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As Dominoes Fall, Hillary Should Take Her Bow
May 10th 2008 3:54PM
Filed Under:eHillary Clinton, Democrats, Featured Stories, 2008 President, Veepstakes
As my friend, David Knowles, noted yesterday, Barack Obama has now taken the Superdelegate lead from Hillary
Clinton for the first time in this campaign. After taking the lead, more and more supes began to fall Obama's way. Even before Tuesday, the delegate math had stopped adding up for Hillary. The Political Machine also reports that Rasmussen has stopped polling the Democratic Primary race, Terry McAuliffe has signaled that the end is near, and negotiations for a VP slot are already under way.
In the face of such inevitability, the question is now, not if, but when Hillary Clinton Conventional wisdom varies a lot on this, from just after the Kentucky primary on May 20, to June 3, the date of the last primary, with some convinced she'll still go to the convention. I suggest a different date. If not today, then tomorrow or Monday. She can skip right over the defeat and go right to accepting that Vice Presidency, having ended on the high note of a victory in Indiana.
The alternative is to watch a flood of Supers go to Obama, and possibly even lose in West Virginia and Kentucky. She can be Rocky Balboa from the first film, or William Wallace's vanquished Braveheart.
Whatever happens, I want to see Democrats behaving with grace and good sportsmanship toward Hillary and her supporters. Obama himself has struck the right chord, as did Senator Claire McCaskill on Thursday's conference call, but the same cannot be said for Ted Kennedy. Worse than that, though, was this display of disrespect on CNN Tuesday night, which I have just now seen for myself.
This is reprehensible behavior on the part of all concerned. The worst offender by far here is Anderson Cooper, but
who the eff are any of these people to laugh at Lanny Davis? I have said over and over again that Team Clinton has run a tone-deaf, misguided campaign, and I understand the ins and outs of a rhetorical joust, but these folks were just mocking him from the minute he came on the air.
I'll be honest, I don't know a hell of a lot about Lanny Davis, but I did meet him briefly in Philadelphia after Hillary's victory celebration. I didn't go into much detail then because I had already written sooo very much.
It was hours after the event had ended. I was strolling around the ballroom of the Park Hyatt (I can never remember if there's a Regency in there), taking pictures and reflecting on the momentous footsteps I was retracing. It had been a big night for Hillary, and for me. I didn't want to leave for fear I would miss something.
There were roadies packing up the massive stage, and hotel personnel cleaning up. There were 3 TV crews left. Two were foreign press shooting live updates for far-off time zones. The third was a CNN crew shooting Lanny Davis. I walked around taking pictures for a very long time, and I stopped to watch Lanny. I couldn't really hear what he was saying, but I noticed the expression of exhausted joy on his face.
I went back to the press room for awhile, comparing notes with the few stragglers that remained, until I decided I'd better hit the road. As I walked past the ballroom, Lanny Davis came walking the other way. We exchanged pleasantries, and he went on his way, me on mine. As I descended the staircase of the hotel, I made a point to remember the xchange, as it was the last thing I did on that night, my first as a live journalist. I can still remember what I thought as he approached me, weary but satisfied. "Man. What a trouper."
So, it was particularly galling for me to see him taking crap from a guy who couldn't make the leap from regular "The Mole" to "Celebrity Mole." Take apart his talking points, run all over his argument, but for Pete's sake, don't laugh at the guy.
Lanny Davis, and by extension Hillary Clinton, love their country, love the Democratic Party, and truly believed that Hillary would do the best for both. It hasn't worked out the way they wanted it to, and much of what was done in service of that goal was misguided and damaging, but neither of them deserves mockery. They deserve a chance, now, to marshal those skills against the Democratic Party's new opponent. I hope that Obama's supporters follow McCaskill's example, and not Kennedy's or Cooper's.
Update: 6pm - Via email, #4 today:
Chicago, IL – United States Congressman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) endorsed Barack Obama for president today.
Update: Via email, 2 press releases from the Obama campaign:AP - Obama supporter named superdelegate
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Barack Obama picks up a superdelegate in Utah, bringing him within half a delegate of erasing Hillary Rodham Clinton's once-substantial lead among the elected officials and party leaders who will determine the Democratic presidential nominee.
The Utah Democratic Party named Kristi Cumming, an Obama supporter, as its sixth superdelegate following the party's annual fundraising dinner Friday.
Obama also picked up nine superdelegates from other states Friday, while Clinton picked up two. Clinton now leads Obama by a mere half delegate-272.5 to 272.
