Obama's Biggest Media Challenge: McCain

MarketWatch Columnist Jon Friedman Says, To Win, Obama Must Trump McCain In The Press

(MarketWatch)  Now, Sen. Barack Obama will face his most significant media challenge.

He has all but sewn up the Democratic nomination, and can look ahead to taking on Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee.

Illinois' Obama has been a media favorite ever since he started his campaign and consistently got more favorable press reviews than his chief Democratic rival, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Much of Obama's success stemmed from his uncanny ability to charm the media and, through them, the voters, who often make up their minds based on what they see and read about a candidate.

While Clinton has resisted calls to drop out of the race, the media have concluded that the shouting is over. Last week, Time magazine published a photo on the cover of a grinning Obama. The blurb hammered home the point: "And the winner is..."

Obama's task

To keep the momentum going, Obama will have to understand -- every day -- that he will face even more media scrutiny.

Mainly, he will have to try harder to be as assertive as possible. Journalists -- especially the New York Times' brilliant, acerbic columnist Maureen Dowd -- have hounded him and suggested that he has looked weak because he couldn't vanquish Clinton.

Obama will have to realize that whatever he accomplished in the Democratic primaries will now pale against the sexier news peg: that he may not be presidential material because he couldn't convince Clinton to drop out of the race.

Then there is the challenge posed by McCain. Obama will be taking on an adversary who is also very popular with reporters. McCain is often seen as having a "one-of-the-boys" appeal with journalists.

I witnessed the McCain phenomenon first-hand a few years ago at a magazine conference in Puerto Rico. The night before he was scheduled to deliver his remarks to a ballroom full of influential editors and publishers, he spent a few hours shooting craps at a casino. McCain was having a good night and punctuated his successful throws by throwing his fist in the air triumphantly and shouting to the fascinated press corps who watched his every move.

McCain's popularity sometimes surfaces in bizarre ways. TVNewser reported Friday that a 24-year-old Fox News Channel production assistant was fired after she was overheard telling him, "I voted for you in the primary; you're going to win." (Fox, like MarketWatch, the publisher of this column, is a division of News Corp.) McCain, appearing at the time at Time magazine's Time 100 gala, was in turn overheard saying to her, "You're not supposed to reveal that."

Popularity

Recently, when the New York Times published a story loosely insinuating that McCain may have had an improper relationship with a female lobbyist, the paper was blasted by politicians and members of the media alike. They saw it as a cheap shot, partly because McCain had built up so much good will.

I doubt that the sympathetic outpouring on McCain's behalf would have been so strong if a rather unpopular politician had been the target.

Yes, America, for better or worse, journalists are human, too, and we sometimes play favorites in our coverage.

Baggage

Obama must be rather cynical about the media by now. He was their favorite son early in his campaign and yet the more successful he was in the primaries, the more skeptical journalists acted toward him.

Obama is certainly smart and savvy enough to recognize that once the media build you up to unrealistic proportions, the only direction that you can go is south.

McCain's opportunistic camp will surely have noticed that Obama was unable to put away the highly determined Clinton, and even allowed her to dictate the media debate in such industrial states as Pennsylvania.

That means Obama will have to convince reporters that he can thwart McCain. McCain has proven himself to be just as dogged as Clinton -- remember, McCain was given up for dead shortly before the primary season began late last year. Undercapitalized and plagued by image problems, McCain survived on grit and thrived by demonstrating his poise under pressure.

Obama took a different route with the media. He burst from the Iowa caucus, winning stunningly and basically ending any discussion of whether a man of color could win a national election. Obama relied on wowing crowds -- especially young people and other traditionally disenfranchised voters -- on the strength of his inspirational speeches.

Now that Obama is on top, he'll need more than inspirational speeches to continue to dazzle the media.

[hillary4us]

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE GUTLESS WONDER DEBATE MCCAIN.....WITHOUT A SCRIPT! HOPE HE REMEMBERS HOW MANY STATES ARE IN OUR UNION AND WHAT SENATOR MCCAINS NAME IS. HAHAHA WHAT A L O S E R!

[truthyness]

I also come from a long line of Democrats but I have to face the fact that the Democratic Party isn''t what it used to be.

