In W.Va., Obama Focused On November

Democratic Front-Runner Focuses On McCain, Says He Expects Clinton To Win Tuesday's Primary

(AP)  Wearing a flag lapel pin, Sen. Barack Obama emphasized his patriotism and support for a strong and humane military Monday, while Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton implored West Virginians to sustain her hopes of somehow denying him the Democratic presidential nomination.

Obama expects Clinton to win Tuesday's primary in West Virginia, which has large numbers of working-class whites — a group that usually backs the former first lady — as well as a strong military tradition. He used his visit to Charleston to combat critics' claims that he is not particularly patriotic or ready to be commander in chief, in part because he never served in the military, usually does not wear a flag pin, and opposed the Iraq war from the start.

Obama broke from his usual practice by wearing the flag pin and reading his speech instead of talking without notes. He told several thousand people at the Charleston Civic Center that patriotism means more than saluting flags and holding parades. He criticized Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain for opposing a Democratic bill to expand education benefits for veterans.

"At a time when we're facing the largest homecoming since the Second World War," Obama said of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, "the true test of our patriotism is whether we will serve our returning heroes as well as they've served us."

Pointing to the Bush administration, he said, "we know that over the last eight years we've already fallen short of meeting this test." He cited once shabby conditions at such facilities as Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and long waits and bureaucratic obstacles facing many who seek care from the Veterans Administration.

"When our troops go into battle, they serve no faction," Obama said. "They serve no party. They represent no race or region. They are simply Americans."

He proposed expanded veterans' benefits for health care, education, housing and psychiatric treatment. He said McCain opposes a Democratic-crafted bill in Congress to expand education benefits "because he thinks it's too generous."

McCain's campaign said the Arizona senator backs a Republican alternative that is better because it enhances benefits for those who stay longer in the military, thereby encouraging recruitment and retention of troops.

Clinton planned four campaign stops in West Virginia on Monday, hoping for a big margin Tuesday that could slow the continuing drift of Democratic superdelegates to Obama's camp. Implying that the party could lose in November if he is the nominee, Clinton told patrons of Tudor's Biscuit World in Charleston: "I keep telling people, no Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without winning West Virginia."

At a campaign stop in Logan, Clinton was introduced by state Senate Majority Leader H. Truman Chafin, who talked about Clinton carrying the state 80 percent to 20 percent, or even 90-10.

"You think this crowd's noisy, just wait till we win like 80-20," Chafin said.

In New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer, one of Clinton's major supporters, endorsed the idea of Clinton and Obama running together.

"Hillary and Barack have both run very strong and great races, and I think they'd be a strong ticket together," Schumer told a breakfast.

After the speech, Obama stopped at Schultzie's Billiards hall, where he showed greater skill at pool than he had at bowling last month in Pennsylvania.

As a small crowd oohed and ahhed at his third consecutive good shot, Obama said his skill was "the sign of a misspent youth. I wasn't doing wholesome things like bowling."

Still, Obama lost to Iraqi war veteran Paul Scott, 24, because he accidentally knocked in the eight ball prematurely.

Obama told reporters he will have to consistently fight rumors that he doesn't say the Pledge of Allegiance, among other falsehoods widely spread on the Internet. "This is something that's been systematically fed into the bloodstream," he said. He said he had no idea who is doing it.

Obama's campaign announced Monday that he will visit politically neglected Florida and Michigan, as he pivots to a general election strategy.

It will be his first time in either state since signing a pledge nine months ago not to campaign in them because they violated national party rules with early primaries.

All the Democratic presidential candidates agreed to boycott Michigan and Florida. Clinton won both states, although Obama's name was not on the Michigan ballot, and no delegates were awarded. Restoring the delegates is a major part of Clinton's longshot strategy for the nomination.

Clinton's last best hope is to use strong showings in West Virginia and Kentucky to make the case that Obama is weak among key Democratic constituents.

Obama's campaign announced a five-state tour over the next two weeks that includes stops in remaining primary states South Dakota and Oregon but is dominated by swing states where he hopes to run well against McCain.

Obama leads in delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination. He'll try to rebound from Tuesday's expected loss in West Virginia by campaigning this week in Missouri, a state that President Bush won in 2000 and 2004.

