*** Official Barack Obama FBG campaign headquarters *** (5 Viewers)

[IvanKaramazov]

:X Sorry, my youngest son wanted to see some smileys and this was the thread on top. Don't mind us; we're just passing through.

Why not use the test forum instead?Oh, wait . . .

 

[BuddyKnuckles]

A house divided, methinks not:

Obamamania Hits the House Floor

By Shailagh Murray

Sen. Barack Obama was mobbed on the House floor this morning as he hunted for superdelegates to lock up the Democratic nomination. Republicans, Clinton supporters, his own backers and more than a few undecided Democrats received the Illinois senator as if he were already the nominee.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton spent Wednesday in D.C. trying to lobby uncommitted House superdelegates, but she asked them to come to her and had limited success convincing busy lawmakers to leave the Capitol. Obama showed up on their turf, walking into a packed chamber this morning in the middle of a vote.

He headed over to the "Murtha" corner to visit with the Pennsylvania delegation. Sen. Jack Murtha, the dean of delegation, is a Clinton man, but Keystone state buddies Mike Doyle, Paul E. Kanjorski, Jason Altmire and Robert Brady remain uncommitted. Obama yucked it up with all of them, including Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri, another Clinton backer and Murtha friend.

The senator's escorts included Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Steven Rothman (N.J.), an early defector from a pro-Clinton state, who hovered nearby for the entire 40-minute session, whispering names into Obama's ear and beaming proudly. Rep. Ellen Tauscher (Calif.), a Clinton supporter, waited her turn to extend a warm handshake. Uncommitted Rep. Bart Stupak (Mich.) got a few minutes of quality schmooze time. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer bowed gallantly and gave Obama a big hug. The Maryland Democrat is neutral -- officially at least.

Republicans lined up too: David Dreier (Calif.), Jerry Lewis (Calif.), Dana Rohrabacher (Calif.), and Roscoe Bartlett (Md.). Rep. Judy Biggert, from Obama's homestate of Illinois, tapped him on the shoulder to say hi. Wyoming Rep. Barbara Cubin congratulated Obama and spoke to him briefly. While Obama was making his way to pro-Clinton Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (Mich.), Rep. Heath Shuler (N.C.) brushed by quickly, looking in the other direction. Although Obama won his state big, Shuler said yesterday that he would back the person who carried his conservative district -- Clinton.

Eventually, Obama escaped, only to be greeted by around 100 Congressional pages waiting in the hallway for a group photo with the Democratic front-runner. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) shrugged off the fuss, noting that "Senators come to our floor all the time. Some attract more attention than others. I'm sure if Sen. Clinton came, she would attract a great deal of attention as well."

Where did they take Pelosi for medical attention after this comment? You know, for the excessive bleeding on her lip/tongue

 

[BuddyKnuckles]

I am beginning to like Obama more and more, not because I agree with all his politics, but because he answers just about any question asked of him with an actual answer. I really got some good insight into him in his 4pm interview with WB on CNN today.

Did you watch it live, or on the web? I'd be interested in watching it if you had a link.

I watched it live. Sorry, no link.He cleared up his position on Iraq and what he beliefs of that whole mess are and made it well known that he would continue to focus on AQ in Afghanistan. He also rolled Romney for his snarky little comments and called McCain on his recent smears of him. Early in this contest I wondered if it would even be worth voting for him in a GE because of his inability to defend himself on stage, in debates, etc. I think going up against the Clinton machine has done him wonders in that area. A debate between him and McCain would be VERY entertaining for me.

I think you're right here. He was considered to have a "glass jaw", but it appears that after all the uppercuts he's taken, and how he's bounced back and fought hard after every one of them, that he can take punches. In that respect, Clinton did help him out, and she's right too in saying that the stuff she hit him with would have hit him in the general. I think that he's better for it having the whole Wright news get out now, give him time to deal with it, and finally distance himself from Wright. It puts him in good shape for the general, making that old news.

In terms of gaining experience, i think the prolonged primary has certainly benefited Obama. But, i dont think it matters when the Wright stuff came out. No chance its old news now, in 3 months, or in the 1st week of November. The GOP is going to pounce on that issue and hammer away from every conceivable angle. And a portion of the white, lower to middle class population is going to get caught up in it as they have been over the past couple months. All the GOP has to do is convince this Demo that Obama is not all out, 100% monster truck racing, NASCAR screaming, in favor of everything the US does. They'll use the Wright stuff to peel away handfuls of votes at a time from Obama. Those votes may not go to McCain, but the GOP doesnt care as long as they dont go to Obama

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

:X Sorry, my youngest son wanted to see some smileys and this was the thread on top. Don't mind us; we're just passing through.

I thought it was a clever synopsis of the primary season.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

2. A lot of Obama's appeal to libertarians can be attributed to McCain being his opponent.

You could say that Obama was relatively appealing to libertarians.

 

[Mark Davis]

Again, just seemed like a very weird thing to me.

Embracing that Vince Foster was murdered? I'll agree.

Guys don't usually kill themselves by putting the gun to the back of their head. I think it would be weird to NOT be suspicious of this.

Shine on...

As long as we know OJ, James Earl Ray, nor Lee Harvey Oswald did it either.

 

[Clayton Gray]

I am beginning to like Obama more and more, not because I agree with all his politics, but because he answers just about any question asked of him with an actual answer. I really got some good insight into him in his 4pm interview with WB on CNN today.

