First thoughts: Back to square one

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

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

Have people forgot that Obama is half white. Have people forgot that he is not the first African American to run for president. Have people forgot that African Americans are less than 12% of the population. If every African American from new borns to the ederly voted for Obama, he still could not win. Obama is winning because a lot of white voters have decided to vote for a candidate of substance and character regardless of race.

Philadelphia,PA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:12 AM)

Yes 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)

----------------------
Yes Russ, the caucuses got him this far, but they will doom him. The popular vote is skewed by little voter count on caucuses.

no obama (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:12 AM)

What the Clintons are doing is dispicable !!!!!
I never would have thought that I'd be so upset regarding the Clintons', whom I've been so fond of over the years. . . I am astonished !!!!! Can it be that the 'Right' was right all along ???? She will Do, and Say anything, and allow her surrogates to do the same. . to win this election ???? If she can't be the nominee, than the Dems will lose in November, and they're OK with that !!! The GOP . . WOW !! The Dems are playing right into their hands.

Brenda in Michigan (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:13 AM)

As a Floridian I say No REDO, No Mail Campaign. No Delegates counted. The DNC stated the rules and everyone knew them and agreed to them prior to the primary.

I am an Independent. However if the Democrats want to attract my vote they had better abide by the rules they set down.

This is just another case of the Clinton Campaign trying to set the rules.

Clinton rules for Clintons
Clinton rules for everyone else.

If you do not believe it. Think about the Clinton outrage at Samantha calling Hillary a Monster.
Yet Hillary does not dismiss Ms. Ferraro for her remarks about Mr. Obama

As a woman I would like to see woman get ahead but the Clinton tactics certainly do not help women at all.

As a Senior Citizen who was in the work force for almost 50 years I have first hand knowledge of how difficult it was for women to succeed.

However Hillary's tactics and those of her campaign will not help women at all!!

Independent Voter, Stuart, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:14 AM)

If Ms. Ferraro had 1/10 of the brains or charisma that Obama has, Mondale and her may have won more states against Reagan. And one more thing I find interesting: isn't Obama the "family values" candidate when compared to Hillary? Doesn't his family portray more of a stable and functional relationship? Isn't that going to resonate more with the Americans in the heartland?

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:15 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! FL and MI are yours too!

HP Boston (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:16 AM)

Admiral Fallon's resignation or termination eight months prior to the 2008 election, sets in motion Bush/Cheney's plans for attacking Iran.

It will start with another 9/11-like false-flag attack on the US (a la Operation Northwoods), followed by the blaming of the Iranians for the attack, and then our subsequent attack on them for allegedly doing it.

This will either allow Bush/Cheney to stay in power by declaring Martial Law (if McCain is somehow not assured of winning the election), or to get McCain elected by an American public longing for security and revenge much like in the wake of 9/11.

By attacking Iran prior to the election the Republican party will benefit as well by gaining Senate and House seats in the 2008 election instead of losing them which is expected to occur if nothing happens between now and November.

As for Admiral Fallon, you were a true patriot and thanks for your long service to our country.

ANON,Philadelphia,PA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:17 AM)

How can anyone argue that causcas votes don't count, but that two states who held primaries outside of party rules should count? Does anyone not see the hypocrisy in that?

Susan (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:18 AM)

How is it that Chuck Todd and others are calculating a combined "popular vote?" There is no accurate way of calculating this, since caucus states such as Iowa and Washington state only count state delegates won. There is, in fact, no record of popular vote in these caucus contests.

Doesn't this little snafu (i.e the impossibility of actually adding up a combined popular vote) invalidate the argument about popular vote?

David Hennessy, Plantation, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:18 AM)

This is looking more and more like an orchestrated effort by the Clinton camp to reinsert race into this race. Why do I think this? Because Ferraro, after having Hillary call her original remarks regrettable, came out swinging AGAIN this morning. If this were NOT sanctioned by the Clinton camp, Ferraro would not have DARED come out the second time. Very transparent. Very OLD-STYLE politics. Can we please move on? Obama denounced it yesterday - Hillary said it was regrettable - Ferraro, like any bully, came out again - well Hillary should COMPLETELY DISASSOCIATE HERSELF TODAY. And that should be it. Just ignore it. This is Geraldine Ferraro - someone we haven't heard much from in 24 years! Just stop talking about it and get back to REAL issues, please!!