Two things have become evident to me even though they

don''t make any sense at all.

The first one is that the Democratic Party Leadership

knows damm well that if Obama where to actually make

it past the Republicans and get in the White House,

the results will be disastrous.

The second one is that the Democratic leadership

is throwing this election.

I know it''s hard to believe. I know it doesn''t make

any sense. But it''s happening everyday right in front

of us, and I can''t go on telling myself that it isn''t.

[ranger1948]

I think the news media and the people need to real;ize that under scrutiny John McCain will look like a duplicate of George Bush. What does he plan to do differently than bush has done ? On the other hand obama has suffered a lot of damage by wright, his church, associates and his comments looking down on the working class people, not to mention what his racist wife has caused.

[joe1022joe]

The geniuses who think Barak Hussein Obama can beat John McCain will get a rude awakening when Obama loses at least 45 states as well as the US Senate and possibly the House of Representatives for the Dems. The tendency of the Democratic Party to commit political suicide every few years never fails to amaze. Stephenson in %u201852 and %u201856. McGovern in 1972. Kennedy%u2019s challenge of the then sitting President Carter sure didn%u2019''t help Carter against Reagan in 1980. Remember Dukakis in 1988? This year the Dems were bound and determined to nominate either Barak Hussein Obama or Hillary Clinton - two people who haven%u2019t got an icicle%u2019s chance in Hell of being elected president. Periodically, the far left wing of the Democratic Party gets control of the party and it gets thrashed in the national election. 2008 will be another one of those.

[crater7]

Obama, will have to understand -every day- that he will face even more scrutiny:

OHHH BOY!

MICHELLE, " AINT GONNA LIKE THIS."

THEY ARE RAISING THE BAR AGAIN.

AMERICA IS SO MEAN.

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA. NOT "G D" AMERICA.

[riptide213]

Prevalent Barackmetric pressure is rising in all constituencies.

An Extreme Political Storm Warning remains in effect throughout the United States until November 4 2008.

An Extreme Political Storm Warning means that conditions are favorable for intense hope and change.

If you campaign or vote in an area that is prone to political stagnation be prepared to move with the times and vote for an out of the ordinary candidate especially during this national election.

This type of storm is not common and can cause inconveniences for some voters.

Heavy debate with strong views will add to the stormy political conditions.

Voters with moderate views may experience some anguish.

The worst of the storm will be experienced in the Denver Colorado area in late August.

Nationally active supporters and voters in the warned areas should be alert for rising temperaments and take appropriate action to protect pride and dignity.

Move your political position to higher ground at times of high sentiment.

[jack3213]

For those who think Obama can lead us out of anything- with no experiance- are ''''wishful thinking'''' that is something ''children do'' not rational minded ''''adults'''' and individuals that base their decisions on logic. "Change" can also be very bad at the wrong time with the wrong person.

[tbweb]

SAY NO TO AN ILLEGAL CLINTON 3rd TERM!!

Sen. Clinton claims she is ready to be President on Day 1. How is this possible? Because during her husbands 2 terms as President Hillary claims she played a major role, the U.S. got 2 for the price of 1, a Co-Presidency if you will. The Clintons can''t have it both ways, if Hillary is claiming Presidential experience over her rival Sen. Obama then a third Clinton term is illegal as noted below!!

U.S. Constitution - Amendment 22

Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits

1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

Avoid abuse of too much power and corruption by one family!

Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton?? 20 years in a row! America needs a break from BUSH/CLINTON! No more BUSH/CLINTON.

One of the main objectives of the 2 term limit on being U.S. President was to avoid the very thing we are witnessing now with Sen. Clinton, a powerful politician throwing their weight around trying to call in favors from previous Presidential appointments as Gov. Richardson pointed out and not knowing when to QUIT! The 2 term limit forces the issue, makes them QUIT!

SAY NO TO AN ILLEGAL CLINTON 3rd TERM!!

