Clinton Makes Much Ado About Not Much

Washington Post: Democrat Parties In Fla., Despite No Delegates Or Competition

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Dana Milbank.

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Cheering supporters? Check. Election returns on the projection screen? Check. Andrea Mitchell and Candy Crowley doing stand-ups? Check and check. In fact, the only piece missing from Hillary Clinton's Florida victory party here Tuesday night was a victory.

Yes, Clinton, as expected, beat Barack Obama by a wide margin in the Florida primary. But all the Democratic candidates had agreed months ago to boycott the contest after the Democratic National Committee stripped Florida of its delegates to punish the state for moving up its primary date. The result was a primary without purpose, a show about nothing.

But in a political stunt worthy of the late Evel Knievel, the Clinton campaign decided to put on an ersatz victory party that, it hoped, would erase memories of Obama's actual victory Saturday night in South Carolina's Democratic primary. "Thank you, Florida Democrats!" Clinton shouted to the cheering throng. "I am thrilled to have this vote of confidence."

It was a perfect reproduction of an actual victory speech, delivered at a perfectly ersatz celebration at a perfectly pretend location: a faux Italianate palace with lion sculptures, indoor fountains and a commanding view of Interstate 595. The Signature Grand ("Elegant Weddings and Grand Social Occasions") was also holding receptions Tuesday night for a pediatric practice and for a group of optometry students, but the Clinton campaign was the biggest draw: It filled the Silver Palm Room, the Golden Palm Room and the Emerald Palm Room.

But even some of the faithful in the hall doubted that the big margin for Clinton, flashed on a projection screen, was an accurate gauge of the race here. "Probably not," said Eleanor Forte, on the outer rim of the celebration. "If they had campaigned here, it probably would have come out differently."

That was a nuance the Clinton campaign was hoping to overlook as it sought retroactively to give weight to the Florida primary. "I am a gutter-ball bowler," Clinton said as she campaigned Sunday night in the state in which she had pledged not to campaign. The remark, overheard by a Miami Herald reporter, was no doubt meant literally; she was standing outside Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach. But in politics, too, Clinton has recently been putting some questionable rotation on the ball.

First came the South Carolina primary, in which she and her husband tried unsuccessfully to morph Barack Obama into Jesse Jackson. Then came word Sunday that she would fly here to celebrate her "victory" in the Florida primary -- even though she and the other Democratic candidates long ago declared it null and void. She said she wanted restoration of the stripped delegates from disobedient Florida and Michigan (where Clinton, the only major candidate on the ballot, beat "uncommitted," 55 percent to 40 percent).

"There are more voters in Florida alone than there are in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina combined," Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle argued in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. This was the same Solis Doyle who last summer committed Clinton to signing the Florida boycott pledge, saying, "We believe Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina play a unique and special role in the nominating process, and we believe the DNC's rules and its calendar provide the necessary structure to respect and honor that role."

Five minutes after Solis Doyle's call, Obama's campaign retaliated with its own conference call, featuring Obama backer John Kerry. "It is not a legitimate race, it should not become a spin race, it should not become a fabricated race," he protested.

Reporters on the Clinton conference call seemed to share that view. "The timing seems a little curious," said one. "A little desperate?" asked another. "Trying to have it both ways?" inquired a third.

Clinton announced plans for the Florida celebration on Sunday, the same day she held a trio of fundraisers in Florida and accepted the endorsement of the Miami mayor while pressing some flesh for the cameras. On Monday, her campaign claimed the endorsement of Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, while pro-Clinton unions continued sending out mailings in her support.

All of this sounded suspiciously like campaigning. But aides said they were merely trying to protect the people of Florida who, despite the campaign's "scrupulous" refusal to campaign in the state, showed up to vote for Clinton anyway.

And so, at the Signature Grand here Tuesday night, a few hundred invited supporters, many of them from labor unions, clustered around the ballroom doors waiting for the Secret Service to finish its sweep so they could start the victory party and buy "ultra-premium" liquors for $7. There was a brief delay opening the doors, as organizers let the old folks -- a prominent demographic in South Florida -- take their seats first. But when the doors finally opened at 7:30, the younger supporters charged in, screaming and staking out positions near the lectern.