Did you watch it live, or on the web? I'd be interested in watching it if you had a link.

I watched it live. Sorry, no link.He cleared up his position on Iraq and what he beliefs of that whole mess are and made it well known that he would continue to focus on AQ in Afghanistan. He also rolled Romney for his snarky little comments and called McCain on his recent smears of him. Early in this contest I wondered if it would even be worth voting for him in a GE because of his inability to defend himself on stage, in debates, etc. I think going up against the Clinton machine has done him wonders in that area. A debate between him and McCain would be VERY entertaining for me.

I think you're right here. He was considered to have a "glass jaw", but it appears that after all the uppercuts he's taken, and how he's bounced back and fought hard after every one of them, that he can take punches. In that respect, Clinton did help him out, and she's right too in saying that the stuff she hit him with would have hit him in the general. I think that he's better for it having the whole Wright news get out now, give him time to deal with it, and finally distance himself from Wright. It puts him in good shape for the general, making that old news.

In terms of gaining experience, i think the prolonged primary has certainly benefited Obama. But, i dont think it matters when the Wright stuff came out. No chance its old news now, in 3 months, or in the 1st week of November. The GOP is going to pounce on that issue and hammer away from every conceivable angle. And a portion of the white, lower to middle class population is going to get caught up in it as they have been over the past couple months. All the GOP has to do is convince this Demo that Obama is not all out, 100% monster truck racing, NASCAR screaming, in favor of everything the US does. They'll use the Wright stuff to peel away handfuls of votes at a time from Obama. Those votes may not go to McCain, but the GOP doesnt care as long as they dont go to Obama

As if any Democrat would carve very deep into that group of people.

 

[The Commish]

In terms of gaining experience, i think the prolonged primary has certainly benefited Obama. But, i dont think it matters when the Wright stuff came out. No chance its old news now, in 3 months, or in the 1st week of November.

The GOP is going to pounce on that issue and hammer away from every conceivable angle. And a portion of the white, lower to middle class population is going to get caught up in it as they have been over the past couple months. All the GOP has to do is convince this Demo that Obama is not all out, 100% monster truck racing, NASCAR screaming, in favor of everything the US does. They'll use the Wright stuff to peel away handfuls of votes at a time from Obama. Those votes may not go to McCain, but the GOP doesnt care as long as they dont go to Obama

Isn't this demo a lock for the GOP by default though? I know the repubs are severely wounded after the last 7 years, but doesn't this demo make up the % that keeps Bush from being at 0% ??

 

[BuddyKnuckles]

In terms of gaining experience, i think the prolonged primary has certainly benefited Obama. But, i dont think it matters when the Wright stuff came out. No chance its old news now, in 3 months, or in the 1st week of November.

The GOP is going to pounce on that issue and hammer away from every conceivable angle. And a portion of the white, lower to middle class population is going to get caught up in it as they have been over the past couple months. All the GOP has to do is convince this Demo that Obama is not all out, 100% monster truck racing, NASCAR screaming, in favor of everything the US does. They'll use the Wright stuff to peel away handfuls of votes at a time from Obama. Those votes may not go to McCain, but the GOP doesnt care as long as they dont go to Obama

Isn't this demo a lock for the GOP by default though? I know the repubs are severely wounded after the last 7 years, but doesn't this demo make up the % that keeps Bush from being at 0% ??

Perhaps. Maybe I should've used this line instead: All the GOP has to do is convince this demo that Obama is a Black Panther Sympathizing, Weather Underground neighboring, axis power supporting, card carrying commie. Or, just tell them that he plans to turn their shuffleboard courts and majong (sp?) tables into flag burning stations. Either way, there are WAY too many white lower/middle class, blue collar citizens who think that anything without a yellow ribbon and a lapel pin is automatically anti-american. If you so much as whisper something that goes against conventional, patriotic fervor they automatically assume you hate America.

So, while Wright may or may not actually hate this country, tying Obama to him will push away handfuls of this Demo with each ad and with each speech from a far right talking head

 

[snitwitch]

Pay To Attention To Obama's Voter Registration Drive

08 May 2008 04:32 pm

The Obama campaign calls its "Vote for Change" voter registration drive a mere voter registration drive. Nothing to see here, folks, except for ordinary people helping ordinary people gain the franchise.

But it's more than that. The Vote For Change program will lay the foundation for Obama's general election get-out-the-vote efforts. Obama aides won't say much more, but I gather that the campaign is constructing an incredibly elaborate online interface to allow its more than a million donors and volunteers to directly persuade their neighbors through a variety of media. Names gathered from the voter registration effort will be merged with names gathered through Obama's primary efforts and the names off of the Democratic Party's integrated voter file as well as lists purchased from outside vendors.

On election day, Obama might have more than a million individuals volunteering on his behalf. That should scare the beejeesus out of the McCain campaign and the RNC.

The latest Obama campaign release is after the jump.

Obama Campaign Announces Vote for Change Co-Chairs

50-state voter registration drive kicks off on Saturday

CHICAGO, IL—Senator Barack Obama today announced the national co-chairs of Vote for Change, the Obama campaign’s 50-state voter registration drive. The fourteen co-chairs—leaders in government, the labor movement, the arts, and the faith community—will oversee the program’s efforts and act as surrogates to boost participation across the country.

“Barack Obama started his career as a community organizer in Chicago, working with communities devastated by plant closings, and after law school he returned to those neighborhoods to register new voters,” co-chair Melissa Etheridge said. “From the beginning of his career, he’s made change happen by enfranchising people at the grassroots, and that’s what Vote for Change is all about.”

