Thursday’s campaign round-up

May 29, 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:

* On the superdelegate front, Barack Obama picked up two more of the last 24 hours, Wayne Kinney and Gail Rasmussen, both from Oregon. Hillary Clinton has not received any new superdelegate endorsements.

* Puerto Rico’s presidential primary is just a couple of days away, and a new poll shows Clinton with a big lead. The report is written in Spanish, but if I’m reading it correctly, the latest numbers put Clinton ahead by 13, 51% to 38%.

* There’s obviously been a lot of talk about Obama struggling with certain Democratic constituencies that have preferred Clinton in the primaries. Veteran Democratic pollster Mark Mellman makes an important point today on this subject: “[T]here is no relationship between how candidates perform among any particular group of voters in primaries and how they do with that segment in the general election. In 1992, Bill Clinton lost college-educated voters to Paul Tsongas in the early competitive primaries, but he went on to win that group in November by the largest margin any Democrat ever had. Similarly, John Kerry lost young voters in the competitive primaries in 2004 before going on to win them by a record margin in the general election.”

* Clinton is still making her case to the last group of voters who matter most right now: “In what appear to be her closing arguments to superdelegates, Tuesday her campaign sent a letter to superdelegates that claimed she is a stronger general election candidate than Barack Obama. Just in case superdelegates hadn’t understood her point, the campaign followed up on the letter on Wednesday, sending out a detailed, 11-page memo advancing the same suggestion. The memo included polls, charts and even Electoral College maps produced by Karl Rove.”

* There have been reports this week about a sizable group of superdelegates who’ve endorsed Obama, but who won’t officially announce their support until next week. The Obama campaign denied that this group exists, and said they announce superdelegate endorsements as they’re available.

* The latest McCain campaign policy is that anyone closely associated with the campaign cannot formally participate with a 527 group or other independent campaign organizations. As a result, Sens. Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham had to step down yesterday from their positions on the Vets for Freedom’s policy advisory board.

* Bill Clinton made the case yesterday that caucuses shouldn’t count as much as primaries.

* John Kerry for Secretary of State?

* Cynthia McKinney will be the Green party nominee. Nader will have to run as something else?

Yes, Hils. Convincing Dems about the viability of your campaign with help from Turdblossom will surely win the Super Delegates over and improve your chances as the “people’s” candidate. I mean, if Turdblossom agrees with you, well…

  • and even Electoral College maps produced by Karl Rove.

    Somewhere down the road, at least some people associated with the Clinton campaign–maybe even the Big Dog and HRC themselves–are going to look back and be stricken with abject shame at how they crawled through the mud during this campaign. Karl. Rove. KARL. ROVE. Dear god.

    Nader will have to run as something else?

    The Bile and Delusion Party, perhaps?

  • Bill Clinton made the case yesterday that caucuses shouldn’t count as much as primaries.

    Legacy, meet garbage can. He won’t stop until he’s a total laughingstock.

    People keep correctly pointing out that the Clintons knew the rules before they went into this campaign (and one wonders what might have happened if they’d devoted as much time to getting their people to caucuses–in some cases, they could have won if they’d managed to produce only a handful of supporters–as they have to stuffing Washington-bound buses full of protesters for this weekend’s festivities).

    But what nobody seems to mention, and it’s worth mentioning, is that the Clintons have been through this process before. I have no idea how Bill Clinton did in caucuses in 1992–probably not too badly or we’d have heard the whining before–but these people brag about being seasoned national campaigners. All this caterwauling makes them sound like they’ve never been through a primary process before…and it confirms that although they have, they learned nothing.

  • John Kerry for Secretary of State? To me it sounds like a Republican talking point.

    Let’s leave Kerry in the Senate. His votes are reliable, and he doesn’t cause any trouble there.

  • With Apologies to the Sound of Music

    Cite every WingNut, search far and low
    Follow every rumor, with each sink you throw
    Cite every WingNut, cross every line
    Mention Karl Rove, till you win your “right”
    Ambition will need, all the bile you can give
    Everyday of your life, for as long as you live
    Cite every WingNut, cross every line
    Use every option, till you win your “right”
    Ambition will need, all the bile you can give
    Everyday of your life, for as long as you live
    Cite every WingNut, cross every line
    Follow even Karl Rove, till you win your… “right”…

  • Further proof that the Clintons are the worst assholes in the history of the Democratic Party:

    Just in case superdelegates hadn’t understood her point, the campaign followed up on the letter on Wednesday, sending out a detailed, 11-page memo advancing the same suggestion. The memo included polls, charts and even Electoral College maps produced by Karl Rove.”

    Bill Clinton made the case yesterday that caucuses shouldn’t count as much as primaries.

    Bill Clinton: proof that you can too stack bullshit 6 feet 4 inches high without it toppling over.

