Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Obama Turns On the Race-Baiting Wurlitzer: Signs of Candidacy in Trouble

"The Democratic Party consists of two warring factions, and the precarious coalition that forms the Party is on the verge of splitting apart. Working class whites are not naive to Obama’s shenanigans. They’ve watched as the Obama team has smeared perhaps the most racially progressive president in our history as a racist, and they’ve seen Obama ridicule their concerns, faith, and culture.

The Obama campaign would like the superdelegates to believe that African Americans will revolt if Obama is not given the nomination. The more likely outcome–and this has actually been quantified, is that working-class whites will go with McCain if Hillary is not the nominee.

The narrative that Obama is a weak general election candidate is starting to take hold. Sensing this development, the Obama team has turned on the Wurlitzer and alerted its supporters that it’s time to smear the Clintons as racists once again. We’ve heard Axelrod and Clyburn."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/04/28/obama-turns-on-the-race-baiting-wurlitzer-signs-of-candidacy-in-trouble/

Sounds good to me, Craig. Give Mrs Clinton half, Mr Obama zilch, and the popular vote for each stands. Have you let Dean know that this is the way it's going to be?

Obama campaign has played the race card from the get go...he let's his people do the talking and now he has been found out..i knew his plan all along..so glad people found out before it was too late...Hillary Clinton has shown she is the most qualified and also the most upbeat candidate for President..Yeah Hillary

Hitler also sucked as an artist , Sturge!

For Sheila...

Here's the link to the court filing in pdf format.

http://www.paulvclinton.com/pp_complaint_022504_njw.pdf

Alleges fraud and other charges against Bill, Hillary, Rendell, and others.

God Bless

lol

Craig,
thank you ,finally someone putting in print what I have been saying all alongNow if the MSM would only say this..Clinton's have never used race card.
Ruth

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080429/NEWS06/804290403

A few of the commenters are spot on.

matt taibbi on imus talking about his experience with Reverand Hagee.....

"The Great Derangement" by Matt Taibbi

Axelrod is dreaming if he thinks that issues like high gas prices are going to keep the media from focusing on Rev. Wright for long. For starters, Rev. Wright insists on not being ignored. I think another motivating factor, aside from self-aggrandizement, is that he wants Obama to pick sides. The Rev. is the one trying to force the issue, not the Clintons as the Obama campaign would like people to believe. This makes the Rev. feel very powerful, and we come full circle...it's all about the Rev. The more he talks, the more it hurts Obama.

On the other hand, could Obama do himself more harm if he had to debate and look like a hapless loser against Hil'ry, again?

I remember posting a few days after the NH primary....... that if Obama didn't stop the press from claiming he lost because of hidden racism..... it would all come back eventually and bite him in the butt......

I hate to say..... I told you so....

once you start a divide along a black and white line..... that ball just gonna keep on rollin'......

too many divides..... and IMO, it ain't worth it....

m

Gordo,
I must have still been asleep when I read your comment and contributed it to Craig.Being you made the first post I continued reading as if it were Craig's.But I am gald you said it.Someone needed to.
Thank You
Ruth

Congratulations on Chopper, LaL. Does this now make you a terrierist?

Gordo,

I agree with painter, a meaningful post.

toast

mornin' all.

Craig, HOW DARE YOU suggest that all the rules should apply. That would not advantage Obama. You be in big trouble now. I'm gonna tell mama. :-)

AP, and what was the outcome of that lawsuit? Answer - it's still pending with a case management order in place. But what were the results of the FEC & DOJ investigations into the matter - let's rely on Paul's own website for that answer - "all investigations by the DOJ and FEC and Senate Ethics Committee and the criminal trial of David Rosen "exonerated" Hillary for lack of evidence of her personal involvement with Paul." Remember - this is the BUSH DOJ &FEC - if they couldn't find anything Hillary did, fat chance that anything is out there. Anyone who is completely bored can go to the LA Superior Court website (I think it's lasuperiorcourt.org) and put in the case number BC304174 to access the information on the website.

Bob Herbert on Rev. Wright

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/opinion/29herbert.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

blue - did you catch Axelrod's finesse - this is a paraphrase - Some of the other candidates are proposing a bogus program to address high gas prices. Hmmm, that right? Lessee, there are 2 other candidates who have addressed the issue (of only 2 other candidates, really). McNumbnuts, who proposed it, and Hillary, who said she would be open to it if after looking into it it looked like it might provide relief (or something like that). Note - Hillary has never proposed or supported dropping the federal gas tax.

I wouldn't want to get in to a cab after Axelrod - I'm afraid I'd slide off the seat.

yep, its www.lasuperiorcourt.org

have fun (warning - that was sarcasm).

j

The press wanted this primary to be over. If it did would Wright even be a story right now. Maybe he would have waited until Sept or October to come out. But now he gets all the attention and the press has a story for a few days. They might even get a closer primary on Tuesday because of it. What a gold mine for them. Be careful what you ask for.

pogo...

I don't know the outcome. Sheila ask about it and I posted the court filing for her.

I also said alleged and did not accuse anyone of anything.

As to the Rev. Wright I can also see that as an attack on the church like he said.

I draw that from the inference that because Obama didn't leave the church than Obama must either hold the same thoughts\beliefs or agree with them.

On that basis one would have to believe that the whole congregation must also hold those same beliefs as they have not left the congregation either.