Jane, Raleigh (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:18 AM)

Out of curiosity, if politicians are expected to say, "Oh, no, I'd never presume to want to be VP," then why do you reporters continue to ask? Are you admitting this is simply a gotcha question where you can ridicule a politician who lets an honest moment slip?

evie (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:18 AM)

Senator Barack Obama has arrived to his current status due to hard work, brains and good judgement. For Hillary and her sidekick Ferraro to suggest otherwise is just one more dirty dish being flung from that kitchen sink. Pathetic and for once...very transparent Hillary, thanks.

JohnnyU, WA State (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:18 AM)

Wow! Great arguments and comments for Barack Obama! I decided back in 2004 that I would vote for him for President some day. I am a 50 year old white woman in the South who has supported him since day one and will continue to support him. I'm so glad there are smart people out there that see what I have seen for a long time. No, he isn't perfect, but he does have the leadership style and ability to take this nation forward.

OBAMA only 08

Mary in AL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:20 AM)

One thing I don't get is why the Democratic Party is letting this type of stuff happen. These surrogates are supposed to be our leaders, the people who pave the way for the younger generations. As it looks to me, these people (Old Guards)and people who have been around since Moses was a corporal are complete lunatics.

This is a new day, these are not the days of street fights and bar room brawls at the cost of gaining power. I was thinking they would pave the way for peace and diplomacy, but am I ever disappointed.

There is so much double talk going on. I am wondering who in the hell left the gate open and let these people out.

It clear, majority of America wants something new and are tired of divisions based on culture, religion, and race. It's history from the earlier centuries repeating itself.

To me, Clinton and her surrogates don't get it. Why didn't she outright "denounce and reject" the comments, why not get rid of these people who are not standard bearers for America?

As each day passes, I want a Democrat in the WH this year, but she makes is very hard for me to cross the aisle if she is the nominee.

Starchild, Mo (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:20 AM)

Some of you right on politically correct patronising middle class liberals who are the worst. You mouth platitudes of the worst kind - it is guilt-trip tokenism.

If you were so concerned why didn't you back a real ghetto candidate when you could instead of another middle-class liberal candidate.

Take colour out of the equation and Obama is not much different from most of you. He does not share the same experiences as the majority of working-class blacks. He had a relatively priveleged background that most working-class blacks (and whites) would die for.

Obama The Hoodwinker, MI (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:27 AM)

Finally Jaycee writes something that isn't idiotic!!! We are caught in a self destructing loop. End it now before it destroys the party. Where are Gore and Edwards? Obama, you can't lose but you can't win either. Clinton, you can't win but you can't lose either. So, Obama / Clinton. It plays to both of their strengths. Obama talks about Hope and Unity, ect. and Clinton gets to tear apart McCain. Win/Win!!!!

Dan, Upstate, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:27 AM)

Obama started running for president as a guy who just so happened to be black. The Clinton campaign has cast him as the black guy running for president and injected race. I don't think that the Clinton's are racists but understand the power of race and are trying to use it to win. They threw the black vote under the bus to stir the racist feelings of those who may be disposed to feeling that way.

Noel, Hot Springs, AR (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:28 AM)

The Clintons = Bush/Cheney/Rove

Divide everyone so they can get what they want. They will not win and we all know she cant so why are The Supers and the Big people not stepping in especially after Ferrarros DUMB remarks??? Is this The Democratic party???
Clinton thinks its just Her and thats it.

Nj (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:28 AM)

Obama and EDWARDS.

Obama should choose Edwards as VP. It's a logical pairing: young, progressive; and Edwards has the solid platform that Obama only suggests, and delegates that would put them well beyond her range. Such a pairing would satisfy Nader's demands for genuine change, and he might pull out and support them.

Her behavior and the PR hacks that run her campaign leave her entirely undeserving of any place. Nor do Americans, or the rest of the world, deserve her.

So yes:

OBAMA AND EDWARDS. the logical choice.

