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Clinton Camp: 'All The Rules Will Be Going Out The Window'
February 19, 2008 10:05 AM
Our friend Roger Simon has a juicy little column in this morning's Politico where he reports on the Clinton campaign's push not just for superdelegates but regular, pledged delegates.
Whether or not they know it, those delegates purportedly elected to represent the will of the voters of their home states and districts can actually vote any way they want. And according to Simon, "Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign intends to go after delegates whom Barack Obama has already won in the caucuses and primaries if she needs them to win the nomination.
“I swear it is not happening now, but as we get closer to the convention, if it is a stalemate, everybody will be going after everybody’s delegates,” a senior Clinton official told Simon yesterday. “All the rules will be going out the window.”
The Obama campaign responded harshly this morning.
“As it becomes increasingly clear that Senator Clinton may not be able to secure the nomination by winning the support of actual voters, the Clinton campaign has once again floated a strategy that would essentially say that the preference of Democratic voters is a mere obstacle to their win-at-all-costs strategy," said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. "First, they said they’ll try to seat the non-existent delegates in Florida and Michigan, something that neutral party leaders have roundly criticized. Then, they suggested that superdelegates should consider subverting the will of the voters and the pledged delegates, which has also been strongly objected to.
“Their new strategy will be to convince delegates that were pledged by actual Democratic voters to switch sides. In their own words, ‘all the rules will be going out the window.’ Voters are already rejecting the Clinton campaign’s say-or-do-anything-to-win tactics, and this is the latest example that it’s time to turn the page on this type of politics that could severely harm our party’s chances to win the general election."
This thing reminds me more and more of the Florida recount. And just as with that contest, the point is not to "count every vote" -- but to win.
- jpt
February 19, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (132)
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I cannot believe HRC supporters are not OUTRAGED by these tactics that would reverse the will of the voters.
Clinton supporters, please take a look at the CLASS and HONESTY with which your candidate has conducted herself and her campaign. Please investigate your questions yourself and determine your own choice for President. Please make an educated decision! Don't fall for the scandals and twisted lies!
Vote for OBAMA-the People's candidate!
Yours Truly, A White, Educated Pennsylvania Female.
Posted by: Saddened by HRC | Mar 11, 2008 11:59:34 PM
(Jeez, some weird comments. This is the primary race for the nomination not the Book of Revelations.)
Two good candidates. He's managed a superior campaign.
Posted by: rzzzzz | Feb 20, 2008 11:00:35 AM
We have republicans and independents voting for OUR democratic nominee. We have voters in Michigan and Florida who will not get their votes counted. We have this ridiculous super delegate fiasco that will make no one happy. Then we have the media trying to shove Obama down our throats. I will vote for Hillary in the general election as a write-in if she doesn’t win the primary. I urge everyone who refuses to vote for Obama to do the same. Lets send a message to the media that they don’t get to pick our president. Lets send a message to the people who are sexist (men AND women) that we won't stand for their prejudice. Lets send a message to Obama that you can’t buy, charm or fake your way into the presidency. Lets send a message to the DEMOCRATIC PARTY that they had better clean up their act or they are going to lose their base. The hard working middle class Americans living in the reality of the day to day grind. You will find that you need us way more than we need you.
Posted by: Firefighter | Feb 20, 2008 1:18:02 AM
mkevinf says, "Who are you people who would vote for McCain over Hillary in the general? [...] You are either faux Democrats or Republican trolls stirring up the pot of disunity."
There is a third possiblity, mkevinf. We are independants, and neither the Democratic or Republican party completely represents our views. Like sailors trying to sail against the wind, we must tack - continually adjusting course, and choosing the candidate that we trust most to take us closer to our goals.
If Hillary wins the nomination fair and square, I will vote for her in the fall. But if she steals it from the voters via Michigan/Florida, superdelegates, converting pledged delegats, etc., I can not trust her to represent me as president - I can not bring myself to vote for her. And McCain is simply not that bad. There's a reason he gives the conservatives fits. He's opposed to drilling for oil in ANWAR, he voted against the Bush tax cuts, he wants to close Guantanamo, he worked with Kennedy (gasp!) to offer illegal imigrants "amnesty". He worked with Feingold to restrict campaign finance abuses.
mkevinf continues, "I can respect someone who might go to the Green Party, which is a progressive, liberal party. But to go to John McCain? It scares me that people like that have a vote equal to mine."
