Clinton Lowers Expectations

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

Trying to downplay a possible ninth loss in a row for Hillary Clinton, her campaign talked up Barack Obama's chances in today's Wisconsin and Hawaii primaries. "They are on the record claiming a sizeable victory in Wisconsin and Hawaii," said Communications Director Howard Wolfson. "These are states they are predicting victories in." Wolfson is referring to a leaked memo from the Obama campaign a few weeks ago that showed their projections in coming contests.

Clearly, the campaign is trying to cushion themselves against a loss in Wisconsin while still working to pull out a win. On Election Day, it's all a game of expectations. A win would mean a lot to Clinton and her campaign, while a loss would add to Obama's momentum. But by lowering expectations, the campaign can argue that Obama was always predicted to do well in Wisconsin. "We have always said we think Wisconsin is challenging," said Clinton's chief pollster Mark Penn. "There's a very substantial independent vote." Independent voters tend to favor Obama, but a majority of voters in Wisconsin are lower-income whites, who have supported Clinton. Some pundits argue this is Clinton's race to lose.

Looking forward, the campaign has said for weeks now that it is looking to March 4th states like Texas and Ohio. But today, Wolfson continually referred to those contests as "real battlegrounds," despite the fact that most national polls show Clinton with sizeable leads. Lowering the bar once again, Wolfson said that Obama's campaign was "pulling out all the stops to do all they can" in Texas and that the race will be "hotly contested."

The campaign discredited some polls that show Obama gaining ground among Hispanic voters, a key base of support for Clinton. "We haven't seen any evidence of support dropping," said Averell "Ace" Smith, Clinton's Texas state chair. "There is a deep connection and long term relationship that Senator Clinton has with that community."

Overall, the mood of the campaign going into today's Wisconsin primary and looking to Ohio and Texas seems to be positive. Wolfson remains confident that Clinton will be the nominee. At one point he was asked about the campaign's finances, particularly since Senator Clinton loaned $5 million of her own money to the campaign back in January. Wolfson said the campaign raised $15 million in 15 days after Clinton announced coughing up the cash for her campaign.

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by b-easy63 February 20, 2008 11:53 AM EST: Hilary and those who are campaigning with and for her--just don''''t get it--by attacking him--you alienate even your own base--we want change--tell us why Hilary is not the status quo and why she is planning to work with us not baby us, coddle us or smother us. Tell us what her solutions are--because NONE of the candidates can say they are not in the speech business--until they are President--speeches are pretty much all that they have. As for her work of 35 years--that is great. But the fact is--some people are born Generals and some are born foot soldiers--if you applaud yourself for being a foot soldier for 35 years, don''''t be surprised if people think that is your place and you should remain a foot soldier for 35 MORE years.; Reply to this comment


by pilgrimsway-2009 February 20, 2008 1:56 AM EST: Man files Federal Lawsuit against Obama regarding GAY bj''''s and drug use claims

A man named Larry Sinclair posted a video to YouTube claiming to have used cocaine and engaged in a gay BJ act with Obama when Obama was a state legislator in 1999.

In the video, Sinclair claims he and Obama met on two separate occasions, that Obama used crack cocaine and that Sinclair performed oral BJ on Obama both evenings.

Now Obama and company are quickly trying to quiet this man, but Sinclair has filed a federal lawsuit. Sinclair filed suit against Obama and his campaign guru David Axelrod in Minnesota district court for allegedly attempting to abridge Sinclair''''s right to free speech, and for waging an intimidation campaign against him.

check out the video on youtube for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=sVeFVtcdSYY

Plaintiff: Larry Sinclair
Defendant: Barack Obama, David Axelrod and Democratic National Committee

Case Number: 0:2008cv00360
Filed: February 11, 2008

Court: Minnesota District Court
Office: DMN Office [ Court Info ]
County: St. Louis

http://obamawho.wordpress.com/20
08/02/16/obama-faces-lawsuit/; Reply to this comment


by ockam February 20, 2008 1:48 AM EST: To Infidel_US
Sorry, but who are the two socialists and the leftwing RINO?
I see everybody say the same right of centre banalities.; Reply to this comment


by pilgrimsway-2009 February 20, 2008 1:24 AM EST: Move over Martin Luther King Jr! Obama is here to replace your dream! Maybe if you were alive you could look up to Him as your mentor! In any case you would carry Obamas luggage for His dream not your dream!; Reply to this comment


by randynason February 20, 2008 12:36 AM EST: It''s not that I dislike Hillary; it''s just that I really like Barack. The momemtum is sweeping all into a distinct period of hope and I wish that I live long enough to see the GOP become an extinct and distasteful memory with its'' coffin nailed shut for good.; Reply to this comment


by infidel_us February 19, 2008 8:29 PM EST: This election is lowering ALL of our expectations. We have two socialists and a leftwing RINO. Can''t we do without a pres for 4 years????; Reply to this comment


by trace-sc February 19, 2008 7:15 PM EST: Clinton Lowers Expectations?

Is that what Katie told you Fernando or just some daydreaming of yours?; Reply to this comment