Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

I-zot

Good morning Sturgeon -- Are you the only up here?

Good morning Sturgeone! Are you the only one up here?

I may be..................no, there's the cat......

Cute video Craig! So, on C-Span is the director also he make-up person? You didn't get the air-brush treatment that Hillary gets? (This is how she manages to look so amazing after long hours of stumping.)

Well, you looked great anyway! It was a long night -- and today is a new day -- another day closer to the weekend. Yay!

The server still seems to be overworked -- or it's "working to the rule" which is the teacher version of "Blue Flu."

RE the delay in the vote count last night in Lake County's Gary precincts -- to some extent I share Craig's skepticism that the delays were on purpose. My doubts were tempered when the Hammond Mayor and Hillary supporter, Thomas McDermott, was quizzed about the cause of the delay. Hammond, IN is also in Lake County. Mayor McDermott really stood up for the county election workers, insisting that they were overwhelmed with the number of absentee ballots that had to be hand counted and were just trying to do a thorough and accurate job. Mayor McDermott's remarks went a long way for me to draw a connection to the all the close calls and recounts that I've seen in my own county. So I agree with those who were suspicious -- that was my first thought too -- but McDermott's insistence that nothing shady was going on put me more at ease with the situation.

I think we should keep an eye on Thomas McDermott. He might be a rising political star. He certainly carries himself well on TV, late at night and under high-pressure questioning.

The Repubs are pushing the elitist description of Obama and using SNOBama. All this fits into a narrative that will cause serious down ticket damage to Dems if he gets the nomination. Have been hearing (from Hannity & others) that the Clinton campaign may drop a "scandal" bomb on Obama. They have been reluctant to do this because of the turmoil it would create within the Dem Party - no decision has been made yet. The justification would be - if we don't do it now, the Repubs would hit Obama with it in October.

Well it was a short pleasant trip on the "Hillary can do this" bus, but the destination ended up a little different than hoped for.

Congratulations to the Obama supporters.

Jason, Patsi

Another c-note is on the way. And, I'm pleased for Obama supporters.

um, yeah. too early to say anything worthwhile. the on-set snackage made me hungry for breakfast. i could probably use a bunch of that air-brush makeup, too!

Last night's winners: John McCain...and Hil'ry in 2012.

Every word out of BO's mouth about this country was just so much baloney; too little, too late. Just like he had to be cornered on the Rev. Wright issue, he does not love this country. The GOP is gonna have a field-day with him. MoJo & co seem to have forgotten about that this morning.

He may argue that a tax holiday would be made up by the oil companies or retailers raising the prices, off-setting any relief. (And that was only Hil'ry's short-term relief; read her plan.) However, one could argue that reduced consumption could also be off-set by a price increase; more per unit equals no loss for the big guys. What we need are viable alternatives & I'm not talkin' bio-fuel.

This is a disaster of the Dems' own making. Hello, Prez McCain.

good morning gang....

yup..... congrats to the Obama supporters.....
it does look like your man is gonna be the nominee.....

I kept switching the channel over to CSpan during commercial breaks from the ball games..... but never managed to see Craig.....

on a happier personal note..... both the Red Sox and the Celtics scored wins last night......

and Alicia..... I was an election official in my little town for 24 yrs...... we now have an optical scan vote count machine..... but I remember many a really late night trying to count votes by hand as accurately as possible..... it's hard to do when you've been at the polls since 6:30am and it's now 3am the following day.....

how does someone receive half a superdelegate?

Nice video, Craig! Did they keep the snacks coming?

Was the flag at c-span really in a state of disrepair? I dislike it when people fly the flag for whatever message they think it will send, then don't bother changing it when they should. No flag is better than torn flag.

Sheila,

I'm unsurprised that you have no answer except don't worry.
It seems to be the fashion amoung Obama supporters.

Good night

Jack

Posted by: Whskyjack | May 7, 2008 12:35 AM

Jack my dear,

I'm not sure what you are talking about, but not being a rude woman, I'd like to help. ;0) Want to ask again? But I warn you, I've had a migraine for two days, I'm on the other side I think, but it still isn't too good. I may disapear again.

....email me at chefstonesheila at geemale dot com

And.....Congrats on all you Clinton Supporters.

She definitely IS a wonderful candidate and I think she would be a superior Partner on a can't beat ticket.

Too bad no one believes in that one.

Gordo - They had just as well let the cat out of the bag on BO, otherwise, the GOP will do it for them.

I mentioned this about MO on a previous thread - wonder how people will respond if it gets coverage (would not bet on that).

Title of article: "I want to rip Bill Clinton's eyes out. Kidding! See, that's what gets me into trouble"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/may/04/barackobama

She doesn't belong in the #2 spot; she is clearly the more capable leader. She doesn't need to be on a losing ticket; it would taint her chances for 2012.

Blue,

Have a good day and try to keep your food down too.

