Beware ALL Democratic Superdelegates.......if you do not vote in a manner consistant with the popular state voting.......you will drive a huge wedge in the party.  I am a 56 year old man and will join the demonstrations in Denver if you try to steal this election.

1 down, 200 odd to go.

:D

well it begins, all of Clintons superdelegates will see this and think, what does she know that I don't, also those who aren't in on the day to day, will start thinking maybe now is the time to switch.

One of many to come, I'm sure.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows Barack Obama opening a double-digit lead over Hillary Clinton in the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Today’s results show Obama earning support from 49% of Likely Democratic Primary Voters while Clinton attracts 37% (see recent daily numbers). Perhaps the most stunning aspect of the Obama surge is that he now leads 46% to 41% among women. Clinton retains a lead among the narrower subset of white women

Idea for Obama to resolve two questions:

The Florida anad Michigan issue and the Superdelegate Issue.

Offer to seat the two delegations if the Undemocratic Superdelegates ar eliminated.  

didn't Hillary win NJ? So isn't Barack doing just the opposite to what he was saying a few day back that Super delegates should follow how their states voted?

The cracks in the Clinton Dam break a little more every day. By the time the Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania primaries are upon us this race will for all intensive purposes will be over.  

you should never go public with a indorement until you are sure you support the canadate who could trust someone that changes ther mind

Speaking of delegates:
CNN, MSNBC and other media outlets are reporting on TV and the internet that you need 2025 delegates to win the majority of delegates and win the nomination.  This is not true however given that Florida and Michigan have been stripped of there delegates.  

4049 total delegates minus 313 (FL & MI) results in 3736 total delegates for the 2008 primaries.  One-half of these delegates plus one yields 1869 delegates to win the majority of delegates and to win the nomination.


 - Tom

From ABC News:

McCain Adviser Won't Fight Obama
 
February 13, 2008 6:48 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports: On Wednesday, a top adviser to John McCain said more definitively than he has in the past that he will step down from the Arizona senator's presidential campaign if the presumed GOP nominee faces Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in the general election.

"I would simply be uncomfortable being in a campaign that would be inevitably attacking Barack Obama," said McCain adviser Mark McKinnon in an interview with NPR's "All Things Considered."  "I think it would be uncomfortable for me, and I think it would be bad for the McCain campaign."

McKinnon, who was a Democrat before serving as President Bush's ad maker in 2000 and 2004, said that he plans to be behind McCain "100 percent" no matter who the Democratic nominee is. He explained, however, that if the Democrats nominate Obama, he will be supporting McCain "from the sidelines."

While saying that he does not agree with Obama on every issue, McKinnon gushed about the Illinois Democrat.

"I met Barack Obama, I read his book, I like him a great deal," said McKinnon. "I disagree with him on very fundamental issues. But I think, as I said, I think it would a great race for the country."...'

Hillary will win at the end with the superdelegates, who must choose the most viable candidate for the democratic party. THAT is Hillary.

Tough times at der Hillarybunker


From Huffington Post:

Mark Penn In Shouting Match At Clinton HQ

February 14, 2008 10:39 AM



The Wall Street Journal has an article detailing the recent shakeup in the Clinton campaign, after losing a series of primaries to Barack Obama. Internal tensions have leaked out, something rare for the usually tight-lipped camp:

But the campaign has something of a shellshocked feel, as staffers privately chew over a blowup last week where internal frictions flared into the open. Clinton campaign operatives say it happened as top Clinton advisers gathered in Arlington, Va., campaign headquarters to preview a TV commercial. "Your ad doesn't work," strategist Mark Penn yelled at ad-maker Mandy Grunwald. "The execution is all wrong," he said, according to the operatives.

"Oh, it's always the ad, never the message," Ms. Grunwald fired back, say the operatives. The clash got so heated that political director Guy Cecil left the room, saying, "I'm out of here."...'

Schaudenfreud !!

Politicians love what is popular, but they run from anything that could hurt them now or in the future.  

With the news that the Clinton camp will do whatever it takes, including "incendiary tactics" (as reported by MSNBC), it is no surprise that super delegates are beginning to distance themselves.  They want no part in dirty, inflammatory politics that are almost sure to divide the Dem party like never before.

