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Mark Penn Says Hillary Clinton's Problem Was Money -- Even Though She Raised More Than $225 Million
June 08, 2008 5:30 PM
The New York Times Op-Ed page called in a number of political coroners to perform their own autopsies on Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Each has a point to make. Time's Mark Halperin and Politico's John Harris point to Clinton's loss of African-American support while Radar's Ana Marie Cox examines how Clinton may have done in by her own embrace of what Richard Hofstadter called the "paranoid style of American politics."
The University of Pennsylvania's Kathleen Hall Jamieson says Clinton could never get past her vote to authorize use of force against Iraq, the New Republic's Michelle Cottle sees significance in Clinton's wormy debate answer on then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer's doomed proposal to give drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants, while the two Republicans whose opinions were solicited -- former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Rep. Heather Wilson, R-NM -- saw sexism from the media and from superdelegates, respectively.
Only one actual member of the Clinton campaign took time out from his schedule to write something for the Times -- controversial consultant Mark Penn, who alone cited money as the reason Clinton lost.
"The Problem Wasn't the Message -- It Was the Money," wrote the man whose task was the message. While everyone loves to talk about the message, campaigns are equally about money and organization. Having raised more than $100 million in 2007, the Clinton campaign found itself without adequate money at the beginning of 2008, and without organizations in a lot of states as a result. Given her successes in high-turnout primary elections and defeats in low-turnout caucuses, that simple fact may just have had a lot more to do with who won than anyone imagines."
Let's just take a moment, however, to visit the facts on that one. Because when the books about this campaign are written, they should make clear that while Clinton's campaign spent money often unwisely, it never had any problem raising cash.
History will record that the Clinton campaign raised more than $225 million for her campaign -- and more than $200 million of that was for the primary.
Clinton fundraisers took in more than $100 million in the first five months of 2008 -- essentially matching what they raised in all of 2007.
The Clinton campaign had $50 in the bank as of Oct. 1, 2007, and $35 million in the bank as of Dec. 31, 2007.
Right before the Iowa caucuses, Penn told the Clintons that he was positive she was going to win, a high-level Clinton campaign source tells me. And he told them turnout wouldn't exceed 150,000 (it was more than 230,000 at the end of the day.)
Obama raised more than Clinton, no question. But Clinton's problem was not "the money." The money was there. How it was spent, and what it was spent on -- including some high-priced consultants -- well, that's another issue.
- jpt
June 8, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary | Permalink | Share | User Comments (199)
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Rhbate:
Spying & Fourth Amendment: The Fourth Amendment states:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
American citizens are protected against "unreasonable" searches and seizures. It does not say "all" searches and seizures. Therefore, this amendment implies that there is a such a thing as a reasonable search and a reasonable seizure that does not require a warrant. What could be more reasonable than to search and seize communications between the enemy abroad and anyone here at home?
The Judiciary (specifically the U. S. Supreme Court): The U. S. Supreme Court did not elect George W. Bush President in 2000. The people of Florida did. The Florida State Supreme Court attempted to change the election rules and law. The U. S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the Florida State Supreme Court errored when it allowed different methods for counting the chads. The U. S. Supreme Court also ruled that the Florida State Supreme Court could not change the Florida law regarding the date for certifying the election. Since the state was not going to be able to complete a full-state recount in time, the ruling meant that the recount had to be terminated. Had VP Al Gore requested the full-state recount from the very beginning, we could have had an official recount. Instead, VP Al Gore chose chose to cherry-pick a handful of counties that were overwhelmingly Democratic. Finally, several organizations did complete the full-state recount and determined that George W. Bush ended up with more votes.
Torture: The United States official policy does not condone torture. However, the President of the United States has the authority grant exceptions for extra ordinary circumstances. Waterboarding was performed on THREE of the detainees. And information critical in the governments efforts to understand the inner-workings of al Qaeda and preventing further attacks was obtained through this procedure. It is ironic that the anti-war protesters waterboard hundreds of individuals during nearly every anti-war demonstration.
Posted by: James Danley | Jun 10, 2008 2:49:44 PM
Hillary's campaign is now over 32 million in debt. Many of the people she owes are caterers, small vendors, photographers, event promoters, etc. These are the small people, the "HARD WORKING AMERICANS-her core constituents". I just wonder if she going to stiff them. She has a ton of money; if she wanted, she could pay it out of her own money and still have a fortune left over.
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 8:00:03 PM
Do you want the President of the United States of America wanting to destroy White America? HOW is THAT going to unify the country?
_____________________
Nothing of what you write is attributable to Obama. I think this is what is known as guilt be association. You conclusion that Obama wants to destroy white America is pure demagoguery.
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 6:36:00 PM
Do you want the President of the United States of America wanting to destroy White America? HOW is THAT going to unify the country?
_____________________
Nothing of what you right is attributable to Obama. I think this is what is known as guilt be association. You conclusion that Obama wants to destroy white America is pure demagoguery.
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 5:58:56 PM
rhbate, a "plan" is worthless if you can't get it done because you operate with a sledgehammer...hummm?? think maybe that's why she couldn't get healthcare appoved when Billy was in office??
Hope is what you have when many are inspired to do something....using skill, intellect and diploymacy.
__________________
I totally agree!
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 5:55:10 PM
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 5:45:18 PM
rhbate, a "plan" is worthless if you can't get it done because you operate with a sledgehammer...hummm?? think maybe that's why she couldn't get healthcare appoved when Billy was in office??
Hope is what you have when many are inspired to do something....using skill, intellect and diploymacy.
Posted by: Shar | Jun 9, 2008 5:52:05 PM
Hope is what you have when you don't have a plan.
Posted by: len | Jun 9, 2008 10:54:34 AM
____________________
Hillary had great plans!