[jack3213]

The next President is not just to focus on the lower or middle class--who ned help of some nature- the President also has a responsiblity to all people.. of all status -seems alot of people forget that- Many who struggle have struggled because they do not want to work hard and do not want to do for themselves- they want the ''government'' to take care of them- like children- that is what is weighing us all down

[kat1park]

jack3213, spoken like someone who has had opportunities handed to him and doesn''t know the first thing about actually working hard. Perhaps you think you work hard, but if you''ve never worked in a factory for $5/hr or construction for $10/hr, then you don''t know the meaning of it. I worked in a factory one summer while I was going to college. It inspired me to finish college. Not everyone can afford to go to college though. I guess that means they want the government to take care of them. Sure, there are people out there looking for a handout, but there aren''t as many of them as you would like to think. There is actually a such thing as the "working poor".

[kat1park]

HILLARY4US, you will get what you ask for. One person who will not be debating McCain in the general election is Hillary. And since you plan to vote for McCain, you will lose twice this year. Obama 08

[obama8years]

OBAMA MENTOR SUPPORTS HAMAS AND HATE WHITEE.

True, Obama mentioned how Wright taught him to be kind unto others. But according to Wright%u2019s interpretation, that %u201Ckindness%u201D has more to do with fighting %u201Cwhite oppression%u201D than urging nonviolence and brotherly love among all races. Wright%u2019s church even praised Hamas in the past, and has always touted it as an Islamic charity organization showing such social kindness despite its charter calling for unyielding murder and expulsion of Jews in the Middle East.

[obama8years]

The official organ of Italian communist party "L''UNITA''" with leading articles of its publishing director, a certain Mr Furio Colombo a fanatical communist and a third-rate journalist, has also adopted a stance of enthusiastic endorsement and backup for Obama. He is speaking highly of him.. Communist support for Obama arouses suspicion considering the hatred communists have always felt for USA. This Furio Colombo in particular is in Italy well-known for his deep hate against USA. This nice gentleman is now in the US following Obama in his campaign for the Presidency.I wonder why communists are now backing Obama so warmly. I think there is cause for concern if communists are supporting Obama, isn%u2019t there?

[vmcneal2]

Obama has some baggage to overcome, don''t think for a second that McCain is clean..this guy has enough baggage to fill a cargo plane. It will all come out soon enough.

[vmcneal2]

For those who think Obama can lead us out of anything- with no experiance- are ''''''''wishful thinking'''''''' that is something ''''children do'''' not rational minded ''''''''adults'''''''' and individuals that base their decisions on logic. "Change" can also be very bad at the wrong time with the wrong person.



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Posted by jack3213 at 08:27 AM : May 12, 2008

A good leader hires good people. Obama is a leader and you can bet his team will be top notch. Obama''s campaign is not 20 million in the red. His people know how to manage money, Hillary''s team pissed money away. What Obama may lack in experience he will make up with brains and common sense. Something we have not had in 7 years.

[joyous88]

why would any one in their right mind vote
for gramppy mcbushsame

[mbcsmith]

A good leader hires good people. Obama is a leader and you can bet his team will be top notch. Obama''''s campaign is not 20 million in the red. His people know how to manage money, Hillary''''s team pissed money away. What Obama may lack in experience he will make up with brains and common sense. Something we have not had in 7 years.


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Posted by vmcneal2 at 09:52 AM : May 12, 2008


Ambassador to the U.N. : Rev Jeremiah Wright

Sec''y of defense: Rev Louis Farrakahn

Sec''y of treasury : Rezko

No Thanks!

[mcvet]

America you are going to LOVE this guy. I had a friend from Work that lived in his Neighborhood. The guy IS what he appears. He love''s a game of pick up basketball and he KNOWS what a working stiff has to go through. HE would insist on regotiating those trade agreements that has ripped American''s off so badly. I don''t know of ONE community in this nation that has NOT suffered from these agreements... now keep in mind I am not allowed to go into those Communities where CEO''s live but out here in Average American I know of NO PLACE where WE the PEOPLE have not suffered. Sieg Heil Bush

[tawpdawg11]

The media seems to have succeeded in turning Barack''s attention elsewhere other than the nomination fight. Watch out for the rope-a-dope, Barack. She is playing another sympathy card.

