First thoughts: Resolving FL and MI

Posted: Friday, May 30, 2008 9:25 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Resolving Florida and Michigan: After 51 sanctioned contests over the last five months, there are just two dates left on the Democratic primary calendar, and they both occur within the next four days. Sunday is primary day in Puerto Rico (where 55 delegates are at stake and where polls open at 8:00 am ET and close at 3:00 pm ET). And on Tuesday, Montana (16 delegates) and South Dakota (15 delegates) hold their contests. But before those dates comes Saturday’s DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in DC, where committee members will most likely decide what happens with those Florida and Michigan delegations. Here are two nearly indisputable predictions about Saturday: 1) something WILL be done and 2) the entire delegations from both states will NOT be seated. So the current magic number of 2,026 will not be in effect by Sunday June 1, and we know the magic number will not be 2,210, as hoped for by the Clinton campaign. It's likely to be either 2,118 or 2,131, depending on whether the Rules committee decides superdelegates should be penalized in the same vein as pledged delegates. The question then is how will the Florida and Michigan delegates be allocated. Keep in mind that DNC hard-liners on the Rules committee, who may be the swing vote between the Clinton and Obama forces, are more intent on figuring out a way to punish Michigan more than Florida.

*** Possible scenario I: We’ve hesitated reporting on every rumor we've heard about a potential compromise, but here’s one plan circulating that seems to be gaining momentum: It would halve the votes for all of the Florida delegates, netting Clinton 19 and, more importantly, counting that popular vote. But Michigan's primary results would not be accepted and instead that state's delegates would simply be split 50-50 between Clinton and Obama. All of the delegations, under this compromise, would be seated in full, but each delegate's vote would be counted as 0.5, including the superdelegates. (Keep in mind, when the nine -- cut to 4.5 in this scenario -- Edwards' pledged delegates are factored in for Obama, that reduces Clinton's net to 14.5.) Should this compromise pass, it would mean the new magic number for nomination would be 2,118. And according to our math (bringing Obama’s delegate total to 2,060 with the Edwards delegates, and Clinton’s to 1,876.5), that would put Obama 58 total delegates away from the nomination. Assuming that Obama gets 43 of the 86 remaining pledged delegates from Puerto Rico, Montana, and South Dakota, he would need just 15 more superdelegates to clinch the nomination under this scenario.

*** Possible scenario II: Another resolution would be cutting both state delegations by 50% according to how the primary vote went (and giving Obama Michigan’s uncommitted vote). That would give Clinton a net of 19 in Florida and nine in Michigan for a total of 28. The magic number here also is 2,118, and it would put Obama 62.5 delegates away from clinching the nomination. Assuming Obama splits the remaining pledged delegates, Obama would need 19.5 more superdelegates to clinch the nomination.

*** Possible scenario III: Another scenario floated is a 50% cut of the pledged delegates in both states according to the primary vote, but keep superdelegates at 100%. That would make the magic number 2,131. Obama then would be 65.5 delegates away (and Clinton 242.5). Indeed, the maximum Clinton could pick up as a result of Saturday’s Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting is 91. That’s what Clinton would gain if she gets the delegates seated according to the discounted primary results in Florida and Michigan -- and Obama gets zero out of Michigan, because he doesn’t get any of Michigan’s “uncommitted” vote. If that maximum solution were to happen, Obama’s 161 pledged delegate lead would be cut to 70. But such a scenario at this point seems like, well, a fairy tale. It’s just not going to happen.

*** The agenda: The DNC meeting begins at 9:30 am ET with remarks by DNC chairman Howard Dean and then Rules committee co-chairs Alexis Herman and James Roosevelt. Afterward, Florida’s Jon Ausman presents his challenge (arguing that the DNC was wrong to strip the state of 100% of its superdelegates and more than 50% of its pledged delegates), followed by Florida’s Democratic Party and the Clinton and Obama campaigns. Next, Michigan presents its challenge, followed by the state party and -- once again -- the Clinton and Obama campaigns. Then the committee adjourns for lunch. And after that, the members sit down to reach some type of resolution, which requires a majority of those present of the 30-person panel (13 who back Clinton, eight who support Obama, and nine who are uncommitted, including Herman and Roosevelt; the assumption is that Clinton does not have a working majority). A DNC source tells First Read that the meeting COULD run into Sunday, but they’re hopeful that a resolution is hammered out on Saturday. One other thing to watch: Clinton supporters hold a rally/protest, co-organized by Women Count PAC, outside the hotel beginning at 7:00 am and ending around 4:00 pm ET.

