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The Victim Card

May 15, 2008 1:04 PM

FROM GUEST-BLOGGER RICK KLEIN, OF ABC'S THE NOTE

There's an interesting subcurrent developing to the Clinton campaign's efforts to wrest delegates out of the disputed votes in Michigan and Florida.

My former Boston Globe colleague Joan Vennochi reports in her column this morning that a group of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's female supporters are "playing hardball politics" to get DNC Chairman Howard Dean to acknowledge that votes in those state deserve to be counted.

"During a private meeting last week, a group of Massachusetts women asked the chairman of the Democratic National Committee to confront the ugliness of sexism, just as Democrats are confronting the ugliness of racism as a result of Barack Obama's presidential bid," Vennochi reports.

Clinton supporter Deb Goldberg tells Vennochi: "The proof is in the pudding. What does Howard Dean do . . . based on our conversation with him?"

What they want Dean to do is step in and award delegates based on the elections in Michigan and Florida. The DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee gets the next word -- if not the final word -- on the subject, at the end of the month.

A group of Clinton's female supporters has launched a Website aimed at getting the Democratic Party to reconsider its decision to strip Michigan and Florida of convention delegates.

And there's this from former President Bill Clinton, on the trail Wednesday, dialing up the full outrage over the treatment of states his wife won: "I just ask you all this, do you really believe Florida would be getting this kind of treatment if the vote had turned out the other way?" Clinton said, per ABC's Sarah Amos.

Well, yes. Far be it from me to divine the former president's meaning full here -- but how does the situation in Florida and Michigan relate even a little bit to who won the state?

You can agree or disagree with the Democratic National Committee's decision to punish Michigan or Florida for jumping the line, but to equate that with sexism or any other kind of prejudice against Clinton simply isn't accurate.

As has been discussed numerous, numerous times, both Clinton and Obama were very aware of the DNC's decision to strip Florida and Michigan of its delegates. The rules were put in place long before the voting began, without regard to race, sex, or anyone's regard for Clinton, Barack Obama, or any other politician, living or dead.

As Jake has noted, Harold Ickes -- a top Clinton adviser, and one of the leading voices calling for delegates to be awarded from the two rogue states -- voted for the delegate penalty, back when it wasn't clear who would win.

It sure sounded like Clinton knew what she was getting into on the even of the Michigan primary -- where her name remained on the ballot, and Obama had his removed.

"It's clear: This election they're having is not going to count for anything. I personally did not think it made any difference whether or not my name was on the ballot," Clinton told NPR.

What has been clear is that both campaigns are making arguments that fit their needs. Clinton wants Michigan and Florida to count because she'd gain delegates; Obama doesn't want them to count, because he'd lose some of his lead. Obama wants the will of the voters -- via the pledged delegates -- to be the final word; Clinton wants the superdelegates to be free to make a different judgment.

The delegate debate regarding Michigan and Florida will all play out the way it should, before the Rules and Bylaws Committee, May 31.

But Vennochi seems right on this point: "The Hillary Nutcracker is sexist. Keeping Florida and Michigan out of each candidate's primary vote tally is not. It's hardball politics."

-- Rick Klein

May 15, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (141)

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Hillary Clinton's campaign tactics and personal integrity, or I should say lack thereof, are what has caused her to lose this nomination. I'm a 50 year old white woman and would love to see a female President, but could not vote for Hillary. She has set women back tremendously with her pathetic "victimhood", her pandering and her outright lies.

OBAMA '08 for a better America!

Posted by: Mary | May 15, 2008 8:14:31 PM

John Edwards is not Borak Obama and their views and backgrounds are very different so his endorsement does not make me vote for Obama, a 2 year junior senator with no experience, questionable friends and a person who has not been honest. John McCain is honest and an American hero. If Hillary is not endorsed by the Democrats, he will be out next President because he plans on only serving one term and he is beholden to no one so he will do what is best for the country and he will bring the Democats and Republicans together, as Hillary would. Obama can't because he doesn't know how and has never done it.

