It's quiet out there....Too quiet?
Usually there's not much news on Election Day--until the returns come in. Campaigns tend to do all they can in the final days before an election not to screw up. So there was not much news yesterday, either. I was on a conference call with Mark Penn and Howard Wolfson of the Clinton campaign, and they had little report. They said they expected to win a majority of the delegates and that the race would continue on. "Many of us are making reservations for Texas and Ohio," Wolfson remarked. John Edwards' voters--the few there are--were in "flux," Penn added. Stop the presses! Oh, they did have one piece of news: Jack Nicholson had endorsed Hillary Clinton. Earlier in the day, Robert De Niro had campaigned for Barack Obama. Score that a tie?
All across CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC on Monday night, there was much coverage of Super Tuesday, but not much for my fellow pundits to discuss--other than the polls in each state. Just as the candidates were respectful and well-tempered in last Thursday's debate, the campaigns fired off no last-minute shots at the other. It appears that both will live past Supersaturated Tuesday to campaign another day. And the delegate count will determine how each plays from here.
Other than the final numbers, what else might be telling? Well, Missouri and Colorado could be bellwether states. If Obama wins or almost wins either of those--which are somewhat neutral territory in the Obama-Clinton battle--that will be quite encouraging for his camp. As I and several thousand other commentators have noted, after Tuesday, Obama can focus on individual or small clumps of states. When voters have seen more of him--as in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina--he has fared well. Not that he spent a great deal of time in either Missouri or Colorado, but if he's competitive in those states, it will be an indicator the Obama magic is still alive, Then again, winning California would signify the same. Sorry, on Election Day, the obvious analysis is king. Once the dust settles, there will be plenty of new twists and turns to ponder and, of course, more campaign news.
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Comments
BHO up by 13 point over HRC in California.
This will not be a yawn no matter how it shakes out.
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 9:35 AM
Opinion polls show a tight Democratic race in many states, but a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll showed Obama opening a 13-point lead on Clinton in California, which alone has 441 delegates to the nominating convention -- more than one-fifth of the total needed to win.
(rawstory)
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 9:38 AM
$400 billion deficit to greet Bush's successor
The starving of the beast continues...
Posted by: eyes_open
| February 5, 2008 2:33 PM
Risking the ire of progressive activists, Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign announced that it has accepted a debate to air on Fox News on February 11, according to her chief strategist Mark Penn.
(Huffpo)
Is the HRC campaign trying to distract from something?
Hmmmmmm
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 3:29 PM
Illinois Senator Barack Obama has finally signed the American Freedom Pledge, joining his fellow Democratic presidential candidates in encouraging the restoration of basic Constitutional principles after the battering they have taken during the Bush-Cheney era.
All the Democrats, that is, except New York Senator Hillary Clinton.
(The Nation)
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 4:26 PM
DJIA -370?
OUCH!
Not so "Super Tuseday" for the stock market.
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 5:10 PM
capt:
Are you the press releasse master for the Obama campaign?
I'd rather hear your opinion about something.
Posted by: Tina
| February 5, 2008 5:10 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 5:32 PM
FWIW,
I all but loathe all politicians. That doesn't mean I don't vote or that I can't form a preference.
However, Tina, it is not about me. Stick to the candidates and the issues.
I am pretty solid at 50/50 BHO or HRC - that is not much of an opinion but there it is there.
I am far more concerned with the general election. On that issue I am strongly in favor of whomsoever wins the Democratic nomination.
In the mean time I will post anything of interest to me if that is okay with you? (provided it is also okay with Mr. David Corn). If you do like something just pass it by, NBD.
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 5:43 PM
Tina, you are obviously a Hillary supporter. If you have any legitimate concerns about Obama (not the Republican talking point fallacy that he was praising Reagan or the Rezco connection where there is no evidence of wrongdoing by Obama) then by all means share them. If you have good news supporting Hillary share that too. If there is one activity that has always been treasured here on the Cornblog it's the exchange of information and debate of its significance.
Posted by: eyes_open
| February 5, 2008 5:52 PM
Eye's,
As always.
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 6:05 PM
Don't Trust California's Exit Polls
The Golden State's absentee voters will skew them.
Here is one for any poll trackers - Interesting but seems to me a cop-out that the pollsters are running scared after missing SC on average 16.6%. Now I have noticed the polls (even one from UNM) have pumped up the “undecided” to double the margin or error - that tells me even the pollsters aren’t trusting their numbers.
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 6:09 PM
Super Tuesday: War of words starts a stormy day\
The words of Jack Nicholson, actor, starring in a "robo-call'' for the Clinton campaign. Only part of what's to come on this "Super Tuesday."
By Mark Silva, with updates from Tribune staff thoughout the day.
The first returns of "Super Tuesday's" cross-country spree of primaries and caucuses today have brought a closely-won triumph for none of the closely watched front-runners in the presidential campaign. Rather, Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, has carried West Virginia's party vote on a second-ballot victory over rival Mitt Romney.
******
Interesting - will robo-calling help or hurt?
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 6:28 PM
Robert De Niro on Obama's 'Inexperience'
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Robert De Niro has shown up to pitch for Barack Obama, just as the rumor had it, here at the Izod Center at the Meadowlands. He's looking sporty in a blue blazer. "Barack Obama does not have the experience to be president of the United States" is his opening line. For one thing: "He wasn't experienced enough to authorize the invasion of Iraq."
"And that's not all,” he went on. “It's clear Barack Obama does not have the experience to let the special interests run the government."
*****
Will this work better than the robo-calls? I enjoy all the movies both of these fine actors make but . . .
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 6:29 PM
Any last minute input? I am about to go voice my preference.
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 7:17 PM
Caucus Update from New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colón
Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Brian Colón issued the following update today on the New Mexico Democratic Presidential Preference Caucus:
“Given the amazing amount of people turning out to polling sites across the State of New Mexico, we would like to re-assure voters that as long as you are in line by 7:00 p.m. we will ensure that everyone is able to cast their ballot.”
“We are experiencing tremendous voter turnout throughout the State of New Mexico and are very pleased that New Mexicans are going out to the polls in such large numbers to have their voice heard on who they want to be the Democratic nominee for President.”
Posted by: capt
| February 5, 2008 7:30 PM
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