06/02/2008
Clinton Wins Puerto Rico as DNC Votes on FL, MI Delegate Issues
The DNC Rules and Bylaws committee voted to resolve the Michigan and Florida delegate situation over the weekend.
Said Howard Dean at the opening of the meeting: "This is not about Barack Obama, this is not about Hillary Clinton. "This is about our country. This is about restoring America to its greatness. There have been very tough disagreements and ugly moments. Emotions have run very high. There have been blatantly sexist comments, particularly by some members of the media. And blatantly racist remarks. And we know that those comments have no place in our society... We need to come together."
Talking Points Memo reports: "In a huge blow to Hillary's hopes, such as they are, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee has now voted in favor of a compromise measure for Michigan, giving 69 pledged delegates to Hillary Clinton and 59 to Barack Obama at a half-vote each. This effectively ends Hillary's bid to seat the Michigan and Florida delegations in full -- which she was hoping for in a last-ditch effort to close the delegate count and, more importantly for her campaign's moral arguments, to try to narrow Obama's unofficial popular vote lead. Still, Hillary's chief delegate counter, Harold Ickes, seemed to signal that there's still a possibility that she might fight on. In a harsh tone of voice, Ickes told the committee that Hillary personally informed him that she reserves the right to take the dispute over Michigan to the Credentials Committee in Denver, on the grounds that the committee had no right to transfer 'Uncommitted' votes over to Obama."
Ickes remarks at the DNC meeting, above right. Here's the Clinton campaign statement.
The decision upset many Clinton supporters, including this woman, who was thrown out of the rules committee meeting and whose ugly rant was widely published across the blogosphere this weekend:
AmericaBlog reports that protests over the DNC meeting have been overblown by the media.
Meanwhile, Clinton won an overwhelming victory in Puerto Rico over the weekend.
The NYT: "Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton won another overwhelming victory over Senator Barack Obama on Sunday — this time in Puerto Rico — even as many Democrats, including some of her supporters, suggested it would be best if she dropped her threat to battle on past the end of the primary voting on Tuesday. 'There’s nobody taking Hillary’s side but Hillary people,' said Donald Fowler of South Carolina, a former national party chairman and one of Mrs. Clinton’s most prominent supporters, referring to her campaign’s suggestions that she might seek to challenge the way the party resolved the fight this weekend over seating the Michigan and Florida delegations. 'It’s too bad. She deserves better than this.' In a telephone interview Sunday from San Juan, P.R., Mrs. Clinton still raised the possibility that she would challenge the party’s decision on seating those delegates. 'Well, we are going to look at that and make a determination at some point,' she said. 'But I haven’t made any decision at this time.'"
Despite the Clinton victory, Barack Obama gained 17 delegates in the Puerto Rico vote, leaving him just 47 short of the 2,118 required for the nomination.
Posted 9:29 AM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Florida, Hillary Clinton, Howard Dean, Michigan, News, Puerto Rico | Permalink
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Terry McAuliffe, Clinton's campaign manager appeared on MSNBC in the past hour. He stated emphatically that Clinton is NOT going to conceded the nomination Tuesday night given that she leads with the popular vote. Their strategy is to let the Super Delegates come to the realization that Obama cannot win the general election after the smoke clears from primary season. The Super Delegates can change their vote up and until the moment they vote at the DNC Convention in August. This is exactly what Clinton should do short of abandoning the DNC and running as an independent.
The majority of the primary votes were cast before the most damaging information became public about Obama's troubling past. If the primaries votes were cast after all this became common knowledge, Obama would have been yesterday's news months ago.
Obama is damaged goods and rehabilitating him to white voters is mission impossible.
Posted by: Johnny Lane | Jun 2, 2008 9:50:58 AM
"....rehabilitating him to 'Klan' voters is mission impossible."
So.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jun 2, 2008 9:58:25 AM
I think Hillary pulls out this week, or at least concedes that it's unlikely she will be the nominee. She doesn't have to officially drop out to prevent Obama from ignoring her and focusing on McCain. Terry saying this only serves to give her some position from which she can bargain for the VP slot to prevent a continuing fight into August.
I am a Hillary supporter who is disappointed that she will not be our nominee. But I believe in her enough to believe that she will recognize when numerically it is over for her. The rest is just politicking to try to get something out of this in order for her to help bring the party together and her people behind Obama.
