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Clinton: West Virginia 'A Test for Obama'

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May 08, 2008 1:25 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: A determined Hillary Clinton returned to West Virginia Thursday pledging once again that she's not ending her campaign and calling the Mountain State a 'test' for both her and her Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

"I think West Virginia is a test. It's a test for me, it's a test for Senator Obama," Clinton said, "Because for too long we have let places like West Virginia slip out of the Democratic column. It is a fact that no president, Democratic president, has ever won the White House since 1916 without winning West Virginia."

Clinton made reference to her interview with USA Today where she said "Sen. Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me." 

In her speech today, Clinton left out the part about white voters supporting her (remarks which have been generating buzz) to say "I'm winning Catholic voters and Hispanic voters and blue collar workers and seniors -- the kind of people senator McCain will be fighting for in the general election. Some call you swing voters but I call you Americans."

Clinton then stressed the importance of swing states, stressing the importance of the electoral math for the general election. "Now the delegate math may be complicated but the electoral math is easy. We need 270 electoral votes to win in November, that's what we have to have and Senator McCain is the frontrunner has served on the senate armed services committee he is a formidable opponent."

Clinton insisted on primary voting taking place in West Virginia, "Some in Washington wanted us to end our campaign – and then we won in New Hampshire. Then we had huge victories on Super Tuesday and then we won Ohio and Texas and Pennsylvania and I was never supposed to win Indiana. Well I want to be the president of all fifty states.”

Clinton continued "There are some folks who say we need to end this before we got to West Virginia – I said I don’t think so. I think we ought to keep this going to the people of West Virginia's voices are heard."

Clinton then set the bar for her campaign in this state where she is ahead.  "I know that according to the polls -- and you know I take that with a grain of salt -- I'm dong well here but I want to do really well."

May 8, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary | Permalink | User Comments (58)

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Don't be think she might be having some psychological problems? Think about it. She has to be pulled off the campaign to recieve some medical treatment before it's too late

Posted by: Michael A. | May 8, 2008 1:38:01 PM


Senator Hillary Clinton should stay in the race. She is a far better candidate and person than Obama.

Posted by: Jane | May 8, 2008 1:40:23 PM

It's one thing to campaign positively in order to prove your worth on the ticket but this is divisive and destructive for the Democratic Party. Someone needs to pull the plug on this now.

Posted by: Eddie M. | May 8, 2008 1:40:34 PM

Hillary issues a challenge to Obama:

The Party has become divided. And a house divided should not stand. IT SHOULD BE BURNED DOWN.

New Slogan: "Hillary or no Democrat in 08."

Posted by: The Commander Guy | May 8, 2008 1:40:56 PM

Earlier today, ABC reported that Hillary's campaign is claiming to be in debt $10-15 million dollars.
Clinton insiders are saying it's more like $20-30 million in debt.

Posted by: Dan | May 8, 2008 1:47:02 PM

The test is Hillary's alone. Knowing that she can't win, is she willing to destroy the democratic party and its likely nominee for her own personal interests. Actually, this is a warning flare to the Democratic leadership to unite or lose the entire new generation of voters.

Posted by: Tre | May 8, 2008 1:48:35 PM

Why do Democrats want their leadership to step in stop things? Why do you need leadership? You don't trust your own voters? You don't want any more votes?

Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 1:50:02 PM

I think Obama should prove her wrong...go compete in WV and let's see if he can finally land the last blow!
Come-on Obama supporters, what do you think??? YES, HE CAN - I can't hear YOU!

Posted by: Cheryl | May 8, 2008 1:50:14 PM

Hillary is correct. WV is an actual test. NC was no test. I am a liberal Democrat but I believe that the party is becoming too liberal. If Hillary can get the Florida votes to count and if the supers vote for her to be the nominee then the Party can win back the country. If I was a super I would be thinking what is better dumping far left Obama and getting the wrath of his fans ( who aint going nowhere but back to the party later) or Voting Hillary and by dumping Obama showing the USA that the party is more moderate than they thought. Liberal means progress but Obama means 4 more years of vetos.

Posted by: bruce | May 8, 2008 1:50:51 PM

she is not redeemable...for the love of country superdelegates...pull the plug!

Posted by: loki | May 8, 2008 1:51:08 PM

YES superdelegates pull the plug and alienate the voters, so Obama can lose!