Wolf Blitzer was up on the big projection screen. Clinton banners ("Solutions for America") had all the camera angles covered. The orange stucco palace was filled with official Hillary Clinton posters and stickers, and people in "Team Hillary" T-shirts signed in elected officials and other supporters. Clinton aides worked the rows of reporters and the candidate entered to the strains of "9 to 5" and roars from the crowd.

"Thank you, thank you for this tremendous victory tonight," Clinton shouted.

Well, at least a tremendous victory party.

[coolgirl_atl]

Everyone remember this--vote for experience in this election--try to ignore the campaign hoopla--

We need a Democratic candidate who will work to provide full time jobs with medical benefits for all Americans.

The decline of the U.S. economy is due to the fact we are spending government money to fight wars and aid foreign governments instead of creating jobs here in the U.S.

Temporary jobs with no benefits should be illegal and outsourcing jobs overseas should also be illegal.

When are we going to stop promoting the economies of China and other countries around the world at the same time as making our once proud nation into a nation of debtors, temporary workers, and unemployed people?

[coolgirl_atl]

Everyone remember this--vote for experience in this election--GO HILLARY!!!! Try to ignore the campaign hoopla--

We need a Democratic candidate who will work to provide full time jobs with medical benefits for all Americans.

The decline of the U.S. economy is due to the fact we are spending government money to fight wars and aid foreign governments instead of creating jobs here in the U.S.

Temporary jobs with no benefits should be illegal and outsourcing jobs overseas should also be illegal.

When are we going to stop promoting the economies of China and other countries around the world at the same time as making our once proud nation into a nation of debtors, temporary workers, and unemployed people?

[rowdytexan2]

The Floridians have spoken! That''s what counts! And great evidence that Hillary Clinton is certainly electable!!!

Go Hillary! Keep up the good fight!

[jfarobinson]

Look at the results! By a huge margin, Hillary got the most votes in Florida. How can that be seen as anything other than a victory? It doesn''t matter whether or not anyone campaigned. Most of the people who cared enough to vote in Florida chose Hillary. She will triumph in the end!

[brynababy]

Oh yes, and Hillary did not campaign in Florida!! She appeared there after the voting, you unknowledgeable jerks. Why don''t you get your facts straight.

[brynababy]

Hillary was right to do what she did. Obama is doing more negative attacking, this wonderful man who said he was finished with negative ads. And the bottom line is, that Floridians will vote in the election, duh- a huge voting block. her primary results show, if Obama were the nominee we would lose, lose, lose. If Hillary is the nominee, so goes Florida.

[b-easy63]

Well, on the other hand, if Hillary would end up with the Democratic nomination, this dog and pony show might help her then. Who the heck knows what is going to help you or hurt you in politics. The littlest things, like Howard Dean''''s yell, can derail you, and the biggest things, like Jennefer Flowers, and no one pays any attention.

Politics is not for sissies!! :o)

Posted by kansas1946 at 08:35 PM : Jan 30, 2008


One other good thing about Hilary''s "stunt" if she gets the nomination then turns around and ***** her Dems supporters in order to appeal to or court the Republicans--it is not as if she is not being consistent and they should have seen it coming.

Just like the neo cons who now bleat they were hoodwinked by Bush--Dems who blindly follow this person will be shown the same amount of sympathy. There was once a pilgrim marching up a mt, who crossed the path of a venomous snake. The snake asked for the pilgrim to take him to the top of the mt. The man said No, because the snake was poisonous. The pleading and refusal went back and forth, but finally the man picked the snake up and carried him up the mt. When they got to the top, the snake bit the man and as the man lay dying he asked why the snake had done that--after all he did for the snake.

