Starting Gate: For Clinton, Mission Unaccomplished

(AP)
This was the ground of Clinton’s choosing, a debate as much about the issue of electability as the issues of the day. And Obama withered a bit in the spotlight. Clearly prepared for the “bitter” debate (and the piling on from Clinton), he seemed taken by surprise as that segued into more discussions about Jeremiah Wright and Ayers. About the only “skeleton” kept in the closet was indicted Chicago developer Tony Rezko.
It was in so many ways almost a perfect setup for Clinton’s remaining argument in the Democratic primary contest – that she is the most electable. That’s what she is trying to convince voters of in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. More importantly, it’s the argument she’d like to convince those all-important superdelegates of before this process is over.
Two things worked against Clinton in that drive last night. First, for the first time (in at least a very long time), she emphatically agreed that Obama could defeat John McCain in November. When first asked the question, she tried to dodge it, talking about her confidence that Democrats would win in November. But when pressed about whether Obama can win, she said “yes, yes, yes.”
But what may hurt Clinton most is the one thing working in her favor – Obama’s stumbles. She didn’t appear elegant in piling on last night but she didn’t exactly overplay her hand either. But the sight of the front-runner sweating under the spotlight may lead to an increased desire among Democratic leaders to get this nomination process over with quickly. And the only way to do that is for Obama to win it and avoid an August convention fight.
If there is lasting damage to the party’s ability to unify for the general election, it’s far more likely to come from a Clinton nomination. Obama has generated genuine excitement and opened up a flood of new donors to the party. His support is passionate and comes from two groups – blacks and young voters – likely to be most turned off should they feel the nomination is somehow taken unjustly by Clinton (i.e. superdelegates). He leads in delegates, the popular vote and total contests won.
Party leaders do not want to find themselves in a position where they appear to be handing the nomination to Clinton after all that’s happened in this race. The damage to the party in that case might last far beyond November. Events like last night’s debate might increase the sense of urgency to put this primary process behind them.
Royalties Welcomed: Obama released his 2007 tax returns yesterday, showing that he and wife Michelle earned $4.2 million last year, mostly income from the sales of Obama’s two books. Income from the sales of “Dreams From My Father” and “The Audacity of Hope,” both written previous to 2007, accounted for about $4 million of the couple’s total income in a year spent mostly on the campaign trail. Obama earned just over $157,000 from his salary as a U.S. Senator and Michelle Obama earned over $103,000 in her position as a vice president at the University of Chicago Medical Center. The couple paid $277,431 in federal taxes and their charitable donations included $26,270 to Trinity United Church of Christ, the former church of Rzev. Jeremiah Wright, whose controversial statements have caused problems for Obama’s campaign.
Delegate Count Update: Just because we haven’t had a primary contest for five weeks or so doesn’t mean that the delegate counts have remained static. Here’s the most recent count from the CBS News election and survey unit: Obama leads overall in CBS News’ delegate estimate, 1,637 to 1,495 (2,025 total are needed to win the nomination). Among “pledged” delegates won in state contests (excluding Florida and Michigan), Obama leads 1,411 to 1,243 with 566 remaining to be won in upcoming contests. Among “superdelegates” who have declared support for a candidate, Clinton retains a narrow 252 to 226 lead with 317 who have yet to decide.
Around The Track
shouldn't be surprised that people are cynical,” she said. “There is a level of cynicism that comes when you feel like no matter how hard you work, no matter how much you do, you never catch up and you certainly can't get ahead. So you don't believe that politics can do anything for you, you lose hope. Naturally, you fold your arms in disgust of the process."
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
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According to The Book of Revelations the Anti-Christ is:
The Anti-Christ will be a Man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM Descent
Answer: Obama is of African & Caucasian Descent. Obama is not of Arab Blood !!
Who will Deceive the Nations with Persuasive Language.
Answer: You mean like causing the American Society to Crumble, via the (NAU) War & a Very Devalued Dollar...Thats George Bush Jr. your Preesent President.
Answer: And have a MASSIVE Christ-Like Appeal....the prophecy says that people will Flock to him and he will promise False Hope and World Peace, and when he is in Power, hewill Destroy Everything.
