From The Road
April 22, 2008 1:39 PM

Clinton on Obama: “Why Can’t He Close the Deal?”

(CBS)

From CBS News’ Fernando Suarez:


CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. -- Hillary Clinton said if Barack Obama does not win Pennsylvania despite his huge campaign war chest, people ought to ask the question, “Why can’t he close the deal?”

While visiting a polling location in a Philadelphia suburb, Clinton seemed confident that she will pull off a win here, but made sure to lower expectations of how big that win will be. “A win is a win, especially under the circumstances when my opponent has outspent me probably 3 to 1, maybe 4 to 1, an enormous effort on his part on TV and radio on the phone, every way that is imaginable try to win Pennsylvania,” she said. “So I think a win under these circumstances is a terrific accomplishment.”

Clinton went to say that if she wins Pennsylvania, she will have accumulated wins in key states that Democrats need in order to retake the White House in November. She seemed to be speaking directly to superdelegates when she tried to raise doubts over Obama’s ability to win. “With his extraordinary financial advantage, why can’t he win a state like this one if that’s the way it turns out?” Clinton asked. “Obviously we have a long way to go before people are finished voting and the votes are counted. This will be one more in a long line of big states, states that Democrats have to win.”

Clinton was also asked questions about comments her husband made on a local radio show where he accused the Obama campaign of twisting his words about Jesse Jackson in South Carolina to paint him as a racist. “We’re going to stay focused on what the voters are focused on,” she said, dodging the question.
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by omaar-101 April 22, 2008 2:09 PM PDT
Its from the beginig, who was-is projected to win this state (PA), it is the Margin, by which she was initially projected to win, that will have been proven WRONG and dont forget the (PA Delegate) Fallout.

Hillary Clinton: %u201CA win is a win, especially under the circumstances when my opponent has Outspent me probably 3 to 1, maybe 4 to 1, an Enormous effort on his part on TV and radio on the phone, every way that is imaginable try to win Pennsylvania,%u201D she said. %u201CSo I think a win under these circumstances is a terrific accomplishment.%u201D

Note: Hillary does not sound Conviced that this will be the Landslide, once Projected !!
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by omaar-101 April 22, 2008 2:11 PM PDT
Note: Sorry about the Typos posted earlier.

From the begining, Clinton was-is projected to win this state (PA), it is the Margin, by which she was initially projected to win, that will be proven WRONG and dont forget the (PA Delegate) Fallout.

Hillary Clinton: %u201CA win is a win, especially under the circumstances when my opponent has Outspent me probably 3 to 1, maybe 4 to 1, an Enormous effort on his part on TV and radio on the phone, every way that is imaginable try to win Pennsylvania,%u201D she said. %u201CSo I think a win under these circumstances is a terrific accomplishment.%u201D

Note: Hillary does not sound Conviced that this will be the Landslide, once Projected !!
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by dnsallday April 22, 2008 2:56 PM PDT
Hmmmm, she had her campaign send out a huge memo, to all the media, showing how Hillary would be the inevitable candidate and would have everything wrapped up by Super Tuesday. I guess the question needs to be put to Hillary, ''why can''t you close the deal''?
Reply to this comment
by koronin-2009 April 22, 2008 2:56 PM PDT
No, the real question is why can''t SHE close the deal. One year ago, the nomination was all hers through nothing more than their sense of entitlement.

I find it amazing that she can attempt to cast herself as a come from behind underdog, she''s a freaking clinton.
Reply to this comment
by klampert11 April 22, 2008 3:11 PM PDT
Leave it to the Bird-Brained Hillary to inadvertently tell the American Public and the world population of the way she expects the world to work; That being: Whoever spends the most should get the greatest results. Questions of right, wrong or indifferent don''t even exist. What does this tell us of Hillary''s way of doing things?
Reply to this comment
by metroduck75 April 22, 2008 3:22 PM PDT
We love you and support you all the way, Hillary!!!

You or McCain''08!!!

We can''t afford another incompetent leader with all talks, no actions.
Reply to this comment
by vote4thebest April 22, 2008 3:24 PM PDT
The numbers, by all counts, show a race that is dead heat. Yet many folks in the media and these so called party elders keep calling her to bow out or introducing new definition of a ''win'' such as margin. It is nothing short of bullying and sexism!

Even if Clinton wins by 1 vote, then she should be the nominee because the big question is that Obama failed to deliver yet again, another big state considering that he is outspending her by 3 or even 5 to 1, same thing that he did in Texas and Ohio.

