nominating fight ends, Mr. Obama said, he is “trying to show some restraint.” He added, “I won’t have as much restraint with the Republicans.”
He’s trying to show some restraint? Seriously? Is he fecking kidding me? He’s sent out Harry & Louise style flyers on health care, flyers that lie about Hillary’s trade record that were later discredited (and he agreed they were wrong!), has just sent out those same flyers again in Pennsylvania, and of course there were those flyers in Nevada urging republicans to become Democrats for a day to keep Hillary from being elected… we won’t even go into the negative radio ads he’s run, or that TV ad where he claims to have never taken money from big oil (implying that Hillary has).
Holy mackerel! How stupid do they think the voters in this country are?
Add to that his attacks on her character over the past 14 months, where he and his henchmen have called her everything under the sun. Take a look at what the campaign sent out in mid-March about BO’s “restraint” when it comes to his attacks on Hillary…
The truth is that for months, the Obama campaign has been attacking Hillary, impugning her character and calling into question her lifetime of public service. And now the Chicago Tribune reports that Senator Obama is preparing a “full assault” on her “over ethics and transparency.” To those who contend that Senator Obama is the clear frontrunner, I ask, to what end this “full assault” on Hillary?
On CNN last Tuesday, Senator Obama said, “Well, look, Wolf, I think if you watch how we have conducted our campaign, we’ve been very measured in terms of how we talk about Senator Clinton. … I have been careful to say, that I think that Senator Clinton is a capable person and that should she win the nomination, obviously, I would support her. You know, I’m not sure that we have been getting that same approach from the Clinton campaign.”
The facts of this election stand in stark contrast to that statement. Senator Obama and his senior campaign officials have engaged in a systematic effort to question Hillary’s integrity, credibility, and character. They have portrayed her as someone who would put her personal gain ahead of the lives of our troops, someone who would say or do anything to win an election, someone who is dishonest, divisive and disingenuous. They have adopted shop-worn anti-Clinton talking points, dusted them off and unleashed a torrent of unfounded character attacks against her.
Among other things, they have described Hillary - and her campaign - as:
“Disingenuous”
“Too polarizing to win”
‘Divisive’
“Untruthful”
“Dishonest”
‘Calculating’
“Saying and doing whatever it takes to win”
“Attempting to deceive the American people”
“One of the most secretive politicians in America”
“Literally willing to do anything to win”
“Playing politics with war”
To top it off, they have blanketed big states with false radio ads and negative mailers — ads and mailers that experts have debunked time and time again. They have distributed health care brochures using Republican framing. They have tried to draw a nexus between Hillary’s votes and the death of her friend Benazir Bhutto. And one of Senator Obama’s top advisers (who has since left the campaign) recently called Hillary “a monster.”
This “full assault” on Hillary comes from the very top of the Obama campaign, not surrogates and supporters.
This “full assault” is being directed at someone I personally know to be a thoughtful, brilliant, principled, compassionate person, someone the world knows as a good Democrat, a trailblazer, a lifelong champion for children and families, a respected former first lady, a senator, a presidential candidate.
This “full assault” is targeting a staff of hundreds of hard-working, dedicated Democrats, who I’ve had the privilege of working with for the past 14 months.
This is a hard-fought campaign - as it should be. Like any candidate for elected office, Hillary has made clear why she thinks she would do a better job than her opponent. She has laid out comprehensive policy proposals, put forth her 35-year record of accomplishment, and spent countless days introducing herself to voters across the country. She has said that she is far better prepared to take on John McCain on national security. She has contended that she is the candidate with the experience to confront the GOP attack machine. She has argued that she is more electable. She has said that Senator Obama’s words are not matched by actions. And she has challenged him to live up to core Democratic values and goals such as universal health care.
I recall indignation online at the suggestion that Senator Obama has not made the case that he is ready to be Commander in Chief — the concern being that this would be terribly detrimental to him in a general election. As I blogged recently, and as many of you know, I spent 2004 in the Kerry-Edwards war room, and I understand full well that national security will be front and center in the general election. It’s not a matter of choice. And the reality is that the public views Hillary as better prepared to take on Senator McCain when it comes to national security. Democrats must factor that in as they nominate a candidate to win in November.
