Clinton camp on Obama's delegates

Posted: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 12:48 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
"We have not, are not, and will not pursue the pledged delegates of Barack Obama," Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson said in a conference call with reporters, in which the Clinton camp was discussing the upcoming contests in Texas and Ohio.

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Comments

The Clinton supporters on here are starting to get a bit over the top. First this story comes out and they all support the idea of trying to "steer" pledged delegates to HRC's side. Then Obama's campaign comes out against that idea. Now the HRC campaign says they will not be going after pledged delegates.

So what do the HRC supporters on here do?

They blame the press and call Obama a Hypocrite!

It was someone within the HRC campaign that told the press about this tactic. The press was only reacting to information they received and Obama only reacted to the story.

What gets me is that many of the HRC supports were defending the tactic! It's pretty bad when your defending tactics as long as long as they favor HRC but I'm sure you would otherwise frown upon them. But it's just as bad to make claims that are outright untrue....Obama's camp made up the whole story??? That's just way off base.

I see some of this on both sides but the HRC supports appear to be getting more and more desperate and looking more and more foolish. Just as HRC is looking these days.This current tactic of just throwing anything she can out there in hopes that maybe something will stick to Obama just reeks of desperation.

Kevin, PA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:49 PM)

yeah right. i don't believe a word the clintons utter..."i did not have sexual relations." "the vote to authorize the war was to give bush the option." billary is about spin, double talk and lies. its clear their starategy is divisive, rove-esque, divide and conquer, 50% plus 1 politiecs and i would not be surprised if they go after obama's pledged delegates in the same manner.

Eric, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:49 PM)

Follow this,, Barack Obama's own words.."I was convinced the American people wanted something new and different," Obama said in Beloit, Wisconsin, Monday night while explaining why he decided to run. "They didn't want a politics that was about tearing each other down. They wanted politics that was about lifting the country up. They were tired -- you were tired of spin and PR and negative attacks instead of straight talk and honesty and offering practical solutions to our problems."

So the question to,,, MSNBC is? Are you tearing down Hillary just for the fun of it for ratings or do you have a hidden agenda. Is obvious that you have nothing good to say about Hillary so I would just like to know your thoughts.. Im sick of Joe Scarborough, Chis Matthews, and Keith Oberman.. Im also sick of Mica for not standing up to Joe,, You are a whimp.

James Waters (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:49 PM)

Michelle Obama: first time proud of america

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LYY73RO_egw

dong, LA, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:50 PM)

To the idiot that posted as "wake up and smell the hypocrits now," here are two points to ponder:

1) If you had actually read about the issue before posting and making yourself look like a fool, you would notice that the Obama camp was responding to "today's article by the Politico's Roger Simon." No the Obama camp didn't make this up but thank you for playing.

2) Today's word is "hypocrite"
It ends in an "e"
The plural of "hypocrite" is "hypocrites", which
ends in "es".

Wow an actual fact on a political blog. Isn't that refreshing?

Chris, Scottsdale, AZ (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:50 PM)

This just in!!!! Early exit polls show Hillary leading Barak by double digits....stay tuned for more polling results!

TheQueenBee! (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:50 PM)

So, it's okay for Obama's people to "guilt" superdelegates by saying they'd be the ones preventing the first black president, but not okay for Hillary to talk with them.

More double standards.

belle, seattle (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:50 PM)

UM NIXON like OBAMA had a plan for PEACE and sold it to all the gulliable americans HAHA MACAIN 08 a man who paid for JFKs vietnam passed top LBJ and onto NIXON get your history right HOWS YOUR IDOL JFK sound now you know he wiretapped MLK and voted against the 1957 civil rights bill and was against the I HAVE A DREAM MARCH .He was still alive why didnt he attend OBAMA LOVERS?

kenn (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:51 PM)

Isn't it the Obama campaign that has spent $700,000 on securing super delegates. They call them contributions althought I think it is closer to bribes for votes. But such a great speech writer wouldn't do anything under the table like taking credit for someone else.

Who wrote that check/speech (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:51 PM)

they wanna make vote obama and I say no no no

amywhinehouse (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:53 PM)

they wanna make me vote obama and I say no no no

amywhinehouse (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:53 PM)

OBAMA AGAINST WAR............................... OBAMA VOTED TO FUND WAR........................ THATS NOT BEING TWO FACED IS IT OBAMA LOVERS CAT GOT YOUR TOUGNE.

kenn (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:53 PM)

Its just a shame that we speak about whats wrong and whats right based on spin rather than facts.. Where do all of these hatefull comments come from.