If she's going to lose, let him beat her!!!

Posted by: CD | May 8, 2008 1:52:46 PM

Yes Trettin, I think you are correct!! Sad huh!

Posted by: Cheryl | May 8, 2008 1:53:57 PM

I think both Clinton and Obama should be on the ballot...what would it hurt? Then we would know for sure who America wants for her next president. We can make history again :) Why should we have to listen to the Democratic Nomination Committee? We are a smart people and the best candate will win the presidency be it Clinton, Obama or McCain!

Posted by: Debbie from Columbia | May 8, 2008 1:57:52 PM

I believe the Topic is will West Virginia decide the nomination and if not does Hillary Still Have a Chance to Win the Nomination?

If any Hillary Fans think so, go ahead and let us know just how she can pull it off. But don't make your Victory Scenario sound like a fairy tale.

Cheryl, in your tactful measure tone, go first.

Tell how Hills can win babe.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | May 8, 2008 2:00:10 PM

Here she goes again. She lies all the time. Of course she was supposed to win Indiana, not Obama. Gee, her memory gets worse because of all the sniper fire from Bosnia that didn't exist. But this is ridiculous, now dragging Obama into her fray again -- ' a test for her and Obama'. She should leave him out of it, she knows damn well she's slated to win this state and that is why she's calling it 'a test' for her AND Obama. HA! She needs to just campaign and shut up all at the same time because she's looking stupider and stupider. And if Obama puts her on his ticket it is bye bye Obama for me and us, sorry to say. I WILL NOT VOTE if Hillary is on an Obama ticket. I will not vote if Hillary is the nominee. And if Obama is the nominee and Hillary is not on his ticket, then who cares if her backers don't support him. If they want to be that stupid and vote for McCain for 4 more years of Bush then let them go right ahead because they're only making that charge now so that the superdelegates make Clinton the nominee.

Posted by: RuthieM | May 8, 2008 2:01:58 PM


I understand how painful it is to see the dream slipping away. Hillary is undergoing this experience. She needs a counsellor to advise her how to go about it!

Posted by: Peace | May 8, 2008 2:05:31 PM

If I were an Obama supporter, I’d be very hesitant right now to say anything even remotely negative about Hillary because Obama cannot win without the 13 million people who have voted for Hillary.

If we stay home – Obama loses BIG!

No, he can’t – not without the 13 million who voted for Hillary!

Posted by: ch | May 8, 2008 2:06:54 PM

If I were an Obama supporter, I’d be very hesitant right now to say anything even remotely negative about Hillary because Obama cannot win without the 13 million people who have voted for Hillary.

If we stay home – Obama loses BIG!

No, he can’t – not without the 13 million who voted for Hillary!

Posted by: ch | May 8, 2008 2:07:03 PM

Why isn't it ok for Clinton to say that obama is having a hard time with white voters, hispanic voters women etc?

Everyone else is saying the same thing.

Posted by: s.b. | May 8, 2008 2:08:54 PM

Actually, 16 million people have voted for Hillary.

Posted by: s.b. | May 8, 2008 2:09:55 PM

I hope she stays in forever. She is just way too funny.

Posted by: MohairSam | May 8, 2008 2:13:32 PM

Why can't Obama just beat her outright without the aid of supers, and without the exclusion of two entire states? And you think this mirage can beat McCain???
He is vapor held up by the media.

Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 2:13:47 PM

Does Hillary mean since I am white I must not be a hard-working American because I support Obama? She didn't say Obama just was have a hard time with white voters, she said he was having a hard time with hard-working Americans.

Posted by: The Unshrub | May 8, 2008 2:15:38 PM

To S.B. - Because only Obama and his supporters like Donna Brazile are allowed to pull the racist c--p that they've been using against Hillary. So Obama should be able to make up 20 points or so in WV and Kentucky by campaigning hard, Wright? When Hillary loses NC by 14 points, she loses BIG! When Obama loses WV, it will be "it was expected." The voters in WV are not part of the "new democratic party" so the DNC and Obama don't care what they do next Tuesday.

Posted by: calli | May 8, 2008 2:15:54 PM

you know ruthie its not a empty promise it just a fact that a lot of us wont vote for someone who has too many marxist associates for comfort that have non mainstream anti american views.my mother always said if you lie down with dogs you will come up with fleas or another way you ARE judged by the company you keep.this country does not need another empty suit as potus the last one has done enough harm.

