First thoughts: Back to square one

Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:24 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts, 2008

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro

*** Back to square one? It took just two victories in one week -- including last night’s 61%-37% win in Mississippi -- for Obama to erase the net delegate gains Clinton picked up on March 4. Will the pattern repeat itself in the next two months? Clinton goes on to win Pennsylvania, but Obama negates that after victories two weeks later in North Carolina and Indiana. If so, how does Clinton change the dynamics and math of the race? Going back to Mississippi, Obama’s formula to success was the same as in other Deep South states he’s won. He beat her among African Americans, 92%-8%, while Clinton beat him among whites, 70%-26%. One other thing: The turnout was huge. More than 400,000 participated in the primary -- near the 460,000 Mississippians who voted for Kerry and Edwards 2004 in the GENERAL ELECTION! Is there a hidden vote here than Obama can tap into if he’s the nominee? Perhaps, but it will have to be greater than the nearly 700,000 who voted for Bush in 2004…

VIDEO: March 12: NBC's Political Director Chuck Todd offers his first read on indentity politics in the Mississippi primary results and the media's focus on Geraldine Ferraro's comments about presidential candidate Barak Obama.

*** The delegate count: Obama leads Clinton 1,610-1,496. That includes the NBC News pledged delegate total of Obama 1,394, Clinton 1,242 and the NBC superdelegate total of Clinton 254, Obama 216. Obama, so far, has a 15-12 delegate lead in Mississippi, with six delegates yet to be allocated (most of which will go to Obama). There are also 19 other delegates that have not yet been allocated from previously completed contests, including nine from the Texas caucuses, nine from Colorado and one from Dems Abroad. There are now 566 pledged delegates left, and Clinton needs 64% to overcome Obama's pledged delegate lead. Obama needs 46% of all remaining delegates (including undecided superdelegates) to get to 2025.

*** The popular vote: By winning by almost 100,000 votes in Mississippi yesterday, Obama increased his popular vote lead over Clinton to approximately 700,000. It’s Obama 13,402,903, Clinton 12,705,360. And now even if you include Florida and Michigan, Obama leads the popular vote. That total is Obama 13,979,117, Clinton 13,904,497. This is fitting a pattern for Obama: When he wins a state, he wins it by a large margin and pads his lead in delegates and votes; hen Clinton wins, she usually does so narrowly.

*** "I will stand my ground … and I won’t back down": This Ferraro controversy isn’t going away anytime soon. On ABC this morning, Ferraro once again stood by her earlier remark that the only reason why Obama is in the position he’s in is because he’s black. “Every time somebody opens their mouth [in the Clinton campaign], Bill Clinton-racist, Ed Rendell-racist,” Ferraro said this morning. “My concern is how I’ve been treated. I am absolutely offended… And to take it out on Hillary, because they can’t talk about the issues.” This will dominate the political news today (unless Eliot Spitzer chooses this day to resign as New York governor), and will force the Clinton campaign to once again respond to it. In pure political terms, however, does this controversy help Clinton with white voters in Pennsylvania? Of course, short-term gains for Clinton could be major long-term pains. Obama's campaign has taken pains to be a candidate for president who happens to be black rather than the black candidate for president. But these controversies sometimes force him to be the black candidate rather than just the candidate with a unique racial background.

VIDEO: March 11: Hillary Clinton says she does not agree with Geraldine Ferraro who said that if Barack Obama "was a white man he wouldn't be in this position." MSNBC's Contessa Brewer talks with NBC's Chuck Todd.

*** Florida, Florida, Florida: Fresh off the email this morning is a letter from Clinton manager Maggie Williams to Obama manager David Plouffe calling for the Obama campaign to do one of two things: 1) accept the Florida and Michigan results or 2) join them in calling for a re-vote. The Florida Democrats appear to be on the verge of submitting a new plan to the DNC for approval that would result in a mail-in primary election, something the Obama camp has already raised doubts about and something the Florida House Dems unanimously opposed last night. So what does Obama do? The campaign has been VERY cautious on this issue. Surprisingly, they haven't called for a re-vote, mostly because the last thing the campaign wants to do is give Clinton more contests to compete and therefore extend the race. But shouldn't Obama, who is made a lot of hay about the fact he's campaigned in every state and taken every contest so seriously, be on the side of a re-vote? Sure, at this point, winning Florida seems remote and who knows if Michigan Democrats can agree on anything. But there's a difference between playing not to lose and playing like you have nothing to lose. Clinton has nothing to lose because she's behind, so it's easy for her to be for a re-vote. Obama obviously has more to lose but how often does a prevent defense work in football or politics?

