06/03/2008
Long Democratic Race Coming to Rapid Climax
AP: Obama clinches nomination. "Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, becoming the first black candidate to lead a major party into a campaign for the White House. Vanquished rival Hillary Rodham Clinton swiftly signaled an interest in joining the ticket as running mate. Obama arranged a victory celebration at the site of this summer's Republican National Convention — an in-your-face gesture to Sen. John McCain, who will be his opponent in the race to become the nation's 44th president."
Clinton said to be open to VP slot. " Rep. Charles Rangel, a senior member of the New York Democratic delegation, also told CNN, 'I have reason to believe she is open to the [vice president] slot.' One of the sources added that former President Clinton has been privately pushing for a couple of weeks for his wife to be No. 2 on the ticket."
Jimmy Carter to endorse Obama after polls close. Carter: "I'm a superdelegate. I think a lot of the superdelegates will make a decision quite, announced quite rapidly, after the final primary on June 3...I have not yet announced publicly, but I think at that point it will be time for her to give it up."
Earlier: Clinton campaign denies report she will concede tonight...
Posted 5:10 PM EST by Andy in Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter | Permalink
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Please, oh please, let there be an Obama/Clinton ticket!!!
Posted by: Drew Wilson | Jun 3, 2008 5:21:35 PM
Obama's free ride courtesy the media officially over. The day he potentially clinches the nomination, they finally draw the knives. Witness today's LA Times opinion piece:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-goldberg3-2008jun03,0,4829049.column
Posted by: dc8stretch | Jun 3, 2008 5:25:15 PM
Please, oh please, do not pick Hillary as your VP!!!
Posted by: Rob | Jun 3, 2008 5:25:58 PM
Wonder why Drudge, MSNBC or the AP aren't "reporting" on this rumor?
http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=106583
Too busy reporting on rumors about HRC, I guess.
Posted by: paul | Jun 3, 2008 5:31:26 PM
Ugh. DC8STRETCH, you're such an ignorant fool. That article in the LA Times that you link to was written by Jonah Goldberg who has been attacking Obama for months! And he is your proof that the media is just now starting to draw the knives on him? Idiot. The media has been attacking him this entire campaign.
Posted by: rob | Jun 3, 2008 5:31:27 PM
And Hillary's free ride via her husbands coat tails is officially over. Except for the part where HE asks other people to pressure Obama into taking her as VP, in spite of all his BS. Oh, and I second the Jonah Goldberg story. Right wing nut who wrote "Liberal Facism." His mother is right wing nut Lucianne Goldberg, she of the Linda Tripp/Monica Lewinski fame. He's no friend of Hillary, and that piece would have just as easily been about her had she won.
Posted by: hal | Jun 3, 2008 5:41:02 PM
If I can't have Clinton/Obama, and I can't, let it be Obama/Clinton. That's a winning ticket. She's strong where he's weak. He's gotta carry Ohio and Pennsylvania (and Florida?) and she'll help in all three.
Posted by: Michael | Jun 3, 2008 5:42:22 PM
Obama picks Hillary and he loses over two hundred votes (scattered around the country) just in my family alone. Among my friends in DC he would lose roughly another hundred. They are unified in their firm conviction that they do not want that particular woman just a heartbeat away from the Presidency. They will not vote for McCain but they will not show up at the polls if she is on the ticket. I do not think that this feeling is unique to my friends and family.
Posted by: rudy | Jun 3, 2008 5:43:31 PM
Regardless of who he choses as his VP (and I think it will be Clinton). I'm happy that history was made today. I am more hopeful today that eventually all Americans will be treated without regard to race, gender, and orientation.
A night to be proud America. The world is watching us.
Posted by: Shaun | Jun 3, 2008 5:48:03 PM
Wow, Rob. This is you in jubilation? I'd hate to see you in defeat.
Posted by: dc8stretch | Jun 3, 2008 5:48:40 PM
Rudy
Would you let mcsame slide in then?