He can''t buy the voters and can%u2019t connect with the base - he will loose in Nov. It is that simple.
Reply to this comment
by greenfun April 22, 2008 3:27 PM PDT
I predict she is going to do pretty well in Pennsylvania, and yes-why can''t Obama win a big state like Ohio, Penn, NY,NJ,Ca?
Some people look to credentials instead of speeches. Speeches don''t help people care for their families and pay the rent.
Reply to this comment
by DCropp April 22, 2008 3:31 PM PDT
Hillary has significantly outspent everyone when it comes to consultants.

At the end of March, Hillary owed $10 million dollars to consultants.

Maybe she should think about what she should fire some consultants so she can spend money on advertising.

Typical Washington spending. Spend $50 on consultants for a 10 cent nail.
Reply to this comment
by blackspirit3 April 22, 2008 3:53 PM PDT
FLIP FLOP HILLARY????

THEN

Clinton, who has tried to cast her rival as too inexperienced for the job of commander in chief, said of Obama''s stance on Pakistan: "I don''t believe that any president should make any blanket statements with respect to the use or non-use of nuclear weapons."

NOW

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton discussed actions that would warrant a nuclear response that would %u201Ctotally obliterate%u201D Iran. The New York Senator told ABC''s %u201CGood Morning America%u201D Tuesday and MSNBC''s %u201CCountdown With Keith Olbermann%u201D Monday that, if president, she would be willing to use nuclear weapons against Iran if they orchestrated a nuclear attack on Israel.
Reply to this comment
by javalation April 22, 2008 4:09 PM PDT
Actually, since the Clintons started so far ahead when the primaries started, why weren''t they able to close the deal???
Reply to this comment
by wellthom April 22, 2008 5:01 PM PDT
The question should be asked about her..."Why can''t SHE close the deal when she had the total advantage nationally long before the primaries and 24% spread in her favor prior to PA. She has wasted money and according to the press today for every $ raised, Obama spent 75cents and she spent $1.10. Great fiscal spending.

Show me a campaign organization, fiscal responsibility and tactical and strategic planning and how a good an organization is handled in the interview stages, and it shows you how they will be in their new job.
Reply to this comment
by b-easy63 April 22, 2008 5:25 PM PDT
The "inevitable leader who is now losing wants to know why the frontrunner can''t close the deal? is she on drugs? Why couldn''t SHE even be in front--let alone close the deal?

She having trouble with the black voters? Like Obama may be having trouble with the white voters? Sounds like a personal problem. The fact is, she is losing and the reason the deal is not closed is because she still represents an option to those not comfortable with a minority as the Presidential candidate, or who do not want him for other reasons. But with all of her so called pluses...WHY CAN''T HILLARY CLOSE THE DEAL? LMAO
Reply to this comment
by b-easy63 April 22, 2008 5:29 PM PDT
Some people look to credentials instead of speeches. Speeches don''''t help people care for their families and pay the rent.

Posted by greenfun at 03:27 PM : Apr 22, 2008


lol. When''s the last time someone else''s credentials got you a loan or credit or paid your bills or helped your family? Especially, when it was found out most of the credentials were hyped up in the first place? Face it, speeches do not pay bills, neither do lies or credentials of another person. So far--all both have given are speeches and credentials--and one has even lied or fudged the truth about even those....
Reply to this comment
by b-easy63 April 22, 2008 5:31 PM PDT
Even if Clinton wins by 1 vote, then she should be the nominee because the big question is that Obama failed to deliver yet again, another big state considering that he is outspending her by 3 or even 5 to 1, same thing that he did in Texas and Ohio.

He can''''t buy the voters and can%u2019t connect with the base - he will loose in Nov. It is that simple.

Posted by vote4thebest at 03:24 PM : Apr 22, 2008


how much money does it take for a black man to buy each racist? How much to buy a sexist person? Somethings just can''t be bought--remember that in Nov if by some miracle, Hillary is the nominee and only those who support her now are willing to stick around and support her then. LOL
Reply to this comment
by b-easy63 April 22, 2008 5:34 PM PDT
He can''''t buy the voters and can%u2019t connect with the base - he will loose in Nov. It is that simple.

Posted by vote4thebest at 03:24 PM : Apr 22, 2008


contrary to what you may believe, Hillary''s supporters only represent 1/2 of the Democratic base and that is about 18% of the electorate. So now you think you can win with 18% of all voters? Or do you think Obama supporters 1/2 of Dems over 1/2 of Independents and about 1/4 of Republicans are willing to support YOUR choice? Dream on--just as deluded as neo cons are about Bush. LOL
Reply to this comment
by taddles-2009 April 22, 2008 5:42 PM PDT
"Even if Clinton wins by 1 vote, then she should be the nominee because the big question is that Obama failed to deliver yet again, another big state considering that he is outspending her by 3 or even 5 to 1, same thing that he did in Texas and Ohio.