On Wednesday, he planned two stops in Michigan — the swing Macomb County and the GOP stronghold of Grand Rapids. He plans to spend three days starting May 21 in Florida, with stops in Tampa, Orlando, Palm Beach County and Miami. The area is a popular stop for political fundraising, but the Obama campaign says the candidate will mostly be appealing for votes.

"Our schedule reflects the fact that we are still fighting for votes and delegates in the remaining contests but also that we are going to places that are going to be competitive in the fall," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton.

[dchu76]

Obama is gonna fight for all 50 states.

[ken1dall]

Fortunately there are not too many Obamunists in WVA

[rowdytexan2]

Little chubby cheeks, don''t cha think you might give a little peek at looking at the primaries first?

You''re like 2 superdelegates more than HRC, and don''t have the popular vote, and don''t have enough delegates yet to win.

Besides that the DNC is BEGGING Hillary not to release the information she has on you and go negative.

Without your oil and energy money the DNC is busted out of the water. The older more mature Americans who have all the money to donate won''t give the DNC a *** dime after after they''ve totally misrepresented Hillary''s support.

[nanc12]

5-12-08
- Added Rep. Tom Allen (ME) for Obama
- Added DNC Dolly Strazar (HI) for Obama
- Added Sen. Daniel Akaka (HI) for Obama
- Added Idaho Democratic Party Chair DNC R. Keith Roark (ID) for Obama

Pledged Super Total Needto Win
Obama 1590.5 279 1869.5 155
Clinton 1426.5 270.5 1697 327.5

[myshiba]

NOBAMA 2008!

[myshiba]

NOBAMA 2008!

[guadalcanal3]

ddhinnyc...Why?...Because Barack Obama has NEVER..served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America...He did not earn that pin....nor does he deserve it.

[joehawkinson]

I do not understand why some hardcore republicans care to post here and everywhere on the internet against Obama and fiercly support Hillary. Is not it strange to say the least?
To me this alone is a good reason to support Obama. Neocons hate Obama so he MUST be a good guy. End of story.

[nanc12]

Popular Vote (w/FL & MI)** Obama 16,579,735 47.9% Clinton 16,466,237 47.5% Obama +113,498 0.33%

Estimate w/IA, NV, ME, WA* Obama 16,913,819 47.9% Clinton 16,690,099 47.3% Obama 223,720 0.64%
Source - Realclearpolitics.com

[nanc12]

A war veteran gave Obama a flag lapel pin, which Obama put on his lapel during that event. But when Obama got back to his hotel, he made a conscious decision to not put that flag pin back on again the next day.

Why do you think he would do such a disrespectful, unpatriotic thing?
------------------------------------------------------

Posted by ddhinnyc at 04:21 PM : May 12, 2008

Because if he''d worn it the next day, folks like you would be calling him a two-faced flip-flopper. I don''t see one on Hillary or McSame.

[joehawkinson]

I do not understand why some hardcore republicans care to post here and everywhere on the internet against Obama and fiercly support Hillary. Is not it strange to say the least?
To me this alone is a good reason to support Obama. Neocons hate Obama so he MUST be a good guy. End of story.
Enough of the C-R-A-P that neocon sh-itheads spread around about Obama, why dont you f. off and tail MC CAN''T to wherever he is going.

[huanaco]

OBAMA AGAINST MCCAIN: A SURE LOOSER.

[themagic07]

DEAN, PELOSI, KENNEDYS, and REID, are ELITIST for DNC Leadership. People are still voting, and these ELITIST democrats want to proclaim the car salesman as the winner. Is this democracy all about? Give me a break. Sen Hillary has been unfairly treated by these Democrat ELITISTs, including media/pundits.

[Razzl]

If Hillary''s margin of victory in WV is massive, we can chalk it up to exactly one thing--racism. It will be up to West Virginians who have some level of pride not to let the world see them in that light, regardless of the expected outcome.

[oldabeeagle]

Billary is still in the race so she can find someone to pay off her debt. Check out the NY Times article about the Clinton campaign:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/us/politics/22clinton.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

If Hillary can not manage a campaign, how can she manage the country?

Take a look at this ABC news story about Hillary on the Wal-Mart board. She looks so sweet, but what did she do for the workers? Healthcare?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc9cSMzcR3g&feature=user

[themagic07]

DEAN, PELOSI, KENNEDYS, and REID, are ELITIST for DNC Leadership. People are still voting, and these ELITIST democrats want to proclaim the car salesman as the winner. Is this democracy all about? Give me a break. Sen Hillary has been unfairly treated by these Democrat ELITISTs, including media/pundits.

