HRC hits pundits, touts pop. vote lead

Posted: Sunday, May 18, 2008 7:44 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
MAYFIELD, KY -- Saying the region had a “special place” in the heart of the Clinton family, Hillary Clinton told a large crowd here that she’s waging this campaign for people like them, not the pundits on TV.

“There were some folks who didn’t want Kentucky to vote,” she said. “There are some folks, you can see them on TV every night, who wanted it to be over for me after Iowa. And every time they say it, something funny happens. The voters don’t agree.”

She said these talking heads are “talking at us instead of with us,” and that they don’t have as much at stake in the election.

“I would bet every single one of those folks, they’ve got a job; we can see that. They’ve got good health care; we know that. They can pay whatever the charge is at the gas pump most likely. They can send their child to college. I’m not running to represent them, I’m running to fight for you and to be your champion.”

Clinton also repeated that she is "leading in the popular vote" -- although that claim is based only on when you add the votes she gained from the contests in Florida and Michigan, and Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot in the latter race.

"And the states that I have won are states a Democrat has to win if we are going to be elected in the fall," she said. "People ask me all the time: 'Why, why are you continuing to fight on?' Well, because I’ve got more votes. Because I believe I’d be the best president. And I believe I’m the stronger candidate to defeat Sen. McCain."

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Comments

So, she's leading in the popular vote according to her quote. But, and this is the qualifier, only if you include two states that have been disqualified (one of which she conveniently forgot to take her name off the ballot as requested by the DNC) and don't include all of the states that run caucuses without tallying the popular votes. So, all the votes count except for those that don't support your attempt at reformulating the math. If you want to see the truth of the popular vote instead of relying on what a candidate says, go to:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_vote_count.html

Kevin, Orlando, FL (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 8:55 PM)

Sick, delusional and horrible for untiting this party, with ZERo chance of winning! Brilliant exit strategy, Hillary! Just brilliant!

Wanakee Hill, Mandeville, LA (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 8:57 PM)

More BS!

GO BAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woodside CA (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 8:58 PM)

blah, blah, blah, blah blah...

Jeff, Atlanta GA (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 8:59 PM)

There are a lot of Democrats in Iowa who think Obama's choice of location on Tuesday night is a bit presumptuous. But maybe it's a move befitting a (media-named) "presumptive" nominee--and perhaps quite a bit audacious. Is anyone ready to acknowledge that this candidate hasn't transcended politics as much as we were first led to believe. He plays the game exceedingly well--almost too well. How many times can you rub your victories in the face of Clinton supporters before they really don't feel like they want to help you? It appears that -- as a candidate -- Obama is doing fine without the help of Clinton supporters and is having a difficult time connecting with this breed of Democrat.

Joy, North Central Iowa (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:02 PM)

Got your back Hillary--it will either be you in
Nov, or a NO Confidence vote for Obama.
DNC- unpledged super delegates, get ready to hide behind closed doors---your going to need to get out
of the limelight come Nov. when you once again
annoint a non-experienced, weak on foreign policy
candidate for the RNC to make mincemeat out of.
They may have lost 3 seats in Congress at the state level, however they do not plan on losing thie White
House come Nov.----egg in your face yet again.
You folks just fo not get it.....Kerry in 2000
should have shown you folks the light, but you
again had your eyes closed, as you will this time
around with Obama. Yeah, he'll put up a fight, but he will lose on principal---he is not qualified for
the highest office in this nation and that will
be clear when the votes are counted. O yeah, did I
mention----he'll have to do it without us Clinton
supporters, because we will not be around to to back him up. Unqualified, little experience, with a dream
in his pocket-----dream on DNC.
While I am not a fan of McCains policies, I do
resoect him for his experience and honor---can not say the same for Obama, so myself and millions
of other Clinton supporters will be sitting this
one out-----we have as much right not to vote, as those newly registered voters, who for the first
time this year decided to vote---how sad, how very,very sad!!!

Kathy (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:02 PM)

Not related to this headline.
If Senator Obama gives his campaign donations to Clinton than I and many others will NOT give any more. She has over 100 million dollars, gotten at the expense of our jobs. Let her use her own money, not my honestly hard earned money to pay her debts. She should have dropped out after all the loses in Feb. Her arrogance is why she is in debt, and we the hard working Americans should not have to support her lack of judgement. She is rich I am not, and I will email everyone not to give to her debts. Senator Obama you proved you are organized, and know how to manage money, she isnot and has not proven anything but incompetance.

NO money to Clinton (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:02 PM)

Sorry Clinton! Popular votes don't win elections!

For discounts on Obama T Shirts $8.99 & Up. Use this coupon at this Obama Store - http://MyObamaStore.com
Coupon - Obama-X2Y9-10 (10% OFF)

America for Obama (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:03 PM)

The point is she's finishing the race on a high note...while Senator Obama is picking and choosing which Americans(states) he's going to represent...all the while limping along!

The Democratic Party should wake up...Senator Clinton is the stronger candidate! In fact, she's proven that resoundingly since the process of vetting Senator Obama began about six weeks ago.

Any Democrat that believes that they can count on those states, caucuses and votes acquired before vetting began on Senator Obama...better think again!
There's ALOT of voter remorse out there!!!

Add no experience, poor judgement and a far left wing liberal agenda and what have you got? A disaster of a Democratic candidate!!