*** Obama’s new pastor problem? So the number of clergymen that McCain and Obama have distanced themselves from now stands at four -- two for each of them. Of course, for Obama, both of his troubled clergymen were a lot closer to him personally than the two McCain had to toss under the bus. Obama’s latest pastor problem comes from Father Michael Pfleger, an Obama friend who said at the very least some unflattering things about Hillary Clinton at Obama’s church this past Sunday. Obama released this statement: “As I have traveled this country, I've been impressed not by what divides us, but by all that that unites us. That is why I am deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause.” So how big is this for Obama? The timing isn't helpful. Just as Obama is trying to reach out to Clinton supporters, here is a supporter mocking her using some horrendous language. At a minimum, this will likely have some Democrats wondering (and some Republicans hoping) that the 24-7 camera that apparently is running at Obama's church never runs out of memory. Seriously, this only adds to the CW that the Pew poll underscored yesterday, Obama's problems are all personal while McCain's problems are all issue-based and political.

*** One other thought here: While the right will attempt to tie this Jeremiah Wright, perhaps the correct frame here is by connecting it to today’s Boston Globe op-ed by Geraldine Ferraro. Pfleger and Ferraro represent the difficulties in bringing the party together, as the two have voiced the extreme negative views about the other candidate. This will be a challenge for the Democrats in November.

*** McCain’s McClellan problem? The DNC, meanwhile, has released a new Web video linking McClellan -- and his statement about the “propaganda campaign” to sell the Iraq war -- and McCain’s own advocacy for the war.

*** Where we stand heading into the weekend: The chairman of the Texas Democratic Party and his wife, also a DNC member and superdelegate, have now endorsed Obama. This brings Obama to a 200-delegate overall lead. Obama is ahead in pledged delegates per the NBC hard count (1,649 to 1,500), Edwards’ pledged delegates (12-0), superdelegates (323.5 to 284.5), overall delegates (1,984.5 to 1,784.5), the popular vote (16,728,123 to 16,294,435), and the total number of contests won (32 to 18). Note: We’re not including Texas in this contest count, given that Clinton won the primary but Obama won the caucus and netted the most total Texas delegates. A bit more on the popular vote... Without adding Florida and Michigan, as noted above, Obama leads by 433,703 votes. Adding Florida to the mix, he leads by 138,931 (17,304,352 to 17,165,421). And adding Michigan but not "uncommitted," Clinton leads by 189,220 (17,493,572 to 17,304,352). But do note that the "uncommitted" vote was 238,168.

*** On the trail: Clinton heads to Puerto Rico, where she holds an early evening rally in Old San Juan; McCain has a media avail in Milwaukee, WI and then raises money in Mill Neck and Woodbury, NY; and Obama is in Montana, where he attends a rally in Great Falls. Also, Bill Clinton stumps in South Dakota.

Countdown to Puerto Rico: 2 days
Countdown to Montana, South Dakota: 4 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 158 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 235 days

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Comments

First Read: what is WRONG with you guys? EVERY time you talk about the popular vote, you HAVE to mention the caucus states.

Math 101 Prof (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:33 AM)

We will know the Democratic party's nominee by late next week. If it does not become apparent after the FL & MI situation is resolved, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will step in (and possibly Al Gore?).

While Hillary Clinton's run has been admirable - as well as her tenacity - people need to start thinking about party unity for the general election. If the battle for the nomination continues to the convention, John McCain could easily walk away with the presidency.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:35 AM)

WHY are so many journalists and pundits asking what Scott McClellan’s “motives” were for writing his book? What kind of question is that? Why does anyone write books? Because they have a story to tell. And WHY should he have waited until President Bush was out of office?

This wasn’t just any Administration. This was a troubling Administration we all witnessed for the last 7 years, helpless and unable to do a thing about it because Congress caved.

Scott McClellan confirmed our deepest fears about Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove. He SHOULD have written this book.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m going to buy McClellan’s book - just as I buy all of John Dean’s books. On pure principle.

McClellan is a man with many regrets. But at least he has the courage to say so. We have all paid a dear price, but none more so than our military.

And pundits want to know his “motives”? Unbelievable.

Terrific interview Keith.