*** Ain’t too proud to beg: Romney told FOX yesterday: "I think any Republican leader in this country would be honored to be asked to serve as the vice presidential nominee, myself included.” He did something most veep wannabes don't do -- he admitted he want the job. Doesn't this guarantee he won't get the job now?

*** On the trail: Clinton is in DC, where she speaks to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the morning and then to the National Newspaper Publishers Association in the evening; McCain stumps in yet another battleground state, this one that began his 2008 comeback -- New Hampshire; and Obama has a media availability in Chicago. Also, Bill and Chelsea Clinton campaign in Pennsylvania.

Countdown to Pennsylvania: 41 days
Countdown to North Carolina, Indiana: 55 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 237 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 314 days

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Comments

I know we’re Democrats and all, but really, this isn’t just stupid; it’s crazy stupid. We’re deadlocked in the primaries now; hopelessly stuck with neither side able to win enough delegates outright before the convention. That’s just a fact, and it’s going to be up to the superdelegates to break the tie. We know this right now, today.

There are something like three hundred uncommitted superdelegates left at this point. We will be throwing all our resources into tearing each other down for months on end, and all for no better reason than to try and sway a few hundred votes. Can any of you on either side tell me how this makes one speck of sense? We’re talking about financing entire new elections in two states just to convince a few hundred individuals to choose between two candidates. Unbelievable.

If we behave like rational people I’m pretty sure we could find a much less costly way to help the handful of remaining fence-sitters fall off on one side or the other. A win by one superdelegate vote tomorrow for either candidate would be far better for all of us than to continue down the road we’re on. We’re just doing McCain’s job for him now.

One side will be bitterly disappointed, we already know that. It’s pretty clear now that the “honored to be on the same stage” moment was only a fleeting glimpse of what might have been. Would it be better to wait until August to start repairing the damage or to start now? Gee, let me think. We have nothing to gain and everything to lose by letting this divisive primary process play out. Both our candidates have started dropping in national polls while McCain is going up. It only gets worse from here on out.

Nobody likes the smoke-filled room scenario, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t do this out in the open. We know what the arguments are on both sides already. Let’s just have the debate, make a choice and direct our energy where it belongs. I’ve seen this happen three times before, people, and believe me when I say that this is no way to win an election. We don’t have to do this.

Superdelegates, what’s up? How about a little leadership here? Responsibility doesn’t come without personal risk, and your decision will only become more difficult the longer you procrastinate. You are now responsible for the future of the party and the nation. What the #@!$%&$# are you waiting for? MOVE!!!!!!

jaycee, Ventura,California (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:29 AM)

Geraldine Ferraro,

You don’t want to be honest as to why Hillary is going to lose? Well, I will be.

If Barack Obama had supported us going into Iraq, he would NOT be where he is today. That is only one of the reasons why he is going to be the democratic nominee. We don’t need more experienced people in DC. What we need is more intelligent people.

You, Hillary & Bill Clinton need to look into the mirror. We can’t stand you anymore. That’s the issue. The color of Barack’s skin is not. Hillary Clinton has never shown any courage. Never. Just bitchiness and now racism more and more.

You & Hillary and most of your female supporters are obnoxious.

Get used to this fact. WE LIKE SENATOR BARACK OBAMA. That is why he’s going to win.

He's smarter than your candidate.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:30 AM)

Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferrero are racist pigs. The choice for Superdelegates couldn't be more clear.

Go with Obama who is actively trying to unify the party or go with Clinton who is actively trying to destroy the party along racial lines.

Personally, I would rather see the party destroyed that become the racist entity that Hillary is making it. I won't ever be voting for her or any one of her super selegates here in NY. Bank on it.

adam/Brooklyn New York City (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:31 AM)

I can't believe it's come down to this. One candidate is trying to unify democrats, republicans, and independents...all states and all stereotyped categorical divides. The other candidate is ruthlessly dividing the Democratic party.

It's a shame that, with so many aces in their favor, the Democrats have let it come to this. Hillary is a divider and will not win a general election against McCain. She has played dirty politics from Day One...Travelgate, Paul v. Clinton, hidden tax returns and White House records, just to name a minor few.

