Rangel on Clinton and the end game

Posted: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:05 PM by firstread

VIDEO: Rep. Charlie Rangel, a Clinton supporter, speaks with NBC's Andrea Mitchell today about the New York senator's end game and her prospects for joining the Obama ticket.

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I saw his interview.......I'm in agreementotally with Rep. Rangel.....I'm totally at a loss as to why she is waiting to concede, endorse, and get on with this Democratic overhaul of the 8 Year Debacle. I know, Rangel knows, the Democratic party knows, McCain knows, Bush knows, her supporters probably know......it is done and she needs to get with it.

KNOWLEDGE IS THE WAY (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:18 PM)

Charlie Rangel is a loser. What kind of an idiot takes $2 million of the taxpayer's money so he can have his name put on a building at NYU? He is proposing the biggest tax increase in American history and he is waiting till Obama becomes president to unleash it on everyone. People who are hurting now, just wait till this has been loser comes out with his tax increases. America will be hurting more under the tax increases proposed by Charlie Rangel. He should be investigated for using taxypayer money illegally.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:21 PM)

This is a weak argument for her as the VP candidate. She's the establishment candidate in a change year. Sorry Hil...

MJH Lansing, MI (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:24 PM)

You just cannot trust Hillary and Bill they have proven that; thru this primary campaign season. You need some you can trust to me that is the bottom line. You need some that will have your back. Not someone who puts it into your back.

I anyone has to do is look at the way she is acting. She like a three year old falling out in a store when you tell them no you cannot have that.

Someone needs to take her by the hand and talk to her one on one.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:26 PM)

RANGEL did not have the guts to support Obama when he needed him. I lost a lot of respect for this dude!

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:27 PM)

Charlie Rangel is such a personality. The fact is that Hillary Clinton needs to support the nominee. The longer she stays in the race, the more water she's going to have to carry to redeem herself later.

http://midwestmoms.blogspot.com

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:28 PM)

>>> HELLO CHARLIE RANGEL --- THINK ABOUT THIS.
______________________________________________________

HILLARY DISSED OABAMA — AND ALL AFRICAN-AMERICANS LAST NIGHT.

SHE DIDN’T HAVE THE CLASS TO CONGRATULATE THE PARTY’S FIRST BLACK NOMINEE.

HILLARY IS A DIRTBAG.

“”" NO to HILLARY AS VP “”".
_______________________________________________________________________________

Hey Charlie --- HILLARY DISSED ALL AFRICAN-AMERICANS ... (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:28 PM)

Ed Rendell stated it better: "You don't bargain with the nominee"

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/4/134715/2186/389/529470

End Game (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:30 PM)

Barack Obama has far better choices than that Wicked Witch of the East for VP. What a sick woman she is that she can't get a grip on reality and do the correct thing of conceding the race to Obama and to endorse him wholeheartedly. She's no team player and has no party loyalty with her self serving ways of denying that she lost. She wasted a quarter billion dollars and the past 3 months just to become the inevitable loser.

Time for the Party leadership to give her a good swift kick in the rear to get her to do the proper thing and to finally show she has some class. If she entertains any hope of getting chosen as Obama's VP then she better start by showing him and his supporters some respect first.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:30 PM)

RON RAYGUN AND GERRY FORD enjoy the general after beating the hell out of the clintons Bills a racist Hilliary is a PIMP and CHealsea is a whore yea be right over to join the racist obamma camp right away typical black people want everything given to them try being an immigrant not an ansestor of a slave from 100 years ago or discrimnation 50 years ago HOPE YOU CAN CHANGE HILLIARYS FANS TO SEE THIER FOLLY for supporting her thank god we have smart people who go to harvard to tell us what to think daaaaaa How many idiots stay with her and how many repudiate their beliefs and vote for him .

kenn (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:33 PM)

The Hate continues...amazing. Your guy wins and you still find it necessary to attack Senator Clinton. Well keep it up...you have alienated me and many others...keep it up...alienate enough of her supporters and your dream will become your nightmare on election night.

Elliott, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:33 PM)

It is crystal clear that Clinton is just pretending to want the VP spot so her supporters are upset at her when she doesn't get it. She made sure (on purpose) that she would not get the VP spot when she brought up the assassination of RFK the other day. As soon as she concedes, she's off the headlines...so she's trying to stay relevant as long as possible. Unfortunately, she hasn't been relevant since Wisconsin.

http://infogiant.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/hillary-attempts-to-sabotage-baracks-campaign-for-personal-gain/

infogiant, austin, tx (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:33 PM)

BTW - I've had this long held dream of the Obama/Webb ticket in '08! Now that's a dream ticket!

