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It's Not Over...

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March 22, 2008 3:08 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow and Eloise Harper report:  It’s not over.

That’s the message out of the Clinton campaign today.

On a conference call with reporters Saturday, campaign aides responded to an article posted on politico.com that states that “Hillary Rodham Clinton has virtually no chance of winning” the nomination.

The article also quotes an anonymous “important Clinton adviser” as saying privately that Clinton has no more than a ten percent chance of winning her race against Barack Obama.

“Sen. Clinton has been counted out many times in this campaign,” said communications director Howard Wolfson.  “The press has on several occasions decided the campaign was over, Sen. Clinton was through.  And each time voters decided ... the campaign was not over.”

Wolfson said he had no idea who the unnamed “important Clinton advisor” was, but said that the ten percent comment did not reflect sentiment within the campaign.

“There are ten states yet to come. We have millions more Americans who are going to weigh in and express their preferences,” he said.

Wolfson argued that Clinton would do well in Pennsylvania and emerge from a victory there with momentum going into the remaining contests.  He said strong online fundraising was proof that Clinton’s supporters “do not want this race to end.”

“Obviously, we have to do well,” he said.  “There’s no question about that.”

He also said that one of the reasons the Obama campaign has reacted with negative attacks since losing in Texas and Ohio was because “they expected it to be over on March 5th and were stunned” when it wasn’t.

“If they thought this race was over, they wouldn’t be excoriating Sen. Clinton daily in personal terms,” Wolfson added.

Indeed, much of the conference call was devoted to scolding the Obama campaign for being negative.

It’s not that the Clinton campaign is claiming they haven’t been negative in their attacks on Obama.  They seemed to concede that they, too, have launched negative attacks.  But they contend that Obama promised his supporters something different, a better kind of politics, and in their view, he isn’t keeping his word.

Specifically, the Clinton campaign is complaining about a conference call the Obama campaign held on Friday in which they charged that Clinton is untrustworthy and has a “character gap” and a “perceived honesty gap.”

“I would invite the Obama campaign to play the tape of their call yesterday at all of their rallies in which Sen. Obama comes out and talks to his supporters about the need to change the tone in our politics and the need to elevate the discussion in our politics,” Wolfson said. “I think their supporters would be very surprised that this is the kind of campaign they’re running.”

Senator and President Clinton have both taken a short break from the campaign trail this weekend.  Neither will be campaigning today or tomorrow.

“She is, I’m sure, gonna be on the phone with staff today,” said Wolfson.  “I doubt she’ll do a lot of that tomorrow. But she’s primarily taking a couple of days around the Easter holiday down with her family.”

Following her mother’s victories in Ohio and Texas earlier this month, Chelsea Clinton took a break from the trail, as well, and has been catching up at work at her hedge fund job in New York City.

March 22, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (819)

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McCain is a very moderate Republican, and many dems hate Obama. If Obama gets the nomination, many will jump over the republican side this year.

Posted by: creature4444 | Mar 22, 2008 4:15:49 PM

Oh it's over LOL BUT Penn and Wolfson don't want that BIG paycheck to go away any sooner than it will so they keep telling HIllary what she wants to hear....and since she stays away from the internet her information comes via those 2. So keep on sending money to the Clinton machine I am sure those 2 appreciate it. As for what happens to what is left of Clintons reputation when this is over? Maybe then someone who cares will have the decency to tell her.
The math just is not there for her and the Super Delegates are not going to go against the popular vote which she can no longer obtain.
With her papers coming out from her time in the WH and the facts differing greatly regarding her experience, her stand on NAFTA not standing up to the light of day and now her tax returns for the last 8 years are due in a couple of weeks...and trust me those won't be pretty...there was a reason she waited as long as she could to make those public.....it ain't happening but with the tempers both Clintons have, and any one who goes against them is now a judus, no one wants to tell her..and those who should be responsible? Penn and Wolfson are making toooooo much money to pull the chain and stop the train wreck.

