Clinton memo: Not so fast, Sen. Obama

Posted: Monday, May 19, 2008 12:44 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
The Obama campaign has been careful recently to say that tomorrow night's event in Iowa will celebrate the candidate securing a majority of the pledged delegates -- not victory in the Democratic contest.

But seizing on an anonymous quote from an Obama senior adviser in a May 8 Politico piece -- “On May 20 we’re going to declare victory" -- the Clinton campaign has just released a memo that essentially paraphrases college football analyst Lee Corso.

Not so fast, my friend.

"There is no scenario under the rules of the Democratic National Committee by which Senator Obama will be able to claim the nomination tomorrow night," the memo reads. "He will not have 2,210 delegates, the number needed with Florida and Michigan included in the process, nor will he have 2,025 delegates, the number needed to secure the nomination without Florida and Michigan. Premature victory laps and false declarations of victory are unwarranted. Declaring mission accomplished does not make it so."

Below is the entire memo...

To: Interested Parties
From: Howard Wolfson, Communications Director
Date: Monday, May 19, 2008
Re: Mission Accomplished? Not so fast.

Senator Obama’s plan to declare himself the Democratic nominee tomorrow night in Iowa (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10184.html) is a slap in the face to the millions of voters in the remaining primary states and to Senator Clinton’s 17 million supporters.

There is no scenario under the rules of the Democratic National Committee by which Senator Obama will be able to claim the nomination tomorrow night. He will not have 2,210 delegates, the number needed with Florida and Michigan included in the process, nor will he have 2,025 delegates, the number needed to secure the nomination without Florida and Michigan.

Premature victory laps and false declarations of victory are unwarranted. Declaring mission accomplished does not make it so.

While Senator Obama inaccurately declares himself the nominee, Senator Clinton will continue to work hard, campaigning for every vote in the upcoming states and making the case that she will be the best nominee to take on John McCain and be our next President.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Saying the number is 2210 does not make it so.

Saying only the states that you win matter does not make it so.

Saying you have the most votes as long as you don't count some of Senator Obama's does not make it so.

CitizenJ (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:12 PM)

I'm sick and tired of hearing "Warmonger" McCain twist what Obama says with his tortured logic. Barack was completely correct to say that Iran is tiny compared to the vast military might that used to be the Soviet Union. To say differently just proves "Alzheimer" McCain is just trying to revise history for his own political ends.

Now Russia has become one of our biggest problems when it was heading towards being one of our friends thanks to "NeoNazi" Bush shooting his arrogant ignorant mouth off at them and not allowing them to join NATO.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:12 PM)

Wolfson doing what he does best, selling wolf ticket! LOL!

Anyone want to wager that if the shoe was on the other foot, Ol' Hill would be claiming victory. Remember the her victory celebration of the non-victory in Florida. Who knew that would be a sign of "THINGS" to come from Camp Hillary. LOL!

Joy for Obama, Virginia (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:12 PM)

It is truly time for the Democratic Party to move on to the general election. Barack Obama is our nominee - by old math, new math - whatever way you want to count. It is time for us to come together.

Kari, Augusta, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:12 PM)

I used to think that you were a very intelligent may, but I have changed my mind with the fact that you now sound like a very ignorant man that has been swept away by both Clintons. But, maybe I forget that this your job and you just don't want to admit the truth!

jimbo (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:13 PM)

"Declaring mission accomplished does not make it so."

You mean like "I have received the most votes."????

or..."He just can't win the white vote"

or..."She can still win"

In fact...Obama (and his immediate staff) never said "Mission Accomplished", but Clinton/staff certainly are responsible for the other quotes.

Bob, Texas (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:13 PM)

"Although the Obama campaign has been careful recently to say that tomorrow night's event in Iowa will celebrate the candidate securing a majority of the pledged delegates -- not victory in the Democratic contest."

According to the Clinton camp, now the Obama campaign is supposedly declaring victory? Sheesh!

This is getting so tiresome! Can't wait till June.