If that suggestion is potentially harmful to Senator Obama in a general election, how exactly do the personal attacks against Hillary (which echo and reinforce rightwing talking points) help her in the event she wins the nomination? I recall no similar outrage at those harsh attacks on her character, many of which were directed at her when she was the clear frontrunner and seen as the likely nominee.
Both candidates are running a vigorous campaign. Both have had surrogates or supporters who have crossed the line and made offensive statements that they rejected. And these offensive statements are an unfortunate part of a long and close campaign. Those who make a habit of automatically assuming and ascribing to only one candidate the worst motives, ignoring more reasonable and benign explanations, who substitute conjecture for fact and then use those assumed ‘facts’ as a foundation on which to pile more conjecture about only one candidate’s intentions, who express anger at negative campaigning and perceived dirty tricks but focus on only one candidate’s words and actions, risk losing credibility. And those who conclude from that one-sided reasoning that Hillary ought to stop seeking victory, should ask themselves if quitting in the middle of a hard-fought - and winnable - contest is a desirable attribute in a future president.
Hillary has rightfully stated that as Democrats we should be proud of our field of candidates. And it is truly inspiring to see the level of enthusiasm among voters this cycle. We should encourage as many people as possible to become part of this process and to forcefully advocate for their candidate of choice. But there is a sharp line between supporting a candidate (and excusing their faults, which all supporters do to some degree) and conducting a “full assault” on an opponent’s integrity and character. The Obama campaign’s unabashed attacks on Hillary’s honesty and trustworthiness should give every Democrat pause.
Yeah… that’s some restraint all right. I’d hate to see what he’d be like if he opened up a can of that Chicago smack-down politics he threatened her with last fall.
Klein closes out his screed with a bit of wishful thinking, saying that he thinks the supers are going to start heading to his guy in response to all of Hillary’s “negative” campaigning.
I got news for you Joe… If anyone’s gone negative in this race it’s your guy Obama. Wise the hell up and quit trying to throw this election to your candidate before millions of voters have had their say in this. You want to live in a Democracy (you know… with a big “D”?), then you need to shut the fuck up and let the voters in PA, IN, NC, OR, KY & PR etc have their say.
Otherwise, you’re no better than the Republicans.
I’d like to leave you with a bit of food for thought and remind Joe and all the other Hillary-haters out there of just how wrong the pundits have gotten things so far in this race. They’ve been trying to declare Hillary’s candidacy over for months and yet… here she is standing strong. Take a look at their record so far…
THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose New Hampshire and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins New Hampshire, defying the predictions and the polls
THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose the big states on Super Tuesday and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins the big states on Super Tuesday - and wins them by double digits
THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose Texas and possibly Ohio on March 4th and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins both Texas and Ohio on March 4th - and she wins Ohio by double digits
THE PUNDITS
Despite Hillary Clinton’s big victories on March 4th, “the math” works decisively against her and the race is essentially over
THE REALITY
The math is simple: neither candidate has reached the number of delegates required to secure the nomination and either candidate can win
THE PUNDITS
Barack Obama is substantially ahead in the pledged delegate count; pledged delegates are the only measure of success; therefore the race is essentially over
THE REALITY
The candidates are within fractions of one another on delegates; Barack Obama needs super delegates to win; and a marginal pledged delegate lead does not determine the outcome
THE PUNDITS
Barack Obama is substantially ahead in the popular vote; Florida and Michigan don’t count; therefore the race is essentially over
THE REALITY
The popular vote is virtually tied; half of Barack Obama’s narrow vote advantage is from his home state; and his lead excludes Florida and Michigan
THE PUNDITS
Once the remaining states vote, Barack Obama will be substantially ahead in delegates and votes and the race will be over
THE REALITY
The race is a dead heat now and no one knows where things will end up after millions of remaining voters in the upcoming states make their choice
THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton’s situation is dire; her campaign is struggling; her supporters are disillusioned and desperate
