Wisconsin Loss Highlights Problems For Clinton Campaign

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

NEW YORK CITY -- Hillary Clinton suffered her 9th and 10th straight losses yesterday, losing contests in Wisconsin and Hawaii to Barack Obama. But despite her losses, a source close to the campaign tells CBS News the campaign believes Clinton can win Ohio and Texas. "We are leading in both states…the demographics of both states are good for us," the source said.

But one reason why Clinton's loss in Wisconsin should be a cause for concern for the campaign is that Obama was able to tap into key groups of Clinton supporters, particularly white voters and working class voters who make less than $50,000 per year. And if key demographics are not turning out for Clinton, she may find herself with a similar problem in Texas and Ohio, even though the campaign feels confident Clinton can win there because of the large numbers of two groups that tend to support Clinton, primarily Hispanics in Texas and working class Democrats in Ohio.

"This race for delegates continues to be close, and we continue to accumulate delegates as the focus turns to Ohio and Texas. Both those states not only have demographics that favor Senator Clinton, but are states where we see tremendous momentum for her message," said campaign senior pokesman Mo Elleithee.

But if there is a lesson to be learned from Wisconsin it's that demographics may not always follow suit, especially as Obama's momentum grows after each win. Elleithee downplayed Obama's win in the Badger States saying, "Wisconsin is a neighboring state for him, and they've been predicting a big win there."

But the campaign source who spoke to CBS on background, believes that Clinton's "economic message is resonating in both states," and will help the Senator from New York keep her current lead in the two March 4th contests.

Today in New York, Clinton will deliver what the campaign calls a "major" speech delineating the choices voters have in this coming election. Later this afternoon, Clinton heads for Texas where she will campaign for a few days.

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by sjbj2322 February 21, 2008 3:01 AM EST: Don''t worry briannorwood. Obama is doing a pretty good job of cutting his own throat. First he uses Duval''s lines even though Duval (his friend) covers for him. Sort of like McClaskey agreeing that Obama didn''t snub Clinton in the Senate when he tried to say he had merely turn to talk to her....pictures don''t lie. She wasn''t even looking at him and he was looking down toward the floor. Then he attacks the older generation saying its time to get rid of them. That one really turned me off and I''m not that old but I was raised to respect my elders. Then Michele''s little Freudian slip regarding never having been proud of being an American till people starting seeing her husband as she does...as the Great Oz. Now we have the charges filed by Larry Sinclair. Hmmm....and your worried about what Clinton might come up with. Now that''s a good one.; Reply to this comment


by l00ker February 20, 2008 3:45 PM EST: Well, if she wakes up on March 5th to double digit defeats in Ohio and Texas, then she may as well go ahead and fall on the fork herself.; Reply to this comment


by xseabeecm3 February 20, 2008 1:18 PM EST: Did it ever occur to Hillary that we already know what she can do as President since she''s already been President? Yeah, yeah, I know it was Bill not Hillary, but we all know who wears the pants in that house and we all know that if it weren''t for Hillary telling Bill how to put his shoes on he would not know what to do. We all know Hillary ran the show while Bill took credit for it.; Reply to this comment


by drtjohns February 20, 2008 1:15 PM EST: The dirty tricks that HRC promotes
is the same o politics that''s been happening the last 20 years.
If speeches are not important, then
why is HRC stumping the grounds with hers?; Reply to this comment


by merchantbio February 20, 2008 1:12 PM EST: My feeling is Mr Obama is not a practical man. He promises to change things for the betterment of USA, but it seems he has no clue what exactly he wants to change. He reminds me incompetent leaders we sri lankans have in our country. It is hard to understand what he would do if he is elected, but still more and more people falling for his "we need a change campaign". This is what has happened to the world today, people are no longer capable of finding the difference between a clever leader and an ordinary one. At this crucial juncture Americans need a more experience person like Mr. Macain or Mrs. Clinton as their next president.

If Mr. Obama is elected I fear that americans would be divided over every little thing. So democrats have to think wisely and go for Mrs. Clinton, if they really wants america to prosper.; Reply to this comment


by briannorwood February 20, 2008 12:21 PM EST: It couldn''t occur to Hillary that she and her "win at all costs" approach to politics has been soundly rejected by the voters.

Yet, I am sure she will wage a campaign of destruction in the coming weeks. Sadly, that''s all they know how to do.; Reply to this comment


by lorinkundert February 20, 2008 12:11 PM EST: Hopefully the working people who lost jobs or had loved ones lose jobs will remember who was responsible for NAFTA.; Reply to this comment