Monday’s campaign round-up

April 7, 2008

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* A new CNN poll in Pennsylvania shows Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama by seven, 49% top 42%. The last CNN poll showed Clinton up by 11, and is the latest in a series of polls showing the race tightening. [corrected — I initially neglected to mention the state]

* John McCain was asked on “Fox News Sunday” yesterday whether he believes Obama is qualified to be president. In a bit of a surprise, McCain said, “Absolutely,” though he added, “I believe that my talent and my background and my experience, which has led to my judgment … qualifies me more.”

* The latest Charlotte Observer/WCNC poll out of North Carolina shows Obama leading Hillary Clinton by nine points. A potential sign of trouble for Clinton: “Only 25 percent of voters gave Clinton high marks for trustworthiness, compared with 54 percent for McCain and 48 percent for Obama. Even Democrats ranked Clinton lower.”

* ABC News reported over the weekend that Clinton urged pledged delegates in North Dakota to switch from Obama to her. The report added (but did not include direct quotes), “Clinton made it clear to North Dakota Democrats last night that she believes there is no such thing as a pledged delegate.”

* Probably best not to rely on third-hand stories: “A hospital in Ohio is disputing a story often told on the stump by Hillary Clinton, in which a woman was allegedly refused care over an inability to tender $100, and later died of complications from a stillbirth.” The campaign said on Saturday that it will strike the anecdote from the senator’s stump speech, where it’s been for nearly a month.

* McCain has been reluctant to accept Secret Service protection, but the senator is nevertheless scheduled to meet with officials this week about making arrangements. “I think that it’s important as we get more and more visibility, that we recognize the inevitable,” McCain told Fox News. McCain, who uses private security guards, had announced in November that he would reject Secret Service protection if he won the Republican nomination and possibly even the White House.

* I’ve been unimpressed with ARG polls so far this year, but for what it’s worth, the pollster has Clinton and Obama tied at 45% in Pennsylvania.

* Speaking of Pennsylvania, the SEIU is investing heavily in Obama’s campaign in the Keystone State, announcing that it’s “dropping almost $740,000 on staff and literature for a massive canvass of Pennsylvania.”

* What would Connecticut voters do if they had the ’06 Senate race to do over again? By a wide margin, they’d back Ned Lamont over Joe Lieberman.

* The comedy of errors in New Jersey continues. First, Andy Unanue was going to run as the GOP’s U.S. Senate candidate. Then he dropped out, clearing the way for John Crowley, who changed his mind a couple of times before announcing he would throw his hat into the ring. Then Crowley dropped out, prompting Unanue to say he’s now reconsidering whether to jump back in.

Why would McCain waive Secret Service protection?

  • Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, said Sunday that the leader for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, would be “absolutely” qualified to be president, should the voters elect him. But, he said, “I believe that my talent and my background and my experience, which has led to my judgment, … qualifies me more.”

    Bizarre. He’s acting the way I think Clinton should, and she’s acting the way I think McCain should.

  • McCain, who uses private security guards,

    Well sure, until his Blackwater guards open fire at a campaign event at some high school “under fire” from teenage hecklers.

  • You didn’t know? Those teens have sniper rifles hidden in bouquets of flowers, lol

  • My question is, “Did McCain mentally perfect his golf game while he was in captivity?”

    Hey CB you’d better take care of yourself. Some high-profile bloggers have died in the last few months, seemingly from overwork. http://tinyurl.com/67hpmj

    Good point Tamalak #2

  • Why won’t McCain accept Secret Service protection? Who is he hiring? Is it Blackwater or some other mercenary outfit?

    I miss the good old days when the US was a Democratic Republic instead of a Banana Republic…

  • The latest Charlotte Observer/WCNC poll out of North Carolina shows Obama leading Hillary Clinton by nine points. A potential sign of trouble for Clinton: “Only 25 percent of voters gave Clinton high marks for trustworthiness, compared with 54 percent for McCain and 48 percent for Obama. Even Democrats ranked Clinton lower.”

    Like David Geffen said – “the Clintons lie with such ease, it’s scary.”

    Those two scum have lied to so many people for so long about so many things, they wouldn’t know the truth if it came up and kicked them. And it’s becoming so obvious – as everything The Empress says keeps turning into an opportunity for her to say “I misspoke” – that even the dimbulbs in the public are “getting” them.

    Bill Clinton – the finest Democratic President of the past 28 years.

  • * ABC News reported over the weekend that Clinton urged pledged delegates in North Dakota to switch from Obama to her. The report added (but did not include direct quotes), “Clinton made it clear to North Dakota Democrats last night that she believes there is no such thing as a pledged delegate.”

    She should be reminded that “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” in the possible event that HER pledged delegates switch to Obama. In addition, her statement that she doesn’t believe is any such thing as a “pledged delegate,” which are assigned as per the VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, would also say she simply doesn’t believe in democracy if it doesn’t swing her way. One more reason she looks more and more like a Bush clone, and less and less the nominee for the Presidency. Overweening ambition is an ugly and evil thing.