The way this voter sees it, any candidate who resorts to pure slash and burn tactics to tear down the opposition and divide the electorate is deserving of neither respect or public office.

From Think Progress.com:

'...Maverick Fails The Test: McCain Votes Against
Waterboarding Ban

Today, the Senate brought the Intelligence
Authorization Bill to the floor, which contained a
provision from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
establishing one interrogation standard across the
government. The bill requires the intelligence
community to abide by the same standards as
articulated in the Army Field Manual and bans
waterboarding.

Just hours ago, the Senate voted in favor of the bill,
51-45.

Earlier today, ThinkProgress noted that Sen. John
McCain (R-AZ), a former prisoner of war, has spoken
strongly in favor of implementing the Army Field
Manual standard. When confronted today with the
decision of whether to stick with his conscience or
cave to the right wing, McCain chose to ditch his
principles and instead vote to preserve waterboarding:

Mr. McCain, a former prisoner of war, has consistently
voiced opposition to waterboarding and other methods
that critics say is a form torture. But the
Republicans, confident of a White House veto, did not
mount the challenge. Mr. McCain voted “no” on
Wednesday afternoon.

The New York Times Times notes that “the White House
has long said Mr. Bush will veto the bill, saying it
‘would prevent the president from taking the lawful
actions necessary to protect Americans from attack in
wartime.’”

After Bush vetoes the bill, McCain will again be
confronted with a vote to either stand with President
Bush or stand against torture. He indicated with his
vote today where he will come down on that issue.

John McCain: He was against waterboarding before he
was for it.

Didja see that?  Coulda sworn I just saw a rat jumping from the SS Clinton.  Floundering from a hole in the port bow.  

Not small, not furry, but they are beginning to leave the sinking ship of the Clinton campaign.  I predict the superdelegate count to be about tied by the time the March 4 primaries occur.

He still is a  fake read the Black Agenda Report, Abassador joe wilson's comments on Obama or Paul Street.  Truth hurts even Obama!

Oh Yeah! makes sense that he voted for Condi Rice
He's a Fake and has a bunch of drones to follow.

MSNBC,NBC,CNBC all in bed with Obama, GE does alot of business with Excelon Corp.
Explains Alot.

OH boys you must stop the spinning. Hillary will have the lions share of the superdelegates at the end. Now really boys, woman don't have cooties...and Hillary will be a wonderful president, honest.

As usual, you'll report every tiny microcosmic incident that looks bad for Senator Clinton and every tiny microcosmic incident that looks good for Obama. Give me a break. You guys are really getting old. You act glad about Senator Lantos'death because it gave Obama a bump! How pathetic.

So, how much money does it take to get a Superdelegate for one candidate to switch to the other? You just know there are going to be a lot of rich Superdelegates before this campaign is over.

That takes a lot of strength and character !!

With the American People and for the United States

OBAMA'08

Obama is on the roll. Clinton's superdelegates are in a sink-or-swim position. Either swim with Obama or sink with Clint. Who wants to drown???? I don't. Smart move for "Roz".

Obama is on the roll. Clinton's superdelegates are in a sink-or-swim position. Either swim with Obama or sink with Clint. Who wants to drown???? I don't. Smart move for "Roz".

Before everyone jumps on the Obama bandwagon, I want to suggest the sort of criteria everyone, including a
superdelegate might want to consider. When I choose a surgeon for a potentially life threating procedure I need-a very important decision for me to make. I will choose the person who has performed 1,000 surgeries, I will never choose the person who has performed three and HOPE it all turns out well. There is just too much at stake for me to play a role in their learning curve. On the other hand if I am choosing a singer or entertainer,I will select the person with the nice voice who looks kind of cool and has a nice delivery.

Go'bama!  Close the superdelegate lead!

Everyone that says Clinton has the superdelegate lead fails to realize that only half of the superdelegates have made their choices known.  There's a line of thought that questions whether such a disproportional amount will continue to favor Clinton, since it can be assumed that the Clintons called in all their favors for support back when they thought they'd have it sealed up by February 5th.

Just under 400 superdelegates are still up for grabs, and even the ones already "siding" with a candidate can change their vote.  Counting superdelegates is like playing Whack-a-Mole.