Anthony, GA (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:13 PM)

Apparently it isn't going to be over until Hillary SAYS it's over. Is she a control freak or what? After tomorrow it'll be time for the rest of the coward Superdelegates to end this thing FOR Hillary. Go Obama '08.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:14 PM)

The new Gallup Poll shows Obama with a 55% to 39% lead over the Bag Lady nationwide. So where is this majority she speaks of that support her and not Obama? In her own mind is the only place where she leads the rightful winner Barack Obama.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:14 PM)

Just more foolishness and polorization...how sad. The Clinton camp should use their paper and pen to raise some money to pay that 20 million dollar debt off.

leslie, indiana (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:14 PM)

God Almighty, I'm tired of tat woman! Can't she just admit defeat and go away? I really, truly think there's something pathologically wrong with her that she denies reality so strongly. GIVE IT UP, HIL!! YOU LOST!!!

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:15 PM)

Mr.Wolfson,

Remember Hillary has a problem with those numbers; and that according to Hillary allows her to be the nominee and the President of the USA!

If you continue to allow Hillary to Change or Make New Rules; her Claim to being the best nominee is tainted.
No one can follow a fickle leader.

Plus, remember Hillary has a problem with those numbers; and that according to Hillary allows her to be the nominee and the President of the USA! Those numbers will change again; not because of Hillary but, because neither of you can SUBTRACT, Mr.Wolfson.

Beverly, Chicago (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:15 PM)

Howard Wilson and other Clinton’s surrogates should be careful as to what they say, and do a reality check or enrol in first grade where they teach math. They are living in most expensive fantasy at the expense of poor so called hard working white Americans, and are prolonging their own misery. They had bet on the wrong horse and better get on Obama’s program or else find themselves out of job and hope.
Hillary was a badly tainted candidate and even with all the deceptions, lies, race card, fear card, gender card, she failed miserably and has lost any sense of reality. She now wants to be the Vice-President and her husband to be then appointed to the senate so now he can sexually use interns again. This is not going to happen.

Charles (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:16 PM)

He may not have the magic number, but he has won in every metric there is. The only way Hillary can win is to cheat, which would destroy the party and cause her to lose in November. Us independant voters don't like to vote for people who have to cheat to win.

Susan (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:16 PM)

If Senator Clinton can claim a popular vote lead that does not exist, why can't Obama claim victory?

Clinton has cited every metric and combination of metrics for months now; none of which actually existed.

While majority of the pledged delelgates may not be an official metric, it is worth noting that it will then be IMPOSSIBLE for Hillary to receive more elected delegates than Senator Obama. A claim of a victory of sorts holds alot more truth in it than any statement released by the Clinton Campaign in at least two months.

This continued muddying of the water by the Clinton Campaign is becoming pathetic!

Mark R., South Montrose, PA (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:16 PM)

Hillary is absolutely right!

Declaring oneself the victor before the votes are over would be the epitome of hubris - we have already suffered from arrogance and hubris in the last 7 years with Bush.

Let the people vote, let the people decide. If nobody gets the requisite number of delegates required today, there are still more states to vote and the issues of Florida and Michigan to settle. Superdelegates have not all decided yet either.

Once all votes are in and all issues settled, then the nominee will be decided and there will be no hint of impropriety or favoritism. If the contest has to go to the convention to choose, so be it.

The Democratic Party hasn't had this much press attention in decades. A few more weeks of prominent news coverage will only help our case as more voters get to hear the Democratic message.

L. Mann (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:17 PM)

"Declaring mission accomplished does not make it so."

Way to channel Bush, there, Clintina. Are you saying Obama is Bush now? Doesn't sound like party unity to me...

Seems like your team is the only one who doesn't think it's over, not matter what your delusion tells you. The math just isn't there. Just because you encourage your supporters to turn off the TV and turn away from the media (as to keep them uneducated about reality) doesn't make your vision reality, either.

MI Chick (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:18 PM)

Alternatively, we could carve out a Republic of Appalachia, allow it to secede from the union, and appoint Clinton President and Ferraro, V.P. They can declare victory early and often and deliver a cost-efficient universal dental plan.