Remember a vote for the car salesman (Obama) is a vote for WRIGHT, REZKO, AYERS, AND FARAHKHAN%u2026..OBAMA is dishonest and disgrace. He does not deserve my vote!

[Razzl]

"Barack Obama has NEVER..served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America...He did not earn that pin....nor does he deserve it."

So those of us who have never served in the military, no matter how good we''ve been as citizens, aren''t entitled to wear little flag pins? There''s a word for your kind of obsessive, selfish view of patriotism: PIN-HEADED...

[joehawkinson]

I do not understand why some hardcore republicans care to post here and everywhere on the internet against Obama and fiercly support Hillary. Is not it strange to say the least?
To me this alone is a good reason to support Obama. Neocons hate Obama so he MUST be a good guy. End of story.

I was listening to the radio last week and some mo-ron republican pretending to be a democrat called to say he will vote for Mc CAN''T if Obama is nominated. He was asked why and this shi-thead said he cares deeply about health care and Mccain is better on healthcare. I laughed so hard .... Mc CAN''T has nothing but the same old sh-it about healthcare that Insurance companies and big corporations have been pishing for decades. For someone to say Mccain is better on healthcare he must either be a mor-on or a Rush Limbaugh listener.

[larysinclair]

Obama when will you call me again? We had such good times together!! Look me up when you''re in town!!

[larysinclair]

So Obama lost his Foreign Policy Advisor today due to communication with HAMAS? Huh? So Obama not only has their support but his advisor has been talking with them? Nice!!

NOBAMA ,...EVER!

[shawnp1968]

Clinton quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, telling supporters: "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she is in hot water."

Hillary....... you ALMOST got me excited there for a second... with the tea-bagging and all.... but then I remembered that this statement was coming from a woman who buys her clothes at the Men''s Warehouse, and obviously doesn''t know ANYTHING about "tea bagging"... hence Monica Lewinsky!

[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.

[larysinclair]

"tea bagging"... hence Monica Lewinsky!


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

Posted by SHAWNP1968 at 05:07 PM : May 12, 2008
_______________________________________
Obama know''s ALL about teabagging,....just ask me!!

[fibonacci_]

Vote McSame!

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by OldAbeEagle at 04:51 PM : May 12, 2008

Hillary wants to be president enough to spend her own money, since Obama has all the oil and energy special interest money locked up and has gotten the support of the DNC, because they''re going to need it.

By trying to manipulate and force Obama down our throats, mature core democrats who hold all the money are taking their $''s and putting them back in the bank.

So now the DNC is stuck with their snot nosed elitist racist and his grumpy liberation theology screaming wife.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by RowdyTexan2

Man, little closet GOPig, you must really like to hear yourself talk. Nobody is buying what you are selling.

I cna''''r believe you NeoCons think ANYONE cares about a flipping flag pin. Can I drive it? Can I eat it? can I pay down my mortgage with it? Can I protect the environment with it? Get a grip - this ain''''t 1980 and Reagan is as stone-cold dead as his misguided policies. Obama IS going to be the next President. Don''''t like it - tough!


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

Posted by nokoolaid at 05:11 PM : May 12, 2008

I don''t care whether the little idiot wears a flag pin or not! Only those that love this country should have the honor of wearing one, anyway. Screw Obama and his petty attitude of protest against the Iraq war with his flag pin. That was the most twit brained answer he could''ve given.

Why didn''t he just say he choses not wear lapel pins! Good grief.

[guadalcanal3]

razzl...Got cha'' in a frazzle did I?...He did not wear "that" pin because it came from somebody who gave more to his country...than he ever did.(must have been guilt feelings)...I mean he could still go and buy one in the 5 and dime store so he can pretend he is a true American patriot...like you.

[rowdytexan2]

Obama IS going to be the next President. Don''''''''t like it - tough!


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

Posted by nokoolaid at 05:11 PM : May 12, 2008

My opinion is the twit brain will never see the White House. And I guess my crystal ball is just as good as yours! Go nok yourself.

