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South Dakota Switchers, Screw-ups and Signage

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May 16, 2008 10:40 PM

ABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Former Sen. George McGovern appeared at Barack Obama’s Sioux Falls, S.D., rally, and explained why he switched his early endorsement for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., to the senator from Illinois.

"I do so partly because I believe he now has an insurmountable lead, and we Democrats everywhere need to be gathering in a united way behind him," McGovern said to the 6,500-strong rally. "And I hope that will occur soon."

While McGovern made his switch to Obama official earlier this month, this was the first time the former presidential candidate made an appearance with Obama.

McGovern referenced his friendship and history with both Clintons. "Last October, I endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton. She and her remarkable husband, President Clinton, way back 36 years ago, worked their heart out for me in the ’72 presidential campaign. And let me make clear, while I endorsed Sen. Obama, the Clintons had been my treasured friends all these years and that will continue; after all we’re all joined behind Barack Obama."

McGovern said that Obama represented a "ripple of faith and hope that began to reach us from Chicago, the heartland of the country, that ripple first touched down in Iowa."

An ode to his Iowa days -- or a candidate who is in multiple cities every day -- when Sen. Obama took the stage, he made a campaign blunder.

"Thank you Sioux City," Obama shouted. Quickly realizing his mistake, that he was in Sioux Falls, S.D., he shot back, "I’ve been in Iowa too long."

Midway though Obama’s stump speech, there was another distraction: A Hillary Clinton supporter waving a "Hillary for President" sign caused a small ruckus, which displeased Obama supporters in the audience around her.

"Oh let that person with the Hillary sign put up their sign," said Obama, stopping his speech to address the murmur to the left of him. "This is a free country, and we’re a united country. I don’t know what all the fuss is about."

Obama continued about the dust-up: "We’re gonna have a lot of Hillary signs at the convention. There will be a lot of Obama signs, too."

Although saying that Hillary supporters had a right to wave their sign, the presidential candidate did offer up a manners lesson at the end.

"The only thing I will say is that person behind you probably can’t see very well. That’s not very nice of you. … That’s just not being neighborly."

The lone Clinton supporter stood up, holding a blue Hillary sign over her head for the duration of Obama’s 45-minute stump speech.

May 16, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (268)

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Democrats will be United.

I could careless of what Hillary supporters state on blogs and articles...they WILL vote Obama.

And I say so b/c, after the first Obama/McCain debate... our choice will be clear.

This nation needs a new path and McCain only offers the path Bush has lead us.

Posted by: Vanessa | May 16, 2008 10:53:02 PM

Operation Turn Down!!! like you need to understand what that is girl, this has legs and its growing.

Posted by: SJ | May 16, 2008 11:11:08 PM

what is operation turn down????

Posted by: indigogrrl | May 16, 2008 11:13:41 PM

Operation Turn Down is ridiculous. Say it works. Do we get to blame you when McCain appoints a Supreme Court that overturns Roe? Because I will. Hillary has faced some sexism in this campaign, but it's nothing compared to the racism and rumor mongering Obama has endured. At the end of the day, he won, she lost and we're all Democrats. We need to stop this ridiculous name calling and get it together.

Posted by: CJ | May 16, 2008 11:25:42 PM

I love that lone Hillary supporter! Given that the Obama camp is so vicious, he was brave. Good for him.

As for the post that said Hillary supporters will vote for Obama, not gonna happen. Not in November, and not in this life. Not ever.

Posted by: Emily | May 16, 2008 11:32:06 PM

Obama's Website says he'll negotiate with Iran... "unconditionally
***************************************

This is BS.

Obama08

Posted by: Thinking | May 16, 2008 11:33:57 PM

There have been many Obama supporters who have heckled Hillary Clinton during her rallies and so I dont see why he is so annoyed by it.

Posted by: Joan | May 16, 2008 11:34:28 PM

Vanessa:

You are being delusional. I will NEVER
vote for Obama. Even if a dream ticket is proposed, I will NOT vote for Barack Obama. Only Hillary or McCain, or maybe, Nader.