Hillary supporters WILL NEVER VOTE FOR OBAMA! We can't trust him because he hasn't been honest. He's a politician of the worst sort because he presents himself as non political. He sure worked Reverend Wright and maybe that's why the Reverend has let people know that his denunciation of him is only political.

We will personally work against the super delegates that go over to Obama because they don't have our best interest at heart. Everyone knows that Obama wouldn't be where he is today if we had known before what we now know about him.

Posted by: shirley | May 15, 2008 6:48:19 PM

wasn't it clinton who said if you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen....Ha. now the mean big boys wont let poor little Hillary in the clubhouse. Doesnt matter I'm glad she stayed in. It showed that you have 2 flawed candidates and has helped my man McCain to the white house, get on the train.

Posted by: jason republican | May 15, 2008 6:43:54 PM

Enough with Florida and Michigan! The Clintons are the biggest pair of whiners I have ever seen. They were willing to write them off when they didn't matter. Now Bill is crying about them. Spare me.

Posted by: AG | May 15, 2008 5:59:21 PM

NO WAY should Florida and Michigan delegates be seated pursuant to the "fraudulent" primaries they held. ALL CANDIDATES knew those states had been sanctioned -- the State Committees for each state knew -- heck -- the WHOLE COUNTRY knew that if FL and MI insisted upon holding primaries contrary to the rules of the DNC, they would be sanctioned. Yes, the voters of FL and MI should be FURIOUS -- but at not at the candidates -- they should be furious at their state committee which basically thumbed their collective noses at the DNC, their governing authority. The rest of the 48 states (plus territories) managed to remain within DNC guidelines in holding their primaries, and it is a slap in the faces of these rule-abiding states if FL and MI get the same benefits. It's just another glimpse into the character (or lack thereof) of Mrs. Clinton that after she AGREED to the sanctions, she now wants to reverse them. This type of hypocrisy is one of the many reasons I did NOT vote for Mrs. Clinton. Yes, I believe FL and MI should have SOME representation, but not at the level Mrs. Clinton is suggesting. FL and MI MUST receive some punishment -- it is only right and just -- otherwise, how can the DNC remain a viable authority figure if it cannot exercise disciplinary measures against those who won't follow the rules?

Posted by: Sharan | May 15, 2008 5:55:37 PM

Ruth:

are you saying Mc Cain is a "centrist"?

Posted by: drzoon | May 15, 2008 5:44:56 PM

Accountable: Forgive me if I'm wrong, but if you are saying that Obama is a fellow teammate of Democrats in general, I strongly disagree with you. Although I've always voted Democrat in all federal elections, there comes a time when your country and your principals are much more important than your party affiliation. Obama has presented such a case. I would much prefer that Hillary represent our party, but if she is not the nominee, then a centrist Republican would be infinitely better than an inexperienced, ruthless, deceptive, divisive Obama.

Posted by: Ruth | May 15, 2008 4:50:48 PM

Hilary (and her impeached and disbarred husband) are liars.

why doesn't that bother you clintonistas?

Posted by: drzoon | May 15, 2008 4:50:13 PM

ONCE AGAIN, THE PLAYING FIELD MUST BE LEVELED!!! A PERSON DOES A CRIME,,,THEY MUST PAY RETRIBUTION IN SOME FORM TO KEEP SOCIETY AT A FAIR & PEACEFUL RESOLUTION ( JUDGEMENT & REDEMPTION ) . NOW IT'S ALL FAIR IN LOVE & WAR , BUT WHEN BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY BECOMES THE WAYS & MEANS OF DEMEANING YOUR FELLOW TEAMMATE, YOU HAVE NOW BECOME SOMETHING WORSE THAN THE CAUSE WITH WHICH WHAT MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT YOU TOGETHER. WHEN SOMEONE MAKE A DECISION , THAT MAY HAVE CONSEQUENCES W/ WHICH YOU DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT,,,,"YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE", WHEN THAT VOTE AGAINST MI. & FL. FIRST CAME INTO PLAY ABOUT 2 YR AGO, THE MAIN ONE IN EVERYONE'S EYES OF BEING THE "ONE" , DID NOT STATE ANY SUCH HOOPLA OF THIS DECISION OVER THIS MATTER & NOW,,,,WELL GUESS HOW STUPID YOU LOOK, HATE TO SAY IT, BUT GET A MIRROR, I'VE BEEN THERE MYSELF, TRUST ME I KNOW!!!!