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton and her supporters are calm, confident, and focused heading into the key state of PA, where she is running strong
THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton’s campaign lacks significant grassroots energy; only one candidate has mobilized supporters to take action for the campaign
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton’s supporters across America have written letters, blogged, donated tens of millions of dollars, volunteered millions of hours and made millions of calls
THE PUNDITS
There is a loud and growing chorus of voices asking Hillary Clinton to withdraw from the race
THE REALITY
Precisely the same number of voters (22%) think Barack Obama should drop out of the race as Hillary Clinton
THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton is the candidate running a negative, divisive campaign; she is throwing the “kitchen sink” at Barack Obama
THE REALITY
Barack Obama has been throwing the sink, the stove, the plates and the garbage can at Hillary Clinton, attacking her integrity and character every day
THE PUNDITS
For Hillary to win the nomination, super delegates will have to “overturn the will of the people”
THE REALITY
The will of the people is split and both candidates need - and are making their case to - super delegates
THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton is threatening to poach pledged delegates from Barack Obama
THE REALITY
Barack Obama is reportedly already trying to poach pledged delegates from Hillary Clinton
THE PUNDITS
Florida and Michigan’s voters won’t be heard and their delegates won’t be seated all because of complicated procedural roadblocks
THE REALITY
Barack Obama is intentionally disenfranchising voters in two critical states for purely political reasons, namely, that he’ll lose his small advantage if they count
THE PUNDITS
Every single word or action from Hillary Clinton, her campaign, her surrogates and her supporters is part of a calculated and cynical political strategy
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton is a loyal Democrat, a lifelong public servant, a tireless and tenacious candidate, and is fighting hard - and fair - to win with the help of millions of dedicated supporters
This woman doesn’t back down - no way - no how.
What are these boviaters going to do when she blows out Pa and keeps on winning? Are they REALLY ready to flush the Democratic party’s chances at the WhiteHouse down the crapper for love of this empty suit? He’s going to be lucky if he dosen’t end up with an indictment by the time Rezko’s done. I am about ready to give up on the Dems. Not quite, but awful close.
Are they REALLY ready to flush the Democratic party’s chances at the WhiteHouse down the crapper for love of this empty suit?
That’s obvious. It’s a matter of the voters yanking the steering wheel out of their hands and into their own — where it belongs and where it’s been since 178fucking3.
Let’s not get carried away emotionally here.
Barack Obama’s relationship with Tony Rezko rightly calls into question his personal judgment, and that is no small matter when it comes to choosing a presidential candidate. His obvious and continued attempts to publicly mislead voters as to the nature of that relationship are more likely than not a reflection of his personal character. That said, absent any hard evidence to the contrary, that association does not and should not imply any legal malfeasance on his part.
If any Democrat has just cause for cocern in that regard, it by all rights has to be Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who clearly facilitated Mr. Rezko’s ability to set up shop in Springfield.
THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton’s situation is dire; her campaign is struggling; her supporters are disillusioned and desperate
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton and her supporters are calm, confident, and focused heading into the key state of PA, where she is running strong
Well,I wouldn’t say calm — looking forward with all fingers crossed to a much-deserved shellacking of her opponent, yes.
And I suppose his fans will continue to whine that ABC stole the election from him. Boo freakin hoo.
Man the hell up, people. If your Heir Apparent folds like a card table when George Stepho goes after him, I’d like to see him across the table from either Gerry Adams OR Ian Paisley. He’ll pee himself.
It’s Hillary’s fault. She was there, so obviously it’s her fault. When they kicked her ass for 15 months, that was her fault too. What a bunch of whiney-assed children this guuy and his pimps are. They all remind me of my old high school students at Class President rallies.
Everything is everyone else’s fault if it’s not Hillary’s fault. Hateful Reverend wright is our fault. Everything is our fault. Oh Screw You Obama. I cannot wait to seee your whiny sexist racist ass go down the drain where it belongs. And it WILL go there. Because sane adults don’t let children, College students leaching off their parents, crazy-asses, people who bomb buildings for fun, whackjob off-the-cliff radicals and Hamas pick Presidents.