MJH Lansing, MI (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:34 PM)

I hope she changes to independant and runs a third party campaign

kenn (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:34 PM)

Charlie, your UNCLE TOM is showing !!!!!!!!!

I have lost all respect for you and a bunch of other house ....................s you know who you are.

Ron (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:37 PM)

Mr. Rangel, Sen. Obama does not need you or Bob Johnson because he made it without your support. As a black man, you and Bob Johnson are cowards to our race.

Lee (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:38 PM)

if obama thinks he can win in November without help from Hillary--let him try it. many large electoral states and swing states `who he insulted won't vote for him. many hillary supporters would rather vote for Mccain than oboma.

ge`pa` (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:39 PM)

Elliott, Los Angeles, CA - the fact remains that Clinton was speaking like the winner last night. Instead of conceding, she carried on as if she was about to offer Obama the VP spot.

She lost and as long as she does not recognize that she lost, we'll go on reminding her of that.

New Wave (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:40 PM)

Isnt this the guy that said he will support Clinton because she was his friend, no matter what his district said or what her tactics were?

Ya...he is a putz

DV, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:42 PM)

I know everybody is upset, but isn't this typical of Mrs. Clinton. Remember when she couldn't admit that she made a mistake about voting for the Iraq war. She went on and on making herself look a little silly when all she had to do was say I made a mistake.

Now, when she is faced with the loss of her life long obsession, we expect her to act with civility and grace? This is not going to happen. She cannot say she concedes because, in her mind, she hasn't lost and isn't going to concede. At this point it is too late. Pressure is being brought to bear on having her clarify her position.

Can you imagine her in any position of responsibility requiring negotiation? Nothing would ever get accomplished. Maybe she should try acting as the Senator of New York and attempt to complete some of the promises that she has made to her constituency over the years. Like getting New York some of the jobs she promised.

MBM Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:43 PM)

Hillary Clinton wants to be President plain and simple!! She will try to hijack the VP spot to get there, and if she doesn’t get it she will undermine Obama so he losses. Then she can give the big I TOLD YOU SO. She then would be a shoe in for next election for President with also getting more experience in the Senate.

Stephen Jackson, Canada (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:44 PM)

the kenn character here is a troll big time .... very nasty attempt to sow division by saying nasty things about the Clintons and then purposely acting as if they are mentally challenged with the obvious mispellings (clue ... phonetic spelling means the writer is smart ... keyboard mistakes are more real ... so not smart enough for some of us to see through you)

Kenn ... if you are for Obama then please follow his example otherwise .. busted ... spotted you.

Ralph in Chicago (the computer guy) (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:46 PM)

I'm not buying the Clinton spin that all, of the (almost ), 18 million that voted for her, are angry militants.

In addition, I believe, even most of them will come around.

Obama can win on his own.

Anyway, I think Hillary is bluffing, with her not so veiled threat to be veep, or play the spoiler.

It is evident that she does not want a battle in Denver, and she knows she cannot win without Barack's base should she run as an independent.

The only choice left to her is to repent, and make amends to The Democratic Party.

What would she do without her extended family of the past 40 years?

donna (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:47 PM)

It is time for Hillary to step aside- and very publically endorse Sen. Obama- She is behaving like a spoiled child who can't get her way- Anyone checked out her website today??? She is actually fundraising- hoping to enlist others to join the "18 million"- FOR WHAT?? It's over Hillary! Grow up.

Nellen (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:51 PM)

Hey Charlie --- HILLARY DISSED ALL AFRICAN-AMERICANS ... (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:28 PM)

Hey Charlie:

I tend to agree with you. Not to have congratulated Obama and such an emotional and moving moment in our history was in very poor taste by Hillary and a slap in the face to Obama and all African Amercians. She could not bring herself to congratulate Obama personally or the the African American citizens of this Nation (as well as all US citizens) for coming so far, for throwing off the past and moving to a brighter future. Not only will African Amercians have a hard time ever forgiving her but the youth as well. For the youth of this country are so much more color blind then those of us in the older generations.

