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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)

User Comments

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I am a rational senior citizen feminist who will use my credit card to travel to the Convention to protest the Democratic party machine if it ignores the will of the people and give the candidacy to the Clintons. This how low the Clintons have brought the party down to, and with the party our republic. Hillary is doing everything unethical and unfair in order to win. Hers is not the face of a feminist nor the face of a nation that wishes to lead the world away from war toward peace and plenty. The Clintons' two-faced run for co-presidency is sickening so many of us, and with us, the party and the country.

Posted by: shirlin | Feb 19, 2008 2:13:50 PM

Has it occurred to anyone else that the Clintons would have more clout and more cash (via their continued preeminence in the party) under a McCain presidency than they would with Obama in the White House? Obviously they would prefer to capture (fairly or otherwise) the nomination and win in the general election. But the fact is that an Obama presidency would eclipse both Clintons and make it a whole lot harder to generate those millions of dollars per month in speaking and "consulting" (read: influence peddling) fees. I can't say I know this to be their view, but they *are* acting as though they'd just as soon leave the Democratic Party in tatters unless Hillary Clinton is the nominee. They have *always* looked first to their own advantage ... and don't you think they'd benefit more from four years of John McCain than they would from a term or two of Barack Obama? Food for thought, at least.

Posted by: Mark Durham | Feb 19, 2008 2:12:39 PM

While I am not thrilled with all the creativity the Clinton camp is floating in the media as ways for Hillary to get the nomination, I can understand the Clinton's frustration. Obama is nothing more than a well intentioned great public speaker who has no idea what he is getting himself into. Hillary Clinton has far more experience and will be a much strong President in a time of crisis like today. Instead, voters seem to be throwing out common sense by voting for a man with no plan and the media is in love with Obama also, so he gets a free pass on everything he says and does. Obama will be crushed to bits by Republican attacks and would much better serve the country as Vice President to Clinton, who can handle the Republican attack machine. My hope is voters wake up before it's too late and we end up with President McCain!

Posted by: Ryan Healey | Feb 19, 2008 2:10:09 PM

I agree with you Jake! And also Pogo: "We have met the enemy and he is us."

They really don't care about the voters, so they? It's just some sort of a game to them. What exactly do they have at stake that it could possibly be worth destroying the Democratic Party?

Posted by: Tom J | Feb 19, 2008 2:04:58 PM

Hillary is loved by every animal and human being; she is kind and emotional.
She deserves to be in the white house as her husband has been and she is superior and wicked and looser.

Posted by: ed | Feb 19, 2008 2:03:03 PM

Shirley,
Clinton smears herself with no help from anyone else. She is the most power mongering, pure unadulterated evil politician since Richard Nixon; only Juan McInsane comes close.

America will be in danger of being destroyed under a Hildebeest Klintoon presidency, just was it nearly was until Jerry Ford helped save the country.

Posted by: Guilden_NL | Feb 19, 2008 1:59:28 PM

The lesser of two evils, sad how election after election we are not capable of nominating canidates for public office with some integrity and records to back it up. I for one find it sad that anyone can beleive the statements made by any of the major canidates when the evidence, public record, clearly paints a much different picture than those stated in the speeches and policy statements. The 2008 Democratic convention will make the 68 look like a lovefest and all by the rules.

Posted by: poppatml | Feb 19, 2008 1:52:25 PM

Just heard it on the radio - the Clinton Camp has issued a statement saying they'll NOT be going after delegates pledged to Obama.
Just wish I could believe this was their view prior to the furor the story unleashed - still, a bit of a positive sign -

Posted by: Steve T. | Feb 19, 2008 1:43:46 PM

Who says the world loves Obama?

Chinese hate to see Obama win. They have decided to inject half a billion dolla to HRC campaign, because that family has been the best for China and Chinese immigrants getting jobs etc..

The Chines worry that Senator Obama might change the existing free entrance of Chinese workers to USA in favor of Maericans who need jobs and growth.

First of all, China is does not determine this election! Secondly, foreign countries CANNOT contribute money to the candidates. IT IS ILLEGAL!! But, then again, the CLINTONS DO NOT ABIDE BY THE RULES. I see poisonous snakes crawling out of HIllary's and Bill's mouth, nose, ears, and eyes. They are corrupt, loathsome, and viscious! Their campaign teams are just as bad.

Castro has stepped down as President of Cuba and as Chief of the Cuban Military Forces. He said he wants a younger generation to lead his country. For all of his dictatorship and notoriety, he has the vision and the understanding that perhaps his own leadership methods are no longer what Cuba needs. Hillary should follow suit.

