Clinton's Hopes May Lie With N.C.

Washington Post: Loss In Tar Heel State Would Stop Momentum, Shake Her Big-State Claims

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Perry Bacon Jr..

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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday emphasized her plans to remove combat troops from Iraq and challenged Sen. Barack Obama to a debate in North Carolina, as she turned her attention to a state that could upend her hopes of a comeback.

Standing with a group of military supporters, including North Carolina native and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Hugh Shelton, Clinton said at a stop here that "I am going to win the war in Afghanistan and end the war in Iraq."

She also repeated her challenge to Obama to debate her in this state, after the senator from Illinois would not commit to a previously scheduled one. "I've said I will debate anytime, anywhere," Clinton told a crowd of several hundred in Fayetteville. "I think you deserve your own debate."

North Carolina, with its large African American population, has long been seen as a firewall for Obama after contests in Ohio, Pennsylvania and elsewhere that favored Clinton. A win here and in Indiana, which also votes May 6, could cement his status as the front-runner.

If Clinton wins in Indiana and is able to score an upset, or even lose by a small margin, in North Carolina, her comeback would probably gain fresh momentum. A lopsided Clinton loss would essentially negate any recent gains she has made in delegates, in the nationwide popular vote and in persuading superdelegates to support her.

"They're going to try to win in Indiana and close like crazy in North Carolina," said Joe Trippi, who was a top adviser to the campaign of former North Carolina senator John Edwards before he dropped out of the race. Edwards has not endorsed either candidate, despite repeated entreaties from both.

Obama and Clinton have campaigned heavily in Indiana, where the race is expected to be close because of its proximity to Obama's Chicago home and its large number of white working-class voters, who have backed Clinton in other states.

They have spent less time in North Carolina, and as the race has shifted here both campaigns have sought to lower expectations.

"This is an uphill climb. To win here would be the upset of the century," said Averell "Ace" Smith, director of Clinton's North Carolina campaign.

Craig Schirmer, who is managing Obama's campaign here, said, "It's a competitive state, and I think it's a state that will grow more competitive in the next two weeks and probably be decided in the single digits."

With more than a third of primary voters expected to be African American, the state's demographics favor Obama, who has won throughout the South by gaining huge majorities of the black vote. If Obama again dominates among blacks, Clinton would have to win more than two-thirds of white voters to triumph. She has done that before in the South -- in Mississippi, where she still lost, and Tennessee, where she won.

Clinton aides said their strategy, as in other states, will be to try to dominate in rural areas and perform well among women in the state's three large urban areas, around Raleigh, Charlotte and Winston-Salem, which are likely to lean toward Obama.

Aside from blunting momentum, a loss in North Carolina, the nation's 10th-largest state, would weaken Clinton's argument that she dominates the big states. Clinton has won five of the 10 most populous states and outpolled her opponents in unsanctioned contests in Florida and Michigan, where Obama was not on the ballot. Obama has won only his home state of Illinois and Georgia among the 10 largest states.

Clinton advisers are publicly playing down any chance of victory, but political observers in North Carolina point to several signs of an aggressive effort. To manage her campaign in the state, Clinton installed Smith, one of her top operatives, who led victories in California and Texas. The day after the Pennsylvania primary, former president Bill Clinton made several stops in small communities in the state.

"He's their top primary manager," Trippi said of Smith. "They didn't send Ace Smith if they weren't going to try to compete."

[rowdytexan2]

YOU actually believe lil'''' missy is qualified to be Commander-in-Chief. Here''''s a simple question for you and all the other lil'''' Hillary supporters, Does she know the difference between company, battalion and brigade?

Posted by BLKPRESIDENT at 11:30 AM : Apr 26, 2008

Yeah she does. And she has the total support of the military generals! She''s known military issues for quite a number of years and on top of that serves on the Armed Services Committee!

Your total disrespect of women is an abomination! You haven''t a clue what women are doing in the military as we speak!