Dave, Ca (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:19 PM)

What a bunch of losers - Obama clearly said he would not be declaring himself a winner tomorrow. Rather, he will have won majority of pledged delegates - that is a big difference. Regardless, Hillary's camp claim of 2210 is just another example of their moving the goal post - they should know:-
a) we are not stupid
b) we know what the rules are

OBAMA 08

waltham, MA (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:19 PM)

The Clinton camp is getting increasingly pathetic in its attempts to spin away the reality of delegate math.

Consequently, it becomes harder and harder to take anything Hillary's campaign says seriously. Obama knows perfectly well where he stands, and it is as the Democrats' presumptive nominee for president. Meanwhile, Clinton continues to try to sell the idea that she's even ahead in the popular vote, which is a total lie because she counts Florida and Michigan (the latter of which is a state where Obama wasn't even on the ballot) but not the caucus states he won.

This leaves us with only one of two conclusions. Either Hillary's staff people are brain-dead stupid or they think we are. I am so glad that all of the primary voting is almost over. Only three more weeks to go. Yay!

Philimus, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:20 PM)

I too think that this is a mistake! I have been troubled by the Obama campaign's strategy recently; that is to "ignore" Clinton and these remaining primaries. He is sure to get pounded in Kentucky tomorrow and I have heard that his once impressive lead in Oregon has dwindled to a measly 5%!! What is up with that? Someone from Oregon please weigh in and tell me. Obama has literally been looking ahead to the Super Bowl before he has won all of the playoff games! What a mistake in judgement to underestimate the Clinton Machine, one of the most powerful in recent history. I understand that these superdels can change their minds all the way up to the convention and they just might do that, given this WEAK 4th quarter performance by Obama. Let's face it, he will lose BIG in Puerto Rico and even if he wins South Dakot and Montana, there are few dels and pop vote in those areas. I hope that this "counting your chickens before they are hatched" atrategy doesn't lose the nomination for him.

Cindi in Louisiana (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:20 PM)

What will the Wednesday morning memo be about ... that West Virginia has spoken (except for Robert C. Byrd, who apparently lost it this afternoon and will now have to be rejected and denounced)? That the 51 pledged delegates garnered by Obama on Tuesday evening make Michigan and Florida mathematically moot? Or just that ... give it time ... something horrid may be learned about Sen. Obama before the end of August (hope, hope, hope)??

Tom, Winston-Salem (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:20 PM)

Obama has been very careful not to take this process for granted. The Clinton camp, Wolfson and company, et al need to quit attempting to manipulate this process to their self serving will.

Obama has not tried to rewrite the rules to suit his campaign the way the Clinton camp has. And I'm certain that they don't want an examination into who has acted more like Bush & Rove thus primary season.

You want to campaign? Delightful.

Just check your hypocrisy at the door.

Obama '08

Jay, The Batcave (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:20 PM)

If Billary does not gracefully resign, the Super delegates will have to essentially dismiss her. Sure, she has the right to stay in, but why? It's time to turn our attention on McOld. It's time for Hillary to start supporting Barack instead of herself. Tomorrow she will win in Kentucky and on the 6/1/08 she can win Puerto Rico. Hillary, the fans are leaving the stands, the game is over and you are approximately 175 delegates behind.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:23 PM)

Wolfson, just get over it. Hillary can still drop out of the race and leave her name on the ballot. What part of the math do you not get? Do you really think the super delegates are going to steal this election for Hillary? I dare them to...it will only result in a McCain victory in November.

BobW Mendon, NY (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:23 PM)

...Except that the DNC "magic number" is clearly not the number Clinton outlined. As they have had ample opportunity to reassess their numbers, they only adjustments they have made were to bump the magic number up to 2,026; the DNC added a few delegates because of the special elections the Democrats have recently won.

Nice try Hillary-camp, but referring to the DNC as the final metric sinks your own argument.

Gavin (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:25 PM)

Um, there IS ONE scenario under the RULES of the DNC where Obama could win the majority of the 2025 Delegates required for the nomination this year under the DNC RULES. If the party follows the RULES to which EVERYONE (including Hillary) agreed - then Obama wins.