[mcvet]

The next President is not just to focus on the lower or middle class--who ned help of some nature- the President also has a responsiblity to all people.. of all status -seems alot of people forget that- Many who struggle have struggled because they do not want to work hard and do not want to do for themselves- they want the ''''government'''' to take care of them- like children- that is what is weighing us all down


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

Posted by jack3213 at 08:54 AM : May 12, 2008
+ report abuse

The NEXT President has to LEAD the people in a new and different direction. Anyone who say''s taking a Balanced Budget and Surplus to what we have is OKAY is NOT acceptable. Anyone who says he has some "Migic" Bullet to "fix" social security is out as well. You do NOT have to be a mental giant to figure out that we are headed in the WRONG direction. Tough hard decisions have to be made to correct a very BAD WRONG that was committed to the Working Class in this nation or the "SOLUTION" will hurt MUCH worse. McSame isn''t the answer that''s for sure... he flip flops so much how do you KNOW what you are getting. Sieg Heil Rush

[mcvet]

Ambassador to the U.N. : Rev Jeremiah Wright

Sec''''y of defense: Rev Louis Farrakahn

Sec''''y of treasury : Rezko

No Thanks!


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

Posted by mbcsmith at 10:10 AM : May 12, 2008
+ report abuse

Do you HONESTLY think stuff like this is working for you anymore. It''s childish and the problems we face are REAL, very REAL!! We are borrowing money to fight a war that NO ONE today says needed to be fought and YOU want to post this trash?? There ARE other people in this nation!! THEY do sometimes disagree with you and YOU are not superior. I hate to see ANY American excluded from a debate but garbage like this is rediculous!! Sieg Heil Rush

[tawpdawg11]

mbassador to the U.N. : Rev Jeremiah Wright

Sec''''y of defense: Rev Louis Farrakahn

Sec''''y of treasury : Rezko

No Thanks!

Posted by mbcsmith at 10:10 AM : May 12, 2008

Quick, get back under your bed, Smitty! After the durka-durkas have left the white house, the all-clear will be sounded and you can come out and scavenge with everyone else. It should be no more than 25 or 30 years.

[armydog2]

hey mcbsmith, look into mccains spiritual advisor, this guy is as sick as they come and mccain pursued his endorsement.

[sjc_1]

Obama is more like the leader of a cult. People want to believe in unity and he is tapping into that need. They will follow no matter what, that means that their minds are not thinking objectively.

[michael0004]

"Yes, America, for better or worse, journalists are human, too, and we sometimes play favorites in our coverage."

Gee, no kidding. I never would have guessed after such fair and balance reporting in the Democratic Primary. (Not.)

[joyous88]

why post this trash,

sure the republicons and rupert murdoch''s mindless

christians own the corporate media, and sure almost

every news outlet belongs to them,

but the american people are tired of karl rove,and bushcain tactics, liars ,theives, greedy pigs

we want some honesty and obama has it, nothing else matters

[sjc_1]

Couple that with the fact that a lot of Democrats will just stay home come election day in November if Obama is the candidate. No amount of "healing" is going to change that.

[Syndicate]

Blackmilitan-- Don''t let the door hit you in the A$$ on the way out. I wish all the blacks would go live in Africa for one year. I think it would change their attitude. Fact is I probably won''t vote for a black man until more join the Republican party. I''ve always voted Republican for president. So if a black man wants my vote he''s gonna have to run as a Republican.

[hwdinchitown]

cbsrash, I will go back to Africa when you take your A$$ back to Europe. This is no more your country than mine so back the hell up! I''ve had relatives fight in every war dating back to the civil war and consistently have had to deal with idotic bs like that you are spewing forth. Republican or not just shut the F-UP. One republican to another...yes I am a black republican who will not be going back to Africa any more than you will be going back to Europe.

[joecoolswat]

hwdinchitown....excellent point

[joecoolswat]

hwdinchitown.....may I ask you...as a republican, are you voting for McCain ?

[mbcsmith]

we want some honesty and obama has it, nothing else matters


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Posted by joyous88 at 12:24 PM : May 12, 2008


Rezko to Obama: " SSSHHH just put it in your pocket and keep quiet"

[obama8years]

Obama isnt Honest , there has been 70+ documented lies that Obama tells and lives. The rev Wright was one big flip flop for Obama. Come on. Obama is less honest than Hillary.

