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Hillary Clinton: you lost. Get the F**** over it
Recently, I've been trying to focus my attention off of Hillary Clinton, and onto John McCain. After all, the race is all but over. Or am I right? But then, in the face of such talk, something astounding (is that the right word?) happens. Hillary Clinton starts touting that the race for the Democratic nominee is "nowhere near over." Well, I'm fine with that. We've heard it before. We heard it after Super Tuesday. We heard it after Obama's 11 straight wins after Super Tuesday. We heard it after Obama's crushing victory in NC and surprisingly close loss in Indiana. But now, we continue to hear it. And something new has been added to the mix. A certain something that has not been mentioned before the past week or so: what Hillary Clinton means is that neither candidate will be able to reach the 2,210 delegates needed to win the nomination. ...Wait, what? When did the number become 2,210?
I think anyone realizes where the problem lies in this. The number refers to the delegates needed including MI and FL (as they currently stand). That means that MI and FL will be seated as if they had never broken the rules; as if they were never punished for breaking those rules. You know, I could go on a tirade about the issue with seating them as is. But that issue has been debated and discussed at such length that the point has become a redundancy in its own right.
My problem now is Hillary Clinton's newest attempt to disenfranchise (yes, disenfranchise) the electoral system. I admit, the American Electoral System is pathetic, and pathetically bad. It's undemocratic in so many ways it makes me cringe when I think about it. But those are the rules. They're the agreed-upon rules in the agreed-upon system, a system that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama agreed to.
Now, I know that most of what I say is probably redundant to most readers at TPM. But it irks me something awful thinking about it. That the rules should somehow magically change for Hillary Clinton because... well... She's Hillary Clinton. She deserves it. She's entitled. Well you know what I say to that? Fuck. That. I've had it. And what makes it so bad is that this is the hundredth time I've made such a statement. Each time I think it's gotten as far as it can go (Caucus states don't count, only the big states count, only the swing states count, only the states Dems. can win in November count, only the white working-class states count, only the states that vote Hillary-freaking-Clinton count; only the popular vote should count, despite completely disenfranchising caucus states and never having been a metric before this election; not to mention the commander-in-chief threshold, the out-of-touch comments; ) it just gets worse, and worse, and worse.
So, now that I'm done ranting, and I've gotten this off my chest, I have to say that the day Hillary Clinton drops out of the race, I'm going to party my ass off til the news sinks in. But from this moment forward, I'm going to stop the focus on Hillary Clinton, because in the end, she doesn't matter at all. She's done. She's old news. Hillary Clinton: you lost. Get the fuck over it.



Comments (94)
Actually, dont you think you need to get the f**k over it?
Go read something. The primary process has NOTHING to do with the American electoral system. It is based on rules, kind of like the Elks or maybe your sorority house.
Pretty childish post. But lets recommend it anyway because it has Clinton and a profanity in the title.
Congratulations! You are on the Recommended List!
May 19, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure it does. The Primary Process might not be how it's set up in the constitution, but it's damn sure a part of the American Electoral System. A pretty childish response.
But thanks for the recommendation, I guess.
May 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the Primary Process isn't quite over, yet, sweetie. Obama STILL doesn't have the requisite delegates, he STILL has to compete in Oregon, he STILL has to spend money and run ads in Kentucky, and he STILL can't close the deal! What's up with that? What is wrong with that guy?
Sorry, them's the damn-sure rules. Get over it, electoral genius.
May 19, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are mistaken. The deal has been closed. Sen Clinton will run out the clock with her vanity campaign but even she knows it is over.
May 20, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Blow the darned gasket already.
The deal is DONE. Signed, sealed, delivered.
I got a fundraising letter from Hillary Clinton yesterday that made laugh so hard, tea squirted out of my nose. The front of the envelope says, "We're going all the way!" Inside she contends that the race is neck and neck. Send money! My husband and I are both registered Democrats but the letter was addressed only to me.