For all you McCain people, here we go!

Obama to hit general election states

Carrie Budoff Brown e-mails that with only a handful of states left to vote in the primary election, Sen. Barack Obama will spend at least some of his time over the next month campaigning in general election states, chief strategist David Axelrod said Tuesday night.

“I don’t think we are doing to spend our time solely in primary states,” Axelrod said aboard the campaign plane from Raleigh, N.C., to Chicago.

When asked whether that means Obama will campaign in general election states, he said: “I guess you can infer that from what I said.”

Axelrod said the campaign would still visit each of the remaining primary states, but there is limited ground yet to cover. There are more undecided superdelegates up for grabs than pledged delegates in the remaining states.

“Sen. McCain has basically run free for some time now,” Axelrod said. “Everybody is eager to get on with this. We are not going to take anything for granted. But we are also going to spend time addressing broader issues.”

mornin' all.

Yup, the battle is pretty much over - but not quite. How do I know, you ask. Because Bill and Hillary are blanketing WV for the next few days. I think it's just to go out on a high note, though. I didn't watch coverage last night, other than quick checks during time outs in the Cavs-Celtics game. All I can say is I hope the Cavs can take one in Boston - close last night, but as they say, no cigar.

Anyway, Obama better cinch up his chain mail - he's getting ready to find out why he'll need it. Congrats to him and his supporters.

"how does someone receive half a superdelegate?"

Sturgeone,

Guam gets 8 delegates with 1/2 vote each at the convention even though they don't get to vote in the Presidential election. Apparently the vote was such that one of those delegates got split.

For You Pogo,

Why Hillary Won’t Drop Out

http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/trailhead/

In tonight’s Deathwatch, I asked, “Clinton pledged to stay in the race. The question is, why?”

The answer is pretty clear, I now realize, if you look at the upcoming primary calendar. Next Tuesday, West Virginia votes. Polls are sparse, but Clinton is expected to win. A week later comes Kentucky, where Clinton has a massive lead, and Oregon, where Obama is favored. That’s two potentially wide victories for Clinton in two weeks.

It won’t help her numbers much. West Virginia and Kentucky have only 99 delegates combined (pledged and unpledged), while Oregon has 65, so she isn’t going to rack up many delegates. Likewise, she won’t significantly close Obama’s popular-vote lead.

But for Clinton, the nomination isn’t about numbers anymore.

Good to know that we are smarter than Limpaw followers.....

By the numbers, the case does not look so good for 'Operation Chaos'

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/

Renee -- We have optical scanners here and recently had to add one Diebold electronic machine at each precinct for ADA compliance. The election officials keep shooing people to the electronic machines because they don't want to have to mess with paper ballots. We always refuse and go with paper. The trick is when you have some weird situations like a write-in that cannot be read by the machines.

We just got through a school board race here in which there was a write-n candidate -- a major challenge ensued when the write-in lost -- largely because people didn't write in the man's full legal name as it appeared on the ballot. The election offiicials were up all night with that one -- checking the boxes, retrieving the ballots, counting each one by hand -- setting aside the error ballots. It was a mess. I am not an official -- I am a party observer -- and I felt sorry for the officials who'd been going since 4:30 am and it was past midnight before they were done -- and then not completely done because a recount followed. The recount was followed by a law suit, it just stretched on and on and on.....

I just wanted to put a nail on his so called Unelectability. Barely losing in Inidiana is a big message.

Clinton's argument—that Obama is a flawed candidate who can't win white, working-class Democrats—also loses its punch with tonight's returns. The last few weeks have been the roughest of Obama's candidacy, with the Return of Wright, the "cling" thing, and questions about his patriotism. None of that appears to have severely damaged him today. Meanwhile, Indiana is only 8.9 percent African-American. To an extent, demography is still destiny, as it has been in previous contests: Clinton won 60 percent of whites, and Obama won 92 percent of blacks. But Clinton by no means owned lower-income voters—in fact, Obama won the poorest group of voters. Superdelegates may have been concerned that Obama would be abandoned in states like Indiana in the general election—even though there's no evident relationship between winning states in the primaries and winning them in the general. This vote should put that concern to bed

Well,

Rest up people, we still have till June to finish this Primary. Pogo, its your turn!

Thanks, She - I heard some "analyst" on Hannity on the way home yesterday who mentioned Huckabee hanging around too. Of course, I'm not in a position to say anything to Hillary or her campaign, but being equated to Huckleberry would be enough to make me get out.

OH! Before I go....

Congratulations to Dog, our ground pounding Obama Pooch in North Carolina! Great Show!!!!

Pogo,

I would NEVER equate Clinton to Huckabee.....ever. It must have been a Republican on FOX for sure.

OK OK - Zogby was right (at least about NC) and technically he was w/in the margin of error (I think) on IN so I take it all back.