Posted by: NinaK | Feb 19, 2008 1:39:29 PM

If Hillary wins nomination with superdelgates help or by pulling pledged delegates which Barack has already won, my vote will go to McCain. Hillary cannot win against McCain. Independents like me will have hard time voting for her. I would definitely vote for Obama over McCain. I have a feeling that all her experience is just talk, becuase she did not bring universal health care in 1994. What makes you think she will do it if she becomes president? She is sold. Insurance companies nad drug companies baught her. Baseless charges of plagiarism shows her desparation

Posted by: Mka | Feb 19, 2008 1:39:26 PM

Republican for Obama,
I too agree with you 1000%! It's amazing that some Dems (Hildebeest backers) can't understand why Republicans can't stand McCain and absolutely loath Clinton with every fiber in our bodies. Gee, then you have a guy that's coming in like a breath of fresh air.

I don't agree with many of Obama's policies as they stand, but believe that he's going to have to (as well as being willing to) work with Congress to get initiatives going.

So I too, am a GOPer that has never voted for a Dem but will vote for Obama. He MUST keep the Hildebeest off of the ticket though - NO VP slot for her!!!!!!!! Otherwise, it's third party for me.

Posted by: Guilden_NL | Feb 19, 2008 1:34:43 PM

Commander Guy - Gore did not use the courts, he only responded to a lawsuit in which BUSH was the plaintiff. The plaintiff is the person who institutes the suit.

Check the facts.

Posted by: Catpurrson | Feb 19, 2008 1:34:29 PM

My respect for both of the Clintons diminishes every day. I've always said that I would support whoever won the Democratic nomination because the last 8 years of Republicans has been a disaster for this country.

However, Clinton's latest tactics have me rethinking my position. If Obama does not win the nomination, I won't vote for McCain (that's worse that Hillary), but will cast my vote for the Green Party candidate.

Posted by: Catpurrson | Feb 19, 2008 1:31:10 PM

As I see it the problem we have is that we have eliminated other voices so quickly that we are left with the loudest, most strident, slickest, and often the most unfit candidates. As Americans we need to start at the bottom and clean up our state legislatures and the U.S.Senate and House and do it every election cycle. Change will only come when the Washington insiders are outside. Then maybe when we have another presidential election we will have several new contenders with new voices not just one newer voice and two "old" pros and political "dirty" business as usual.

Posted by: melinda | Feb 19, 2008 1:29:33 PM

Count me as an enthusiastic GOP voter for Obama in two weeks. I'll stick with MCain in November, but the sooner HRC is off the national stage, the better.

Posted by: Dan | Feb 19, 2008 1:24:10 PM

To "Spock":

Oh I do not lie...I have always voted Republican in the past. But, now I AM VOTING FOR, CONTRIBUTING TO, AND PRECINT CAPTAIN FOR OBAMA!

Texas will be a lot of fun this year. There are so many of us that despise Bill and Hillary Clinton. Alot of us Republicans look at McCain as more of the same...so it really isn't that far of a reach when you think about it now is it.

Posted by: Republican Voter for Obama | Feb 19, 2008 1:22:36 PM

Stealing votes is political coup which happens in Kenya, in Nicaragua, in Sadamm's Iraq, in Iran, in Cuba, ...


Now in Hillary's America, stealing votes is OK??

Clinton's campaign is getting sicker by the minute.

I consider voting for Hillary the same as voting for G.W.Bush in 2004.

The Clintons = The Bushes.

Posted by: Charlie | Feb 19, 2008 1:09:55 PM

Stealing votes is political coup which happens in Kenya, in Nicaragua, in Sadamm's Iraq, in Iran, in Cuba, ...


Now in Hillary's America, stealing votes is OK??

Clinton's campaign is getting sicker by the minute.

I consider voting for Hillary the same as voting for G.W.Bush in 2004.

The Clintons = The Bushes.

Posted by: Adam | Feb 19, 2008 1:08:34 PM

I was for Hillary at the beginning of the primaries. Now i think I'd vote republican if Obama doesn't get the nomination. I don't like her negative politics. I've never voted republican but I will if I have to in order to vote against her.

Posted by: Jason | Feb 19, 2008 1:06:08 PM

Something is just too fishy with the Clinton couple, actually many things. Anyway, we had enough family dynasties in the Oval-Office! For those few remaining misguided individuals: Please stop supporting the Clinton's.

Posted by: Concerned | Feb 19, 2008 1:02:53 PM

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