Is Hillary the new Mitt?
Yesterday's news that she had to loan her campaign $5 million (while her top staffers work have agreed to work without pay) sure was surprising. While Barack Obama gathered $32 million in the month of January--and $7 million following Super Tuesday's split decision--Clinton, the onetime powerhouse candidate, has hit hard times, though on Thursday the campaign said it had pulled in $4 million in Internet contributions since Tuesday. Money matters much in politics. And the candidates who have more usually do better (not always; though; ask Howard Dean). But self-financing pols often risk being accused of mounting a vanity production. Certainly, Clinton is no bored millionaire trying to buy herself a new job. But if Obama continues to soar not only in rhetoric but in contributions, while she remains in the red (financially), that could come to be seen as an indicator that she has flat-lined.
Yes, the only number that really counts from this point on is the delegate count. But that figure is not unrelated to cash-on-hand. On Wednesday, her chief strategist, Mark Penn, said, "We will have funds to compete. But we're likely to be outspent again." Hillary as underdog? How will that play?
Meanwhile, today, Dean, the Democratic Party chief, said he will do what he can to prevent a brokered convention:
The idea that we can afford to have a big fight at the convention and then win the race in the next eight weeks, I think, is not a good scenario....I think we will have a nominee sometime in the middle of March or April. But if we don't, then we're going to have to get the candidates together and make some kind of an arrangement....Because I don't think we can afford to have a brokered convention -- that would not be good news for either party.
It's unclear what Dean and others could do to force a deal. But in such a scenario, an underfunded candidate will not be negotiating from a position of strength. Terry McAuliffe, Clinton's top moneyman, better start squeezing harder. His problem is that most of the Clinton donors have maxed out and cannot give more. So at this late stage--when Clinton is not in such a commanding position--he has to recruit new Clinton contributors. It won't be easy.
On the right, the news of the day is the mudwrestle between John McCain and the big-mouths of the right. Here's a piece I posted on the subject at Mother Jones.com:
Yesterday, John McCain asked his foes on the right to "just calm down a little." He was talking about Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity and other conservative big-mouths who in recent days have pumped up the volume of their anti-McCain crusade. Just the day before, James Dobson, a leading social conservative who heads Focus n the Family, declared, "I am convinced Senator McCain is not a conservative, and in fact has gone out of is way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are." (Last year, Dobson also accused Fred Thompson of not being a real Christian.)
As the Republican Establishment swings behind McCain--each day his campaign sends out several emails noting this or that endorsement from a GOP figure--the conservative ideologues are holding firm. This is setting up a dramatic split between the GOP elite and the conservative movement's leading influentials. The ideologues hate McCain for several reasons. He has pushed bipartisan, Democratic-backed legislation on campaign finance reform, global warming, and, worse, immigration reform. He never got on his knees before the conservatives--particularly the religious right. In 2000, he blasted Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson for exerting too much influence over his party. And--egads!--he has been a favorite of Washington journalists, that band of well-known, America-hating liberals. The fact that McCain has been a prominent champion of the Iraq war--the number one issue for most of his detractors--means nothing to these ingrates.
Today, McCain is appearing at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, a gathering of hundreds, if not thousands, of rightwing activists. Imagine John Kerry speaking to a convention of Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth. [Note: I'd be at CPAC for this, if I weren't out of town.] But if McCain believes he can make nice with the rightwing talkers, he's kidding himself. This group--especially Limbaugh, Hannity, and Coulter--have no incentive to be pragmatic. They each earn much money by being provocative. Their first loyalty is to their audience, which expects hard-edged ideological warfare from them. They go soft--or reasonable--and they risk their reputations....
Read the rest here.
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Comments
McCain can not and will not win without the support of the conservative base unless the hatred of Hillary overcomes the distain for McCain.
I have a certain conservative cousin who said he'd wear an Obama button if McCain got the repugnicon nod...
I'll pay BIG bucks to see THAT!
-T
Posted by: Hajji
| February 7, 2008 12:52 PM
Romney out...How much can he help McCain after all the vitriol?
-T
Posted by: Hajji
| February 7, 2008 1:06 PM
Wow!
For once I totally agree with Corn.
Hajji,
That may be true about the conservatives and McCain, but they're just a small portion of the party. I live in a blue state and my Democrat friends and relatives tell me if Hillary wins they will vote for McCain so it 's working both ways.