Little more than four months ago, on the eve of the primary season, the former first lady held a lead of 169-63.
Two Virgin Island Superdelegates Endorse Barack Obama
Former Clinton Superdelegate Kevin Rodriquez switches to back Obama Chicago, IL – Virgin Island superdelegates Carole Burke and Kevin Rodriquez endorsed Barack Obama today.
Rodriquez switched his endorsement citing Obama's ability to unite the Democratic Party and win the White House:
"While I have great respect for Senator Clinton, today I am announcing my support for Barack Obama. Senator Obama has brought a new generation and energy into the democratic process and the Democratic Party. He has shown he can connect with Democrats, Republicans and Independents across this country, whether we live on the mainland or an island. Senator Obama's judgment to lead, courage to tell the truth and commitment to working men and women make him the best candidate to lead this country forward."
274 superdelegates have endorsed Barack Obama and 122th have endorsed since Feb 5. Obama is 157 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 17)Roger3:16PMMay 10th 2008
The worst offender by far here is Anderson Cooper, but who the eff are any of these people to laugh at Lanny Davis?
TOMMY I LAUGH AT HIM. HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A COMMENTATOR BUT USES HIS TIME FOR HILLARY COMMERCIALS. HE IS AN UNABASHED, BIASED PERSON WHO WHEN ASKED A QUESTION DOESNT ANSWER QUESTIONS BUT LAUNCHES INTO HIS HILLARY LOVE FEST. RAISING RIDICULOUS ISSUES LIKE HILLARY'S COMMENTS THAT SHE WOULD BE THE DELEGATE IF DEMOCRATS WERE COUNTED AS REPUBLICANS. BOTH LARRY AND HILLARY KNOW BETTER. HE CONTINUES TO RAISE FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN AS ISSUES, THAT THE DELEGATE COUNT SHOULD BE A NEW NUMBER. ALL THINGS THAT THE CANDIDATES AGREED TO ORIGINALLY. IF THE TWO PRIMARIES IN QUESTION WERE HELD AT THE REQUIRED TIME AND OBAMA WAS ON THE BALLOT IN MICHIGAN WHO KNOWS WHAT THAT OUTCOME WOULD BE. IT IS TOO LATE IN THE GAME TO CLAIM THOSE VOTES BUT IT SEEMS A TYPICAL CLINTON TACTIC.
D. L. GRAHAM3:17PMMay 10th 2008
IT'S CHESS NOT DOMINOES
Move One: (D-NY) US/Senator Hillary Diane Rodham-Clinton has provided the poison kool-aid of racism to the Super-Delegates, "The Black Guy" can't win in a "General Election", Yes, (D-IL) US/Senator Barrack "Barry" Hussein Obama, beat my campaing but the Democratic Party is far more liberal and only represents (1/3rd) of the electorate, the Independents and Republicans Represent the other (2/3rds), and they are not going to vote for "The Black Guy".
This has proven to have worked as can be seen, no dam breaking backing of "The Black Guy" closing down the campaign of Hillary on May 9th.
MOVE TWO: Hillary will continue to make it look like she is trying to go out on a high note, while freeing up capital and making donations pleas, heading for the Democratic Party Rules Committee Meeting on the 31st of May. This action will allow the Clinton Campaign to begin move three, by rejecting all efforts to seat the Florida and Michigan delegates in any other fashion but one dictated by Hillary.
MOVE THREE: On June (1st) With the failure to come to a agreement the process will then being its travels thru the summer and the Federal Court system up to and into the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, asserting Violations of the (14th) Amendment.These complaints have already been drafted.
MOVE FOUR: The Clinton Campaign has enough Super-Delegates in her corner to stop a (1st) ballot nomination of "The Black-Guy" who can't be elected in the "General Election", this now free's all
"Pledged & Superdelegates" to be more freely poached from the "Black-Guy". They are free even in the first ballot but this will give them cover, to "Coronate" Hillary on the second ballot.
This is chess not Dominoes, and its a "gambit" only the Clinton's are willing to risk!
Dolores3:26PMMay 10th 2008
I think it is obsurd for the media and the disheartened Democrats to cast her out of this very important race.Hillary is a strong advocate for not only women but for the seniors and the middle class as well as the poor. She should fight on until the battle is won. Why should she quit now - so they can then headline the news that she is a quitter. Tell those dumb DNC people to allow the votes from Florida and Michigan and see what happens then. Did they not learn from the fatal Floridian Vote back in 2000 when the SUPREME COURT gave us this dimwit we have now for President instead of Al Gore! I cannot believe they will hand the Presidency over to Bush the Third......(John McCain).....Stop abandoning ship and get behind the gall who will fight and stand up for all of us....