Looks like Brian wins the prediction prize for last night coming the closest.

I still sent Hillary a few bucks this morning - just so she'll keep going to vex Obama supporters that want her to quit.

;-)

Since Obama has run such a dirty campaign (with the help of MSM, which gave him cover), he really does deserve to be taken down by the Clinton campaign - if they have anything on him. Give it to the Repubs, let's see how the Loony Left likes that. Obama is constantly playing the Race Card - you're a racist if you criticize him or don't vote for him.

She, since the nominating committee doesn't meet until 5/31, and Clinton is banking on it solving the MI/FL kerfuffle, I figure the contests will indeed continue. Of course, Clinton is meeting with her SDs today, and that could affect her plans from this point forward, but in a resigned rather than enthusiastic way. In the 10 minutes of MSNBC coverage I watched last night, Mathews and Olberman were talking about how the candidates might agree to end this for all practical purposes. I think we're in a death watch now.

Morning Peeps.

She, it was indeed some repug sounding analyst, although I didn't recognize the name, and what with my CRS and all, can''t remember it..

"She doesn't need to be on a losing ticket; it would taint her chances for 2012."

BnD I'm with you on this one. Part of me wants her on VP ticket and part of me wants the Dems to just go ahead and shoot themselves (Kerry) again so Hillary can run in 2012.

Besides the electability question-I think there is still a lot out there to figure out and I think the Repubs will do just that-I also have problems with Obama personally as I think he's snowing everyone about who he really is and what he really believes. I also think he'll make a lousy President because he is 1) only looking out for himself and 2) he's indecisive and naive - he's really another George Bush if you ask me.

Running mate is going to be key - there are a couple of people including Hillary that might make me go ahead and mark his name off but he alone as a candidate at this point isn't enough to make me do it.

Pogo,

I know. Its a classic wait right now, but the most important time is now for Senator CLinton. Now is the time to start the "Classy, Magnanimous" phase and to start stitiching the wounds for Obama.

Beyond what everyone here thinks, I still think an Obama/Clinton ticket would be unbeatable. But I'll take an Obama/Webb or Obama/Clark or Obama Feingold (my personal endulgance)

Now I really have to take a shower and get moving....oh my aching head. ;0)

But before I go I want to say something. This has been a long year for all of us.

I would like to say to all of you Clinton people. I have managed to get beyond all the demonization of Clinton this year by remembering that most of what was written about her was invented by very biased people.

So my point is to all of you....the same point. 99.9% of all the crap I've seen written by you guys was written by some blog or really Biased person against Obama. This is politics.

While there are some experienced new people here, I can tell that most are new to this crazy process and I understand your love for candidate and your hurt.

Take the next couple of weeks to get over it so we can come together.

Find the middle ground inside, so you can come together with the rest of us. Just like we would do with you, if the results were reversed.

Time to mend. Because BOTH candidates don't deserve the angry vitriol that has been seriously aparent here and everywhere.

I would HATE to see Hillary book passage on the Titanic.

Sheila:

I heard someone say an Obama/Webb ticket would be out of the question because they need him to stay put in VA - I guess they think that's a seat they couldn't get back if he went. I also think Obama/Clark is out of the question.

The tickets that would make me get on board might look like

Obama/Clinton (of course)

Obama/Biden (?)

Obama/Edwards (but that's a long shot I think)

Patsi

LOL

Wendy,

I love all of those. We have so many brilliant people in this party, we are going to shine this year! See ya later.

The following is from the national review. I can't believe a 12 year old would be thinking about this.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OGQ1MzFkMWU4MmYxMjhkZmNiZGE5YWY3NWUzNGMyMmY=&w=MA==

THEY GET FRUSTRATED!” yells a man in the audience.

That’s right, Obama says. And that frustration leaves people isolated and afraid, and then “we pass on all that negative energy to the next generation.” She tells the story of a ten-year-old girl she met in Newberry, S.C., before that state’s primary. “It was in a little beauty shop, and we were having a rally — it was me and a bunch of women and a couple of brothers,” she recalls. After the rally, the girl came up to her and said, with great seriousness, “Do you realize when your husband becomes the next president of the United States, it will be historical?”

Everybody laughs; what a cute thing for a child to say. But then Obama asked the little girl what that would mean for her. “It means that I can imagine anything for myself,” the girl said.

The crowd begins to applaud; they think they’re hearing a happy, inspiring story. But that’s not where Mrs. Obama is going.

“And then that little girl started to break down in tears,” she continues. “She sobbed so hard. She was crying big, huge tears. And I had to think, why is this little girl crying so hard? And I thought, you know what’s going on? This little old girl gets it.”

“Yeah — ”

“This little ten-year-old girl knows what’s at stake.”