For months we have discussed the impact of superdelegates "giving" this to her on African American voters. What has been ignored is the impact that superdelegates making him the nominee will have on women voters, by the far the largest demographic in any election we've had in this country in years. I hope Hillary can work to show these women who are angry that it is still in their best interest to vote Democratic in November. My mother has already announced she will be sitting out this election and I'll do my best to make her see why that is a bad thing. Having Hillary on the ticket would probably heal some of those wounds. I doubt it will happen, but hopefully there will be some mended emotions when this is all done.
Posted by: Banne | Jun 2, 2008 10:00:02 AM
Yes, all 17 million people who supported Hillary are members of the Klan. Good job Derrick. Thanks for exposing them as the largest organization in the world. Who knew?
That attitude is exactly why some of us who support Hillary find it impossible to reconcile ourselves with Obama supporters. It's kept me firmly away from him so please, keep it up and McCain can be your next President.
Posted by: Jeanluc | Jun 2, 2008 10:02:00 AM
Klan? Yes, all those people in Puerto Rico who voted yesterday are Klan members.
Please have some common sense.
Posted by: Wylie | Jun 2, 2008 10:04:21 AM
Hillary did a complete 180 deg on Michigan and Florida when it suited her purpose. She is sabotaging the Democratic party if she continues on to the convention. I just hope the superdelegates decide it one way or the other before then.
Posted by: Obama-mama | Jun 2, 2008 10:05:17 AM
Banne, there will be no mending. Nobody in their right mind is going to vote for Obama.
Posted by: Johnny Lane | Jun 2, 2008 10:05:44 AM
If it goes to August, the nominee is going to be scorched earth, as Pelosi fears. Two months isn't enough time to heal the rift and anger. I think the GLBT community needs to start thinking about how to appeal to McCain, so that his conservative policies do as little damage as possible to progress for rights. He's supposed to make a big speech on Tuesday. Maybe he'll assure voters that McCain in the White House is nothing to be feared. After all, he braved an interview on the Ellen Show. If he was utterly unsympathetic to LGBT issues, he could have avoided her altogether. Then we can all sit back and watch Hillary and Barack battle it out as spectators, secure that even if progress will be slowed under McCain, it won't go backwards.
Posted by: Anon | Jun 2, 2008 10:29:35 AM
Have to give her credit, she is working harder for John McCain than John McCain is to get elected. But, it will all come back to haunt her in 2012.
Posted by: Sebastian | Jun 2, 2008 10:30:03 AM
Tell us what ya really think, Racist Johnny Lane. Don't hold back on the "crack-smoking ni**er" comments. That's where you really shine.
Posted by: 24play | Jun 2, 2008 10:31:40 AM
I'm for anyone - ANYONE - but a Republican in the White House. Now, I know that's a clichéd liberal stance (though, I'm not exactly a full-fledged liberal) that’s been trumpeted by better politicos than myself, but the Republican damage is done. And clichés are clichés for a reason – because they’re derived from truth.
I vote Obama merely because I honestly believe he's our best chance to beat McCain. I honestly believe that there are more Hillary-haters than Obama-haters in the oft-mentioned Red States. Plus, I've been totally revolted with Hillary's Republican-like antics these past few months.
Because of her appalling actions, I'm debating whether to sit out this election too if she gets the nomination. But I intrinsically feel I cannot do that. We need to make sure that McCain does not continue Bush's evil regime.
There’s a disturbing, sickening online petition that calls for all Hillary supporters to vote McCain should Obama get the nominee. The enormity of stupidity that conjures is mind-boggling. Not to mention how dangerous that mindset is, how damaging to out country.
Yes, I believe racism partly plays a role in this (but not fully), because, really, what’s to truly hate about Obama? He hasn’t played the evil card games that Hilary’s played – the mudslinging; he hasn’t tried to single-handedly destroy the democratic process as she has. (She should have been publically verbally caned at her recent remarks that the White House would benefit her experience or McCain’s experience. She totally lost any respect I had left for her at that point. Shame on you Hillary, shame!)
Who will dare argue that if the proverbial shoe were on the other foot, Clinton would try to destroy any chance at Obama’s attempt to get Michigan and Florida. More hypocrisy on her part, I’d surmise.
I supported Bill twice, and appreciated him more than not as President, but Hillary has proven (as has Bill lately) that she is willing to sell her soul for the nominee. And that scares me.