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 5:45:18 PM
Posted by: James Danley | Jun 9, 2008 5:05:40 PM
Our unemployment rate will soon be above 7% if things continue as they are now going.
I live in Los Angeles and I pay $4.69 for gas now and is on the way up. It's kinda weird: As McCain said, we invaded Iraq for oil. Since then, oil has gone from $29.00 a barrel to $129.00 a barrel.
I have no idea what you mean by Iran invading Iran. Sounds idiotic to me.
Would love to live in a country that does not send it jobs and technical expertise overseas.
Would love a tax hike for those making more than $250,000. Most people pay a greater rate hike than these people.
Would love to travel the world without feeling compelled to hide my citizenship.
Would love to live in a country where we regain Habeas Corpus.
Would love to live in a country that does not spy on its own citizen.
Would love to live in a country whose government does not condone torture.
Would love to live a country where the Judiciary FOLLOWS the law, and does not elect president.
Would love to live in a country that respects the Constitution of the US, with particular respect to the Fourth Amendment restriction on illegal searches and seizures.
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 5:27:50 PM
Rhbate, Sen. McCain also said: "We will use the telegraph key, the carrier pigeon, and the pony," At least he remembers our history. Of course he ought to, he lived through it all!!!! Age does have it's advantages, you don't have to rely on text books filled with re-written history.
Posted by: James Danley | Jun 9, 2008 5:18:44 PM
Sorry, I meant Iraq invaded by Iran
Posted by: James Danley | Jun 9, 2008 5:08:30 PM
I think McCain is a little out of touch. Today he said he intends to campaign in all thirteen colonies.
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 5:08:27 PM
Rhbate, if you:
Like an unemployment rate of 7.0% or higher and the free market decimated;
Like pulling our troops out of Iraq in six months only to have the troops return to the Middle East within a two years;
Like paying $6-$8 per gallon of gasoline;
Like a massive tax hike for the wealthy, but also a huge tax hike for the lower to middle income earners when the current tax cuts are allowed to expire;
Can't wait for Iran to be invaded by Iran forcing our troops back into the Middle East after having just pulled them out;
Like protectionism;
Like the federal government no longer trying to intercept communications by the terrorists, and allowing them to plan their next series of attacks on the US unimpeded;
Like the Judicial Branch making laws (when the U.S. Constitution clearly states only the Legislative Branch has that authority);
Want the world to love America no matter the cost, sacrifice and consequences;
Then you will love Sen. Obama as President of the United States.
Posted by: James Danley | Jun 9, 2008 5:05:40 PM
Who are people putting their hard earned cash on (lower is better):
6:00p EDT
Bet On: Who will be the next president of the United States?
John McCain +130
Barack Obama -170
Vote on who will win the 2008 Presidential election. Any wagers placed after outcome becomes public knowledge will be no action. Singles Only. Max. $50.
Posted by: White Blue Collar Better | Jun 9, 2008 4:28:04 PM
Bill and his team (Penn) really fouled up Hillary's campaign. They thought they could Bill's junkyard dog style of politics against a fellow Democrat, and I am sure to their dismay it ended up being Obama who the public likes! Bill clearly didn't recognize it's not 1992. There were moments for HRC, such as the closing in the TX debate ... if she were like that who knows? But that's the thing, if you are not like "anything", if you constantly shift around to try and maximize the opinion voters have of you based on polls (come on we see everything now it just looks schizo) and most of all you can't control your campaign, no way should you be in charge of the country.
Posted by: Lanny Davis | Jun 9, 2008 4:24:01 PM
IF YOU LIKE THIS ECONOMY, LIKE THIS NEVER-ENDING WAR, LIKE PAYING HIGH GAS PRICES, LIKE THE TAX BREAKS FOR THE RICH, IF YOU CAN'T WAIT TO INVADE IRAN, IF YOU LIKE THE UNFAIR TRADE POLICIES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING OUR JOBS OVERSEAS, IF YOU LIKE THE LOSS OF THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS, IF YOU LIKE ILLEGAL WIRETAPS, IF YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE. IF YOU LIKE THE FACT THAT THE US IS ONE OF THE MOST REVILED NATIONS ON THE PLANET, THEN YOU'LL JUST LOVE McCAIN.
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 4:23:30 PM
JUST HEARD ON CNN:
JENNIFER FLOWERS AND PAULA JONES ARE COLLABORATING ON A BOOK ABOUT BILL. WOULDN'T THAT BE EXTRA "BAGGAGE" IF HILLARY WAS VP?
Posted by: rhbate | Jun 9, 2008 4:22:15 PM
I am not going to vote Obama. He certainly does not qualified to be my president.
Posted by: lindy | Jun 9, 2008 3:55:50 PM
Face it. Hillary's real disappointment is that she stayed with a man who cheated on her (even while she was home!) and continues to cheat...all so that she could one day be president. That is truly where that "grint" comes from...I'd be pissed too if I were her!
Posted by: shar | Jun 9, 2008 2:34:39 PM
I disagree with Penn about the money. During her comeback in March, she took Texas, Ohio, and Rhode Island having only about half the money at 30 million of the Obama campaign. It looks like her Achilles Heel was with the caucusing delegates, where Obama managed managed to upstage her. Some of that upstaging was highly manipulative, and some of it could simply be attributed to better and advanced preparation.
Posted by: katrina | Jun 9, 2008 2:22:55 PM
More than 55% of the democrats are women and still people claim that the sexism palyed a role in Hillary's loss. I guess it is just an excuse to whine. She lost inspite of her name recognistion because she is not liklable and has no real qualities to become a president.
Posted by: rosetee | Jun 9, 2008 1:39:47 PM
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