Even if I was a supporter, I would not enable Hillary Clinton's delusions of grandeur by sending her more money to pour down the rathole of this campaign. She is finished. Not just in this election but in politics. She knows it too. It's the reason she won't stop the campaign. Clinton knows she has burned bridges that cannot be rebuilt. By 2013, she will be working for her husband's foundation. Why? Because if the Republicans run anybody half way decent, there are just enough African-Americans in New York state to keep her from being re-elected to the Senate. She has given those voters no motivation to vote for her at all. And she won't even have the grace to apologize. Like George Bush, Hillary Clinton never apologizes for anything. Because, like George Bush, in her own eyes, she is never wrong. Her only hope is for Barack to appoint her to some cabinet position. And even he may not be able to save her.
Hillary Clinton. Stick a fork in her. She's done.
May 20, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
What always makes me laugh is how I am supposed to be swayed by the argument that the candidate who has trailed during the entire campaign is actually the superior horse in the race.
I mean, it's not even like she's gaining. She's actually losing ground every primary. But the Clintonistas here (and elsewhere, like the truly sad and depressing Taylor Marsh site) continue to act like whiny children stomping their feet because Daddy won't buy them the Power Rangers toy they so desperately want.
So yes, the post author is right - Clinton, you lost. Get OVER it.
May 20, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go party your ass off .......asshole..... I wish the Obombers weren't such complete immature spoiled brats because now we have to listen to them piss and whine till November.
May 20, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
And we'll have to listen to the HilLIARS for the next 4 years. These are the skilled and crafty Clintons. How did a 46 year old Black man beat them at their own game? OH yeah, Rules.
May 20, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pot, meet kettle.
May 22, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's a pretty long post. I think YOU should get over it.
May 19, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your response doesn't surprise me, knowing you. I don't see how a long post has to do with anything.
May 19, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, it has to do with being boring, sparky.
May 19, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
...it's a pretty long post for someone who doesn't have anything to say except wa wa wa somebody change my f***** diaper ...
May 20, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Trolls are attacking you; you must have struck a nerve. Take it as a badge of honor and don't waste your time with these people.
May 20, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess so. Puts a smile on my face. And thanks for the words of support.
May 20, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me not like read big word post. Brain make hurt, I zzzzzzzzzz.
May 19, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why don't you learn what the DNC rule really is, loser
Since you're obviously another brain-dead Obama supporter here's a little education for you:
The DNC rules do not take away all of the Florida and Michigan delegates for their violation of the "Iowa votes first" primary rule. The DNC rules only allow for 50% of the delegates to be taken away, not all. If Clinton is awarded her rightful proportion of delegates from these two primaries and Obama had not been allowed to lie over and over that 2025 was the new delegate threshhold luring unsuspecting super-delegates over based upon his lies then Clinton would be able to rightfully claim that the race indeed was not over.
May 19, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
You obviously have absolutely no understanding of the fact that after Florida and Michigan violated the rules, the number changed, as those delegates no longer counted. They still, as of this, do not count, and will no be seated at the convention. Though this may change, it is currently the case.
If you're going to attack Obama for "lying" concerning the number, then attack every single news organization out there, because apparently, they were lying about it, too.
May 19, 2008 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Which part of the DNC rule only takes away 50% do you not understand, moron?
Of course you're brainwashed by the Obama spin so we'll forgive you. America deserves what it gets with Obama if his idiot supporters can't comprehend math and english.
May 19, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're brainwashed by the McAuliffe spin.
May 19, 2008 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it is funny that the first three letters of your name are pmS.
May 19, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
pmSanFran:
The next paragraph explains that "Nothing in the preceding subsections of this rule shall be construed to prevent the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee from imposing additional sanctions..." Why is that so difficult to understand? The 50% penalty is automatic, and goes into effect as soon as a determination is made that there's been a violation of the date clause; the RBC is then empowered to meet and impose additional sanctions.
May 20, 2008 8:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you.
May 20, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
What delicate knifework, FOTW! Amazing how far basic reading skills can go :)
I'm struck by the latest codicil to the Clinton electability argument, now that Florida and Michigan no longer hold the keys to the Oval Office. Quoting pmSanFran (with my emphasis):
If Clinton is awarded her rightful proportion of delegates from these two primaries and Obama had not been allowed to lie over and over that 2025 was the new delegate threshhold luring unsuspecting super-delegates over based upon his lies then Clinton would be able to rightfully claim that the race indeed was not over.