I think it's more fun to realize that Clinton only plans to win 15 or so of the 50 states, and thinks that she deserves the presidency, since those 15 states matter more than the total vote count, the total pledged delegate count from voting, and the other 35 states...

I think that the "thumpin" HRC got in VA might lead Sen. Edwards to reconsider endorsing her.  The move really would be a desparate ploy to remain in the spot light, and expose his campaign as a sham, after all he said, but, as Pat Buchanon states 2 nights ago, he's "not likely to ride into the Alamo"....  

The rules are the rules. If one candidate does not garner the necessary 2000 plus delegates for the party nomination, the super delegates resolve the impasse. They are not bound to vote according to how their state voted but free to vote as they see best for the party. That's the rule. So Senator Obama's assertion that they should vote according to the majority delegate count is just plain wrong. If that is what the party wanted, that would be the rule. It's not. They would never have set-up a specific number to be reached followed by a super delegate format only to have the majority delegate count supercede. Senator Clinton on the other hand can't have Michigan and Florida count because that too was the agreed upon rule of the party. Super delegates, vote how you see fit; that's the rule. We empowered you to make a tough decision, so make it and don't be bullied or guilted into any decision that is not your own.

Drip, Drip, Drip goes the Superdelegate's.They are seeing what is going on across this country we so truely love.They see who is a Uniteing figure & with all that's gone on the last 7 years, we damn sure need someone like Barack as President.
I find it absoltely amazing that because Hillary supporter's are'nt getting their way across America, they will leave the Democratic party. I say Good Ridance to all of ya, you're nothing but a bunch of childish Sore Loser's who in the end were'nt really Democrat's anyways, just pawns of of the Clinton's who have No idea how to handle Losing!


Barack Obama for President!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

remember the  demacrats,,  if clinton wins, I vote for mc cain,, If obama wins,, I vote for obama, this is the sentiment of a lot of senoirs in california

Alert: R.I.'s Chafee backs Obama

Former Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee today endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, citing the Illinois senator’s longstanding opposition to the war in Iraq.

Chafee, who lost a run for reelection in 2006, was the only Republican in the Senate to vote against giving President Bush the authority to attack Iraq. Chafee left the Republican Party last year and changed his registration to unaffiliated.

Chafee hinted several days ago that he was considering a vote for Obama. In his upcoming book, Chafee criticizes Democrats who supported the resolution to authorize the war, saying a vote for the war should be a career-ending lapse of judgment. In backing Obama, the former senator said the nation cannot afford another presidential election with two candidates who supported the war.

From Politico.com

'...Clinton pits herself against business

By: Mike Allen
Feb 14, 2008 12:32 PM EST


Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) trashed an array of corporate interests in an economic speech in Ohio Thursday, vowing that as president she would go after oil, credit-card, insurance, pharmaceutical, investment, and loan firms...'

LIAR !
She gets MORE CONTRIBUTIONS form INSURANCE and PHARMACEUTICAL corporations than ANY CANDIDATE !
Even Republicans !!
How would she 'rein them in' ?
Guess who will benefit from her Health Insurance plans ?


'...Delivering a major economic address ahead of the Buckeye State’s crucial March 4 primary, Clinton also slammed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as a lightweight, declaring: “My opponent gives speeches, I offer solutions.”...'

What ?
Crying isn't working ?
How about 'race baiting' ?
Call yourself 'a Reformer with Results' !!


'...“My opponent says that he’ll take on the special interests,” she said in her prepared remarks. “Well, he told people he stood up to the nuclear industry and passed a bill against them. But he actually let the nuclear industry water down his bill – the bill never actually passed.” ...'

'...Clinton has put a new emphasis on populism as she attempts to recover from a string of eight consecutive losses to Obama, and she continues to court the endorsement of former opponent John Edwards.

Earlier in the race, Clinton defended her relationships with business lobbyists, telling a blogger convention this summer that many of them “represent real Americans.”...'

Yes !!
Corporate lobbyists are 'REAL PEOPLE'

A majority of Hillary's 'experience' with Rose Law firm was defending CORPORATIONS AGAINST the public interest !
She DEFENDED corporations against the 'little guy'
Hillary sat on the Board of 'anti-union' WalMart !