Posted by vote4thebest at 03:24 PM : Apr 22, 2008"


But Clinton did not win Texas, Obama did and any Dem will win California and New York, that''s a given.

What this will come down to is the purple swing states and Obama has been doing considerably better in those states than Hillary.
Reply to this comment
by taddles-2009 April 22, 2008 5:45 PM PDT
"I predict she is going to do pretty well in Pennsylvania, and yes-why can''''t Obama win a big state like Ohio, Penn, NY,NJ,Ca?

Posted by greenfun at 03:27 PM : Apr 22, 2008"


You don''t seem to understand that there is a difference between the primary and the national election. Those big states that you are claiming should be the reason Hillary should get the nod are going to be won by a Dem in November no matter who they are.

The only thing that counts in the primaries is the delegate count. The thing that will count in the national election is who will be able to swing the purple states.
Reply to this comment
by taddles-2009 April 22, 2008 5:48 PM PDT
"Actually, since the Clintons started so far ahead when the primaries started, why weren''''t they able to close the deal???

Posted by Javalation at 04:09 PM : Apr 22, 2008"


Ohhhh ouchies, right up side the head with a left hook she didn''t see coming. Now there''s the question that should have been asked of Hillary at the ABC debate...uurp, sorry threw up a little bit there.


Reply to this comment
by thisandthat1 April 22, 2008 6:19 PM PDT
Hillary asking why Barack can''t close the deal is like asking "Why isn''t he kicking my a.s.s. even worse than he is already?"
Reply to this comment
by thisandthat1 April 22, 2008 6:24 PM PDT
mpgeglia2 ????? What''s the matter with you? Switch to decaf and get some help!
Reply to this comment
by rjudy3 April 22, 2008 6:30 PM PDT
You Obamnuts are silly, petty, self-centered, mean, immature and lazy....oh yeah, I forgot... your college students sitting at your computers typing all kinds of garbage all day long because you have no job only mommy,daddy money. You dont have to work like the rest of us. And when Clinton was President and we had the BEST economy in the world, you were the offspring of some drunken encounter between two people who did''nt know each other.
Your boy loses, Hillary WINS and saves this country from pinheads like you all.
Reply to this comment
by gretagreen April 22, 2008 6:38 PM PDT
The better question is, why couldn''t she? She was the frontrunner from the start; she had huge huge piles of money; she had the organization, the contacts from Bill, the name recognition, everything -- yet this upstart Barack Obama is taking the prize. This tells me that Obama is pretty AMAZING. Personally, I think he is the BEST choice for the country and I hope voters are smart enough to choose him. We NEED him!!

Go Obama!
Reply to this comment
by wdavis1970 April 22, 2008 6:54 PM PDT
Hello, rjudy. Like many Hillary fans, I think you are in denial. I am an Obama supporter and I am a 37 y.o. mother of three. I like to think that I am a nice, hardworking person. Whether Hillfans are educated or not, you would hope that they would have the common sense to see that she is bought and paid for by corporations. Who do you thik she is really going to look out for -- you and me? I don''t think so...I think she will tell you what you want to hear, but will always do whats best for the bottom line of her corporation friends....please remember that PA -- for the rest of you that have yet to vote. Just because the economy was good in the 90s is no reason to vote for her -- a good economy doesn''t have a whole lot to do with a president unless it is because of dumb moves like Pres. Clinton made in de-regulating the bank industry when it comes to mortgages --- that is who you have to thank for the crisis so many Americans are in today.
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by dudzim April 22, 2008 6:55 PM PDT
Hillary can neither raise sufficient campaign monies, nor well manage the money she has raised to date.

Hillary is $10 million in the hole, Obama flush with $42 million (the people have spoken).

That is a simple fact.

Something to consider ...


M
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by zerato-2009 April 22, 2008 7:15 PM PDT
As a older voter, I have seen obama''s come and go. I have seen hart, mcgovern, dukaikus and every new flavor of politician come down the street. Obama is no different than any of the others. He has been able to convey his message a little better. Whatever the politics of hope and change are? When he makes a mistake, he says that is the old politics. He believes that the new politics of infalability. He can make no mistake.

