Maine Puts Topper On Obama Sweep

Obama Takes Delegate Lead With Wins In 4 States; Clinton Manager Steps Down

(AP/CBS)  Illinois senator Barack Obama finished a series of weekend primary and caucus contests undefeated as he bested Hillary Clinton in Maine today, according to CBS News estimates.

Obama’s victory in the Maine caucuses follow on the heels of his Saturday sweep in which he won Louisiana’s primary contest as well as caucuses in the states of Washington and Nebraska.

His winning margins ranged from substantial to crushing. In Maine, he led 59 percent to 40 percent with 99 percent of the precints reporting. In Louisiana, Obama defeated Clinton, 57 percent to 36 percent. He won in Nebraska by a 68 percent to 32 percent margin and in Washington 68 percent to 31 percent.

Obama's victory in Maine -- and the ease with which it came -- actually exceeded expectations, even though he swept the caucuses held on Super Tuesday. Clinton had the backing of the state's governor, John Baldacci, and its proximity to New Hamsphire and Massachusetts, both of which Clinton has already won this year, led some analysts to expect a close race.

Even Obama's own campaign said they didn't expect to win Maine, according to a document the campaign said was accidentally leaked earlier in the week.

In the delegate chase, Obama has pulled ahead of Clinton, even when the support of uncommitted super delegates is figured in. According to CBS News estimates as of Sunday night, Obama holds a razor-thin lead with 1,134 delegates overall to 1,131 for Clinton. Click here for the latest state-by-state delegate count.

The results in Maine came in the wake of a shake-up on the Clinton campaign. Sunday afternoon, Clinton campaign manager Patti Patti Solis announced she was stepping down from that post. She will be replaced by senior advisor and longtime Clinton confidant Maggie Williams.

Campaign spokesman Mo Elleithee said Solis Doyle was "not asked to step down," reports CBS News' Fernando Suarez. Elleithee said the change in leadership was not due to this weekend's losses.

In a letter to campaign staff, Solis Doyle wrote, "I have been proud to manage this campaign, and prouder still to call Hillary my friend for more than sixteen years. I know that she will make a great President."

"This has already been the longest Presidential campaign in the history of our nation, and one that has required enormous sacrifices from all of us and our families," she continued.

Democrats in 420 Maine towns and cities were deciding Sunday how the state's 24 delegates will be allotted at the party's national convention in August. Despite the weather, turnout was "incredible," party executive director Arden Manning said.

Organizers had expected heavy participation at the caucuses, but up to 8 inches of snow and Arctic cold were expected when many of the gatherings were scheduled. Even so, Democrats started Sunday with more than 4,000 absentee ballots in hand.

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Maine Results
Louisiana Results
Nebraska Results
Washington Results
Kansas Results
State-By-State Delegate Count

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Manning said the weather would not hurt turnout. In Bangor, the caucus started late because so many people showed up that they were lined up outside the door, he said.

In Portland, waterlogged Democrats carrying "Obama" and "Hillary" signs waited to get into the citywide caucus at Portland High School in separate lines that snaked nearly three city blocks in opposite directions.

Colin Johnson, an Obama supporter, said the Illinois senator is not a typical politician. "I'm convinced he's a once-in-a-generation leader," he said.

"He's young and energetic and Washington and the White House could benefit from some fresh air," said Joe Lewis, another Obama supporter.

But Tony Donovan said Obama can use some more seasoning. Donavan was supporting Clinton because she, like him, was a baby boomer who shared similar values and because she has the experience and the team to lead in Washington.

"Obama's a great guy. He'll be great in eight years," Donovan said. "He doesn't have the experience in the Senate. He doesn't have the experience in Washington. He's not ready."

Both campaigns hit Maine heavily with radio and TV advertising, and voters' homes were being called with pre-taped messages in support of both candidates.

On Sunday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, were scheduled to visit Maine caucuses on Obama's behalf.

On Clinton's side, Baldacci, Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern and New York Rep. Gregory Meeks were to campaign.

[ontheleft]

Will the winter weather keep the voters away? The suspense is killing me.

[croft777]

what does it matter?

[sgtrds]

People in Maine are like people in Michigan where I grew up. They barely notice snow.