But with much chagrin, I will still vote for her if she wins the nomination.
Sorry the length of this post – I’m far from a political pundit, but with all the infighting within the Democratic Party, I could picture the dark day that McCain laughs all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue. And no one will be to blame more than the Democrats.
Posted by: jeffreychrist | Jun 2, 2008 10:44:01 AM
The UK Telegraph is reporting that Obama may offer her a Cabinet position in exchange for her exiting the race, but not the VP.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/democrats/2058907/US-Elections-Hillary-Clinton-to-be-offered-dignified-exit.html
Posted by: Anon | Jun 2, 2008 10:52:21 AM
Regardless of who you support, Michigan and Florida were robbed this year because of the DNC's kowtowing to New Hampshire and their childish demand to be first in the primaries. I find this resolution to be a joke. If anything, Michigan and Florida should get a revote. Obama wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan. So instead these two states get robbed of their votes and if you think they won't remember that on Election Day, think again. Don't be surprised when Dem voters don't show up in either state and they go to McCain.
Posted by: Daspion | Jun 2, 2008 10:54:32 AM
I'm not calling all Hilary supporters klansmen. But I've never seen this kind of animosity towards a Democrat about to win his party's nomination--not since George McGovern. That leads to all kinds of speculation about why. "The media gave Barack a easy ride" y'all complain--well, that aint Barack's fault! Axelrod ran a spectaculation campaign for Obama. Senator Clinton's Campaign was awful until March--too late, Honey.
In 1980, even Ted Kennedy supporters were able to support President Carter eventually. Any Democrat who prefers John McCain over Barack Obama is a traitor. Traitors are not worthy of civil treatment nor respect. There are like klansmen.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jun 2, 2008 10:55:42 AM
Looks like she may finally suspend her campaign this week. (Yes, "suspend." I'd be shocked if she actually concedes.) From Politico:
Clinton Camp Converging on New York Tuesday, and Shedding Staff
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0608/Clinton_camp_converging_on_New_York_Tuesday_and_shedding_staff.html
Posted by: 24play | Jun 2, 2008 11:05:50 AM
was that old crazy bag lady in the post one of the posters here ;)?
Posted by: marc | Jun 2, 2008 11:10:36 AM
BS!! The media and the Obama supporters are THE ONES that want Hollary to drop out of the race...WHY? well, because they know she is a treat...ITS A VERY SEXIST media....kind of funny the obama supporters keep bringing his color into conversation ...its ok for them to use race but nto ok to talk about it ...HILLARY STAY IN...I'm surprise how many queens go to Obama just because they r sexists....a guy with no experience? too idealistic!
Posted by: bosie | Jun 2, 2008 11:18:17 AM
"Axelrod ran a SPECTACULAR campaign"
Aint no speculation 'bout that.
"a guy with no experience? too idealistic!"
How much experience to you need to choose the best minds in the Democratic Party(and maybe some Republicans)to run your administration?
It is Hilary Clinton's job now to convince her supporters to vote Democratic in the fall.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jun 2, 2008 11:27:50 AM
I'm bitter that obamaroad.com (as it should be called these days) has yet to post about Barack Obama disowning his church. Now that he's disowned first his pastor and now his church, I'm waiting to hear about him disowning his white grandmother.
But I can see how it escaped Adny, what with the urgency of UFOs and a shirtless Hugh Jackman to be covered.
Posted by: Obamaroad.com | Jun 2, 2008 11:41:22 AM
I fear Hill's scorched earth campaign is beyond correction. Add Rev. Wright, the whack-job Catholic priest controversy and Michelle's unsatisfactory answer to the faux paux...Barry's got a mess on his hands.
BTW, in addition to Alexrod's brilliant campaign management, the pubicity-shy Jeffrey Berman is another hero. He's in charge of delegate research.
Posted by: Jack Scribe | Jun 2, 2008 12:09:13 PM
I want a Democrat to win, DAMMIT!!! and i don't really care which one it is.
If John McCain is elected President, there's a high probability that more Iraqi innocents, and more of our young men and women in the Armed Forces, will die needlessly in Iraq and quite possibly in Iran...including my 22 year old nephew.