[obama8years]

hwdinchitown - Dont let idiots get to you. I just ignore them. It shows there not credibile. Always stay cool.

[obama8years]

If Barack Obama didn%u2019t know about Abunimah%u2019s writings (and Abunimah says he did), the same as his claims of being unaware of Reverend Wright%u2019s remarks after 20 years, then Obama is not competent to be our President. Abunimah likes to lie and claim Al Awda has nothing to do with the ISM or Electronic Intifada, though plenty of evidence exists on the website the homepage at www.StoptheISM.com showing the contrary.

But Obama%u2019s association with the ISM through his church and lobbying in Chicago goes even deeper than just his past links to Al Awda and Ali Abunimah. His pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, are both equally involved with the ISM.

[paris1969]

when Hillary declares her independent run for the Presidency she will get the press ... and she will beat both NObama and McCan''t ... it is that simple!

[rowdytexan2]

Obama''s involvement with corrupt political regimes just gets bigger and deeper. Now he''s involved all the way from Chicago to Iraq, and the Bush regime.

McCain''s campaign is just waiting to unleash it!

Our DNC is so corrupt they''re BEGGING on every news network for her not to reveal it. I wish she would! The fact that our DNC has bullied and promoted such a crook of candidate needs to be revealed and the DNC needs to be cleaned out!

Wonder why Obama''s lawyers are fighting his not testifying to his appointments to a corrupt Chicago board manipulating employees retirement funds to his buddies?

http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/genera_evelyn_p_080512_curtain_time_for_bar.htm

[coloradoind]

Clinton/McCain/Obama Nothing makes me more nervous than Obama "experience" as we face Korea, Iran, Israel, world unrest and world opinion. Everybody likes to be "liked", Obama oozes that impression. And I like him...but not as US President. World leaders don''t go about being likeable. I''ve easily voted Democrat since Nixon, although I''m Independent. If it''s no Clinton in Denver... Thank God I have McCain to vote for ...unnerves me he''s Republican, so be it.

[rowdytexan2]

we want some honesty and obama has it, nothing else matters


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Posted by joyous88 at 12:24 PM : May 12, 2008

Good luck with that! You might wanna check out Mr. Obama''s ties to corruption all the way from Chicago to Iraq and through the Bush regime before you play your honesty card. As we speak Mr. Obama is fighting having to testify as to his appointments to a corrupt board scamming employee retirement funds to his Islamofascist friends.

McCain has this information and is waiting to unleash it. And now the DNC is all over the news networks BEGGING Hillary not to release it. ''Please...please...please Hillary don''t go negative...don''t go negative...please...please!"

ROFL!

[rowdytexan2]

McCain has this information and is waiting to unleash it. And now the DNC is all over the news networks BEGGING Hillary not to release it. ''''Please...please...please Hillary don''''t go negative...don''''t go negative...please...please!"

ROFL!


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Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 04:01 PM : May 12, 2008

If something happens to Obama and his oil and energy special interest money, the DNC is sunk in the water and strapped for funds.

[joyous88]

yhan your parents are fools

obama is the only decent choice in this election

[joyous88]

than your parents are fools,

Obama is the only decent choice in this election,

McBush is older than dirt and not quite as smart

hell even fighter pilot bush was able to avoid combat

but not McSame, not bright enough

[pensacola88]

McCain''s biggest headache is not from the Democratic Party, instead, it is from the Republicans who abandoned the party to support Barack Obama. More defectors are walking out daily, and McCain is doing everything to safeguard the Republican playbook, so he doesn''t repeat Jimmy Carter''s careless error.

Republicans that converted did so out of their disbelief over John McCains ability to beat down the evangelicals and keep them from influencing foriegn policy. It has been clear that foreign policy failure has taken the wind out of the economy and sustained attacks from evangelicals will never allow the economy to ressucitate. John McCain''s deepest losses are yet to be felt, because he can''t do anything to change the extremist image problems of his hardliner conservatives associated with his age group. Male spinsters don''t get popular by condeming their opponents. The open and blatant disrespect just sank the party.