In the same token I would have to ask why all those who attend the churches of Hagee, Falwell, Robertson, Dobson and the like members not left those churches.

They must agree and hold the same beliefs of bigotry and hatred that is preached by their pastors.

So even though the Rev. Wright appears to be throwing Obama under the bus that question needs to be asked.

God Bless.

Is Craig getting his info from Harold Ickes?

From Wikipedia:

Ickes is a political strategist working on Hillary Clinton's campaign in the 2008 presidential election.

Ickes was a member of the Democratic National Committee who voted in favor of stripping Florida and Michigan of their convention delegates for moving their primary dates earlier than allowed by DNC rules. He has since changed his support of these sanctions, however, calling on the DNC to reconsider its penalties.

Why is the media, except Fox last night,not mentioning that Hillary got the endorsement of Gov. of NC?
Silly me, of course the media will not mention it.
Obama needs to drop out now and call it a wash.
Yes, Hillary should get what she deserves in Fl and Mich.
I think the superdelegates are making her PROVE she can beat McCain and she can and she is proving it.

Harold Ickes is the Clinton point man in dirty tricks involving the DNC rules.

They can't win the primaries and they can't win the super-Ds. So now they're going to try to twist the "rules" to steal the nomination.

Craig's entry today is pure Clinton spin.

NC Gov is endorsing Hillary now at her rally at NC State University, CNN.com is carrying the rally

Mojo this AM didn't even try to hide his redneck hatred of all things Obama. Rev Wright is a communist, a terrorist, the antichrist, etc.

The more the GOP MSM wingnuts try to tear him down, the more I like Obama, and the more I detest Hillary for allying herself with them and running a swiftboat campaign.

AP I told you the outcome - there isn't one - the case is pending with a case management order in place. I can't acess it without registering there, and since you have to disable your popup blocker and allow cookies, I ain't registering.

I didn't say you suggested anything other than stating some of the allegations. If you haven't read the complaint, you should - if he can prove what he's alleged ( which will require incredible admissions by Bill Clinton and others who worked for his white house in order to get around about a million hearsay problems he's going to have - he might get something from someone. But of course he is a convicted felon, so best of luck to him.

And I do assume that the followers of Hagee, Falwell, Robertson, etc. do hold many of the same beliefs as their pastors - and differ on some others. I assume the same of Obama. He did dedicate his book to Wright, because, I assume, he agreed with and felt mentored in some way by Wright. I also assume that Obama does not agree with the soundbite crap that Wright uttered - it does not seem consistent with Obama's public image. But Wright is apparently just full of shit saying that this is an attack on the "black church." Nice try to turn the criticism back on the critics. All I'm hearing from other folks who go to "black churches" is that those kinds of things are not things they hear in their congregations. I imagine there are churches where such things are said from the pulpit - but I also imagine that they aren't mainstream black churches. And I don't give him a pass because he was a marine. Good for you, thank you for your service, but when you say despicable things, people won't ignore them because you served your country.

Damn - fire alarm - later.

Gov NC is just endorsing Hillary on CNN

Two things: religion and politics should never, ever mix. Rev. Hagee and Rev. Wright should be totally irrelevant.

Also, in past presidential elections, the electorate complained about nominees being decided too soon, before much of the country had a chance to weigh in. Now we're griping that it's taking too long. Why do we not have a national primary in February or March and eliminate both problems?

As far as my church going experience , most churches I know have a church council. The church I went to in Adrian had one. The pastor we had when I was growing up was actually forced out of our church by our church council. We were a small church and our Sunday service attendance was declining , not increasing. When you are a small church and people start leaving , it's quite a hit to the church budget. Many people felt that our pastor was a big reason for that. So, they basically asked him to leave.

Hillary couldn't win enough pledge delegates to get the nomination. Next she tried to bribe, threaten, and con the super-Ds into supporting her. That didn't work either.

So now her focus is on changing the rules to "fix" things. She wants to create a bunch of fake Florida & Michigan "delegates" for herself.

Is this the USA, or a 3rd world nation with fixed elections?

D: All of the above?

More dirty tricks: Clinton supporter arranged for Rev Wright's speech at National Press Club.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/29/clinton-booster-organized_n_99129.html

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/04/where-the-dem-rules-really-lea.html#comment-74190

Jamie,
Thanks for that article link. It sure sounded like solid critique on Wright's behavior to me.

This is Wright's forte, speaking....he won't be silenced.
I can imagine Rev. Wright thinking: No skinny little yuppie whipper snapper is going to throw me under the bus, ever.

Religion and politics always mix...that's just a fact. Not saying it is right, just saying it is. Never going to change, as long as we keep our freedom of speech.

I live in Michigan. We oughta count for something!

Her focus, nash? It seems to me her focus is to try and win primaries and convince SDs she's the better candidate against McNumbnuts. Where'd you get that? There's absolutely nothing about such an attempt at HuffGObamaPost - and if that were the case, it would likely be featured front and center. I am always interested in the rules issues - which have operated to disadvantage Clinton at every turn - and would love to see what information you have on that.

btw, good job Craig - citing the rules as they should apply according to their own terms rather than fixing the rules to the benefit of Obama.

Huffington Post does seem to favor Obama , doesn't it?

Corey, ya think? You can't buy that kind of coverage.

ahhh Craig - if only you were on the committee currently hearing the FL challenge.