Over at DailyKos, or as one former Hillary supporter named Michael Bedwell once called it "DailyObama" There is a lot of "Obama is smarter than me so if he thinks he needs Hillary as VP then we should support him."
Obama/Clinton 08
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 5:53:51 PM
Being the wife of Bill Clinton is pretty much my idea of the opposite of a free ride. But then, I'm not a misogynist.
Rudy, why is your enormous family in such lockstep about HRC? I find that really odd.
Posted by: paul | Jun 3, 2008 5:55:25 PM
if obama, alone, beats mcgeezer, it will be with the smallest of margins. with hillary on the ticket, they will gain a super majority in the house and a substantial lead in the senate. then, hillary can start to work on pay-back. obama doesn't have the stomach for it, but she does; oh, yes she does!!!
Posted by: nic | Jun 3, 2008 6:02:49 PM
I have to add that I jumped back over to DailyKos.
It appears the "Well Obama is smarter than me so...." crowd and the fanatics are dominating.
I appologize for my fellow Obama supporters.
Anyway; reason and levelheadedness will win out.
BOTH are seasoned politcos. Obama is a hell of a lot smarter than me so if (I prefer when) he picks Hillary as VP then his supporters should realize that he knows what is best.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 6:07:03 PM
Rudy, I'm sorry but your friends and family - as well as those who have claimed to me to have so much contempt for Senator Clinton that they would never vote for a ticket with her on it are just idiots.
We have a number of Supreme Court justices to appoint in the next term and I don't think we have the luxury of letting ourselves have so much hatred for an individual like that.
And it's misguided, media-manufactured hatred too. I'm not saying Senator Clinton is free of flaws, but most of the people (including my dear mother) I have had conversations with about why they despise her so much are usually way off-base and have no basis in reality.
Besides, the whole, "I'M TAKING MY VOTE AND STAYING HOME" mentality belongs with third graders.
Posted by: Rey | Jun 3, 2008 6:08:15 PM
LOL
" meant crowd..... has dissipitated (spell check).... and the fanatics have taken over for now.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 6:08:30 PM
Thanks, Jimmy. Yes, Rudy what ARE your clans' priorities? "100s" all thinking so alike that they sound like the inbred Phelps Herd once removed.
If "100s" of you genuinely believe that Hillary would be worse than McCain then, in the long run at least, America would be better off if y'all NEVER voted.
Just one other request: could you and the Phelpsinians also please stop reproducing?
In the words of a certain Great American: "Stupid is as Stupid does."
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Jun 3, 2008 6:11:53 PM
:-)
Michael
Many Obama supporters have bemoaned Hillary supporters who said they wouldn't vote for Obama, but to turn around and do the same exact thing and say they won't vote for Obama POTUS and Hillary as his VP are being just as stuborn. (super run on sentence there)
My fellow Obama supporters, like mentioned "Obama is a whole hell of a lot smarter than any of us so he knows what he is doing and you should trust his judgement on having Hillary as VP."
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 6:31:23 PM
I dont think he picks her. Not that I would have a problem with it, but it is counter to his "change" message to pick anyone from the Clinton/Bush dynasty.
Posted by: Dan B | Jun 3, 2008 6:35:38 PM
Claire Mccaskill just a few moments ago on CNN said that whomever he decides on is going to be the right decision.
My fellow Obama supporters, you have supported him thus far and trusted him.......trust him to know that Hillary is a good VP if (when) he picks her and support Obama/ Hillary 08 100%
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 6:52:08 PM
Shaun, " I'm happy that history was made today. I am more hopeful today that eventually all Americans will be treated without regard to race, gender, and orientation."
I would be happier if Obama had the necessary skills and experience to be a competent president. He talks like Jimmy Carter and Carter was a true disaster on a scale that would make Bush look brilliant.
Barack would not be helped by Hillary on the ticket. She would overshadow him and such a ticket would only inspire those who vote because of things like gender or race. Call me harsh but we need people who vote on merits not mysticism.