Pity the poor unsuspecting super-delegates!
May 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Hillary really is Batwoman?
May 20, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, you stirred up the hornets nest on this one, bud. Musta hit a nerve.
May 19, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
The writer struck a nerve with me too, but not the one you apparently imagine. I'm an Obama supporter, and I cringe every time I read a post like this. It's true that Clinton clearly doesn't have the numbers, and I don't really understand her motivation for staying in at this point. But at this point, calling her supporters "angry" and including "F***" in the title of your post about them isn't going to help win over any of Clinton's supporters by the fall. One can write about the facts of the situation without veering over into the sorts of insults that only fuel the current problem.
Please stop being so self indulgent - it's counter-productive.
May 20, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you need to know the actual number of delegates that the DNC is currently allocating to Florida and Michigan, please see this document:
http://www.democrats.org/page/-/pdf/20080515_allocation1pgr.pdf
Me, I see goose eggs on the FL and MI lines on the chart...
The DNC total Delegate Votes = 4050.
Number of delegate votes needed for nomination (rounded) = 2026
May 19, 2008 9:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
What makes Clinton's claims especially stupid and makes her supporters look like brain-dead zombies is that she's even further from her new magic number than Obama.
May 19, 2008 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
At least Clinton hasn't been lying about the rules, it's Obama and his supporters who have. Their strategy of lying about the rules and creating some aura of victory around him is the only thing that has lured unsuspecting super-delegates over to his side. Obama's campaign knows that he will never reach the required number of delegates needed to assure the nomination regardless of whether it's 2025 or 2210. As a result they have lied repeatedly in an effort to make it appear as if they would be closest. We all remember the ever-shifting Obama rule claims, right? "A state's super-delegates should all vote for whoever won the vote in their states" Well that was until he lost huge states including Massachusetts where Kennedy and that loser Kerry had endorsed him.
Obama's ever shifting magic number will be whatever his campaign says it needs on a particular day. Only brain dead Obama supporters are fooled by the empty suit.
May 19, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!!!
That's hilarious.
May 19, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
The last week on this board has been a bit off, don't you think?
May 19, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where did we go wrong?
Never mind, that was a rhetorical question. I'm so bored with the rants and raves and hankie-twisting.
May 19, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been travelling, but the Clinton dead-enders seem to have swarmed. At MyDD there's been a lot of "Are you being paid to post for Obama?" shrieking, and you know how the Clinton campaign loves to project....
May 20, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is that why Clinton signed on to these "fake" rules? I mean, you might not like DNC rules but contract law is a little more substantive.
May 19, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Creating some aura of victory, like 75,000 people turning out in Portland to hear him speak.
May 19, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Clinton name is synonymous with liar. You know it. I know it. The country knows it.
Its better in the Obamas!
May 19, 2008 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about a link to his claim that Supers should support the winner of the popular vote in their district or state. Can you provide one?
May 20, 2008 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're forgetting one teeny-tiny fact: Clinton's campaign chair, Terry McAuliffe, was one of the chief architects of the plan which stripped MI & FL or their convention delegates. Way back when Clinton was 'inevitable' McAuliffe had this to say to Sen. Carl Levin on Michigan when he proposed moving up the primary dates: "If I allow you to do that, the whole system collapses," I said. "We will have chaos. I let you make your case to the DNC, and we voted unanimously and you lost."
May 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Umm, if you replace the name "Obama" in the above post, it will read truthfully. That you Terry? You really got time to waste on the blogs when you could be out there calling everyone sexist? I think your cute little bigot from New York is looking for you. Whatever happened to "If you can't take the heat . . ."?
May 20, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
fabooj:
I gave you a compliment the other day. I withdraw it. What a nasty and divisive comment.
May 20, 2008 7:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
As an Obama supporter with an Obama avatar, I must ask the critical question this post's title raises:
What is "F****"?
I am simply unfamiliar with this five letter profanity starting with F.
It will be hard to get the F**** over it without this further piece of explanation.