News for today:

What is Obama talking about? Rev. Wright

What is Hillary talking about? Her endorsement from NC Gov. Easley and education.

Sounds like a good day to me.

pogo: My source of information is Craig Crawford. See his entry above for an insight into Clinton's next dirty trick. I assume that Craig got this from the Clinton campaign, either directly or indirectly. Harold Ickes (as we speak) is trying to "fix" the convention, but I don't think he's going to get away with it.

If Clinton steals the nomination with dirty tricks, she'll lose the black vote, and the vote of all progressive Democrats. McCain will win, and he SHOULD win. A "Democratic" party that allows such undemocratic fraud should not win.

"The day after Clinton’s surprising victory in New Hampshire, Obama supporter Rep Jesse Jackson Jr. — in words which will live in infamy –said that Hillary’s tears in New Hampshire will “have to be looked at very, very carefully in light of Katrina and other things Mrs. Clinton did not cry for, particularly as we head toward South Carolina where 45 percent of African Americans will participate in the process.”

This was followed by Obama suggesting to mostly black
audiences that the Clintons were playing them for fools by criticizing him. Obama appropriated Malcolm X’s “hoodwinked, bamboozled, okie-doke” speech and sent a clear signal that racial politics was on the table.

This narrative was given the blogger boy stamp-of-approval when Markos Moulitsas Zuniga claimed (falsely) that Team Clinton darkened a picture of Obama to make him look menacing.

On the heels of another Obama defeat and the prospect that Hillary is picking up genuine momentum, members of his team are again telegraphing to their supporters in the press and the blogs that it’s time for racial politics."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/04/28/obama-turns-on-the-race-baiting-wurlitzer-signs-of-candidacy-in-trouble/

I imagine that most of you heard about this. The issue is not all that important IMHO - unless there are impediments I'm not aware of in getting state issued IDs. What is interesting is the alignment of the court - Kennedy and Stevens joined the RWNCs on the court in this opinion. If there is anyone who still thinks they can't vote for theother dem candidate if their own is not the nominee, I urge you to read this article on the decision, and replace in your mind Ginsburg and Stevens with 2 other RWNCs, then imagine any case that comes before the court involving rights you think may be important bu t not of interest to right wingers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/washington/29scotus.html?hp

Mr. Crawford, thank you very much for this info. What I would like to know is 1) who at the DNC made the decision to strip the entire delegation? Was it the Committee or Howard Dean? 2) Why in the heck isn't Mr. Dean being asked questions about this? We've had Dean on NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, MSNBC (oops, I'm sorry, MSNBC is after all the "Obama Network.") 3) Could you cite the DNC rules?

Someone posted this link late yesterday and I found it to be quite interesting and provocative so I thought I'd repost the link and a snippet.

"The group that is more than likely going to decide the election in the fall is a group I call the Merely Prejudiced. They are not pathological in their hatred of blacks, but they are not entirely comfortable with black people or black culture. They tend be older, less educated, sit on the fringe of being truly middle class,. . . These are people who don't think about themselves as racists. . They see themselves as typical middle class or working class people, nothing more, nothing less.. . .
These folks tend to live in all-white environments, don't get misty eyed over the joys of multiculturalism and racial diversity, and are increasingly worried about the future, both economically and socially. . . They don't trust big government or big business, and some of them know that big labor ain't all its cracked up to be either.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-duffy/merely-prejudiced_b_99006.html

Damn Straight Craig, and the Democratic party had best be looking for anyway they can to get out of this mess, if not, and Obama is the nominated, they are going to lose their bums.

"Note - Hillary has never proposed or supported dropping the federal gas tax. "

I think she is actually supporting this now but only if it is coupled with a win-fall profits tax on the oil companies. Of course, a win-fall profits tax would have to include some component that didn't allow them to pass that onto the consumer or it's all just a wash.

Obama supports a win-fall profits tax as well.

In the end Hillary's plan addresses two issues - short term releaf while paying for the short term releaf with the win-fall profits tax and then long term with the win-fall profits tax going towards research and development to help curb our dependence on foreign oil.

Again - Hillary has the better, more well thought out and complete plan trumping both McCain and Obama.

Good job Hill!

Pres Bus has a lot of gall. First for seven years he does everything possible to undercut the middle class, and now he is going to give a speech on how to fix the screwups he caused.

"Hillary couldn't win enough pledge delegates to get the nomination"

Can Obama win enough pledged delegates to win the nomination?

Nash - your arguments are always so counter productive because they continually indite your own candidate as having to take the same route to the nomination.

Fact: more people have voted for Hillary in the primaries that have already been held than have voted for Obama.

If all the Democrats could have voted by ballot in primaries and not caucus, Obama would have a far less lead, if any, today. The caucus scheme literally took away the older population mail in ballot. Obama won't have the benefit of the caucus in the General Election. I don't think he can win without the caucus scheme.

If Hillary can somehow win NC then all bets are off.

Hillary knows that dirty tricks can't get her the nomination. Her goal now is to weaken Obama so McCain wins. Then, Hillary will run in 2012.

That's why McCain and Hillary both seem to be speaking from the same script these days.

"The issue is not all that important IMHO - unless there are impediments I'm not aware of in getting state issued IDs."