[pilgrimsway-2009]

It is also in my view false to say that life in AMERICA today is solely determined by considerations of foreign policy, that the primacy of foreign policy governs today the whole of our domestic life. Certainly people can reach the point when foreign relations influence and determine completely its domestic life. But let no one say that such a CONDITION is from the first either natural or desirable. Rather the important thing is that people should CREATE the conditions for CHANGE in this state of affairs.

We know by the charisma who said this!

Answer

Hit-lers quote Jan 27 1932

[notopennshut]

It''s all about the electability. Obama has shown that he is the person able to work across the aisle. This is what the country needs at this time of. Over the last decades the gridlock existed because of the divisions between the parties. If Hillary is the nominee, expect more of the same. We should put aside our divisions and work for the better good for all the citizens and that will not be possible as long as divisions exist. Obama is our hope to somehow erase this divide and join together in fixing the county''s problems.

[l00ker]

is also in my view false to say that life in AMERICA today is solely determined by considerations of foreign policy, that the primacy of foreign policy governs today the whole of our domestic life. Certainly people can reach the point when foreign relations influence and determine completely its domestic life. But let no one say that such a CONDITION is from the first either natural or desirable. Rather the important thing is that people should CREATE the conditions for CHANGE in this state of affairs.

We know by the charisma who said this!

Answer

Hit-lers quote Jan 27 1932

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by pilgrimsway at 06:53 PM : Feb 10, 2008



Are you trying to tell us something?

[croft777]

l00ker Are you trying to tell us something?

Yeah this person is trying to tell you Obama is the next hitler.

[samthetvcat]

Wow what a shocker! Apparently the caucus format favors Barack for some reason, but isn''t Maine supposed to be solidly working-class much like Massachusetts? And given Barack''s string of big wins yesterday, wouldn''t you have thought Hillary''s supporters would have been greatly motivated to come out and give her a win? What happened?

Momentum hasn''t been much of a factor yet on the Democratic side, but isn''t Hillary''s strategy seeming more and more like Rudy Giuliani''s? I would have thought his fame and popularity would have cultivated enough support for him to win Florida, but after losing time and again to the other candidates people started to question why he wasn''t able to win . . .

If Barack wins like seven in a row, isn''t Hillary going to have to start to answer that question in the very least? At worst, by the time it comes to Texas and Ohio, people might already be starting to see Barack as the virtual incumbent and want to lock in the nomination . . . he''s starting to look really solid against McCain, like he could get us Democrats the win in November . . .

[samthetvcat]

"Are you trying to tell us something?"
Posted by l00ker

Yeah, I don''t get it - lol I thought it was just me :D

[samthetvcat]

PS I''ll wait for pilgrimsway to confirm crofts interpretaion because change is in itself value neutral. If you didn''t support change, you''d endorse maintaining the status quo of George Bush wouldn''t you?

Hitler believed in eugenics and scapegoating; Barack believes in tolerance, inclusion, dignity, and progress. If anybody actually believes Barack is similar to Hitler I would then tend to wonder what are the values you believe in and stand for . . .

[sgtrds]

It''''s all about the electability. Obama has shown that he is the person able to work across the aisle.

Posted by notopennshut at 07:27 PM : Feb 10, 2008

I agree and that''s the force behind Obama''s momentum. More and more Democrats have decided that he''s the person most likely to defeat McCain. If the republican nominee was anyone else then I think it''s be leaning toward Hillary right now.

[sgtrds]

If anybody actually believes Barack is similar to Hitler I would then tend to wonder what are the values you believe in and stand for . . .

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 07:46 PM : Feb 10, 2008

I''d tend to question their sanity...........

[downtowner97]

With McCain completely comfortable with torture, and wanting to expand the war into Iran, it''s time to pick the better Democrat. Obama is that person. Republicans are going to have to rebuild their house from the foundation if they want to regain our trust.

Obama/Edwards in ''08!!

[andersenme]

In the next debate between Sens. Obama and Clinton, I hope someone will ask Hillary the following question:

"Ma''am, your husband%u2019s presidency was marked by scandals running from the salacious to national security, you''ve run a campaign based on race coding, and both you and your husband have scant regard for the truth.

"Personal responsibility is the key to government accountability.

"What could you--or your husband--say to young people, what could you possibly bring to the table, for those who need to hear a message of honesty and integrity?"