SOME POPULIST !!

Ask her about NAFTA !

Would you buy a used car from Hillary ?

I sincerely hope the superdelegates will pick the same candidate already selected by the voters.  I also hope that candidate will be Senator Obama.  Here are the reasons why:

First, there are two people left in this Presidential race who obviously value the best interests of this Country over themselves: these candidates are Senator Obama and Senator McCain.  I had given Senator Clinton the benefit of the doubt on this one before she and her surrogates tried to tell us that the superdelegates should take the nomination away from the candidate chosen by the voters.  Such a suggestion is unbelievably self-interested and would probably leave the Democratic party in disarray for years to come.

Second, there is only one candidate who understands the new technological tools available to the next President in the 21st Century, (the internet) and that candidate is Senator Obama.  Senator Obama's web-site navigates better than most commercial web-sites.  He has raised funds via the internet very successfully.  Most importantly, Senator Obama has organized vast numbers of diverse American citizens all over this Country mostly via the internet.  Everyone who uses the internet, a fairly recent invention, knows that it increases productivity and efficiency.  Senator Obama is the only candidate who understands how to maximize this new tool.

Third, Senator Obama is the only candidate running who can bring this Country together.  Senator Obama has motivated millions across this Country to get up, get out and DO, not just for him but for the United States of America.  He calls on parents to become involved in their child's education.  He calls on young people to believe that they can achieve their dreams, and they believe him and DO.  And he calls on those like me, who are older with bones that are starting to ache, to once more believe that we can take our Country back.  Despite claims to the contrary, this is wonderful.  When we work together as Americans there is nothing we cannot achieve.  Together we can solve the problems that have been poisoning this nation for years -- deteriorating education, failing infrastructure, soaring costs of health care, the trade deficit and loss of good paying jobs, and etc.

Fourth, Senator Obama is the one candidate who was right on the War in Iraq from the beginning.  I agree with him that the War in Iraq is a war that should not have been fought and certainly should not have been authorized.  The fact that he was right on the critical  issue of our time shows that he has the judgment to be President on day one and every day thereafter.

Yes we can, Obama '08

From the Politico.com:

'...February 14, 2008
Read More: McCain

Thanks a lot, Linc


So former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee -- you remember him, don't ya? -- threw his support to Barack Obama today.

Coming ahead of Little Rhodey's March 4 primary, the Chafee endorsement could help Obama with the state's unaffiliated voters.

But it's also a kick in the pants of John McCain.

As he was fending off a conservative primary challenger in 2006, the moderate-liberal Chafee had McCain record a radio ad.

“There have been some issues we haven't agreed on -- but that should be the nature of our party, a party of diverse views... sharing the common principles of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan," McCain said in the spot, aired in the final days before the September primary.

McCain also came to the Ocean State earlier that summer to raise money for Chafee in his ultmately successful primary campaign and then later in the fall to do the same before Linc lost his legacy seat.

And, to make things all the more awkward, McCain is actually in Rhode Island today...'

Who will unite Democrats, independents AND Republicans ?    OBAMA
Who can BEAT McCain ?   OBAMA

Who will bring HONESTY and INTEGRITY back to the White House after 15 years of lies and scandals ?

           OBAMA

I'm guessing they'll start moving Obama's en masse in the next couple days.

The momentum continues, for Obama. I cannot believe people are not making a big deal of Senator Clinton's shady attempts to seat the Michigan and Florida delegates. The party made its choice already and to reverse its decision at the insistence of a candidate who is already losing is horrid to see. I voted in Florida. I can say from my experience this state would have gone to Obama if campaigning was permitted. The contests was all but surrendered due to its apparent uselessness in the delegate count. It was hard to get people out to vote for a no contest. If we hold caucuses I am sure Obama will win.

Hillary is Toasssssssssssssssssssssssssst

I have  afeeling this may be the first of many, bur I suspect most will hold off another month or so.

I am one of the many "unaffiliated" registered TX voters with a prior history of republican tendencies.  With that said, I am anxious to vote in the March 4 primary for Mr. Obama.  His ability to inspire and reach across party lines is testament to his potential to unite a nation that has become much too divisive.   His multi-cultural background makes him a natural for repairing our international image which has been so damaged by Bush/Cheney.  The diversity of the supporters Mr. Obama enjoys is refreshing and hopeful.  It is way time to move on beyond the Bush/Clinton/Bush era.  People think life was so fabulous under Bill Clinton but you can't turn back the clock and Hillary isn't Bill.  Let's look forward, not to the past.