[tawpdawg11]

Hillary and the press are putting the rope-a-dope on Barack. Nothing else has worked. Ali used it to perfection to surprise George Foreman.

[ranger1948]

I think Hillary should drop the democratic party and go independent. The democratic party has shown her no support.

[omaar-101]

Posted by coloradoind: Clinton/McCain/Obama Nothing makes me more nervous than Obama "experience" as we face Korea, Iran, Israel, world unrest and world opinion.

Everybody likes to be "liked", Obama oozes that impression. And I like him...but not as US President. World leaders don''''t go about being likeable. I''''ve easily voted Democrat since Nixon, although I''''m Independent. If it''''s no Clinton in Denver... Thank God I have McCain to vote for ...unnerves me he''''s Republican, so be it.


Are You F--kin Serious !!!


Name a Person that wants to be ''Hated'' and I''ll show You a ...Hated Man !!!

John McCain Or Hillary Clinton, they must want to be ''Hated''...Huh

I guess thats why Hillary Cried before the New Hampshire Primary and before ''Super Tuesday'' to be Scorned & Hated by the Public & Mass Media.

President Bush did not Care what he did and you see, where that has left Over 4000 Dead US Service Men, Over 100,000 Dead Iraqi`s under False Impression, (WOMD`S) The USA Economy, at its Very Lowest, Bush is the Least Liked President on his way out of the White House. The Dollar De-Valued , Lower than the Mexican Peso, High Unemployment and All Time High USA Foreclosures.

How''s that for Not Giving a D@mn, and for Appearing ''Fearless'' & not trying to be ''Likeable''..Because Bush is Not Liked nor is he, Likeable!!

[omaar-101]

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=HILLARY+CLINTON LIAR&search_type=


Hillary Clinton is ...TOAST !!



Hillary''s ...TOAST !!


The Clinton''s have so much Arab Millions,You might as well call Hillary & Bill ''Hussein'' Clinton.


Bill Clinton: ''Change'' You now see the benefits and effects of (NAFTA), Giving Communist China Unlimited Access to the White House and Classified Documents (Norman Hsu), Bill''s 10 Million $ per year Saudi Arabian Money, Bill''s United Arab Emirates (Dubai Ports Deal), Millions, Kuwait & Qatar Millions, and You people are worried about ...

Obama...Puh-Lease...Spare Me !!


George Bush Jr: He was ''Change'' for the Good Huh and you voted his A!! in the Oval Office Twice !!


You see the, over 4000 Dead Honorable USA Soldiers, 100,000 Dead Iraqi''s under False Pretenses (WOMD), 20 Billion Dollar Per Month War, a Devalued Dollar, Lower than the Mexican Peso, Massive Foreclosures, Outsourced Jobs, to Foreign Countries and Most of You A!! Holes, Voted for him !!


None of you will Admit, that you Voted for either of these Presidents, but they served 2 Terms !!

PS: No more talks of Obama not being ''Experienced Enough'' because none of the Past or Present Presidents, had National-International ''Experience''

Otherthan...Fmr. CIA Dir. and 2 Term Republican VP (George H. Bush Sr), and his A!! lasted only 1 Term !!


State Governorship is Regional...that does not Qualify for ''National-International Policy or Law Making .

[dotindixie]

Obama''s biggest challenge is the voters like me who would vote for Bush again before they''d vote for a member of a black liberation church. God#### Wright!

[noloyalisti]

Remember that Obama is half white even though the mainstained media calls him black. Reverend Wright did go overboard but on most of the issues he was pretty much right on. It''s too bad the American sheeple have been so dumbed down they don''t even remember history. We need a smart person as President, be he or she white, black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Time to grow up and lose the racist trash.

[bigal321321]

I think Hillary should drop the democratic party and go independent. The democratic party has shown her no support.Posted by ranger1948......I agree. It worked for Leiberman. It would prove to the rest of us that she cares more for her country than her party. It would make her electable. The challenge with this scenario is that Hillary is out of money. It was a good thought ranger1948.