Clinton, Obama Use Different Tactics To Court Superdelegates
When ABC News reported that Hillary Clinton had tried to convince Bill Richardson that Barack Obama "cannot win" the general election, it was the latest example of the concerted effort the Clinton camp has made to convince superdelegates to stick with her.
Clinton's aggressive attempt at persuasion didn't work in Richardson's case, but that hasn't stopped her campaign from honing its pitch to the party leaders who could decide the nomination.
Clinton adviser Harold Ickes recently admitted to bringing up the Reverend Wright controversy in his conversations with superdelegates, in order to try to convince them that Obama's baggage may be too heavy to beat John McCain.
Of course, the Obama campaign isn't just sitting on its heals while the Clinton operation tries to wrangle as many superdelegates as possible, and party leaders are being solicited actively by his campaign, as well. Al Gore even joked that he was getting so many call from both sides that in order to do his "60 Minutes" interview with Leslie Stahl, he had to disconnect his phones.
But Obama's frontrunner status affords him the luxury of taking a more nuanced approach to wooing superdelegates. The Illinois senator does not have to take the kinds of risks that Clinton does in trying to convince party leaders that his opponent is fatally flawed.
Obama has recently been described as more "magnanimous" in his approach to Clinton, an approach that the Obama campaign seems to hope will signal to superdelegates that when he becomes the nominee, the wounds of the party will heal rather quickly. The Clinton campaign, on the other hand, may not be able to attempt such subtleties.
Clinton's aggressive attempt at persuasion didn't work in Richardson's case, but that hasn't stopped her campaign from honing its pitch to the party leaders who could decide the nomination.
Clinton adviser Harold Ickes recently admitted to bringing up the Reverend Wright controversy in his conversations with superdelegates, in order to try to convince them that Obama's baggage may be too heavy to beat John McCain.
Of course, the Obama campaign isn't just sitting on its heals while the Clinton operation tries to wrangle as many superdelegates as possible, and party leaders are being solicited actively by his campaign, as well. Al Gore even joked that he was getting so many call from both sides that in order to do his "60 Minutes" interview with Leslie Stahl, he had to disconnect his phones.
But Obama's frontrunner status affords him the luxury of taking a more nuanced approach to wooing superdelegates. The Illinois senator does not have to take the kinds of risks that Clinton does in trying to convince party leaders that his opponent is fatally flawed.
Obama has recently been described as more "magnanimous" in his approach to Clinton, an approach that the Obama campaign seems to hope will signal to superdelegates that when he becomes the nominee, the wounds of the party will heal rather quickly. The Clinton campaign, on the other hand, may not be able to attempt such subtleties.
1 - Money talks
2 - Hillary is broke
3 - Obama rasies huge sums
4 - Politicians flock to money
5 - Superdelegates are Politicians
6 - This race is OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But also:
1. Most delegates.
2. Most states.
3. Most votes.
4. Re-energized electorate.
5. New categories of voters going Democratic.
6. Unifying persona, against Hillary''s polarizing brand.
7. Capable management - notice how unified and effective his campaign team is vs. Hillary''s.
Super-delegates can ponder for a couple more months, but they should convene in June per Phil Bredesen''s suggestion, vote, and put Obama on an early, unified path to beating McCain in November.
This change of candidate was not an easy choice. I hope that Obama supporters will tone down the rhetoric (be gracious winners) and make it easier for Clinton supporters to come together for the most important battle--beating John McCain in the general election. Our country must have a change this year--we cannot afford 4 more years of this war and the economic meltdown we are living with.
- The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- First president accused of rape.
- First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court
WHAT DID THEY FORGET TO DO?
When asked why he won''t disassociate himself with Reverend Wright, Obama should answer with one simple statement that fits into most religious people''s mental frame:
"Reverend Wright bought me to God. For that, I will be eternally grateful to him and TUCC."
I think that that answer would (or should) satisfy even the most right-wing talkshow hack (or even Chris Matthews). How could anyone of faith expect him to throw Wright under the bus when he showed him the way to salvation?