Great Post….The PUNIDIOCRACY represents one thing…Fear…They fear losing their jobs. HRC’s candidacy is a threat to them pure and simple. How many of them wil continue to have jobs at many of these alleged news agencies ( excepting Fox, as they are at least consistent ) The Bloogerbabyz will continue to creep right off the cliff to the fringe….
Come on guys, this is really over playing the hand. It’s drowning out WHY Hillary is even in the race.
Got bored of here with all the finger pointing and junior high antics, and went to other sites to read. At Rense, they have an illustration by Dees that really struck a chord…
http://www.rense.com/1.imagesH/starve_dees.jpg
That to me is more important than who scored points in a debate. It shows the indifference those who have the wealth of everything, forgetting their responsibilities.
Keep it real folks, or you’ll lose the audience.
Striking graphic there. Actually, in physiological terms, they are all starving. Some are just doing it in very slow motion, and with a different set of symptoms. But it’s two sides of the same coin.
Some not thriving due to the lack of love. Others not thriving because they’re smothered in it (and became too selfish to care).
In a country of plenty, where we’re sheltered from the grim realities of death and absolute hunger, it’s so easy to think like robber barons and give money — but money itself isn’t the love humans need, to survive the famines of mind, body and spirit.
Sure, Chris. Of course. But I’m also talking in terms of how physiology meets politics as in agribusiness, etc. The people in the picture are pathologically obese, and that’s a condition that has at least something to do with food additives, genetically modified organisms, and other manipulations of the food supply that set people up for insulin resistance and a variety of pancreatic disorders of which diabetes is only one. And it’s also true that not everyone is the U.S. is doing well enough to eat good food, so fast food plays a role. So does lack of nutritional education and so does a focus on pharmacology rather than preventive medicine. All I’m saying is that we know too much now to keep playing obese Americans off against starving Africans as if the former are not only the enemy of starving Africans but also the cause of Africans’ starvation. That’s a falsehood, and it’s unkind as well. If you want to point fingers in the way you attempted, show some young and beautiful Americans dining out in Manhattan at $800 a pop. Please don’t demonize people who are sick themselves and who happen to be holding the somewhat less shitty end of the stick known as the politics of food.
you want it real chrisxp? let me tell you what is going to be real if obama gets the nomination.
he will be debating crazy john and give him one of those dismissive looks and mcnutso will lose it … you wait and see … as crazy john, with blood in his eyes, comes after the chosen one all you will see is two elbows and an asshole as obama runs off the stage yelling “HILLARY did this.”
obama is truly unable to lead this country.
Now we know why these people are “pundits”. If they held any other jobs they would be fired for botching the predictions so badly.
“and went all republican on his ass”; Jeez want to win? Then look at the winners. Did the dumbest mfcsingsob in the history of presidential politics get there by going all “democrat on his toosh”? Hell. No. Bill said it best– politics is a contact sport and if you can’t take it, get the uniform off. Well, Harry wasn’t bad either, so BO get out of the kitchen. I want someone who is willing to go for the throat with the GOPers. Unfortunately, we’re gonna have to take the trash out and put that pony in the pasture.
Personally speaking….I’m so fed up with the wimpy asses in congress, I like it when Ol’ Bill gets his dander up….Course I’m a working class cracker who’s a little bitter about what’s happening to my party…I’m not judgin’….I’m just sayin’…
The country wants strong leaders. If they’re too prissy and think eating arugula salads is more important than getting polices through the meat grinder…well…they’re not fit for office.
Agree…..Think Hillary is abot as tough as they come…If she can sit in the same room with Scaife…or legislate with Gingrich. God, I miss Tip O’neil.
Klein is just another Obama leghumper for McCain. You can smell them a mile away, and the media is full of them. I read yesterday somewhere that Time is touting McCain’s high IQ.
You want to see negative? Wait until Dean/Brazile get their way, and Obama gets crowned. Klein will be the first in line to bring up Obama’s threadbare accomplishments, Rezko, Wright, Ayers. Watch. What ABC did in the debate is a walk in the park, in the sunshine, on Sunday, compared to what’s in store for Obama and his faithful.
Most people are now seing the Obama media leghumping (95%) so long as Hillary is around to be trashed by slime like Klein. They’ll learn all about Obama in the general.
