Clinton Pennsylvania spin

Posted: Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:39 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ’s Athena Jones
The Clinton camp held a briefing on the bus this morning led by Nick Clemons, a senior adviser, and spokesman Mo Elleithee to effectively lower expectations for the April 22 primary.

They said the race was narrowing, stressed that Obama was outspending the campaign 3-to-1 -- a common campaign line in recent days -- and said Pennsylvania was never going to be a blowout race.

Clemons called it a 3- or 4-point race and said the campaign was simply "looking for a win" here. Elleithee repeated Clinton's commitment to stay in the race until every vote is counted.

The focus on being outspent by Obama was extreme and noticeable. The aides brought it up repeatedly during the 10-minute discussion.

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Comments

So why do they bring up that Obama has more enthusiastic supporters that are willing to fork over $25 bucks a pop? Isn't that a sign of weakness that Obama has more money than their mismanaged campaign that has fewer enthusiastic supporters?

I just don't get it.

Tim, Philly (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:45 PM)

Watch out, Obama, the Clinton camp lowering expectations makes me nervous. If the Clinton's have anything left in their slimy little bag of dirty tricks; they're going to throw it at you today or tomorrow.

Sue, Bloomington, IN (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:45 PM)

Clinton knows the end is near.

LT, Tacoma, WA (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:46 PM)

I would suggest to Tim Russert, Chuck Todd and David Gregory who were on the Tim Russrt Show today that the reason Hilary Clinton made the surprising, controversial "umbrella attacks against Iran" comment during the debate was to stir up the press and the media thus allowing her free coverage and media focus before 3 vitally important primaries.
Her money being tight she can risk making such a comment, then simply explain it away later, once she's gotten the free press.
Desperate people do desperate things no matter that it's playing with the trust of the voters.

Shame Hilary (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:54 PM)

And why not outspend her? Obama's campaign is largely financed by independent public funding. A million and a half $96.00 donations with much more to come instead of 96 1 million dollar donations from corporate interests who can't donate any more.
I will donate monthly form here on out and I expect him to use every penny of it to win the nomination and then send the GOP to the showers for awhile.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:57 PM)

The Clinton Camp should probably consider a follow-up briefing to clarify their NAFTA position as well...

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/04/camp-clinton-to.html

Camp Clinton to Canada: HRC won't threaten NAFTA

Another day, more hypocrisy, this time from the co-chair of Michigan campaign, former Michigan governor Jim Blanchard who during a discussion on NAFTA tells a group in Toronto that he has "not seen anything that would constitute a threat to trade with Canada."

We The People.. (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:57 PM)

Let's see, that money is coming from the people. Her brand name & Rendell's are priceless. This is an empty argument. Especially since the pundits have all said, tv is limited in it's impact.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:59 PM)

Ridiculous doesn't even begin to describe the spin that the Clinton campaign throws out there. They are grasping at straws. She's run a pathetic campaign and whatever is left of her legacy is going down in flames.

Enrique, Chicago (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:00 PM)

That's utter nonsense. She's supposed to win by 10 points or more. Why do the mainstream media lemmings always set expectations based on what the Clinton campaign says? Aren't self-respecting journalists embarrassed when they just report what they're told by the Clinton campaign spokesperson?

MSM, Do your job (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:02 PM)

Of course he has more money----more people want him to be President. Please Hillary stop trying to wreck the democratic party.

jmc,Wa (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:03 PM)

First Read,

I have tried to post this message multiple times since the debate, but have yet to see it posted. This IS a public forum, so please post my comment.

During the debate, Hillary Clinton informed us of her apparently new, "umbrella" foreign policy, which is BY FAR more to the right than McCain, and even George Bush. I find this to be extremely troublesome, and even a tad bit scary.

I find it odd that no one seems to be commenting on this. Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow have talked about it some, and they are pretty much in disbelief themselves.

Why is it that First Read has not posted anything about, quite frankly, the only REAL POLICY news out of that "debate"?

I guess you would rather talk about more important things, like Chelsea, clearing the way for gays and lesbians. (nothing against gays and lesbians, but HRC's "umbrella" is waaaaaaaaaay more relevant to this election.

I even heard Tim Russert and Chuck comment today about why it hasn't gotten any attention, and CHuck said that the Media would rather focus on "shiny objects".

I kind of find that insulting. We are talking about the President of the United States. HRC attacking any country in the world that attacks Iran is VERY troubling to me.

Anyone else think that this is important, or am I just "out of touch"?

Jessica (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:04 PM)

Are they being outspent, or are they no longer able to raise enough money for their campaign?

What would they be doing if they had the money?

Online Joe, , Fl (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:04 PM)

Good God, Let Clinton just go away.

