Caucuses favor the candidate who:

1) has likability; and/or
2) has the most committed supporters;
3) has superior organizational and management skill.

So Ya, Hillary does poorly at Caucuses. The way to overcome these deficiencies would to be Ready On Day One with a top notch organization plan.

But unfortunately, for Her, she was NOT Ready on DAY ONE.

So three strikes of Hillary.

And this is the Top Story?!?! Come on ABC, this is another attempt to make the Clinton's look bad!!

Hillary '08

In all of this ruckus, I worry most that the Clintons are out not only to destroy their opponent, but the United States Constitution as well.
All of the primary process was proscribed to each candidate at the beginning of the campaign, each candidate signed papers pledging to support the system.
Anything else is more like the Soviet Union or a banana republic - NOT what the citizens of the United States want or deserve!!!

and for the people who dont have kids,dont work swing or graveyard,dont have any disabilities and can afford 3 to 6 hours for the process and then to be bullied,horsepuckey.you call that representing the people ,i call it disenfranchisement of a sizable number of people and all you have to do to see it is look at texas 1,100,000 less voters took part in the caucus than the primary and yet its fair,go join chavez in south america you will fit right in

Really commander guy. I see it like this---caucuses are undemocratic and favor the very politically active and those with lots of time on their hands and the ability to drive lengthy distances. Those hampered by this process include working democrats and the poor, the base of the party. Also, explain voting irregularities, such as cheating and bullying to Texas voters, either side doing such...not fair.

Caucuses are tough for Hillary because:

She is not Likable;
Her support is broad but not DEEP; and
She has POOR organizational and management skills.

Caucuses are undemocratic. Only people who have the time and the money to show up. Primaries are all day so that everyone has a chance to vote. They need to be eliminated. One American - one vote. The one with the most votes wins all the delegates. Get rid of this old time system.

SO CHANGE THE PROCESS THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE, THEY HAD CAUCUSES WHEN BILL RAN FOR PRESIDENT TALKING ABOUT THEM NOW IS POINTLESS,UNLESS YOU ARE A CLINTON AND WANT TO CHANGE THE PROCESS IN THE MIDDLE OF PRIMARY SEASON, PLEASE!

I am so glad to see former President Bill Clinton raising questions regarding the caucuses! Caucuses are undemocratic as they favor the young, affluent and able-bodied voter, the voter who does not work the night shift, the voter who can afford childcare so they can spend hours standing around waiting to be counted for their candidate. It is extremely difficult for the elderly, the disabled and working class folks to participate. Caucuses are also ripe for voter fraud and we saw plenty of that here in Texas on March 4th. Primaries with early voting option are the most democratic way to choose a candidate. Caucuses need to be eliminated in the interest of democracy in this country!

Commander guy... I have taken statistics and studied validity in testing...the caucus process would have "control" problems; whereas, the primary is conducted in an organized, convenient, controlled fashion or much more "unbiased" fashion. I am not saying the primary is perfect, but it is much closer to perfect than the caucus and the primary is the same style of voting that will be in the general election. That is why the caucuses are always so skewed, they are not truly representative.

Let's be honest. Caucuses are not very Democratic at all. They do exclude too many people.

I am sure though that the Clintons did not compete in the Caucuses over any undemocratic process, but because they thought their big state approach would work

It's spilled milk for the Clintons, and wonder if anyone has ever tried to get these states to change their process. Year after year I see that the IA caucuses are well attended by every politician, fully a year before they even beigin. It is process that seems to supported by all Canidates, seanson after season. They have nothing to cry about, for all their political strength, they let it lie.

It seems that the Democratic Party has a number of primary election issues that need to be addressed nationaly

Obama will make history if he is chosen as the nominee without winning OH/PA/NJ/NY/FL/CA

The reason a lot of people are concerned about the caucus process is that democrats may very well pick a candidate based on this faulty process. The reason a lot of democrats are complaining now, is because at least in my lifetime, this faulty process has never had so much relevance.

Obama wants to keep Florida and Michigan out which in terms of population is equal to keeping 20 states out ( like Arkansas, Kansas, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, WEst Virginia, Nebraska, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South Dakota, Alaska, North Dakota, Vermont, Washington DC and Wyoming). My 10 year old did the math and told me so
Shame on Obama and to the democratic party for RIGGING the elections and not letting FLORIDA and MICHIGAN count.

BILL: PRAISING MCCAIN.
Bill go find something else to do.

Time for Hilary to throw in the towel. She is out of her depth. I hope dems rally behind Obama though.

annon say "the primary is conducted in an organized, convenient, controlled fashion or much more "unbiased" fashion."

