Can Clinton's Campaign Be Saved In Ohio?

CBSNews.com Reports: Senator Is In Tough Fight In State Crucial To Her White House Run

(CBS) 
The campaign touts endorsements from several members of the Democratic establishment in the state, including Strickland, Glenn, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. Obama's support includes state treasurer Richard Cordray and the mayors of Cincinnati and Cleveland.

The Obama campaign has also made the economy the central part of its pitch to Ohio voters - both on the trail and in radio and television ads stressing Obama's plans for jobs and the middle class.

While arguing that Obama is the "underdog" in Ohio due to Clinton's support from the political establishment, Obama's Ohio spokesperson Ben LaBolt said that the campaign's message is starting to resonate with voters like it has in other states.

Obama has outspent Clinton on ads in both Ohio and Texas and is getting additional help in the form of more ads from unions backing his candidacy. When everything is included, the difference in spending could be as much as two-to-one in Obama's favor.

Even if Obama doesn't win the state, his chief strategist David Axelrod sees the race as a fight for delegates.

"We’re trying to compete for every vote, every delegate in the four states that are on the ballot. And Ohio is obviously very very important," he said. "We don’t know where this is all going to end up next week. But we’re confident that we’ll get our share of delegates."

According to the latest CBS News tally, Obama has 1,373 delegates to Clinton's 1,265. On March 4, 370 are up for grabs, including 141 in Ohio. (Click here for the state-by-state CBS News delegate count.)

NAFTA, in particular, has been a flashpoint in the Ohio campaign. The free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico is widely unpopular here, especially with blue-collar workers who feel it has exacted a heavy price on manufacturing jobs in the state. According to the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, Ohio has lost 236,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000.

Obama has used the issue as a wedge in Ohio, reminding voters that Bill Clinton helped push through the trade deal and contending that his opponent has supported it in the past. A mailer to Ohio residents from the Obama campaign containing claims Hillary Clinton had once praised NAFTA led to an especially strong response from the former first lady on Saturday.

"Shame on you, Barack Obama," she said, referring to both that mailing and another one she said distorted her health care plan.

Responding to the controversy on Tuesday in Lorain, Clinton said, "I got a little hot over the weekend in Cincinnati."

At the debate in Cleveland that night, Clinton tried to ensure that Obama's charges don't stick by pledging to withdraw from the deal if Canada and Mexico would not renegotiate key sections.

Obama agreed with that, but also reiterated the charge in the mailer that Clinton has "shifted opinions" since she started running for president.

Governor Strickland came to Clinton's defense after the debate.

"I think it's unfair for her to be held accountable," he said. "She had no vote on NAFTA."

Back in Lorain, Clinton's supporters said the key to her success is for the candidate to be visible in the coming days and stress her experience.

"I believe in her beliefs - what she wants to do in the country and the world," said Francis Manacci, 77, a Korean War veteran and retired foreman for U.S. Steel. "Obama is a nice person… but I give her the edge because of her experience."

If Clinton is to win in Ohio, she's going to need to the support of late-deciding voters. In Wisconsin, Obama convincingly won with voters who made their decision in the final month and final week before the vote.

Vickie Lewis, a 50-year-old transportation coordinator and single mom who said she's politically independent and an undecided voter, came to the rally because her daughter is a student at the high school where it was held.

While she won't commit to voting for Clinton, she said she "probably" will after hearing her appeal. She was impressed by Clinton's plans for health care and the economy and thinks she "has enough guts" to get things done.

"If she keeps walking the walk of what's she's talking about, that'd be awesome," Lewis said.

[jack3213]

OBAMA IS A SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER WITH A GOOD STUMP SPEECH. UNDERNEATH THE WORDS THERE IS NO SUBSTANCE. PEOPLE ARE SUCKERS AND CONTINUE TO FALL FOR THIS AND SHOULD BE MADE AWARE HE IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN EMPTY SUIT. CLINTON IS NOTHING MORE THAN A LIAR. NEITHER CANDIDATE IS QUALIFIED OR CREDIBLE AND SHOULD BE IGNORED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE USA.

[integrityus]

FOR JUST ONE NEW YORK MINUTE, think about the magnitude of destruction of Hillary Clinton''s decisions. Her decisions KILLED thousands of people, DESTROYED thousands of jobs, CRIPPLED thousands of families, and COST millions of dollars to our economy. Oh, thank you Hillary for all your destructive choices! Her decisions have RUINED people''s lives! How can anyone trust her judgement again, and WHY would anyone reward her for her prior experience and service? Do we ignore this because she''s a woman that''s been through hard times? Or because she''s a Clinton? Vote for Obama. He is an intelligent, honest, moral person who has the courage to speak on behalf of our best interests as a nation.

[elsylee28]

BTW I found some amazing analysis on Obama%u2019s campaign. I haven%u2019t seen anything like this mentioned anywhere in the MSM.
Check out %u201CAl-Qaeda Gets Offended%u201D www.savagepolitics.com/?p=162 and %u201CPredatory Lenders and the Red Phone%u201D on www.savagepolitics.com/?p=158

www.SAVAGEPOLITICS.com
This site offers brilliant writing & analysis. EVERYONE into politics should check it out!!!