Pogo,

On the surface this doesn't appear to prohibitive to any voter and most likely would not impact the 2008 cycle(except in IN). But for the future I think the democratic party will be harmed because just as there are no impediments to voting, as a party we struggle to get people out to the polls. The smallest of obstacles can be mountains to the poor, minorities, and less informed and educated.

nash, I've been on allergy meds for a week and know that i'm probably not thinking as straight as I might, but I don't see anything in Craig's post about Ickes(who YOU brought up and proceeded to accuse of trying to twist the rules) or his trying to fix anything. If changing his mind on his vote to strip FL & MI of all their delegates, and thinking the DNC should re-examine the issue and perhaps apply the DS rules as they are written is trying to "fix" the process, you have a curious notion about what "fixing" an election is.

I can't find a way to link this, but here are the rules that Craig refers to.

"C. 1. a. Violation of timing: In the event the Delegate Selection Plan of a state party provides or permits a meeting, caucus, convention or primary which constitutes the first determining stage in the presidential nominating process to be held prior to or after the dates for the state as provided in Rule 11 of these rules, or in the event a state holds such a meeting, caucus, convention or primary prior to or after such dates, the number of pledged delegates elected in each category allocated to the state pursuant to the Call for the National Convention shall be reduced by
fifty (50%) percent, and the number of alternates shall also be reduced by fifty (50%) percent. In addition, none of the members of the Democratic National Committee and no other unpledged delegate allocated pursuant to Rule 8.A. from that state shall be permitted to vote as members of the state’s delegation. In determining the actual number of delegates or alternates by which the state’s delegation is to be reduced, any fraction below .5 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and any fraction of .5 or greater shall be rounded up to the next nearest whole number.

"b. A presidential candidate who campaigns in a state where the state party is in violation of the timing provisions of these rules, or where a primary or caucus is set by a state’s government on a date that violates the timing provisions of these rules, may not receive pledged delegates or delegate votes from that state. Candidates may, however, campaign in such a state after the primary or caucus that violates these rules. “Campaigning” for purposes of this section includes, but is not limited to, purchasing print, internet, or electronic advertising that reaches a significant percentage of the voters in the aforementioned state; hiring campaign workers; opening an office; making public appearances; holding news conferences; coordinating volunteer activities; sending mail, other than fundraising requests that are also sent to potential donors in other states; using paid or volunteer phoners or automated calls to contact voters; sending emails or establishing a website specific to that state; holding events to which Democratic voters are invited; attending events sponsored by state or local Democratic organizations; or paying for campaign materials to be used in such a state. The Rules and Bylaws Committee will determine whether candidate activities are covered by this section."

Who fixed what?

Pogo - I don't even know why you try to have a discussion with Nash about these issues.

You know how many of the Obama supporters are and in particular, Nash, the rules only count if they benefit Obama . We should only follow the rules that benefit Obama any other rule written or not is just a dirty trick.

What is going to be more entertaing Bush Press conference on the economy in a few minutes or the Rev. Wright the last few days.

Corey,

Between Huffington and KOS, Sen. Obama barely needs to put anything on the web. They do it all for him. If there is a pro Obama slant, they will find it and then use their press links to get on the TV commentary panels. Nothing wrong with that, but you have to weigh everything they say or print in line with the bias.

Rezdog,

"poor, minorities, and less informed and educated. "

The majority of this group already have picture IDs since they are required for unemployment, welfare, and medical. The law also offers a "free" day prior to the election to get IDs.

About the only thing other than this that needs to be done is possibly coming up with some totally free "voting only" picture ID for those currently disconnected to the system.

Nash are you off your medication again ? You are obsessed with Hillary attacks today.

And now, nash, you can add mindreading to your resume - a good skill for your average professor, I imagine. And here I thought she was trying to weaken Obama so she could get the votes of the SDs and get the nomination. (Sorry, couldn't help myself).

Wendy! Silly me. But I do like to see them ignore facts and rant on.

Rez, as I said, I consider the alignment of the court more important than the actual decision. Although I assume the truth of the impediments you mentioned, challenging laws on discriminatory intent or effect is difficult because proof of it is elusive in many cases - which is why this case was decided as it was. I just shudder to think that the 2 justices who are likely to retire before the next presidential term is up are 2 of the 3 liberal voices on the court and may be replaced by immoderate right wing nominees.

DO IT IN DENVER! SEE YOU THERE!

"Welcome to the "Re-create 68" website, your virtual activists' Convergence Center for the Denver Democratic National Convention of 2008. This website was created for all the grassroots people who are tired of being sold out by the Democratic Party."

http://recreate68.org/album1_dnc_001.htm

(Repubs or the Brzezinski Clan might be behind this.)

"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has requested nearly $2.3 billion in federal earmarks for 2009, almost three times the largest amount received by a single senator this year."

The big payoff for the lobbyists' donations?

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/clinton-2.3b-in-earmarks-2008-04-28.htm

hey all, the link to DNC delegate rules is in the first line of today's post, but here it is again: http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/pdfs/2008delegateselectionrules.pdf

What is bush on today, he's having trouble speaking as usual.

why one should not argue with Nash

http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/celebrity/images/HowdyDoody/bluebonnet-bluster.JPG

Craig, is Bush on something this morning.

GLUE DAMN, the Democratic National Committee!!!!

Craig, Obama's national cable buy was no different from Clinton's internet advertising in that it was not targeted to Florida. If you count his ads seeping over into Florida then you have to count her internet ad buy seeping into the state as well.
So that means -- NO DELEGATES for anyone. Status quo.