Posted by: minil | May 16, 2008 11:54:12 PM

How rude and divisive for John Edwards to endorse Sen. Obama on the day after Sen. Clinton’s West Virginia primary? Then in the same breath talk about “party unity?” This is very typical of Obama campaign. Talk endlessly about high ideals for America and then take a real “low road!” Is this the “new politics” that Sen. Obama is promising us? But I have to tell you if our now “presumptive nominee” Sen. Barack Obama is going to be the “real” Democratic nominee, sadly, another “George McGovern” fate tragically awaits the Democratic Party. It’s heartbreaking to watch the DNC self-destruct and its super-delegates squandering the distinct advantage they have to re-gain the White House in 08. But don’t be surprised; knowing the fact that DNC houses the longest list of losers of any American organization! The impending Democratic presidential loss to John McCain has to be blame on the same old politicians who have never won presidential elections, calling the shots for DNC, and fumbling the chances: Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Tom Daschle, Bill Bradley, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and as you know many of them ran for president and lost! Now they are all endorsing and supporting Sen. Obama. They are playing the same old loser’s game. That game is called the “idealism” game. These democrats have a penchant for being indulged in idealism, just like Barack Obama. As you know idealists like George McGovern never made it Washington. And many of them are examples of such idealist losers. All this has happened before. They all said they are going throw the bums out and clean up Washington. But they all lost to the Republicans. And when you at things in the light of what happened at the Democratic primaries in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and in many other states, and especially when you look at the 41 point victory of Sen. Hillary Clinton over the “presumptive nominee” in West Virginia, isn’t it obvious Sen. Obama can’t win; he isn’t strong enough, his base isn’t wide enough; he has a very narrow but deep base, but not good enough to win a presidential election. He has failed to get the support of women, so called “Reagan Democrats” or working class white voters, rural voters, labor union households, Latinos, older Americans and so on; you know in spite of the media spin and promotion Sen. Obama is no more better than another George McGovern or Mike Dukakis! We all know that Black American and city liberals never won presidential elections for democrats. Sen. Obama had successfully maneuvered himself to be the front runner, with a help of zealots in caucuses states to get most of his delegate numbers. No matter how many congressional seats they win in the fall 2008 election if the Democrats fail to win the White House, the situation that we have right now─ with President Bush vetoing everything ─isn’t going to change. The unfortunate thing for the Democratic Party in this election cycle is that they have a presidential candidate who really can’t win. Besides there’s even more bad news. Remember, just before the general election in 2004, Massachusetts judge sanctified gay-marriage, which galvanized the conservation vote resulting in John Kerry’s defeat and George Bush narrow win. Just the same way now that California Supreme Court decision allow gay-marriage would surly bring lost of social-conservatives to 2008 polls and ensure the defeat of Barack Obama, just as it happened before. The Democratic party it known for its capacity for “Snatching the defeat out of the jaws of victory.” Sen. Obama can’t even change the defeatist dynamic of his own party and how can he propose to save America from its continuing decline?

Posted by: charleychaplin | May 16, 2008 11:56:29 PM

He wasn't annoyed by it, his supporters were. He handled it well, although the Hillary supporter being the type of people we are silently made their statement, while Obama supporters are obnoxious buffoons.

As to the professional poster Vanessa who is so sure, along with CNN talking heads, that Hillary supporters will just do what they're told and vote for the Dem nominee, no, we don't vote for just any left wing radicals the DNC has chosen to run the country.

I say Obama should just go back and straighten up the Chicago southside and figure out who owns his backyard now that Rezko is on trial and transferring Obama's backyard around like it's a $625,000 hot potato bought by a Syrian and paid for by Saddam's bagman Auchi.

Well, now that I mention, it is a hot potato, or will be by the time the 527's tell the public what the talking heads won't tell them.

But in October. Over and over.

No, won't be many people voting for him and his Muslim criminal connections. Not to mention Farrakan and I don't know how many Muslims converted to Black Liberation Theology, good golly, yeah, that's who working class America wants for their president.

rd

Posted by: rd | May 16, 2008 11:58:35 PM

Hillary has said she will go on until everyone has voted...and Obama say's he's having a party on 20th to celebrate being a Dem' nominee, say's who?! How arrogant can he get! He has no respect for Hillary, or the party! His comment regarding celebrating negates the fact that States are still to vote, plus DNC decide on the 31st about FL & MI, but is he concerned, NO WAY!!! He thinks he's UNTOUCHABLE and his smugness makes me so very angry!
What he forgets is that the States he won will revert to Republican in the GE! He's also ignoring the fact that super delegates can change their minds, right up to the point that they vote. He thinks Edwards endorsement of him helps get the white working class vote, and it will take much more than that!
I believe Hillary can do it! Especially when you have the McCain campaign gunning for him and the Rezko trial will show his links with all the corruption he's linked to. Hillary has all the swing States and only she can win the GE to be the first Woman President!

Posted by: Di | May 17, 2008 12:07:15 AM

Well, as soon as this hits the MSM you'll see another switch a roo....right back to Hillary Clinton.

Anyone that cares about our country will take the time to read this. It's our political "cesspool of corruption".

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_evelyn_p_080512_curtain_time_for_bar.htm

Posted by: SadStateOfAffairs | May 17, 2008 12:11:45 AM

Keep posting Emily...you're the only one who obviously researches (unlike dead-in-the-head Fred).

Posted by: Di | May 17, 2008 12:14:56 AM

Barack Obama has upheld the Democratic Party's principle of the "Big Tent." Clinton has put a circus in it.