I have been open to supporting her if she were to be selected by Obama as his VP running mate but she is doing everything she can to tell Obama and millions of people in this country - screw you.

ps. Obama wins the nomination but yet took a good bit of time praising and giving cudos to Hillary at the beginning of his speech last night. He was very gracious. He does not deserve how she is treating him. She is proving to be the selfish, self-promoting, cold and calculating person that many have always felt that she was. People here have used this word before and I will repeat it now due to Hillary's behavior. She is shameless.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:53 PM)

Obama / Edwards. There's a ticket!
How rude and self absorbed she seems to be. Maybe if we just stop paying attention to Hillary maybe she will go away or at least stop talking. What a miserable loser.
Don/ NOLA

Don Turnipseed (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:53 PM)

First of all, let me congratulate the Obama campaign for their victory. They understood what constituted winning the nomination, had an effective strategy, and won.

Let me also congratulate the Clinton campaign for running an effective campaign as well.

But now the race is over. Or at least, should be. The people of the country have voted, the super delegates have expressed their support and the democratic party is ready to move into the next stage of this process. I don’t expect every person to be elated with the nomination, but I do expect those, that are sincere, to get behind the nominee and support him.

The same energy that was placed in the campaign to support your preference should not become misplaced energy now. If you believe that Senator Clinton best represented the ideals and ideas that best represented what’s important to you, than how can you switch your allegiance to Senator McCain? The road that divides, is much wider with him on the other side.

As an American, I think we’ve spent too much time looking in the past at what has held this country back from achieving it’s fullest potential, and should start looking forward as to how to achieve it. We’ve preached about democracy to other nations, we’ve preached about prejudices to other nations, and have been looked upon as a moral compass for the world. It’s a badge of honor that we proudly display, even though, at times, we’ve been the culprits of such indignations.

As disheartening as not winning the nomination may be, it doesn’t constitute extorting the nominee for what you want and holding the entire democratic party hostage. If Senator Clinton’s primary interest is creating a “unified party” then let her actions reflect her words and let a very competent leader lead her supporters to where they can best realize what’s best for them. I find it somewhat disingenuous for Senator Clinton to ask, “what does Hillary want?” while speaking of a desire to unite a party. ….. just in case you haven’t heard, the party belongs to the people, not to the Clintons.

PT, Kennebunk (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:53 PM)

after reading many of these nasty posts, I am voting for Libertarian candidate Barr.

HillarySupporterForBARR (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:53 PM)

the more obama supporters pressure her to concede, the more hillary supporters will vote for McCain. Its despicable that Obama supporters would just push her when she doesn't have to. She needs time to reflect and unwind and enjoy her mother's 89th birthday party. I don't get how immature, insensitive, and disgusting Obama supporters are enough to go wait in line for 4 hours to stand in front of Hillary last night to should obscenities at her when she said she wasn't making any decisions last night. Its disgusting and its what makes democrats for Hillary become democrats for McCain against Obama.

Bill, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:54 PM)

I only just joined the Obama camp with my first donation last week, and I thought Hillary's refusal to acknowledge his success last night was unfortunate and not just a little disrespectful. I understand it was a hard fought campaign and it hurts not to attain something you have worked so hard for, but it would have been the right thing to do if she was truly more concerned about the party than her own legacy.

Had she been the victor, I am confident Senator Obama's response would have been far more gracious and demonstrative of what his victory has shown us. He is presidential and electable.

I am very disappointed in Hillary Clinton right now. Bad form, Senator Clinton.

George, Homewood, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:55 PM)

Hate? Stating realities of victory only looks like gloating when one side of a race is so delusional that they believe it isn't over, or worse, they have won (someone send a memo to McAuliffe). Hillary declaring her supporters as a bargaining chip is almost as sick as her insistence that the people's chosen candidate can't win, based on her and her husband's word alone.

These threats to vote for McCain prove that you were supporting Hillary on her XX chromosomes only show the worst kind of sexism. Anyone voting based solely on sex and not on policy has no business in the Democratic Party. We don't want those votes.

If instead you're ready to take on McBush in the fall, then come on over, there's plenty of room. Yes we can!

Rob, Philly (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:55 PM)

kenn - I would like nothing more than to see HRC denounce the DNC and leave the party to become an independent....maybe that turd Lieberman can be her VP?

Frankly, she would be doing Democrats a favor in the long run by disassociating her and her husband with the party. Bring it, Kenn doll!

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:57 PM)

Off point post: Isn't it really, really likely that this exit constipation is directly related to MONEY?