May 19, 2008 7:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
A typo. I'm quite tired, and if you read the post, would know I'm quite incensed about the current political happenings. I apologize, but as far as I know, TPM does not allow one to edit one's posts.
May 19, 2008 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now Now girls and boys this is what happens when one rants. I think you're supposed to call in on the TPM rant line. Oh wait this is a blog, we don't have one. Sorry.
May 19, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is excellent news. For Hillary.
May 19, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary is indeed extremely aggravating. Her tendency to lie, cheat and steal if need be is repellent.
What are the chances she'll be back in 2012 or 2016? She has a hardcore group of supporters who would cheerfully eat glass for her, and many are rich.
How can we make her stop??
But for now, let's move on. Bigger fish to fry.
May 19, 2008 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do folks fail to realize that regardless of the number 2025, 2210 or whatever, Obama will STILL be the Democratic nominee? For the uninformed and willfully ignorant, check out http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/05/fl-mi-by-numbers.html
May 19, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I know. But it's irksome that she changes the threshold of clinching the nomination whatever way it suits her.
May 20, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Otherwise, George Soros will take his moneybags
elsewhere.
That means you Mighty Mouths will be out of a job!
May 20, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why does Hillary Clinton irk you simply because she's playing politics to its utmost? She's a political animal. She is playing NOT FOR THE NOMINATION, stupid, she's playing for political clout in obama's administration.
And as far as Clinton going away, forget it. She's going to be a major player in the Democratic party over the next 4-8 years, regardless of what any of the Obama supporters, I mean Hillary Haters, think. She's proved herself so amazingly capable of garnishing support accross the board among democrats. She's still winning primaries, for God's sake! How can you actually think that the Democratic party would be stupid enough to throw her valuable capital away? (of course, the Dems HAVE been pretty stupid . . . on occasion . . .)
I've said this before at TPM. Get over it. Clinton is strong, she's tough, she's a player. She's not going anywhere. She has too much support.
May 19, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is such a thing as overplaying one's hand and shooting oneself in the foot.
It is easy to mistake much of Hillary's current behavior for toughness and strength, when it is ultimately self-defeating and alienating.
Whether you support Hillary or not, her conduct in the face of certain defeat is not pretty to watch. There was a dignified manner to have handled herself after having passed the point of having a reasonable chance of winning this nomination. Hillary chose not to play it that way - to her own detriment, the Democratic Party's, and everyone else's who has been a captive audience to this display.
May 19, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
What she said.
May 20, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
What they said.
May 20, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Contrary to what you may believe, not all, or even most, Obama supporters are "Hillary Haters". I happen to think Obama would be a better president, and I think he can run a more effective campaign this fall, with longer coattails. That's why I support him.
May 20, 2008 10:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's not forget what Hillary Clinton said about Michigan on NPR radio in New Hampshire, last October. Clinton explained why she refused to take her name off the Michigan ballot when all the other major candidates, including Obama, had:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19188859
HILLARY CLINTON 10-10-07: "It's clear: This election they're having [MICHIGAN PRIMARY] is not going to count for anything. I personally did not think it made any difference whether or not my name was on the ballot," she said.
If it didn't make any difference back in October, when she was the inevitable Democratic nominee for president, it doesn't make any difference now, when Obama is the inevitable Democratic nominee for president.
I used to like and admire Hillary Clinton but her behavior during this campaign has disgusted me -- including her attempts at new math.
May 19, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very well put. Her conduct has been shameful and disappointing. The brazen lying is so repulsive, especially after 8 years of brazen lying and cheating from Bush.
May 20, 2008 9:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
“...the way the loser loses will determine whether the winner wins in November...”
-- Rahm Emanuel
--------------------
The Clintons: No game...No shame...No class...!!!
May 20, 2008 12:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
A MUST READ:
A Woman of Independent Thought -- [NanceGreggs] Mon 05.19.08 11:56 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6034239&mesg_id=6034239
Over the course of the primary process, we have been “treated to” the outcries of a number of women (alleged Democrats) who see the inevitable recognition of Barack Obama as our party’s nominee as being unfair, illegitimate, and unconscionable simply because he is not Hillary; i.e. not a female.