I know that Clinotn is not a perfect candidate. I do not like the fact she voted for the war. I disagree with her on several things. But I am a realist. Who can win the general election? She is the one that can win. The clinton years were very good to me. I expect them to be good again with her as president.
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by wdavis1970 April 22, 2008 7:27 PM PDT
Zerato - I respectfully disagree. I am one of many disillusioned Republicans and INdependents that are for Obama. And MANY of us will never vote for Hillary, because we can see through her.
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by wdavis1970 April 22, 2008 7:30 PM PDT
Obama is the one who will win in the G.E. because he can unite so many of us. Hillary winning the "big states" so she she is stronger is a myth. Look at the electoral maps from the past -- Kerry and Gore both won the "big" states in those elections to go on and lose over all. If either one of them had had the smaller states that Obama has won over, they would have won those elections. It is much more important to look at those swing states where Obama has done well.
Obama will be your next president!!
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by usmovers01 April 22, 2008 7:44 PM PDT
Come ON, people! How can you get so excited about two _more_ people who spout pleasantries and promise you just what you want to hear? How can you think these people will be any different than the others who''ve paraded before them?

Really...how have either of them _demonstrated_ a political commitment to solving our problems?

In America truly committed politicians get voted OUT (by you people who insist on voting for someone ''who can win'') All The Time!

And then you claim to be disappointed!

Wake up! Start voting your conscience; vote for the 3rd party candidates. Only THAT way will your vote truly count or have an effect.
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by taylor2124 April 22, 2008 7:56 PM PDT
Obama being the candidate equals President McCain next year. As a GOP member, I can say I am just tickled to see Obama make such progress. No way in he*ll a skinny ethnic guy without any experience will beat a big war hero like McCain in the G.E.
Reply to this comment
by incog-nito April 22, 2008 8:01 PM PDT
Maybe Clinton should ask herself the same question.
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by dudzim April 22, 2008 8:08 PM PDT

A bit ironic, Hillary, the "inevitable" candidate - assumed to have the nomination in the bag on day one (entitlement), now asks why Obama can not "close the deal".

This question would most reasonably be asked of her, rather than Obama.

But, hey, that''s just the convoluted Clintonian logic.

Slick, Hillary ...
Reply to this comment
by dudzim April 22, 2008 8:12 PM PDT

A bit ironic, Hillary, the "inevitable" candidate - assumed to have the nomination in the bag on day one (entitlement), now asks why Obama can not "close the deal".

This question would most reasonably be asked of her, rather than Obama.

But, hey, that''s just the convoluted Clintonian logic.

Slick, Hillary ...
Reply to this comment
by gkc99 April 22, 2008 8:15 PM PDT
The fact that Obama can raise money from more voters than anyone else in history, while Hillary is in the hole, is a telling fact about who would win the general election.
Reply to this comment
by missglo April 22, 2008 8:21 PM PDT
By the Numbers, Hillary can not close the deal. The numbers don''t lie Ms. Clinton.
Reply to this comment
by mstroock April 22, 2008 8:32 PM PDT
The Audacity of Clinton! Why hasn''t she closed the deal after all her years of "experience" and 15 years plus on the national stage? Why can''t she raise as much money as Obama? One reason is her support is based on the few with big bucks which are far outweighed by Obama''s millions of small $ donors. Another reason is many Americans don''t trust the Clintons, don''t want to hear more about Monica, last minute pardons,
and pretending they relate to the blue collar voter while voting every big corporate hand out. It was legislation under Clinton that deregulated financial markets and allowed the sub prime mortgage mess to be created. We haven''t heard this garbage because Obama really does run a different type of campaign but if Hillary is the nominee the Republicans won''t be so gentlemanly. Wake up! The Clintons are yesterday''s news. They have had their turn.
Reply to this comment
by tydicea April 22, 2008 8:34 PM PDT
%u201CWith his extraordinary financial advantage, why can%u2019t he win a state like this one if that%u2019s the way it turns out?%u201D Clinton asked.