“That’s right — ”

“She knows that she’s already five steps behind — “

“Mmm-huh — ”

“She knows that her hopes for college are already dwindling — ”

“Yes — ”

“She knows that if she gets sick, maybe has an asthma attack, instead of going to a doctor and being treated, she’s going to be sitting in an emergency room for hours on end.”

“That’s right — ”

In short, Obama says, the little girl, just ten, knows that the bar has been moved far away from her, and she “feels that veil of impossibility, and it is suffocating her.”

“This little girl is in all of us,” Obama concludes.

“Mmm-huh — ”

I don't see Hillary as a VP - I don't think that's her ambition. She has some considerable and growing power in the senate, and the Dem leadership is likely to turn over this year. And 2012 isn't that far down the road. If Obama doesn't win in the Fall and McCain makes hash of the country, that remains an option for her.

To shine you need to truly come to the middle, that WAS HRC....
BHO - who knows where he stands.
McCain is a true centrist - he is not a right winger.

If BHO can not prove to come to the middle then McCain with the correct choice for VP is a stronger choice for those that will think beyond blinded party lines and get over their hate for Bush.

By this tone sounds like HRC is toast -

let me rephrase... Do not get over the hate for Bush, But do not attach this to McCain. they are very different

McCain / Romney 08
Would that not be great

Now off to work in my evil capitalistic make your way and contribute do not take society

Pong and Romney sitting in a tree, k i s s i n g

What is this love affair you're having with Romney?

If I had to make a prediction about the VP today I'd say Wes Clark, but I don't think we'll know for at least a month who it will be.

Ping, I guess it's almost time for your return to argue the Rep side here. You on board? How about Fry? He's been conspicuously absent of late.

Ping, I guess it's almost time for your return to argue the Rep side here. You on board? How about Fry? He's been conspicuously absent of late.

oops

MSNBC just reported the Hillary loaned her campaign another 6.4 million dollars last month, Wolfson just confirmed it.

I'll tell you what I find really interesting is how right on the money Drudge was about the outcome in NC. I'd love to know how they came up with that 15% number.

Democrats in th Senate are going to introduce their energy bill today. So far the Republicans are winning the pr war on action on consumer prices.

Democrats need to focus on Iraq and its impact on the economy. Handing Bush the biggest war budget ever with no timelines is just giving McCain another hand up.

I was wondering the same thing. Drudge reported that at 6:30 in the morning, I think it was 14 then they changed it to 15%

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashnc.htm

Brian, Drudge even had the bit about the loan first this morning. Mornin' All!!

One of the things I'm hoping Obama does over the next few weeks is tie the war issue to the economy. It really needs to be driven home just how much the economy down turn is linked to the war and our cash dollars being sucked into the sink hole of Iraq.

Yeah I saw that too Jenn.

JennBe, welcome back. Ready to start doing pitched battles with a bunch of dems? (Fair warning - if the word repug offends you (and it'snotreally meant to,and is mostly applied to republican oficeholders and wannabes), you might not like it here once the battle lines are drawn between the parties rather than betwen the dem candidates.)

I wonder what the legalize will be of Obama helping out with Hillary's debt. I know when Edwards signed on as Kerry's VP the Kerry campaign did not pick up Edwards campaign debt but that was only about a million dollars.

The most important component for energgy savings in in the Farm Bill

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48746988_feingold-backed-effort-prevent-energy-market-manip
In a February 2008 letter urging inclusion of the Senate-passed provision in the final Farm Bill, Feingold and others stated, “With energy prices at or near record high levels, farmers and foresters are struggling to fill their tractors, heat their homes, fertilize their crops, and transport their goods to market. It is critical that the Congress take advantage of this opportunity on the Farm Bill to increase transparency and reduce the threats of manipulation and excessive speculation that have plagued our energy commodity markets over the past several years.”

Republicans are now calling for a moratorium on the ethenol production they passed last year.

Did Hillary cancel her rally in WVA or is it still on. Anybody heard if she has said anything about quitting this morning.

Gordo - They had just as well let the cat out of the bag on BO, otherwise, the GOP will do it for them.

Posted by: blueINdallas | May 7, 2008 7:37 AM

BnD, but won't MSM shoot the messenger? HRC would be demonized more than ever. Whatever skeleton is out there has to be outed by others or HBO himself.

"I don't see Hillary as a VP - I don't think that's her ambition. She has some considerable and growing power in the senate, and the Dem leadership is likely to turn over this year. And 2012 isn't that far down the road. If Obama doesn't win in the Fall and McCain makes hash of the country, that remains an option for her."

I'm inclined to agree with you and Patsi does have a good point about the Titanic. LOL.

Vadaryl:

Her webiste still lists public events, but here is a news story I found:

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-05-07-0210.html

BTW something that has not been mentioned yet, a lot of the credit for Obama's candidacy goes to us, the blogisphere. Ok not a lot you around here, but you get what I mean.

vad, they announced her rally in Shepardstown while I was driving in this morning, as well as about a half dozen stops for Bill, so I assume it's still on.

