Clinton set to claim victory in popular vote

[mawilson 2,133]

Hillary Clinton’s campaign on Friday stepped up its defiance of the near-consensus

view that Barack Obama has won the Democratic nomination, claiming she would

come out ahead on the popular vote by the end of the race next Tuesday.

The Clinton campaign, which plans to amass hundreds of supporters on Saturday

to demonstrate for her cause in Washington DC, has come under increasing pressure

to bow to what most Democratic leaders say is the inevitable given Mr Obama’s lead

with elected delegates.

Mrs Clinton’s campaign will argue that the Democratic National Committee should

restore the delegates from Florida and Michigan – states she won in nullified primary

elections earlier this year – and there are few signs she is preparing for a gracious exit.

Terry McAuliffe, campaign chairman, on Friday asked supporters for more donations

so she could continue her fight for the nomination. “We’re ramping up our efforts for

the final three primaries, which are critical to extending Hillary’s lead in the national

popular vote and winning the nomination,” he said.

Most Democrats believe this epic race is finally moving to the endgame. Even if, as

Democratic lawyers disclosed this week, Michigan and Florida get back half of their

delegates at the committee meeting, Mrs Clinton would come nowhere near overtaking

Mr Obama’s lead.

Mrs Clinton is expected to win Sunday’s primary in Puerto Rico, followed by expected

victories for Mr Obama in South Dakota and Montana on Tuesday. After that, most of

the 200 or so uncommitted “super-delegates” – unelected officials who will determine

the winner – are expected to declare their preference.

Over the past three weeks, Mr Obama has gained the endorsements of almost 70

super-delegates compared to Mrs Clinton’s 10. To gain the nomination the winner must

win 2,131 delegates, assuming the DNC does restore half of Michigan and Florida’s allocation.

Mr Obama would be about 70 short of that threshold, while Mrs Clinton would be about

240 short. Most of the remaining uncommitted super-delegates are thought to be in the

Obama camp.

“We are going to urge folks to make decisions pretty quickly,” said Harry Reid, the

Senate majority leader. “By this time next week it will all be over give or take a day.”

Mr Obama, who is already in full general election mode against John McCain, the

Republican nominee, said: “Whatever remaining super-delegates will make their decisions

pretty quickly after Tuesday. I am sure we will then have discussions with Senator Clinton

and her team [about her withdrawal].”

Some Democrats believe that Mrs Clinton’s combativeness is a ploy to pressure Mr Obama

to take her on as his running mate. Given his emphasis on “change”, the Obama camp

is not warm to the idea. Others fear Mrs Clinton could still harbour hopes of taking her

case to the Democratic convention in August – a scenario that could badly damage the

nominee’s chances of victory in the general election.

The past three times the Democrats went through a floor battle at the nominating convention –

in 1968, 1980 and 1984 – they lost the general election. “It is clear that Obama will be

the nominee,” said James Thurber, head of the centre for presidential studies at American

University. “What matters most is the manner in which the two candidates agree to end

the race. It has to be amicable and involve a show of unity.”

Some Clinton supporters remain bitter over what they believe has been strong media bias

against their candidate.

Others – such as Geraldine Ferraro, the former vice-presidential candidate who sparked

outrage two months ago when she said Mr Obama was only ahead because he was black –

continue to stoke up the party’s demographic divisions.

On Friday Mrs Ferraro wrote in the Boston Globe that blue-collar white voters would be

unlikely to switch their support from Mrs Clinton to Mr Obama if he became the nominee.

“If you’re white you can’t open your mouth without being accused of being a racist,”

Mrs Ferraro wrote. “They [working-class whites] don’t identify with someone who has gone

to Columbia and Harvard Law School and is married to a Princeton-Harvard graduate.”

The FT

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[mawilson 2,133]

She will be our next President, better get used to it!

[Sister Fracas 5]

On Friday Mrs Ferraro wrote in the Boston Globe that blue-collar white voters would be

unlikely to switch their support from Mrs Clinton to Mr Obama if he became the nominee.

“If you’re white you can’t open your mouth without being accused of being a racist,â€

Mrs Ferraro wrote. ''They [working-class whites] don't identify with someone who has gone

to Columbia and Harvard Law School and is married to a Princeton-Harvard graduate.''

As opposed to someone who went to Wellesley, graduated from Yale Law and married an Oxford Rhodes Scholar

Edited May 30, 2008 by Sister Fracas

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

She will be our next President, better get used to it!

Right.

[SteveLaura 0]

On Friday Mrs Ferraro wrote in the Boston Globe that blue-collar white voters would be

unlikely to switch their support from Mrs Clinton to Mr Obama if he became the nominee...

“They [working-class whites] don’t identify with someone who has gone

to Columbia and Harvard Law School and is married to a Princeton-Harvard graduate.”

Whereas Hillary's background at Wellesley College, Yale, the Rose Law firm, etc strike a chord with them, I assume.

Oops! Too darn slow...

Edited May 30, 2008 by SteveLaura

[msu17 0]

On Friday Mrs Ferraro wrote in the Boston Globe that blue-collar white voters would be

unlikely to switch their support from Mrs Clinton to Mr Obama if he became the nominee.

“If you’re white you can’t open your mouth without being accused of being a racist,â€

Mrs Ferraro wrote. ''They [working-class whites] don't identify with someone who has gone

to Columbia and Harvard Law School and is married to a Princeton-Harvard graduate.''

As opposed to someone who went to Wellesley, graduated from Yale Law and married an Oxford Rhodes Scholar

Oh you beat me to it!!! Presidents are SUPPOSED to be well educated. Stupid quote...

[no name 1]

Clinton expects superdelegates to decide next week

By MATT GOURAS, Associated Press Writer 57 minutes ago

HELENA, Mont. - Hillary Rodham Clinton says she expects her marathon Democratic race against Barack Obama to be resolved next week. In a conference call with Montana reporters, Clinton said Friday: "I think that after the final primaries, people are going to start making up their minds. I think that is the natural progression that one would expect."

Montana and South Dakota hold the final primaries Tuesday.

Clinton says superdelegates will have to decide who is the stronger candidate in the fall.

Clinton said, "I think that people will have to ask themselves those questions, who would be the best president in terms of preparation and readiness and effectiveness, and who would be the stronger candidate."

link

[SteveLaura 0]

Clinton said, "I think that people will have to ask themselves those questions, who would be the best president in terms of preparation and readiness and effectiveness, and who would be the stronger candidate."[/i]

The people have already asked themselves these questions - and found her lacking.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Clinton expects superdelegates to decide next week

By MATT GOURAS, Associated Press Writer 57 minutes ago

HELENA, Mont. - Hillary Rodham Clinton says she expects her marathon Democratic race against Barack Obama to be resolved next week. In a conference call with Montana reporters, Clinton said Friday: "I think that after the final primaries, people are going to start making up their minds. I think that is the natural progression that one would expect."

Montana and South Dakota hold the final primaries Tuesday.

Clinton says superdelegates will have to decide who is the stronger candidate in the fall.

Clinton said, "I think that people will have to ask themselves those questions, who would be the best president in terms of preparation and readiness and effectiveness, and who would be the stronger candidate."

link

The people have spoken and the supers will underline the message the people sent: Obama for President 2008!

[Sheriff Uling 3]

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

i learned today obama went to harvard.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

still say that spitzer fella ought to get the nod.

Daniel

[HAL 9000 96]

Go Bob Barr.