James Waters (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:54 PM)

Why does anyone want to have the Clintons back in the White House. They are so mad and jealous at the Bush family and it shows because they will do anything to get back to Pennsylvania Ave to one up the Bushes. As a democrat I doubt if I'd go to the polls to vote for Hillary. Her whole campaign just turns me off as a voter.

squalls@uncc (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:54 PM)

WHO WAS THE HIGH RANKING CLINTON OFFICIAL?Doubt if they even exist.MSNBC will run with any story vetted or not.

kenn (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:56 PM)

You know, I am tired of hearing about all of Hillary's experience and how great she will be. Exactly how many elections has she won?

Well the truth of the matter is Hillary was first elected in 2000 based in part on a promise not to run for president. Obama was elected to the state senate in 1997 and to the US senate in 2004. That to me doesn't seem to be the big time experience gap that she promotes. She isn't as good a speaker, she can't be as motivating, I really don't see any clear advantage she has over Obama. They are both obviously intelligent, but I couldn't say one was far more intelligent than the other. I just don't get how anyone can look at the mans positions, and listen to him speak and not admit that he is worthy of the office of the president. If you don't think he is the best choice fine, but you should at least give the credit that is due and not invent reasons to promote an agenda or another candidate.

Richard P (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:58 PM)

Even the mighty but corrupt media can not stop Hillary.
Soon to be 'Madam President'.

Tim Delay, White Water, WI (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:59 PM)

Another lie by Obama Camp to discredit Clinton. And of course it had to be spinning all over the media on a day to change the undecided voter's position in Wisconsin. Great job to Obama Mob

Let's get Hillary out of the way so we can eat Obama alive.

for McCain (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:01 PM)

I would hope Politico would know a clinton official when they see/speak to them, particular if they are "higher-up" as suggested.

THere's no doubt in my mind -- delegates didn't matter while clinton thought she was ahead. But now that she's not, they are so important she's willing to manipulate the elected delegates to secure her "inevitable" outcome.

The clinton's have slung every kind of mud they can get thier hands on during this contest -- what make anyone think they are beyond this?? I mean, the clinton's have much more to lose than Obama if they fail to secure the nomination, don't you think?

aMom in Kansas (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:01 PM)

why isn't this posted on your website...sure would be there if Bill Clinton said it!!

Michelle Obama is taking heat for saying 'for the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm proud of my country' at a campaign rally for her husband in Wisconsin yesterday

rob, pa. (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:02 PM)

Good one. They floated it out there, heard the uproar, then denied. Obama-ites, be ye warned that this is not the first sneaky thing they tried or will try.
I can't wait for McCain to kick her tail in November - no sexism intended.

kyd70,SC (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:03 PM)

Taken from Real Clear Politics article today:

"Volunteer trainees at Camp Obama are told not to talk issues with voters, but to offer personal testimony about how they "came" to Obama. Makes the skin crawl."

Mine too

THIS is a campaign? Makes Mike Huckabee look secular to me.

NY reality (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:04 PM)

Clinton Rocks
Obama Sucks

Obama Kool-Aid effect is starting to disappear. Obama is all sizzle and no steak.

People are starting to see thru his "inspiration"

Clinton Rocks

Obama Sucks

Patty, SD,CA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:05 PM)

For those that support the Clinton's going after pledged delegates. It isn't against DNC rules to kidnap the delegates so thay can't vote for Obama. Perhaps she should do that too? It isn't against DNC rules to feed them exlax so that they can't vote...maybe they should do that too? Perhaps they should make sure the electric bill isn't paid in Denver so that there aren't any microphones or TV cameras. If no one hears them vote it doesn't really count?

I tell you what if she wants my vote she has it....all she has to do is flash her boobs in Times Square. It isn't against the rules and if she does it I pledge I will vote for her.

Stacy, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:05 PM)

Jerry/Corpus Christi Texas: '...It will soon be over. the Bee's and the Sierra's of the world will have the candidate that makes them feel good about themselves. They will go down in the flames just like in 68, 72, 80, 84, 88, 00, 04 but at least they will feel good. LMAO ...'

Don't lose your ballast, jerry

It's gonna be trouble for the 'Straight Jacket Express'

100 years in Iraq ?
Many wars ?
'Bomb, bomb, bomb bomb, bomb Iran' ?

BOy are YOU in for a SURPRISE this November !!

Remember 1964 and that ad Johnson ran against Goldwater ?
3 - 2 - 1 .... mushroom cloud !!
Little girl gone away

THAT'S what McCain is PROMISING YOU
MANY WARS !!

Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:07 PM)

Come on QueenBee you know there no exit polls until after the polls close.