Please, PLEASE, let's insist she get out!

Jaime, Lantana, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:31 AM)

Re: Ms Ferraro: If anyone DARED suggest that Hillary was where she is because she’s a woman and Bill’s wife – even though it’s TRUE -- Ms. Ferraro would explode.

But, moving on to a bigger question for Ms. Ferraro: rather than singling out African Americans, why not highlight another interest group that has voted in stunning numbers for Mr. Obama? That’s right--the “educated white vote under 40.” You could have just as easily pointed out that Obama would not be where he is except for that group. If you look at the demographics, there’s almost as significant a split for him in that group as there has been among African Americans.

I’ll tell you why Ms Ferraro didn’t choose that group. It’s because the Clinton campaign has made a conscious choice to appeal to the worst of our natures. They’re now looking at Pennsylvania and hoping that they can stir up enough of a race storm to lock in a huge white vote win in the state.

Bringing up the “educated white vote under 40” block just wouldn’t work the same way. In fact, it might cause some people to stop and think: “maybe there really is something to this Obama guy other than the lies the Clintons spread.”

Ms Ferraro, I’d guess there are thousands of us educated white folk under 40 who would LEAP at the chance to debate you anywhere and anytime about why Obama is an INFINITELY better choice for the future of our nation than your candidate. Of course we’d have to wade through a bunch of your condescending “you kids just don’t understand” before we actually got to the facts—the facts that say your candidate has virtually NO foreign policy experience and a disastrous domestic policy record, despite her protestations to the contrary.

Sadly, Ms. Ferraro couldn’t debate on the facts. She knows she’d lose. And lose big.

A white thirty-something voter (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:34 AM)

Guys the popular vote totals don't include Obama's huge lead in the popular vote during the caucuses. It is a false statistic.

Russ, Connecticut (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:34 AM)

Wow. The reaction to Ferraro’s comments by the Obama side have pretty much sealed the deal for me. Obama accuses Clinton of “dirty tricks” but she didn’t send his advisor to speak with the Canadiens. Nor did she make Samantha Powers tell the BBC that Obama doesn’t mean what he says about Iraq. Now the Obama folks don’t want the voters in Florida or Michigan to count, effectively turning those states over to the other side.

Now the Obama camp has reaction to Clinton’s response is that she didn’t go far enough in denouncing Ferraro’s comments?? By doing that the Obama camp is accusing the Hillary Clinton of being a racist and have done what I really hoped they wouldn’t do which is to play the race card.

If Clinton is not the nominee, I want to know from the Obama people why I should accept him as my nominee? Given the campaign he has waged and the vitriol of his supporters as documented on these pages, I think a lot of Clinton supporters are leaning towards McCain and it’s not clear to me why they shouldn’t. I voted Democrat since the 1976 election but this might be the year I make a change I can believe in.

Bill, Santa Fe (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:35 AM)

1.7 million Florida democrats voted for a property tax referendum.

Mary, Florida Democrat (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:37 AM)

Mrs. Ferraro should have EVERY right to say what she wants to say.

HOWEVER, the Clinton campaign is clearly continuing their track record of living by a double standard. How is that leadership, Hillary?

Just Wondering (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:38 AM)

So many things to comment on...one at a time.

Regarding the white vote in Mississippi, its becoming clear (and I think some of this played out in OH and TX), that there are some Republican votes "suddenly" going to Clinton. Might this be a Rush Limbaugh-type effect? Its been pretty publicized that certain Conservative Republicans are being swayed to vote for Hillary in open primary to help assure that she is the Dem nominee who they'd rather see run against McCain (considering her more easily beatable). I do think any discussion of white vote in these states has to at least talk about this. The apparent high negatives on Obama in Mississippi were undoubtedly affected by this (how much we don't know). What we do know is SUDDENLY Obama's negatives are higher than Clinton. Seems fishy to me.

I also think that generalizing about what Southern whites might do in a general election is dangerous ground in that it doesn't say anything about whites will do in general in the country in a general election. Obama is about unity and has shown a tendency to get a lot of white votes all over the country. Any discussion of race in this primary season needs to talk about that too (and not to mention the major inroads he makes with youth, indy, and Republican (the genuine cross-overs as opposed to the Rush Limbaugh responders) in the contests to-date.