Let's say she was $20MM in the hole on May 1 (not exact, not far off). She's been zooming around like hell won't have it for the last month, too, and cannot possibly have been collecting as many dollars as she has votes. So, let's say she's $25 to $30MM to the bad.

While the Clintons may have raked it in, after living lavishly and paying some healthy taxes, $30MM will still do some pretty serious damage to their (publicly fed) wealth. My view is that the delay is about money as much as it is ego---and that, btw, it has zero to do with 'carrying on her crusade' or whatever the bs du jour is. She ain't leavin' 'til someone pays the bill.

iowan (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:58 PM)

Hillary needs to be the Democrat she professes and concede the nomination. She needs to back Obama and let her supporters know this without backing him into a corner for the VP slot. I actually think her supporters would be resentful of a VP slot for her.

I am going for an Obama/Hagel ticket!!

Cindy, Austin (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:58 PM)

How refreshing to hear a politician talk straight
without spin. HRC could learn alot from this man and her former opponent.

Sandra, Tennessee (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:58 PM)

Dear HRC and supporters--How can you possibly be the VP when you can't even concede the race and admit you lost??

I was actually cringing when she told the story about the woman asking her what she was going to do about insuring that she would get health care-Maybe instead of loaning your failing campaign over $20 million(from over $100 million in assests) you could have put that money where your mouth is.

Look we need the support of independents and disgruntled republicans and it will never happen with HRC on the ticket. Republicans despise the Clintons(half my family are staunch repubs and I've listened to this for years)Republican women revile her. HRC supporters, we feel your pain(to borrow from Bill) but enough is enough. Would you really want to vote for a man willing to keep sending our innocent young men and women to a war that should have never been fought in the first place? 2013--what if your son or daughter is 14 or 15 years old now-- can you deal with them having to fight in a couple of years?? Do you want to fight a war longer than we were involved in both world wars combined?? There are way bigger issues at stake than her bruised ego and your stubborn resistance to a very fine nominee.

Kelly, Naugatuck, CT (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:59 PM)

Hillary was an isolated candidate who has not mixed with the majority of Americans for a long time. The fact that Rangel was too caught up in the logistics of the machine and not in touch with what is going on in the US negates him as a valid source of perspective in my book. Everyone under 40 clearly sees why Hillary is losing but she still seems clueless. It is not for lacking intelligence or knowing how to present her issues, it is that she is patently old guard. You never believe her to be sincere or connected. A constant duplicity of jeckyl and hyde shines through as it did with many politicians in the past. People don't trust, like or care about her. How many times has she come to blows (figurative I assume) with her inner circles (White House, NY and Ntl campaigns) and major allies have left her side? Right thinking people are willing to ask themselves "am I just not used to seeing a woman in that position so I am uncomfortable", as a gut check. But in current America a new generation is rising where there are women who grew up in a (comparitively) fairer world in politics and business and don't have the caustic personality and duplicitous undertones (that now come across as necessary defense mechanisms of a generation slowly passing). Hillary could have possibly pulled off the "unfair" argument in another election year but she lost to A BLACK MAN named OBAMA. How did he have the prejudicial upper hand? The people believe and trust Obama. And he comes along at a time when the Presidency has been walled off to the public.

Michael, San Francisco, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:59 PM)

Rangel is one of the class acts in Congress.

Having been privy over the past 16 months to some of the backstage "Rangeling" I have often said things here which proved to be right.

Of course, I have had some clunkers here as well, but one more time I go out on a limb:

Nobody knows what happens when Barrack Meets Hillary. That being the iceberg caveat...

there ain't no way in hell Hillary will be on the ticket.

As the old song goes, "That was yesterday... and yesterday's gone."

Vaya con Dios, amiga!

Mark Thieme (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:59 PM)

Endorse? Concede? She has not even congradulated him for winning Montana or the nomination! He congradulated her last night for winning SD. Not even for the Historical moment could she mummer a congradulations! Come on people why do you think she even deserves to be offered, let alone on the ticket. Now there is a pettion out by her supporters to force her on the ticket. You are picked for the VP you do not force your way there or demand it. Why would he pick her? NO RESPECT?? Does she think she is better than him? If so why did HE win? NO CLINTON FOR VP!