I'll be waiting for the Obama supporters indignation at the switch since they believe the super delegates should go along with the will of the people.  FYI:  Clinton won New Jersey.

Oh my Gawd... what happens when a Clinton state (NJ) super delegate switches to the Obama swoon... is this the end of Democracy as we know it... Or; is time to realize that it may soon happen on the other side (as it has since Jimmy Carter's nomination)?

Random Thoughts.....
Based on MSNBC numbers counting Super delegates plus pledged delegates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are separated by fewer than 50 delegates.

With 1500 delegates (including Super delegates) up for grab and the candidate needs close to 800 delegates or 55% to reach 2025 total delegates.

The FL and MI delegates will to be counted or they will have new primaries to avoid alienating those voters and giving away those 2 states to the Republican.

MSNBC news on PA and OH polls conducted 6-12 Feb showing the Obama winning streak had surprisingly little impact in both states with Hillary Clinton leading by a big margin.

Like in CA, FL, NJ, MA and NY Barack Obama candidacy has showed that facing John McCain (good position in immigration and with independents) some traditionally democratic states since 1992 may be in play in this general election.

Like in a general election, counting ELECTORAL VOTES of the states won by both candidates, Hillary Clinton would have won more ELECTORAL VOTES than Barack Obama so far.

The superdelegate's will look like fleas off a dead bobcat shortly in favor  of Obama.

This is the type of bad news that the Clinton campaign cannot have.  If Clinton superdelegates start moving to Obama and Clinton's lead among superdelegates begins to shrink, that will bode very badly for her in the upcoming primaries.  Congrats to Ms. Samuels for coming to her senses and supporting the person who truly is the best candidate.

I believe within the next 10 days you are going to see more and more HRC supporters switch to Obama.  Hillary (and Bill) put the pressure on early that HRC would be the candidate....now the super delegates are taking another look that she isn't the "annointed" party candidate that the Clintons had them believing.

This is a good thing for our democracy - bad for Clinton, good for the country.

To make it easy for the superdelegates to pick a nominee, look at the 2nd place results along with the first place ones. Everyone knows that Obama has more 1st place wins, 21 to Clinton's 10.
Now look at the 2nd place finishes. Obama has (6) 2nd place finishes of over 40%, while Clinton has (4).
The number of 2nd place finishes of UNDER 40% is striking. Obama has (2), while Clinton has (16).
Chuck Todd: I see you every night and you do a great job of number crunching.  Please include the above.
Tony Pina
Math Teacher

If Clinton's pledged delegates switch to Obama is this viewed as a scandal...?

The reports on MSNBC's Tucker, Hardball and Countdown have all been aghast at the possibility that somehow Clinton is manipulating these super delegates to HER advantage... with this news of a switch to Obama is THIS the end of Democracy as we know it... or does she deserve it?

I posted the following on CNN hree days ago...

After 8 straight wins post-Super Tuesday, I expect to see Obama pick up many more endorsements, especially from SuperDelegates.

Am I pyshic or what?

Domenico,
It appears that Ms. Samuels has had time to look over Mr. Obama's Issues & Plans and see that he actually has substance behind the message (Refer to his Website). Perhaps she see that Mrs. Clinton has changed her tactics and message to almost sound like Mr. Obama. So why go with a fake when you get an original. First it was experience over change, to now experience with change. We have heard Yes We Can, She want to say Yes We Will...come on stand on something and stick with it. She hasn't apologized for the vote for the war in Iraq nor has she apologized for the hundreds of jobs that were shipped out of the country during her Husbands candidacy which she adds to her experince. Oh I guess many have forgotten about that part of his candidacy...Not this American. The People Are Speaking Loud And Clear!!! CHANGE,CHANGE,CHANGE!

Fantastic news.  I expect many of the Superdelegates to realize that with Obama on the ticket the House and Senate stand the best chance to pick up a working majority so that bills can actually get passed.  

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