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Candidate Clinton to Richardson: 'Barack Obama Can't Win'
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ShareApril 02, 2008 7:39 PM
ABC News' George Stephanopoulos Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and former President Bill Clinton are making very direct arguments to Democratic superdelegates, starkly insisting Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., cannot win a general election against presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Sources with direct knowledge of the conversation between Sen. Clinton and Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., prior to the Governor's endorsement of Obama say she told him flatly, "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win."
Richardson, who served in President Clinton's cabinet, disagreed.
At a rally in Oregon, standing next to Obama, Richardson insisted, "My great affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver." But he added, "It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting among ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall."
Yet here's a wrinkle, from a source with direct knowledge of Richardson's conversations with the Clintons: Richardson himself told Sen. Clinton and former President Clinton that he didn't think Obama could win, back when he was (according to the Clintons) telling them earlier this year that he wouldn't endorse Obama.
"Too inexperienced," Richardson said, the source tells ABC News.
WATCH GEORGE'S FULL WORLD NEWS REPORT BY CLICKING HERE.
A report in the San Francisco Chronicle detailed another explosive exchange in which the former president angrily objected to Richardson's endorsement.
"Five times to my face [Richardson] said that he would never do that," Clinton said, according to the Chronicle -- before, the newspaper reports, he "went on a tirade that ran from the media's unfair treatment of Hillary to questions about the fairness of the votes in state caucuses that voted for Obama. It ended with him asking delegates to imagine what the reaction would be if Obama was trailing by just 1 percent and people were telling him to drop out."
Another, neutral superdelegate who was in the room for that meeting called the Chronicle's take "a bit exaggerated." But there is no question the Clintons are passionately arguing their case against Obama in what is fast becoming an intense race not just for the votes of the public but of the Democratic elite known as superdelegates.
For all the latest from the campaign trail, read The Note every day exclusively on ABCNews.com.
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April 2, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (530)
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The longer the super delegates let this circus go on, the more damage they do to their Party (who cares?) and the more electable they make John McCain, aka Bush Lite, McSame, Mr 100 more years of Fear, War and Debt.
Posted by: x32792 | Apr 2, 2008 10:14:04 PM
Hillary can't win either.
Hillary can't even win against Obama.
We have a colossal race of failures.
Politics is putrid.
Posted by: Nice Guy | Apr 2, 2008 10:14:16 PM
Those who vote for McCain must like military funerals.
Posted by: db | Apr 2, 2008 10:29:56 PM
Obama can't win? It's Hillary who can't win. Hillary is a household name and she can't get more than 45% among Democratic primary voters! If she can't win among Democrats, she sure can't beat McCain in the general. She may be a tough campaigner, but she's a weak candidate.
Posted by: Peter Cannady | Apr 2, 2008 10:30:29 PM
Between the 2 of them punching each other out, by November, might as well get used to saying "President John McCain"
Posted by: MFM | Apr 2, 2008 10:30:41 PM
Superdelagates....what a stupid idea!!
Posted by: Sophia | Apr 2, 2008 10:31:15 PM
This country deserves the person they elect for President. Look at how blindly this country voted for Bush and for his personality. The same holds true for Obama. When the excitement of his charisma wears out, it will be too late. Damaged is done.
Posted by: mary | Apr 2, 2008 10:31:15 PM
This country deserves the person they elect for President. Look at how blindly this country voted for Bush and for his personality. The same holds true for Obama. When the excitement of his charisma wears out, it will be too late. Damaged is done.
Posted by: mary | Apr 2, 2008 10:31:24 PM
You couldn't ask for an easier election for the democrats to win. Bush's approval rating at 30%, the war not exactly a strong point, and the economy headed south. It's hard to believe you could screw this one up, but it looks like that's exactly where you're headed. If you guys can't win this, it's just time to get out of the business.
Posted by: Dave B | Apr 2, 2008 10:32:00 PM
Hysterical post Bob, reminds me of 2004. McCain leads both candidates in many polls. You keep that wishful thinking pal!
Posted by: Scofield Bob | Apr 2, 2008 10:32:09 PM
SuperDelegates,
The correct word is unelectable. Barack has been unfairly labeled as the "black" candidate. He is indeed a person of color. America is ready to elect a person of color, without any question. The results in many contests show that.
Barack Obama is not electable, though, because he is a pure unadulterated ELITIST from Harvard. He's also a bad bowler but I'll excuse the latter.
========================================
Obama got $250,000!
Rezko gets jail!
Obama is unelectable!
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 2, 2008 11:50:40 PM
Here_IN_PA
You obviously cherry pick the polls you want to try and support Hillary.
Barack will win one way- using the same strategy he has used to (unbelievably) take the nomination form the anointed Hillary of the Clinton dynasty.
I am sick to death of Clinton fanatics- you continue to parrot the Clinton machine, whose only remaining strategy is to raise doubts about Obama. Has Obama stooped to tearing her down?? NO, and he could, easily remind voters of the nightmare of much of the Clinton Co-presidency.
That's why he has my support, and I started out prepared to vote for Clinton.
Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton-NOT!
Posted by: US citizen | Apr 2, 2008 11:52:57 PM
"Why exactly does she think Obama can't win? Because from where I stand his coalition looks rather unstoppable."
His coalition represents about 50% of the democratic party and about 20% of the general electorate. He can't win.
Posted by: Aslan | Apr 2, 2008 11:59:48 PM
Who cares? All three candidates suck, you have ultra socialists in Clinton/Obama and a moderate socialist in McCain.
After 8 years of Bush it's time for a conservative. 20 years of liberalism is enough!
Posted by: WhoCares | Apr 3, 2008 12:02:48 AM
He can all money and people in world. Let states vote who never done yet. Putting faith in man who known 2 yrs and ABC World News
Posted by: bradva | Apr 3, 2008 12:03:58 AM
"He lived a life of privelidge...PERIOD!"
Well at least he lived a life that taught him spelling. If you can't write, and likely don't read much why should I trust your political analysis?
Posted by: Turandottir | Apr 3, 2008 12:04:02 AM
You reap what you sow? You make your own bed..? Dig your own grave? Yup DNC.. you get what you deserve.
This weakened Republican party will still be strong enough to defeat todays DNC house of cards!
The Liar The Witch And The wardrobe is the worst thing that has ever happened to the DNC.
Obama is doing well simply because he's not a Clinton!
The big question is... Will the Left commit suicide-by-Iraq once more?
Posted by: trax | Apr 3, 2008 12:04:04 AM
I'm a Republican that would vote for H. Clinton over McCain. But I would vote for McCain over Obama.
Posted by: Ann | Apr 3, 2008 12:04:23 AM
There is something very creepy about Obama. I feel there is some serious things that he is hiding. He may be a good cheerleader and stuff but the keys to the White House contain the key to the nuclear arsenal of the USA. Although I have to admit, I like Obama, I definetly DO NOT TRUST HIM.
Posted by: Teresa | Apr 3, 2008 12:05:07 AM
I do not care if Hillary or Bill end up endorsing Obama IF he is the candidate. I love the Clintons But COULD NEVER vote for Obama! What would become of our country if Obama were elected? Where is the love?
Posted by: Kimberly | Apr 3, 2008 12:06:19 AM
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