[parrot123-2009]

Remember a vote for the car salesman (Obama) is a vote for WRIGHT, REZKO, AYERS, AND FARAHKHAN ..OBAMA is dishonest and disgrace. He does not deserve my vote!
Posted by themagic07 at 04:51 PM : May 12, 2008

He doesn''t NEED your VOTE and i bet it hurts soooo much ..... Just get used to it ! ..... Besides, i never heard anyone or any Repug claim that a vote for Bush was a vote for the Saudis (who ended up on 9/11 with mostly Sauds) even though Dumbya & Dad did and were getting paychecks from some Saudis ..... or that a vote for the Repug 2 yrs ago was a vote for Saddam cuz Rumsfield had hugged and kissed Saddam just as Carter had just done ...... If you haven''t realised it yet, this is why more Americans are tunning out Repugs - No apparent Grasp of REALITY .... Insinuating BS, Lies and just dumb ignorance. How do you flaw an AMERICAN for being RESPECTED by both FRIEND and FOE alike - especially in this time and age, and with all that''s going on. Cheers!

[paris1969]

I agree with NObama that Clinton will win W. Virginia ... and she will win in November too!

[parrot123-2009]

I don''''t care whether the little idiot wears a flag pin or not! Only those that love this country should have the honor of wearing one, anyway. Screw Obama and his petty attitude of protest against the Iraq war with his flag pin. That was the most twit brained answer he could''''ve given.

Why didn''t he just say he choses not wear lapel pins! Good grief.
Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 05:20 PM : May 12, 2008

Why don''t you ever talk about your candidate - Ever ?? Do he really SUCK that much ??? LOL !

[parrot123-2009]

Posted by nokoolaid at 05:11 PM : May 12, 2008

My opinion is the twit brain will never see the White House. And I guess my crystal ball is just as good as yours! Go nok yourself.
Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 05:22 PM : May 12, 2008

Twit Brain ??? Senile McCain ?? Dumbya ?

[oldabeeagle]

Please donate to Billary!! She desperately needs your money to help the poor and feed the sick. And, do not forgot how kind she is to corporate welfare.

Article about Hillary and her relationship to the healthcare industry.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/12/news/newsmakers/healthcare_clinton/index.htm

She does for us the same that she did for Wal-Mart workers.

[megamanx1-2009]

OBAMA AGAINST MCCAIN: A SURE LOOSER.


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

Posted by huanaco at 04:47 PM : May 12, 2008

LOSER ONLY HAS ONE "O" SMART GUY...

[megamanx1-2009]

YES I HAVE 20 MILLION IN DEBT

YES I AM LOSING THE POPULAR VOTE

YES I AM BEHIND IN NUMBER OF STATES WON

YES I AM LOSING THE PLEDGED DELEGATE COUNT

YES I AM LOSING THE SUPERDELEGATE COUNT

YES IT IS MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO OVERTAKE MY OPPONENT IN PLEDGED DELEGATES

YES IT IS MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO REACH THE MAGIC NUMBER OF 2,025 DELEGATES

YES SUPERDELEGATES ARE SWITCHING FROM ME TO MY OPPONENT ON A DAILY BASIS.

YES I AM DIVIDING MY OWN PARTY AND MAKING IT EASIER FOR JOHN MCAIN EVERYDAY.

I''''M STILL GONNA STAY IN BECAUSE IM A CLINTON AND I CAN''''T STAND LOSING!

WAY TO GO BILLARY....

YOU CAN''''T EVEN KEEP YOUR OWN CAMPAIGN OUT OF MASSIVE DEBT AND YOU WANNA TAKE ON A 9.2 TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT THAT GEORGE BUSH HAS LEFT US? YOU WANT MY VOTE? YEAH RIGHT....

THIS LADY IS IN A DREAM WORLD.....

[ranakarimi]

in behalf of millions of hard working americen women i just like to say if Hillary is not on the ticket we will punish our party and hand the presidency to republican

[larysinclair]

Posted by MegamanX1 at 05:39 PM : May 12, 2008
______________________________________

You are in dreamland if you think Obama can win the General election!! I bet your favorite band is Aerosmith!! DREAM ON!!

[myshiba]

to: Paris1969: I am with you 100%%%%%%%%
Thank you for the encouragement!
Hillary is a strong leader and WILL win in November!

[myshiba]

tracymorgan0:
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY CORRECT!

NOBAMA 2008 or ever!