Well maybe but ....

There are no butterfly ballots, no troublesome touch screens, no disappearing electronic votes, no diabolical diebolds, no hanging chads, pregnant chads, swinging chads, etc and no kathleen harris.

The rules are the rules and the Clintons knew the rules.....they were just underprepared.

I hope if there is one thing we learned from this mess is that caucuses are undemocratic and should be gone. Primaries should be private, closed and all held during the same week. This has been a sham and too dragged out. With all that money, we could have brought down some of our debt.

A lot of Clinton supporters may have had to work or were too old to drive great distances, etc to participate in a lengthy caucus process... their votes aren't important? It is a legitimate argument, and one the news basically ignores. It may not seem that interesting but it is extremely relevant.

The Clintons will not stop fighting until Obama is elected the Democrat Presidential candidate.

Caucuses have been around for almost 300 years....And were popularized by the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party pushed the caucus system west as the country was settled.

If you don't like the system, change it for the next time around.

Changing the rules after the fact ain't cutting it.

If you live in a caucus state, contact your state party and lobby for a change. Otherwise, political parties are free to set up their own nomination process.

Bill Clinton had no problem with caucuses when he won them.

It is very difficult for Bill Clinton to see the writing on the wall, he is emotional and believes that he and his wife are entitled to the presidency. It is really time to stop the internal infights and give to Obama his due. Period.God bless America, God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Actually Commander Guy, I think the disabled folks in caucus states should bring lawsuits against their political parties. I suspect many would be successful getting them eliminated as one could easily argue that caucuses violate the ADA.

Suzanne

ADA? How so?

Actually I find it amazing that we are even talking about this. A few months ago I thought that Hillary had this sewed up, had she, noone would have any problem with the process at all.

Oh well I guess we weren't ready from day 1

Suzanne, the caucus is a democratic process which was used for many years. If Hilalry is not winning them that is not mean that they are antidemocratic. Let us avoid duminishing a win of the over side. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Yep - Thinking.

Hillary was/is unprepared.

Just like she thought she could use the phony Bosnian Adventure tale to embellish her resume. She was not prepared for the internets exposing the b s.

People with disabilities have a much more difficult time participating in a caucus. I saw this myself here in Texas where at our precinct we had an elderly disabled woman who was also suffering from bladder cancer. Our caucus went on for many hours and she could not stay to participate in the process. I was amazed she even attempted to come out at all, but she did have an attendant helping her. It was truly heartbreaking to see her leave, but physically she just could not stay. Poor and disabled would not likely be able to come out at all. This is a real problem for a significant proportion of the electorate. Through no fault of their own, they are unable to participate in our democracy.

What a MISLEADING HEADLINE, ABC!!!

I didn't think you were in the tank for Obama like NBC is (the National Barack Channel)....

Bill Clinton was discussing his wife's chances of winning the Texas caucuses, not lamenting about caucuses!!!

Obama/Rezko '08: "Change without experience"

Do the Clintons lie? Only when their lips are moving. Bill Clinton’s lying has led to his conviction for lying to a federal grand jury and obstruction of justice. As a result, he was stripped of his right to practice law.

Hillary is another story. In addition to dodging quite a number of bullets from imaginary snipers. (I think at least one real bullet hit her in the brain and produced a very fertile imagination.} She has lied about being instrumental in the North Ireland peace process. Lord Trimble, who won a Noble Peace Prize, called that assertion: “a wee bit silly) She also lied about being responsible for SCHIP, that was not the memory of the one who really was responsible for its passage. Sen. Dodd. The bottom line is: what you have are two professional liars who will stop at nothing to get what they want. These two people are complete strangers to the truth.

Suzanne

OK. A sad situation. Agreed. But ADA?

So you have a mission. Work from within the party to change the rules.

Yeah.

Whether you are an Obama fan or a Clinton fan , you should admit the truth.

Obama won those caucus's fair and square. No whining about it now.

But in the future, they SHOULD have 50 primaries. Caucus's do not give everyone a chance to vote except this thin slice of hours.

There are no primaries in the general election so its not an accurate assement of the vote in that state.

For 2012 lets do away with caucus's.

Have RALLIES on the day of the vote for young people and newcomers, then they can all go together to vote in the primary.

Those pesky little caucus things, that just happen to be one of the oldest and most pure forms of democracy in America. Yeah they are a problem for candidates who rely on modern mass media commercials, party connections, and TV sound bites.

hillary clinton winning the nomination will bring the republicans out like no other candidate.
And even worse than that....the majority of Obama supporters will either stay home or will vote for McCain. So the dems lose either way. I say good for them, I wonder if they'll learn anything from all this mess.