  • to meet with officials this week about making arrangements. “I think that it’s important as we get more and more visibility, that we recognize >b>the inevitable

    What’s with the funeral euphemisms?

  • A hospital in Ohio is disputing a story often told on the stump by Hillary Clinton…

    The uninsured woman in question also had insurance.

    Only 25 percent of voters gave Clinton high marks for trustworthiness…

    Well, I’m shocked. I just don’t see how people find her untrustworthy. I mean, since when do people listen to evidence.

    Clinton strikes me as someone who has lied so often and for so long she doesn’t know what the truth is anymore; everyday she makes Geffen look more like a prophet.

  • “she believes there is no such thing as a pledged delegate”

    Thieves don’t believe there’s really such a thing as private property, either.

  • “Clinton made it clear to North Dakota Democrats last night that she believes there is no such thing as a pledged delegate.”

    Nice to see that Hillary is as committed to running a government by the rules as George W. Bush is.

    “A hospital in Ohio is disputing a story often told on the stump by Hillary Clinton, in which a woman was allegedly refused care over an inability to tender $100, and later died of complications from a stillbirth.” The campaign said on Saturday that it will strike the anecdote from the senator’s stump speech, where it’s been for nearly a month.

    Obviously, she’s “misspoken” once again.

    She doesn’t think the rules for the primaries should matter, unless they mean she wins, she doesn’t think the rules of delegates should matter…

    Further proof if proof was necessary that the Clintons are so self-involved and such greedy pigs that they will do anything to get what they want, no matter its effect on the larger system.

  • Was the hospital in Ohio under sniper fire, also?

    I’d think that, given that many people have doubts, justified or not, about the Clinton family and their commitment to telling the truth, the campaign would be extra careful not to say things they didn’t have detailed back-up documentation on. Particularly after the whole Bosnia mess.

    It should be clear to them that a large part of the electorate is really tired of being lied to, and that working on a reputation for honest facts would be a big selling point in a candidate.

  • In addition, her statement that she doesn’t believe is any such thing as a “pledged delegate,” which are assigned as per the VOTE OF THE PEOPLE… -impeachcheneythenbush (wow, that’s hard to type)

    Her whole campaign the last couple of months can be boiled down to this:

    Everyone should have the right to vote in this primary, and I should have the right to ignore them.

  • Why is Bill Richardson, as a super delegate, urging support for Obama when his state voted for Clinton, though others are not supposed to do the same? ? Guess this is OK by typical double standards.expressed here.

  • Only 25 percent of voters gave Clinton high marks for trustworthines

    So it’s safe to say that a sizable portion of Clinton’s supporters don’t think she’s honest! And yet there they are, screeching about how she’s electable and Obama isn’t. I guess they think that everyone else is OK with electing a president who they suspect (or know) is dishonest.

    I wish someone would poll the Clinton supporters and see how many of them think honesty is even a requirement to be president.

  • LOL @ Ed Stephan #11.

    McCain said, “Absolutely,” though he added, “I believe that my talent and my background and my experience, which has led to my judgment … qualifies me more.”

    Fair enough.

    Now I’d like to see Clinton win the nomination, just so she could use this as an attack on McCain: “He thought Obama was qualified to be president; does America need a president with such poor judgment???”

  • “A hospital in Ohio is disputing a story often told on the stump by Hillary Clinton”

    Because there’s a real shortage of REAL health insurance horror stories out there, right?

  • doubtful: Try impeachemall. It’s much easier.

    Interesting stat department:
    Obama won 6 of 7 primaries in states with a woman governor (CT,DE,HI,KS,WA, AK to AZ) Make that 7 of 9 if you include LA where K Blanco left office a couple weeks before the primary and MI, whose governor negated her states primary by changing the date.

    Meanwhile: Clinton won 1 of 1 with a black governor (MA), or 2 of 2 if you count NY, which now has one.

  • Why is Bill Richardson, as a super delegate, urging support for Obama when his state voted for Clinton, though others are not supposed to do the same? -Partial

    I wasn’t aware Clinton got 100% of all voters in New Mexico. Are you sure Obama didn’t get any support there? That just doesn’t sound right.

    Also, it’s so crazy, but maybe Richardson realized we aren’t electing the President of New Mexico, but rather of the United States. (Hint: Obama leads all the national metrics.)

    Oh, hey, I looked it up for you, Partial. Hillary got 49% to Obama’s 48%. Why, with Richardson’s 1%, and, heck, Edward’s 2% thrown in for good measure (because, let’s face it, they’re not supporting a liar), Obama really won New Mexico.

    Of course, he really didn’t, but it was close. Why can’t Richardson support Obama? Is it because you don’t like Obama? Awww. Where did I put my tiny violin?

  • I am amused by Clinton’s desperate attempt to convince Obama’s pledged delegates (who are chosen for their extreme loyalty to their candidates) to come over to her to prevent her from losing.