Now more pastor problems the pundits have decided.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:35 AM)

I have no problem with the DNC seating the pledged delegates from Michigan and Florida in some fashion. This only makes sense if the democrats expect to compete in these two states in the general election. The superdelegates from Michigan and Florida however are another matter. they should not be seated under any circumstances. These are the people responsible for this whole fiasco. It was their stupidity and miscalculations that created this mess, and now the two candidates are the scape goats. Punish the real culprits here and not the rank and file party members from Michigan and Florida.

Kato in Des Moines (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:37 AM)

The punishment should be directed at the party leaders, not the voters. Don't seat the superdelegates at all, but recognize the tainted vote in Florida. The DNC should punish Hillary for leaving her name on the ballot in Michigan after signing a pledge to not participate. She should lose 15 yards ... or maybe 15 delegates.

40 Years in the DemNPL (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:39 AM)

Here's the list of who sits on the RBC and whom they have endorsed:

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/04/rules-and-bylaws-committee-membership.html

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:39 AM)

Message to Obama - find a new church!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:39 AM)

Here's scenario. We'll call it Scenario X. It's called "LETS COUNT THE VOTES"! You know, the votes the people made when Florida and Michigan had their primaries. What is with Democrats and vote counting? They really seem to struggle with that concept.

Illinois Jones (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:40 AM)

FYI, "Pastor Problem" seems to be a Fox News patented logo. Do you you have to parrot every piece of garbage they produce, using their brand name?

McCain's "pastor problem" is infinitely worse than Obama's. The two nutjobs who endorsed McCain -- after he sucked up to them -- did so because they expect McCain's crazed foreign policy "expertise" will result in the Apocalypse and/or Holy War to destroy Islam that they hope and pray for.

But what, exactly, do the rightwingers think Obama would do if he's elected that would result from his association with Rev. Wright? Send the Black Panthers over to their houses to ravish their lilly-white wimmen folk?

Houston (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:42 AM)

We need to quickly determine if Obama has any more Pastors lurking around. How about Tony Resko and his trial. Has anything about Obama come up. You know that they had a land deal together.

This is the problem with Obama. He is too inexperienced and we don't know enough about him. He was never fully vetted. This is why Obama makes a poor General Election candidate. I fear that we will be regretting Obama's run for President in November when he loses to McCain.

Anne, PA

Anne, PA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:43 AM)

I am sorry, but someone needs to check Pfleger's bank account. Either the Republicans or the Clintons bought this guy off. Why in the world would he want to yet again rub salt in Obama's pastor wound? Nope, he's a plant, and it's no surprise to us that he's come out on THURSDAY before a primary. This smear campaign has to stop, and we need to get to the bottom of this. The guy spoke on Sunday, why didn't it come out Monday? Because Hillary is so desperate to win, and the right wing media is also so hoping for her to win that they are now buying people to smear Obama. Sorry, this is 2008, and we know that nothing, I mean nothing, happens by accident in a political race.

Also, will someone in the press PLEASE interview all the white, older, feminists who support Obama? I am one and I have a lot of friends. We are all white, over 40, feminist women and we can't stand Hillary and her mob speaking for us. Sorry EJ Dionne, you need to expand your base of voters before you write such stuff! Hillary and her Shrilleries lost this all on their own, and are about to make fools of women tomorrow.

LB, Virginia (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:43 AM)

Whatever plan gets decided tomorrow, and whatever pressure Pelosi & Reid apply to super delegates, I hope and pray Obama is the nominee by this time next week, and that the irritating rants of the Clinton supporters goes away (yes that means Pat in Huntington NY, Ickes, Wolfson and McCauliff).

Jack, Washington DC (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:44 AM)

Never heard of Eileen McColl in Washington state, but what planet is she on??? She is an embarrassment!!!

Ashamed in Seattle (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:44 AM)

*Yawn*

Is it time for the convention yet?

P.S. About the priest comments, what exactly is Senator Obama supposed to do - follow everyone he knows around and monitor their speeches? Whatever.

P.S.S. I wish the priest hadn't said what he said, but I can't say that I disagree. I think the media is just getting worked up for the fun of it - you guys are bored - admit it! :)

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:45 AM)

******************************
First Thoughts??

SIMPLE: WHAT ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA? They moved their primary date up --but, unfortunately the numbers favor Sen. Obama, so the DNC choses to turn a blind eye to that.

So much for the 'rules are the rules' and the American way of democracy!