And bill clinton needs to just go away. I am oh so sick of him!

BKMC, tell that to the elderly, infirm, disabled, and working poor folks who could not participate in the process. Just because the system has been around for a long time doesn't mean it isn't seriously flawed.

There is also this nonsense notion that the AMERICAN PEOPLE decide who the Republican and Democratic nominee is.

Both of these parties are PRIVATE parties. There is no consitutional right to vote in a caucus or primary.

Caucus's are designed to DRUMM up support from newcomers , and cut down on costs, in states with few voters.

If you havent noticed, sparsley populated and states admitted to the union later have causus's. All the established older states have primaries.

They should have primaries , as there are primarires in the general election.

To drum up support, they should hold RALLIES on the day of the primary or the day before to sign up people to the party. They can then vote in private ballot on the spot to boot in the primary .

In other words. Caucus all day everywhere if you want. Just private vote and held all day so everyone can go.

Its funny how the system is now flawed because hillary is in danger of going back to her duties in the senate...

I'm sure there are a few more buildings that need to be named.

55 states and territories make their own election rules -- to suit themselves and their dominant political parties. You want to change the rules? You will have to do so state by state.

Fair? Politics isn't into fair; it's about winning power politically, which historically has been done through two major political parties. And caucuses are indeed about whose got the stomach to stand up, wear down the other side, and win on the long march. That's why they are so valuable -- they produce the hard core political light cavalry base. So if you're working the night shift, and if you can't take off four hours, then you ain't prime for the political trenches of door belling and phoning and like that.

The Clinton's and their cadre have consistently tried --and often succeeded -- to tailor perspectives to suit their ends. And that's fine. But in the end this process makes only one kind of sausage, a count-one delegate. Some are locked up (by state and Party rules) and some can do whatever they want whenever they want to. There is a single number the winner has to beat in the total final count. It doesn't look like the primaries and caucuses can produce the necessary number. So it falls to the Party leaders who have voted with their lives to decide what's their best shot for November and for the Post-Reagan era ahead. "Fair," as Mr. Bill can tell is for whiners. It's bare knuckles and hard ball now, which is historically how the Democratic Party has handled its affairs before Gov. Bill yupped them up with his Leadership Group. I personally don't think the Clinton's are going to do too well when the doors of the now smoke-free rooms close. Outa sight with the party elders where Sen. Clinton's anger and Pres. Clinton's swagger will be ineffective tools, the Supers are going to see Obama perform as the kind of end-game political master we need as President and they need as the leader of their Party.

The Clinton's made one big mistake which they are incapable of seeing: They think nobody is better at this game than they are. But Obama really is, and has built his own grassroots, coast-to-coast political machine in this process. The Clinton's and the press think he's a nice guy chump. But he's going to do them the Chicago way, love 'em to death.

Caucuses are weird and undemocratic. They also seem to only occur in states that are reliably republican. They are not an indicator of general support; particularly in a year where many Democrats went into the primary season already strongly committed to one of the candidates. I've voted in every primary election in my state. Short of being related by blood to my preferred candidate I can't imagine spending a couple of hours in a noisy hall, being herded to one side of the room and being held hostage while upscale yuppies go on and on about their SUV's, nannies and their McMansions and a bunch of college students stage a loud rally.

If you don't like the caucuses work to change the system for the next time.

Otherwise, it's like an old Mark Twain quote:

Everyone complains about the weather but nobody does a darn thing about it.

When McCain is elected President no one will even remember Obama existed.

valenti "They also seem to only occur in states that are reliably republican."

These things ain't new. They were pushed west by the Democratic Party.... you know old time populism. What about the Washington State? It is about as liberal as they go. It was know a the soviet of Washington in the Old days.

You don't like the caucus? Or is it that you don't like the fact that Hillary got the thumpin?

When will "THE CLINTON'S " learn that most of America is fed up with them and "THE BUSH'S"?? We are tired of the same old same old.And I am also tired of "Bill" pointing and waving his finger in a menacing way--like we are a bunch of school children."BILL"--your scare tacit's won't work any more. You and Hillary are both toast--at least in Texas.

annon say: "my husband has a particularly important case representing the little guy against "the man" ....I still think caucuses are unfair...."

This is exactly why the caucus system spread. Populism and the little guy getting screwed.

Obamas' website: To caucus "you don't need ID."