Be afraid, mkevinf, be very afraid.
Posted by: John | Feb 19, 2008 7:00:17 PM
I think the only thing we all have seen Hillary & Obama run are their caimpaigns. Hers is a mess and his is briliant. So much for her experience. If it is not scripted, she can't handle it. The mean nasty Hillary is starting to emerge. She can win fair and square so she is grasping at straws to win. She is dispicable and I think she is going to lose not because she is nasty but because he is better!
Posted by: julescator | Feb 19, 2008 6:28:55 PM
mkevinf,
Both McInsane and the Hildebeest are rotten to the core, meglomaniacs that would kill their own mother to get more power. I could care less what their politics are; they have been bought by special interests even deeper than the Shrub.
Both not only deserve to lose, but be banished from the American political scene forever. Both will make Richard Nixon look like a sweet guy. Let's get rid of both of these idiots.
Posted by: Guilden_NL | Feb 19, 2008 5:51:10 PM
Who are you people who would vote for McCain over Hillary in the general? Do you honestly believe there is no difference between the two? You are either faux Democrats or Republican trolls stirring up the pot of disunity. Life long Democrats do not take their ball and go home, let alone score points for the other team. This vitriol from both sides must stop! Again, if you think there's no difference between John McCain and Hillary Clinton, please read their records. Like Obama, Hillary has worked with Republicans, something which Obama states is important. But to say that Clinton is no better than Bush or McCain because of some votes you (and I) disagree with is ignorant.
I can respect someone who might go to the Green Party, which is a progressive, liberal party. But to go to John McCain? It scares me that people like that have a vote equal to mine.
Posted by: mkevinf | Feb 19, 2008 5:16:24 PM
Christopher London, AMEN! from a Republican that will vote for Obama but not someone who fancies themselves to be a Stalin or Hitler.
Ken,
Chinese money in US politics? Hmmm, the last time that was a problem with with a fat hypocrite named Al Gore the Bore.
Posted by: Guilden_NL | Feb 19, 2008 5:02:38 PM
As a Floridian, I'm insulted by Clinton's comments that our votes should count because we didn't know they weren't going to count when we voted. That's total nonsense. The fact our votes weren't going to count has been in the headlines here for many months. But if she is right and we Floridians are that out to lunch, it should be an argument for our votes to NOT count.
Posted by: Tim | Feb 19, 2008 4:59:59 PM
The Chinese cannot just inject that kind of money into any campaign. Check the facts on that re campign financing. Good relations with the Chinese is important worldwide and especially since the Bush admin sold so much of the US to them to finance the war. Hillary Clinton will be a fantastic President and the is not just rhetoric.
Posted by: Ken | Feb 19, 2008 3:50:24 PM
Obama has evolved into a really weird cult following being referred to as a messiah and on the other end of the spectrum the light skinned lamb to watchout for from Notradamus. I mean let's get a grip and stop the rhetoric and stand for issues. Everyone has heard the hope message over and over. Hillary Clinton is a solid candidate and we are playing right into the Republicans hands. Let's turn this country around with a good solid, hard-working leader and that will be Hillary Clinton
Posted by: Jamie | Feb 19, 2008 3:47:00 PM
Lest their be no doubt about what the Clintons are: Corrupt, deceitful, manipulative, immoral fascist pigs. This is outrageous that the Clintons will not under any circumstances accept defeat. If the Clintons try to subvert the will of the voters and steal the nomination, Americans will have cause for revolution. Corrupt leaders who steal elections and attempt to thwart the will of the American people will be at risk of being toppled by any means necessary. If the Clintons go down that path, Democracy will not be safe and neither will those who have destroyed Democracy.
Posted by: Christopher London | Feb 19, 2008 3:37:36 PM
If superdelegates decide this contest, I'll vote Republican. I'm sick of people who keep saying Obama isn't experienced enough, too young, blah, blah, blah... I have news for you, it's young people in general that have changed the world. Not old-timers who are out-of-touch with the times.
Posted by: Robert | Feb 19, 2008 3:33:00 PM
It is so funny to read the comments posted by the ignorant Clinton supporters as they try to make a big deal out of Obama using a line in a twenty minute speach from an old friend who share information and lines back and forth for years prior. Even funnier is the knowledge that she also steals lines and plans from everybody and does not even have the class or grace to aknowledge them when caught.