He has a tendency to cut into her "base". She has not shown much tendency to cut into his ever-widening base.

Obama 08

Lisa in New Britain, CT (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:39 AM)

The Clinton campaign and it's supporters are dividing the party as much as possible. There is no way she can win the general election now because too many African Americans will not vote for her now. Especially after all the racially insensitive remarks. She can't win without the African American vote in the general election. But Hillary doesn't care... if she can't win the general election, she'll make sure Obama can't either.... because she's more about her own ambitions than the Democratic party.

Chuck K, Buffalo, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:42 AM)

Obama should give Hillary the delegates from FL and MI and save the states and DNC money. The catch is the popular votes are void.

He doesn't need the delegates, and it keeps her from claiming victory in a valid election. A generous gesture that hamstrings Clinton.

The money can be saved to use where it can do the party the most good... the general election.

SL, NJ (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:42 AM)

In terms of the popular vote, I really think that we need to stop including FL and Mich. Those states votes in January do not and should not count. A do-over is another thing but to include the January numbers is completely pointless. Michigan especially is problematic as doesn't Obama get zero. Ask yourself, does he really NOT have one supporter in Michigan. That's the most ridiculous assumption in this whole primary season. And FL is problematic too, we don't really know what the difference (in popular vote) would be in FL if people knew there votes were being counted and voted accordingly.

Lisa in New Britain, CT (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:43 AM)

While Hillary Clinton and her surrogates continue to fan the flames of racism in this country (and thus assuring defeat of the dems in November), Sen Obama continues to talk to the American people about the issues.

Mike, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:44 AM)

Thank you Mississippi! You did your job!

Diane of Illinois (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:45 AM)

When most of asians voted Cinton in CA, media called asians racists. When most of white working people in Ohio voted Clinton, they called them racists. When latinos voted Clinton in Nevada, they called them racists. When 90% of black voters voted Obama, liberal medias say nothing.

If white people are as racist as blacks, Obama would be out in Iowa.

African americans are most racist in this country.

Don, PA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:45 AM)

Re: Ms. Ferraro

Isn't that the pot calling the kettle...?

SL, NJ (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:47 AM)

OK, enough already with Geraldine Ferraro. By Ferraro coming out a SECOND time this morning, it shows this for what it is - a PLOY by the Clinton camp to get the race issue back on the front burner. Hillary could put a stop to this, but she hasn't. And the sychophantic Clinton-leaning media are loving every minute of it. As someone pointed out this morning, we have heard more from Ferraro in the past 24 hours than we have in the past 24 YEARS! Can we PLEASE get back to the campaign? And it is rich that some in the media say the Obama people raised this by denouncing it - yet this same media says he must get tough and fight back! Double standard?

julie, austin, texas (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:49 AM)

Clinton's wins are more narrow because they are in larger states. She does have a lot of work to do to win the popular vote and make her case to the superdelegates. If Obama can keep the voters in FL and MI from being heard, he should be able to win. That victory, however, would be hollow when those states go GOP in the general. Why punish the voters for something that party leaders did?

Brian (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:49 AM)

Geraldine Ferraro is acting like the Bush administration; never admit you are wrong, never admit a mistake, never apologize, it's someone elses fault. She is a paid consultant for Fox news and appeared on Fox news to defend herself -- that says a lot. Will she be on Rush Limbaugh next? Really, whos side is she on?

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:53 AM)

I thought Hillary had to win huge in Ohio and Texas, or she would have to leave the race. Well, they tied in delegates in the Texas primaries and Hillary only netted 9 delegates over Barack in Ohio which were erased by his win in the Texas caucuses. Why didn't Hillary concede?

Whatever few delegates she wins will eventually be erased by Barack, so what is the point of continuing this farce? Barack is ahead in the popular vote, in delegates, and in winning the most states. Plus he is well liked, more respected, more presidential, and has integrity.

Barack Obama is where he is today, contrary to what Geraldine Ferraro thinks, because of a lot of things, but most importantly, because of the content of his character, not because of his skin color or race.

OBAMA 08

Lyn, MD (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:53 AM)

Chuck Todd is so cute with his facts. Hillary once again going for the hate vote. Thank god for young voters who are beyond the racist divide in this country. The old guard way of politics is on it's way out.