[chitown639]

Obama is gonna crush John McCain in the General Election!!! VOTE DEMOCRAT...VOTE OBAMA!!!!

[chitown639]

Thank you for the encouragement!
Hillary is a strong leader and WILL win in November!


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

Posted by myshiba

Hillary, wont even win the nomination!!!! HA HA HA!!! Wake-up the dream is over!!! VOTE FOR OBAMA!!!

[myshiba]

NOBAMA forever!

[chicls]

Republicans absolutely crack me up. You jump on everything Obama does. You jump on him not wearing a pin, about him not being in the service, about his so-called connections to Hamas, about him willing to talk to enemies... Such hypocrites. Do you not remember the last 7 years? George Jr didn''t serve, Clinton didn''t serve, Reagan didn''t serve. The Bush family has connections to the Bin Ladens but you seem to overlook that. You criticize Obama after a Hamas leader endorsed Obama. Who cares. Does that mean he has a tie to him? No. Back to my Bush - Bin Laden point. There''s a connection there that everyone seems to overlook. Bush has destroyed this country''s image, but die-hard Republicans seem to overlook that point every single day when they attack the Dems. Such hypocrites. And to criticize Obama for his oil connections... Come on people. George Bush. *** Cheney. Do I need say more?

[chicls]

Republicans absolutely crack me up. You jump on everything Obama does. You jump on him not wearing a pin, about him not being in the service, about his so-called connections to Hamas, about him willing to talk to enemies... Such hypocrites. Do you not remember the last 7 years? George Jr didn''t serve, Clinton didn''t serve, Reagan didn''t serve. The Bush family has connections to the Bin Ladens but you seem to overlook that. You criticize Obama after a Hamas leader endorsed Obama. Who cares. Does that mean he has a tie to him? No. Back to my Bush - Bin Laden point. There''s a connection there that everyone seems to overlook. Bush has destroyed this country''s image, but die-hard Republicans seem to overlook that point every single day when they attack the Dems. Such hypocrites. And to criticize Obama for his oil connections... Come on people. George Bush. *** Cheney. Do I need say more?

[myshiba]

chitown639:

Not even when hell freezes over will obama get my vote!

[myshiba]

Obama is bad for America!
Americans AGAINST Obama!

[megamanx1-2009]

YES I HAVE 20 MILLION IN DEBT

YES I AM LOSING THE POPULAR VOTE

YES I AM BEHIND IN NUMBER OF STATES WON

YES I AM LOSING THE PLEDGED DELEGATE COUNT

YES I AM LOSING THE SUPERDELEGATE COUNT

YES IT IS MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO OVERTAKE MY OPPONENT IN PLEDGED DELEGATES

YES IT IS MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO REACH THE MAGIC NUMBER OF 2,025 DELEGATES

YES SUPERDELEGATES ARE SWITCHING FROM ME TO MY OPPONENT ON A DAILY BASIS.

YES I AM DIVIDING MY OWN PARTY AND MAKING IT EASIER FOR JOHN MCAIN EVERYDAY.

ALL FACTS.

I''''M STILL GONNA STAY IN BECAUSE IM A CLINTON AND I CAN''''T STAND LOSING!

WAY TO GO BILLARY....

YOU CAN''''T EVEN KEEP YOUR OWN CAMPAIGN OUT OF MASSIVE DEBT AND YOU WANNA TAKE ON A 9.2 TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT THAT GEORGE BUSH HAS LEFT US? YOU WANT MY VOTE? YEAH RIGHT....

THIS LADY IS IN A DREAM WORLD.....

[trishab4]

CBS : "You think this crowd''s noisy, just wait till we win like 80-20," Chafin said.

What if she ends up winning a 60-40 or even 55-45. Would that be a slap in her face? Chafin, you''re putting expections too high! Obama is capable of causing many to be amazed!

-Way to go Barack!

[efarris38]

It is nice to know that West Virginians are not fooled by Obama''s *** and neither am I, I will vote for McCain if Hillary isn''t nominated. Trust me folks, the sword cuts both ways!

[chicls]

Why is Obama bad for America??? And George Bush isn''t? I''m confused. I thought we were wanting someone who could have a shot at turning things around? Not keeping things as they are. America is in the toilet right now ladies and gentlemen. You Bushies need to wake up and small the debt.