Nash's mentor - LOL.

Nash is certainly right that Ickes is in a bit of a box having voted for the extra penalties against fla and mich -- but in those days the clinton camp was on board with trying to pressure both states to stick with the approved calendar -- many on DNC thought the harsher penalty would be enough to make fla and mich back down

but also on the hypocrisy front, Obama had vowed to seat the fla deleg (see link in today's post to his Sept '07 press conf -- which, btw, was a violation of the ban on public appearances in the DNC rules)

Craig have you been listening to this news conference?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/04/where-the-dem-rules-really-lea.html#comment-74246

not a bad argument you've got there, Rules Maven. don't know if anyone can find a clinton interent ad that reached 6 million Fla homes as Obama's cable ads did (and isn't it interesting that was the only time i've found that Obama ever bought national cable ads, in the run up to florida)

maven - there were internet ads that reached "a significant percentage of the voters" in FL? That would be surprising - could you provide a link that tends to show that?

yep vadaryl, me thinks he's drinking again

I think so too. He just got a little rattled with that reporter.

mebbe i take it back, he almost prounounced nuclear proliferation correctly

The one reporter asked him about the gas tax and he said it was a bait to get him to say something about the 08 race. I don't think so, I think the reporter really wanted him to come up with something quick to help lower the gas and it just happened to be mentioned by McCain. Then he cut him off when he tried to add some more to the question.

"Obama had vowed to seat the fla deleg"- CC

We've been over this ground before.

"If he's the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, he'll seat a Florida delegation at the party's national convention, despite national party sanctions prohibiting it."-B Obama

I think the operative words are IF and "presumptive nominee" in this statement.

He be on something! Don't take it back.

As Rev. Wright would say he is stuck on stupid.

I'm sure the Obama ad buy was just a mistake, as was the "fund raiser" that only cost $5 to get in the door.

No bending the rules here, move along.

Reverend Wright is all Hillary's fault.
Bad Bad Hillary,
Bad Bad Hillary.
Come on all you Obama supporter lets hear it,
Real loud this time
BAD, BAD, HILLARY

There doesn't that feel better

Jack

Yes, I've got a toothache.
Yes, I just took a handfull of painkillers.
Why do you ask?

Jack

I find it doubtful that Hillary did more advertising on the Internet than Obama throughout this race. I have seen too many people praising his amazing use of the Internets to take the bait on that one.

As far as Obama's TV buy...he CHOSE to buy national ads and not individual markets. Media buys are part of my job and trust me, this was a deliberate breach on his part.

GWB looks awful...Craig in the above scenario, would Clinton gain 105 delegates from Florida? What about Edward's delegates from that state?

"think the operative words are IF and "presumptive nominee" in this statement. -- Posted by: Rezdog"

well his folks are trying to say he is the preumptive nominee, aren't they? so seat florida

Craig,
"but in those days the clinton camp was on board with trying to pressure both states to stick with the approved calendar"

"and isn't it interesting that was the only time i've found that Obama ever bought national cable ads, in the run up to florida"

Do you have references for these?

I too think Bush may be drinking again. I'm not sure if it impacts his performance.

Craig do you think Edwards will not endorse anybody and stay on the sidelines.

GW does look awful.

Um, Craig, I think they meant to say AFTER he is the nominee, don't you? We don't want those votes to mean anything in the selection of a nominee, we just want to throw them a bone for the general.

I believe a Governor's endorsement means more than a Senator's endorsement. Is that a widely held belief?

We can't forget about the MI voters. They count too.

frank -- last may when this was all getting debated, that was the official clinton postition according to fla dems i talked to

and in my discussion with the sales department at one cable company, that pre-Fla ad buy was the only order they ever got and i was told they knew of no other buys on their competitors. cant say for a fact that there weren't others, just havent found any yet.

I am glad that is over. That was not one of his best! Good material for the late night guys.

I agree Craig , it seems likely that he will be nominee.

I think he'll seat them if the DNC rules committee doesn't.

He did not mention anything about the damage to VA. That would of been nice.

Clinton's internet ad buy was on blog ads which serves to some of the largest sites like Daily Kos, Instapundit, and TPM.
If she wanted to avoid Florida she could have used a different service that allows targeting to specific states. She did not. I do not have a link to proof, but Henry at Blog Ads could easily confirm this. The issue here is not the volume or number of eyeballs. It's the principle of a broad national buy, or a targeted buy. Both Obama and Clinton were making broad national buys. I personally don't think either should be penalized.

"i think he'll seat them if the DNC rules committee doesn't. -- Posted by: Rezdog"

think i wrote a post on this a while back, but i've always thought it might be a clever move for Obama to relent on Fla and Mich, be the leader and uniter of the party. her net delegate gain would not overcome his pledged lead and a lot of superd's would be so relieved that he might see a bunch of them endorse him

Although I know the aol poll is skewed to the elderly,today's new poll shows
Hillary 69%
Barrack 31%

Weeks ago the difference was only about 4%
At least it shows a trend in the older vote against Obama
Ruth

no, maven the issue here is not whether the candidates were making broad national buys. The issue is one of rules, specifically whether the "internet, or electronic advertising [ ] reaches a significant percentage of the voters in the aforementioned state." That inescapably boils down to volume or number of eyeballs. One could make a broad national buy in any number of publications - whether print or electronic - including the ones you mentioned, that would not reach a significant percentage of voters in FL or any other state for that matter, and those buys would not violate that provision of the rules. FL & MI hits are tracked, I'm pretty certain, and could establish whether the rules were breached. (note that there is some wiggle in the rules - e.g. what is the threshold for "significant percentage?)