Sorry, but I just read what is IMHO a classic exhange betweeena lawyer and a witness.

Lawyer: Were there other __ products that you ued that you don't recall?

Witness: Not to my recollection, no.

Sorry, but I take my humor where I find it.

It 's all about Ohio in the general election.

vadaryl MSNBC said she's going to show up at the WV rally this morning after all.

Sorry Buckeye Bob,

But its all about the people in the GE. Always about the people.

The people can change accepted Democratic margins of error and the accepted "Big" State Theory.

Forgot to include the map

http://www.270towin.com/

It was amusing to watch conservative pundits slam Clinton for supporting McCain's gas tax holiday.

With the large amount of republican crossover that has taken place, I would not count that out for the General either.

Hi Pogo, you forgot one thing- I'm for Obama!!! Now if Hillary Clinton ends up on his ticket or he ends up paying her bill, I might have to change my mind.

His speech last night was brillant. My 8 year old in the car this morning heard a part of it and commented that "that was something special, wasn't it Mom?"

Jennbe,

Are you an official Republican Cross over? Welcome Aboard!

TO: Superdelegates

FROM: David Plouffe, Campaign Manager

RE: An Update on the Race for Delegates

DA: May 7, 2008

There are only six contests remaining in the Democratic primary calendar and only 217 pledged delegates left to be awarded. Only 7 percent of the pledged delegates remain on the table. There are 260 remaining undeclared superdelegates, for a total of 477 delegates left to be awarded.

With North Carolina and Indiana complete, Barack Obama only needs 172 total delegates to capture the Democratic nomination. This is only 36 percent of the total remaining delegates.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/obama-memo-to-superdelegates/

Some of the Obama supporters want to "BELIEVE" so much that they have lost touch with reality and demographic voting patterns.

GORDO,

Only Time Will Tell Bud. ;0)

Buckeye - great map. toggle between 88 & 92 and 96 & 00, and it may not be all about OH, although that is a critical state. PA, MO, IA, NH, even GA (warren) have switched from red to blue or blue to red in those elections. And if you can stand the excitement, switch between 84 and 96. I believe that if a candidate can win OH, PA, FL & MI, they win the GE, although it can be done without winning all of them (GWB won only 2 of the 4).

Gordo, it's over, time to move on.

Gordo - They had just as well let the cat out of the bag on BO, otherwise, the GOP will do it for them.
Posted by: blueINdallas | May 7, 2008 7:37 AM

BnD, but won't MSM shoot the messenger? HRC would be demonized more than ever. Whatever skeleton is out there has to be outed by others or BO himself.
Posted by: patd | May 7, 2008 9:54 AM

I agree with blueINdallas and patd that someone like a Biden or Gore who might be able to withstand the blowback should speak out if indeed there is something bad against BO that's verifiable and will be used as an October surprise.

Anyone who realistically thinks that Grampa Munster can pull more than 40% of the vote in the general needs to send me an ounce of whatever they are smoking!

Yes Sheila, I'm an Obamacan. I won't change my party affiliation or anything that drastic.

Pogo

The only time Democrats have won Southern States is with a southerner at the top of the ticket.

pogo:

Don't forget SC, NC and VA. McCain will probably only win West Virgina, Kentucky and Utah.

As it should be Jennbe.

Vote your conscience. ;0)

Mika is on fire today! Luv it!

Every analyst I have read or heard believes that the Obama "scandals" will only really impact him in a GE campaign where 527s would blanket the country with attack/smear ads. Most people don't follow politics closely - it's amazing how something can be all over the news and they are still unaware.

My second brain (gut feeling) is telling me things changed last night. Although the dems are still divided, the turnout in the process is so impressive. I still hope for a dream team and no matter to the order...with both on the ticket I can't see how the dems can lose.

(Thanks for the reminder to vote in round 2 of the GOP/VP madness.) It sure makes politics so much more fun!

Gordo:

"Some of the Obama supporters want to "BELIEVE" so much that they have lost touch with reality and demographic voting patterns."

Actually, Obama supporters are placing "reality" over "demographic voting patterns."

That is something the people in the Clinton camp just can't get the minds around.

(that conference call with Wolfboy was pathetic - but hey - they are just doing their jobs....)

Those of you calling for HRC to drop out before WV and KY better hope that she can find the means to stay in...having the presumptive nominee lose two states by huge numbers when he is basically running unopposed would not look too good.
And don't suppose that Obama will be able to unite the party. A lot of us old white folks -- especially out here in the western states--don't find McCain all that scary, 'specially if he has to work with a Democratic congress.

JennBe, my apologies. I could have sworn... I guess my CRS is bedevilling me.

Sheila, something I read was debunking the Rep crossover vote this morning They looked at Indiana, and found that 1 in 10 voters in the Dem contest were repub (@125,000), and that Clinton and Obama pretty well split them - a difference of 7000 votes. Don't count those repug chickens before they hatch.

