Political Punch
Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper
RECENT POSTS
- Out of Africa
- Kenyan President should be “squirming”, says country’s political analyst
- An Emotional President Obama Tours Former Slave Port with Family
- O Baby! The Obamas Visit Maternity Clinic in Ghana
- In Ghana, President Obama Gives Tough Love
- 2 Prez Obama: Questions Sent in Via Text, Email from Africa & the World
- Obama Campaign Plane Emergency: Report Shows it Could Have Been Catastrophic
- Give it Some Time, Obama Says in Defending the Recovery Act
- In Shift, US Calls for "Amnesty" for Journalists in NK
- Obama Pushes Back Amid Criticism Over G-8 Progress on Iran
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
'American Skin' (41 Points) -- Why West Virginia Matters
May 14, 2008 9:27 AM
FROM GUEST-BLOGGER RICK KLEIN:
Hi gang -- Rick Klein here from ABC's The Note, filling in through the end of the week for my colleague Jake Tapper, who is on a much-deserved vacation. (I know, none of us thought he took vacations, either.)
If you're not familiar with The Note, first of all, you should be, and second of all, here's an introduction.
Today we round up where things stand the morning after an Obama drubbing -- a 41-point shellacking in West Virginia. Obama has lost before (though rarely by this much), but what makes this different is that this contest came a week AFTER the mainstream media declared this race over, done, and finished.
Democrats were told for seven solid days that it was just a matter of time before Clinton bowed to the inevitable, and two-thirds of Democratic voters in a swing state just looked at Obama and said thanks, but no thanks.
The pre- and post-contest spin from the Obama campaign has been about the math: That this is too little, too late from Clinton to make a difference in the nominating contest. They're probably right -- the math is quite stubborn, as the ABC political unit points out this morning.
But it seems like leaving the response there ignores the real lessons of West Virginia. Yes, the Clinton brand remains powerful in places like West Virginia in particular -- yet the Obama brand has become a force in its own right. Yes, some voters are racists -- but that doesn't fully explain a 41-point margin.
The fact is that working-class voters (and yes, primarily the white ones) aren't hearing something in what Barack Obama is saying. The campaign can pretend like this isn't a problem, but if it's not a problem now, if will be in the fall. There are signs that, public pronouncements aside, the Obama campaign gets this -- it's one reason Obama is in Michigan today. He may have this locked down, but his hard work is just beginning.
-- Rick Klein
May 14, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (174)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
America is truly amazing. Only in America can you get a college education and never be a racist. It is magic, the college degree is your proof you are and never will be a racist. LOL
Posted by: HP Boston | May 15, 2008 7:05:36 PM
Remember, all of the MSM and Obama supporters wanted Hillary to roll over and play dead even after the Iowa caucus. That just shows how crazy these folks are.
What an audacity.
Posted by: Sam | May 15, 2008 6:49:00 PM
Somebody please explain a 92% of the black vote for Obama.
Why do we accuse the white race of racism if Obama does not get majority of their vote and nothing is said of the over 92% of the black vote for Obama?
Posted by: SO | May 15, 2008 6:45:38 PM
if ove 90% of Blacks vote their color , What is keeping the Whites from doing the same????those who cry Wolf are NOT always the Victims.....I will vote Mc Cain , no doubt , and I hope white people will do the same , not because of racism but just to help correct the imbalance and injustice that have fallen on Hillary ....Go Hillary , go Mc Cain08...
Posted by: alohaone | May 15, 2008 5:15:11 PM
In Hillary Who? you have a petty,
miserable and exhausting loser.
Posted by: anon | May 15, 2008 12:43:47 AM
Carl Rove and the GOP know that they have two chances of taking the White House. One is to run a campaign of subtle racist aimed at the largest voting group in the country, white Americans without college degree. I doubt Reverand Wrights rants go very well with the rhis large voting block.
I could see Obama losing key battle ground states, like Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia costing the Democrats the White House.
The Gop will also use Obama's connection to Sryian born Antoin Rezco who is on trial right now in Chicago. Tony Rezco was a very good friend of Obama and they worked together on projects. Will something come out that can incriminate or embarrass him.
who
Posted by: CJbushwacker | May 14, 2008 11:57:35 PM
Go sit down and read a book, Darlene
Posted by: evelyn | May 14, 2008 10:29:43 PM
Many people said Bill Clinton was nothing but a governor from a small state, had no experience, was a far left candidate and would ruin america, but he did ok. So why is it that we can't afford Obama the same opportunity, after all he won fair and square by playing by the rules that everyone played by.
Posted by: fool me once | May 14, 2008 9:11:04 PM
Well, I know what I'm not hearing from Obama... neither sincerity nor capability.
Posted by: Mary | May 14, 2008 8:30:02 PM
This is a case that
The people against the party.