"Fact: more people have voted for Hillary in the primaries that have already been held than have voted for Obama."

Above from wendy.

As too Wendy's comment about Hillary winning more votes in Primaries should be the determining factor I assume that she's saying that the other 30 States that Obama won shouldn't count.

She would disenfranchise the voters of those 30 States because Hillary won more Primary only states.

Wendy don't won't everyones vote to count.

God Bless.

And pogo...
How many dictatorships did we set up whom oppressed their people. Quite a few I believe. Shah of Iran anyone. How about Afghanistan? There are many others so did America through its Foreign Policies commit terrorists acts against other nations who didn't agree with our policies? I believe so.

And didn't our Government inject syphilis into black army soldiers to see what the long term damage would be if left untreated? I think that's what the Rev. Wright was talking about with the Tuskegee soldiers, though I could be wrong.

And yes I do believe that our Government is capable of harming our own citizens.

God Bless.

u

"Clinton's internet ad buy was on blog ads which serves to some of the largest sites like Daily Kos, Instapundit, and TPM."

ummmm I was a frequent visitor to both TPM and Daily Kos pre-FL and ummmm NO Hillary ads - they both only run OBAMA ads. So rules you need to really find another argument or produce PROOF that Hillary ads ran on "Obama's Talking Points Memo" or the "Daily Obama".

and Anon-P - No what I'm saying is that in all the contests held to date more people have voted for Hillary than have voted for Obama. That is a fact! And yes, I believe ALL votes should count not just the one's Obama and his supporters pick and choose.

AP, I'm not sure why that was directed to me, but I believe that as well. History is, after all, a teacher.

"Strictly speaking, if the DNC rules were tightly construed in this case, Hillary Rodham Clinton would receive half of the Florida delegates she won and Obama would receive none -- the penalty for violating the campaign ban."

Yeah right!

Craig,

"cant say for a fact that there weren't others, just havent found any yet. "

Call the cable company and ask who placed the buy. For this large an enterprise there is usually only one broker used for the placement of all advertising throughtout the campaign, unless Sen. Obama has his own advertising departmentt or a buyer on staff.

You still might have a problem getting the information if the broker has a non disclosure agreement with the client or if it is part of the operation rules, but it's worth a try if you really need to know.

The DNC ruled that Florida and Michigan were out. Now, the Clinton people are trying to put them back in, in such a way as to Put Hillary ahead in delegate count. This stinks.

I don't object to finding some way to give Florida & Michigan a delegation, but I do object trying to "fix' the numbers so that Hillary, who is losing, ends up the "winner."

Any attempt to overturn the legitimate primary results and fix the nomination in favor of the #2 candidate will tear the party apart, but neither Hillary, nor her supporters seem to care. And the MSM, sensing a ratings-boosting "drama" is gleefully encouraging them to carry out this self-destructive plan.

I see the voice of reason has shown up. (Note, this statement may be offered in either a straightforward or sarcastic manner, applying in each sense to 1 of 2 people who have just now appeared. I leave it to you to determine how and to whom it applies).

quoting "Henry from Blog ads"

More anonymous bullcrap from the Obama campaign

How often have we heard.."unidentified Democrats" when really quoting some Obama shill.

Rules Maven
My Mom says you are full it.

I see the voice of reason has shown up. (Note, this statement may be offered in either a straightforward or sarcastic manner, applying in each sense to 1 of 2 people who have just now appeared. I leave it to you to determine how and to whom it applies).

Sorry - message said first post (at 12:30) didn't go.

k

Brian: I can't figure out whether...

(1) Clinton really believes she can steal the nomination through sleazy manipulation of the rules, and still win the general election, or...

(2) She is just trying to weaken Obama so McCain will win and she can run in 2012.

Either explanation fits her behavior.

What do you think?

Dear Sockpuppet

"Brian: I can't figure out whether
What do you think?" Nash

The CNN share of the audience in Florida is not going to be too substantial. In terms of actual reach they might pull 2 or 3 share at their highest rated hour. Most of the day they hardly even register. That's not exactly substantial. A big web buy and a CNN buy are not all that different. Most normal people in Florida are watching Criminal Minds - just like the rest of America.

Clinton's were willing to have revotes in Mi.And Fla.but Obama said no.Now I don't see where he has the power to decide who should be able to vote.That should have been up to the DNC.His outcome of new elections would have been better than the original.But then his campaign has been against everyone getting a chance to vote,witness the caucuses.Voting in those states were skewed to favor Obama.If he doesn't want everyone to vote in primary you can be sure they won't vote for him in general
Ruth

nash it's fun to discuss, but I doubt that it will happen - Dean has staked his ground, drawn his line in the sand, and the outcome is predetermined. But by all means continue to give the finger to Florida democrats so that in the Obama presidential election travel log we can hear the narator say, "And as we climb in to the blue, we wave a fond 'Goodbye' to Florida voters for the the 2008 presidential election."

Craig I have this theory that every time you get bored you do a thread about FL and MI so you can watch your loyal Clintonista growl and snarl.