Dan, Vancouver (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:29 AM)

In order to win this election Hillary HAS to win the popular vote; this is the only legitimate argument that she could pitch to supers at the convention to overturn the delegate vote. Obama currently has +700K lead after last nights +100K (Obama's lead is +400K if you include FL). Also, current popular vote totals do not include IA, NV, ME, or WA as these states don't release the results of popular vote (why not?). Two things have to happen for her to eliminate this margin: 1) she needs a large victory in PA (>15% popular vote) and 2) She'll have to win >50% of popular votes in remaining states to eliminate the residual that she didn't elimniate in PA and to maintain her lead going in to the convention.

Can she do it? I certainly hope not.

Chris, NYC, New York (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:29 AM)

“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.”

How did we ever consider Mrs. Ferraro to be qualified to run for vice president? Would we would have wanted her to answer the red telephone at 3 a.m.? Talk about thin-skinned. She makes offensive remarks and then paints herself as the victim. Not to mention that SHE is the one who is not talking about “the issues” and has, by her own actions, created the latest diversion that keeps both candidates’ eyes off the prize.

As a voter who really would like to hear the important issues discussed, I’m the one who’s offended.

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie, MN (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:29 AM)

jaycee - I know we’re Democrats and all, but really, this isn’t just stupid . . .

Truer words are have never been spoken. Democrats are really stupid.

Jamie j., boston ma (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:29 AM)

Noel in Hot Springs. I don't want to think the Clintons are racist either, but what do we really know about the hearts of people so hungry for power. I voted once for Bill but wouldn't vote for his wife under any circumstances. Hillary seems capable of any deceit to me. The more I see the less I believe.

bill, okla (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:51 AM)

So, that Latino surrogate of Clinton's says:
"He won't get the latino vote because he's black"

Ed Rendell says:
"Some people aren't ready to vote for a black candidate"

Ferraro says:
"Everyone is voting for him because he is black"

Well, which is it? The Clinton's are the ONLY ones bringing up race! Obama's camp would rather not even talk about it, but the Clinton camp keeps bringing it up, and always with some negativity or controversy. Why can't the Clinton camp just get beyond race?

Linida. Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:52 AM)

Geraldine: What you said about Obama getting where he is because he's black can be construed as the same as what others like Limbaugh saying about the black athletes, particularly that quarterback a few years ago (sorry I don't recall his name....I'm not into sports) for whom the media had high expectations and they wanted him to do well because he was black. This is racist pandering, not even subtle!!! Shame on you, shame on you, Geraldine. Obama is a running as a candidate for president of the USA who happens to be African American; he is able to transcend race in America and unite people. He isn't just a black candidate. Hillary wise up.

KYObserver (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:52 AM)

Linida. Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:52 AM)

Bill, Santa Fe: '... 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....'

Mr. Bill YOU'RE dividing the Democratic party !!
Since you're probably a paid Clinton staffer we can see the drift tof the campaign

The Clinton campaign KNOWS IT CAN'T WIN !!
Sorry Hillary, you can't catch up in delegates or the popular vote

Hillary Clinton is trying to blackmail herslef on the ticket

NO DICE

Byb, bye Hillary
Why don't you and Bill crawl under that rock....

Or maybe Bill can 'double date' with Eliot Spitzer

Sierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:53 AM)

What these so called 'Super Delegates' need to keep in mind is that if they go ahead and overturn the will of the people - there will be ALOT of us who sit home come Nov (myself included who is a 46 yr old educated white woman and wouldn't vote for that bitch to be our county's dog catcher!).

Now if I'm not mistaken there are an awful lot of Senate & House seats up for grabs as well this fall... Think VERY seriously about this as there is a whole lot more to loose than just the White House!

Time to WAKE UP & take some action!

Obama 08

Feisty Redhead IL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:53 AM)

I say if Obama is still ahead even if the unofficial votes in FL and MI are seated then go ahead and do it at it after the final states. Truth is until Clinton is mathematically eliminated she won't drop but her campaign needs to stop the negative attacks....superdelegates should threaten any primary candidate who does so. Pelosi atleast got the ball rolling yesterday.

CJ (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:53 AM)

The amazing thing is - if a prediction had been made a year ago that Bill & Hillary Clinton & Geraldine Ferraro, longtime progressive lions of the zeitgeist that they are, would be broadly perceived today as racist pigs ... it probably would've been laughed out of town. But here we are. And whose fault is this? Not the media's. Not Barack Obama's. Not even Al Sharpton's.