The eccentric party has their mind fixed and is working against the people. The whole nomination procedures are by and large incredibly disoriented. Party leaders seem to ignore the rules. Superdelegates come out to tell people to vote rather than listening and hearing.
The death of democracy in the democratic party. Let's see if they receive their punishment in the general election.
There is no reason to support a candidate which is not by the people, of the people and for the people. They may say what they want but people always know better what these politicians are playing. The people don't buy what the sly politicians sell.
Posted by: John_Lai | May 14, 2008 7:28:41 PM
I just read this in regard to the loss of the support of blue collar voters in WV, and what it means for the general election: “You just can’t abstract from primary voters to general election voters — and all of her [Clinton's]voters are going to vote for him [Obama],” said Jim Jordan, a Democratic consultant who is supporting Mr. Obama.
Could the Obama people be that dumb? I, for one, voted for Hillary and will vote for McCain if Obama gets the nod. I am a centrist voter, and both Hillary and McCain are centrist candidates. Obama is a creature of the Far Left. Hillary's approach to governing was proved during the Clinton years, so she is my first choice. McCain is second best, to be sure, but he will likely govern to the left of Bush. At any rate, he will not be a captive of the Far Right nutbags. Obama is the riskiest choice. His lack of experience will allow him to be manipulated by his Far Left backers, and will leave him uncertain in a crisis. His tepid patriotism will cause him to put the interests of other countries ahead of those of the America. He will focus on the needs of young voters, Blacks, the well educated, and the affluent -- i.e., his base. Blue collar voters would be insane to vote for him.
Posted by: David H | May 14, 2008 5:24:22 PM
I don't understand why he neglected WV even though majority population is white but Hillary campaigned so hard in NC even she knows majority population is AA.
Atleast she tried.
Maybe that's different between Obama and Hillary.
She is tougher than him.
Posted by: catleya | May 14, 2008 5:24:20 PM
Debra: I agree with you. We need to keep the faith. I truly believe that something is going to happen. I don't know what it is yet. But for some reason I believe that the Republicans and the Clintons know something, we don't know yet, about this Obama character.
I think the Clintons and the Republicans are saving it for the last minute, which will turn this whole election around.
There is something out there, that is very serious, that has to do with Obama.
Everyone is just sitting tight until the time is right!!!!
Posted by: darlene | May 14, 2008 3:55:34 PM
Great...Howard Dean is announcing today about a joint fund raising commitment for both candidates and CNN says they will get into it later. WHAT?
Posted by: Debra | May 14, 2008 3:51:09 PM
Darlene you have me laughing again. I really wanted to re-read your first post about his showing off, I literally almost wet my pants, which is why they took it off the blog. Love your sense of humor.
By the way, saw a bit of Hillary on CNN with Wolf and the interview looks great. He asked her about Chelsea's role in all of this and she got really choked up, as a mother would with pride, and I bet they jump all over her for tearing up. She can't do anything right. Keep the faith and let's keep our eyes on that strutting, arrogant excuse of a candidate.
Posted by: Debra | May 14, 2008 3:37:38 PM
I don't care how they label me, I VOW to not vote for Obama for anything, especially not President of the United States of America.
Posted by: justme2see | May 14, 2008 3:12:06 PM
David H...you're brilliant and summed it up completely and concisely. But I am still holding out they won't just hand it to Obama on a platter. I want an ugly struggle for it, to strengthen McCain's chances. I cannot stomach the thought of BO and his wife in the WH. Can you imagine extra tax payers $$ to pay for his posse of Secret Service? They will have to triple whatever has been spent in the past.
Posted by: Debra | May 14, 2008 3:11:14 PM
debra: Yes, it is true!!!! When I saw Obama on the you tube video showing off his A** in those K-Mart Jeans, I wanted to throw up.
He even posed for them with his leg on the arm rest so the female reporters could get a better look.
He was having the time of his life. Michelle, be careful, you husband is an Exhibionist!!!!!
Posted by: darlene | May 14, 2008 3:10:53 PM
darlene...they took off your hysterical comment about BO in his jeans and how Michelle better worry about him showing off...and then you barfed. LOL. Anyway...the only thing we can do, as it seems BO's nom has everything to do with money....is to make our voices heard LOUDLY in Nov. by working to elect McCain. I can't wait until they review those exit polls to see mass exodus of Hillary Dems to McCain.
Posted by: Debra | May 14, 2008 3:02:21 PM
Obama doesn't need the white people. He doesn't need the women vote. He doesn't need the jewish vote. He doesn't need the Catholic vote.He doesn't need the hispanic vote. Yes, he doesn't need all these votes, because he is "THE MESSIAH"!!!!!
God will see to it that Obama will win, because Farrahkhan said that God has brought him to us, he is the Messiah!!!!!
Obama does not need votes because he will be anointed.He is the Messiah!!!!
Posted by: norm | May 14, 2008 3:01:37 PM
Post a comment