OBwan IN (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:08 PM)

Mr. Obama: Teach those college students, how to do it. They will get ahead in life!! Learn , learn from him. Of course that's plagiarism. In utube they are not even able to spell the word right, how they are going to know what the term means. This is the people who is going to choose our president? Si se puede Hillary!!!!

Let's hope not!

Buenos dias

Joanne

joanne Souto (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:08 PM)

If clinton is in charge I'm pretty sure this country is up for its second great depression.....let the stocks come tumbling down
John, MI (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:33 PM)

------------------------------------------------
Where are you ? on Mars? Take a look see buddy the stock market is in the crapper! The market always does better when we have a Dem in office, check it out blind guy. WE ARE IN A DEPRESSION NOW!

HP Boston (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:10 PM)

Wait for the state conventions to see where the delegates end up.

OBwan, New Carlisle, IN (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:11 PM)

Another possible explanation for the Clinton camp's release of this backspinning info could be to start up the old "we're the underdogs" under attack spiel again.

The notion is so politics as usual, I wouldn't put that angle past them either.

aMom in Kansas (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:11 PM)

thanks to the 2 of you who posted youtube and obamatruth.org-------Michelle is sure stupid to make such a remark---and made me absolutely positively sure that I cannot with any kind of moral character vote for her husband.The other site about all the money these 2 have made and their corrupt business dealings should have been put out to the public a very long time ago.Sitting on company boards,sucking money out of the workers pockets and putting it in their own and thhen closing plants.If Hillary does not win the nomination I just won't vote.Hey Michelle all my family has served in the wars since world war 1 including my grandfather,uncles,husband,children and grandchildren ---how dare you suggesting that you have just become proud of this country because your husband is running for president.You probably have had your high priced designers working on your inaugural finery since he was elected to the senate.The 2 of you make the Clintons look like saints.When Bill entered the whitehouse they had no wealth at all,did not have a mansion like you have and did not have the big bucks you 2 have sponged off the puplic.Your cultish followers are blind as bats.

HMT-MI (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:23 PM)

Clinton will break any rule she agreed to, use any tactic she can because that's how the Clintons have operated. Florida and Michigan cannot be counted because those were the agreed to rules. You cannot change the rules in the middle of the game just because you're losing.

As far as Obama's remarks about words: Clinton accused him of being "only about words." His response was true. Just because his friend had said it before him doesn't make that plagerism. It's just reiterating a fact. Clinton is grasping at straws to make a big deal of this. It's nothing, and it changes nothing.

I'm a Republican excited about Obama's call for a new direction. I believe he can do it because he has the passion, judgment and integrity it takes. We've had enough of the old garbage of politics as usual and the "experience" of the old pols to put themselves and special interests before that of the country.

Jane, Naples, Fl. (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:24 PM)

How two-faced can you people get? If Obama or Axelrod say something, it's pure as gold. If the official Clinton campaign says something, it's not true. How do you know the reporter didn't make it up? Bottom line is this. BOTH candidates will go after every delegate they can get at this point.

oknOK (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:25 PM)

Hillary Rotten Clinton is a joke. Lets set the record about a few things:

1- The Clinton labor secretary Robert Reicht says Obama's healthcare plan covers more people that Hillary's plan and lowers cost. He works for the Clintons people not Obama. Her ads are distorting the truth. If you dont believe me google his name and healthcare and see for yourself. She claims his plan leaves out 15 million people. If so, how many does her plan leave out if his covers more people! Something to think about.

2- If the race was really about experience as HRC claims then the front runners should not be Hillary or Barack but Dodd and Richardson seeing as they have the most experience of any of the candidates.

3- Obama has held legislative office longer than HRC. However, she claims to have the most experience.
I guess so if you count the governor's mansion and the White House. Does that mean that Chelsea should run for President too? She was in those same places just as long her mom.

4- Bill Clinton preached 'change' in 1992 and everyone believed him.....twice! Now that Obama beat them to the punch for the 2008 primaries its just words. Those same words is what put her in the White House and lay claim to the phantom experience she has. See number 3 for more clarification.

5- Hillary began the media bias during her stay in the Whitehouse. She disliked the media so much she tried to move them from the West Wing of the White House to the Old Executive Office Building down the block to protect Chelsea and Bill .Pictures of Bill surfaced just before the DNC in 1992 of him 'befriending' another female that was not Hillary. Due to the unsuccessful media move, she went over the reporters heads to speak with the editors of the various papers. Reporters described it as an attempt to intimidate them. You reap what you sew. A Hillary disaster is a much bigger story than a Barack win! The two possible stories just happens to compliment each other.

6- As for her plagarism attacks...She seem to have forgotten that the often mentioned tag line "ready on day one" was used in 1988 by a Texas governor harping on experience. That governor went on to become President. His name.....George W. Bush! Ready on day one huh.......