MARTIN EDWIN "MICK" ANDERSEN

[andersenme]

Hillary Clinton should be careful about saying that she could call John McCain out on defense and security issues in the general election.

John McCain, a war hero, has stood resolutely against the practice of torture.

Despite the Democratic Party''s proud tradition of support for human rights, Hillary has flip flopped on the issue, showing little judgment and no moral center.

That is one more reason why to support Barack Obama for president.

MARTIN EDWIN ANDERSEN

[rowdytexan2]

Go Hillary! Keep up the good fight! We need competence in our White House. Great oratory with no substance is useless!

[eyzwidopn]

HRC "big" wins in CA, NY, NJ have more to do with 1) her name recognition over Obama and the compressed schedule preventing his being able to spend enough time on the ground of those states before Super Tuesday, and 2) the long held affection for "The Clintons." As we''ve seen in any state that Obama has had an opportunity to spend quality time with the voters, he''s been able to diminish HRC''s lead and in many cases, overtake her.

Let''s be honest here, NY, CA, and NJ are states that Democrats typically and historically carry and there''s no reason to believe that HRC or Obama will not carry those states... even MI and FL, if they are inclined to go Democrat in November.

The real question is will a Democrat have a legitimate chance at winning Kansas, Utah, Nebraska, Idaho, Arizona, Virginia, etc., especially when the Democrat''s turn-out in the caucuses/primaries in those states has been greater than the Republican''s turnout, following the nationwide trend? That''s the part of the "election equation" that we the voters should be considering if we understand that it will take more than Democratic strongholds like NY and CA to win in November.

[gneubeck]

Reviewing Hillary''s methodical playing of the "Race card", and "The Perpetual Victim" against Obama; and, her recent commentary on Iraq; Pakistan; Energy Policy; the need for her to control the 14 Trillion $ American Economy from her White House Politburo (this from a woman who hasn''t managed so much as a corner vegetable stand, or for that matter her own marriage; but, of course you could count Whitewater, and her tenure as "Madam" for Bill''s White House Brothel); her Marxist statement in San Francisco: "We''re going to have to take more from you, and give it to others for the common good."; Illegal Immigration; Taxes; Infanticide; Massive new Government spending; Multi million $ Senate earmarks for supporters of Hillary''s Presidential campaign; Garnishing of your wages to fund her coveted Socialized medicine program; and, the Clinton''s history of emasculating the military, verifies that this grievously flawed woman would be the female version of the Jimmy Carter debacle that gave us the Ayatollah Khomeini who ushered in rampant Islamic radicalism; block-long lines at our gasoline stations; a severely hollow military; and, a record Misery Index. Only much worse. Considering all of her recent gaffes, e.g. "I voted FOR IT (referring to the Bankruptcy Bill); but, I was glad to see that it didn''t pass.", one has to wonder if excessive use of Botox has affected her mental stability. The prospect of Madam Hillary as President; in a word: TERRIFYING. Greg Neubeck

[claffiteau]

The day began with the headline OBAMA SWEEPS 4 CONTESTS followed by a separate story in the Washington Post warning Women Could Give Clinton the Edge In Maine''s Caucuses. The day ends with word that in spite of snow and arctic cold temps, Maine Dems turned out in record numbers (with lines 3 blocks long in Portland) to give Obama a headline that should read OBAMA SWEEPS TO ANOTHER RESOUNDING WIN IN MAINE CAUCUSES and a Billary headline that should read HILLARY CLINTON''S HISPANIC CAMPAIGN MANAGER TAKES THE FALL FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE''S LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE IN DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION CONTESTS WITH BARACK OBAMA. But don''t worry about Billary, they are confident that Hispanic support in Texas will result in a win over Obama there next month. Yeah right,Billary for President RIP

[jimfinster]

RIP, Hillary. Only the McCain crowd are cheering you on now.

[hawksprings]

Seeing Hillary go down in flames on her broom restores my faith in the American people and increases my respect for the Democrat Party.

[jimfinster]

hawksprings:

I look forward to you voting for Obama!

[hawksprings]

jimfinster,
That probably won''t happen. If McCain is the GOP candidate, I probably just won''t vote. But being in a predominately Republican state, it won''t matter anyways. My ONE electoral vote will go to McCain regardless.