Pa voter (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:45 AM)

The country is starting to see how Chicago does business, and how Barack Obama was brought up. Obama is part of a separatist movement that has been around the Chicago area for generations. This is the mindset of the churches in Chicago, ie., that the blacks are separate from the US, and they are perpetual victims to the laws and customs of this country. This is the type of man Barack Obama really is. He has supported these types of movements in Chicago, and he will continue that support them if he was president. But the people of this country are catching on to Obama's background in the last few months. We see that at the ballot box where Obama is conistently losing primaries. He'll win his parties nomination, but he doesn't have a chance to win this fall.

Greg Anthony, Midlothian, IL (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:47 AM)

With Obama as the presumptive nominee, why not just seat all the delegates from Mi. and Fl.? Even if their votes only count for half, the margin becomes even higher for Hillary to reach. She cannot win by any stretch of the imagination, or numbers for that matter.

My guess is that superdelegates will flood to Obama's side.

Elise Denton, TX (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:48 AM)

Pfleger seemed to be on SNL rather than the pulpit.

Amy Poehler as HRC and 'my supporters are racists'
was far more scathing, anyway. He rapped the candidate he didn't like. He was divisive, as the Clintons have been on race with the Jesse Jackson remark and the 'white support weakening' remark, and that's not helpful. Silly, childish, inappropriate, if not totally inaccurate. But NOT Sen. Obama's words or character. There was nothing anti-America just politics-which IS the problem. Practically campaigning for one candidate against another on the pulpit of a TAX-EXEMPT church??

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:49 AM)

Absoultely no doubt about it . . . Clinton has laid the groundwork to fight this thing all the way to the convention floor and has every intention of fighting on after next week

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-maddow/clinton-to-the-convention_b_103078.html

As already reported on MSMBC, the Clinton campaign does not plan on accepting anything but a 100% seating of both FL and MI with MI's "not-Clinton" delegates all going to her carefully hand-picked MI delegation

Even after Obama clinches the final number of delegates next week, she will appeal the DNC ruling on FL/MI all the way to the convention floor

And make no doubt about it, the Republicans will fan the fire all the way to the convention and then still have the gall to say that the winner "stole" the nomination

Congratulations Democrats . . . you idiots have just assured us of 4 more years of Bush/McCain and a Supreme Court that will roll the calendar on civil rights back 100 years

un-freaking-believable!!!

Independent in TN (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:50 AM)

obama will push that there will nothing done by the committee members this weekend. Because then the race will be over next tuesday

maz hess biel (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:52 AM)

As a Michigan voter (reg. dem.)I am angery that Hrc may benifit from this mess. It was her backers in the Michigsn Dem.party that created this mess, mainly because they were afraid of Edwards winning. That she now demands that Michigan be seated fully is clear evidence of her arrogance. HRC should not get a single delegate from Michigan nor should any SD be seated. Many of us did not vote in the primary because we were told our votes would not count, what about us? To those who say why did'nt we stop this, I repeat-------THIS MESS WAS CREATED BY CLINTON SUPPORTERS AND DECIDED BY CLINTON SUPPORTERS. DO NOT SEAT MICHIGAN. OBAMA WILL CARRY MICHIGAN IN NOV. REGARDLESS.

LENI,MICHIGAN (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:52 AM)

So, let's get this over with. Thousands dead in Iraq, hundreds of thousands wounded, an economy in shambles, an evironment in crisis, and our childred getting inferior education or none at all. To heck with the preachers, thank McClellon and lets get on with electing Obama so Washington can finally change. It does not take rocket science to figure this out. Good for Pelosi and Reid! Hillary, a demonstration? Give me a break and give the intelligent eletorate some credit. You should be ashamed of yourself!

Bev, Los Angeles, California (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:52 AM)

NO one can know the correct popular vote, so
they should all stop staking it out. When they do
they are advertently or inadvertently lying. (First Read doesn't count Texas-a whopper of a population, not to mention the other caucuses and those disenfranchised by being told FL and MI didn't count by the people in charge and didn't vote.)
DELEGATES COUNT.

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:53 AM)

Obama needs to cut ties with that church completely. I can't even imagine what those people are thinking. They must know they harm Obama even though Obama has no authority over who the current pastor invites as a guess speaker.

OBAMA, GET OUT NOW.....

Gerri of PA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:53 AM)

every VOTE ...must count.