For all her faults and divisiveness, for America, I believe Hillary would've been the better Democratic nominee.
Posted by: queendru | Jun 3, 2008 6:53:35 PM
Hillary, ya ain't getting the veep nod.
As Kathy Griffin once said, "Suck it, Clintons!" I'll be looking forward to seeing both of you at the Democratic unity rally later this week. And in your honor, I do hereby declare a National Day of Schadenfreude.
Posted by: 24play | Jun 3, 2008 6:54:36 PM
There's been nothing remotely 'rapid' about this 'climax'. I'm so sick of Obama and Clinton I'm ready to vote for McClank or whatever his name is.
Posted by: zinc alloy | Jun 3, 2008 6:55:38 PM
Rudy and his hundreds of family and friends won't vote for McCain, they just won't vote at all if Clinton is on the ticket? I try never to overestimate the intelligence of the general populace, but I have to say that is surprisingly stupid.
I'll echo Paul's question: what has Hillary done that is so egregious that it warrants such hatred (and illogical behavior)?
Posted by: Michael | Jun 3, 2008 7:00:48 PM
24play
Do you trust Obama?
The 2 of them are supposedly meeting tomorrow in NY. Allow them to make a couple of joint apperances together to rekindle the spark of friendship they once had.
Then when it is anounced just trust Obama is better at this politics thing than you or I.
Hell, he could even tell her that if somehow they don't work out well together he can drop her when running for his 2nd term.
You have trusted him so far, trust him still.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 7:01:04 PM
Jimmy, it's my trust in Obama, particularly his judgment, that makes me so certain Clinton won't be on the ticket.
Posted by: 24play | Jun 3, 2008 7:08:16 PM
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Hillary Clinton annouced that she is divorcing Bill Clinton after she realized that she can't use him any longer!
Posted by: Daniel | Jun 3, 2008 7:42:32 PM
FINALLY! Thank god this part of the campaign is over. Let the healing begin people!
Personally after her campaign I would rather Obama not choose Clinton as his VP. I use to like the Clintons but I have lost a lot of respect for them. However if it helps bring us Democrats together, then yes definitely put her on the ticket. We need everybody to come together and work against the real and VERY dangerous enemy: McSame.
Our country can not afford another Republican presidency.
Posted by: AdamN | Jun 3, 2008 7:51:57 PM
Congratulations Senator Obama on your much deserved and historic nomination.
I'm looking forward to working with Clinton supporters as we move into the general election to win this thing against McSame.
For those of you who are still bitching and whining (from both sides) and will continue to do so through November every time there's a mistep/mispoken word by Obama or a swiftboat attack from the flying monkeys from the wing-nut right, please get the hell out of the way of the rest of us who are ready to put the past behind us, unite forces and work together on the blood, sweat and tears business of putting a Democrat in the White House and securing and expanding our majorities in the House and Senate.
I will bust my hump to get Obama elected no matter who he ads to the ticket.
Posted by: Zeke | Jun 3, 2008 8:07:26 PM
And a lovely hump it is, too, Brer Zeke!
( ! )
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Jun 3, 2008 8:14:54 PM
More spin from Obamaroad.
And you all fell for it.
Posted by: bigbear | Jun 3, 2008 8:57:40 PM
Anybody watching McCain's speach?
His small crowd has chanted "NO on change" quite a few times
Uhm
Change is the ONLY universal constant.
No on change =
No on gay rights
no on equal pay for women
no on getting of iraq
no on anything
YIKES
They might as well be screaching no on evolution as well
Anyone seriously voting for mccain needs to think twice about it
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 9:03:00 PM
Name calling! Ad personam attacks! How very thoughtful and mature your comments, little Towletwinks.
And we will not take your advice to stop reproducing or cease participating in the political process.