And now a number of them are promising to make good on their threat to vote for McCain, or not vote at all (same dif) because their candidate-of-choice will not be the nominee.
The irony of such action cannot be missed. While touting themselves as forward-looking, liberated females, they fail to notice that they are acting the part of the “stereotypical woman” as portrayed in every 50’s sitcom, the sniveling female who packs her bags and “goes home to mother” when it becomes apparent she is not going to get her own way.
... [continues brilliantly] ... [multiple paragraphs] ... @
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6034239&mesg_id=6034239
May 20, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please let the SD's euthanize HRC's campaign tomorrow. IT'S OVER!!!!
May 20, 2008 1:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
HRC gives real women a bad name. Thanks to her, it will be impossible for a women to puruse the presidency again for another 20 years. Thanks Hillary!
May 20, 2008 1:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree. I've heard many people say they'd be happy to vote for a woman for president. Just not that woman. I think much of the dislike of her is residual damage from being the constant target of the Vast Rightwing Conspiracy. Which, frankly, I think would make her less electable in November than Obama, but I digress...
Despite the vibe her campaign sometimes tries to project, she does not represent or speak for all women. Other female candidates can and will run. 20 years is just 4 more election cycles, so I'm not foolish enough to guarantee that we'll have a woman win the presidency in that time, but I don't see how Hillary's campaign makes that more difficult for other women.
May 20, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I second that notion.
May 20, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I tend to think there is some truth in merlot's statement. Clinton playing the misogyny card is not doing future female candidates any favors. She is leaving a bitter taste in this woman's mouth. She gives credence to the caricature of women whining and stamping their feet. Not helpful, m'am.
May 20, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Slow. Down. All of us.
Full Disclosure: I'm an Obama supporter from the beginning.
All that is happening here is vituperation, starting with the profanity-laced title of the post. I would love to see Hillary's campaign done, but I'd like to see it ended with her supporters feeling like they'll vote for Obama, and not feeling like they'd rather sit it out because of the rudeness of Obama's supporters.
Yes, as an above post notes, how the loser behaves will have something to do with whether Dems win (and I find some of HRC's moves very disagreeable.) But to turn around and say "The Clintons: No game...No shame...No class...!!!", well, that isn't winning with class, either. Even if you think it's true, all that it's doing is sowing discord between voters whom Obama needs. Next, Merlot weighs in to tell us how badly HRC has mangled things for women. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not. But for a lot of women who support HRC, they see anti-feminism at the root of HRC's issues. Whether you agree with them or not, it doesn't matter. It's how they see the world.
The point, then, isn't to kick the Clintons (and more importantly, their supporters) on the way to victory. Obama is going to win, and I think diplomatic, rational dialogue on that point will seal the inevitability of this process. Yes, Hillary lost. But if you really want her and her supporters to get over it, and if you have any political savvy, you don't savage her character, no matter how dislikable you find it. You start building bridges, and building them fast, and building them strong.
I'm personally not in favor of having HRC as VP, but remember that Reagan had Bush I as his VP, even after the "voodoo economics" line. They made peace, and made it fast, and they ruled for 12 years (doing lots of lousy things, but that's not the point.)
We have the chance for a Democratic tsunami of the likes that we may never see again. If Obama wins, he'll be faced with all manner of problems; I certainly wouldn't count on winning more seats in congress in 2010's midterms. Deficits, Iraq (even if when we get out), credit crisis, et al--Obama isn't going to be a miracle worker. 2008 has got to be the time when Democrats secure a decade-proof majority, and hopefully a filibuster-proof majority. We could possibly win Senate races in Oregon, Maine, and a few others. But we've got to pull EVERYTHING together.
Sure, I wish Hillary would read the writing on the wall, and I have no problem with people telling her that. But tone matters. A lot. Read Malcolm Gladwell's work on the "science" of marriage therapy in _Blink_. Nobody likes to be the object of contempt, and it isn't serving any progressive's goal.
May 20, 2008 2:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very well said Rubegreenhorn.