Posted by: ACCOUNTABLE | May 15, 2008 4:44:38 PM

Eyes Wide Open: Great post. We need to keep our ears open for any and all organizations which will be sprouting up to assist in the defeat of Obama in November (should he be the nominee). For the sake of our children and our country, we must stop this fraud.

Posted by: Susan | May 15, 2008 4:39:06 PM

I beg to differ....If the shoe were on the other foot BO would be screaming racism if he needed the delegates and votes!!!
Florida and Michigan is the worst fiasco ever! I am so angry about it. That is the reason I changed from a Dem to independent and I will not vote for any MA. Dem in this election or any other.
The voters are pissed! Ma voted for Hillary in the Primary and the duffs reps here back OBAMA!
Florida and Mi. voted and then they do not get acknowledge.
So is the DNC going to poo poo them and still expect them to back their boy in the GE!??

Posted by: HP Boston | May 15, 2008 4:36:31 PM

This democratic party is NOT democratic.

It encourages its selected delegates and super-delegates to sell their votes to the highest bidder.

It is plausible that the DNC has sold
ITSELF to the highest bidder.

The DNC has disenfranchised two statesful of citizens from voting for their choice of nominee. Obviously, the DNC is higher than the Law of the Land... the Constitution!

The DNC is a bunch of fractured phonies
pushing the will of its wee minds onto the public. I will not be a part of it; If I cannot have the candidate I feel our country needs, I will take MY wee mind across the road and settle for someone who may not set my heart on fire and not accomplish very much. But he will not scar this country as much as Obama will.

I live in Illinois and have witnessed the questionable elections in which BoZo
has participated first hand.... from his beginnings as the "Emil Jones Kingpin" gifted with hijacked bills which had been initiated and struggled over by other state senators.

I have been here when he deposited monies which had supposedly been intended by Rezko to heat his broken down tenements and their freezing mostly black and latino tenants. This was done under his watch!

I have been here when Bozo took his trip to Kenya to visit his cousin Odinga just before his bloody battle to become prime minister. He ran under the credo of "Change Agent". Familiar?
Posters in this blog have threatened to riot and burn should Obama lose.....

Then, of course, Bush ran under the same rant:..... "CHANGE"....and look what THAT got us. (Why trade one BOzo in for another?

I hope that Hillary proves you all wrong but should she not, I will happily direct my feet to the republican side of the street!

Posted by: eyes wide open | May 15, 2008 4:28:27 PM

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING:

An Ohio-based group of Democratic Hillary Clinton supporters say they’ll work actively against Sen. Barack Obama if he becomes the nominee, arguing that Clinton has been the subject of “intense sexism” by party leaders and the media.

Led by Boomer-aged women, the group, Clinton Supporters Count Too, is holding a press conference in Columbus at noon to release this statement.

Organizers Cynthia Ruccia, 55, and Jamie Dixey, 57, both from the Columbus area, say they’re coordinating women, men, minorities, union members and others in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan – all important swing states next November – to impress upon Democratic party leaders what they think has been outright discrimination – and not of the racial kind.

“We have been vigilant against expressions of racism, and we are thrilled that the society has advanced that way” in accepting Obama as a serious candidate,” Ruccia said. “But it’s been open season on women, and we feel we need to stand up and make a statement about that, because it’s wrong.”