Carol, Ca (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:03 PM)

When people ask why you are still running, why not tell them the truth.. as long as the campaign continues the fraud case against you Clintons will be held off. You do not do this for the people, you do this for YOURSELF.
FR why do you not write about this suit against the Clintons. PLEASE post this, the public has a right to know.

NO money to Clinton (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:07 PM)

Clinton being dishonest? What a surprise! Do the people of Kentucky really buy this crap that she leads in the popular vote? Only in her own mind.

SD voter (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:08 PM)

The only lead she has is in the state of denial.

Ruthie, GA (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:10 PM)

Enough. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. You have achieved special status: in that you are in need of special education. I was on your side but this is beyond sensibility. Have you no shame? Your husband was impeached and you have been implicated in a sniper scam. WTF?

Truth2008 (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:11 PM)

That's very nice. Enjoy yourself. Blame pundits - good call and an easy target.

PS: Obama is working out the details to pay off your 20+ million campaign debt. Emily's List, which just stroked out over NARAL endorsing Obama, stated today they would support him.

Campaign happily it's almost over.

feeling better in ne (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:12 PM)

It's this kind of talk that gets Obama supporters angry. If she were in Senator Obama's postion with the most delegates, as he is and he went around saying these things--the press wouldn't even print it. She and Obama both can beat McCane. The DNC needs to start spending money on exposing the republicans and we need to spend our money on the general, not the primary anymore. I'm very tired of this primary now, let's move on and gear-up to blow every republican in office out. Let's stop republicans from taking office this election as a clear mandate that their lawlessness in governing and their greed for self-gain will not be tolerated by a civilized society.

Senator Obama for a civilized society (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:15 PM)

It's sad when she has to resort to half-truths to make her case. The fact is - pure and simple - the results of the Florida and Michigan primaries will never, ever, ever count as they stand today. There will either be some form of proportional vote or some other compromise, but it's hardly fair to penalize Obama in Michigan for playing by the rules.

Oh, and I really like the comment, "... I'm not running to represent them..." I thought the President of the United States represented all Americans, regardless of race, regardless of economic standing and regardless of political stripe.

Seems HRC doesn't mind playing favorites.

Erik Wilson, Houston, TX (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:15 PM)

covering Hillary must be easy, just copy and paste.....
Come on Hill, give us some more material. What about the caucuses?, and the "beauty contest" primaries in Washington state and Nebraska that Obama won? If you want to play completely unfair he should at least get those votes as well.

Dave, Cali (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:17 PM)

This kind of talk is not helping Obama. But, then, did that thought occur to her?

HRC will say anything to anybody to make the vote all about her!

Let's come together and work to put a Dem in the White House in November. Let it be Obama!

HRG, LA, CA (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:18 PM)

Clinton's "popular vote count" not only gives Obama zero votes in Michigan, but also leaves out the caucus states. That's thousands of votes in those states that Obama won...including my home state of Iowa.

Kathleen in Iowa (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:18 PM)

Hillary does lead in the popular vote. Obama, being black, cannot win this thing this fall. The Democrats have set themselves up for a big fall.

Max Souter (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:20 PM)

Hillary does lead in the popular vote. Obama, being black, cannot win this thing this fall. The Democrats have set themselves up for a big fall.

Max Souter (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:20 PM)

Now, you all have got to admit, having someone carry around a boom-box behind Obama when he is in the 'White' House is going to be a little to much of a culture shock for most people.

Edgar Johnson, NYC (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:21 PM)

Delusional, completely delusional.....and also totally irrelevant.....

richard hincha orange virginia (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:23 PM)

Let her continue to campaign until she is satisfied that the nomination goes to Obama. The delegate math, which is really all that matters will at some point sink in but until it does, let her rock and roll. There is nothing wrong with coming in second if you have given your best and she surely has given her all. God bless her.

Coleen, Seattle, Washington (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:24 PM)

That's the problem,....always manipulating numbers and people....Hillary....forget about Michigan and Florida....we are tired of your spin cycle and your supporters must be even dizzier for what you put them through.

garyd, amherst, nh (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:25 PM)

sad, delusional, and maddening

Ann, Palo Alto, Ca (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:25 PM)

What is wrong with Hillary? You would not be the best president. You are not the stronger candidate! You cannot even manage your campaign! It is on the verge of bankruptcy! One has to wonder if your experience in the economy is being demonstrated by your inability to run a viable campaign. I think it is disingenuous and dishonest to be taking ‘those poor white working class American’s’ donations when you know baring theft it is most unlikely you will be the nominee. You may have won had you been forthright, honest and feminine. In trying to act like a man you scare the men away. Not to mention your following of mature ladies reminding everyone of petticoat management. This is not how you do it. For starters you need to ditch those pants suits and wear some dresses. Be a woman. It is easier to get voters to vote for you when you offer sugar instead of vinegar.

spicegirl Md (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:25 PM)

More Clinton distortions. When will they stop, maybe when stupid people stop believing everything a politician says to get elected.

M H Robinson, San Diego, CA` (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:26 PM)

It looks like she is, as she should, go out strong. This will be over Wednesday morning.
A Dissertation on Disillusionment: http://blakeneven.blogspot.com

Blake, Seattle, WA (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:27 PM)

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