“I’ve seen what can happen when everyday people feel like they have a stake in something bigger than themselves—and that they have the power to bring about real change,” co-chair Maria Elena Durazo said. “If we’re going to overcome the challenges we face as a nation, we’re going to need every American to participate in the process.”

“Everywhere I go, people feel the same urgency to get this country back on track,” Governor Deval Patrick said. “We need to restore some sense to our tax code. We need to end our dependence on foreign oil and help relieve the burden of soaring energy prices. And we need to end this misguided war. The larger our coalition in November, the stronger our mandate for change will be.”

Vote for Change National Co-Chairs

U.S. Representative John Barrow, 12th District, Georgia

U.S. Representative Melissa Bean, 8th District, Illinois

Anna Burger, Chair, Change to Win

Maria Elena Durazo, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Melissa Etheridge, Musician

Billy Frank Jr., Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

Reverend Joseph Lowery, Chairman, Black Leadership Forum

Dave Matthews, Musician

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, Missouri

Secretary Norman Mineta, Former Secretary of Transportation

Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts

Usher Raymond IV, Musician

U.S. Representative Linda Sanchez, 39th District, California

Kerry Washington, Actress

You can learn more about Vote for Change by clicking on this link: . The site has information about the 101 Vote for Change registration kick-off events on May 10, and also allows visitors from all 50 states to fill out a mail-in voter registration form, volunteer to register others to votes, and invite others to take part in the program.

 

[The Commish]

In terms of gaining experience, i think the prolonged primary has certainly benefited Obama. But, i dont think it matters when the Wright stuff came out. No chance its old news now, in 3 months, or in the 1st week of November.

The GOP is going to pounce on that issue and hammer away from every conceivable angle. And a portion of the white, lower to middle class population is going to get caught up in it as they have been over the past couple months. All the GOP has to do is convince this Demo that Obama is not all out, 100% monster truck racing, NASCAR screaming, in favor of everything the US does. They'll use the Wright stuff to peel away handfuls of votes at a time from Obama. Those votes may not go to McCain, but the GOP doesnt care as long as they dont go to Obama

Isn't this demo a lock for the GOP by default though? I know the repubs are severely wounded after the last 7 years, but doesn't this demo make up the % that keeps Bush from being at 0% ??

Perhaps. Maybe I should've used this line instead: All the GOP has to do is convince this demo that Obama is a Black Panther Sympathizing, Weather Underground neighboring, axis power supporting, card carrying commie. Or, just tell them that he plans to turn their shuffleboard courts and majong (sp?) tables into flag burning stations. Either way, there are WAY too many white lower/middle class, blue collar citizens who think that anything without a yellow ribbon and a lapel pin is automatically anti-american. If you so much as whisper something that goes against conventional, patriotic fervor they automatically assume you hate America.

So, while Wright may or may not actually hate this country, tying Obama to him will push away handfuls of this Demo with each ad and with each speech from a far right talking head

Don't get me wrong, I agree that these people exist and that for them this Wright thing is a big issue. Where we differ in opinion is that I think they are already part of the GOP voting base and you seem to think these could be swing voters that haven't made up their minds yet etc. I don't doubt these people exist in the least...They are the reason that these smear ads are put on TV. The sad thing is, Wright will be a big issue for them, but the whole Keating 5 scandal will be lost on them. It's the way politics go I suppose.

 

[Clayton Gray]

In terms of gaining experience, i think the prolonged primary has certainly benefited Obama. But, i dont think it matters when the Wright stuff came out. No chance its old news now, in 3 months, or in the 1st week of November.

The GOP is going to pounce on that issue and hammer away from every conceivable angle. And a portion of the white, lower to middle class population is going to get caught up in it as they have been over the past couple months. All the GOP has to do is convince this Demo that Obama is not all out, 100% monster truck racing, NASCAR screaming, in favor of everything the US does. They'll use the Wright stuff to peel away handfuls of votes at a time from Obama. Those votes may not go to McCain, but the GOP doesnt care as long as they dont go to Obama

Isn't this demo a lock for the GOP by default though? I know the repubs are severely wounded after the last 7 years, but doesn't this demo make up the % that keeps Bush from being at 0% ??

Perhaps. Maybe I should've used this line instead: All the GOP has to do is convince this demo that Obama is a Black Panther Sympathizing, Weather Underground neighboring, axis power supporting, card carrying commie. Or, just tell them that he plans to turn their shuffleboard courts and majong (sp?) tables into flag burning stations. Either way, there are WAY too many white lower/middle class, blue collar citizens who think that anything without a yellow ribbon and a lapel pin is automatically anti-american. If you so much as whisper something that goes against conventional, patriotic fervor they automatically assume you hate America.

So, while Wright may or may not actually hate this country, tying Obama to him will push away handfuls of this Demo with each ad and with each speech from a far right talking head

Don't get me wrong, I agree that these people exist and that for them this Wright thing is a big issue. Where we differ in opinion is that I think they are already part of the GOP voting base and you seem to think these could be swing voters that haven't made up their minds yet etc. I don't doubt these people exist in the least...They are the reason that these smear ads are put on TV. The sad thing is, Wright will be a big issue for them, but the whole Keating 5 scandal will be lost on them. It's the way politics go I suppose.

 

[BassNBrew]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

 

[flufhed]

because he answers just about any question asked of him with an actual answer.