Posted by: Brian | Mar 22, 2008 4:16:53 PM

Just how exactly does a mandated (as in if you don't pay you go to JAIL) health care plan that directs what care you can and can NOT get (think HMO's on steroids) on top of a war with Afghanistan, Iraq and IRAN, plus a new carbon tax, that taxes YOU and NOT big government subsidised corporate polluters (Not to mention China, India and all the other rapidly developing third world countries) supposed to be paid for with our crippling economy??? Any takers you big government DemoRepublicans??? Should we just print up some more money and cause more inflation? How about some more tax breaks for big corporations so they can offshore even more jobs overseas? Do you really think that anybody who was willing to change course in any meaningful way would be allowed to get this far? Then WHAT THE HELL are you arguing about. What's tribalism worth to you when your economic welfare is being collapsed around you. The next president will not matter and undoubtedly will not last but one term. Why these morons want to be holding the bag when we collapse speaks more to their ego than their empty pledges of public service. Why the hell would you spend 100 million dollars to get a job that pays 100 thousand. Just think about that for a while. It sure as hell isn't to "effect change."

Posted by: cba | Mar 22, 2008 4:16:59 PM

Hillary has every right to stay in the race. If Obama's candidacy implodes, with or without her help, she'll be on hand to pick up the pieces. There will be more twists and turns before the race is settled by the superdelegates, probably some time in June.

Posted by: lois | Mar 22, 2008 4:17:05 PM

This is all so petty. She lost the end. She's only holding on because 1/10 odds to be president is still better than 0. And there are no leaders with clout to tell her to quit. She's married to the only person who had the clout.

I think we should just play along with Clinton, but basically ignore her. Obama has won.

Posted by: Right on Day1 | Mar 22, 2008 4:17:13 PM

Why is no one telling Hussein that this is not over. The only way he will get 2025 is if Clinton drops out and the chance of that happening is nil.

So, Obamanians, do not count us out of this fight. Again, remember if Hussein is nominated, 50% of Hillary supporters will vote for the real American hero, John McCain.

Posted by: Jenny | Mar 22, 2008 4:18:13 PM

its not over by any means - obama
delegates are moving to Hillary as we
speak!

Posted by: bob | Mar 22, 2008 4:18:21 PM

People today is a very big day to continue fighting and saying bad things. It is one day before (Easter)I believe we should all tell obama and hillary to have a rest and a great Easter. May God forgive all of you for all the nesty remarks including me. Amen!

Posted by: gloria | Mar 22, 2008 4:19:32 PM

Not 1 delegate has gone from Obama to Hillary though 60 have gone from Hillary to Obama...those are the facts..try to get it right if your going to try to play with the adults.

Posted by: Brian | Mar 22, 2008 4:19:50 PM

Oh it's over LOL BUT Penn and Wolfson don't want that BIG paycheck to go away any sooner than it will so they keep telling HIllary what she wants to hear....and since she stays away from the internet her information comes via those 2. So keep on sending money to the Clinton machine I am sure those 2 appreciate it. As for what happens to what is left of Clintons reputation when this is over? Maybe then someone who cares will have the decency to tell her.
The math just is not there for her and the Super Delegates are not going to go against the popular vote which she can no longer obtain.
With her papers coming out from her time in the WH and the facts differing greatly regarding her experience, her stand on NAFTA not standing up to the light of day and now her tax returns for the last 8 years are due in a couple of weeks...and trust me those won't be pretty...there was a reason she waited as long as she could to make those public.....it ain't happening but with the tempers both Clintons have, and any one who goes against them is now a judus, no one wants to tell her..and those who should be responsible? Penn and Wolfson are making toooooo much money to pull the chain and stop the train wreck.

Posted by: Brian | Mar 22, 2008 4:20:26 PM

Right the Obama people are going to sit and let the Clinton machine run over them and run their mouths and spout lies and sit and take it? Get a life.

Posted by: Brian | Mar 22, 2008 4:21:24 PM

THANK GOD I DON’T VOTE UNTIL MAY (NC).

Had I already voted, I would be devastated! Until I learned the truth about Obama, I thought he might be a stand-up guy. The recent controversy with Obama’s lies and America learning of his 20-year relationship with his mentor, radical anti-American, Jeremiah Wright, could provide some SUPER-DELEGATES with a justification for “disregarding the will of the people”: THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT OBAMA’S LIABILITIES. I don’t think you can associate with anyone for 20 years and not be affected by his views and his sermons.

Obama lied about Pastor Wright, Farrakhan, the NAFTA Meeting, Exelon, Tony Rezko and William Ayers. What else is he hiding? He only told the truth AFTER he was caught.