[taotxzen]

Was the Hillary Clinton 3 AM White House "Red Phone" Ad "Xeroxed" from You Tube and a 1984 Mondale Ad?
Submitted by mark karlin on Sun, 03/02/2008 - 7:18am.

Mark Karlin

Editor and Publisher

March 2, 2008

Senator Hillary Clinton''s campaign raised the fear ante when it started running an ad over the weekend in Texas that asked who you would like to answer the "red phone" in the White House at 3 AM when there is a crisis?

You can watch it here.

Senator Clinton, in one of the debates, accused Senator Barack Obama of "xeroxing speeches." She further insisted that it was an important issue because it got to the "heart" of Obama''s campaign.

So, we were a bit taken aback when BuzzFlash readers alerted us to a pro-John McCain video that has been reportedly been on YouTube since January (the indicated date of posting is January 6). The video, apparently posted by a YouTube subscriber, asks the same question about John McCain as is asked in the Clinton "red phone" ad. In fact, it posits the same question at the same time: 3 AM. Now that''s quite a coincidence.

You can watch the January YouTube posted video about John McCain answering the WH presidential phone at 3 AM in the morning in response to a crisis.

(cont)

[taotxzen]

(cont)

The likely originator of the Clinton ad reportedly put together a similar scare piece for Walter Mondale in 1984 when Gary Hart was within striking distance of beating him for the Democratic nomination.

According to the Washington Post: "The Clinton ''phone'' ad, produced by Texas advertising guru Roy Spence, bears a strong resemblance to a spot that Spence made in 1984 for Walter Mondale in his successful campaign to beat Gary Hart for the Democratic nomination. That ad featured a red phone and questioned whether Hart had the experience to be president."

That would make it appear, if the dating on the McCain YouTube clip is correct, that the Clinton campaign red phone ad is quite possibly at least twice "xeroxed" or cribbed -- as is said -- from two other ads, with one possibly being a YouTube clip for John McCain. The Walter Mondale add is a certainty.

These reported "coincidences" are important as Senator Clinton has declared to us. They cut to the heart of the matter of originality, sincerity, and integrity, she has told us during the debates and while campaigning.

Meanwhile, the Obama campaign lost no time in responding to the warmed over Clinton campaign ad.

[boatdocster]

"During the time Obama has been a Senator, he has co-sponsored 24 pieces of legislation with Republicans. During the same period, Hillary Clinton has sponsored 53 (fifty-three!) pieces of legislation with Republicans.

Obviously it is HILLARY that has the better record and has shown herself to be better-suited to work with Republicans to GET THINGS DONE."

I''d have to disagree unless you can show me what the bills where.

Hillary has been in lock step with GWB for the last few years - supporting 53 bills in conjunction with a loser President does NOT make her more effective.

Now, if you can show me details that those 53 bills actually made a difference, got us out of Iraq, repealed or changed NAFTA, restored taxes on wealthy (and I fall in to that group), improved medical and social services for AMERICANS (not the rest of the world), stopped raiding our treasury for cronies, etc, etc, then we can talk. So far, I have not heard of 1 real earth shattering bill from either side.

[libra127]

"Senator Obama''s strategy of responding to innuendo with facts is proving to be quite effective."

Posted by EddyNewHope at 02:55 PM : Mar 02, 2008

I don''t see more "innuendo" in Hillary''s ad than in Obama''s ad. But I agree, Tuesday in Texas and Ohio is all-important to Hillary''s campaign.

[eddynewhope]

Libra - Best case for Hillary is that her "nuclear" ad was simply canceled out. I''m no expert but I don''t think that''s what the Hillary camp was going for. Senator Obama''s strategy of responding to innuendo with facts is proving to be quite effective. Beyond that, Hillary is doing Obama a favor by dulling the Republicans quiver by throwing the kitchen sink at him. When McCain tries the fear stuff after Tuesday, it will have lost some of its punch after Hillary tried the same stuff with zero effect. I guess we''ll just have to see how things go on Tuesday.

[pilgrimsway-2009]

Hello my name is America,
And I am dying?
Who will help me?
I am about 230 years old.
I had been born out of the prayer in men%u2019s hearts who understood what true liberty is.
My name is America and God knows about me, but people do not care about God they have kicked Him out of politics and schools someday they may show Him the door out of the country!
People do not care about me America. There is no more love of being an American!
People are murdering every day in regard to aborted babies and again they do not care of what true liberty is for all!
Hello I am America who will save me! People raise flags in remembrance of me, but who will raise their heart in the principles by which we stand?
Hello I am America and I am crying for the injustice being done in my name. Where O where are the citizens that will fix me? Where are the Americans who will fight for me? What will happen to me? My name is America who will love me?

