« Previous | Main | Next »

Clinton: W. Va. Will Be Turning Point in Race

Share

May 12, 2008 4:50 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper reports: Senator Hillary Clinton continued her tour of West Virginia today, arguing Tuesday's primary election in the state will turn the tide.

“This is going to be a crucial turning point in this election and I want you to know that if you stand up for me tomorrow then I will stand up for you.”

Clinton, who is expected to win the West Virginia primary tomorrow,  was introduced by a supporter, local state senator Harry Truman Chafin, who predicted a possible ninety percent victory in the state.

“We’ve got to give her vote tomorrow 80-20 or 90-10 – lets get the national media’s attention!” Truman said.  Clinton spokesperson Mo Elleithee quickly tried to lower expectations.

“We appreciate his exuberance, but we expect the race to be much closer than that,” he said. 

Clinton provided a small insight as to why she is continuing her bid: “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe I could be the best president for West Virginia and America.  And that was the stronger candidate to take on John McCain in the fall.”

Speaking about President Bush’s economic policies – Clinton said, “we’ve lost ground under President Bush. He seems to have the idea if you just take care of the rich everything else will just be fine. You’ve heard of that. Trickle-down economics; well, a lot of people feel like they’ve been trickled on for seven years.”   

Comparing the current president to her husband she said, “Bill Clinton took care of us – he led us fiscally …and now were back to work our way out of a big ditch.”

Clinton said she was shaking hands with voters in the state and "a man handed me a check and said you keep fighting – this will help you."

During her speech a man from the crowd shouted out “Keep fighting!” and an applause followed the comments. 

Clinton said West Virginia picks presidents – but then said the state was also responsible for picking George W. Bush.

“West Virginia in the general election votes for the winner. If West Virginia had voted for our democratic nominee in 2000 and 2004 we wouldn’t have had to put up with George Bush.”

May 12, 2008 in Bush, George W., Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (67)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Why do so many INSIGHTFUL people keep asking why Hillary can't see it is over and that she is the only one that doesn't see it.

Excuse me, but my name is not Hillary and I say IT IS FAR FROM OVER.

Peronally, I admire Hillary for her staying power and for FIGHTING for what she believes in. I certainly wouldn't be supporting a quitter or a wimp.

If all you people who are advising her to quit are quitters yourselves, then who are the REAL LOSERS?


Posted by: SlySonya | May 12, 2008 6:41:45 PM

I am an absolute Hillary Fan. She is a true fighter. We cannot stand by and let the biased media and a bunch of fanatics GIVE Obama the nomination. We need to support Hillary more than ever from this point. Also, is it me or is that a ridiculous picture of Hillary in between Obama and Macain.

I'm just saying...

Posted by: margaret | May 12, 2008 6:43:39 PM

I am a New Yorker. I apologize for the remarks of our junior senator. I admit to you that I voted for her twice. I will not make that mistake again and will join with others to seek to have her leave office as soon as possible.
Having live in other states I know that the racism that upper class people like the Clintons attribute to the good people of the South and Midwest exists only in their own narrow minds.
I apologize to you. New York owes the rest of the country better.

Posted by: Miri | May 12, 2008 6:44:16 PM

Fighter is a euphemism for living in denial. There is something to be said about being rational.

At this point it's just plain stupid.

Posted by: fooled_once | May 12, 2008 6:46:32 PM

Why does the DNC feel it can just write off the votes of so many states - West Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan...because they voted for Hillary Clinton? The GOOD OLD BOYS network seems quite alive and well in Kennedy and Obama.

Posted by: Gladys | May 12, 2008 6:50:46 PM

"Having live in other states I know that the racism that upper class people like the Clintons attribute to the good people of the South and Midwest exists only in their own narrow minds.
I apologize to you. New York owes the rest of the country better."

Miri...you definitely speak for yourself here. Hillary is no racist...she is just point out what other see but are afraid to say do they are not perceived as being racist.