Obama has a strong chance to pull this off. I have republican friends who are considering Obama just because of his message and are putting aside his liberal views. Maybe he can bring the country together.
Posted by: LBH
| February 7, 2008 1:29 PM
Romney out?
Will that help Huckabee or John "insane" McCain?
Maybe all the support will finally go to Ron Paul? (the breakout is pending)
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 1:57 PM
McCain seals GOP nod as Romney suspends
Of course Romney had to throw in the vote Democrat and the terrorists win type comment. Maybe the Republican leadership is on the verge of getting back to the normal order of things and swallowing their own feelings and ideas for the sake of party unity.
Posted by: eyes_open
| February 7, 2008 1:57 PM
Repugs would vote for Obama?
Will wonders never cease...
Posted by: David B. Benson
| February 7, 2008 3:00 PM
"Repugs would vote for Obama?"
I would put a yellow caution tape around that idea. I imagine the GOP have a plan to keep the flock in line. Who knows maybe the general election will be a landslide for one or the other? I am reminded of Nixon and 49 states? Looking back it seems so odd.
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 3:10 PM
I imagine the GOP have a plan to keep the flock in line.
I know it's hard for you lefties to imagine someone who doesn't follow the party line lock step, do as you're told, like liberals
Republicans and Independants don't follow lock step with the party line as the current election shows. The majority of the party is moderate just like the Democrats, unfortunately the far left and far right wing bats run the party of both sides which is why Change is such a strong message.
The younger generation isn't following the liberal or conservative theme of personal destruction politics and what a country united not divided.
Posted by: LBH
| February 7, 2008 3:52 PM
This is why McCain is gaining ground so fast with moderates and independents. He has proven to be bipartisan, a word you lefties and Rush dittos both dispise.
Posted by: LBH
| February 7, 2008 3:56 PM
The “Conservatives hate McCain” meme is a big lie cooked up by the Republican Party and the McCain Campaign.
Look at where that story comes from. It comes from the same right-wing Wurlitzer that said Plame was a secretary not a covert CIA agent, Richard Clarke was to blame for 9/11 and the US was in danger because Saddam had nukes and Saddam cooperates with Al Qaeda. All lies.
The “Conservatives hate McCain” is a clever trick because it separates McCain from Bush’s failure, and makes McCain’s candidacy a candidacy for change even though McCain and Bush are joined at the hip on the Iraq war (which 2/3rds of Americans are against.)
McCain’s meeting with CPAC will be the beginning of the reconciliation. You watch.
We are being played, liberals and conservatives alike, by deceptive political insiders, and complicit ‘controversy-journalism’ driven media.
McCain's acknowledged appeal to moderates is not the same thing as saying he is moderate. He is not moderate. He promised more wars, and I would call that immoderate.
Posted by: Neil
| February 7, 2008 4:28 PM
He promised more wars, and I would call that immoderate.
Kennedy had Cuba - Clinton had Kosovo
Posted by: LBH
| February 7, 2008 5:30 PM
He promised more wars,
I believe he promised to win the wars we currently have not more wars -big difference.
Posted by: LBH
| February 7, 2008 5:32 PM
Neil,
I think you have nailed it:
"John McCain may have it easier than he expected today when he commandeers the podium at CPAC this afternoon. Conservatives from all over will predictably fill the room to the brim to listen to what the now GOP front-runner has to say, despite a hate/love relationship with the guy.
CPAC it seems, is directing its loyal goers to not boo McCain."
(politico via Huffpo)
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 5:39 PM
'Straight talk' from Senator McCain: More wars to come\
01/27/2008 @ 7:21 pm
Filed by Nick Langewis
Speaking in Polk City, Florida, U.S. Senator and 2008 presidential candidate John McCain (R-AZ) pledges expansion of access to health care for soldiers injured physically and psychologically not only in the current war, but in wars he says are sure to follow.
This video is from CNN Newsroom, broadcast January 27, 2008.
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 5:45 PM
McCain Warns: "There Will Be Other Wars"
The presidential candidate who sang "Bomb bomb Iran" is already looking towards the war after the war in Iraq.
Sen. John McCain told a crowd of supporters on Sunday, "It's a tough war we're in. It's not going to be over right away. There's going to be other wars." Offering more of his increasingly bleak "straight talk," he repeated the claim: "I'm sorry to tell you, there's going to be other wars. We will never surrender but there will be other wars."