How disingenuous! You talk about someone who''d say anything no matter how ridiculous, for advantage. Hiliary undoubtedly knows that a state like PA would be an uphill slog, and near impossibility for a person of color to win, even if he was Jesus Christ. She knew this, as with Ohio. She staked this stage of her campaign on it.
Reply to this comment
by mstroock April 22, 2008 8:35 PM PDT
The Audacity of Clinton! Why hasn''t she closed the deal after all her years of "experience" and 15 years plus on the national stage? Why can''t she raise as much money as Obama? One reason is her support is based on the few with big bucks which are far outweighed by Obama''s millions of small $ donors. Another reason is many Americans don''t trust the Clintons, don''t want to hear more about Monica, last minute pardons,
and pretending they relate to the blue collar voter while voting every big corporate hand out. It was legislation under Clinton that deregulated financial markets and allowed the sub prime mortgage mess to be created. We haven''t heard this garbage because Obama really does run a different type of campaign but if Hillary is the nominee the Republicans won''t be so gentlemanly. Wake up! The Clintons are yesterday''s news. They have had their turn.
Reply to this comment
by truthspeake2 April 22, 2008 8:54 PM PDT
Obviously the folks in PA want someone who can''t manage their own campaign running the country...how fitting!
Reply to this comment
by truthspeake2 April 22, 2008 9:00 PM PDT
Obama being the candidate equals President McCain next year. As a GOP member, I can say I am just tickled to see Obama make such progress. No way in he*ll a skinny ethnic guy without any experience will beat a big war hero like McCain in the G.E.

Posted by taylor2124 at 07:56 PM : Apr 22, 2008


I''ll tell McSame that you will be the first to volunteer (or your sons or daughters) when he invades and bombs Iran...
Reply to this comment
by truthspeake2 April 22, 2008 9:05 PM PDT
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. -- Hillary Clinton said if Barack Obama does not win Pennsylvania despite his huge campaign war chest, people ought to ask the question, %u201CWhy can%u2019t he close the deal?%u201D


Simple Answer: Because he''s a black man who''s running for president in a country that''s still 40% racist at its very core!
Reply to this comment
by unlocking-2009 April 22, 2008 9:18 PM PDT
What a stupid question!!!!!! It''s called race in America.
Reply to this comment
by keeblers69 April 22, 2008 9:37 PM PDT
The question really is why can''t she? She is still losing in over all popular vote and delegates. She has better name recognition, why hasn''t she closed the deal - basically she has a pig for a husband. I think a lot of people still have that in the back of their minds.
Reply to this comment
by rabnudia April 22, 2008 9:48 PM PDT
I think the question is "Why can''t you beat him in the delegate race, pop vote, and most importantly in the moral standings."
Reply to this comment
by ladyesq1 April 22, 2008 9:50 PM PDT
Your questions is appropriate...how come he can''t? He''s Mr. Invincible...he''s portrayed as the second coming....he''s got the media on his side for the most part....and he''s outspending her 4-to-1. So why can''t he pull it out? Well...thats because he''s winning based on aesthetics..he''s young, the first african-american, and some even thing he''s handsome (I disagree).

Truth is, you couldn''t pay me a million dollars to vote for him! If he gets the nomination, I will vote for Nader in the General Election. Electing Obama would be the equivilent of opening Pandora''s Box! I seriously hope people wake up before its too late. He''ll never beat a republican...2008 will be a repeat of 2004 and 2000. WE MUST NOMINATE WHO WILL BEAT THE GOP...that is Hillary!
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood April 22, 2008 10:38 PM PDT
I went to my polling place in PA today. This is what I saw...

I was the youngest voter there. I was outnumbered by over 65 year old women by 3 or 4 to one.

In Pennsylvania, this is Hillary''s base. The weather was good across the state, and they were able to get out in big numbers.

Good for Hillary today. Gives her reason to keep on this silly battle which she is destined to lose.

Her only hope is that somehow, the "machine" will come to her rescue.

NOT GONNA HAPPEN!
Reply to this comment
by nearl4511 April 22, 2008 10:46 PM PDT
Rovian tactics. He can''t closethe deal because the immaturity of the nation will not allow any black person to be President.

Instead we get unfounded rumor of antiamaericanism, closet islamism, "talking down", cronyism, unpatrioticism, and worse.

In truth the only accurate criticism of Obama is his lack of experience....the only charge that is worth its metal.

On the other side is the establishment.
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood April 22, 2008 11:15 PM PDT
Excuse me... Why can''t Barak close the deal?

Let me remind you, Ms. Rodham-Clinton that you were the presumptive nominee 6 months ago.

WHY CAN''T YOU CLOSE THE DEAL!
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 April 22, 2008 11:20 PM PDT
WDAVIS1970 Gore and kerry won those states because they had the nomination sewn up. The general election will not be a nationwide campaign, it will be in about 20 states. Those are the states that Clinton wins.
I hope you obama supporters are not so naive to believe obama can win idaho and wyoming. Obama needs to win a few states with hispanic roots to become president.
Reply to this comment
by jsilver2th April 22, 2008 11:24 PM PDT
The only states Hillary can carry are ones with big corrupt old time Democratic part boss machines...

Obama refused to pay off the PA. party bosses in the cash they wanted... plain and simple...

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