Mixed signals?

Posted: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:27 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Mike Viqueira

From NBC's Mike Viqueira and Mark Murray
Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe just told CNN that the AP article is "100% wrong." He said Clinton will NOT acknowledge Obama as the nominee tonight.

Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee also emailed NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli that the piece is "not true."

That said, Clinton senior adviser Harold Ickes has told at least one top Clinton backer in the House that "it's over," according to an aide that was privy to the conversation.

Per the aide, Ickes told the Democratic member yesterday: "It's over and the end will be gracious, beginning with HRC's comments at Baruch College tonight. This will be over by Thursday at the latest. There's a large Obama fundraiser in NYC on Wednesday night that will include a bunch of bigtime HRC donors (I bet he raises $300K if not more) followed by a DNC event where big bucks will also be raised. We're guessing HRC will at least appear at the DNC event with Obama and use that platform to being to unify the party. (Ickes) agrees...that HRC has more leverage between now and Thursday than after."

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Comments

Called it!

"I can't wait for the Clinton camp to see this story and put out a statement: "Contrary to AP reporting the Clinton camp WILL NOT recognize Obama's nomination, ever, so there. Additionally, we in the Clinton camp have decided to take our ball (the Democratic party) and go home.""

Jay, Indiana (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:33 AM)

WOW! Jay from Indiana called it!!

Nice job JAY! (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:34 AM)

What! This is trickery! Why are they joking with this democratic campaign!!

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America for Obama (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:34 AM)

How did we know this was going to happen....MSNBC........Check back when you get a clear story from the Clinton camp.....I know how hard that is but...at try least

James Tn (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:34 AM)

I think she is pushing back on the story because she doesn't want her Montana and South Dakota supporters to refrain from voting. I say she will concede tonight.

Young Democrat (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:34 AM)

Poster child for
Borderline Personality Disorder

Terry, IN (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:35 AM)

Wow! who would've thunk it.

Round and round the Mulbery bush........

Ted Mitchell, Jackson MI (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:35 AM)

here we go again....defining the meaning of "is"....they don't want you to see the man behind the curtain until AFTER the polls close tonight...

sean, atl, ga (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:35 AM)

I take back the nod I was about to give her for dignity, unity, and class. It was an error.

G (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:36 AM)

Seen this coming...

knew it was too good to be true, Renton, Washington (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:36 AM)

Whoever said in the previous article comments that the Clinton camp will see the headlines about conceding and immediately come out and refute them is a genius.

BDN, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:36 AM)

I.E.--We're still negotiating on Hillary's 20+ million dollar campaign debt, the VP spot and which office Bill will have in the White House in '09 LOL

billro, Livonia, Mi (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:37 AM)

So it's not over then? What is Hillary going to do - take this further? You LOST, face it. Now have some dignity and help heal the party. Good god.

Bruce, Madison, Wis. (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:37 AM)

This is the thing that serves to whip the Obama supporters into a frenzy. If the Obama people knew that Hillary would be winding down her campaign, the attack on her reputation would greatly lessen (see Mike Huckabee). But her campaign is so erratic that many Obama supporters don't know what to believe out of her, hence the continuing attacks on her character.

Just see the difference in comments for this thread and the previous thread, amazing huh?
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/03/1099800.aspx#comments

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:37 AM)

I guess we just have to wait and see..thank God I operate on an even keel.. I won't get my hopes up until 10 or 11pm tonight to see how close Obama is to the nomination if the superdelegates get off the fence today.. it would be nice since Obama will be at the location of the republican national convention.. it would send a great message that the democrats intend to battle in EVERY state in the general election... not just the traditional red and blue ones.. Come on Hillary this is your first step toward unifying the party..

Todd, NC (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:38 AM)

NEWS FLASH!

Clinton did NOT concede!

Why should she - why would ANY candidate QUIT in a race this close? She, Clinton, is seperated by less than 1% of the popular vote and less than 12% of the undeclared delegates...

I LIKE the fact that she continues to roll up NEW Dems in states that were forgotten LONG ago!

will, roswell, ga (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:38 AM)

If it smells like....