PA Voter (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:00 PM)

New Wave: Each candidate received approximately 18 million votes....this thing was basically a tie. Hillary Clinton has every right to say....Hey let me take a few days...catch my breath and see where we go from here. It is not as if she lost by some huge margin...which means he didn’t win by some huge margin either. So the point is that if you and the other Obama supporters want to see him sworn in as President you all had better start giving Mrs. Clinton the respect she deserves...Mr. Obama has started to acknowledge her historic run and accomplishments...too bad he can’t sway his supporters to do the same. So much for his leadership abilities.

Elliott, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:02 PM)

No brainier, Charlie get progressive. Come out the closet. You know she wants to be president. Endorse Barack.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:03 PM)

Last night I “was” a Hillary Clinton supporter. I truly believed that both Senator Obama and MY candidate's promise to support whoever the nominee was, would be honored. Senator Clinton did not have the graceful exit I was expecting to this racelast night. She needs to sit down with our nominee and next President -Mr. Obama quickly to concede and provide him with her support.

In addition, I had a chance to watch Mr. Obama’s speech to the Nation. To see all those people- White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, everyone in the United States was represented there, this is something special. He will do this party and our Nation proud. This is a history making moment, and it is time for everyone to rally behind this extraordinary candidate. Good Luck Mr. Obama, you can win this, do what you need.

Kevin Miami, Fl (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:04 PM)

She is just rude! To not even acknowledge the historic accomplishment of the Senator Obama. How rude for Terry (whatever his last name is to) introduce her as the next President of the United States even after he knew Senator Obama had won the nomination. HRC has let the Republication party beat her to the punch.

President Bush, Condi Rice and Heads of State around the world have called Senator Obama with congratulations. While she sits and a corner trying to decide what she should do? She should act like an adult and congratulate him.

What I find amazing is that she is USING her supporters as a “bargaining chip” how does it feel to be used by the Clintons yet again?

Kermit, Champaign IL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:04 PM)

The White House has not been slime free for much too long. We need no more Bushes and no more Clintons anywhere near the White House. Hillary has brought on the negative reactions by so many Americans by her disgusting behavior during this campaign.

People resent Hillary because of how she acts and because of her in-genuine behavior. She has destroyed her own reputation.

N.E. BodybutHillary (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:04 PM)

Kenn uses language like a high school dropout punk and in the same paragraph comes up with a word like "repudiate"??????? This is a racist trying to garner attention and incite unrest and division.
If you want attention why don't you go to a chat room?????

Tired Dem. OKC. (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:04 PM)

It is really amazing to me how many Hillary supporters would rather jump parties than vote for Obama (I bet they don't even consider themselves to be racist either).

fjohnson nyc (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:04 PM)

Hilliary tried to run with the big dogs and got hit by a bus, she needs to get back on the porch.

linda (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:05 PM)

Obama supporters.....you are drunk on your own egos and pride. Do not forget, Obama's win means nothing if he can't get elected. It's time to put down your guns, put aside your egos, and look at the clear facts. The democratic base (American voters, delegates, and super delegates) are split right down the middle at this time. YES, Obama pulled off the win; however, .1% is nothing to brag about, and when you consider they are separated by only 240 delegates out of 4,100, any "educated" & "rational" person should be able see that the party is split evenly. Time to put your own egos aside and realize what is best for our party. There's a reason they are calling Obama/Clinton the "dream team." They BOTH have inspired 20 million new voters, they both have been outstanding voices for our party, and they BOTH will be amazing leaders for our party. Do not be so drunk on your win or your candidate that you forget what the goal is: to unite the party, to take back the white house, and to put leaders in office that will best represent and lead our country. Obama = amazing change & progression, Clinton = awesome experience & fortitude, together they are the DREAM TEAM. Suck it up Obama fans. We've had to...let’s get together and play nicely now!

ryan, seattle, wa (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:06 PM)

Elliott, Los Angeles, CA - Elliott, once again, I find the need to speak up for all the intelligent people who have respectfully written on this site on all sides, Obama, Clinton and yes, McCain. In the whole United States, you are sure to get some disrespectful, obnoxious people, no matter who they support. Please do not prejudge all of Obama's supporters because of a few obnoxious people, and I will promise to do the same towards Hillary's supporters. We really need to remember we are ALL Americans first!

New Independent (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:07 PM)

Hillary does not deserve to be VP, she has tried to tear him, down. I think she is a bitter white woman clinging to the whitehouse, and she would probably set him up to fail.....

Obama 08

white woman (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:09 PM)

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