With growing calls for Clinton to leave the race, she said, women feel like “we’re being told to sit down, shut up, and get with the program.”

Posted by: Sally | May 15, 2008 4:27:50 PM

Fred, naive grasshoppa you.

Haven't you realized that nothing cynical has worked against Obama?

Just ask the Repugnicans who lost the House seats in Louisiana and Mississippi.

You'll soon be getting the message in November. By then, your knuckles will be down to the bone from dragging them thinking rhetoric will stop YES WE CAN.

Repeat after me........NO YOU CAN'T

YES WE CAN!

Posted by: Common Sense | May 15, 2008 4:08:57 PM

Barnum and Bailey are looking for some good clowns.

Clinton Cynics would be my first choice.

Hey, maybe Clinton can start a new organization.

CCFC.

Cynical Clowns For Clinton.
Top Billing!

Posted by: Common Sense | May 15, 2008 4:02:58 PM

Common Sense said: So what? There are 30% of Republicans that support Obama. I haven't started counting Independents yet.

YOU MUST BE SMOKIN' SOMETHING. Do you really believe that 30% of the Republicans will vote for the most liberal Senator in Congress, with his racist and anti-American "mentor and spiritual adviser," and his William "the bomb" Ayers friend? You have got to be kidding :) See you all in November . . .

Posted by: Note to Delusional | May 15, 2008 3:59:32 PM

Reader in Ga.:

Look, you have missed the part in which Mr. O said he'd gone to "57 States" but still had to visit Alaska and Hawaii. Florida and Michigan are NOT among the 57 states. They do NOT count. Using his words, those voters can go and ---- themselves if they want to. It's not HIS problem.

I say: if you don't like him, don't vote for him in the GE if he makes it. Vote for McCain. Of course Dems will be fools if he is nominated.

Posted by: Brent | May 15, 2008 3:44:48 PM

Mariann Pepitone:

Given that I have been college educated and am not backwoods as you had alluded to, I am fully aware Obama is mulatto; however, it is the black voters within the US that are not aware of this. Obama is more white than he is black, culturally speaking, given that he was raised in Hawaii by his Caucasian mother and grand-mother.
It took him marrying an affluent African-American woman in the US who prompted him to attend the African liberation church in order to identify with his black brothers and their history and struggle within this nation.
Now I have nothing against one getting in touch with their roots...but his roots are not here they are in Africa where his father and ancestors originated from. His mother is American....this makes Obama African-American (American Caucasian mother/African father)....
In his books he has claimed to be African-American.
Before you defend your candidate for what you deem as an insult...you need to do your own research! Obama could have claimed either culture he wanted to. He claimed to be African-American and is proud of it as he should be. That is who he touts to be, so that is who he is.
That is not up for argument or debate.

I again reiterate that in the past African-American men....many of whom had been born with mixed blood from mixed cultures earned (through blood, sweat, and tears) the right to vote within the US before women....African-American or Caucasian.
This also is the truth...not up for argument or debate.

If history serves this is the natural process of events...an African-American man before any female will earn the right for the office of presidency.

These are the facts.

Posted by: MJW | May 15, 2008 3:42:16 PM

Sally,

So what? There are 30% of Republicans that support Obama. I haven't started counting Independents yet.

You're washed out. It's best you stay home.

Supporting McCan't is like supporting Clinton. Another loss no matter what you say what you're GOING TO DO!

Accept the inevitable sweetie.

Posted by: Common Sense | May 15, 2008 3:38:50 PM

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS - TAKE NOTICE

-----------ROE v. WADE-----------

Two of the current justices of the United States Supreme Court will probably retire within the next four years. One is 75 and the other is 84. This will give the new president the ability to nominate two new justices. If McCain is elected you can be sure the new justices will be just like Roberts, Scalia and Thomas: willing to overturn ROE v. WADE. So think when you vote!!!

Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 3:38:22 PM

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