Is this the kind of presidency you want people!!! Where the people and the elected representatives are afraid to say what is painfully obvious, JUST so we don't offend Obama or African Americans. GIVE ME A BREAK!!! I am a huge nay sayer to being overly politically correct.

Posted by: margaret | May 12, 2008 6:52:21 PM

fooled_once...

Do you believe that it is stupid to train for the olympics and then just quit 2/3 away from the finish line?

What you are really saying is that the rest of this country that hasn't voted yet DON'T MATTER. The numbers are extremely close considering all the crap up to this point in the race.

Hillary has stated many times that if she loses she will support Obama, not sure he would do the same.

But what I find to be STUPID are all the ignorant people that believe what they read and hear from the media...we all know how honest and truthful the media have always been. FAIR? NEVER HONEST? NEVER

Politics can be very sickening...

Posted by: SlySonya | May 12, 2008 7:03:28 PM

How can Obama directly campaign in FL and MI when the issue of how they will count has not been decided by the states or the DNC?
Obama's arrogance, disrespect for people and the system and utter disregard disgusts me, although it doesn't surprise me.

Posted by: Susan | May 12, 2008 7:25:58 PM

I find it difficult for anyone to say the race is over, when the self-appointed winner is losing races.

Posted by: Susan | May 12, 2008 7:27:02 PM

Obama is campaigning in Fl & Mi because he was likely advised to do so.

He is there trying to fix HIS MISTAKE
To assume their votes don't matter was wrong and if or when they do count, he is afraid of losing their vote BIG TIME

DUH.....

Posted by: SlySonya | May 12, 2008 7:30:49 PM

Susan: Kentucky and WV are worthless for the Dems...and didn't Clinton say NC was the game changer?

Posted by: bob | May 12, 2008 7:32:20 PM

Oh , yes ,Poor Obama ,many peoples feel sorry for him because he is complainer and whiner man that why peoples vote him to make him feel better. peoples know his issues are boring. Obama is not suppose to go to Michigan and Florida because he is not popular there. His name was not in Michigan`s vote. he is trying to steal or prevent clinton`s delegates. Please don`t give him any delegates from Michigan and Florida , too

Posted by: Roy Morris | May 12, 2008 7:38:18 PM

If her campaign is any indicator of her knowledge of economics, then with her as president Bush might look thrifty.

Posted by: Javalation | May 12, 2008 7:41:27 PM

Obama doesn't have to steal votes... my gosh.

He has the REPUBLICANS doing that for him. They don't want to compete with Hillary the REAL winner.

Obama is such a sad joke...much like Bush is. Well if Obama has already won I am sure it due to all of those smart people that won the election for BUSH.

YIPPEE

Posted by: SlySonya | May 12, 2008 7:46:45 PM

Hillary Democrats who say they will vote for McCain are speaking with their hearts, not their minds.

Hillary does not want you to vote for McCain. Both candidates agreed some time ago to support the other if they won. Their supporters should follow suit.

A vote for McCain is a vote to continue the same Bush policies that Hillary has railed against for the last year. An Obama president would be infinitely more like a Hillary president than McCain would be.

This business about voting for the GOP looks like irrational posturing,sour grapes, or worse. It seems hypocritical to vote for Hillary then McCain... Someone, PLEASE tell me what policy views you liked in Hillary that you find in McCain????

Posted by: JTS | May 12, 2008 7:53:44 PM

As Conan said when asked which state Hillary would be favored in, the state of Denial ;-)

Posted by: Al | May 12, 2008 8:08:40 PM

After having Bush for not 1 but 2 terms
I am not suprised about anything anymore.

Posted by: SlySonya | May 12, 2008 8:10:42 PM

stanaim-Popular vote means nothing...especially when you count Puerto Rico which cannot even vote in the general.

Posted by: bob | May 12, 2008 8:19:00 PM

Becky, we say the primary is not over until Hillary is the nominee!

Posted by: irma | May 12, 2008 8:23:29 PM

staniam-I could care less about them....they've turned into a traveling circus.

Posted by: bob | May 12, 2008 8:30:48 PM

Post a comment