It is what it is people.

Concerned Democrat

Concerned Democrat, New York City, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:25 PM)

Plagiarism is plagiarism, but plagiarism is NOT borrowing un-copyrighted lines from one's friend with his o.k. Plagiarism is -- as Senator Clinton surely knows since she is an attorney -- using copyrighted material without permision. Little problem with the actual law, there, "horrified."

As an attorney, I am "horrified" by how ready people are to accept blatant falsehoods about laws that are clearly written out in state and federal law books and Black's law dictionary. Please do your homework about what the law actually is -- and who is lying about that law -- before you get so "horrified."

Kim, Pasadena, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:26 PM)

Really, this is just a page out of Bill's book...
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman.." "It depends on what the meaning of is is"

Come on folks, even someone who used to defend the Clinton presidency can clearly see they are operating from the standard deny deny deny play book that has been in their possession since the mid 90's!

Julia, Carbondale, IL (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:33 PM)

Let's not forget how evil the Clinton's have been..
they use people then get rid of them...what happen to Vince Foster ?? This is a big ego trip for Hillary.
It's all about them..always..It will be a nightmare if they get back in the White House..

Judy Obrien , Ga. (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:35 PM)

If Hillary's campaign says it, then it must be so. So says the QueenBee!!!

TheQueenBee (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:37 PM)

People had better wake up, or they will have another Carter in the White House. Why would the Clinton campaign leak any such crap to hurt themselves? This whole election is getting out of control. Obahma's words will not change a thing, all policy has to go through the House and Senate. Wake up! The Republicans are wanting someone they can beat.

Leatha, Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:42 PM)

Question for the First Read guy. If we take the Michigan and Florida delagates out of the Democratic equation, what would the total number of needed delagates drop to from the required 2025? What's up Chuck Todd, love your work man.

ksqualls@uncc (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:42 PM)

Here is the video showing instances where 6 different people faint in Obama events. All 6 of them are women. All of them were in front rows. The gentle words Obama used were all similar. Can I say "STAGED"?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XwzVLP2NcqI

dong, LA, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:44 PM)

So let me get this straight....are we to now believe the Clinton campaign is above this type of behaviour??

There is nothing too low for that woman. She believe in saying and doing whatever she has to in order to win. And right about now, it's desperation time in the Clinton camp.

I'd take my chances sleeping in a train station before I'd chance falling asleep in that office. Man, anything goes there.

Mike, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:44 PM)

Let's face it the media has a lot to do with the current state of affairs we are in. But in a free speech society we get what we pay for. I am tired of the right wing preaching it's moreal high ground. I am tired of the media nit picking everything to death. A couple of days at home listing to CNN is enough to drive you nuts with constant replay of the idiotic stories that they can come up with. But we choose to listen and yet are we educated enought to pick out what is realy news and what is not? Sometimes i long for the old days of daily newspapers, weekly periodicals and then nightly news.

Fred from Woodbury, MN (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:47 PM)

Hillary will stoop to any level and step on anyone or anything in her path. This is what people should also expect if she wins the nomination. The democratic party will also lose to McCain.

Eric (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:49 PM)

Clinton pledged to not count Florida and Michigan, then she tries to count them. Then she pledges not go after Obama's delegates, then she ________. My 2-year-old could get that one right.

Phil in the Blank, Minneapolis, Minn. (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:49 PM)

Clearly the Clinton camp is desperate at this point and this was just another example. Why would Obama's camp make that up? Lets go back and take a look at who is trying to smear who? Obama is running a much more respectable campaign. And all Clinton can do is reach as hard as she can to try and find some sort of dirt. It is pathetic.

Brooke, Omaha, NE (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:52 PM)

I see more and more bush-style gop tactic from the clinton camp these days. It's just as distasteful coming from the dems as it is from the republicans. All the clinton drama is just too much.

Julie, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:57 PM)

The Clintons aren't stealing the delegates, they're bribing them. Try to keep your facts straight FR.

Ed, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:57 PM)

Clinton campaign tactic 134c.12

1) have a staffer release something embarrassing to the press on condition of anonymity

2) have a staffer later deny the story on the record

3a) blame the press for bias

3b) blame the VRWC for being a VRWC

3c) blame the Democratic opponent for smearing, and acting like part of the VRWC

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:58 PM)

You know what I noticed....yesterday was a federal holiday and most of the Obama posters weren't here.
Today is the first day back after the long weekend and they're all out in full force.
Logically, that can only mean one thing; a good number of the folks who post in here are paid to do so by the Obama campaign.
Why else would they have been off yesterday?

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 3:02 PM)

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