Answer:People did not Flock the Other (White) Presidents..Huh
Note: Reagan, Bush Sr. Bill Clinton & George W. Bush did not Preach Hope, World Peace..Give me and the Free World a Break !
Is it OBAMA ??
Answer: No, thats George W. Bush and hes already done all these things, without being Articulate or Charismatic & You Voted for his Lame A!! (Twice) !!
4009 Killed US Troop & 100,000 Innocent Iraqi Death, A Very Bad Economy, Devalued Dollar, High Foreclosure Rates, High Unemployment & 12 Billion $ Per Month Failed Occupation of Iraq
1. Ronald Wilson Reagan (Mr. 666) himself was supposed to be the Anti-Christ !!!
His Bel-Air Address was #666, but was CHANGED to #668 by Nancy Reagan !!
Bills Dubai Ports Deal, His 10 Million $ per year from The Royal Saudi Arabian Family, Qatar, Kuwait and other Arab Nations..
The Clintons might as well be Muslisms !!
CBS News estimates. Includes super delegates.
Source: CBS News
Who won the Democratic debate in Philadelphia Wednesday Night?
Hillary Clinton:
25.08%
Barack Obama :
74.92%
Until Hillary Clinton EVENS or SURPASSES Barack Obama in this (D) Race...
Youre All Blowing Sand out of Your A!!''''s
Source: CBS NEWS.COM
Total Delegate Count
Democrats | 2,025 Needed to Clinch
OBAMA 1,637
CLINTON 1,495
EDWARDS 18
Republicans | 1,191 Needed to
Clinch
MCCAIN 1,241
HUCKABEE 231
ROMNEY 149
The new poll suggests that much of her problem is with men.
Nearly two-thirds of men said Clinton is not honest and trustworthy (an increase of 19 points), compared with 53 percent of women (up 12 points). Democratic men, in particular, have shifted:
About four in 10 now do not believe Clinton to be honest and trustworthy, nearly triple the percentage saying so in 2006.
The percentage calling Clinton honest has dropped steeply among whites with higher incomes and levels of education.
And while majorities of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents across demographic lines said she is honest and trustworthy, the class divisions remain:
The percentage of white Democrats without college degrees calling Clinton honest hardly budged in two years, while those with college degrees have dropped off significantly on the question (from 82 percent to 53 percent).
Among whites, the percentage saying Clinton is honest and trustworthy has declined 10 points, compared with 26 points among nonwhites.
That number has declined more sharply among liberals (down 30 points) than among moderates (down 13) or conservatives (down 4 points).
Head to head with Obama on honesty among Democrats, Clinton faces a 23-point deficit overall, 17 points among whites and nearly 50 points among African Americans.
The new poll suggests that much of her problem is with men.
Nearly two-thirds of men said Clinton is not honest and trustworthy (an increase of 19 points), compared with 53 percent of women (up 12 points). Democratic men, in particular, have shifted:
About four in 10 now do not believe Clinton to be honest and trustworthy, nearly triple the percentage saying so in 2006.
The percentage calling Clinton honest has dropped steeply among whites with higher incomes and levels of education.
And while majorities of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents across demographic lines said she is honest and trustworthy, the class divisions remain:
The percentage of white Democrats without college degrees calling Clinton honest hardly budged in two years, while those with college degrees have dropped off significantly on the question (from 82 percent to 53 percent).
Among whites, the percentage saying Clinton is honest and trustworthy has declined 10 points, compared with 26 points among nonwhites.
That number has declined more sharply among liberals (down 30 points) than among moderates (down 13) or conservatives (down 4 points).
Head to head with Obama on honesty among Democrats, Clinton faces a 23-point deficit overall, 17 points among whites and nearly 50 points among African Americans.
1 ATTEND A CHURCH AND A COUPLE GAY PEOPLE ATTEND THE CHURCH,SO THEREFORE I SUPPORT GAYISM?
I ATTEND A COUNTRY CLUB AND THEIR ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE STOLEN MONIES FROM INVESTORS, SINCE I ATTEND THE SAME COUNTRY CLUB - I TOO MUST BE A THIEF?