US CONSTITUTION..THE BILL OF RIGHTS (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:58 AM)

With all due respect, none of these help HRC. Does that mean we get to live through 3 more months of an intemperant child stomping her feet, finding new accusations of who knows what? Come on folks (SDs) please save her from herself. I've never been a supporter of the Clintons but watching this is just sad.

Sharon in CT (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:58 AM)

I never get my comment posted so I'll try once more.

Why is everyone who speaks at this church in Chicago "Obama's pastor problem" ?? Is he responsible for everyone and everything said ?? I have to agree with this Father P. in what he said - maybe not how he said it.

Obama '08

Sharon, Lafayette,LA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:58 AM)

Dear Greg Anthony, Midlothian, IL:

Repeat after me:

Pres-i-dent O-ba-ma.

Doesn't that feel great! :)

The election of Senator Obama will represent:

-people power over lobbyist power

-people power over media corruption

-people power over connections, cronyism, and the
well connected

That is the real change that has the establishment in both political parties running scared - they don't like the fact that Senator Obama has been successful without their permission. The tide has already turned - the people are taking their government back. The old politics of smear, distract, repeat is dying a slow and well deserved death.

Obama '08/'12

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:58 AM)

And this Fr. Pfleger is Obama's preacher? NO. Obama still attends 1st Trinity Christian Church? NO. Sorry to burst any bubbles here but, Fr. Pfleger has a right - JUST LIKE ANY OF US - to voice his own FRUSTRATED feelings about how that "female" is BLATENTLY trying to STEAL the nomination from Obama!!!

Point #2) Hillary Racist Clinton NEVER SAID the words "apologize" nor "sorry" after her "call-to-arms" "assassination" comment last Friday; NO APOLOGY or SORRY to Teddy Kennedy NOR Barack Obama!

MY GOD, people! If this were Obama, Edwards, Richardson, Kucinich, ANYONE ELSE - YOU & YOUR "mistress" would've had him exiled from the Dem. party & The US, then ARRESTED for the saying the same MANURE that has come out of "her" mouth!!! You should ALL be BEGGING for forgiveness!!!

I do have faith that you people will get your just reward soon enough: After your"mistress" STEALS the nomination from Obama, the GOP will SHRED her on all of her & Bill's lies, scandals, murder-connections, etal!!! THEN, once Novemeber comes around & that beast's name is still on the ticket, there will be a RECORD TURNOUT to vote for Bob Barr!!! See, the last laugh will be on those that earned it the most!

Shame on HRC AND her hate-filled bigots!

SickOfEvilinDC (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:58 AM)

Anne PA

Good point. That Obama is just so corrupt. Let's pick Hillary instead. I mean who could ever accuse her of fraud?

Peter Paul, maybe?

Speaking of land deals, how about that Whitewater?

On the subject of pastors, did you know that Hillary's pastor is a convicted child molestor? You can choose your pastor, right?

You can also choose your husband. Tell me, what kind of feminist looks the other way while her husband sodomizes every female he sees? I thought feminists were opposed to sexual predators. Instead of blaming her sleazy husband, Hillary blamed his victims. Is that a feminist?

Please don't come back with the standard Clinton excuse that it was a private matter between Hillary and Bill. Wrong! It look place in the Oval Office. That makes it everyone's business.

By the way, if Hillary had not married Bill, no one would know who she was today.

Hillary lost because she deserved to lose. One day, we will have a female president. Thankfully, it will not be Hillary. Someone with an ounce of integrity would be a better choice.

Obama/Sebelius in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:59 AM)

Obama's latest crazy, radical pastor is not going to win over Hillary supporters over to Obama. If Hillary had said words like that about Obama, the media would have nailed her to the cross. "as if they didn't already do that to her."

ge`pa` (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:59 AM)

Thanks for the hard look at the scenario numbers Chuck Todd and fellow crunchers...I know people were asking for those in the past couple of days.

They are sure keeping you guys busy.

Obama for our best future.

Lisa, New Britain, CT Passionate about Obama (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:00 AM)

I think we all know by now what kind of rhetoric comes out of Obama's church. We know how its members think and what kind of sermons are delivered. Obama knows after 20 years.
As for McCain he was just trying to play to the religous right. Being the hypocrite that he is.

Brother Odd (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:00 AM)

Obama is going to be a great President. That being said there is to much work to do, and this election is to important for this church to constantly be a distraction and political fodder. Obama needs to thank the church for all the good work they do in the community, and get the heck out of there.