  • I would LOVE to see Kerry as Sec of State in an Obama administration. He’s thoughtful, levelheaded, deliberative, and eloquent. He’s a natural diplomat. I can’t see him taking the position as he’s in line to become the senior Senator from Massachusetts and an increased importance as a leader in the Democratic Senate majority, but if he was interested, I think Obama would be hard pressed to do better in the State Department.

    Great observations from Mark Mellman. I’d say that that in light of the Clinton’s latest talkingpoint du jour, this info could have used it’s own post.

  • Not to beat a dead horse here, but just how isolated and delusional can Hillary and her campaign be to think that using anything made by Karl Rove would be considered pursuasive by any Democratic member? Has she lost touch with reality and sold out to the Empire of Evil so completely that it doesn’t even occur to her that this is a really, really bad idea?

    Oh, wait…Murdoch….Scaife….O’Reilly….Fox News….never mind, it’s already too late.

  • In old movies you’d see Joan Crawford writting a letter and haltingly speaking the contents as she wrote> I’m picturing that with Hillary Clinton…”…as you…can see…these charts…and maps are…quite ex…traordinary….”

    What will she do after Tuesday, send coffee cakes?

    The Vets for Freedom. Isn’t that the same group who intoduced John McCain with the legendary “they can keep their ‘Tiger Wood'” line?

  • Even assuming you believe what Karl Rove says…
    This guy was the mastermind that lost both houses of Congress for his own party. He said he was the only guy with the right numbers. Everyone else would be proven wrong.

    Even if he’s telling the truth, his advise isn’t worth a can o’ beans.

    Hil… WTF?

  • I don’t believe these constant rumors of the ‘hidden batch’ of Clinton delegates ready to switch to Obama. There may be such a reserve to be called on ‘if needed.’ But I expect Obama might well be discouraging them from actually switching, since he doesn’t need them.

    Unlike other politicians — and many of the commenters here, myself occasionally included — he seems to have no desire to humiliate his opponents — or to create a situation where they will have a personal hatred for him. He knows he will have to work with both Senator Clinton and Senator John McCain after he is elected — and with those elected superdelegates who have supported Clinton. And he may need their support on some issues and their votes on others. (Remember that one of his greatest legislative work was done with that second-most slimy Republican Senator, Tom Coburn. And remember too, in one of the debates around the time of Rev. Wright’s first eruption into public consciousness, he carefully explained on how many areas he differed with Coburn, saying, in effect, ‘just because I worked with him doesn’t mean that I share his nutty ideas either.’)

    So I’m sure he may actively be discouraging some supers from switching — which would further humiliate Hillary and subject them to retribution from her supporters. He knows they’ll be working for him in the Fall, when the Hillarious Campaign will be remembered mostly by the several dozen writers who are trying to write articles and ooks explaining how it got that bed. And nobody’s going to remember they were Clinton supporters. If he needs them, he’ll use them, but it doesn’t look like he will.

  • McKinney as the Green Nominee. C’mon, conspiracy theorists, let’s have a contest. This is really a sinister Republican plot because…

    (My entry? “…because she is the only politician whose temper makes McCain look in control of himself.”)

    Okay, so suddenly I get hit with a wave of whimsy at times.

  • Prup, I don’t think anyone’s been reporting that there’s a batch of Clinton delegates ready to switch to Obama. The rumors have been about uncommitted supers being banked for Obama. These are what Steve’s referring to (and what Obama’s camp is denying in the link above).

  • Just when I thought the Green Party couldn’t possibly get any less relevant, they nominate Cynthia McKinney.

    Next we get to find out which party is even less relevant than the irrelevant Green Party, when Nader finds someone to hitch the Pariah Express to…

  • The memo included polls, charts and even Electoral College maps produced by Karl Rove…

    …and a picture of Hillary waterskiing in shark infested waters.

    Seriously, Lance, Greg, Mary, anyone…how do you defend literally using Karl Rove’s math and maps? How far will this go before you can’t take it anymore?

  • The memo included polls, charts and even Electoral College maps produced by Karl Rove.

    Everyone who thinks Rove is honest when he says Hillary is the stronger Democratic candidate but is helping her anyway out of personal admiration, please raise your hand. Anyone? Mary?

    Ditto for new Clinton bff Rush Limbaugh. Sounds to me like Republicans have a definite choice about who will be easier to run against, despite their lying protestations about how weak Obama is..

  • Any super-delegate that would rely on a map produced by kkkarl rove is should not represent the democratic party.

    Shillary should be ashamed of herself, accepting support from rush limbaugh’s “operation chaos” and using kkkarl rove propaganda as official campaign literature.

    Is she too stoooooopid to understand that we should not allow a lying liar and mastermind of attorneygate to call the shots for BOTH her campaign and mclame.

    Very sick…

  • Legacy, meet garbage can. He won’t stop until he’s a total laughingstock.