This is one of the things I have always liked. There really are some things that he does that are very different from a typical politician. Now throughout this nomination fight, I admit he has done much more "typically political" things, but in general the guy really is different.

 

[flufhed]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

I'm not voting for Obama anyway, but this would swiing my opinion of him from "Basically a good guy who I disagree with politically" to "########" overnight.

ETA: ######### = a word that rhymes with "tooshbag."

 

[The Commish]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

I'm not voting for Obama anyway, but this would swiing my opinion of him from "Basically a good guy who I disagree with politically" to "########" overnight.

ETA: ######### = a word that rhymes with "tooshbag."

Same here.

 

[bigbottom]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

 

[Sweet J]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

Yes, there is one in particular that gets thrown around, but can't remember her name. Maybe a NM governor?Also, this article about Obama being "open to clinton" is misleading at best. If he is asked certain questions, he HAS to say "of course she is qualified" and other similar things. That doesn't mean he'll pick her.

 

[timschochet]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

My top ten:1. Glen Close from Fatal Attraction

2. Cinderella's Stepmother

3. Eva Peron

4. The Wicked Witch of The West

5. The Evil Queen from Snow White

6. Imelda Marcos

7. Ursula from The Little Mermaid

8. Norma Desmond

9. Malificent from Sleeping Beauty

10. Cruella De Ville

 

[BassNBrew]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

Yes, there is one in particular that gets thrown around, but can't remember her name. Maybe a NM governor?Also, this article about Obama being "open to clinton" is misleading at best. If he is asked certain questions, he HAS to say "of course she is qualified" and other similar things. That doesn't mean he'll pick her.

Right now he answer should be that he's focused on delivering his message to the American and securing the nomination.

 

[bigbottom]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

My top ten:1. Glen Close from Fatal Attraction

2. Cinderella's Stepmother

3. Eva Peron

4. The Wicked Witch of The West

5. The Evil Queen from Snow White

6. Imelda Marcos

7. Ursula from The Little Mermaid

8. Norma Desmond

9. Malificent from Sleeping Beauty

10. Cruella De Ville

Ursula is the obvious choice here. She'll be able to get him the much-coveted Octopus/Giant Squid vote.

 

[timschochet]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

My top ten:1. Glen Close from Fatal Attraction

2. Cinderella's Stepmother

3. Eva Peron

4. The Wicked Witch of The West

5. The Evil Queen from Snow White

6. Imelda Marcos

7. Ursula from The Little Mermaid

8. Norma Desmond

9. Malificent from Sleeping Beauty

10. Cruella De Ville

Ursula is the obvious choice here. She'll be able to get him the much-coveted Octopus/Giant Squid vote.

But then he will be unable to give any more speeches. Ursula, disguised as "Vanessa", will give all the speeches.I vote for Norma Desmons, myself. She reminds me of Hillary in many ways...

 

[Pooch]

Obama is holding his nose and being respectful of the Clintons for political reasons. I don't think there's any way he actually selects her as a running mate. He's treading lightly to avoid alienating her supporters. That's all.

 

[Sammy3469]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

Napalatano (AZ gov), Sebelius (KS gov), and McCaskill (MO Sen) are all probably being looked at.I don't think there's any way Obama gives her the VP slot save for the DNC rules committee letting the FL and MI results stand with no punishment to them. Everything you read says he really doesn't like her.

FWIW, I love that Obama suckered McCain into talking about his age. McCain could have just let that "losing his bearings" comment go and no one would have noticed. Instead, he highlights his age. It's pretty obviously a sore spot for McCain that I'm guessing is going to be easy to pick at the entire time.

One last point....we talked about this a little while ago about Obama not really responding to Clinton's continually moving the goalposts. Well, proclaiming himself the pledged delegate winner on May 20th will do that. Technically at that point, there won't be any FL and MI, so he'll be absolutely correct. They may get reinstated on the 31st (though that's still appealable), but by proclaiming himself the nominee (and more importantly the media not challenging that assertion), he's basically slamming the door on any Clinton hail mary.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

My top ten:1. Glen Close from Fatal Attraction2. Cinderella's Stepmother3. Eva Peron4. The Wicked Witch of The West5. The Evil Queen from Snow White6. Imelda Marcos7. Ursula from The Little Mermaid8. Norma Desmond9. Malificent from Sleeping Beauty10. Cruella De Ville

That's a very telling list.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

Napalatano (AZ gov), Sebelius (KS gov), and McCaskill (MO Sen) are all probably being looked at.

I would LOVE to see this.

 

[saintfool]

Napalatano (AZ gov), Sebelius (KS gov), and McCaskill (MO Sen) are all probably being looked at.

this is my guess. she's raised her profile recently. she did a democratic response to one of GWB's presidential addresses, iirc. she's been working with BO while in the senate with some strong work on veteran affairs. i think a case can be made for a western state running mate. to me, if he goes that route then it is indicative of his nat'l strategy. McCaskill means he's trying to get the midwest and "heartland" while a Napolitano points to western topics of immigration and green issues. she's not going to help steal AZ but she might keep CO and NM in play.

 

[adonis]

Obama has reportedly taken the lead in the superdelegate count:

Obama Takes Lead in Superdelegate Tally

Hillary Clinton Will Meet With Financial Backers Next Week

By JAKE TAPPER

May 9, 2008 —

Sen. Barack Obama moved into the lead today in the last category that Sen. Hillary Clinton had claimed to have an edge -- support among the Democratic Party's superdelegates.