This is what the snake said, as he slithered away: "You knew what I was, when you picked me up" good luck Hilary supporters......LOL

[kansas1946]

But in a political stunt worthy of the late Evel Knievel, the Clinton campaign decided to put on an ersatz victory party that, it hoped, would erase memories of Obama''s actual victory Saturday night in South Carolina''s Democratic primary. "Thank you, Florida Democrats!" Clinton shouted to the cheering throng. "I am thrilled to have this vote of confidence."
******************************************

Well, on the other hand, if Hillary would end up with the Democratic nomination, this dog and pony show might help her then. Who the heck knows what is going to help you or hurt you in politics. The littlest things, like Howard Dean''s yell, can derail you, and the biggest things, like Jennefer Flowers, and no one pays any attention.

Politics is not for sissies!! :o)

[stormwild]

*"And what about Obama''s beloved Kenyan brothers and sisters? None of his family was invited to Boston to share his prominence. Are his relatives being kept in the closet? Where are they? More secrecy, more prevarication.
*"It is time for Barack Obama to stop presenting a fantasy to the American people. We are forgiving and many would still support him. It may well be that his concealment is meant to endanger Israel. His Muslim religion would obviously raise serious questions in many Jewish circles where Obama now enjoys support," Martin states.
*"Our investigation is continuing. In he meantime, Crown Books should stop selling Obama''s novelization of his life. We have asked Crown to do that. Obama is living a lie."
RESOURCES: Martin''s columns at Out2.com (Govt & Politics); E-mail: [e-mail]
Source: Andy Martin Worldwide Communications

[stormwild]

**"Barack Senior was also a devoted Muslim, and also chose a Muslim name for his son, our own Barack Obama, Junior. Again, his name was an Arabic and Koranic.
**Obama has spent a lifetime running from his family heritage and religious heritage. Would his father have given his son a Koranic name if the father was not a devout Muslim? Obama''s stepfather was also a Muslim. Obama will be the first Muslim-heritage senator; he should be proud of that fact. There is nothing to be ashamed of in any of the three great Abrahamic religions.
*"Fiction: Obama Senior was a harmless student ''immigrant'' who came to the United States only to study. Fact: Obama was part of one of the most corrupt and violent organizations in Africa: the Kenyatta regime. Obama''s father ran back to Kenya soon after the British left. It is likely Obama''s father had Mau Mau sympathies or connections, or he would not have been welcomed into the murderous inner circle of rapists, murderers, and arsonists. I believe Obama''s secret shame at his family history of rape, murder and arson is what actualizes him. Our research is not yet complete. We are seeking to examine British colonial records. Our investigation to date has drawn on information on three continents.

[stormwild]

**"Obama''s life story is vastly different from the one he portrays. My point: if he will lie about his mother and father, what else is he lying about? Can we expect ''bimbo eruptions?''
**"Fiction: Obama stated in his Convention speech: ''My father ... grew up herding goats.'' The ''goat herder'' claim has been repeated endlessly. It is a lie. Fact: Obama''s grandfather, Hussein Onyango Obama was a prominent and wealthy farmer. His son, Obama''s father, was a child of privilege, not privation. He was an outstanding student, not a herdsman.
**"Fiction: Obama was given an ''African'' name. Fact: Obama is a Muslim who has concealed his religion. I am a strong supporter of the Muslim community, and I believe Muslims have been scapegoated. Obama has a great opportunity to be forthright. Instead, he has treated his Muslim heritage as a dark secret. His grandfather was named ''Hussein.'' That is an Arabic-Muslim, not African, name. Hussein was a devout Muslim and named his son, Barack Senior, ''Baraka.'' Baraka is an Arabic word meaning ''blessed.'' Baraka comes out of the Koran and Arabic, not Africa.

[dragontek-2009]

As A lifelong Democrat if Mr. Obama is the nominee- I will vote in my local and congressional elections-
I will not vote for Mr. Obama (too inexperienced, no substance to anything he says-has gotten a free ride from the press) nor will I vote for Mr McCain (too old, too mean,)

[stormwild]

Hey JiJOHN , your a fool, and your filling this space with information that is soo incorrect.
"and is campaigning in Florida"
She never campained in FLORIDA. The DMC said no one can do it. The only person to campain in FL was OBAMA when he ran ads there for 3 WEEKS!!!! He then claimed that it was a mistake and that it was part of a national ad campain. My -a**!!! Well he still lost. Ha! Why don''t you do something productive and ask OBAMA why he is now supporting giving Illegals Drivers license when before he was not going to. Did I here flip flopper? Yes I think I do. Yep he''s all about change alright. he changes his stance every other debate!!!