I think Senator Obama would make a good president. I think Senator Clinton would make a better but at this point that doesnt matter. What will make a die-hard Democrat sit this election out is hateful posts like this one. Yes, I havent missed an election in 30 years but do I want to align myself with people like ChronoSpark, or SoyBoy, or ConnieManes? No, I dont want to be aligned with the hateful Obama surrogates like that. Every time these folks post, Obama LOSES votes by turning off fellow Democrats with their spittle filled venom.
May 20, 2008 6:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
"At least Clinton hasn't been lying about the rules, it's Obama and his supporters who have."
Nope, no lying: 2025 delegates is the current threshold according to the rules. That may yet change, but it has not yet been changed, and so 2025 it is. Perhaps the committee will decide on May 31st that MI and FL will count for 50% - we don't know.
It is, however, a lie to claim that the current threshold is 2210 delegates.
"Their strategy of lying about the rules and creating some aura of victory around him is the only thing that has lured unsuspecting super-delegates over to his side."
There has been no lying about the rules, and the aura of victory has been created by Obama winning more delegates, more states, and setting up an extremely efficient and strong campaign organization.
It couldn't be that they think Obama is the better candidate that has made the majority of superdelegates choose Obama, could it? It seems more likely to you that they are all just too dumb? Really?
"Obama's campaign knows that he will never reach the required number of delegates needed to assure the nomination regardless of whether it's 2025 or 2210."
??? Can you name any reasonable scenario under which he could possibly not reach 50% plus 1 of the delegates? Any scenario at all?
"As a result they have lied repeatedly in an effort to make it appear as if they would be closest."
Obama has had a lead in pledged delegates from the moment the voters started voting. Clinton had an initial lead in superdelegates, but that, too, eroded from the moment the voters started voting. If the Obama campaign claimed at any point that they were closest to having the majority of delegates, the last thing they'd be doing is lying.
"We all remember the ever-shifting Obama rule claims, right? "A state's super-delegates should all vote for whoever won the vote in their states" Well that was until he lost huge states including Massachusetts where Kennedy and that loser Kerry had endorsed him."
When and where do you think Obama make this alleged rule claim? The rules were never changed, and that would be impossible anyway. It is up to the superdelegates to decide as they see fit.
"Obama's ever shifting magic number will be whatever his campaign says it needs on a particular day."
When did Obama shift the "magic number"? 50% + 1 at this point is 2025. Today Obama will attain an absolute majority of the pledged delegates in play. If Clinton wins 100% of the vote in all remaining primaries, she can still not attain a majority of pledged delegates.
If the rules committee decides on seating FL and MI next week, that will still only result in a net gain of around 60 delegates (or perhaps 30 delegates if they choose to seat 50%) for Clinton - not enough to put her in the lead.
"Only brain dead Obama supporters are fooled by the empty suit."
That's a lot of "brain dead Obama supporters", pmSanFran... Some pretty intelligent people, too. Warren Buffett just endorsed Obama too. He's got quite a track record of backing "empty suits", doesn't he? I'm sure you're also familiar with the exit polls that showed that the more educated tend to support Obama over Clinton.
Now maybe all these people have just suddenly all gone monumentally stupid...
... or maybe your assessment of Obama as an "empty suit" ain't all it's cracked up to be.
Do yourself a favor and try to keep an open mind.
May 20, 2008 6:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Buffet did NOT endorse Obama
You can be forgiven because that's the headline that the tool, Josh Marshall, put up on this web site all day yesterday. But if you actually had the reading comprehension to read the AP story it was that Buffet supported a Democrat. Either Hillary or Obama, whichever won the nomination.
Why don't you actually read the story that Josh didn't expect you to read
May 20, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
My apologies, this was intended to be a reply to another post further upthread by pmSanFran (and which is quoted in mine in full anyway).
To you, Les Ismore, I just wanted to say that I hope you are merely exaggerating for rhetorical effect, and that a bunch of buffoons posting nonsense on a website don't stop you from voting.
May 20, 2008 6:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
The posters you named are not 'Obama surrogates'. They are annonymous posters on a website. You do not know who they are. You do not know their motivations. You do not know their gender or age even. That is the nature of the internet. To attach their coments to the candidate they claim to support is the height of foolishness. He is no more responsible for them than Hillary is for the trolls who claim to support her. It is the candidates and their campaigns that they can be rightfully blamed for. Sen Obama and his campaign have behaved in an honorable fasion since the start of this campaign.