The Illinois Democrat grabbed the superdelegate lead thanks to a switch by New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne and an endorsement from previously uncommitted Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon.

Those two votes gave Obama a 267-266 lead over Clinton. That is a huge shift since the days when Clinton boasted about a 60-plus vote lead among the party's pros back on Super Tuesday.

Clinton Fights On, Obama Focuses on McCain

While the New York Democrat is refusing to concede defeat and is hoping a victory in Tuesday's West Virginia primary will keep her dwindling hopes alive, Obama is starting to focus instead on his Republican opponent John McCain.

ABC News' senior political correspondent George Stephanopoulos reported on "Good Morning America" that Obama's team is considering using some of his campaign cash to fund ads against the Arizona senator.

His camp is also planning to announce a 50-state registration rally this weekend, a tactic geared to a November election rather than the remaining Democratic primaries.

The rest of the Democratic Party, however, is struggling with how to end Clinton's challenge and worries that a last-ditch effort by Clinton could be damaging to Obama.

They were particularly unnerved by Clinton's comments earlier this week that appeared to be racially insensitive or racially calculated when she said, "Sen. Obama's support among working, hardworking Americans, white Americans, is weakening again."

"This is exactly the kind of talk that is going to make superdelegates nervous," Stephanopoulos said. "Most of the uncommitted superdelegates and party leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are willing to forgo pressuring her to get out of the race as long as the rhetoric stays in tact."

Panetta Calls for Clinton to Concede

Former top Clinton administration aide Leon Panetta told KGO TV in San Francisco, "It's pretty clear unless there's a bolt of lightning, Barack Obama is likely to win the Democratic nomination. She's put up a good fight and put up a good race, but I think there's a time now where she needs to concede and unify the party."

If Clinton decides to fight on, Panetta advised that she "should remain on issues, they shouldn't engage in personal attacks. & Whether the winner wins will depend an awful lot on how the loser loses."

There are indications that Clinton is taking a hard look at her options. She has scheduled a meeting Wednesday -- the day after the West Virginia primary -- with her campaign's major financial backers at her Washington mansion.

Stephanopoulos said there was also "lots of very quiet waltzing behind the scenes with intermediaries representing Sens. Clinton and Obama" to engineer a "dream ticket" with Clinton as Obama's vice president.

"I should say there's an expectation that Sen. Obama is reluctant to go down this road for a host of reasons, but others are making the case this is the most powerful ticket for the Democratic Party," Stephanopoulos reported.

For many Democrats, however, Conan O'Brien had it right.



In discussing the states where the two candidates were favored, the comedian quipped, "Hillary is favored in the state of denial."

 

[timschochet]

My top ten:1. Glen Close from Fatal Attraction2. Cinderella's Stepmother3. Eva Peron4. The Wicked Witch of The West5. The Evil Queen from Snow White6. Imelda Marcos7. Ursula from The Little Mermaid8. Norma Desmond9. Malificent from Sleeping Beauty10. Cruella De Ville

That's a very telling list.

Well, the question was for a substitute for Hillary on the ticket, so I just thought...I forgot about Leona Helmsley and Georgia Frontieri (a personal favorite, being from Southern California). These two might have to edge out a few of the Disney villianesses. I'll have to think about that.

 

[Jeremy]

Obama is holding his nose and being respectful of the Clintons for political reasons. I don't think there's any way he actually selects her as a running mate. He's treading lightly to avoid alienating her supporters. That's all.

I mostly agree. That said, it's got to be very tempting for him. She hold the keys to several groups of voters, who are more and more saying they won't vote for Obama in the general election. With this one move, most of that anger (sour grapes) goes away. We assume most of it will go away come November, but we can't really be sure. And if Hillary keeps poking at the scab as she's been doing lately, she can probably do a lot of damage to his general election chances. If she publically demands to be chosen, it would be very hard for him to turn her down. Also, polls are showing that most people in both camps would support the "dream ticket."Tough, tough choice here for Obama. Does he stay true to his message (a new kind of politics), or take the easy road with Clinton and probably cruise to victory. I think I'd vote for him either way, but would be a little disappointed if he sacrificed his principles for the sake of the easy win.

 

[SofaKings]

Looks like Obama san will get superdelegate David Bonior's support. Will be good bridge for him to labor support.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

On CNN this morning, one of their politicals said he spoke to a few higher ups in the Clinton campaign about her "exit strategy." They stated that there indeed is one, and that the plan is to stay in the race through June 3, and then take about a week to try and convince supers to switch their votes. If no progress is made, she will end the campaign by June 15.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

I really wish the superdelegates would stand up and declare for Obama en masse and end this already.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

Napalatano (AZ gov), Sebelius (KS gov), and McCaskill (MO Sen) are all probably being looked at.

this is my guess.

I think this choice is less likely because Missouri has a Republican governor. If McCaskill gives up her seat in the Senate, she would get replaced by a Republican. Given the fact that the Senate is so closely divided, I think Obama would be hesitant to do this.

 

[Sammy3469]

I really wish the superdelegates would stand up and declare for Obama en masse and end this already.

They're apparently too scared of the white wo-man

 

[Yankee23Fan]

On CNN this morning, one of their politicals said he spoke to a few higher ups in the Clinton campaign about her "exit strategy." They stated that there indeed is one, and that the plan is to stay in the race through June 3, and then take about a week to try and convince supers to switch their votes. If no progress is made, she will end the campaign by June 15.