Jim Grand Rapids Mi (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:01 AM)

Take a close look at Pastor Pleger, he is well connected to Senator Obama...friend, fundraiser, was on his Catholic council as part of the campaign, etc. Also, is David Axelrod really a member of Pastor Pleger's church?

Then there's Alice Palmer and how this speaks to the way Senator Obama does business...he is passive aggressive in political style...full steam ahead dirty politician! How is it possible to say Senator Obama is a "new" kind of politician...just what kind of "change" are you expecting him to bring to Washington D.C.?

The majority of Americans are NOT going to vote for him!!

Carol, Ca (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:01 AM)

Finally, the rule committee is meeting and lets hope they close the door on the Clintons and their devisive campiagn. I am not worried abour Obama so called pastor problems. I am more worried about rising gas prices, the Iraq war, home foreclosure, and the picture of the US that the republicans have created.

I wish we could get beyound the association of what a pastor say or not say as being contributed to the canidates. I personally feel the media is wrong in givng this story legs by reporting what a pastor of Obama's church has to say about Hillary. He is only stating what over half of Americans think about Hillary.

There wasn't a lot of coverage from the media when Hillary made statement about OBama that are comparible to what this pastor is saying.

"I dont think Obama is a muslim, He certainly wouldn't have been my pastor, and I have certainly met the commander and chief thristhold and certainly Senator McCain has and you will have to ask Senator Obama about his experience." Mrs.Powell from the Obama campaign stated, "the woman is a monster and will say and do ANY thing to wind.

Linda, AR (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:01 AM)

MSNBC >>> Head in sand before the war, Head in sand when Downing Street Memo came out reporting on Natalie Halloway instead, head in sand talking about religious panderers rather than a president guilty of treason for oil.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE?!!

http://infogiant.wordpress.com/

infogiant, austin, tx (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:01 AM)

Everybody has said unflattering things about HRC...even my sister who supports and voted for her...

YAAAAAAAWWWNNNNN NEWS

BJ, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:02 AM)

Another pastor disaster for Obama – another clown ranting and race baiting at the “church” that Reverend Wright built.

The very same church that Obama defends and is a member of.

I bet the 17 million plus voters that voted for Hillary will be quite insulted by this. And rightfully so.

And if even a fraction of those 17 million don’t vote for Obama, then he CANT win.

csh, IL (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:03 AM)

Interesting article debunking the myth that Obama has been coddled by the media. Clinton has received more favorable coverage....

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6565086.html

Sam, New York (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:03 AM)

Pa Voter, South Carolina's primary date was agreed to by the DNC in 2007, when SC was expected to be a landslide for Hillary Clinton.

Just the facts (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:03 AM)

Obama holds a 200 delegate lead.

G-D has blessed us, every one!

donna (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:03 AM)

Will the DNC hearing be covered by the news networks?

jdobson (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:04 AM)

So, because I don't like the Clinton's (Bill or Hillary) I am a sexist? WOW, isn't it sexist to support a woman just because she is a woman? Just as it is racist just to support a person based only on their race. I like Obama, I don't like the Clinton's, there policies are very similar, their personalities (sense of entitlement) are very different. Sex and race have nothing to do with it Mrs. Ferraro!

Tee-Jay's Country Place, Columbus, Ahia (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:05 AM)

"McCain's "pastor problem" is infinitely worse than Obama's." - Houston

Are you kidding me? When is Obama going to explain why he sat and listened to Rev Wright for 20 years? McCain made a bad call, but he didn't have a relationship with Hagee.

Typical White Person (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:06 AM)

UGH! Another story about a support who says something inappropriate about the other candidate. Can we get over this Chuck??? Clinton supporters don't like Obama. Obama supporters don't like Clinton. Can they come together and support the nominee? Probably but its too soon to tell. Enough said. We get it. Now please talk about stuff that matters!

In the meantime, McCain STILL doesn't know enough about a country he wants to bomb to know we HAVEN'T been in diplomatic talks with them for 20 years and doesn't really understand who the REAL power is in the country. GEEZ LOUISE! Remember the "We the People" out here...we still want to know about jobs, the economy, healthcare, forgien policy, the war, the failing dollar, our debt to China, gas prices, global warming...there's enough to cover on these candidates. Let get over what some supporter somewhere says about someone!