May 20, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
So he loses votes because I've grown tired of dirty politics and actually speak out about it? Because I've grown tired of more and more Clintonion crap, he loses votes? If that's true, show me a single piece of evidence to suggest Obama has "lost votes" because of me. I'd love to see it.
May 20, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obvious, there will only be evidence for sure after the election. But the numbers of Hillary voters who were saying that they wouldn't vote for Obama (and vice-versa) should make anyone who wants to win take notice.
I think, ChronoSpark, that your words prioritize venting over winning. My recommendation is to write the letter that you really want to write, and keep it to yourself, and then write a more diplomatic letter aimed at persuasion for the public. The internet's worst quality, I believe, is to have lowered the bar of civil discourse to a point often lower than Talk Radio, quite a feat. That's one reason that I really like TPM. I'm not big on writing comments for the community, but I really think that while your intentions are obviously well-meant (there is an argument that Hillary should drop out, to be sure), the message does a disservice to the cause.
Respectfully, rube
May 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Loved the comment, rubegreenhorn!
May 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. We need to build bridges. But my issue is that the more she carries on in ways like this, the more difficult she makes it for bridges to be built. I think I'm one of millions of examples out there (if you want to go look) of people who have become so fed up, and so disenchanted with her and her campaign, that it's going to take one crapload of miracle dust to get things back on track. If Hillary wants to make the job of uniting the party, and the voters, all that more difficult, then who's really the one at fault? Me for, as a voter and citizen, expressing my feelings about it, or her, who's doing nothing but damage her own image and push away potential voters and supporters of the Democratic party?
May 20, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree, to be sure. Don't get me wrong there. But my problem stems from the issue that Hillary Clinton has damaged not only the party, but also the voters. I'm not one to normally blow up and rant in such a way, but thus is the effect of her political methods. And I doubt I'm the only one. I'm sure there are millions of other Americans, millions of other voters, saying and thinking the same thing I am. Perhaps they just can't come out and say it. But my point is that, who's worse in all of this? Me, for expressing myself and my feelings, as vulgar as you may find them, or her, for inspiring such feelings in voters?
I completely agree that we have to bridge the gaps, and to unite together, but there's where my issue lies. My feelings are no different, as I said, than I suspect millions of other voters. Hillary Clinton, with her tactics and methods, has made it that much harder to create unity among voters and among the party. The first thought for her is not what's in the best interest of the country, or of the citizens, the voters, etc., but what's in the best interest for her. Why is it that she inspires such vulgarities and such feelings from someone who is a self-admitted former Hillar supporter? I mean, damn, there was a time I was cheering her on, 100%.
I defend my use of the word "fuck". I defend my anger and my outrage. I'm surprised I haven't seen more of it. Let's bridge the gaps. You can bet I'll be there bridging them when she drops out. But by the fact that she has lost, that she's done, that the odds are so against her, why, WHY, I ask, does she not bridge those gaps, instead of continuing on her mission of self-entitlement?
May 20, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lost? I have not lost? That's absurd. I have mathematically clinched the nomination.
May 20, 2008 8:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Never trust a Clinton
She must be forced out and soon.
It is a fantasy that MI/FL will change anything.
The DNC official site still lists 0 votes for them.
So like it or not Obama secures the nomination today.
The party no longer is in Clinton control and Obama will play hardball if necessary on MI/Fl.
May 20, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. THANK YOU. Thank you ChonoSpark for your post!
Money headline from the Hillary Deathwatch on Slate: "OBAMA WON'T DECLARE VICTORY ON TUESDAY, BUT THE MEDIA WILL."
I've been sick the last couple of days seeing stories on TPM and elsewhere about Hillary's campaign putting out their silly empty threats that Obama better not claim victory in Oregon or that by claiming victory in Oregon, Obama will "insult" Hillary supporters. She lost! That's how it feels when the person you're rooting for loses. Now shut up and get on board or show that Hillary really does want to take the party down with her by giving McCain and the Republicans 4 more years of Bush policies.