McCain will take the deep the south and Az, nothing else.

Hillary began to run for the general election when she voted for the Iraq war. She moved too far to the right, too early.

She should have moved to the left to win the nomination, and then concentrated on moving to the center to win the general election.

Hey Brian - what do you think about the "down home" "working girl" from "Scranton" donating millions from her private fortune to compete with the "elitist" who has been funding his campaign from small donations since this race started.

And don't suppose that Obama will be able to unite the party. A lot of us old white folks -- especially out here in the western states--don't find McCain all that scary, 'specially if he has to work with a Democratic congress.

Posted by: maggisd | May 7, 2008 10:39 AM

Then I say, "By All Means." Vote for McCain if he is your choice. You are an American and this is your right and responsibility. You would have voted Republican anyway.

Just got an email from the Clinton camp:

HILLARY IS JOINING HER DAUGHTER IN SHEPHERDSTOWN TODAY!
 Join a conversation with HILLARY and CHELSEA today at 11:45am at McMurran Hall, Shepherd University
 German St., Shepherdstown, WV

Can someone give Gordo a set of Lego so he can go play quietly in a corner.

Oh! and maggisd

The party will unite without you.

McCain did not win by 100% in IND or NC either. More than 20% of the vote went to someone else in both states. What's going on with that.

Buckeye, I don't count the southern states as possibilities - they're dead to dems. FL is the only one in play (and anyone from the deep south will tell you that other than the panhandle FL is southern by geography only). GA was only included because of its somewhat belated switch to Rep and heavy Dem voting pop in and around Atlanta. It will go Rep in Nov.

Obama will be able to compete with McCain with evangelicals. (not all of them - but Obama will do better than most Dems - especially because McCain is not strong with the base).

And remember - the one upshot of the "Wright controversey" - at least Obama has a pastor!!

Plus, Obama gets most of Ron Paul's supporters.

(but hey peeps - keep all this quiet. Hopefully Obama will still be the underdog for the general - America loves an underdog!!)

I remember seeing Bill Clinton (in NH, on C-SPAN) trying to get the press to investigate Obama. There has always been the problem of how to get the information to the public without leaving any "fingerprints". The Repub 527s would not have this problem.

Why can't Obama win WVA or KY? If he's that close then she should be able to put the nail in the coffin.

Milton Shapp and Howard Metzenbaum would never have been elected if not for self funding.

Two amazing populist politicians who also happened to have personal wealth.

I see the cheap shot puppet theater is here

Sheila, I see warren, Brian and nash are working hard this morning to get the Clinton supporters to support Obama. Keep up the good work boys.

Gordo:

NEWSFLASH!!

NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING DID NOT WORK IN THE PRIMARY. See, e.g. Romney, Clinton, etc.

Warren that's about as elite as it gets.

If seating Florida and Michigan does not change the lead count for the delegates, what's the point of trying to make it so?

If Hillary can't get the delegates, why continue? Why go further in debt?

I wonder how Hillary's reception in the U.S. Senate will be when she returns. She will have to work side by side by many colleagues who supported Barack and even a few who really turned on her: Ted Kennedy, John Kerry etc. Does anyone know about the working relationships among Dems in the Senate?

pogo:

I just give back what I get and call em like I see em.

If Mccain can forgive Bush for what he did to him then Hillary can forgive the senators too. It's just the way the game is played. Forget about it and move on. That was then this is now.

Vad, he can't win WV or KY because he's black and there is enough racism in both of those states to keep him from winning there. Both were part of the confederacy without formal acts of secession or formal control by the CSA governement (sort of de facto confederate states, although not de jure). And not a lot has changed in either in the past 140 years.

Someone tell George McGovern to shut the f*** up!!

Hillary can do whatever she wants.

(But if Wolfboy keeps up his offensive tactics - I will continue to bring the pain. We Obama-maniacs may be idealists - but we ain't soft!!)

Pogo,

They're guys and this is a race. Its football, a horserace. ;0)

You know the old saying, "Get on now and you can ride in the front of the train, instead of the caboose!"

The guys should tread carefully and let the mourning happen......or even let the Primary FInish

Anything can happen when the clock is ticking.

Someone tell George McGovern to shut the f*** up!!

Hillary can do whatever she wants.

(But if Wolfboy keeps up his offensive tactics - I will continue to bring the pain. We Obama-maniacs may be idealists - but we ain't soft!!)

Maybe Hillary is now staying in the game a little bit longer to help Obama become a better candidate and delay the Rep attack machine for awhile. She may deliver a few blows but not a knock out punch just to keep him honest. Also to keep the interest level up some more and keep the Dems in the news and not much coverage of McCain.