D. L. GRAHAM3:48PMMay 10th 2008
THE REPUBLICAN PATH TO VICTORY!
The Republican's understood that May 9th would give an indication as to what (D-NY)US/Senator Hillary Diane Rodham-Clinton and the Democratic Party would do heading for the "General Election". On the 9th of May either the Democratic Party would break the hold of the Clinton upon the party and unite behind (D-IL)US/Senator Barrack "Barry" Hussein Obama, and begin the "General Election" campaign, or they would have a "Primary Election" fight right onto the Democratic Convention Floor, in Denver, Colorado.
The Clintons fed the poison kool-aid of racism to the Democratic "Super-Delegates" and the concept that "The Black-Guy" can't be elected in the "General Election" with sucess.
This opens the gates wide open to a (GOP) Grand-Old-Party, landslide Victory in Novermber. The "Limbaugh Effect, and Operation Choas" employed by Radio Commentator Russ Limbaugh by the account of the Democratic Party itself has give Hillary an (7%-11%) "Primary Election" boost, keeping the "Primary" going much longer than it should have.
Russ Limbaugh needs only to push yet harder for a larger turn out of "Primary Republican" to vote for Hillary in states where there are open caucus's and primary elections, in the next (6) primary campaigns. If "Operation Chaos" can increase its effects from (7%-11%) to (14%-22%), it would not only help Hillary to gain additional delegates, but increase her popular vote. Driving the campaign into June, and the Federal Court System thru out the summer.
Russ Limbaugh is only one of thousands who know and understand that once in the Democratic National Convention, in Denver, Colorado, not only will it be worse than "The Whole World Is Wathing" Democratic National Convention, in Chicago,(1968), but could spread across the country, damaging race relations for decades to come.
But, that is not Rush Limbaugh's fault, it will lay directly on the Clintons, and the Gambit of "The Black Guy" can't be elected. Russ Limbaugh and "Operation Choas" is legal and within the rules as set up by (DNC)Democratic National Committee Chairman (D-VT)Governor Howard Dean. The Democratic Party sowed the seeds of its own destruction.
The (GOP) needs only to have a strong (VP) behind (R-AR) US/Senator John Sydney McCain III, and a shovel to pick-up the pieces of the Democratic Party, the Clintonistas Hillary or McCain "Not The Black Guy", or the Black-Afro-American Community vote of anger, and Independent (ABC) Anybody But Clinton.
And a Obama & Clinton Ticket would be a (GOP) Victory, again its all good. Provided by the Democratic Party.
May 9th was the day the Democratics lost the election.
Tom Baehner3:54PMMay 10th 2008
ANDERSON COOPER CAN KISS MY ASS. HEY ANDERSON HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A VANDERBILT? OF COURSE YOU VANDERBILTS CAN PICK ON ANYONE YOU WANT RIGHT? I THINK CNN SHOULD FIRE YOU ON THE SPOT AND YOU CAN GO TALK TO YOUR STAFF OF MAIDS.
Teresa4:08PMMay 10th 2008
Hilery opened the door for women , it just shows it STILL is a man's world.
D. L. GRAHAM4:14PMMay 10th 2008
HILLARY WILL REMAIN UNTIL (2025) THE WINNING NUMBER!
TERRY McAULIFFE: Legal parcing of words; "It'll be over early June,
PARSING: The "Primary's will be over in June, not the campaign.
TERRY McAULIFFE: "We've all said we'll be together at the end.
PARSING: The end meaning after the (2nd) ballot and the "Coronation" of (D-NY)US/Senator Hillary Diane Rodham-Clinton on the (25th) of August at the Democratic National Convention.
TERRY McAULIFFE: If Hillary doesn't win, Hillary, (former) President (Bill) Clinton, myself, we'll be over there helping Senator Obama.
PARSING: (IF) and don't hold your Democratic breath for the former impeached President Snowman Slick Willie William "Bubba" Jeffeson Clinton or Hillary Diane Rodham-Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, or TERRY McAULIFFE, to really bust hump for the "Black-Guy" who can't win the "General Election", as they begin the ground work for (2012).
TERRY McAULIFFE: And, likewise, Senator Obama will come together to help Hillary if she's the nominee.