We learned this hard way in New York, when Hillary promised us jobs... and then forgot about us.
Because the Obama camp would make something out of nothing over it, and then they''d have to waste time defending it.
Obama is worse than Karl Rove ever was.
If Obama had the support he claims, and the media claims, and spews at you, the DNC would''ve already called it.
If you look at things yourself, add them up, and take a really hard look. Hillary has just as much support as Obama.
The DNC knows this, and the DNC knows it has itself to thank for this stupid mess they''re in.
And the DNC knows that they can disenfrancise voters and have to come up with a fair solution. Otherwise the Obama supporters and the Clinton supporters, one or the other will leave the party come November.
I have friends and relatives, and yes, a pastor, whose opinions I do not always share, but you don%u2019t dump the baby out with the bathwater. Obama sat through wonderful inspiring speeches by Pastor Wright, the man who brought him to Jesus, and he rejected the comments he didn%u2019t agree with. But he didn%u2019t abandon him or his church. He understood where it came from. Pastor Wright is of an era where a black man had to step into the gutter to let a white man pass. Where %u2018Whites only%u2019 signs were everywhere. There is more; so much more. So many injustices, I think he can be forgiven, as the Lord forgives us all. And I am a white woman in my 70s.
Are there not people in your life you don%u2019t always agree with? Can we not have more understanding, more compassion. Being bi-racial, Barack Obama is in the position to see things from more than one side. He is not perfect. He is a human being, albeit a quality human being and he will make a wonderful President, and will bring change to the world. It would be a tragedy if we lost out on that. Please try to remember that Barack''s mother was white, and he has said on more than one occasion that the best that is in him, he owes to her.
I wish you a fair wind at your back, Mr. Obama.
Hillary%u2019s judgment should one again be called into question!
1st: It was staying with Bill for political gain even after the abuse of sexual indiscretions.
2nd: The war in Iraq vote!
3rd: Agreeing to sign up for the rules that were stated by the DNC in respect to Florida and Mich.
4th: Destroying the Democratic Party for her win at all cost policy.
5th: Slashing and Bashing Obama and then wanting him to be her running mate.
6th: Financial handling of campaign funds spent over 100 million during Iowa campaign.
7th: Lying about Bosnia and Sniper Fire.
8th Not taking Obama serious as a contender for President, she thought she had it in the bag from the beginning
And this is who you want as President, come on women of America look at who you are supporting. It her judgment that needs be the #1 issue of this campaign. She has poor judgment that is the bottom line issue for all of us to examine
They have calling list that%u2019s easy to get from any sales calling center. When you order the list you tell the sales list company this. You only want people that have been in there homes over 20 years, and live in small rural towns in PA only those that are 65 and over. This is an old campaign tactic that was developed by Karl Rove for the Bush campaign.
The Clintons, Karl Rove and the GOP know that most of you that support them are stupid.
He wasn''t exactly standing up for Florida or Michigan voters, but I''m sure he really cares about those people too.
Why so much hostility and anger? I would hate to be sitting next to you somewhere, lighten up and love somebody. RIZEABOVE The hate.
And you think lil'' missy cares about the people of Florida and Michigan?
Monster
Monster
Rest easy. The Obama shuffle will steamroll anyone in his path--Democrat, Republican, etc. As sure as the sun rises and sets everyday, a lil'' woman and an OLD man don''t have a chance in stopping the Obama shuffle.
Issues - Yes
Competence - Yes
Forward Thinking - Yes
Reverend - NO
I am voting on the issues, not the religious advisors.
Obama is going to pay off Clintons debt and in return she will get out of the race an go crawl under a rock
Obama''''s national finance chairwoman, Penny Pritzker, was chairwoman of the board of a Chicago-area bank in 1993 when it adopted a subprime business strategy that regulators say ultimately led it to collapse in 2001.
From that right wing paper USA Today. Oh those evil neo cons.
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by ksh1022
April 5, 2008 9:17 PM PDT
- Obama is buying his superdelegates with Oprahs money. Simple.
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