Good one Vadaryl

vadaryl I think NC is going blue in the general, I'm going to be keeping an eye on the polling for the NC senate race, that's going to be very telling.

The GOP's #1 weapon against Obama? Racism.

Since the early 1960s, when Kennedy sent federal troops to the south to help end segregation, the GOP rebuilt itself as the party of racist whites, first the with southern Democrats, and later with northern (urban/suburban ethnic) "Reagan Democrats."

These people were also Hillary's base. The GOP has taken note of how effective her racist tactics were at keeping her alive for months. The same tactics will be far more effective in the general election.

Warren----------------------------

Do you really call that negative campaigning? Warren, you have a lot to learn about how vicious the Right Wing can be when they target someone.

I don't have a problem with Hillary fighting until the end.

I just think the focus of the candidates should be signing up as many new Dem voters as possible - and taking the fight to McCain and the GOP instead of each other.

Who has the NC Senate seat now - Rep or Dem? Is that person rerunning and he/she well liked?

What's George McGovern saying?

GORDO,

now is the time for YOU to bottle your gloom and doom and use it against the Republicans. You could be a very positive force you know.

If Hillary stops her negative campaigning there is value to her staying in, she needs to shift into it about being a Democratic victory in Nov.

Nash, once again you sling the "racist" charge against Hillary. Can you change the needle on the turntable? This broken record is becoming awfully tiresome to listen to.

nash:

Racists were not Hillary's base. Her base was millions of women and millions of working class voters who trust and respect the Clintons.

Most of her base will support Obama against John McCain who would continue Bush's Foreign and Economic policies, would seek to privatize HealthCare and would appoint only anti-Roe v. Wade judges.

ET McGovern called for her to leave the race.

EurTom,

Mc Govern who is a Cinton supporter has urged her publically to pull out for the sake of the party.

This is usual. He's a party elder.

warren...

GORDO's right you know. Just look at how he's attacking Obama all the time.

And congratulations to Hillary and her supporters for her win in Indy.

And I also apologize for my reference to Hillary and Eight Belles. It was mean, but after many of the slams about Obama I just couldn't resist.

God Bless.

"They're guys and this is a race. Its football"

Boys will be boys. Used to excuse so much over the years....

Do you really think this has been a negative campaign? What was so negative about it? Compared to McCain and Rommney? Now that was ugly. If it would of gone on longer who knows what would of happened. Look at what happened in WVA. What do you expect from them? You don't want a lovefest?

I think it would be insane if Mrs Clinton joined an Obama-led ticket. She would have virtually no influence over the direction of the campaign, much less an Obama administration. And, it would effectively destroy her ability to pick up the pieces in 2012, whether she chooses to run or not.

Someone mentioned Wes Clark. He would be an excellent choice--much better than any of the military people I've seen around his campaign.

Personally, I don't believe an Obama administration is in the best long-run interests of our country. Therefore, not that it makes any difference, I won't support his candidacy.

Patsi,

Girls will be girls too. That is not how I was expressing it. ;0)

Rommney spok up this morning.

http://www.yahoo.com/s/875382

Patsi:

The Clinton campaign has been using the same excuse since the "kitchen sink" strategy came out before TX and OH.

It's just "politics"...right?

I sense a lot of "let's forgive & forget & bring the party together to fight McCain" sentiment here today.

I don't think so.

Hillary will NOT work very hard to help Obama. She'll be hoping that he loses so she can run in 2012. She'll go through the motions of supporting him, but it won't go very far. Every few weeks, Bill will make damaging "off the cuff" remarks, and then deny that he said what he said. (We've seen this before.)

Well, what a summer and fall we have to look forward to. Instead of choosing a president, we'll be picking our favorite Menendez Brother.

Wolfson's argument for the Clinton campaign is Obama can not win the White Vote. Bill was not campaigning in Black areas in Indy, but strictly White areas.

The Clinton campaign did not try to win AA voters over to their side. Instead they did all they could to keep the White voters away from Obama.

In the General it will be a different story and Obama will have no problem beating McInsane. That is of course we have elections.

God Bless.

vadaryl Hillary has lost the race, she has to decide under what circumstances and tone she decides to leave the race.

warren, then you're a fool who'd shoot himself in the foot if that's what it takes to say he took a shot, or perhaps you'd cut off your nose to spite your face - you choose the metaphor. I see ADR is not your thing.

Assuming Sheila's right, I'll choose a sports analogy - You're acting like the kid at the soccer game who won't shake the losing team's players' hands - and there usually is one, which is why the winning team seldom gets the sportsmanship award. A few of the losing players couldn't care less, but some say f*ck him and his team - I'm for anyone who plays them. I'm one of the ones who just shrugs his shoulders - and will end up voting for Obama (an empty gesture in WV) since I wouldn't vote for McCain on a bet - for reasons I've explained at length. There are many who, if treated with some modicum of respect, might do the same despite their contrary inclinations. Giving back in victory what you got during the game shows a complete lack of respect and sportsmanship - which is unwarranted in a close game. My money is on them voting for someone else. As you say, I call em like I see em.