McCain did not elaborate who the United States would be fighting. But he did warn the crowd to be ready for the ramifications of current and future battles.
"And right now - we're gonna have a lot of PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder] to treat, my friends," he said. "We're gonna have a lot of combat wounds that have to do with these terrible explosive IEDs that inflict such severe wounds. And my friends, it's gonna be tough, we're gonna have a lot to do."
*****
I’m sure John “Insane” McCain will get the mindless drone warmongering - more wars - the surge has worked - Bush never lied - crowd. Thank goodness that represents a very small percentage.
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 5:49 PM
If You Want More George Bush, Vote McCain
It is this reporter’s opinion that Albert Einstein had it right when he said, “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity.”
Looking at our current presidential candidates, one must question our stupidity. John “McAmnesty’ McCain, despite being the front-runner, has not swayed most GOP conservatives. They simply don’t like him.
If McCain is our next president, what will we get?
We will not get conservative Supreme Court nominees. McCain has said Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito is too conservative. We’ll get Souters and Kennedys but not Alitos.
We will get immigration amnesty, global warming warnings to strangle our economy, and just about everything else that you would expect from a liberal masquerading as a conservative.
It is this reporter’s opinion that a President McCain would be voting a third term for George Bush.
*****
McCain is the bushbots dream. A third Bush term. GOPReich forever!
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 5:59 PM
This just in:
John McCain - the #1 most liberal GOP Senator!
HA!
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 6:01 PM
I love it!
McCain has you lefties wetting yourselves with fear~
Posted by: LBH
| February 7, 2008 6:46 PM
Murtha prepares Iraq withdrawal bill.
Today in a speech at CSIS, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) said that he is “preparing legislation that would give President Bush the war funding he wants this year, but on the condition that troops leave Iraq by the end of the year” and deploying troops be “fully trained and equipped.” Murtha will propose that the House vote on the bill next month.
*****
A "surge" of reason?
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 6:49 PM
Cornbots do you really believe that if Clinton or Obama wins that there will be no mores in the world?
How naive are you?
Posted by: LBH
| February 7, 2008 6:51 PM
Here is about how I feel:
http://www.truthdig.com/cartoon/item/20080204_the_lesser_of_two_elvises/
Good for a chuckle.
Posted by: David B. Benson
| February 7, 2008 7:35 PM
It looks like I will be wearing that Obama button.
Nothing wrong with that as far as I can see. Obama is the only person left in either race who has any degree of excitement about his candidacy. The Paul supporters have faded along with his showing in the primaries.
McCain is no conservative and does not deserve my conservative vote come November. McCain will find out soon how much he is liked by the media and other Democrats. As soon as Huckabee drops out (one more week max, ) McCain will not get any positive press and will get skewered by the press along with his VP consideration when that person will be named.
I hope Obama wins the democrat nomination. He energizes a lot of young people, independent voters, and you must admit, even entrenched Democrats and some Republicans. He does not have the political machine baggage and support that McCain and Clinton would have. I see that as a good thing. Maybe both parties will wake up to the fact that there are good politicans out there somewhere who can mobilize and energize the electorate. No more running the Robert Byrds and Strom Thurmonds year after year after year. If Obama wins the nomination, he will have proven he can beat the political machine that is behind Hillary. If that can happen, whether he wins the Presidency in 2008 or even in 2012, I think it will encourage others to be more involved in politics and maybe get some candidates with fresh ideas and no political IOU's to special interests in all branches of government, federal, state and local.
While not involved in politics like I was several years ago, I still see an exciting time ahead, especially if Obama wins the nomination.
Posted by: tytandanmar
| February 7, 2008 7:43 PM
"Nothing wrong with that as far as I can see."
I think that is everything right!
Every president will do stuff I hate, make policies I dislike, etc. but the next top dog has a real chance to make some important changes.
The oldest guy ever running for president is a hard sell, especially if the national mood is for change and he is closely associated with the current WH and its policies.
Things can change fast and I expect a bumpy road ahead but I hope the people are more engaged, more involved and better informed.
The NM state D party is recounting all of the votes because they had irregularities. UGH - what a let down. Sleazy SOB's took boxes of votes home overnight. This is just democrats and D and indy votes.
Grrrr
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 7:54 PM
From comments at Liberland:
GWB’s “Imagine”
Imagine there’s no Constitution
it’s easy when I try,
No Bill of Rights to stop me
Everytime I want to spy,
Imagine all the people
Doing as I say…
Imagine there are no countries
I do it all the time,
No one left to kill or die for
‘cos I’ve nuked Mecca too.