    Depends what your definition of “is” is…

  • Seriously, Lance, Greg, Mary, anyone…how do you defend literally using Karl Rove’s math and maps?

    Those people have mostly disappeared now and they never include this when they post their lies and endless excuses. They also would never address why a democratic candidate who’s husband was dragged through the mud by rush limbaugh should now accept his support.

    It just goes to show you that those of use that saw the inherent evils of bush-clinton-bush-clinton elite dynasties were right – even though some cried “UNFAIR”.

    They are actually all marching to the same drummer – so who was right? Why the silence now?

  • Seriously, Lance, Greg, Mary, anyone…how do you defend literally using Karl Rove’s math and maps? How far will this go before you can’t take it anymore?

    There is nothing I can’t take for Hillary. Supporters of Mr. Limp Resolve, who fall apart at the first sign of trouble, do not understand how strong Senator’s Clinton’s support is — how strong and firm and deep and thrusting and unbending. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. Women, who are naturally more loyal than men, understand this. To lie and spin and deny and ignore and humiliate myself and discredit my reputation for her is an honor. An honor. I think I hear Prussian marching music…

  • * There have been reports this week about a sizable group of superdelegates who’ve endorsed Obama, but who won’t officially announce their support until next week. The Obama campaign denied that this group exists, and said they announce superdelegate endorsements as they’re available. — CB

    The Votemaster, over at the electoral-vote, suggested yesterday that there might, indeed, be a group of superdels waiting in the wings but that Obama doles out their endorsements sparingly — 2-3 at a time — so as to allow the voters (Montana and South Dakota, on Tuesday) the satisfaction of vaulting him over the magic 2025 line. I think the supposition might have merit because it would be in keeping with the kind of intelligent thoughtfulness I have come to expect of Obama.

    Mary, Mother of Odd, @23,
    I love you as much as I dislike the original Mary. Your little jabs at her insanity — often even anticipating her “oddities” — make my day.Thanks.

  • Rules are rules … period. However, Hillary can’t follow rules. Besides, do we really want Bill and Hillary in the White Hose again? I mean let’s look at some things they have said in the past:

    Bill: “I never had sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”

    Hillary: “I was under Bosnian sniper fire.”

    Bill: “I put it to my mouth but I never inhaled.”

    Hillary: “I regret mentioning the RFK assassination but Ted Kennedy has been on my mind lately.”

    Hillary: “I am more electable!”

    Bill: “I can’t understand why the media is so mean to Hillary.”

    It’s just bizarre that there are still Hillary supporters out there.

  • Personally, I feel the whole issue about seating Michigan and Florida delegates, should be dropped. It’s very simple folks…, they broke the rules, so they have to take the punishment – that’s all there is too it. That horrible woman (Clinton) just feels like it’s ok to break the rules and not suffer the consequences, so, if that’s her take now, just imagine what would happen should she get into office. Rules are made for a reason, and they need to be followed by EVERYONE.

  • Every time i hear about florida, and michigan, and how billary wants every vote to be counted, I just get sick, Isn’t this what we try and teach our children, rules and consequences, you have rules in school, at home, work…florida and michigan broke the rules, and should pay the consequences….What are we teaching our kids? That it’s o.k.to break rules and not have to pay the consequences, and this is the way she would run this country, I don’t think so billary….I have absolutly no respect for her, or her husband, everytime i see that bobbing head of her’s and those eyes, takes me back to when, bill disrespected the oval office, and the american people, by lieing about Monica, you and Bill are two of a kind, ( by the way billary monica wasn’t the first) have you no respect for yourself…It’s time you get out of dodge, go back to Arkansas, and tend to Bill’s needs, because he has lots of them ( blondes, redheads, brunets,) and work on your life,and try to be honest, and get some respect for yourself,your in much need of it, and accept your not going to be the preisdent of the good old U.S.A.

  • The divisiveness of Hillary Clinton is leading some of her supporters to have emotional hatred of Barack Obama and his campaign. Some of this hatred can be assuaged by the time of the GE, but a lot of it will not be. People who would otherwise vote Democratic will vote for McCain, even though they would otherwise support the position of Obama on most of the issues. This will be an emotional reaction rather than a logical one, and it cannot easily be turned around.

    Many people see this happenening, which is why they are calling for Clinton to stop. Of course, she has the right to continue to campaign, but it appears as if she has settled on a “kitchen sink” strategy of trying to bring down Obama by whatever means necessary. She will not stop the personal attacks and trying to drag Obama down as a less-than-credible candidate. She is focused on the gains that she can make this week, and is oblivious to the larger picture of the good of the party.

    We need to learn from past elections that harsh attacks in the primary create a drag that pulls down the party in the GE. Every time there has been a contentious Democratic primary season, the Democrats have lost in the GE. Can she continue to campaign without these attacks that drag down the party? It doesn’t seem to be in her nature to do so. It is on that basis that people are calling for her to step aside, and let go of her failed campaign.

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