Nina H, Connecticut (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:56 AM)

I have no idea what a prevent defense is LOL, but as an Obama supporter, I can be OK with a revote in FL. That is better than having the existing votes count because it will provide a truer issue of what the actual vote is there. I don't have a major objection to it in terms of not disenfranchising people.

My major objection to it is that it is a rules change in the middle of the game. How do we prevent this in the future? How will the DNC ever regain credibility (assuming they had it to begin with). Maybe by penalizing the state of FL in some way, Like making them pay for the new primary as a major "fine" for breaking the rules? And how do you do a revote fairly. If it smacks of unfairness (to either side), there are going to be problems in Nov.

Lisa in New Britain, CT (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:57 AM)

Late last night I worked out the remaining primaries on one of the "delegate calculators" around the Web. I'll make a point you're beginning to hear elsewhere: even if you assume Hillary Clinton will do better than expected, it will come down to the final 350 unpledged superdelegates.

But here's another point: Obama needs only 40% of the 350 unpledged superdelegates to win. And just playing practical politics, if he gets only 20% of those, can the Clintons possibly hold off the remaining 50 or 60 from jumping on board?

Rohn Jay Miller (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:58 AM)

Lyn, MD (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:58 AM)

If Imus was fired for his racist comments, and he was, then GF should be fired also.

wapitig8r Gainesville, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:59 AM)

The Maggi Williams message to the Obama campaign is telling.

"Accept the delegate count or call for a do-over."

It reflects the Clinton campaign deep-rooted notion that the campaigns can dictate and manipulate rules.

The Obama campaign seems more oriented toward the notion, "give us the playing field, we'll figure out how to play it." The Clinton campaign seems more oriented toward the notion, "here's how we want the playing field to be."

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:59 AM)

Ferraro needs to step down. Her comments were inappropriate and frankly did not make any sense.

Dante (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:00 AM)

It is clear now that Hillary cannot win this nomination unless she convinces the Superdelegates to overturn the will of the voters expressed by his lead in Pledged Delegates, Popular Vote, and Number of States Won. Obama has an insurmountable lead of 160 plus Pledged Delegates, a 700,000 lead in the Popular vote, and a two-to-one lead in states won. I ask you - if this were REVERSED and it were Hillary with all of these leads, would not the media be calling Obama the "Democratic Huckabee?" It is HILLARY who HAS NOT - and CANNOT - CLOSE THE SALE! The ONLY way she will be able to is by tearing the Party apart by convincing enough Superdelegates to go against the will of all of the record turnouts of this Primary Season. IT IS TIME FOR AL GORE AND JOHN EDWARDS AND NANCY PELOSI TO STEP UP AND SAY "ENOUGH!" They should throw their support behind Obama and just watch how fast others will follow. If they don't put an end to this, I will lose ALL RESPECT for the Party.

JB, NC (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:00 AM)

For Hillary Clinton and Maggie Williams to say that the Obama campaign has to accept the Florida and Michigan results or join their call for a re-vote is ridiculous. I wish the media would call them on it. Everyone agreed with the same rules, and now it seems as if we are being forced to accept something that has no real validity. It's sad that the delegates from MICH and FLA won't be seated, but to go back on the rules now, just doesn't make sense. The same old bait and switch tricks from Clinton's people. MSNBC, good job not holding them accountable. If you keep it up, Hillary may have a shot at winning this thing!

mSSR, Pennsylvania (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:00 AM)

Ferraro is keeping the race issue in the fore front of the media and public. She is doing it better than Bill was able to. The Clintons are supporting this because it helps them with the white vote. You will see another suragate (non staff member) do the same the week prior to PA voting because it is helping Hillary and the media likes the story.

Jack - MO (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:02 AM)

Ferraro's whining about being called a racist is dishonest. Nobody knows if she's a racist but her. But what she _clearly_ is doing is race-baiting, just like Bill Clinton was doing when he tried to paint Obama as the black candidate when he compared Obama's win in South Carolina to Jesse Jackson's win there in the 80s. The Clinton campaign is shamelessly exploiting racial tensions to undermine Obama with their "rule or ruin" strategy. And all it will buy them is "ruin" for the Democratic party.

Clinton has no chance of winning the presidency now. Even if her dirty tactics and arm-twisting super delegates gets her the nomination, she has no chance of winning against McCain. Having alienated a large proportion of black voters, many of them will just sit the election out, or maybe even vote for McCain. And having scared white southerners about a black man becoming president, Obama's chances of winning any southern states are greatly diminished should he get the nomination.