Let's also not forget what may very well happen to the Supreme Court, and our ever dwindling civil rigths, and our economy... which he freely admits he doesn't know much about, and with all his lobbyist cronies, it's going to be more of the same. He may be sweet and endearing, but i already have a granpa, and if he wants to make sure every American gets a Werthers and $5 dollars on their birthday, that's nice and all but i don't want him in the White House. On SNL, Ellen and David Letterman, he's pretty funny, but i don't think having him as a President is a laughing matter.
And as for Michigan and Florida...they broke the rules, and it's as simple as that...not Obama's fault. At the time(when she thought this would be a cake walk)she herself agreed that Michigan's would not count...so, what's different now.
I see the one fundamental difference between many(not all but alot)of Clinton's supporters, and almost every single person in my life, who are(at this point but not always)supporting Obama, is that i know almost with complete certainty, if it was the other way around,they would not be crying so much foul, and they'd be working their asses off to get Hillary Clinton elected President.
I hope against all hope, that if you're voting for John McCain, because you truly believe he's the best leader for Country, that's great...it's you're right and i heartly applaud you for excercising it, but if you're a Democrat, and you're voting for John McCain purely out of anger, bitterness, and spite because your candidate, didn't get the nomination....you should be ashamed.
When the decisions is made, i will scrape my Edwards '08 bumper sticker off my car, and when November rolls around, i will drive my ass to my polling place, and happily pull a lever, or punch a hole for Obama.
Posted by: cryingontheoutside | Jun 2, 2008 12:18:05 PM
I voted for Obama and support him now. I have admiration for Hillary's tenacity but not for her bare-knuckle tactics. But I will vote for whomever ends up the democratic nominee. And then, if this country votes in McCain after all that's happened these past 8 years, well, I don't know what I'll do but I do know what I won't do. Ever vote again. That's stupid but that's the way I feel.
Posted by: Christopher | Jun 2, 2008 12:28:50 PM
Obama gets Michigan delegates despite not being on the ballot there.
If Obama is such a sure thing, why is this kind of cheating going on? Just give Clinton her MI delegates. This is the kind of election manipulation I'd expect in Russia.
It's funny how MI and FL is being punished with 1/2 delegates for screwing up. Yet when Obama screws up by taking his name off the ballot, there's no punishment. Instead he gets rewarded -- both the Iowa reward and now the Michigan reward.
One more thing, the media is obsessed national polls. Why not with state-by-state polls? Take a look at this electoral map and tell me who can most easily beat McCain. Not one TV news agency has ever put this on their screens:
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Obama/Maps/Jun02.html
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Clinton/Maps/Jun02.html
Posted by: rrgg | Jun 2, 2008 12:32:36 PM
seating the delegates of those states in question as if it were a fair vote is the real act of cheating. Both states chose to hold their primaries out of order with the DNC, now thats cheating. If we were truly going to play by the rules and NOT cheat, none of those delegates would be seated. And it isn't Obama's fault. And it is way too late for those states to hold another vote.
Hillary has realistically no chance of winning this election, and her "popular vote" discounts a lot of votes so she can move the goalposts and stay in a race she has lost already. Her actions have been completely self serving for more than a month. She has shown little regard for the true will of the people, and seems only motivated by her own self interest. Could you imagine if she ran as an independent in November? What that would do to the Democratic party? And to think that she would even entertain that as a possibility shows a lot about her character and intentions. Anyways, I do not see this going through August. We will see what the delegate count shows after tomorrow, and then we can hopefully move on to what truly matters. The democrats winning in 2008! Obama will finish it off soon, and a lot of people will be disenchanted. But any Hillary supporter who would vote for Jon over Barack has their head in the sand. And they would deserve what they would get in the end. However, I don't think the rest of the human race deserves that... Come on now people! Time to know our enemy and back the winner! Too much is at stake for misplaced ideals. I hope there are no Logcabiners out there!
Posted by: Zach | Jun 2, 2008 12:51:37 PM
Does it occur to any of the Obama supporters that many of us Clinton supporters do not find anything in Obama's candidacy to believe in? I've asked everyone of my friends- Obama supporters all, including my boyfriend, what Obama will "change" when he takes office. NONE of them can give me a concrete answer.
And if, heaven help us all, Oprah and the media install him in the White House, we'll all come to find him a lot like the 'great and powerful' Wizard of Oz. A sham exploiting your deepest wishes.
Posted by: dc8stretch | Jun 2, 2008 1:03:00 PM