Paul, Riveriside, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:38 AM)

Once again my scepticism holds true, nothing is over til its over, especially with Mrs Clinton. And if this is an example of how her administration would operate, the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, we would sure have a muddle to put it mildly

gmhussein, Jupiter Fl (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:38 AM)

First Read, you need to offer Jay from Indiana a job in your office.

Too good to be true (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:39 AM)

This is crazy! Chuck this is over for her. TONIGHT IS ABOUT HIM! Not HER! The Clinton legacy is over they are the past and she does not deserve VP with all this rederic she has caused. Ridiculous that you believe on the night he will almost definately he will claim the nominee, you again want to make her center stage.

You only give him center stage when it is negative. All positvie about Obama are a quick mention and then back to Hillary.

Can't wait till we are in the GE and she is GONE.

Obama 08 / 012

Pa Voter (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:39 AM)

ROFLMAO. I just read all the "Thank God it's over" postings. The couple of folks that cautioned that this denial would happen were right on the money. Congratulations, you have been paying attention. You have not forgotten that it is with the Clintons that we are dealing. How many of the previous posters will now commit ritual suicide? This is just SO typical that it really was predictable. LOL, going insane.

Is there no end to the madness? (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:39 AM)

Classic monster movie ending. Just when you think its dead, it splashes up out of the lake for one more attack.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:39 AM)

no i called it after obama won those 11 contest in a row before

Obama Talks about small businesses
Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting
McCains New Problem
Electoral Maps for the general election

http://sensico.wordpress.com/

tiid (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:39 AM)

HRC's entire camp is bi-polar! Really at this point who cares what she does! I am so sick of the ride. I am getting off because I along with so many other rational Americans have already acknowledged that Barack is the nominee. Game over! Bye

Hello President Obama (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:40 AM)

I hate to be an "I-told-you-so..." (not really),
but, I TOLD YOU SO!

The Clintons are going to have to be dragged off
the stage kicking and screaming and fingernails
ripping as they're dragged. They WILL NOT go
gracefully!

THE CLINTON MELODRAMA CONTINUES UNABATED!

JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:40 AM)

It's way past time for the Supers to end this nonsense.

david (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:41 AM)

"I think she is pushing back on the story because she doesn't want her Montana and South Dakota supporters to refrain from voting. I say she will concede tonight."

I agree with Young Democrat. I think she pushed back because of the voters in SD and Montana. I believe she will concede tonight as well.

Sharon (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:41 AM)

"Young Democrat" has it right on. She will concede tonight but really you can’t do that to her supports in the two states voting tonight. They will deny all day, admit Obama has delegates tonight, and then be back in NYC Thursday to Support him and start campaigning for him.

Pete, Denver, CO (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:41 AM)

Jay, Indiana, My first thought on hearing this, "Jay called it!" Maybe First Read should give you a job!

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:42 AM)

She won't suspend or end her campaign tonight. That's not something you do on the night of the last primary. Especially after a long, drawn out campaign. Maybe tomorrow.

CitizenJ (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:42 AM)

Let's blaame Clinton for another Great Media Debacle!

How about some media responsibilty or maybe even some journalistic integrity.......???

Naaaah - Not news worthy.

will, roswell, ga (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:42 AM)

This is the problem with her campaign, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Either way something is happening and she wants it happening with her.

Good job Jay on the call!!!! Clinton should scold them for being idiots and talking out of turn. The 3 stooges (Icicles, McAwful, and Wolf's clothing) were her down fall.

Michelle Zee (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:42 AM)

Uh ... WTF is going on???!!! Hillary Huckabee IS NOT going to concede now ???

I WANT OFF THIS RIDE!!! Super-D's, make it stop!

Scorpioleidee - Glenwood, IL (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:42 AM)

It's mine, y'understand?!? All mine!!
Mine-mine-mine!!
Down-down-down!!
Go-go-go!!
Miiiiiine!!!!