June 15, huh? Big day in American history.1215King John sealed the Magna Carta.1775 George Washington was appointed head of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress.1836Arkansas became the 25th state in the United States.1844Charles Goodyear was granted a patent for rubber vulcanization.1849 James Polk, the 11th president of the United States, died in Nashville, Tennessee.1923Lou Gehrig made his New York Yankee debut as a pinch runner.1992 Vice President Dan Quayle's "potatoe" spelling incident.And now, possibly, the fall of Satan's spawn.Not bad.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Obama is holding his nose and being respectful of the Clintons for political reasons. I don't think there's any way he actually selects her as a running mate. He's treading lightly to avoid alienating her supporters. That's all.

I mostly agree. That said, it's got to be very tempting for him. She hold the keys to several groups of voters, who are more and more saying they won't vote for Obama in the general election. With this one move, most of that anger (sour grapes) goes away. We assume most of it will go away come November, but we can't really be sure. And if Hillary keeps poking at the scab as she's been doing lately, she can probably do a lot of damage to his general election chances. If she publically demands to be chosen, it would be very hard for him to turn her down. Also, polls are showing that most people in both camps would support the "dream ticket."Tough, tough choice here for Obama. Does he stay true to his message (a new kind of politics), or take the easy road with Clinton and probably cruise to victory. I think I'd vote for him either way, but would be a little disappointed if he sacrificed his principles for the sake of the easy win.

They were also saying thia a.m on CNN that Clinton is going to tone down her Obama criticism considerably and use the next several weeks to allow her supporters to calm down. They say they will be less bitter if she drops out in june than if she left under pressure now.

 

[saintfool]

Napalatano (AZ gov), Sebelius (KS gov), and McCaskill (MO Sen) are all probably being looked at.

this is my guess.

I think this choice is less likely because Missouri has a Republican governor. If McCaskill gives up her seat in the Senate, she would get replaced by a Republican. Given the fact that the Senate is so closely divided, I think Obama would be hesitant to do this.

good point. also, i think going with another US senator is less appealing on the ticket. governors and congressmen seem to be the right fit.

 

[Jeremy]

I really wish the superdelegates would stand up and declare for Obama en masse and end this already.

They're apparently too scared of the white wo-man

The problem is, her supporters don't realize it's over. Her and Bill have been telling them it's not over, and they believe them. If they call the fight now, those people are going to be very upset with the party.

 

[adonis]

I really wish the superdelegates would stand up and declare for Obama en masse and end this already.

They're apparently too scared of the white wo-man

The problem is, her supporters don't realize it's over. Her and Bill have been telling them it's not over, and they believe them. If they call the fight now, those people are going to be very upset with the party.

I don't think they necessarily "believe" them, but they feel that it's proper to respect Clinton and allow her to set her own timetable, as long as she doesn't start attacking Obama again. She's poured her heart and soul into the campaign, and out of respect for the Clinton's, I think they're leaving the decision to get out up to her, and as long as she's still in it, she'll have a lot of support. I don't see a problem with that, again, so long as the campaign is more clean than it has been.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

June 15, huh? Big day in American history.1215King John sealed the Magna Carta.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

I really wish the superdelegates would stand up and declare for Obama en masse and end this already.

They're apparently too scared of the white wo-man

The problem is, her supporters don't realize it's over. Her and Bill have been telling them it's not over, and they believe them. If they call the fight now, those people are going to be very upset with the party.

I don't think they necessarily "believe" them, but they feel that it's proper to respect Clinton and allow her to set her own timetable, as long as she doesn't start attacking Obama again. She's poured her heart and soul into the campaign, and out of respect for the Clinton's, I think they're leaving the decision to get out up to her, and as long as she's still in it, she'll have a lot of support. I don't see a problem with that, again, so long as the campaign is more clean than it has been.

I'm not talking about pushing her out - I'm talking about the Supers making their own decision and announcing it. They're not doing her any favors or showing respect by holding back.

 

[Sweet J]

Change I can't believe in.

If Obama picks Hillary after beating the drum of not needing more of the same in DC then I'm officially out.

EDITED to add:

No way he does this. But he HAS to act like he gives the matter serious consideration, etc., to appease the folks in Hillary's camp, and the female voters. In the end he may have to select a female running mate, but it CANNOT be Clinton.

Other than HRC, are there any other females under consideration?

Napalatano (AZ gov), Sebelius (KS gov), and McCaskill (MO Sen) are all probably being looked at.

I would LOVE to see this.

That's who I was thinking about.

 

[SofaKings]

Michigan superdelegates are preparing to come off the fence

BY TODD SPANGLER

FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- Jeff Radjewski of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is pretty sure he's backing Barack Obama. Same goes for Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Oakland County Commissioner Eric Coleman.

"Probably get the letter out next week," said Coleman.

All three are undecided superdelegates -- a group of Democrats virtually assured of deciding whether Obama or Hillary Clinton becomes the party's presidential nominee. While their support isn't written in stone, it suggests an unmistakable momentum swing.

On Thursday, that shift was evident when former U.S. Rep. David Bonior of Mt. Clemens endorsed Obama. Though he's not a superdelegate, Bonior, who has deep ties to organized labor and ran John Edwards' failed presidential campaign, could help sway those who are.

He called Obama the "one candidate who has proven he can bring the kind of change to Washington that will mean more jobs, better pay for American workers and health care for every single American."