Posted by: don tufts | May 8, 2008 2:16:00 PM

It is the undeniable fact Obama couldn't win white votes and other minority votes excluding AA...

His NC win and Ind lose proved again and agin he followed the same pattern since day one...

So can his loyal AA half-brothers and culted young voters boost him enough to win over McCain???

Posted by: True Truth | May 8, 2008 2:17:49 PM

true truth has issues. He may in fact be a wingnut posing as a Hillary Fan.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | May 8, 2008 2:38:58 PM

Actually, I do have something "remotely negative" to say about Hillary.

Two years ago, my next door neighbor stood on my front lawn and sobbed. His younger brother had just had both his legs and one arm blown off in Iraq. For those of you who can't count, that's three out of four limbs.

Hillary Clinton voted to give Bush the authority to go to war in Iraq, without even bothering to read the report accompanying the legislation. All she did was stick her finger in the air to see which way the political winds were blowing, and decided - since she would be running for President - that the most important thing - more important than the American men and women who would die in foreign sands - was that she burnish her "toughness" credentials.

In my mind, this campaign isn't about phony issues like flag pins, 3:00 a.m. phone phone calls, "sniper fire" and gas-tax rebate panders. It's about defeating a candidate who cared more about her own ambition than she did the lives of American service men and women.

My next door neighbor's brother will have to live without his limbs for the rest of his life. Anytime Hillary wants to show some true courage, she can find time to look him up - and countless others like him - and apologize.

Posted by: balthus | May 8, 2008 2:40:04 PM


There is a reason that Hillary won't quit and that Pelosi said to let the race continue. Think about it.

Posted by: Belle | May 8, 2008 2:53:21 PM

Jimmy Carter was a loser democratic president and now he is a pathetic anti-semite. Plus, he said the votes of MI and FL should count - in 2012! Now that is a jerk ex-president.

Posted by: calli | May 8, 2008 2:55:55 PM

Good timing... his new pastor is just as whacked out as his old one. He called Moses, and Noah "thugs".

Man-oh-man this is good! This is what you get when you elect a black separatist.

Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 3:08:47 PM

Hill the Bosnian General is like the horse she has chosen during the Kentuky derby " Eight Belles" she will collapse and break her two feet. Recently she is saying incorrect and inappropriate things, she is not thinking prorely anymore and saying things which could be or are racists. She is losing all at once.God bless America and God bless Obama.OBAMA08.

Posted by: BKMC | May 8, 2008 3:10:11 PM

CHAOS

Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 3:19:11 PM

Please do condemn Hillary for her associations too. I want them to condemn each other for everything for a few more months. I'll do what I can to help.

And yes, I do judge people by the company they choose. They judged their associations when they made them, and therefore so do I. Why is that wrong?


Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 3:30:19 PM

Why is it okay to say that 91% of black people are voting for Obama but not okay to say that Hillary has strong support among whites? This isn't racist, it's just fact.

Americans of all colors can see that Obama could not be where he is without overwhelming support of blacks and youth. They can not be ensured of supporting Clinton. Conversely, her white supporters (and others) cannot be ensured of voting for Obama.

This is a fact and stating it is not racist. It's breaking down voters by demographics, one of which is color.

We're all waaaay to touchy!

Posted by: HoosierSue | May 8, 2008 4:25:47 PM

I am not a US citizen to vote, but it was intresting to watch the election process in USA.

H Clinton looks like Bush who went to Iraq war by not listing to others, she is not able to see the reality about she don't have numbers and out all chances.

Hope she will realize soon for good.

Posted by: vinay p | May 8, 2008 4:29:00 PM

HoosieSue, what's great about this is that the Obama people are a small number, but they are true believers, as is the media. They don't see what's coming.

This is gonna be 1984, or 1988, or even 1972 all over again.

Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 4:31:16 PM

Hillary voted to give Bush power to go to Iraq without even reading analysis on the situation. More elitest experts I suppose.

Posted by: X marks the spot | May 8, 2008 4:36:10 PM

Again, if you guys don't like Hillary, and neither do I, just defeat her with votes. It's starting to look like another case of the older woman who's paid her dues having to step aside for the younger man, without him ever actually out-performing her.

Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 4:49:46 PM

All of you who keep putting Hillary down really are uninformed. Hillary has been a solid democrat for 35+ years and has worked hard for the party. She has her flaws, but no one in their right mind can say that she wants to hurt the democratic party. She really is the better candidate to win the general election at this point because Obama is flawed. His flaws have been there, they just were well hidden until recently.

Posted by: Susan | May 8, 2008 5:04:05 PM

You are all correct. It is both a racist and a sexist campaign. The Democrat Party is all about group indentification and it's being illustrated right now.

Issues matter not to these people. It's all about gender and race. Right?

Chaos.

Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 5:08:59 PM

There are a lot of angry people in the democratic party right now. And that's to bad. Instead of embracing this moment within the party (first woman, first viable african-american male) we're fighting one another. Democrates don't deserve to win the White House. I'm ashamed to call myself a democrat

Posted by: Regins | May 8, 2008 5:47:04 PM

See.., all you care about is gender and race. I don't hear any Democrats talking about the contrasting issues between these two.

Posted by: Gary | May 8, 2008 6:13:18 PM

"Sen. Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me."

Well Clinton started this campaign
playng the gender card and now she is openly playing the race card.

Posted by: Mr. Unite Us | May 8, 2008 9:48:04 PM

The PEOPLE's Choice: Hillary Clinton!

Posted by: DaneNM | May 8, 2008 10:06:10 PM

If people would wake up and see Obamas wink and nod marxist philosophy they would cringe.... we cannot nominate Obama

Posted by: staniam | May 8, 2008 11:44:21 PM

I can’t help but think that Hillary’s hanging in there now has almost nothing to do with her getting the nomination this year. I’ve got a strong hunch that she wants to cripple Obama so badly that McCain will win the general election. In 2012 McCain would have graduated from old to ancient and may be easy pickings; especially if he continues Dubya’s Iraq policies or lack thereof…

However, if Obama gets the nomination and wins in November, then he would stand for reelection in 2012 and Hillary’s chances of opposing him in the primaries would be between slim and you’ve got to be kidding. By way of example, Sen. Ted Kennedy ran against President Jimmy Carter for the nomination in 1980 and lost in spite of the fact that after four years of being in office everyone knew that Carter was at best an idiot…

Thus, if she cannot either wrest the nomination away from Obama this year or mortally wound his chances this November, she would have to wait until 2016 for a reasonable chance of gaining a nomination for herself. Methinks she would rather count on 2012 when she could say “I told you so” to the Democratic Party that wait a full eight years when there will be a lot of young blood in the party that could seriously impair what would be her last chance at being president…

Posted by: TommyReb | May 9, 2008 4:34:41 AM

I can tell you all this right now. If you Obama supporters are the real example of the new generation, then not only is the nation is very sorry shape, but I would prefer you formed your own party so you wont embarrass us.

Posted by: john | May 9, 2008 4:46:54 AM

Hillary will win democratic nominee because her victory came to the obama doorstep state -Indiana . Obama will lose in virginia , washington state ,wisconsin, District of columbia elections if there are democratic primary election in these states now because white people from these states don't like obama now because his paster comment and his bitter comment. America never accept black democratic nominee because crimes will increase caused by black people if president is black. Clinton also won core traditional big democratic states and swing states. Super deligates will choose hillary because she won core traditional big democratic states and swing states .
Supre deligates should choose hillary because she won more electorial votes(like in general election) than obama.

Posted by: andrew | May 9, 2008 4:56:41 AM

OBAMA the chicken will duck this test too.
He is a phony.
Anywhere without the black community he gets whip.