I WORK FOR A COMPANY WHO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST HIRING PEOPLE OF COLOR, BECAUSE I WORK FOR THAT COMPANY, I DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THEM AS WELL?
I SIT ON A BOARD OF 30 PEOPLE AND ONE OF THEM SAY "AMERICA CAN GO TO HELL" IF I STAY ON THAT BOARD, I SUPPORT THAT INDIVIDUALS IDEA''S ABOUTM AMERICA?
SOMEONE HELP ME DEFINE WHAT THE HELL IS GUILT BY ASSOCIATION, BECAUSE ALL AMERICANS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH IDIOTS.
Why was a former top level Clinton advisor (Stephanopolous) a moderator for a debate in which a Clinton is participating?
I guess if we stop to think, use our intelligence, it begins to make sense.
The reason Hillary was so high, gitty, euphoric couldn''''t wait to give her rehearse answers is that she knew exactly what the format & questions were going to be and had plenty of time to prepare.
Everybody knows that Hillary will not agree to a debate unless it is on her terms. I''''m sure Hillary would only agree to the debate if ABC agreed to have Stephanopolous & Gibson chair the event. Now George, you were a top level advisor for the Clintons and they granted you most favored status during that time. They pulled a few strings for you and you were able to get your lucrative job with ABC. The debate were just like a trip down memory lane, Advisor George reporting to Hillary as ordered. Pretty slick trick! Just like old times eh?
In spite of that Obama came through like a champ in all the polls that are credible. While Hillary''''s cackling, gittiness, euphoria, bashing shows she is just out of touch. She came across as very unprofessional, unpresidential & so transparent.
It''s time get away from these Clinton polictics of division and get Barack to uniting Our Country & doing the work of the America People. Now run along George & take Charley with you. SO SAD!
This Country claims that its
Christian, which would favor Clinton , yet again..
Yet its Barack Obama, whose WINNING !!
Why would that favor Clinton. Barack Obama is a Staunch Christian as well.
Clinton is viewed as "honest and trustworthy" by just 39 percent of Americans, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, compared with 52 percent in May 2006. Nearly six in 10 said in the new poll that she is not honest and trustworthy.
And now, compared with Obama, Clinton has a deep trust deficit among Democrats, trailing him by 23 points as the more honest, an area on which she once led both Obama and John Edwards.
Among Democrats, 63 percent called her honest, down 18 points from 2006; among independents, her trust level has dropped 13 points, to 37 percent.
Republicans held Clinton in low regard on this in the past (23 percent called her honest two years ago), but it is even lower now, at 16 percent. Majorities of men and women now say the phrase does not apply to Clinton; two years ago, narrow majorities of both did.
This Country claims that its Christian, which would favor Clinton , yet again..
Yet its Barack Obama, whose WINNING !!
Here%u2019s the most recent count from the CBS News election and survey unit: Obama LEADS OVERALL in CBS News%u2019 Delegate estimate, 1,637 to 1,495 (2,025 total are needed to win the nomination). Among %u201Cpledged%u201D delegates won in state contests (excluding Florida and Michigan), Obama leads 1,411 to 1,243 with 566 remaining to be won in upcoming contests. Among %u201Csuperdelegates%u201D who have declared support for a candidate, Clinton retains a narrow 252 to 226 lead with 317 who have yet to decide.
1. Obama would have to be caught on NBCs To Catch A Predator !!
2. Caught Shooting a Top Financial Backer on a Dear Hunt, like his (8Th Cousin)by Blood, VP D!ck Cheney !!
3. Or be Wanted by FOXs Americas Most Wanted for a Multitude of Unpaid, Washington DC Parking Tickets !!
Otherthan that...
OBama will be Sworn in as President of the USA !!!
Hate it as much as You want...You Loved George W. Bush so much, that You Voted his Economy Killing & War Mongering A!! in for (2 Terms) and this Man hasnt had a Clue, since being Sworn in as President of the USA !!
PS: George W. Bush is Barcks (11Th Cousin) By Blood.
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