The repubs will not even have to lie about BHO (although they probably will, just to keep in practice). The truth about BHO is bad enough.
True. And you can see evidence of it in David Brooks. He’s already gone to Obama to now trashing Obama.
I saw Brooks on New Hour last night….He was’nt trashin him yet, but he did look a little disappointed. I think Brooks had a man crush on the prince.
Obama had a really bad night because he was treated like she’s been treated all along. He and his supporters are hysterical because he got a taste, just a small one, of what it’s like to play in the big leagues. He made it quite evident that he ain’t ready for the “Big Show”. Only when all the cards are stacked in his favor does he want to play.
The Little Imposter Prince has been surronded by (asskissin) syncophants his entire ( brief ) political career….He can’t take the heat cause he’s never felt it….Apparently those that live in those REZKO bldg. projects have’nt felt any heat either….OBAMIMPOSTER HAS GOT TO GET OUT OF THIS RACE….
reminder: he’s won more votes, more states, and more delegates. just sayin’…
Not so fast.. Reminder: Not if you count every vote and some votes have not been even cast. You are unfit to live in a democracy. Go live in some third world country, you will fit right in. You and people like you are what is shameful about this whole primary election.
my point is why should he drop out when he’s ahead (and likely to remain so even when all the votes are cast and counted)? what’s yours?
For the good of the country.
you must be kidding
He’s not ahead.
The truth is the caucuses were rigged, strong armend, and do not count as legitimate, he’s lost the big states, and you’re refusing to count FL and MI.
So, he lost.
If only, if only, same way Bush and Cheney lost Iraq, btw, careful now, wishful thinking doesn’t make it so, and you’re deluding yourself, and others are feeding your delusions.
And best you face the truth, or it will come back to WHACK YOU in the ass, and HARD.
You people are morons, have some dignity show me you are capable of rubbing two brain cells together.
Or are ya too scared?
Either way, losers.
Obama is as good for America, as Hitler was for Germany.
Both are great orators; both use propaganda and themes to highlight their speeches more; both preach socialist dreams; both have huge masses of followers; and both were relative unknowns before they gained power.
Question is who will be Obama’s scapegoat?
No, Obama would not only do America a favor, the world, if he conceded and left the race.
I hate to agree with XP on anything, but his comment “Obama is as good for America, as Hitler was for Germany” hits the nail pretty much on the head. One wonders how much of Wright’s teachings (which he disavowed only when it became politically necessary to do so) would show up in BHO’s conduct of the presidency.
typical white people
clarification:
You said who will Obama Scapegoat. I said “typical white people”
The point is he will blow the Democratic party all the way back to McGovern ‘72. The superdelegates came to fruition to avoid that mistake again. But fear is a terrible thing.
Those of us who recognize the similarities to ‘72 already mourn for the party’s death for the next decade or two–particularly at a time when real Democratic principles such as universal health care (something not even OBama supports) are so very important.
the supers seem to be breaking for him, not her. you sure you want to put the party’s future in their hands? if they back him, will you support their decision?
Thus, the mourning. As the safeguard isn’t working.
If a party can’t even police it’s members, voters will police the party — by leaving it, and/or voting their monsters out of office.
America DOES NOT tolerate extremism. Bush was elected as he didn’t appear to be extreme to voters (not even with the Patriot Act), as he pulled in a cross section of votes, not just the religious variety. If Obama is elected, there will be a backlash, as he’s everything this country despises — no bused in rallies or MSM protecting his backside can override the American fear, of this country turning out to be another third world cesspool.
At this point with his problems — Wright, Rezko, Ayers, Auchi we know that his electability in GE is in question (don’t even list Clinton’s stuff that is old..). You guys are not looking at the big picture. So be it — it is your prerogative. But people should know enough about him to make an informed choice and that is what ABC did. Once people know enough about him, they will not vote for him. Better now than in GE. You’re all betting on the wrong horse and bad horse.
as i wrote in another thread, i don’t think either clinton or obama will beat mccain. in fact, i don’t believe any dem could beat any reep this year. their smear machine is much more effective.
dems treat politics as a contact sport and play to win.
reeps treat it as a blood sport and aim to kill.
it’d be nice to be wrong this year, but won’t come down to which candidate the dems put forward.