Unlike the posters here, I actually participated in the Texas caucus. There were thousands and thousands of working poor, parents, disabled and elderly who cared enough to participate. Both campaigns went to great lengths to make sure their supporters got to the precinct conventions (that's what we call them here). Just about the only people who didn't show up were the republican rushbots voting for "chaos" (and they've gotten it, haven't they?). The only difference, Obama supporters were urged to cooperate, Clinton supporters were instructed to "challenge every step of the process". Believe me, Hillary supporters were there, en mass & meaner than hell. They wrung out every single vote they could. They had the same opportunity - there just weren't as many REAL hillary supporters. What should be questioned is the the primary results. If you don't believe me, just call up the Texas Democratic Party or the Dallas Morning News (or any of the other major newspapers down here) & they'll tell you the same thing I'm telling you.

if hillary was winning the caucuses it would not even be an issue. now she want to change the rules after 200 year and her husband was help by them when he won, it was not a problem then. oh these clintons are lousy role model of americans

Dismissing the needs of the disabled is un-American.

Caucuses can be stacked with people who one candidate knows will vote for them. The elderly, night workers, could not vote in the caucuses. How many of the Obama votes in the Red States were cast by Republicans who wanted him to win so they could put him under in the general election?

If the Democratic party doesn't change the primaries to something that is equal and allows all people to vote, I for one will not continue to be democrat. They have made it so complicated, one can't count who got what. Hillary won the big states but got very little of the delegates. I think in Nevada she won but Obama got 1 more delegate than she. What is fair about that?

In the caucauses, they wrote a name down on a piece of paper and stuffed it in a box, how can one be sure it was all on the up and up? Who was in charge of those boxes?

I think all the heads of the Democratic party should hand in their badge and who ever thought up this complicated way of voting, should be ashamed.

I think Mich. and Florida should take their case to the Supreme Court. They should be made to have a do over. The Democratic Party should have to pay for it since they are the people who have deprived millions of Americans their right to vote. Of course, Obama, the candidate for change, would not agree to it but he shouldn't have a say. He has gotten his votes by omission of his past.

Hillary is just not likable.

People are not gonna caucus for her in big numbers. Sad. True. Life goes on.

"Obamas' website: To caucus "you don't need ID."
Just curious, where was this? This was absolutely UNTRUE here in Texas. We were told we would be required to present the same form of identification at the caucus that we used to vote in the Primary.

You can't change the rules after you have played your cards and lost.

Clinton is right about one thing, they are losing. They have to stop whining and go away.

A caucus is undemocratic as it does not accurately represent the electorate. Obama, the CaucusKing, who has his delegate lead from the caucuses, will fail in the GE. His strategy worked for getting ahead in the delegate math but the point is to nominate the strongest candidate. His wins are more a reflection of the flaws in the nominating system than an assessment of his electability.

Caucases aren't killing us. Bill, Hillary, and CNN are. OBAMA '08

Caucus states are pretty stupid anyway. It would be better if every state had a primary on the same day then all this would be over with already.

Kelly

I'd be better if everyone got free ice cream, too.

Hillary was not ready one day one.

She got beat.

lets change the rule have all caucuses and no primaries how would hillary and bill like that. only let's do it in 2012 because the rule in 2008 were already known by all candidates and can not be changed just to benefit the clintons

I am a democrat and support Hillary, in fact, I could support almost any reasonable democratic candidate. What I do not understand though is why do so many Obama supporters have such a fanatic attitude. Honestly, it scares me. I get scared of any type of extremists...y'all seem to get so angry when anyone criticizes Barack or does not agree with you. Reasonable minds can and will disagree, some of us people who are a little older, might have some wisdom to convey...Clinton's years were excellent overall for the country...I suspect Hillary Clinton could be an excellent president as well.

texasdemocrat: I susupect that a large number of the oBama supporters are bashing Hillary Clinton because they are really republicans who will vote for Mccain in the fall. Let's face it. He will be a pretty easy opponent. That's why she won the typical blue states.

Supplysiders, creationists, global warming deniers and Clintonites all got something in common.

Facts s u x .

The numbers are what they are. You can't change them after the fact to suit your needs.

Amen Commander...the fairest best way would be just to make one American one vote. Too simple for politicians---they like everything cloudy, expensive, hard to understand, and very corrupt so they will keep the caucases.

Alison: Are you saying that Clinton, Dodd and Kucinich were on the ballot in Michigan?