Mel (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:25 PM)

Go girl, that's the spirit!

The qualities of a leader is not measured by talk and charismatic messages alone but by the determination to finish the job, i.e., until a candidate is declared. Talk is cheap, so enough of the accusation and pipe dreams from the O-Bomb-a camp, OK?

Let's face it: Bush had done enough (unanticpated/unintentional)damage to this great nation, and I truly believe that this is only the beginning. Any potential successor has the greater likelihood of mucking it further and blame his/her predecessor. This will likely happen if the entire nation is naive in putting a person in the president's seat with a short public service experience. It is like having an "intern on training wheels" running a billion-dollar company as a CEO.

jim stalls (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:25 PM)

Obama has said repeatedly that he will not be claiming victory tomorrow.

But in misrep #1 Wolfson bootstraps from a "quote" from an anonymous source to represent that Obama plans to claim victory.

From that (misrep #2) he asserts that Obama is slapping the face of voters in OR, KY, SD, and MT.

Finally, (misrep #3) he tries to associate Obama with the image of Bush on the aircraft carrier. But Sen. Clinton gave Bush authorization for the war while Sen. Obama opposed it.

Should we tar Sen. Clinton with Wolfson's misrepresentations?

Loss of credilbility is the cumulative cost for constant misrepresentations. Unfortunately, Sen. Clinton's campaign long ago crossed that threshold. No one expects to believe what they say anymore. No even expects that they expect us to believe what they say anymore.

FablesExposed (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:26 PM)

I swear - the mental gymnastics Hillary's campaign expects people to perform here - it's simply astounding!

Hillary's campaign is cherry-picking the rules they will follow. Her campaign can either (1) follow the rules that say Florida and Michigan do not count b/c they BROKE THE RULES and held their primaries too early - or (2) she can protest the rules and take the nomination because she feels that she deserves it -- for whatever reason (more popular vote INCLUDING Michigan where hers was the only name on the ballot, more delegates from some grouping of states she deams to be important - whatever...)

I have no problem with her campaigning to the end of the primary season - I think she SHOULD - but she needs to stop this nonsense...she is blatantly trying to undermind the legitimacy of Obama's nomination should he recieve it - She and her supporters who are organizing to campaign AGAINST Obama should he be the nominee - are hurting not only the Democratic party and the country - they will be acting antithetically to everything for which Hillary claims to have fought her entire life. They will be trampling upon the very womens' rights issues they claim to trumpet. Consider for a moment what a Bush-McCain Supreme Court would do to women's rights (look at what they have already done to Brown v. the Board of Education)...

Mel (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:27 PM)

I certainly hope it isn't over yet. As disgusting as Clinton's leftist politics are, BO's are much more so. How can the Democrats nominate someone who sympathizes with an American hater and the leader of the black Muslims?

Louis Spore, Clifton, New Jersey (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:28 PM)

Howie ,I wish you would give up the spinn cycle,here are the facts,,,,More delagets,more states,more pop vote,more supers both his and some of yours,and your team wants more rule changes as the game goes on,On tuesday he will put that count out of reach and will execpt the party nomination,and you can get started on that tell all book about how you got thrashed.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:28 PM)

Note the memo was addressed to "interested parties."

I wonder how long it will be until they find out that no one is really "interested" in their twisted metircs.

Just a thought.

Vicki, Florida (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:29 PM)

I THINK THAT SEN CLINTON IS BEING SELFISH. INSTEAD OF HER TURNING THE ATTENTION TO UNIFYING THE PARTY INSTAD OF FIGHTING THESE PRIMARIES WHICH REALLY HAS NO MEANING DUE TO SEN OBAMA WILL HAVE THE MAJORITY OF THE PLEDGED DELEGATES AFTER 5-20-08 SHE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND RISK HAVING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LOSE THE PRESIDENCY IN NOVEMBER SO SHE CAN RUN AGAIN IN 20012.