Posted by: John_Lai | May 9, 2008 7:28:57 AM

Okay here we go again Hillary. In Ohio it was, "No president has ever won without winning in Ohio" and in Indiana she was predicted to win by 7-8 points and made it only by 2 and Obama was suppose to win by 7-8 and won by 14. Why is that every state Hillary wins it
counts more and the voters who vote for her count. Does that mean that the states she didn't win don't count and the voters who didn't vote for her don't count and would not possibly be able to make a difference at the convention? Does this sound like someone who wants to be the president of all 50 states? And lets read the speech once more. There are swing states but not swing voters and the states she is predicted to win are test states. And now, the deal about Flordia and Michigan. I think we are all intitled to our vote and they should have a revote, with the states paying for their mistake, and Obama on the Michigan ticket. I have friends in Michigan who can tell you they never had the chance to vote for Obama. And now I hear on the news that even if they included the votes as they are now, Obama would still be in the lead. Hillary continues to "report the facts
that she knows not to be the way they actually are", her story changes from state to state, voter to voter, and if she can't budget her own campaign how is she going to budget the running of the United States? And the phone call in the middle of the night? Let's hope she gets her facts before making a decision, unlike she did in voting for
Iraq. If she can't be honest and consistant in her campaign, how can she do that in the White House? Obama has had to defend the remarks of others during this campaign, but Hillary has had to defend her OWN remarks. And the states she has lost was because Bill said the wrong thing, or they didn't have the money to campaign, or it was a "black" state. Does that mean the states she won are "white" states? I don't think so and the only ones making this race about color are Hillay and the press, they gotta love those ratings! And don't older people always say, "our youth are our future"? And last but surely not least, if you want to "cut off your nose to spite your face" then you don't need to vote. This is not a game where if your side doesn't win you take your toys and go home or run over to the other side. This is an election and it is suppose to be for adults to take part in and make decisions, not based on gender, or race, or religion, but based on ideas that bring us together. Do we really want another republician in the White House? Do you have someone in the military? Do you want affordable insurance or do you want to be forced to buy insurance that you may not be able to afford to put yet more money in the pockets of the companies? Do you want $30 off on your gas bill for the summer or do you want solutions that will last through many summers? Experience is a good thing unless it is the wrong kind of experience and we need a change because the same old same old is not working. Let's make a change and go with the majority and the democratic party all the way!

Posted by: Anna | May 9, 2008 8:07:34 AM

The key her is to let Clinton burn herself, no need to push her out. The morons who listen to Limbaugh (ok, only a moron if you listen without laughing) have no impact on the race. The Dem voter registration is up, Obama's name recognition is through the roof. Finally, any time some tool like Hannity plays the Wright card against Obama, the same hand can be played against McCain.

Posted by: ted | May 9, 2008 10:18:19 AM

Here is a test for Hillary Clinton: Can you make a comeback in Oregon?

Posted by: jacob | May 9, 2008 12:13:32 PM

Hillary should dump the DNC!Sen. Hillary Clinton should consider running independently! The polls indicate that she can win--she can beat both Obama and McCain in a three way match-up!

Posted by: charleychaplin | May 9, 2008 3:07:25 PM

Question of the day or month or forever is how do the people in West Virginia feel that Hillary is just like them ??? She has the ability to lend her campaign millions of $$$$ and she is just like them ??? I didn't realize that the people of West Virginia were so wealthy !!!!!
Take it from a former New Yorker(left two years ago) ....Now a Texan where your vote counts, Hillary is not like you. I have been to West Virginia and the people are nice and not capable of double speak... You tell it like it is. She tells you what you want to hear. Be careful...........

John

Posted by: John M | May 9, 2008 4:28:02 PM

I think its time to start getting concern about Hillary's mental state if she does get the nominee!!

Posted by: Terry | May 9, 2008 6:22:37 PM

Operation Futile

We will see how many west virginian comit political suicide with Mrs. Cinton

On the meanwhile say NO to Mrs. Clinton as VP

If Obama choose Clinton as VP He will be DEATH MEAT...Muderderd

look at Clinton new list of death bodies

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/BODIES.html

It includes John F Kennedy Jr. "accident" in the plane before he play in the race for senator from New York, He became death meat, and Mrs. Clinton became NY senator.........

Posted by: Alma Ludivina | May 9, 2008 10:44:49 PM

You people get so carried away... The media has manipulated you into a frenzy...Why is it that the states that have primaries where indies and repubs are excluded from the voting, Senator Clinton wins handily... If you look at the numbers in states where they are allowed to cross over, she wins the dem's vote but loses the state on crossover votes... more manipulation... you fools made your own rules... you made your bed... she rightfully should be the democrat nominee as she's won the registered democrats popular vote. Now you can beat your chest because someone else gamed the system for Obama. Lots of luck in the general. get ready for 4 more years...

Posted by: Rod | May 10, 2008 1:00:29 AM

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