Meanwhile, Michigan party leaders said they would move ahead with a plan to ask the Democratic National Committee to seat their disallowed delegation with 69 delegates going to Clinton and 59 to Obama even though Clinton -- who would have won 73 delegates if the results of the Jan. 15 primary had counted -- rejected it.

Although Obama's 14-point victory in North Carolina this week and the 2-point win Clinton eked out in Indiana appeared to make it almost impossible for her to catch him in the delegate count, many superdelegates still aren't prepared to decide the contest.

Michigan has 29 superdelegates; 27 have been named and two more will be appointed next month by state party Chairman Mark Brewer, if the state's disallowed delegation is reseated. Of those superdelegates, seven have endorsed Clinton, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Rep. John Dingell. Two are backing Obama: Rep. John Conyers and DNC member Virgie Rollins.

Of the undecided, the Free Press found three leaning strongly Obama's way, none who said they were moving toward backing Clinton and many who are outwardly or apparently waiting for more signals or the naming of a nominee.

The UAW, for instance, hasn't endorsed a candidate, and the union's two superdelegates aren't likely to make a pick public until it does. The same is true for other unions represented by superdelegates, like the National Education Association, which represents teachers.

Other superdelegates, such as U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, National Committeewoman Debbie Dingell, Reps. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and Bart Stupak, and Brewer weren't expected to make a selection at least until the state's delegation is seated. The state lost its regular delegates because it scheduled an early primary.

"I'm going to wait," Levin said Thursday.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has a vote, too. His spokeswoman said Thursday, "He's talked to both campaigns and it's not going to be hard for him to make a decision, but he's not ready to make an announcement."

Rick Weiner, former chief of staff to Granholm and former head of the state party, said he has a preference but won't reveal it; not yet, not even to his wife. And Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence said she's close but wants to wait for one more primary -- next Tuesday's vote in West Virginia.

It may have been telling, though, when she said: "The numbers have to be there for a nominee."

Lauren Wolfe, a 25-year-old University of Detroit Mercy law student, is president of College Democrats of America, and she's appealing to students on YouTube.com for advice on who to back.

Radjewski, of IBEW Local 58 in Detroit, said he had been leaning toward Obama and "Tuesday really strengthened that." Making his decision official, he said, was a matter of making sure the people he represents know who he intends to back.

"I wanted to support the candidate who could best win in the fall," he said.

Said Ficano: "It's reaching a point where it seems the math is going to be difficult at best and is looking almost impossible" for Clinton.

The Wayne County executive was waiting to work out details before making an announcement.

As for Coleman, he'd pretty much made up his mind that Obama represents the fresh start the nation needs.

"All you've got to do is add up all the delegates from all the remaining elections and she still comes up short," he said.

 

[SofaKings]

I believe that she'll stay in the race until the end of this month. The rules committee for the convention meets in D.C. the end of this month. If anything crazy is gonna happen, it will come out of that meeting.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

June 15, huh? Big day in American history.1215King John sealed the Magna Carta.

It's kinda one of the foundations from which we draw our laws.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Michigan superdelegates are preparing to come off the fence

BY TODD SPANGLER

FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- Jeff Radjewski of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is pretty sure he's backing Barack Obama. Same goes for Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Oakland County Commissioner Eric Coleman.

"Probably get the letter out next week," said Coleman.

All three are undecided superdelegates -- a group of Democrats virtually assured of deciding whether Obama or Hillary Clinton becomes the party's presidential nominee. While their support isn't written in stone, it suggests an unmistakable momentum swing.

On Thursday, that shift was evident when former U.S. Rep. David Bonior of Mt. Clemens endorsed Obama. Though he's not a superdelegate, Bonior, who has deep ties to organized labor and ran John Edwards' failed presidential campaign, could help sway those who are.

He called Obama the "one candidate who has proven he can bring the kind of change to Washington that will mean more jobs, better pay for American workers and health care for every single American."

Meanwhile, Michigan party leaders said they would move ahead with a plan to ask the Democratic National Committee to seat their disallowed delegation with 69 delegates going to Clinton and 59 to Obama even though Clinton -- who would have won 73 delegates if the results of the Jan. 15 primary had counted -- rejected it.

Although Obama's 14-point victory in North Carolina this week and the 2-point win Clinton eked out in Indiana appeared to make it almost impossible for her to catch him in the delegate count, many superdelegates still aren't prepared to decide the contest.

Michigan has 29 superdelegates; 27 have been named and two more will be appointed next month by state party Chairman Mark Brewer, if the state's disallowed delegation is reseated. Of those superdelegates, seven have endorsed Clinton, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Rep. John Dingell. Two are backing Obama: Rep. John Conyers and DNC member Virgie Rollins.

Of the undecided, the Free Press found three leaning strongly Obama's way, none who said they were moving toward backing Clinton and many who are outwardly or apparently waiting for more signals or the naming of a nominee.

The UAW, for instance, hasn't endorsed a candidate, and the union's two superdelegates aren't likely to make a pick public until it does. The same is true for other unions represented by superdelegates, like the National Education Association, which represents teachers.

Other superdelegates, such as U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, National Committeewoman Debbie Dingell, Reps. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and Bart Stupak, and Brewer weren't expected to make a selection at least until the state's delegation is seated. The state lost its regular delegates because it scheduled an early primary.

"I'm going to wait," Levin said Thursday.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has a vote, too. His spokeswoman said Thursday, "He's talked to both campaigns and it's not going to be hard for him to make a decision, but he's not ready to make an announcement."