Posted by: Matt | Feb 19, 2008 3:20:00 PM
I think Obama will be a let down, since evryone is referring to him as if he is the second coming of christ,he will not live up to all the hype.
Posted by: Alberto Guzman | Feb 19, 2008 3:11:26 PM
Shame Shame Sahme Hillary Clinton, you and your supporters act more like neocons each day that passes. I would never vote for you!
Posted by: Gerald | Feb 19, 2008 3:10:13 PM
Why do alot of Clinton supporters think that Obama is best suited as HRC VP and run for pres in 2016? Come on! look what happen to Gore. People will be so sick of HRC with her failed promises (due to inability to get legislation passed which no doubt she'll blame solely on the Republicans) after 4 years that the presidency will be handed back to the republicans by 2012.
With the following he is getting, it would be better for him to run as an independent, but as a man of principle i am sure he'll stick with the dem if he is not nominated this time.
Posted by: buj | Feb 19, 2008 2:51:14 PM
Those of you who think that Clinton is horrible for supposedly going after delegates are ridiculous. They are both going to go after each other's delegates. You're an idiot if you think they both won't try it. I stand by the fact that you hateful people voting for Obama is a good sign that it would be a huge mistake to vote for him. I'll never vote for him. I'll either vote McCain or sit this one out before I vote Barack Obama. Not unless I see some positive signs from his supporters. Those of you posting the ugly comments are uglier than Clinton ever tried to be. I just hope some more people wake up to this fact and the fact that he does not have his own ideas. He also borrows his supposed inspiration from other people as well as uses other people's words to defend the whole purpose of his candidacy. He is a walking contradiction and hypocrite. At least Hillary doesn't make any promises that she has to take back because OOPS it's more convenient or politically correct or financially better for her to make that promise at the time. You just don't see that from Hillary.
Posted by: Ellie | Feb 19, 2008 2:48:14 PM
Even tho the Clinton campaign has retracted this, i wonder if Obama would use this to his advantage.
I think he would not stoop to her level by pointing out her shortcomings to gain political point as she does.
Posted by: buj | Feb 19, 2008 2:35:10 PM
Does it bother anyone as to how the media portrays Obama versus Hillary?
He is shown as a super-clean, super-hero. A man who can do no wrong.
She is shown as a villain. A woman who is obsessed with power and will do anything to win.
Look at their respective pictures in news articles. She has her mouth open and her eyes bulging out. He is always calm and presidential.
Come on guys wake-up. Nobody is saying that Hillary is an angel. But neither is she the monster that the media is portraying her as. She is a tough and smart woman. Her husband was the president for 8 years and a pretty good president (forget his personal life). She is ready on day one and that is what this country needs to put things back on track.
My humble opinion!!
--------------------
Hillary's pictures of her with gaping mouth and bulging eyes ARE Hillary. Is the news to depict her as a lady, when she photographs like a vampire?
Mr. Obama is a calm, self-assured man with integrity, honesty, wisdom, good character, good judgement, outstanding leadership and managerial skills, and, yes, far more legislative knowledge and accomplishments than Hillary. Hillary is devoid of these attributes.
So who do want for President: a person who has NO integrity, who is dishonest, who cannot run a decent campaign, but one of chaos and inner turmoil, a person who thinks America OWEs her the Presidency, who wants to win no matter if it destroys our democracy and our country? A person who is totally concerned about her ownself with no regard for us, "We the People"? Who has no regard of our democracy and our nation? A person who believes this election is totally ALL ABOUT HILLARY? A person who shuns smaller states and caucus states as unimportant and inconsequential?
OR
A person of good character, integrity, honesty, good judement, superior legislative knowledge, hard work, and accomplishment, a man who gets results by being a uniter, a person who wants us, "WE THE PEOPLE" to be part of a new and revitalized America, a person who believes in "A GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE"? A person who WILL work WITH AND FOR THE PEOPLE? A person who believes EVERY STATE IS INDEED IMPORTANT?
Thank you, I'll vote for Mr. Obama, a man of values and integrity!
Posted by: NinaK | Feb 19, 2008 2:18:05 PM
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