Hillary'S poll numbers will drop like a rock in water when her and bills tax returns become public record supposely on the 15 she said, but they will lie and release them after the pa. primary mark my word on that one

Go Obama we are glad to know that you are still being tough. Let the Clintons continue to bew mean. God will take ccare of the one who wait upon him. BE OF GOOD COURAGE WAIT ON THE LORD. I pray daily for Obama and his campaign. I just feel that they need prayer. God is the impossible God.

Kelly

Hillary's Approval rating (35 years of experience aside) is 37%.

She's gonna catch bush sooner or later.

Sad. True.

Yep...

The Caucuses sure are Killing Bill and Hillary

Meanwhile, the idiotic war Hillary created with George Bush is KILLING 4000 americans, maiming tens of thousands, and KILLING over 100,000 Iraqis.

She can't lead. She seemingly can't even tell the truth. Maybe the PTSD from all that sniper fire is finally getting to her.

Kelly.. you could be right, I am thinking that some of these people are not individuals at all because they just say a bunch of rhetoric. I was an adult in the Bill Clinton years and they were excellent years for me as well as most of the country. What is so terrible really about Hillary?? Really I think criticism is healthy but at least remember history somewhat accurately...overall though I thank God for freedom of speech, and I worry that the Obama camp is so dictator-like when criticized.

Kelly

How can you be so unconditionally supportive of Bill42's Wife.

I cannot beleive that so many people have their feeling hurt because a politician lied. Does anybody remeber Jimmy Carter? He couldn't lie his way out of a wet paper bag. He couldn't get elected twice either. He was not a good politician. Do you want a nice guy to represent you to russia or someone who is going to bring out the knives behind closed doors. That alone is why Hillary clinto will win.

you could throw a dart in the 1990's and hit a good stock I made A LOT OF MONEY in the 1990's I think we can do it again. These people are probably ###### cause they didn't get any of it....

Ha, Kelly

Good argument for supporting HRC-- we need a really good liar and fabricator in the the White House. Someone deeply deceptive to manage the economy and deal with foreign policy. And after Bush, HRC is the cream of that crop, my friend.

Commanader Guy:

I am not unconditionally supportive of Hillary clinton. I know why I am voting for her. Do you know why you are not

It a right wing conspiracy

That doesn't answer my question.

I think we need to give Clintons chance or a way to win it. America needs stability to fight terrorists and iraquis, better if we having same familiys ruling, sort of like the king and queen of englund rules for 100s of years. Bush and clinton like american royality. Vote fro them!

All Barack Obama supporters, please focus on campaigning against John McCain. He is our opponent. And he is already defeated.

Please pass it on....

Why is the Clinton campaign calling the Obama caucus people in Texas? Why are they trying to disrupt the process?

Well, Hillary lied about Bosnia.

She'll try to cheat her way into the White House...or get her 20 donors to bully a senator.

How low will she go?

Kelly say: "I cannot beleive that so many people have their feeling hurt because a politician lied. "

Finally a Hillary Fan admits that Hillary's sole claim to fame is her familarity with the dark arts of politics.

She does not have policy experience (sinbad) but she knows all about how to kneecap an opponent and how to skillfully lie without missing a moment of sleep.

Apart from her lips moving, you can tell when she's lying by the vapid expression on her face. She gotta work on that.

But this is her experience. And she got it.

All you Hillary Fans should be proud of how easily Hillary Lies.

This is why you support her, is it not?

Let me fill you in then because Obama has told a few whoppers himself.

Like claiming to be a law professor when all he does is lecture. That's a lie.

Like claiming to have learned a foreign language in six months that was a lie.

Politicians all lie. It really isn't worth my time to quote every lie Obam has told. Because they don't mean anything. Obama supporters are biting on anything they can becasue he is over all unelectable. Stay with me and let me explain why.

Who are the people in here anyway? Some of you sound real with a real point and some just write these huge diatribes. I mean come on either you are overzealous or phony baloney. The truth is in Texas we had two different results, where Clinton won the primary and Obama the caucus--it does not add up. I am going to sleep, have fun with your ten page essays and calling people names.

Sinbad actually admitted that the trip to bosnia did have significan diplomatic success and served it's purpose.

Now why Obama is unelectable.

Bill must be exhausted moving those goal posts every few days.

Let's see...

Attack the messenger, change the rules, move the goal posts, lie, blackmail the Superdelegates, threaten the DNC, hide your records, delay your taxes, play the race card, rewrite history, cry, scare old people, bribe voters, manipulate war votes, nuts and sluts, and James Carville.

The definition of a con artist is someone who can perfectly imitate the actions of on honest person.

C'mon, Pennslyvania... wise up.

First