PARSING: (D-IL) US/Senator Barrack "Barry" Hussein Obama is an honorable man and will do his part but don't expect the sky's to open and Peace flow thru the land over the stealing of the election by the Clinton's on their (2nd) ballot gambit.
NO ONE HAS THE (2025) UNTIL THE BALLOTS ARE CAST, AND THAT IS 25TH AUGUST. DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT YOU THINK THEY HAVE SAID, LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE SAID, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE MEANING OF "IS" IS.
Teresa4:18PMMay 10th 2008
I wish she had a better chance , I just know she does not want to give up.Obama would just be more smug, she should fight to the end,even if it means she knows she will lose.
MichelleG4:19PMMay 10th 2008
Today, tomarrow or Monday? What's wrong with finishing the primaries? In a race this close, everyone should have a chance to cast their vote. Isn't that the democratic process??? And...no one has offered her the VP. (well, you did but I don't think you count,lol) Another question is: Why are floods of super's going to flock to Obama. Aren't they supposed to represent their people? ( Kennedy & Kerry don't count, no lol) Or at least vote their conscious on who's more suited to beat McCain? Or is this a follow the leader thing? If that's the case, they are setting themselves up for a repeat of the last election. Obama's a gamble and the majority of the country will not take that risk. Most people either love him or loathe him. And those who loathe him won't be able to see there way past that for the sake of the Democratic Party. (who really hasn't stuck their necks out for their people anyway)
Teresa4:19PMMay 10th 2008
even if it looks like she will loose she should fight till the bitter end. Sorry Hilery,but stay.
JOHN MANN4:23PMMay 10th 2008
MEET OUR NEXT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
OBAMA... One of the most intelligent and brilliant people this country has ever produced. He attended prestigious universities such as Occidental, Columbia and Harvard on scholarships. His single Mother was a wonderfull kind humanitarian, a member of the Peace Corp. Barry was later raised with help of wonderfull grandparents. His grandfather lies in the sunken Arizona off Hawaai waters; a ship blown up during Pearl Harbor. Obama is an American above his skin and below his skin. I will be proud to have him as our next commander-in-chief. So will his many supporters and many voters who have helped him up the ladder, Obama and his huger staff of volunteers and voters raised more money at the grass-roots level than anyone in history. His leadership speaks for him.
Senator Obama has sponsored or co-sponsored legislation dealing with lobbying, electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, conventional weapons proliferation and promoting public accountability in the use of federal funds.
Time magazine named him one of the most influential people in the world in 2005 and then again in 2007.
JOHN MANN4:25PMMay 10th 2008
WATCH THOSE SUPERDELATES TRICKLE IN TO OBAMA
Another hidden factor pushing superdelegates away from Hillary is "Florigan" or "Michida"—or whatever we should call these scofflaw states that moved up their primaries in defiance of party rules. Out of desperation, Hillary is putting all her chips on the injustice done to Floridians and Michiganders, even though she said early in the process that their votes "shouldn't count." Never mind the hypocrisy here. Never mind that Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe was the one who first insisted the rules be enforced. (When Michigan Sen. Carl Levin wanted to move up that state's primary in 2004, McAuliffe, then party chairman, screamed at him: "If I allow you to do that, the whole system collapses! The rules are the rules." This is from McAuliffe's own memoirs.) The problem for Hillary is that party officials in the other 48 states don't give a rat's patootie about seating Florida and Michigan. In fact, they're angry at those states for jumping the line, then whining about it. The whole imbroglio, says Simon Rosenberg of the New Democrat Network, has been "instrumental" in driving superdelegates to Obama.
Diana4:29PMMay 10th 2008
With regard to Mr. Davis....in the words of my girlhood crush David Cassidy, "I think I love you". LOL. I agree with this 100%; thanks for siding with me on this one (if not about Ms. Brazile). Great job, Tommy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diana 6:04PM May 7th 2008
Reposting for context:
TF.....The Supers' "Bat Light". LOL. That fits in with Donna Brazile's behavior last night. She was defensive about she & other Supers being referred to as "elitist" by a fellow panelist....but only after she had a knock-down-drag 'em-out catwoman-style fight with Paul Begala and joined in on all the piling-on against Lanny Davis. POWW! BAMM! I suspect she was PMSing. Too bad because I really used to admire her. CNN was nauseating to watch last night, esp Anderson Cooper.
Donna Brazile vs. Paul Begala. This was only part of it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bM6GEx3ai88
Anderson Cooper, et al, vs. Lanny Davis:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YrfJLUsmLfk
Sam884:35PMMay 10th 2008
FLORIDA DEMANDS REPRESENATION (FDR)
1.7 Million Florida democrats voted on 1/29/08 and we need to get our delegates seated based on the outcome of our votes.