Imagine all the people
Worshipping just Me…
Imagine no more taxes
something you know I can,
Forget the hungry children
No more Brotherhood of Man.
Imagine all the people
voting only for ME…
You may say I’m a dreamer
but I’m not the only one.
I order you to join me
and the world will live as Neo-Con
(With apologies to John Lennon - but I know he’ll understand).
by 50's Male February 6, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 9:54 PM
[...]
"Clinton fundraiser said "The campaign felt everything was so safely in the bag they stopped focusing on fundraising in December. Everyone started focusing on politics."
It's called judgment. HRC want to manage the economy but if she runs it like her campaign . . .
Lending herself $5 million is just like trying to buy it.
I think I'll send $25 to BHO for good measure.
Posted by: capt
| February 7, 2008 10:20 PM
To hell with the rabid right wing\
[…]
Right-wingers need only look in the mirror to know what happened to their party. If the Republican Party is dead – and many think it should be – then the right wing killed in a blatant act of fratricide.
Conservatives had their shot – and they blew it. Their boy George W. Bush sent Americans to die in a war based on lies, shredded the Constitution and did everything he could to destroy the foundations of this nation by using powers he didn’t have. Bush’s brand of “conservatism” built the largest bureaucracy in history and he will leave office with the largest federal deficit ever.
The right-wing elected a Republican Congress that rubber-stamped Bush’s illegal actions, set new records for pork-barrel spending.
The rabid right wing has done more to destroy America than any Communist in China or Cuba, any Islam-spouting terrorist from the Middle East or any gun-toting white supremacist in Idaho.
Right-wingers are, by nature, racist, homophobic, misogynistic and dangerous. If the federal government really wanted to stop terrorism in this nation, it should take the list of contributors to the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the last two campaigns of George W. Bush and sent everyone on that list to the prison camps at Gitmo. Wouldn’t take much space. Based on recent Federal Election Commission reports, there aren’t that many left who still waste their money on right-wing GOP causes.
*****
They had their shot and they gave us Bunnypants. Whoop’s.
Posted by: capt
| February 8, 2008 9:48 AM
Ron Paul has raised more money than the other GOP candidates combined.
I think the GOP is in trouble.
Posted by: capt
| February 8, 2008 10:34 AM
Bush Rallies Conservatives for Campaign\
(AP) WASHINGTON - Without naming John McCain, President Bush marshaled the conservative wing of the Republican Party on Friday to back the presumed GOP presidential nominee for the upcoming battle against the Democratic Party.
"The stakes in November are high. This is an important election. Prosperity and peace are in the balance," Bush told about 2,000 people attending the Conservative Political Action Conference. "So with confidence in our vision and faith in our values, let us go forward, fight for victory and keep the White House in 2008."
*****
Progressive fall in love, neocons better fall in line.
“Prosperity and peace are in the balance“
Yeah, since Bunnypants the magnificent couldn’t get to either, eh?
Posted by: capt
| February 8, 2008 11:06 AM
Capt
You would do good for yourself if you took to Obamas message of change, because your venomous hate speech is what the change message is all about. You progressives that don't get that will be left by the way side. I know change is hard for some of you old timers but the world is changing and you can get on board or be left in the dust.
"Any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a good carpenter to build one. "
Lyndon B Johnson
Posted by: LBH
| February 8, 2008 11:38 AM
Bush, Congress hit new low in AP poll\
WASHINGTON—It's almost as if people can barely stand the thought of President Bush and Congress anymore.
Bush reached his lowest approval rating in The Associated Press-Ipsos poll on Friday as only 30 percent said they like the job he is doing, including an all-time low in his support by Republicans. Congress' approval fell to just 22 percent, equaling its poorest grade in the survey. Both marks dropped by 4 percentage points since early January.
Posted by: capt
| February 8, 2008 12:08 PM
McCain as Nixon?
John McCain is the Republican nominee for president. He promises "victory" in Iraq while never defining the word, except that he sometimes promises a long-term enmeshing of the US in a Korea-like war and decades-long military aftermath.
It is eerily familiar. The president who started the war is not running for office. His popularity is in tatters, at an all-time low. The war has dragged on for years and the public has turned against it.
Posted by: capt
| February 8, 2008 12:20 PM
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