If Hillary wins more pledged delegates and more popular votes from here until the convention but does not fully make up her pledged-delegate deficit (a very likely outcome), she can argue that the liability of Wright makes Obama unacceptable and that voters have shown that. It’s a shame two states will not be counted. Actually, it’s disgraceful! Hopefully, Obama’s lies won’t divide our country! He has already divided the Democratic Party. Hillary is the better candidate.

Posted by: 1proudamerican | Mar 22, 2008 4:24:16 PM

My stomach hurls when I hear Hillary speak. I abhore her and her husband and the Democrat Party.

But she will win the Dem nod. Barack`s days are numbered, not Hillary`s.

Posted by: Dave | Mar 22, 2008 4:24:21 PM

hey brian and jack51 denial is not a river in africa its you people thnking he can win in november,grow up look at the state polls and realize that with him we lose ohio minn and probably mass. so tell me how you win the presidency.

Posted by: don tufts | Mar 22, 2008 4:28:12 PM

Hillary will prevail. The problem is the news media that has been one-sided. She is not far behind from Obama, and, let's face it! If it it wasn't 90% of black support that Obama enjoys for his skin color, Hillary should have been ahead of him. Hillary does not get 90% of support from women nor whites. That's a strange to see in a democratic country like this, but that's the face. Who says there is no racial sentiment in this campaign? That person ought be out of mind or simply blind to the fact, that black support is one of main driver of Obama's campaign. No matter how crafty his campaign is to conceal that fact under such a beautiful rhetoric, you cannot deny the fact. Like, in those countries under development, American election seems to be driven by the news media rather than the candidates. It seems that the new media picked Obama for some reason for their own interests, and keep pushing him to be their candidate. Have you noticed how many many many more times Obama's face shows up on their news coverage than Clinton's? That itself is an unfair campaign and I think such unfair news coverage should be legally banned and punished. The news media should be mandated to cover both camps view on equal footage. Unfortunately, the stupid general public seems to be brainwashed by all these news media, especially CNN and Politico. Not sure if they were paid by Obama campaign, or received some promise to get a preferential treatment of some sort when Obama is eleceted as the President. Let's be wise and depend on our own judgment rather than paying attention to those biased and pre-calculated remarks and coverage from those news media.

Posted by: david | Mar 22, 2008 4:30:41 PM

I don't know how anyone can predict who will be the nominee since it's going to be up to the Super Delegets. And it's not Obama who has split the party. Hillary has a hand in it too. Regardless I will vote for either one since I don't want a Republican in the white house again

Posted by: maryland | Mar 22, 2008 4:30:45 PM

i wonder if it has occured to B.O supporters that more than half of this country is keeping Hillary in the race because we believe in her judgement and morals. No body is perfect and she is doing what every other American has the right to do -- pursue her dream. and for those Americans that like to bring up a personal marital matter that should be between husband and wife, you shouldnt be quick to cast stones because you are only scratching a healed wound hoping for an infection. each candidate should be judged on their morals and their passions to make the American dream for each of us closer to reality.

Posted by: American Dream | Mar 22, 2008 4:32:01 PM

obama is a liar/ a hypocrite
and arrogant and a world class
manipulator. PLeeeeeeeeeeez wake up America
- its our children and grandchildren we are talking about!

Posted by: bob | Mar 22, 2008 4:33:35 PM

jACKT51: hatred... racism... communism... twisted LIES and utter nonsense. You hit it dead on for the perfect description of Obama!!

He'll never get elected! The delegates are VERY aware of this. They are charged with selecting an ELECTABLE candidate. Obama's church is in DIRECT conflict with the goals of the Democratic party "Democrats are unwavering in our support of equal opportunity for all Americans." Obama is TOAST....


Posted by: barbie13607 | Mar 22, 2008 4:34:50 PM

Obama brought this on himself. He totally lost all credibility with his ‘denial’ of knowledge of Wright’s radical rants. He listened to Wright's remarks for 20 years and then lied about it to the American people. He only admitted it AFTER he got caught.

He has ties to too many shady characters (and terrorists). I remember 9-11---do you? I no longer trust or believe him.

I can't believe the DNC will not accept the votes of ALL Americans (Florida and Michigan). This is disgraceful!

Obama had divided the DNC and many delegates are going along with it. Call your members of Congress. Call your State Senators TODAY!


Posted by: 1proudamerican | Mar 22, 2008 4:36:36 PM

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