Josh (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:05 PM)

Either the internal polls or taking or they are setting us up to make a 5 point win seem like a landslide . . . can't wait until Tuesday!

Obama '08

Nashville_fan (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:06 PM)

T'was predictable, even the Clinton campaign is begining to realize the light at the end of the tunnel grows dimmer by the day, time to get it on with McCain.

E. B. Kingman, Az. (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:06 PM)

Clinton is being outspent! Clinton is being outspent! Now who's whining?

Sheez!

Yvonne,Charlotte, NC (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:08 PM)

If PA isn't a winner-take-all primary, why in the world is she "just looking for a win"?! Shouldn't she be looking to make up significant ground in the delegate battle? I thought she was a "fighter." I guess those were just words...

Brian (Seattle, WA) (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:10 PM)

I thought the Clinton camp didn't whine.

Chris Brown Xalapa, Veracruz MX (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:10 PM)

Moving the goalposts again. It's not gonna work this time. Obama has had a rough week. She needs a blowout.

Mike (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:12 PM)

Obama had to be able to raise the money to spend the money....that means he has people behind him...Stop whinning

Obama 08

Gail, Dayton, OH (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:16 PM)

OH PLEASE !!!!!!!!!

Go to Huffington post to see Hillarys latest.
Throw everyone off the bus who doesnt like her.

She is so EVIL. She makes Cheney look like a teddy bear

Nj (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:18 PM)

Its called campaigning, and the idea that his campaign has been more prudent in managing their finances seems to be lost on the Clinton campaign. If we were to use the campaigns as the barometer for who would be a better president, the Obama campaign would win hands down.

Donna, Kingston Jamaica (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:18 PM)

Moving the goal post again. What we were told after Ohio was that Clinton will win PA by 20 points and over.

New Wave (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:19 PM)

The Clinton campaign will just call it a win, but if they do win, the news media will eat this up like a cow eating grass, like they did Texas and Mr. Obama won more delegates in that state and hardly any media coverage.

JBB (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:26 PM)

Sigh. We are so over the Clinton's--they who never met a lobbyist and foreign nation they weren't willing to take money from. Can't wait for the day, hour and minute that we can all utter a collective, "Good Riddance!"

Utopiayes (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:27 PM)

That's right Obama, brush that dirt off your shoulders.

Sunshine, Peoria IL (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:28 PM)

Well truth is truth. Obama should win by 20% to account for his spending. Even a narrow win wont do it now. Negativity in his ads. I am interested to see how that plays. If there was any honest moaning about Hillary this is worse by far. Also not true.but than politicians are politicians.

joe-pa (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:30 PM)

No calling out that this is moving the goal post AGAIN? Probably for the dozen-th time in nearly the same amount of days?

"Looking for a win"...when Sen. Clinton was leading by OVER 20 points a few weeks ago? "Never going to be a blowout"? I would hope someone offered to help pay for the CAT-scan that they obviously need.

Stenographers...not journalists.

StopBeingLazy (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:31 PM)

I wonder if it occured to anyone why Obama is outspending Clinton 3 to 1.

"It's the economy stupid" There are 3 times more people supporting Obama and giving to his campain than to Clinton's.

BC (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:31 PM)

Voters don't like liars and the debate was revealing. For the first time, Hillary admitted the Bosnia story caliming niper fire was NOT what she knew to be true. Still couldn't admit she outright lied. Instead she told the questioner she hoped he'd "overlook" it! Overlook it? She doesn't get it.

She's lied about her part in the Irish peace talks; lied about opening the border so Kosovo refugees could flee; now she's dissed Dem activists (see Huffington Post)in her own private meeting in CA. She said they interfered with those voting for her in Nevada and Texas but she didn't decide that until Move On supported Obama. She claimed Move On was against the war in Afghanistan--another lie.

When you vote, you either vote for integrity and truthfulness or you teach your children that it's ok to call a lie a "misstatement.

Today Obama's volunteers are out in force in NW IN and so are Clinton's, even in a drizzle.

shirley Dyer, IN (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:33 PM)

Obama will do anything to win, including running negative Ads based on claims that have been thoroughly debunked by factcheck.org months ago.

Is this the politics of change? Looks more like politics as usual.

What a hypocrite.

Michael (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:34 PM)

Everytime I hear the Clinton campaign or the media say something along the lines of "He is outspending her 3-to-1" I translate it to read: "He has more supporters than her".

janie doe (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:34 PM)

It does not matter who is outspending whom. The fact remains, Clinton was 20 points ahead, Obama has caught up. Obama has never expected to win Pennsylvania, HE CAUGHT HER. So he can win a big State.