The fault lies solely with those who have created this impression - Bill & Hillary & Geraldine themselves. Even though all three have been champions of civil rights and racial unity in the past, even though the bulk of their collective careers has stood for this ... unfortunately in the recent past they have NOT listened to the better angels of their natures, they have NOT respected the bedrock values of their political identities.

They have, in effect, squandered their own good hard work in this area. The demon of Greed, or lust for more & continued power, got 'em. Bamboozled 'em. Convinced 'em that appealing to white privilege was a smart strategy, given the dynamics of this race.

They sold their souls. And we the people, have watched in horror. We used to love Geraldine Ferraro. We used to love the Clintons. We used to be PROUD of what they stood for, in contrast to the nastiness of the GOP. Now we are ashamed of them. Now we can hardly tell "the first black president" from some racist yeehaw waving a Confederate flag.

It's sad. But only for our former heroes, not for us. We the people are moving on. We are choosing a better path.

Perry, NYC (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:54 AM)

Quite simply, Hillary is all talk and no action. If she had any character, which apparently she doesn't, she would make Ferraro step down. The "monster" comment pales in comparison to Ferraro's comments and all Hillary does is say she doesn't agree. It is time for Hillary to show some backbone and repudiate these ignorant comments. Ferraro thinks people are picking on her because she is white, just goes to show you how stupid she is.

Character still counts, too bad Hillary doesn't have any. (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:55 AM)

Why does anyone give a fat rats behind what Geraldine Ferarro has to say anyway? Shouldn't she be playing shuffleboard in a rest home someplace? Someone always ends up shooting their campaign in the foot. Give both sides time and ammo and we'll have our moments.

Phred, NH (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:56 AM)

Joan, Chicago:

You are so wrong, that I could go on forever. But, I'll start here with these three points:

First of all, there is a HUGE difference between voting FOR someone because of race and voting AGAINST someone because of race. The first is supportive, the second is racist...regardless of whether you are talking about a black candidate, white candidate, Latino candidate, or a candidate of any other race, religion, ethnic background, gender, etc...

Secondly, Hillary started with a very large lead amongst African Americans. The reason Barack is doing so well with this group now is two-fold: 1) He has earned their respect, and 2) Hillary has lost it.

Thirdly, Barack Obama is a candidate filled with not only inspiration, hope, integrity, and character (ALL qualities I would perfer in a candidate--though I don't know about you) but he has also gained a lot of experience. He did not just walk in off the streets. If you look at the Library of Congress' website, you will find that Barack authored and co-sponsored hundreds more SUBSTANTIVE bills during his first eight months of US Senate Service than Hillary has in her six years!

Please, educate yourself.

Jaime, Lantana, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:57 AM)

She is no racist she thinks it's and advantage to be black. There was no reason for Ferrarow to bring this up. She should be ashamed but unfortuantley she is not. The dems have given this election to McCain.

Megan Medica (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:57 AM)

As far as I can tell, some of you are very passionate about the candidate of your choice. I have a suggestion-for those of you who haven't done so, why don't you start getting on your democratic representatives, the democratic national committee, and other known superdelegates who haven't yet chosen to endorse? At this point I could understand if a superdelegate comes out for Hillary, but I cannot for the life of me understand why one would not endorse Obama now if you're going to at a later date. For the superdelegates who might endorse Obama, they need to do so now and put an end to this. Why let it drag on any further? It seems that Hillary will not have the numbers necessary to catch him.

Doles, Miami, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:00 AM)

The Maggi Williams message to the Obama campaign is telling.

"Accept the delegate count or call for a do-over."
********
Ok Paul Miller why doesn't Obama agree to something? The people in these states want a vote. The DNC has said the candidates have to agree. So why he is dragging his feet?

fairness (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:01 AM)

THEY ARE NOT DEADLOCKED. OBAMA HAS BEEN AHED SINCE IOWA. HE IS AHEAD BY 160 DELEGATES. THE SUPERDELEGATES DONT COUNT UNTIL THE CONVENTION. HILLARY CANNOT EARN ENOUGH DELEGATES TO CATCH UP. PLEASE TELL THE TRUTH, I BEG YOU.

I KNOW CHRIS WANTS A BIG SHOW IN PENN, BUT GET A SOUL.
SHE IS HELL-BENT ON STEALING THIS.