It’ll be interesting to see pledges change at the convention….Check party history….It’s happened before. What people say now is not necessarily what they will do later.
Reminder: he’s got a bunch more contests coming up where he can anticipate a nasty beatdown. Add in FL and MI and things aren’t so rosy, now are they?
actually the numbers still work in his favor, even with florida. she’ll crush him in west virginia and kentucky. he’ll crush her in north carolina and oregon (and probably montana and south dakota). even if she wins pennsylvania by 10-15 points, she nets — what? — eight delegates? nine? the arithmetic is just not in her favor.
So now you know what will happen in those states?
Popular vote and one person one vote — none of your stupid delegates stuff.
this contest is about delegates, just as the general is about electoral votes (ask gore). and even if you want to make it about the popular vote, a) he’s leading (even counting florida) and b) he’ll probably still be leading when all the remaining primaries are concluded.
I agree it is about delegates however neither one can win the nomination without the super delegates. If Obama comes limping home to the finish line with poor to very poor results in the remaining primaries given his tremendous advantage in spending the superdelegates will have second thoughts on his ability in the general election. If nothing else this primary has shown Obama is not ready for prime time. And that cannot be denied.
of course it can be denied.
he won’t be ‘limping home.’ look at the calendar. he’ll have several lopsided victories in the remaining primaries, as will she. his fundraising numbers are likely to remain off the charts (especially compared to mccain’s). he’ll continue to gather super delegates.
The presumptive candidate is not suppose to be having these difficulties and he may win some of those primaries but like Clinton he needs a big blow out win in a strong Democratic state and I don’t see that happening to him.
That is the other issue his fundraising numbers are off the charts but his results have been less than adequate. Given his fundraising totals he should have wraped it up a long time ago but he hasn’t. Thats his weakness. In a close race with McCain can he close the deal up to this point the evidence is he can’t.
there aren’t any more strong dem states on the calendar, apart from perhaps oregon. so that point’s a canard.
and didn’t she claim late last year that this would all be over on super tuesday? i’d say he’s exceeding expectations.
West Virginia is a strong Dem state up until 2000 but always elects Dem state wide. Indiana has become a strong Dem state and should go dem in the fall with the right candidate. Pa is a strong Dem state and should go demo in fall with the right candidate. Kentucky is leaning democratic and will go democratic with the right candidate. NC weak dem state probably at best long shot for dem to win but probably strong Dem state of Obama primary vote. Oregon usually leans dem at this time is toss up in GE. Are you getting a pattern here. He is limping home not building a winning coalition Hillary’s coalition seems to be growing. But why don’t we just throw away all those groups, the rural, poor, the ethnic groups, labor the Democratic Party doesn’t need them. Right.
montana elected dems to every statewide office and gave dems majorities in both houses of the state legislature. but does anyone think it won’t go reep in the general?
the last dem to carry indiana was lyndon johnson, despite the state electing a number of dems to statewide office.
thanks to perot, clinton carried kentucky in 92 and 96, but with well under 50 percent of the vote.
west virginia might be in play. pennsylvania will remain a swing.
so where’s the dem bastion obama must win to avoid limping?
So your defense of Obama is what.I take you think it is okay to limb home. Irregardless of how you finish the primary campaign even with the built in advantages he has right now. That is not a stategy for winning in the general election.
I don’t see how you can’t see he is limping home. He must be able to show he can build a winning coalition and I haven’t seen evidence of that. I think everybody understands that. That doesn’t mean he can’t but up to this point in the campaign he has to reach out beyond his current coalition by his speech in North Carolina and I am not referring to his figure gesture he does not seem to be in bridge building mode.
i don’t think winning north carolina, oregon, montana, south dakota, and (MAYBE) indiana is limping home.
and, again, i’d like to be surprised in november. but i don’t see any dem beating any reep this year.
Go to Wikipedia and take a good long look at 2004. Kerry/Edwards had a coalition that Obama will not benefit from. Montana, Indiana, North Carolina and South Dakota went RED. Oregon will add 7 Electoral votes on that night that matters ….