Http://pilgrimswaylighted.blogspot.com for more insight

[libra127]

Posted by EddyNewHope at 02:37 PM : Mar 02, 2008

LOL. You see only what you want to see! The ads pretty much cancel each other out - Hillary''s says "vote for me! I''ll do a better job". Obama''s says "vote for me! I''ll do a better job". That is an objective view. I''m not going to argue one is more effective than the other. They are equivalent.

[eddynewhope]

Hahahaha - Obama''s ad is strikingly effective. Hillary floats innuendo in her ad, Obama states facts in his. So when you see either ad, your brain see "Obama had the judgement to oppose the Iraq war, sponsored ethics reform, etc." Very smart play. He also avoids being Swiftboated a la John Kerry by responding quickly and with facts.

[pilgrimsway-2009]

You know what I think?
I think there is 8 or 9 different post names as the same person saying both sides.
Thats what I think!

[libra127]

"There is no question that Obama is better suited to work with both parties in order to fix the mess that the Bush White House created."
Posted by vmcneal2 at 07:26 AM : Mar 02, 2008

During the time Obama has been a Senator, he has co-sponsored 24 pieces of legislation with Republicans. During the same period, Hillary Clinton has sponsored 53 (fifty-three!) pieces of legislation with Republicans.

Obviously it is HILLARY that has the better record and has shown herself to be better-suited to work with Republicans to GET THINGS DONE.

[libra127]

"can you tell me why Clinton deserves our vote?"
Posted by Vet_SK at 06:49 AM : Mar 02, 2008

Because she is amazingly smart, hard-working, and knowledgeable about all of the issues which the President must deal with - foreign affairs, military issues, economic issues, health care, education, working with BOTH parties in Congress (she has co-sponsored legislation with Repubublicans far more than Obama has).

Because as First Lady she was President Clinton''s chief advisor and, while not always totally agreeing with him on all issues (i.e., NAFTA), she saw the Presidential decision-making process from the inside for 8 years.

Because as Senator for 7 years, she sponsored MORE LEGISLATION PER YEAR than ANY OTHER of the 546 members of Congress. (www.govtrack.us/data/us/110/repstats/enacted.xml)

[libra127]

"How did you like her latests add. It looks like something Rove and Bush would put together. "Oh, No, the boogy man is out to get your 5 year old kid." That''s fear mongering."
Posted by Vet_SK at 06:49 AM : Mar 02, 2008

Barack Obama immediately ran an almost IDENTICAL "red phone" TV ad with the same home and kids in bed, touting HIS judgement when answering the 3am phone call at the WH. Such a copycat. Vote for Hillary because she''s the one with the ideas and plans which Obama just copies. Vote Hillary on Tues., Ohio and Texas !

[amandagalaxy]

And to - jesterbelle at 02:54 AM : Mar 02, 2008...

after reading your post with the sexist joke, we can see that you might need to read about some of HIllary''s work in China where she represented WOMENS rights as HUMAN rights.

THIS IS AN APPEAL TO THE WOMEN OF THIS COUNTRY!! WAKE UP AND SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING!!

hillary 08

[libra127]

"First of all the President doesn''t answer their own phone, let alone lean over at 3am and pick it up!"
Posted by tbweb at 08:02 AM : Mar 02, 2008

The ad does not imply the President has answered the initial call. Someone else at the WH would answer the call and ring the President if it''s important enough.

"...initially 3am calls are usually ignored!"
Posted by tbweb at 08:02 AM : Mar 02, 2008

Maybe at your house. NOT at the White House, LOL. Someone is on duty all night, always.

[amandagalaxy]

YOU MIGHT BE AN IDIOT:-)

If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!


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

Posted by herfan at 09:18 AM : Feb 29, 2008
+ report abuse

[alicerea1]

The media is not being fair to the American people. There are so many things about Obama that should have been presented to the public to make a fair intelligent vote for the American people.

Above all Obama IS involved with criminal Resko and Black Nationalism Farrakhan

If this was the KKK and we had a white candidate that had connections with them the press would be all over it.

We wouldn''t accept anyone that had involvement with a criminal and then responded that it was a "boneheaded" mistake as a good answer in a debate. Why aren''t we bringing this comment up.
He is not denying his involvment.
That was okay?

When Obama was asked about his church or Farrakhan Obama didn''t make a big deal about this either. His church has black by-laws and they are involved with Farrakhan.
Review this over and over with the public. This radical leader is worse than the white KKK

[tbweb]

Sen. Clinton''s TV Ad says its 3am and who do you want answering the phone in an emergency? Then the Ad shows Sen. Clinton sitting up, fully dressed with her eyeglasses on bright eyed and bushy tailed answering the call. First of all the President doesn''t answer their own phone, let alone lean over at 3am and pick it up! Usually an Aide will wake the President if the matter is important enough, give a short summary briefing and the President may decide to delegate the matter, handle it themselves or wait until morning. Sen. Clinton''s TV Ad about the 3am call is not realistic and bogus because thats not the way it works! If it were a normal American receiving that call at 3am it gets even worst, most would let the answering machine get it with comments like if its important enough they will leave a message. If the phone continues to ring often after initial unanswered calls most Americans will take the call thinking that it must be something important, but initially 3am calls are usually ignored!