And I say this not as a big Obama fan but as someone who would have gladly voted for her back up til January before her campaign started its race-baiting strategy.

Houston (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:02 AM)

It's bad enough when The clinton's play the race card on Obama, but when you have a total loser like Geraldine Ferraro making statements like that, one has to wonder if all the racism that the democrats swear has gone from the roles in the 1950's and 60's is still foaming at the top. Bad enough you have a woman who was part of the worst whipping in presidential history trying to keep her name in the news, but for her to say something like that shows she can be as mean and nasty as the other woman running for President.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:02 AM)

I guess leading in delegates, leading in the popular vote, and leading in states won is "square one". I didn't realize that the inevitable candidate being in 2nd place was the starting line.

Greg, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:03 AM)

Question: Can you please let me know how many women senators there are versus black senators...how many women govenors there are versus black govenors. Is gender really more restrictive?

Marie (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:03 AM)

"I will stand my ground … and I won’t back down"?
Geri Ferraro is throwing more gasoline on a controversy that threatens to burn down the Democratic house.
The simple fact is that Hillary and her operatives will stoop to anything, no matter how repulsive to get her in the door of the White House. The comments of Gerri Ferraro just amplify the point. This is a calculated political move on the part of the Clintonistas to take the debate far away from the substance of this campaign and focus the Party on issues that will do it no good and possibly irreparable harm. It further underscores what i believe about Hillary and her surrogates- that she believes that this election is hers by Divine Right and in their minds should have been just a coronation from the first. These statements are just more proof that HRC is the most divisive and polarizing issue we have to face. I am sorry for the fact that in 1984 i worked so hard to get Mondale and Ferraro elected. This sort of inflammatory rhetoric is frankly nauseating. I had decided that if HRC won out i would simply hold my nose, take a deep breath and vote for her, for the good of the Party. I have decided that Ms Ferraro's statement, has unfortunately- made this impossible. I will not vote for HRC now- under any circumstaces- she has proven herself unfit.

V. Sheldon, Portage IN (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:04 AM)

Ferraro is Hillary's attack dog. Her obstinance and the timing are designed by Hillary to MAKE race an issue to make people reduce thier view of Obama as just a Black man, hoping to elicit racist fears and translate that to votes for herself. Shameful and shameless -- at the end of the day Hillary has become all she supposedly despised. It's like a Faustian tale, and she is selling her soul. Too bad, she won't win, and she'll divide the party, the nation, and sully herself irrevocably. Who would think a Clinton, any Clinton would show herself to be a racist? Lamentable and infuriating. And after all this, she WILL NOT WIN!

Ken Capers, Atlanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:04 AM)

How great is it to see how mean spirited Obamma is after all that crap about being the new thing ,get down and dirty thats the only way and how will he be working and getting republicans when he bashes them about wrecking the economy and the war all those repuckers are going to vote for him? NADER 08 real change what are you scared of .

kenn (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:06 AM)

Obama did poorly among whites, winning only 30%, according to exit polls. While this split was visible in Alabama and the border state of Tennessee earlier this year, it was visible in Ohio's primary last week, too.
HILLARY PA is yours!

HP Boston (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:06 AM)

I hope Hillary drags it all the way to the convention. Then maybe we will find out who the REAL Obama is...a slimey, lying phoney both he and his wife. I think there is a whole lot in this guys closet and we better find it now, rather than let the repubs do it.This Obama is a huge con-artist. Don't like him, and not sure if I will be voting democratic this year if he gets in.

moderate dem (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:06 AM)

I have to agree with Ferraro on this one. David Axelrod has single-handedly made this contest about race. I believe that's the job he was hired to do...and he's done it well. I firmly believe that Obama will win the nomination....and, yes, it will be because he is black. I also believe that he will not win the Presidency....once again, because he is black. It's a sad, but cold, hard fact that racism still exists in this country, and it's not going away any time soon. I also believe that the racism that is rampant in this country is not just white against black. Black against white has taken a front seat in the arena and, unfortunately, political correctness mandates that we put up with it. It is a sad time for our country, and, like it or not, I see at least 4-more years of a Republicans in the Whitehouse.