Tomorrow is the Post Position draw and I'll let you know where they end up. Need final choices by Friday morning

Adriano
Anak Nakal - Renee
Big Brown - Rezdog
Big Truck - Renee
Bob Black Jack -
Colonel John
Cool Coal Man - Jamie
Court Vision - EdVb
Cowboy Cal - Whiskey Jack
Denis of Cork
Eight Belles
Gayego
Monba
Pyro
Recapturetheglory
Smooth Air
Tale Of Ekati
Visionaire
Z Fortune
Z Humor

"EXCLUSIVE: Senator Hillary Clinton to appear for the first time ever on FOX NEWS' 'The O'Reilly Factor' Wednesday night..."

http://drudgereport.com/

Apparently water does seeks it's own level.

Rules, "A big web buy and a CNN buy are not all that different." Thank you for that fact from the BBFF.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/04/where-the-dem-rules-really-lea.html#comment-74297

ok brian you got me, i confess to the bored part at least

jamie, i like the sound of "Colonel John" -- put me down for him

Obama Legitimizes FOX by Failing to Confront Them

Barack Obama didn’t call out FOX for what they are — a Republican propaganda outlet — when he appeared on FOX News Sunday to talk to Chris Wallace. Unfortunately, this means Obama, the Democrats, and American democracy lost.

Obama did a respectable job answering Wallace’s light/medium-biased questions, but he didn’t go after FOX the way his campaign claimed Obama would in a Friday statement to Talking Points Memo. Instead, he made the error of treating the interview as if it was actually an interview, not an ambush staged by enemies committed to destroying him. Because FOX had two main goals for Obama’s appearance: to further the appearance that FOX is actually a news organization and to gather ammunition against Obama.

http://foxattacks.com/

the anti fox web site

Craig - Got it. You have Garrett Gomez as the jockey and he is wonderful. If you want to look at the horse, here he is

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2008/contenders/colonel-john

Jamie, I'll take Visionaire. "What's with the 'vision' thing?"

Pogo....
are you asking "for whom the bells toll?"...... ROFL....

this debate gets funnier and funnier everyday....

Craig..... it's obvious that you are a bad, bad boy today......
no appletinis for you......

whskyjack..... see a dentist..... unfortunately, toothaches don't go away no matter how much advil or tylenol one uses....

and YES..... I saw Bushy's press conference..... I like to count how many times he says "the American people have got to understand"..... I lost track today..... and this American person understands very clearly that he's hitting the sauce again......

There has been no bigger hoe for Hillary Clinton than Craig "Yes I'm A Bigot Just Like My Buddy Don Imus" Crawford. SHAME ON YOU!

Denis of Cork

Like I said last week, Obama-ites are already setting the stage to blame Hil'ry if he gets the nom but can't pull it out in the general.

nash wrote - "Her goal now is to weaken Obama so McCain wins."

He IS a weak candidate; she did not make him weak. What's with the victim mentality? He hasn't got much of a record, hasn't flushed out his plan for "change," and increasingly, has ties to people/entities that will be a problem for many voters. He would take the credit for a win, so he must also take it for a loss.

Move over Harold Ickes and Lanny Davis I'm Craig Crawford and I can be a bigger hoe for Hill than even you two hacks!

Eprof2

Here's Visionaire

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2008/contenders/visionaire

Bill,

If you must insult your host in a way that even the other Obama supporters do not, would you please pick a different last name for an alias.

Besmirching "Chapman" around here is not a good idea.

LOLOLOLOLOL

Call 911

Bill Chapman is over dosed on Koolaid

It could be fatal

LOLOLOLOLOL

Thanks for this post, Craig. Sorry that some of the Obama people can't deal with facts.

Life's not fair, and it's a tragedy to see Obama sink because of Wright and bittergate. I hope to see him run again in 2012 or 2016, but right now, his candidacy is not worth the risk (in my view the probability) that McCain would win the electoral college if he is the Dem candidate. If you don't like Hillary, fine--get behind a Gore candidacy, but it's time for the Obama supporters to face the fact that while Obama can probably win the popular vote, there is no way he can win the electoral college without Fla, Ohio, Missouri, NH, WV, possibly even PA in the win column for him. He is sinking fast, and maybe that's for the best.

We should be thanking Craig Crawford for his objective analysis and honesty. It's pseudo-journalists like Arianna Huffington, Keith Olbermann, and Chris Matthews that gave Obama the pass he needed through Super Tuesday to be this close to winning the nomination and making John McCain president.

put something on Big Brown...

to Anon-para
The US did not inject anyone with syphilis. What happened was that a group of black men with syphilis were chosen for study of possible cures at a time when there were no known cures--just a bunch of treatments that were felt to be bogus.
At some point during this lengthy experiment, it was found that antibiotic treatment was effective in curing syphilis. At that point the government could have discontinued the experiment and offered treatment to all the men. It did not.
This was shameful and inexcusable. It was also well documented. As Pastor Wright is an educated man, he must be aware of the truth; but his distrust of his own country is such that he cannot believe it.
My question about Obama and Wright is...did Obama sit in that church for 20 years because he too believes that America is guilty of innumerable sins, or did he sit there because he thought he could not afford to break with TUCC politically, or--given his upbringing (remember he didn't reach urban America until he was about 25 or so) did he just not know?

Who knew Gov. Easley is a homophobe, learn something new everyday.