[stormwild]

What are you talking about, you guys don''t know *** do you? The DMC said that no one can campain in FL, the only Dem who did was OBAMA! He got around the rule by saying he ran a national ad, and that it just happen to run ion FL for 3 WEEKS!!! Clinton never campained their and still won. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT before you ignorant Obama supporters through out blind shots. I swear. Why don''t you go ask OBAMA why he cahnged his position on the illegals getting Drivers Licenses? He gave hillary soo much *** about not makeing a decision , and then he changes his. What a fool!

[katg21]

Oh how I wish one of you Hillary supporters would explain to me why you love her so much? I just don''t get it.

[infidel_us]

''Clinton Makes Much Ado About Not Much''

That''s because there''s not much there to make ado about. I don''t know which is the bigger fool; Hillary or the ones who support her.

[antoniof123]

Wow, the media has spoken and now the neo cons forces are out.

The right and left wing nuts listen up the swing voters decide the course of the election and we shifted in 2006. The GOP didn''t listen we will punish them. I know this because we don''t really care what you wing nuts have to say.

[starleo146]

Go Hillary! The people of Florida have spoken that''''s what counts! It proves she''''s *** straight electable!

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 09:17 AM : Jan 30, 20

THE MORE I WATCH THE MORE I SEE A DOUBLE TALK HERE NOT TO BE BELIEVED. Poor Obama how dare any one admit this is a black man,if you mention the word black you are racist they say leave him alone, Obama is trying to lift us up . I am a woman and I do not like what is happening to the woman of this race. There is an attack since day one against her what are they afraid of, that a woman could be President, I know before he says it, John Edwards will go and support Obama, he has helped Obama with his attacks against Hillary, and when Obama finally attacks her, John Edwards looks surprised, and says I am the grown up here. I think the women of this nation who might have been , or not been in Hillary''s camp are now awake as to the mighty political camp that is out to beat her down and to use back room political shananagins to do it, and if you do not think it is a form of racism well you must be a white man supporting a black man, certainly not in the woman''s camp

[l00ker]

New Hampshire voters, you were played for suckers."

The Clintons seem to believe that they don''''t have to adhere to the rules of the DNC, because they believe they ARE the DNC, and the world revolves around them.
And that is the Height of Arrogance.


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Posted by ji_john at 12:34 PM : Jan 30, 2008


It will not only be Iowa and New Hampshire who will be the saps, if these two slugs (HillBillary )get the nonmination, they will be calling the rest of us suckers, as well. But, there is still HOPE.

[ji_john]

Typical Clinton strategy, at least in this campaign! The New Hampshire Union Leader, a major newspaper in the state, published a column yesterday stating that "...COURTING VOTERS in Iowa and New Hampshire, last August Sen. Hillary Clinton signed a pledge not to %u201Ccampaign or participate%u201D in the Michigan or Florida Democratic primaries. She participated in both primaries and is campaigning in Florida. Which proves, again, that Hillary Clinton is a liar%u2026.
%u201CI will try to persuade my delegates to seat the delegates from Michigan and Florida,%u201D Clinton said last week, after the New Hampshire primaries and Iowa caucuses were safely over.
Clinton coldly and knowingly lied to New Hampshire and Iowa. Her promise was not a vague statement. It was a signed pledge with a clear and unequivocal meaning.
She signed it thinking that keeping the other candidates out of Michigan and Florida was to her advantage, but knowing she would break it if that proved beneficial later on. It did, and she did.
New Hampshire voters, you were played for suckers."

The Clintons seem to believe that they don''t have to adhere to the rules of the DNC, because they believe they ARE the DNC, and the world revolves around them.
And that is the Height of Arrogance.