Posted by: bob10001 | May 17, 2008 12:18:02 AM

Im an registered democrats, but vote for mccain on general election. I am so sick all those old dems who go behind OBAMA now, they think the can win. Our family would vote for mccain, unless if hillary is a nominee,

Posted by: tonni | May 17, 2008 12:18:56 AM

I'd like to invite Hillary supporters to join me in writing in Hillary's name in November. If you truly believe she's the best person for the job, then let's give her our support in November. We've already lived through two terms of Bush and survived. It can't get any worse.

Posted by: goldenstate | May 17, 2008 12:28:34 AM

I was t hinking of Votign Mccain if Obama gets the nomination but the truth is despite what the Obamabots say Hillary is undesputably ahead in the popular vote and if FL/Mi arentcounted she will have the right and the backing to go independant and in a 3 or 4 way race in November Hillary Clinton will clean Obamas clock once again... this guy and these supporters think they have it but they dont even have a clue! THe media is starting to wonder about this guy....if he loses badly in KY that will be a rebuke he cant deny no matter what Oregon does and that will be closer than NC! I am fed up with Obamabots the people who know about american history,government and the electoral process are now takign over goodbye obamasnits!

Posted by: ncdem | May 17, 2008 12:29:52 AM

CJ I have no idea what Operation Turndown is but I'm assuming it's Clinton supporters who won't vote for Obama. Your point about Roe vs. Wade is something I've certainly considered but in all honesty I'm not too concerned about McCain in regards to the abortion issue. If McCain were to get in and have the opportunity to appoint a Supreme Court justice the Senate has the right to approve every nomination by a majority. Rarely do they reject a nominee but it has happened for example two of Nixon's choices were rejected. Even if Obama does not win the Presidency I have no doubt that the Democrats will do extremely well in the November election this year. I would think an overwhelmingly Democratic Senate will be cognizant of the Roe vs. Wade issue. The make-up of the Senate is as important as the Presidency when it comes to Supreme Court Justices. If Obama were to go back to the Senate one would have to question whether he would reject such a nominee because he comes from the perspective, as do some other Senators, that the President has the right to make his own appointments. Obama approved Condoleeza and defended his approving Casey on those merits. Republican appointees are have a tendency to be more diverse then the Democratic appointees have been. An example would be on the issue of whether it was constitutional for the State to prohibit partial birth abortion all of the Democratic appointees said no and with the Republican appointees half said no and half said yes. What's important is whether a President nominates someone who is restrained enough to just interpret law rather than change it.
McCain supports stem cell research which does not make him the darling of the pro-life groups. In fact the far right is just as concerned about McCain appointees as the Democrats are. McCain has pandered to the far right in recent years ,no doubt due to his Presidential aspirations, but issues such as abortion and gay marriage are just not his issues (his issue is foreign policy) and I would be very surprised if there were a litmus test in regards to abortion for McCain appointees, in particular since given his age he will possibly not be a two term President. I think the abortion issue will be a scare tactic used by the Obama camp towards those Clinton supporters who are contemplating jumping ship but many of your Clinton supporters are older women and while no doubt they have had a strong committment their entire adult lives to reproductive rights the abortion issue may not be what tips the scale this time in their Presidential choice. While I totally respect anyone's choice to vote for Obama, I would hope that his younger voters take his message of "change from the bottom up" to heart and utilize their enthusiasm and energy in the most effective manner by getting involved in causes they believe in or want to maintain rather then placing all of their faith in either one individual Democrat or one individual Republican. When you look at the most important changes that have occurred in this Country, in which the young have been the benefactors of and even Obama, those changes have come from a collective of like-minded individuals who had the courage to stand on their convictions and got out and made their voices heard whether it be civil rights, women's rights or reproductive rights, gay rights or ending a war .

Posted by: alpaig | May 17, 2008 12:40:25 AM

Voting for Hillary is not a racist act, of course. But the margin that she one in West Virginia (a margin she has not come close to in any other state) can only be explained in one way - and we have polling questions to prove it. SHAME ON WEST VIRGINIA and shame on die hard Hillary supporters that are not offended by people afraid of voting for a "Black" candidate. Keep making excuses folks. You are on the losing side of history, finally! You will look like those pics of White folks yelling at forced integration in the 50's. We all look at them now with sadness and pity. Just wait.

Posted by: Joel Wyatt | May 17, 2008 12:50:57 AM

Operation turn-down explains why the US middle class will be extinct in four years -- go for it -- I am sure that the tax for the top 1% won't impact your families --NOT!!!!!
By the way you should research "projection" While Obama may not be perfect I doubt he ever called his wife a "cxxx" in public. Look who brought Obama up -- his mother - he is his mother's child. I am sure mild mannered military McCain will be just as collaborative and empathic as Obama.. NOT!!! Talk about a low level of rational thought

Posted by: Gra | May 17, 2008 12:53:22 AM

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