If Hillary were in Obama's shoes, her campaign or supporters would not show the class that Senator Obama has. She, Bill, Terri McCollough, Howard Wolfson, Lanny Davis and James Carville would have been telling him to get out of the race full-voiced without any hesitation. They practically did that when they absurdly suggested that Obama be her VP!
Uninformed dreamers like pmSanFran need to "get the f*ck over it" too.
TPMer 1question had it right too:
“...the way the loser loses will determine whether the winner wins in November...”
-- Rahm Emanuel
--------------------
The Clintons: No game...No shame...No class...!!!"
Hillary Deathwatch on Slate.com has Hillary at an all time low of 1.6% chance of getting the nomination. Maybe the Clinton Camp can ask the Washington Post Company to write an apology or retraction for the Hillary Deathwatch? Fat chance they'll have the success they did w/ the NYT.
"Obama won't declare victory after Tuesday, but only because the media will do it for him. Clinton's chances sag another 0.1 point to 1.6 percent."
http://www.slate.com/id/2191697/
May 20, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you, thank you THANK YOU Amber for your words of support. You're a gem.
May 21, 2008 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Clinton camp is saying the number needed is around 2210 if FL and MI are seated, as is, without any punishment.
Terry was on the rules committee at the DNC when the primary rules were laid out. In an interview on I think CNN he admitted that he agreed to punish any state who set their primary too early. But he stated that the rules call for a punishment of only cutting the delegates in half not stripping all the delegates from being seated at the convention.
Therefore, using Terry's acknowledgement of the need for punishment the new "magic" number would be 2025 plus half of the pledged delegates from these two states. The difference is 185 delegates round about for the two states. Divided in half, again roughly, would be 92 delegates.
The result is 2025 plus 92 making the new number needed with FL and MI about 2117.
No one believes that the rules committee will seat these two states without consequenses for their decision to vote early.
So in my mind both Obama's camp and Clinton's camp are skewing the numbers in their favor. Obama using 2025 and Clinton using 2210. I think in the end after the rules committee meets May 31st my number of 2117 will be closer to reality.
May 20, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
...it's a pretty long post for someone who doesn't have anything to say except wa wa wa somebody change my f***** diaper ...
May 20, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOVE the rant ... I could not have said it any better ... even though it will be about the 100th time I have said/felt the SAME EXACT THING!!!!
May 20, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary Clinton's definition of a fair election is one in which her's is the only name on the ballot. The rules she agreed to before the primaries began, she doesn't agree with now. The media is biased against her because it doesn't agree with her point of view. She for war in Iraq because she thought it was a politically expedient position, not because she believed it was right. Hillary Clinton is intellectually dishonest and ethically challenged. She is what my father called an "opportunist." And that was not praise.
May 20, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
It looks like you touched a NERVE there Chronospark - you're calling attention to something they probably hoped no one would notice.
Good job!
May 20, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like Hollywood endings and living happily ever after and all that, but Hillary and her supporters are not backing off with their tactics that should be beneath even Rove.
Sorry, won't PANDER to racism, flouting of the rules, lies and shifting of the goalposts in exchange for votes. I believe there are enough independents and moderate Republicans out there who appreciate integrity and honesty - I disagree that we should compromise and kiss the asses of bigots like Ferraro and her supporters.
May 20, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
It isn't about winning anymore, it is about scorching the earth, dividing the Party, making Obama and Democrats pay for not nominating her, either because she wants to run again in 2012, or just out of spite:
http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/05/hillarys-gender-baiting-campaign-is-in.html
May 20, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
What I see in this thread is the damage done, again, by the Clinton's insatiable lust for power, overblown egotism and complete lack of respect for the American people. The childish ranting back and forth here between supporters exemplifies the divisive conditions within the party.Here is one issue that has been ignored but is the basis for my personal rejection of Hillary to lead the country. Bill Clinton disgraced and dishonored the Office of the President. His immature,unprincipled and selfish behavior disgraced the Democratic Party and gave the Republicans everything they needed to take the White House with a dimwitted, disfunctional and illiterate candidate. I am not forgetting the Supreme Court and illegal election tactics either.