Let’s talk again when you are serious about winning.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ElectoralCollege2004.svg
Bwana….Question…How do you walk up right with OBAMESSIAHS foot so far up your ass…
as i said, i’m indifferent. just because i don’t drink the clinton kool aid doesn’t mean i drink obama’s.
Hillary’s got some of the same issues going into the general election and in our zeal to support her we cannot over look this. I do think she is trying to build the bridges necessary to win in the general election.
Hillary has been toxic to wide segments of the population but as the campaign drags on she is gaining new respect. She will always have high negatives. Obama had been an unknown so his negatives had no where to go but up. Obama cannot blame Hillary for Rev Wright, Rezko, Ayers, and bittergate they are of his own making.
deke, agree re hillary’s negatives. very high. also agree re her gaining new respect.
could it be that by the time people see the truth about obama they’ll be so relieved that there’s an alternative that they’ll embrace hillary more than they would have otherwise?
That is not true about FL, you are projecting because you are scared, and you refuse to face the truth about the dumb ass brother.
And the more you spew your fantasies, the more confused and in denial I know you are, and the more I see your weaknesses.
So you’ve told me Obama is a delusional weak dumbshit, willing to LIE to himself to maintain a chldish vision of omnipotence, and, well, I can feed it.
And you are on the yellow brick road, Dorothy, until others tell you you’re not.
i’m dispassionate and indifferent. but thanks for your thoughts.
No, you’re frightened.
And the more you lie, the worse it gets.
Funny thing about Obama, and Cheney’s guys , too, they’re always telling people they’re indifferent, you know, because otherwise no one would know.
Get it, or does that one go over your head, too?
Here, to cheer you up, maybe you’ll see something you recognize:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-09apr09,0,1184355.column
Great Article Alegre…
One has to Admire That Hillary smile, those big bright blue happy eyes of hers, yes, you can see
Hillary has a Heart, She looks like the kind of woman everyone would want for a Friend, or Mother,or a Public servant or Senator or PRESIDENT…She just looks like someone who Cares, Who Has Feelings, and Compassion, but has also Demonstrated One of the Greatest Minds, Intellect, and grasp of Issues I havwe ever seen..She can think on her feet…Like Bill, She can talk for Hours , from the heart, and without Script, about the Issues..She has dedicated her Life, to Public service, Human Rights, Domestic and foreign policy, One Knows that Hillary really has PASSION FOR PEOPLE..
Unlike Obama, Hillary really is transparent,She really is a ROLE MODEL for ALL people..Men, Women, Children..of all Ages, Races and Creeds..She Cares about everyone…You Know She Really loves the United States…and ALL MIts People..There is No Hint of Racial predjustice or Discrimination or Background Associations that make Her Policys and Ideology any where near as questionable as senator bamas..
Thwe FAR LEFT WING Machine, organization and Money have Backed OBAMA…They have Come ut from underground and behind thier MASK and Smoke Screen in an Effort to capture the United states government and the Presidency through thier ADVOCATE and political Activist, Barack Obama..The candidate with Radical, racist Revolutionary friends..and Associates..
The Left Wingers..(So far left People should call them by thier Right Names) are so desperate for Power now, they will Run the Obama campaign as Dirty as they can, as deceptive as they can, even as Un`Democratic as they can..with Lies, Smoke screens, deceptions, Smears, and denial..even toward a fellow democrat and great LADY like Hillary..
I wonder how many times Senator Obama would give Senator John McCain the finger if they had Debates..?? The REALLY FAR LEFT WINGERS behind Obama have already freaked out, and are starting to once again act the the RADICALS of the 60’s…The same Radicals who support and associate with Obama now..
We Mustsupport and elect Hillary if we are to Preserve Our Nation, Our Constitution and Our Government from Extremism and Abuse..
So right on Patrick.
During the late 60’s I dated Abby Hoffman’s cousin. When Abby went too far out, I learned the hard way that his cousin and I had completely different value systems, and we broke up.
As Susan and I both know, the majority from that time, were peaceful, and well meaning, and did not do destruction. Those like Ayers, and Abby that did, were comparatively few in number.