More than 160,500 American female soldiers have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East since the war began in 2003, which means one in seven soldiers is a woman. Women now make up 15 percent of active duty forces, four times more than in the 1991 Gulf War. At least 450 women have been wounded in Iraq, and 71 have died -- more female casualties and deaths than in the Korean, Vietnam and first Gulf Wars combined. And women are fighting in combat.

Women hold dangerous jobs in Iraq. They drive trucks along bomb-ridden roads, acted as gunners atop tanks and unarmored vehicles, raided houses, guarded prisoners, rescued the wounded in the midst of battle, and searched Iraqis at checkpoints. Some watched their best friends die, some were wounded, all saw the death and mutilation of Iraqi children and citizens.

Again, your ignorance of today''s women places your intelligence back about 100 years!

[blackyowe]

Does Bush know the difference between company, battalion and brigade? I think not. I doubt he can spell those words.

[blackyowe]

I hope Hillary can win this one. At one time I didn''t care if Hillary or Obama won the nomination but after the Rev. Wright thing came out I had second thoughts about Obama''s judgement. I am sick to death of radical religious nuts messing about in politics. Wright is as bad as Pat Robertson. Its a huge turn off to think Obama would be so stupid to use Wright as an advisor! UGH!

[libra127]

So, we should allow her to play president with the lives of the brave men in our Armed Forces.

Posted by BLKPRESIDENT at 11:30 AM : Apr 26, 2008

There are alot of brave women fighting in our Armed Forces in Iraq and Afganistan. Are you unwilling to recognize and honor their service to our country ?

[libra127]

Does she know the difference between company, battalion and brigade?

Posted by BLKPRESIDENT at 11:30 AM : Apr 26, 2008

Of course she does. That and a whole lot more.

But the President''s job is to decide on the MISSION. It is generally up to the military commanders to determine how best to carry out that mission.

[blkpresident]

libra127,

YOU actually believe lil'' missy is qualified to be Commander-in-Chief. Here''s a simple question for you and all the other lil'' Hillary supporters, Does she know the difference between company, battalion and brigade? Of course, she doesn''t. So, we should allow her to play president with the lives of the brave men in our Armed Forces. No, thanks. Missy''s out, it''s really that simple.

[realpatriot1]

BLKPRESIDENT,

Trash talking is the refuge of idiots. You are clearly an idiot.

[realpatriot1]

popstom,

***! White people in North Carolina aren''t as stupid as you. That''s why he''s winning the white vote in North Carolina.

If Hillary hopes lie in winning North Carolina she has no hope. She sent her top strategist here a month ago. He''s the guy who helped her win in Ohio. He''s admitted publically that he has no chance here.

Hillary wins when the entire Democratic establishment in a state puts the power of their machine behind her.

In North Carolina the Democratic machine is either nuetral or supporting Obama. She has the support of 1 Super Delegate and no elected officials in this state.

She''s going to get smoked here!

[libra127]

Cannot believe these otherwise brilliant military leaders would even think lil'' missy can handle the rigors of the presidency.

Posted by BLKPRESIDENT at 08:12 PM : Apr 25, 2008

Well, I guess you should just re-examine your assumptions then, BLKPREZ. I trust the judgment of these esteemed military leaders a whole lot more than your judgment. And you should too!

Hillary ain''t wearin'' no apron, baking no cakes, nor watching no soccer game. Just because you don''t know no women like her doesn''t mean she''s isn''t qualified to be Commander-in-Chief. Better get used to it.

[pepperwood2]

The Reverend Wright Story was Spun by the News Media, Clinton Campaign & now the McCain Campaign for the sole purpose during this election year to discredit Senator Obama. It will be coming to NC soon.

It is a preposterous story that insults Rev. Wright and the Trinity United Church of Christ. It shows how desperate the News Media, Clintons, & McCain have become to keep Senator Obama from the White House.

Reverend Wright Story is remarkable. Check it out at wikipedia.org, you''''re talking about an individual When President Kennedy gave the challenge "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". Wright gave up his college deferment in 1961 to enlist in the USMC, After two years he transferred to the USN and entered the Corpsman School at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he graduated valedictorian. He went on to serve his beloved country at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. receving many letters of commendation before being discharge in 1967.