Sarah - OH (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:06 AM)

HP Boston (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:07 AM)

Hillary not agreeing with Ferraro and stating it once does not matter. The media doesn't talk about that in their coverage or does in an after thought. The Clinton campaign is turning this into a race discussion and getting the media to play. Bill was not able to do it as well. The only true way for Hillary to not agree is to remove Ferraro from her team like she removed Spitzer's name from her web site. Hillary still has not said that she will ask Spitzer to resign as her national co-chair.

John - PA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:07 AM)

It is so sad to see how racist is this country and we can see that this election is showing that AA are as racist as white people. Just look this:
Obama first is a product of the media. He has nothing to show, Nothing to talk about Just giving nice speech (by the way, I found, when analyzing both candidates speech, that Clinton's speech is more substantial and strong, maybe less inspirational)
Obama was pushed so strongly by the media beginning in November
African American are so racist 90-95% of them that they are not interested on the best interest of this country but their personal racist agenda, to support a black candidate even when he has no experience and not background to fight against McCain.

Now everybody is attacking Ferraro for her comment, it is insane and abusive and the media should also put attention to this matter and do not let Obama and his people to destroy everybody who bring this issue up.
Lets face it, Obama is where he is because the racist issue, nothing else. I wish to be on TV too, I will talk about it day and night.

Joan
Chicago, IL

ps. sorry my spelling, English is not my first language

Joan chicago (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:07 AM)

Seems Ms Ferraro has said this before:

On Politico, there is a short quote from Ferraro that originally appeared in the Washington Post on April 15, 1988.

Placid of demeanor but pointed in his rhetoric, Jackson struck out repeatedly today against those who suggest his race has been an asset in the campaign. President Reagan suggested Tuesday that people don't ask Jackson tough questions because of his race. And former representative Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that because of his "radical" views, "if Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race."

Asked about this at a campaign stop in Buffalo, Jackson at first seemed ready to pounce fiercely on his critics. But then he stopped, took a breath, and said quietly, "Millions of Americans have a point of view different from" Ferraro's.

Discussing the same point in Washington, Jackson said, "We campaigned across the South . . . without a single catcall or boo. It was not until we got North to New York that we began to hear this from Koch, President Reagan and then Mrs. Ferraro . . . . Some people are making hysteria while I'm making history."

Joe (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:08 AM)

There seems to be a large group of sexist pigs in the Obama camp. Thats the US for you...think we are sooo progessive...so much more than other countries. NOT!!

JeanneGA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:09 AM)

Here's my solution for Florida and Michigan.

It's cheap, and it's fair, and it's decisive.

Apportion their delegates according to the number of delegates each candidate wins in the remaining primaries.

Bunker Hill, Spearfish, SD (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:09 AM)

Only in the MSM's convoluted thinking is Barack a black man running for President.Back in the last part of 2007, Hillary had such a commanding national lead, that No One could Possibly stop the coranation.Steadily the little engine that could, Barack has whittled away at every voting block & built a Coalition of Conductor's, engineer's, Trackman, Signalman(women are these also)& rebuilt a traintrack that stretches the Entire Continent of America.This train has only a few more miles of Track to run, before it reaches the Station at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on Janurary 20-2009.

Now we have the Hillary campaign sending out the Black woman to atttack the Black man Hopeing to somehow get the Sista vote back on her side.However the damage is irreversible as African American's have seen Hillary for what she is, a Racist White Woman trying to scare up votes.

Democratic Leader's (if we have any)had better put a stop to this Nonsense before there is No more Democratic party to Lead!

For all of you who still insist on posting If Hillary get's the nomination, if Hillary steals the nomanation, if hillary does this, If Hillary does That.Hillary Clinton is Never( I Repeat Never)gonna be President of the United States of America!

" DELUSIONAL THINKING BY COMMON SENSE AMERICAN'S IS OVER "

Rick,Ky (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:10 AM)

Lyn, MD (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:11 AM)

Senator Clinton helped to create this problem and did it intentionally. That should be part of the discussion. No one has pointed out that the voters in Florida who didn't vote, did the right thing and are the real victims here.
If Florida voters had waited for a resolution to the problem, cost wouldn't be an issue. Senator Clinton also left her name on the ballot in Michigan again encouraging voters to go ahead and vote rather than wait for a resolution. Now she wants to pretend she did it for the voters. I hope they are smarter than that.

Robert (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:12 AM)

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