Hillary Duck (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:42 AM)

All must bow to the prognostication of Jay in Indiana!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:43 AM)

This is yet another blatant attempt at voter suppression. LOL Obama's internals show he will lose SD and is barely hanging on in Montana.

Will it work? Well, with so much continued help from the corrupt media - it just may.

My family and friends will NEVER vote for Barack Obama. We are black and proud of this country. We are ashamed of Obama's shameless exploitation and race-baiting.

And we are disgusted at his close associations with so many people that hate America and white people.

Please do not judge all black people by this con man. We are ashamed.

James Washinton (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:43 AM)

Coming into the election process, I backed Hillary.

After repeated conflicting messages from her campaign staff, I switched support to Obama.

Had it not been for a bunch of bumbling fools leading Hillary's staff, Hillary would have easily won.

For whatever reason, they could not communicate and agree on information presented to the public. For months, we've heard conflicting messages from the staff. The staff may have been the best in the business, but they never checked their egos at the door.

If Hillary is asked to be VP, she needs to get rid of some of this staff and never ask them back.

Dan (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:44 AM)

Playing fair is not the Clinton way. They are not team players and never will be. It is not in their DNA.

Andrea, New York City (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:44 AM)

Oh, for God's sake! LET...THIS...END!

Steve, Portland, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:44 AM)

Whatever - her whole staff are delusional. They are so confused and disorganized they don't even know what is going on in their own organization.

They must have all taken the same delusional pill.

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:44 AM)

And the beat goes on...

This should come as no surprise to anyone - but way to go Jay. I smiled when reading your earlier post and then when it played out... I had to laugh!

The Clintons love the drama. This is how they stay relevant. She just can't make up her mind. I wonder if she will know what to do by 3 a.m.?

And her supporters wonder why most people do not want her to be president... this is a prime example.

Obama 08/12

Gobama (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:44 AM)

ENOUGH FOR G-D"S SAKE.........I am way past tired of this.......does she not realize that her reputation in the Senate, the Democratic Party, and in Political History is in jeopardy here? VP probability is going down the tubes, for me anyway. There is no last golden ticket, no lost episode, no double secret probation, no extra innings, no triple overtime----IT IS OVER DEAL WITH IT

laughaday (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:44 AM)

The Clintons are leaking out false statements They're trying to say that MSM is trying to force her out of the race. Someone in her camp leaked out that she would admit that he has the nomination. Now Terry McAuliffe is saying that she will not admit that Obama has nomination. The Clintons want the spotlight until the very end. I'm so very tired of the Clintons!!!

Richard, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:44 AM)

Well, then it will be official... Several more votes in the GE for MCCAIN!!!

Obama is no where near ready to lead the free world!
MUCH yet to expalin...

Typical white sweetie (Pa Voter) (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:44 AM)

You know, Isn't this exactly how the Clinton Campaign nosedived thrughout the primaries? Every strategist doing his own thing and consequently no credibility for any of them?

Elen, El Paso, Tx (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:45 AM)

McAuliffe has displayed a coke like mania of optimism for quite a while now.

In the face of certain defeat he has ever been the soothsayer predicting Hillary as the eventual nominee.

He can't stop himself. He needs a pollyanna 'Intervention'!

Ickes' account is supported by the campaign's body language.

donna (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:46 AM)

OH YEAH!!!!!

Kool-Aid Man (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:46 AM)

Superdelegates MUST STOP THIS INSANITY -- NOW. If Hillary Clinton holds this party hostage or costs the Democrats this election, I am targeting EVERY SINGLE Democrat who's up for election or re-election over the next several cycles. And I will start with her Senate seat.

Brendan D, Niles, IL (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:47 AM)

About 80 SDs need to endorse in the next 30 minutes and get Clinton's lemmings to STFU for good.

MAKE THEM STOP (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:47 AM)

It doesn't matter what the supers do--she'll still stay in and try to hammer home the nonsensical popular vote argument that has nothing to do with how presidential elections in this country are actually run and is mathematically specious to boot. She's too power-mad at this point to see reason or care about the good of the party and of the country.

Nicky, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:48 AM)

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