Rick Weiner, former chief of staff to Granholm and former head of the state party, said he has a preference but won't reveal it; not yet, not even to his wife. And Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence said she's close but wants to wait for one more primary -- next Tuesday's vote in West Virginia.

It may have been telling, though, when she said: "The numbers have to be there for a nominee."

Lauren Wolfe, a 25-year-old University of Detroit Mercy law student, is president of College Democrats of America, and she's appealing to students on YouTube.com for advice on who to back.

Radjewski, of IBEW Local 58 in Detroit, said he had been leaning toward Obama and "Tuesday really strengthened that." Making his decision official, he said, was a matter of making sure the people he represents know who he intends to back.

"I wanted to support the candidate who could best win in the fall," he said.

Said Ficano: "It's reaching a point where it seems the math is going to be difficult at best and is looking almost impossible" for Clinton.

The Wayne County executive was waiting to work out details before making an announcement.

As for Coleman, he'd pretty much made up his mind that Obama represents the fresh start the nation needs.

"All you've got to do is add up all the delegates from all the remaining elections and she still comes up short," he said.

Wait, so Clinton is rejecting a settlement that nets her 4 less delegates than she "won" with Obama not campaigning and not being on the ballot? WTF did she want, all of them?

 

[Sammy3469]

Michigan superdelegates are preparing to come off the fence

BY TODD SPANGLER

FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- Jeff Radjewski of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is pretty sure he's backing Barack Obama. Same goes for Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Oakland County Commissioner Eric Coleman.

"Probably get the letter out next week," said Coleman.

All three are undecided superdelegates -- a group of Democrats virtually assured of deciding whether Obama or Hillary Clinton becomes the party's presidential nominee. While their support isn't written in stone, it suggests an unmistakable momentum swing.

On Thursday, that shift was evident when former U.S. Rep. David Bonior of Mt. Clemens endorsed Obama. Though he's not a superdelegate, Bonior, who has deep ties to organized labor and ran John Edwards' failed presidential campaign, could help sway those who are.

He called Obama the "one candidate who has proven he can bring the kind of change to Washington that will mean more jobs, better pay for American workers and health care for every single American."

Meanwhile, Michigan party leaders said they would move ahead with a plan to ask the Democratic National Committee to seat their disallowed delegation with 69 delegates going to Clinton and 59 to Obama even though Clinton -- who would have won 73 delegates if the results of the Jan. 15 primary had counted -- rejected it.

Although Obama's 14-point victory in North Carolina this week and the 2-point win Clinton eked out in Indiana appeared to make it almost impossible for her to catch him in the delegate count, many superdelegates still aren't prepared to decide the contest.

Michigan has 29 superdelegates; 27 have been named and two more will be appointed next month by state party Chairman Mark Brewer, if the state's disallowed delegation is reseated. Of those superdelegates, seven have endorsed Clinton, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Rep. John Dingell. Two are backing Obama: Rep. John Conyers and DNC member Virgie Rollins.

Of the undecided, the Free Press found three leaning strongly Obama's way, none who said they were moving toward backing Clinton and many who are outwardly or apparently waiting for more signals or the naming of a nominee.

The UAW, for instance, hasn't endorsed a candidate, and the union's two superdelegates aren't likely to make a pick public until it does. The same is true for other unions represented by superdelegates, like the National Education Association, which represents teachers.

Other superdelegates, such as U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, National Committeewoman Debbie Dingell, Reps. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and Bart Stupak, and Brewer weren't expected to make a selection at least until the state's delegation is seated. The state lost its regular delegates because it scheduled an early primary.

"I'm going to wait," Levin said Thursday.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has a vote, too. His spokeswoman said Thursday, "He's talked to both campaigns and it's not going to be hard for him to make a decision, but he's not ready to make an announcement."

Rick Weiner, former chief of staff to Granholm and former head of the state party, said he has a preference but won't reveal it; not yet, not even to his wife. And Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence said she's close but wants to wait for one more primary -- next Tuesday's vote in West Virginia.

It may have been telling, though, when she said: "The numbers have to be there for a nominee."

Lauren Wolfe, a 25-year-old University of Detroit Mercy law student, is president of College Democrats of America, and she's appealing to students on YouTube.com for advice on who to back.

Radjewski, of IBEW Local 58 in Detroit, said he had been leaning toward Obama and "Tuesday really strengthened that." Making his decision official, he said, was a matter of making sure the people he represents know who he intends to back.

"I wanted to support the candidate who could best win in the fall," he said.

Said Ficano: "It's reaching a point where it seems the math is going to be difficult at best and is looking almost impossible" for Clinton.

The Wayne County executive was waiting to work out details before making an announcement.

As for Coleman, he'd pretty much made up his mind that Obama represents the fresh start the nation needs.

"All you've got to do is add up all the delegates from all the remaining elections and she still comes up short," he said.

Wait, so Clinton is rejecting a settlement that nets her 4 less delegates than she "won" with Obama not campaigning and not being on the ballot? WTF did she want, all of them?

She wants the old breakdown so she can potentially scalp some of the "uncommitted" delegates from him. The other reason is that by not coming to an agreement it allows her to muddy the waters and try to confuse people.

 

[Sweet J]

Wait, so Clinton is rejecting a settlement that nets her 4 less delegates than she "won" with Obama not campaigning and not being on the ballot? WTF did she want, all of them?

Does the pope wear a funny hat?