Now it seems more like an infestation of Killer Bees - who swarm and kill or destroy everything they touch.
I think my disillusionment with the left blogosphere became complete when I went to Hullabaloo yesterday and saw that the great Digby was organizing a protest against BO’s debate “treatment” at Disney in Burbank.
Here is arguably the sharpest writer on the blogs, and a woman. But I didn’t see her organizing a protest at NBC Burbank when Hillary got ganged up on by Russert and the rest of the thugs. Over at her blog, in comments, they are whining that “it’s not the same thing!” with BO as with Hillary. Oh bullshit. What shameless hypocrites. They lie like crack addicts. They’re all members of The Obama Party now.
Turner Classic Movies ran “The Stepford Wives” last night. Maybe we should put together a lefty Obama blogger film festival. We could include Stepford, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Invaders From Mars. All the same theme of people losing their identities/personalities/values.
How many people ruined their reputations for Bush? Colin Powell was certainly the biggest loser. BO reminds me a lot of W. and his blind followers, willing to smash their hard work and reputation on the rocks for a phony who is going to lead them directly off a cliff.
Happy weekend boys and girls. I’m lighting a candle for us all on Tuesday.
The “left” blogosphere” is suffering from runaway hubris. They’ve let the daily reader hits and adoring fans go to their heads, and believe they can take on Big Media and dictate politics beyond the dreaded reach of the MSM.
Lol!
I’ve never seen so many turkeys voting for an early Christmas as this silly season. Another reality check in store, I’m afraid.
TOUCHE’
Speaking of turkeys, there was news footage of a gang of turkeys attacking a mail truck…
Attack turkeys?
Gangbanging turkeys?
They were kinda slow, the truck drove away before they were able to rush it.
I’m enjoying the new meme about Obama as Mean Girl, a la Heathers. He helped that along with his little bird-flipping, shoulder-brushing tantrum in Raleigh the other day.
i can’t see him pulling it off. he’ll always look like a pussy to me. oops, there i go being sexist again.
btw, female speaking. double oops.
WOW. great article and great list of
pundits vs. reality.
Hillary cares so deeply for children
and the health of all citizens and has
worked for years for our benefit. I
know that she is the best choice
for the safety of our nation, at home
and dealing with issues of foreign policy.
we must all work very hard in the
next few days to up that PA total.
Everything in the Obama campaign is either the dog ate my homework or its her fault. Obama is the great example with what is wrong with American politics, deny deny, deny. What happened to getting up admitting your mistakes, apologize and give do to the other candidate and act gracefully in defeat.
Now some Obamabot will get up a scream about Hillary not apologizing for her Iraq vote. Well she got up explained her decision and said it was a mistake. What more do you want. Kerry, Rockefeller, and all the other Obamabots in the Senate never apologized in fact his supporters have generally been profiles in cowardness.
i’d like her to explain her votes on the patriot act, the bush tax cuts, et al.
What is Obama explanation for his vote on the Bush Chaney Energy bill. What is Obama explanation on for for the bill that condemned move-on for their aid on Petraus. What is Obama explanation for taking the language out of a bill that would have held Exelon responsible for leaks of contaminated ground water. What is Obama explanation of voting against a bill that would have forced medical treat for fetuses that were born alive during late term abortions. What is Obama defense of his votes when he said I pushed the wrong button.
Obama is an unmitigated joke of a politician. A new kind of politics, that has on display in North Carolina on Thursday. The sooner Obama is relegated to the trash bin of history the better this country will be.
How many more examples do you want. And how about an example of Obama’s apologies.
And you wish to what with this explanation?
There one vote in the Senate; nay…
And your inference is that BO would have voted with Fiengold?
Where was Senator Clinton on the 12th?
Ultimately, those votes on the Patriot act catch guys like Obama.
You do know if Auchi paid for his house, and it can be proven Auchi supports terrorist entities, the government can take away Obama’s house?
That’s fer real, do0d, and remind to send Clinton, a thank you.
add to that the funneling of funds to khalidi.
i continue to be amazed that obama’s not in guantanamo.