No prob, Pogo! I think our party needs a wake up call. McCain is just not the Republican for me. Obama may be too liberal in the long run, but he brings some good back to this process and I'm willing to take a chance.

Man so much to read on the internet today, that I'm not going to get anything done.

Joe and Mika both were pretty hilarious this morning, did anyone see the clip they played from last night's The Jay Leno Show ?

Pogo,

Here here and thank you!

Nash, why accuse anyone until they deserve it? Allow some healing to happen please.

I am betting that an Obama adminstration is going to change a lot of minds. But of course, the proof is in the pudding and its not cooked yet.

I don't agree that Hillary won't work hard for Obama, yah she may have her eye on 2012 but let's not forget that who could be on the supreme court if McCain get's in. Also the Hillary supporters who say today they won't vote for BHO. Can't forget about the court selections and that could be the game breaker and change their minds.

"Hillary will NOT work very hard to help Obama. "

Nash, that's the same lie that your crowd was leveling at Bill about John Kerry....when in fact, Bill Clinton pulled a hundred thousand people into the streets of Philly for Kerry. Without Bill, Kerry would have had about a hundred.

pogo:

I was quick to congratulate Hillary and her supporters last night on her win. And I do not treat all Clinton supporters the same - because you are all very different.

And just like I always do on this blog - if someone takes what I believe is an unfair shot against Obama or his supporters - I am going to hit back.

AP ------------------------

You still don't understand - I'm trying to warn the Obama supporters what the Repubs would do to him. I've only posted a fraction of the "dirt" that I know about. In the GE, the Repubs would almost have too much to work with - need to keep it simple.

ET: Code words that the MSM uses to describe Hillary's base: older, rural, less educated, more conservative values. That's also a pretty good demographic profile of the white American racist, 2008.

Not all Clinton supporters are racists, but many are, and the Clintons deliberately courted them.

The GOP watched the Clintons' every move and took note. A cold, hard calculation tells them that the best way to defeat Obama is to use race.

Warren, would it be so.

But, reflect on many of the conversations here, especially from Obama supporters, where shotgun attacks against Clinton supporters are often prefaced with phrases such as, "You people...".

Those antics have left a very sour taste in my mouth, and shed his candidacy, at least in my eyes, in a very unfavorable light.

How can the GOP defeat Obama?
* They can't use "new ideas." They don't have any.
* They can't wave the flag and say stay the course in Iraq.
* They can't leverage Bush's (nonexistent) popularity.
* The economy sucks and everyone knows it's their fault.
* No one care about gay marriage.
* They can't use illegal immigration.
What's left? RACE. And Hillary demonstrated its power.

Once again, the GOP has found a "values" issue that will cause low-income whites to vote against their own self-interest.

Something tells me that the first party rock star we'll see call for Hillary to leave the race will be Jimmy Carter. Lord knows it's not a secret who he wants to win.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=p3MiD_U4CHQ

This is crazy. Rush Limbaugh could not get his own people to vote for Rommney. So he is full of himself, and Obama's camp is out to lunch on this one.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/05/06/obama-camp-credits-operation-chaos-for-clinton-lead-in-indiana/

Patsi--

Just in case you missed this:
http://www.comicspage.com/shoe/index.html

"I've only posted a fraction of the "dirt" that I know about."

God, Gordo....shut up. Obama's already shot himself in the foot. No need for you to keep trying to dig up more dirt.

The reason that I've been ranting about Hillary's use of the race card for so long is that, as soon as she started to do it, I knew that she was handing the GOP it's most powerful weapon.

Hillary has preconditioned a huge group of voters to respond to a (subtle) racist general election campaign. Just as she did, the GOP can wage use race, deny that they are doing it, and then accuse Obama of playing the race card, just as Bill Clinton did.

The GOP can produce DOZENS of devastating TV ads against Obama, using nothing but Hillary's surrogates, including Bill, talking about Obama the coke dealer, etc.

Ha....good one Flatus.

You idiots need to cut out the racist crap already.
There certainly are a lot of racists here in Kentucky, but the majority of them belong to the Republican party. Obama will lose in the primaries because religion and patriotism are hopelessly intertwined here, even in the Democratic party. Renouncing Reverend Wright when only when it became politically expedient isn't fooling anyone here. People just aren't going to vote for someone who's preacher & spouse appear to hate America. I'm not trying to start a fight, here, I'm just telling it like it is.

Flatus:

Barack Obama has not approved any of the message I or others post here.

Of course the BEST weapon the GOP has against Obama is Rev. Wright, and Hillary isn't responsible for that.

We are going to see quite a lot of Rev Wright on TV ads, with the "Goddamn America" sound bite as the k