CRAIG SALZMAN (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:29 PM)

Not so fast Hillary Clinton! Is not tommorrow the deadline date for filing April 2008 campaign finances for the presidential candidates! How much actual debt did Hillary amass in April? How much more money did Hillary actually lend her campaign?

AJ, IL (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:30 PM)

Sounds like Bush all over again. Premature celebrating....Obama supporters keeps saying Clinton this or Clinton that when she tries to find a "number" or scenario where she can win the nomination, Yet it is ok for Obama to declare himself the winner even if he does not have enough delegates. The media has hyped the superdelegates and fail to telll the american people THEY DO NOT MATTER UNTIL THE CONVENTION. This is not going to be decided untill the convention is over and the votes are cast in Denver. People need to take their med's and relax. Let democracy work and the process play though as it was laid out to.

JF, SC (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:30 PM)

This is soo ridiculous. Obama has said hopefully he will have a majority of the pleged delegates after tomorrow which is one step closer toward the nomination. How can a woman who is constantly blowing her horn regarding the very questionable majority of popular vote in good conscious make an issue of this upcoming milestone. Hilliary appears to be completely losing her grip. Everytime she releases these indignant memos, the SDs increase their support for Barack Obama. Everytime I start having a little respect for her, she starts foaming at the mouth again. I am starting to count the days until the American public will not have to listen to this nonsense anymore.

Sandra, Tennessee (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:31 PM)

All that over an "anonymous quote"?

Also...

"While Senator Obama inaccurately declares himself the nominee..."

OK clinton folks, please back this statement up with a quote.

Mike, Albany (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:31 PM)

He will have the majority of pledged delegates, and if the majority of superdelegates override the will of the people it would be un-american as our government is supposed to be controlled by the people, otherwise we wouldn't even vote.

I swear, some democrats have to be the dumbest people on earth. In no way would HRC actually help this country.

I'm voting for McCain so its a mute point, but would rest assured vote for anyone but HRC.

John, MI (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:32 PM)

Obama is the winner anyway, we already aknowledge it here in Belgium!!

Rokkhy, Brussels (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:32 PM)

I am a staunch Obama supporter, but I do have to say this--I watched my governor make a victory speech late on election night, and woke up to the fact that his opponent had been declared the winner because of a "computer glitch due to a storm". The republicans then continued to harrass him and he ended up in prison. That was and is Don Siegleman of Alabama. We have waited this long, a few more weeks and the victory can be proclaimed by Senator Obama. It is right to cautious in the type of political environment we have in the US. I am confused on her reasoning. It only makes her look bad to me. Is it really all about raising money? Oh, well, time will move us on.

100% for Senator Obama (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:33 PM)

Wait a minute Hillary. The DNC is really unlikely to change the goal post this late in the game

I will be glad when the DNC finally meets and seals Hillary's unrealistic expectations.

Ron Seattle (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:34 PM)

If you were so concerned about FL/MI why did you not stand up for them last year. CLINTOS would say anything to get vote.

Houstonian, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:34 PM)

Clinton's campaign grasping at straws yet again. She is at this point taking money from her supporters under false pretenses.

Sue, Bloomington, IN (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:35 PM)

I thought Obama had already declared himself the winner----but I can wait until the 20th.Guess I thought he had already won is because so many sites today are quoting why they will vote for Mccain instead of Obama----Because of the media and the DNC forcing Obama down everybodys throats,and if you do not vote Obama you are racist,uneducated,poor and not a true Democratic voter.Read where 30,000 Democrats have quit the party.Perhaps Todd could give us some numbers.

NObama-MI (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:36 PM)

I guess the Clinton campaign's new motto is "never let the facts get in the way of a poor argument." Hillary has been claiming all sorts of things for the past few months--only the states she's won matters, the caucuses don't matter, only hardworking whites matter, etc., etc., etc. Now her campaign has the nerve to critize the Obama camp for actually stating the fact that he'll reach the majority of pledged delegates tomorrow if all goes as planned. What's wrong with that?

Ugh.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 1:36 PM)

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