FDR calls on all voters, nationwide, to stand with us.
Please sign our petition and mail it in:
Http://www.FloridaDemandsRepresentation.org
Required fields are just name, signature, city, and state.
Thanks!
D. L. GRAHAM4:35PMMay 10th 2008
LANNY DAVIS
"Lanny Davis, and by extension Hillary Clinton" now go back up and listen to what "Lanny Davis" said and not to what you want him to have said.
It depends on what the meaning of "IS" is. The number is (2025) and that number is not reached until the 25th August. The "Primary" will be over on May 31st, but the battle will not be finished until 25th August.
Hillary will not go quietly, it's not going to happen, it's going to be kicking and screaming and planning a come back in (2012).
If Bill & Hill can't have it neither can the "Black-Guy". And, the gearing up for the (2012) election begins on Aug. (26th). (IF) the second round ballot gambit fails. BET ON IT!
SEATTLE4:39PMMay 10th 2008
D. L. GRAHAM3, sorry about your race problem. Bush had no race problem re Condi Rice. The World is made up of elected BLACK MEN & WOMAN. WHITE PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE NO PROBLEM ELECTING A BLACK PERSON FOR PRESIDENT. THIS YEAR REPUBLICAN IS A BAD NAME, WHICH IS A PLUS FOR DEMOCRATS. RACIAL BIAS ONLY EXISTS IN IGNORANT MINDS. THIS IS A NEW ERA OF NEW VOTERS. THE YOUTH ARE NOT RACIALLY BIASED AND SUPPORT OBAMA, AS YOUNG LEADERS NOT OF THE RACIAL DIVIDE, THEIR PARENTS HAVE FOLLOWED THEIR LEAD. I HAVE ATTENDED MANY HUGE OBAMA. IT US YOU WHO IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH NEW AMERICA AND VOTERS. MCCAIN HAS BUSH STINK ON HIM, THAT IS NOT IN HIS FAVOR. KEATING FIVE STINK TOO. OBAMA WILL NOT SMEAR MCCAIN. HE HAS TOO MUCH CLASS TO GO THERE, BUT OTHERS WILL. MCCAIN HAS A HARD ROW TO HOE. I AM NOT FOR OR AGAINST MCCAIN PER SE. I AM WITH THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. NEVER WOULD VOTE FOR A CLINTON. SO, YOU GOT IT!
HillaryMccain084:44PMMay 10th 2008
More "rhetorical turds" from the Obama love Machine ...Not a chance tube boob
DARIN4:46PMMay 10th 2008
SAM 88
Screw Florida's leaders who committed an illegal act. DNC will decide without any help or petitions. They already know what the will do. Understand that when Obama makes his numbers it will not matter. Hillary getting Florida or Michigan would not pull her out anyway. And Obama can make the number without Florida and Michigan. Those powers-that-be know where they are going with this. Superdelegates do also. Watch it happen.
HillaryMccain084:48PMMay 10th 2008
You are not the least bit funny real truth..
I responded to the latest DNC fund-raising email with words not money, as follows and I encourage you to do the same.
Leave it to the people of the Democratic party to select a radical,racist, hate-filled, pandering,, corrupt, unpatriotic, terrorist-loving, smooth-talking snake oil salesman to the highest office in the land.
This country is in big trouble and we don't need a rookie President in training wheels. Where is the DLC when you need them?
Thankfully he will go down big-time in the general election where the black and the ultra liberal vote is a very small percentage and the DNC can hang their heads in shame once again.
I fear for this country and if Hillary is not the nominee. as a moderate Democrat, my support will go to McCain as the lesser of two evils.
My vote against Obama is not because of the color of his skin but the color of his heart.
PS: Howard Dean can I have a refund of all the money I contributed to your campaign?
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Real Truth3:02PMMay 10th 2008
In what some Democratic Party insiders are calling a particularly ominous sign for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, former president Bill Clinton today became the latest superdelegate to switch from Sen. Clinton to her rival, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill).
Sources close to the former president said that Mr. Clinton had been mulling such a defection for weeks, as early as the night of the Iowa primary, but that he only decided to make his decision public today.
"The American people want change," Mr. Clinton said at a press conference in New York. "Lord knows I do."
The former president said that "sometimes, at the end of a race, you have to put an old horse down," adding, "I'm not speaking metaphorically."