ONCE THESE IDEALISTIC KIDS REALIZE THAT ALL THESE ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN OVERTURNED BY HEDGEFUND CHELSEA, BILLIONAIRE BILL, SCORPION HILL, THEY WILL CRAWL AWAY IN SHAME. THE BLACK PEOPLE WILL STAY HOME.

AND ALL THESE FAIR-MINDED REPUBLICANS LIKE BUCHANAN AND TUCKER AND FRIENDLY MCCAIN WILL BEGIN INSISTING ON TAX RETURNS, WHITEHOUSE TRANSCRIPTS AND COMMUNIST DONORS. FOX AND RUSH AND LOU DOBBS, ALL ALLIES NOW, WILL CHIME IN.

EVERY ONE OF THESE SUPER DELEGATES HAS WATCHED HER BLOW A 25 POINT LEAD, AND THEY HAVE SEEN A NOBODY COME FROM BEHIND TO MAKE UP A 25 POINT DEFICIT ONCE HE BEGAN CAMPAIGNING.

THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. OBAMA/WEBB WILL WIN EVERY STATE. WEBB CAN GET THE MCCAIN VOTERS.

STOPSTOPSTOP WITH THE EMPHASIS ON THE BLACK VOTE. YOU DIDNT KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE WHITE VOTE IN IOWA.
HILLARY CANNOT GET THE NOMINATION UNLESS SHE OVERRIDES THE POPULAR VOTE. WE KNOW THAT NOW FOR A FACT. ONCE THE VOTERS KNOW THAT, SHE CANNOT WIN THE ELECTION IN NOV. AND HER SUPERDELEGATES ARE IN PERIL.

KATHLEEN, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:25 AM)

"That is better than having the existing votes count because it will provide a truer issue of what the actual vote is there."

And how would it be "truer"? 1.7 million people voted already. It was a large turnout for several reasons but they had have a property tax vote there at same time. FL probably won't get that many on a revote. The larger the vote the more representative of the population.

fairness (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:26 AM)

Welcome, Mississippi to the every growing list of states that do not count.

Hey, Geraldine, thanks for your input on Obama. You can crawl back under your rock now. The more I listen to you, the more I understand how you and Mondale managed to take 1 out of 50 states in 84.

Of course, I am sure that Mondale picked you because of your qualifications and experience. It had nothing to do with you being a woman, right?

Whatever.

Obama in 2008. If he wins the election, I am confident that he will not steal everything not nailed down in the White House when his term ends. Can the Hillary supporters say the same about their candidate?

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:27 AM)

I wonder if Ferraro believes that the black people stuck on a bridge in New Orleans, who faced a police blockade that kept them from walking to the neighboring city (which was dry, felt their advantage.

Anyhow, it's stupid to dignify her comments with any response, when she already admits that she became a V.P. candidate because she is a woman.
Hillary's campaign is over, but it seems that she's become a head-case and refuses to admit reality, and she's evil & would rather see McCain beat the man who beats her.

Jenny, Pensacola (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:29 AM)

fairness...they haven't even settled on a voting method. Why are you putting the onus on Obama. Doesn't sound fair to me...fyi he has already said he supports the delegates to be seated. Some of you need to start truly being fair and stop judging the candidates based on your own bias.

CJ (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:30 AM)

I think it's time for the leaders in the Democratic Party to call for Hillary to pack it in. She can't win at this point and is just burning resources that could and should go to the defeat of John McCain. She did not do nearly well enough in TX (a loss in delegate count) and OH to warrant continuing this fight. Her campaign is losing more and more respect everyday. No way she wins in November. You have to wonder why they are doing this. I know that Hillary spent the past 10 years gaming things to get to this, but it did not work out. Why destroy everything because of it? While this is going on, the party leaders are huddling like kids in a dysfunctional home during a fight. It's time to put a stop to this, before it gets any uglier that it already is.