Reverend Wright suggests to me to be a very dedicated, devoted & honorable American. I think the News Media, & the Clintons owe Jeremiah Wright Jr. a debt of graditute for being there to serve their country when the call was made. While some ex presidents were scheming to cut & run.

We can''t give enough thanks & credit to Our Men & Women that have served and are serving their Country honorable today in our time of need. May God Bless All Americans, Including Reverend Wright.

[blkpresident]

Hillary-Steinem ''08?

Wonder who these broads would tap as Secretary of Defense, Jane Fonda?

Wonder if they would tap former President Carter as Secretary of State? Please stop this woman Indiana and North Carolina.

[syofie]

Hillary would be leading in the popular vote and most delegates one if Obama and his cronies did not block the revoting in both Florida and Michigan. Besides walloping Obama in those 2 states in January, recent polls have shown that she would wallop Obama even more if Obama didn''t stop the revoting. Sounds like George Bush all over again. I don''t call that change. Obama should drop out, he''s a disaster for the democratic party. Vote for Hillary, she''s the best.

[popstom1]

And the one thats nominated is the one who draws
the most blood

[popstom1]

The obama camp keeps calling NC whites racist well
keep up the good work

[blkpresident]

libra127,

Nice try there. You actually think any of those top-notch military leaders/strategist that you included in your comments actually have faith in lil'' missy? War is not a picnic in the park, and terrorist don''t play softball either. Cannot believe these otherwise brilliant military leaders would even think lil'' missy can handle the rigors of the presidency. Terrorist don''t fear or respect housewives in an apron.

[shemanloser]

HILLARY HAS LOST!

SHE IS JUST BANGING THE DRUMS FOR MORE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DONATIONS FROM THE REPUBES FUND.

GW ALONE HAS OVER A BILLION EXCESS AFTER HIS 2 TERMS, SO HE WILL PROTECT HIS BOOTY FROM TAXES ANYWAY POSSIBLE, INCLUDING PAYING OFF NUMBER ONE REPUBLICAN: SHE-MAN HILLARY!!

[shemanloser]

HILLARY HAS LOST!

SHE IS JUST BANGING THE DRUMS FOR MORE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DONATIONS FROM THE REPUBES FUND.

GW ALONE HAS OVER A BILLION EXCESS AFTER HIS 2 TERMS, SO HE WILL PROTECT HIS BOOTY FROM TAXES ANYWAY POSSIBLE, INCLUDING PAYING OFF NUMBER ONE REPUBLICAN: SHE-MAN HILLARY!!

[jockh]

Hillary wants to cast Obama as unelectable because of her views on the issues of: race, jeremiah wright, bitter comments etc%u2026.
But Hillary is unelectable because polls show that 60 % of people regard her as the most dishonest politician in the presidential race !!

[jockh]

Hillary lies again.

The Federal Election Commission has just reported that her campaign debt is $15 million and not $10 million as the Clinton camp reported because she failed to list her $5 million loan among the debts.

This means that even after her new surge of fundraising, she is still $5 million in debt; but Hillary is still smiling; why? Because she knows that her $110 million fortune is nice and safe. It%u2019s the ordinary person on the street who is tricked into losing money on a campaign that is doomed to fail.

Mitt Romney put $42 million of his own money into his campaign, why doesn%u2019t Hillary show she has complete confidence in her campaign and put in some of her own millions. Why? Because she knows it%u2019s a lost cause.

Those of you who are fooled into contributing to her campaign ask yourself why she LOANS her own money but wants you to GIVE your money?

[rufisgufis]

Obama is leading in number of delegates won;

Obama is leading in number of states won;

Obama is leading in number of popular votes won;

Obama is leading in number of the caucuses won;

Obama is leading in every demographic;

Clinton is leading in number of lies told.

FIGURES DON''T LIE BUT LIARS CAN FIGURE

OBAMA 08