Emmy - Big Brown it is. Beautiful horse with Kent Desormeux up.

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2008/contenders/big-brown

Hello Craig,

I see that your ability to read rules is a little weak. Let me help.

Section 20(C)(5) states: "Nothing in the preceding subsections of this rule shall be construed to prevent the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee from imposing additional sanctions..."

In other words, the 50% reduction is a MINIMUM reduction, but the Rules and Bylaws Cmte can impose a more severe penalty.

Section 20(C)(1)(b) states: "'Campaigning' for purposes of this section includes, but is not limited to, purchasing print, internet, or electronic advertising that reaches a significant percentage of the voters in the aforementioned state; hiring campaign workers; opening an office; making public appearances; holding news conferences; .... The Rules and Bylaws Committee will determine whether candidate activities are covered by this section."

In other words, it is up to the Rules and Bylaws Cmte to determine if the ads in question reached a significant %'age of voters in the state, or if talking to the reporters unannounced constituted a public appearance or news conference. Under the rule, no one but the Rules and Bylaws Cmte can make that determination. Please feel free to file a complaint, but until the Rules and Bylaws Cmte has made a determination, there is no violation. And BTW, we all know exactly what the Rules and Bylaws Cmte will decide: that the ads did not reach a significant %'age of the voters in the state, and that talking to the reporters impromptu and unannounced did not constitute a public appearance or a news conference.

Next time, please do your homework before you publish this crap.

renee, I assume that refers to my 12:45? No, I never expect Hemingway. But I always liked those travelogues - and they always seemed to be leaving in a prop driven puddle jumper.

blue, you are out of your mind. He doesn't do acceptance of blame well. But he sure will let his surrogates assign blame.

There are lots of angry, frightened Obama supporters posting today..

Perhaps the most idiotic observation is that Senator Clinton is tring to damage Obama so he will lose and she will win in 2012. What garbage!!!!

Hillary is "in it to win it".

It is becoming abundantly clear each day that here
winning this year is becoming more probable each day.

Obamamaniacs , pretending that he has the nomination in the bag, are not in touch with reality.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/29/hillary-clinton-to-appear-on-the-oreilly-factor/

I'm off to telephone for Hillary.

Have a nice day.

Next she could on hannity's show

The same could be ask of all those who continue to attend church at Falwell, Hagee, Dobson, Robertson's churches as well.

I suppose you never heard your pastor say anything that you disagreed with as your comment would give one that impression.

After all I'm sure many of us have heard pastors say things they didn't agree with, but never left their church because of it.

However, you may be the exception to the rule.

God Bless.

Does this mean FOX may be changing to Fair and Balanced after all?

u

OD: You may think the idea that Clinton wants to weaken Obama so that McCain wins is "garbage" but Jim Clyburn, House Majority Whip and the leading black Democrat in Congress, has said that that is what the MAJORITY of black people believe.

But what the hell do they know, right?

Vadaryl

Don't get your hopes up. I think FOX is just enjoying tweaking MSNBC now that it has become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Obama campaign.

CNN is glad to get back the viewers it lost to MSNBC.

Once the election is over, they will all go back to No News all the time.

I was surprised to see this entry, because usually what you say is accurate. Clinton also did fundraisers in Florida before the primary, and she also talked to reporters. Both of those things were allowed under the rules, although that definitely leaves room for interpretation whether something qualified as campaigning.

"Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is in the state of Florida for private fundraisers. Because Florida displeased the Democratic Party by moving its primary to Jan. 29 the delegates won't count and candidates have pledged not to campaign here, but attending fundraisers is allowed." (source: AHN)

"In addition, Clinton (NY) has reportedly been getting little sleep as she crisscrosses the country campaigning. She flew into Sarasota, FL on Sunday for the first of the fundraisers she is attending and announced that she will stay in the state through Tuesday night to thank her supporters for voting for her after the votes are tallied." (source: AHN)

Also, the Obama campaign sought and was granted legitimacy for the national ad buy. The campaign asked for the Florida feed of that ad buy to be barred, but the networks said they could not technically accomplish that. There was an official waiver, according to the rules.

It's definitely too bad, because both campaigns got some exposure in Florida before the vote, too bad because it allows for this to be one more area in which clear bright lines don't exist and therefore can be spun.

But the conclusion of the original article that Obama violated the rules is not true and is easily proven so.

I knew it was just a dream, but Obama on Sunday and Hillary twice in one week. Yah Keith still has it right The FOX Noise Channel. Just doing it for ratings since she is hot right now.

Barack Obama’s Latest Pastor Problem: Anti-Gay Rev. James T. Meeks
Op-Ed




Duane Wells | 4/01/2008 | 0:00:00
Just as the dust surrounding Sen. Barack Obama’s long-term association with controversial minister Rev. Jeremiah Wright has begun to settle comes new reports of the democratic presidential hopeful’s connection to another racially divisive public figure—the stridently homophobic Rev. James T. Meeks, an Illinois state senator who also serves as the pastor of Chicago’s 22,000 member strong Salem Baptist Church.

Described in a 2004 Chicago Sun Times article as someone Barack Obama regularly seeks out for “spiritual counsel”, James Meeks, who will serve as an Obama delegate at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver

http://www.gaywired.com/NewsArticle.cfm?Section=66&id=18614&CFID=21546521&CFTOKEN=37822081