MJ (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:32 AM)

1.) Ferraro is a nitwit and should shut up and step down from the Clinton fampaign, as should Spitzer. If Gerry doesn't we'll all know Clinton is trying to distract the country and win white voters with the race card.
2.) Some guy on Morning Joe---I didn't catch the name---said it best; this is the liberal Democratic Party on the cusp of making history either way they nominate, and we're STILL bogged down with race and gender!" How unfortuately true.
3.) I believe Hil will manipulate things, with the help of the GOP, who badly want her as the nominee because they KNOW they can beat her, so that she steals the nomination from Obama. In which case, I will join millions who will leave the Dem party and become disgruntled independents.
4.) One again, just so she understands: FERRARO---SHUT UP AND STEP DOWN!!!

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:34 AM)

Dems have to see what's going on: Divide & Conquer. Going into PA, it is very advantageous for Hillary to have Whites feeling victimized, in an effort to alienate Obama. Obama is walking right into an old school political trap. He will be the "Black candidate" not the candidate who happens to be Black. Nice work Hillary.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:36 AM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
Okay, Gerry it’s time begin the rehab process. We’ve schedueled slots on Lettermen and Leno where you can publicly humilate yourself. Also, Al Sharpton will be discussing this on Larry King Live tonight. It’s not going away Gerry. Your friends will do an intervention later this afternoon and you WILL admit that you are a rascist.Admit it Gerry. Let the healing begin. Oh, by the way, the Reverend Jesse Jackson is on the line.

twocanpete (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:37 AM)

DEAR FAIRNESS

Maybe Obama is "dragging his feet" as you put it because he believes in playing by the rules. I live in Florida and did it for two reasons, to cast my "symbolic" vote for Obama and vote on the property tax amendment. Everyone who went to vote, that I know, knew it was a beauty contest. The property tax amendment was what bought people to the polls in Florida on Jan 29.

So now that Clinton is losing, we should change the rules in the middle of the game and let Florida count. What kind of lesson are we teaching our children? If you don't get what you want, beg and cry for a rule change. That is not how life works and that is not how our politics should work.

If Clinton was so concerned about Florida and Michigan why didn't she lobby her Democratic croonies here in Florida and Michigan to make the states count BEFORE the primary process started. I will tell you why, BEFORE SHE GOT HER ASS KICKED ON FEB 5 she could have care less about what Florida and Michigan had to say.

She is the most disgusting, vile politician of our time. Its unfortunate that she is a woman and a democrat.

Lisa, Florida (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:37 AM)

Hey, Bill in Santa Fe - If you dig a little you will find the well-hidden fact (from the horse's mouth itself aka the Canadian government) that it was CLINTON's campaign that contacted them to tell them to take Hillary's anti-Nafta remarks with "a grain of salt." Obama's campaign did in fact meet with them but not about anything to do with Nafta. It was HILLARY's campaign that intimated she was "fudging the truth" and that the Canadians shouldn't worry about the Nafta issue. Hillary is a master of duplicity and manipulation. I thought we all knew that already

Brenna, Amherst, MA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:37 AM)

Mississippi clarified the Clinton racist/sexist strategy: Vote for Me, I’m White! They have embraced the white racist voters and infuriated females (”Hell hath no fury…”) Their strategy is clearly demonstrated by refusals to reject and repudiate Rush Limbaugh’s involvement, Ferraro’s racist/sexist comments, and the results of the exit polls that prove this is how voters are thinking. They have found their niche in racial fear and hatred and sexism of the vilest and most destructive variety. This campaign is being fueled by psychopathic rage. It doesn’t make a bit of difference if Ferraro’s statements contain one iota of truth. What matters is that they are being used to enrage and foment attitudes that only serve to rip and shred the fabric of American society and culture. The Clintons may as well paint swastikas on their faces and distribute white hoods at their rallies. These are the tactics being used by terrorists to keep radical factions actively destructive througout the world. It’s time for wiser and stronger voices to speak up and shed the light on this horror story.

SMC, Towson, MD (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:38 AM)

Obama is equally White as he is Black. How does she deal with that?

Cheryl (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:39 AM)

It seems as if people in Obama's camp are just chomping at the bit to find anything to construe as being the "race" card. I believe Ferraaro meant because of his lack of experience-not because he is black or mixed or whatever one is called when born of two different race of parents. I do believe people have gotten caught of in the second coming of a "dream".
Well dreams don't always compute into reality.
For any adult who has ever looked back and said, I wish I had listened to my elders.--they know now--experience count!

Linda Ellis Ocala, Florida (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:40 AM)

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