Suz in KS (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:07 AM)

Doesn't anyone think it is outrageous that Fox News is continually harrassing these people at Trinity United Methodist? They have someone there 24/7 and try to turn every word that is said into something to use against Obama. These people should be allowed to go to church in peace. Last time I checked, we had separation of church and state in America. I think that Trinity should file harrassment charges against Fix News. ( I myself go to a non-denominational Protestant church and I am white-which has nothing to do with anything) I just feel bad for these people, now that there church is under a microscope.
My second point is that doesn't anyone think it is strange that Fox News is pushing this like crazy?
Could it be that they are trying to get everyone off the subject of Scott McClellan's book ? It has been playing non-stop for 48 hrs and makes the Repubs look bad and corrupt (which we all knew anyway). Is this all they have?
And anyway, it wasn't Obama that was ridiculing Hillary. He has been nothing but complimentary to her for the last several weeks and hasn't even ruled out taking her as a VP. I wish Ferraro and the Hillary supporters, campaign staff, etc would return the favor. Obama didn't hop on Hillary's gaffe last weekend with the RFK gaffe asking for her to personally apologize to Obama (which she didn't). But Clinton's campaign wants Obama to personally apologize to Clinton for something someone else said. The priest who said it already apologized to Hillary.
ENOUGH!

jfk Akron, OHio (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:08 AM)

Give me a break..."pastor problem"...this is all utter B.S., borne out of the frustration that has become this primary race. Obama, if anything, has been gracious and magnanimous to the Clintons...more than they have EVER been towards him. I suppose whatever the Clintons or their affiliates say or think is OK...whatever McCain's crew does or says is OK...and we are to forgive them their "misspeaking" and their questionable motives and affiliations, right? This priest didn't say anything that late night comedians haven't already pounced on in some fashion...and, at least he apologized for it. I have yet to hear Clinton apologize for anything beyond what she's forced into--and she's said plenty that merits apology...far worse than what this priest said. And those of you decrying it were never going to vote for Obama in the first place, so don't act like this changed your mind. You're looking for reasons to justify your inner hatred for him, whatever the cause of it.

Most importantly, none of this blathering on either side gets us anywhere close to working on the REAL problems of our nation...but then, the Clintons and the Republicans have always been masters of distraction to suit their own purposes, so this latest "disaster" comes as no shock to me...and it also doesn't affect my vote.

Obama '08/'12

Educated PA voter (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:08 AM)

Thanks First Read for doing such a great job trying to explain the unexplainable, how the Dems get themselves out of the mess three ignorant fools named Ickes, Fowler and Brazille got us into. Notice that "Bag Lady" Hillary hired one of these party wreckers, Ickes, to be on her campaign because she wanted to ensure he helped her steal votes from Florida and Michigan. Another fool named Fowler is also in her corner and lamebrained Brazille is still uncommitted but I think I know who's pocket she's in.

Ickes should not be allowed to be on this committee because he has a huge conflict of interest problem since he's a paid adviser to the Wicked Witch of the East. Just goes to show the unsavory types she hangs out with and how she'll do anything, say anything and steal anything to get nominated.

We need an honest candidate to lead the party to victory in November and only Barack Obama is honest enough to fit the bill!

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:08 AM)

There is no paster problem. He just said what a lot of people think. The Clinton's thought they were a shoe in. When obama started cleaning their clocks they freaked out, they we're condesending, and out of line, and rude.
HRC "This will all be over buy super Tuesday(now it's this tues). Bill Clinton - Obama's campagin "is a farytale" translation - MLK had a dream, Obama, just has farytale. Then HRC said MLK had the dream, but LBJ made it begin to come true as if only white person could. Then Bill Clinton says states that "Jessie Jackson won" don't count. In fact, none of the states he won count to the Clinton's. HRC also stated these two states can NOT count! Now they do! The Clintons's won't play by the rules. Now HRC is begging, borrowing & stealing, anything to win, playing the gender issue, now encouraging this protest, while Obama continues on the High road. Obama could have more people there in a heartbeat, and if he's cheated today we will be in Denver. We must not forget her lie about snipper fire, and her slip about RFK getting assinated. The only problems here are Hillary thinking she was a queen, walking to her thrown, and Hillarbee's inability to face reality, so now she' going to change the whole game. I am a white woman for Obama, and if my Priest gave mass, or sermon like that I would be back in the Catholic Church.
Obama Rocks!

jackieblu morris Seattle Wa (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 10:08 AM)

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