[jimfinster]

jimfinster,
That probably won''''t happen. If McCain is the GOP candidate, I probably just won''''t vote. But being in a predominately Republican state, it won''''t matter anyways. My ONE electoral vote will go to McCain regardless.
Posted by hawksprings

Obama will beat McCain regardless, in my opinion.

[hawksprings]

If he does, I think we''re in for a Jimmy Carter-like presidency, albeit with a better tan. And bigger ears.

[jimfinster]

But sadly for you, hawksprings, they both believe that climate change is real and that action is needed :)

The times they are achanging...

[briannorwood]

Hawksprings:

I couldn''t agree with you more. The Clinton machine thought that by front-loading the primaries, and claiming inevitability, the whole thing would be over by now.

They knew that if people had a chance to think things through, she would be rejected. This is precisely what has happened.

I never believe her support was very deep. I live in Pennsylvania, and don''t know very many people who were ever comfortable with her. Now that we have a viable alternative, her support is evaporating away.

If she thinks Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania will salvage her campaign, forget about it. Even though she has a slight lead now, this will be gone by month''s end.

Go Obama!

[jimfinster]

If he does, I think we''''re in for a Jimmy Carter-like presidency, albeit with a better tan. And bigger ears.

Posted by hawksprings


Well, at least it won''t be a "bush-like" presidency.

No More Years!

[hawksprings]

jimfinster, I gotta go, The Simpsons are on.

[jimfinster]

hawksprings

Ha! Later.

[prayerman3]

America you are putting a false prophet in office. He is telling you one thing and is going to do another.
HILLARY CLINTON IS THE BEST FOR OUR COUNTRY.

AMERICAN PEOPLE PLEASE WAKE UP. LOOK AT WHAT EACH CANDIDATE HAS DONE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO THEY HAVE TO OFFER.

LOOK AT HOW MANY TIMES THAT EACH CANDIDATE VOTED AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

Hillary did more then all the first Ladys combined for our country. Take a look of how many organizations she was in and supported. How many times she was asked her option and how many times she got to vote on the agenda. She has far more experience then all the candidates combined.
PLEASE DO NOT GIVE OR SALE OUR COUNTRY TO THE WORLD BECAUSE IF YOU DO NOT. START WATCHING OR LISTENING FOR THE TRUMPETS TO SOUND AND THE LORD JESUS TO COME

[jimfinster]

prayerman3:

Wow, you are really NUTS! Jesus will come back if Hillary does not win?!?

[prayerman3]

i DIDN''T PUT HIS NAME IN. I WAS TALKING ABOUT OBAMA IS THE WRONG ONE.
HILLARY IS THE RIGHT CHOICE

[gneubeck]

Hillary''s emergence from a potential Obama New Hampshire "blowout" was readily understandable. In a carefully calculated move Bill and Hilla once again played the "victim card". A strategy that was so successful in countering the Monica scandal, when Hillary, the serial "enabler", and Bill, the serial "groper" put on an academy award performance for several months to convince gullible woman to pull the sympathy lever in the voting booth for them. But now, with the Clinton''s Chinese bagmen either having fled the country or in prison, and their cash running low, the Clinton''s are adopting a new sympathy ploy as the "underdogs". With Bill constantly bragging about how much money he has, how many will fall for the Clinton''s latest charade? Greg Neubeck

[jimfinster]

prayerman3

GROOVY DUDE. THE ALL CAPS ARE A NICE TOUCH.

[prayerman3]

jimfinster WHERE ARE YOU FROM. I AM FROM WESTERN PA.

[prayerman3]

I AM GOING TO TRY TO HELP HAND OUT STICKERS, BANNERS AND ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO TO HELP HILLARY

[iceman_1960]

"Maine Puts Topper On Obama Weekend Sweep"

Does this mean Hillary doesn"t have a ghost of a chance now ?

[alburbooks]

Now the Clinton machine want count the delegates from Michigan and Flrorida where they campaing down the tunel without competence. Sounds like Bush practice.

[iceman_1960]

"But Tony Donovan said Obama can use some more seasoning."

Teresa Heinz Kerry is available for consultation.

[johnfrost-2009]

Obama is trying to hide this video from his wife Mitchelle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVeFVtcdSYY

[walt1944-2009]

If Obama makes it all the way to the White House, it will be the first time that a congressman from Illinois will be in the White House since 1860!