    Yes, the best argument for attracting other people’s delegates is that you couldn’t win enough on your own. Sort of like a hopeless gambling addict arguing that her losses at the craps table that night are the very best reason to front her more money.

  • Not to nitpick, and I’m sure everyone here understood the context, but the first news bite should read:

    * A new CNN poll shows Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama by seven, 49% top 42%, IN PENNSYLVANIA. The last CNN poll showed Clinton up by 11, and is the latest in a series of polls showing the race tightening IN PENNSYLVANIA.

  • Richardson stated that superdelegates should vote the same as their states. This would mean he should vote for Hillary at the convention. And he should if he’s a man of his word.
    However, it does not mean he has to support her on the campaign trail. Nor does it mean he must refrain from supporting Obama on the campaign trail. He has the right to support whomever he believes should be the party’s nominee.
    But it would be hypocritical of him to vote for Obama at the convention, given his recently stated position.

  • Doubtful:

    Of course, he really didn’t, but it was close. Why can’t Richardson support Obama? Is it because you don’t like Obama? Awww. Where did I put my tiny violin?

    It’s right here —–> .

  • Tom Cleaver:

    Further proof if proof was necessary that the Clintons are so self-involved and such greedy pigs that they will do anything to get what they want, no matter its effect on the larger system.

    A pig-penn if you will….

  • What about the PPP poll last week? Obama was AHEAD by 2. The prior PPP poll had Hillary ahead by 26, which means that Obama gained 28 points over a two-three week period.

  • Rasmussen Reports says the following:

    The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Pennsylvania shows Clinton leading Barack Obama by just five percentage points, 47% to 42%. For Clinton, that five-point edge is down from a ten-point lead a week ago, a thirteen-point lead in mid-March and a fifteen-point advantage in early March.

    Support for Clinton slipped from 52% early in March, to 51% in mid-month, 49% a week ago, and 47% today. During that same time frame, support for Obama has increased from 37% to 42%.

    With PPP, ARG, and Rasmussen, I think I see a trend.

  • I’m pleased to report that Obama picked up an additional delegate following our state convention in North Dakota. Her speech obviously didn’t sway us the way she intended.

  • Hillery did not sway one pledeged delegate at the convention here in North Dakota
    And it was a convention not an annual dinner as ABC reported. At the convention Obama spoke to a estimated 17,400 standing room only crowd. Most people did not know there were that many Democrats in North Dakota. When Hillery took the stage the crowd was slightly smaller 12 to 13,000 but still a huge democratic crowd for this very Red state. Obama is still my number one choice but I know now from hearing her speak that should she get the nomination I can and will vote for her.

  • Impartial at #15 said:
    Why is Bill Richardson, as a super delegate, urging support for Obama when his state voted for Clinton, though others are not supposed to do the same? ? Guess this is OK by typical double standards.expressed here.

    As far as the supers go, I agree. Under the current system, supers have discretion to vote for whomever they want. So, in my mind Richardson is free to back who he feels is the best candidate and supers from states that went for Obama are free to back whomever they wish too.

    However, to actively push for pledged delegates to switch sides is a very very bad idea. Oh sure, technically a pledged delegate is not bound to results of the state he or she represents, but this just looks bad and smells bad and taste bad. Basically, by doing this Clinton is saying “hey all you people who didn’t vote for me…f**k you!”

  • McCain, who uses private security guards, had announced in November that he would reject Secret Service protection if he won the Republican nomination and possibly even the White House.
    Not that it’s a surprise, as he’s running for Bush III, but I think that would be illegal: The President must accept Secret Service protection.

    Or maybe The West Wing is steering me wrong… 🙂

  • CNN didn’t conduct a poll of Pennsylvania at all. If you follow the link and read what’s written, they make it clear that they’re just averaging out a few recent polls — the same thing that RCP and Pollster.com do daily.

  • 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!

    You Might Be An Idiot!

    If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose 😉 husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.

    You Might Be An Idiot!

    If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose 😉 husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary’s than they had ever been before or since.

    You Might Be An Idiot!

    If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.

    You Might Be An Idiot!

    If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..

    You Might Be An Idiot!

    If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. 🙂

    Best regards

    jacksmith…

    p.s. You Might Be An Idiot!

    If you don’t know that the huge amounts of money funding the Obama campaign to try and defeat Hillary Clinton is coming in from the insurance, and medical industry, that has been ripping you off, and killing you and your children. And denying you, and your loved ones the life saving medical care you needed. All just so they can make more huge immoral profits for them-selves off of your suffering…

    You see, back in 1993 Hillary Clinton had the audacity, and nerve to try and get quality, affordable universal health care for everyone. To prevent the suffering and needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of you each year. Naughty Girl. 🙂

    Approx. 100,000 of you die each year from medical accidents from a rush to profit by the insurance, and medical industry. Another 120,000 of you die each year from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. And I could go on, and on…

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