Cyndee, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:34 PM)

OBAMA------"I am rubber, you are glue. Whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you."?

Sunshine, Peoria IL (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:36 PM)

A 3-4% win, or even a 10-15% win, won't have any significant effect on the delegate count. She was ahead by 20% a few weeks ago and has been losing ground.

Not to be rude, but why doesn't she bow out with some dignity?

wisdave, madison wi (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:37 PM)

The real Hillary,

http://www.hillaryproject.com/index.php?/en/story-details/devastating_clinton_youtube_video_hits_web/
________________________________________________

Clinton Slams Democratic Activists At Private Fundraiser

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/celeste-fremon/clinton-slams-democratic_b_97484.html
_______________________________

My Recollection of Hillary Clinton at the 1995 Camp David Meeting
Hillary said "Scew Em"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theda-skocpol/my-recollection-of-the-19_b_97291.html
________________________________________

http://www.hillaryproject.com/index.php?/en/story-details/will_the_media_ever_report_on_the_upcoming_clinton_vs_paul_trial

LMK in WA St. (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:42 PM)

Hillary come on, you've got to gracefully bow out girlfriend, it's time. We love you dearly and you fought a hell of a dog fight, but there's no point in dragging this on any more if we don't get a double digit win. Let's get ready to rumble against McCain. Obama has got to pick you for the VP or else he will be the true divisive one of this campaign and would certainly lose to McCain. Obama would be an idiot not to realize this. There's still hope you may pull PA off in a big way, but after reading this, it's looking unlikely. Too bad so many Dem voters couldn't see you are our best candidate for the Presidency.

Go Hillary!

Still want Hillary for Prez, but... (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:42 PM)

This is an important contest for the Clintons, and if they are so concerned about being outspent, why don't they just spend MORE? What, their campaign doesn't have that kind of support? Then they should consider using their own funds. They've got the money in the bank, and this primary is a once-in-a-political-lifetime event.

It's time to put up or shut up!

DanKav, Los Angeles (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:45 PM)

If the Clinton's have a problem with being out-spent by Obama and see that as the reason that the race in PA is tightening, there IS a simple solution. They have access to $109 million in personal assets. Why aren't they using that money? Wouldn't it solve all their problems? Or are they afraid they'd be throwing their money away on a lost cause? I say put your money where your mouth is.

Grace (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:45 PM)

If it's not going to be a blowout, then there is no way Clinton will be able to overtake Obama in the popular vote totals, even with a large (non-state) victory in Puerto Rico.

So I would say these caveats from the Clinton campaign are the first signs that her campaign will be "suspended" after what appears to be an Obama blowout in North Carolina, which will erase any gains she made in Pennsylvania and perhaps even increase Obama's lead.

Steve Pasek, Chicago, IL (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:46 PM)

Secrets, some many secrets..what shall we do?

Call Obama an elitist, a liar, a whiner, ah ah ah ah...come on think you bastards!!....times running out..well fire somebody.. WE NEED HEADLINES!!!!!!!

Truth for Our Times (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:48 PM)

I give her credit, she keeps it interesting. I wonder whats her headline come April 23rd.

Kim David, Royal Oak, MI (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:51 PM)

Well this conflicts with Chris Matthews who states Clinton will win by double digits. Everyone knows she has PA in the bag.

MAR, Baltimore (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:51 PM)

Too bad Clinton blew her load before New Hampshire. Her pisspoor planning scares me. I'm so glad Obama is going to beat her.

Obama meets with Lapel Pin Lady to Assure Her That He Believes in the Flag :: http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=kda5g

Jimmy (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:53 PM)

A bunch of lies from the HiLIARy's campaign

Nothing new, really.

Dan, Madison, Wisconsin (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:54 PM)

Obama has more money to spend because more grassroots folks like us are chipping in because we like him better. Stop whining Billary!

KC, Santa Fe , NM (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:54 PM)

Oh, so Hillary's now whining because she's broke?

Get outta here with that!

Amber, IN (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:56 PM)

Chuck This was suppst to be a blowout and now that it is narrowing the spin changes? Money spent , give me a break he is winning because he is not politics as usual and her negative Bush type campaigning. No one to blame but herself.

Doug Cox , Issaquah , Wa (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:57 PM)

Quickly! Hedge Hedge Hedge! What huge margin? We never had a 20+ point lead! We always expected it to be close, even though Obama has had 10 straight days of gaffes and missteps. We expect it to be very close, even though we had a 20 point lead! HEDGE HEDGE HEDGE!

Byron V, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:57 PM)

Hillary will win by 8 or 9

Cowboy Jack (Sent Saturday, April 19, 2008 2:58 PM)

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