If this happens, it would really tick off the Republicans especially since Obama is a Democrat.

But I am betting that Lincoln would be very proud!!!

[byeneocons]

Pardomme: You are regurgitating the Fox News Rush Limbaugh pitard that has been hitting the airwaves for 20 years. If she did all those illegal things, then how is it Ken Starr, with six years and sixty million dollars, wasn''t able to make anything stick?

Oh, I forgot: Rush and Fox have a conspiracy theory for that too.

Your ignorance gave us Bush, who gave us deaths and deficits. Congratulations.

[iceman_1960]

"Isn"t she the one who tried to move 1/7 of the nations economy into an ill advised "health care" program?"
- Posted by pardonme2 at 09:44 PM : Feb 10, 2008

She made some mistakes in that ambitious endeavor. But health care needed reforming of some kind. It still does.

The ones who never make mistakes are the ones who never try to do anything worthwhile.

[von_marko]

330 million people in American and Obama and Hillary are the best the Dems could come up with??? ha ha hee ha. Surely there is an illegal immagrant or two that could be a better candidate. This is why the dems will loose another one this fall. Al Gore, John Kerry and now Barrack Clinton. 3 strikes youuuurre OUT!

[norcalruss]

GOBAMA!! More votes, more states and more delegates. And what is the news about Hillary this week? She loaned sagging campaign $5,000,00, fired her manager and got p@ssed off at MSNBC when they said she was %u201Cpimping out%u201D her daughter. Whose headlines would you rather have this week if you were running for president.

[norcalruss]

And McCain%u2019s headlines: Got a one-two punch from Gomer Pyle Huckabee in KS and LA and allegations fraud in the Washington caucuses. McCain is weak, but strong enough to beat Hillary if the Dems snatch defeat from victory by anointing the Queen instead of the people%u2019s choice.

[hopesalive-2009]

Prayerman, maybe you should be the one take a closer look at your candidate. Why don''t you tell me one thing she has accomplished that makes her qualified to be President? What was accomplished during the Clinton years that is helping average Americans in their day to day lives today?

Obama was a drafter of the Transparency in Government Act which would make a website showing a breakdown of how tax payer money is being spent. He was a drafter of legislation that prevents politicians from being able to use air travel which was being provided for by lobbiest. Two acts that required bipartisan support and were not popular amongst politicians. Senator Obama has a history of real accomplishments.

Now look at Hillary''s history. She is known as an advocate for women and children''s rights, which are wonderful causes, but let''s be honest its not like there is a long line of people, or groups, wanting to oppose women and children''s rights. The causes she has supported her entire career are the political correct ones and nothing more than padding for her political resume. What is not highlighted enough on her resume is her history of fraud, missing files (see Whitewater, Travelgate, Filegate), political opportunism, and being a key component to the divisive politics that has brought Washington to a stand still.

Yeah, Hillary has experience, all the wrong experience.

[alphaa10-2009]

When campaign field managers "resign", that is a major indicator of damage-- possibly a mortal wound in the Clinton strategy. Something is not working for Clinton, and her plans, so carefully laid out months (years?) in advance, are coming apart.

What so very few foresaw was that Obama could mix his messages so adrointly among the various audiences. Obama spoke with a southern dialect in his SC campaign, but apparently was spiffy and "unsouthern" enough to win Maine. His delivery is strong, yet with original, emotional undertones which sweep mass audiences along with ease.

Other factors work for Obama, too. Left unsaid is the strong possibility people are simply tired of more machine politics, from Clinton or anybody else. They want at least the appearance of a direct connection between platform and specific promises. Obama may yet believe the "fierce intensity of now" is a demographic thing, but he may have stumbled upon a mother lode of general voter exasperation with seven years of GOP and at least one year of congressional gridlock.

Which leaves the convention growing into a perfect storm of anticipation and energy. The challenger vs. Democratic Party establishment. Guess who still has all the "undeclared" delegates?

[iceman_1960]

"[Obama"s] winning margins ranged from substantial to crushing. In Maine, he led 59 percent to 41 percent with 91 percent of the precints reporting. In Louisiana, Obama defeated Clinton, 57 percent to 36 percent. He won in Nebraska by a 68 percent to 32 percent margin and in Washington 68 percent to 31 percent."
------------------

Now John McCain knows what he has to look forward to.