My family is among the most diverse and politically involved of any I have encountered. We range in age from eighteen year olds who will be voting for the first time to several members over one hundred who have voted and participated actively in politics almost since my home state of New Mexico became a state. Although predominately Catholic, we include Lutherans, Buddhists, Eastern Orthodox, Jews, and atheists, including several priests, nuns and a rabbi. Although predominately Hispanic, we include Irish, Italian, Scots, German, French, Armenian, Turkish, Greek, Pacific Islanders, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, and American Blacks and African-born Blacks. We range in professions from cattle ranchers, bakers, carpenters, classical dancers and opera singers, lawyers, doctors, teachers and university professors, engineers, pilots, investment bankers, a state supreme court justice, several state Representatives and Senators, policemen, veterans of WWII, Korea, VietNam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, government workers, small business owners, straight, gay, and two transexuals.
Amazing that one of the few things upon which we agree is that we do not want Hillary Clinton back in The White House. It is not surprising that some of you are so blinded by your loyalty to a particular candidate that you cannot see her all-too-obvious faults.
Fortunately, I do not believe that Obama will pick Hillary. He can buy her off for a less damaging role. He does not need the most divisive politician of this generation on the ticket with him. I made a great deal of money advising candidates in the last election and correctly predicting the outcome of 100% of the electoral races that I ranked.
It is but my opinion; however, I do not resort to the last refuge of a coward, i.e., name-calling, unlike some who comment and run on this blog. The results of this election are, indeed, too important in that several Supreme Court Justices likely hang in the balance, to squander a likely win by Obama in continuing to support a candidate who has proven repeatedly to appeal to a core group of bigots and old, poor, under-educated, white (and Hispanic) Catholic women and self-marginalizing gay men.
Posted by: rudy | Jun 3, 2008 9:04:44 PM
hillary's song
"Ain't no mountain high enough...."
Uhm, subtle suggestion there. It is a 2 person song a male and a female.
:-)
Obama/ Hillary 08
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 9:34:29 PM
No way in h will he pick Hillary as his running mate. It will be almost impossible for him to turn any red state blue without Hillary but with Hillary he has no chance to do it. With a good old boy from the deep south he might be able to turn at least one red state blue. I hope so but I'm not holding my breath. The hard fight is ahead of him when Rove and the gang go after him and his church and his wife and his shady business partner.
Posted by: dezboy | Jun 3, 2008 10:24:42 PM
Ok
They have to have a 1 on 1 private sit down to flesh it out. Both will be in NY tomorrow.
CNN just did an electoral college map
Obama on his own gets it but it ends up very very close, too close
Together
Obama POTUS/ Clinton VP 316 electoral college votes (270 wins it)
mccain 222
Obama/ Clinton 08 = we win BIG!
Everybody be nice, it will take some time and breathing room for our 2 to sit down together and flesh it out.
:-)
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jun 3, 2008 11:14:55 PM
"Name calling! Ad personam attacks! How very thoughtful and mature your comments, little Towletwinks...I do not resort to the last refuge of a coward, i.e., name-calling, unlike some who comment and run on this blog." - Rudy.
Um...Rudy, you just used "twink' as a pejorative and you're accusing others of name-calling!?
Does that make you a coward?
Posted by: Chaq | Jun 3, 2008 11:44:23 PM
"Twink" was used affectionately. Does that make you one with analytical comprehension difficulties? ;)
Posted by: rudy | Jun 4, 2008 7:34:03 AM
CHAQ,
no, that makes rudy an idiot. more accurately, that makes him delusional.
JIMMYBOYO,
when we force the moment to its crisis (paraphrasing t.s. eliot), we can still come together. then, all is good under the sun (loosely paraphrasing robert browning) and all is sweetness and light (ditto, johnothan swift and matthew arnold).
while no one will convince me that hillary was not the better choice, there is nothing to be gained in bemoaning her loss (and, in my mind, our country's loss). there is everything to be gained, however, in rallying behind OUR nominee, the brilliant and more than capable barack obama.
Posted by: nic | Jun 4, 2008 7:46:10 AM
*Yawn* [ignoring nic] *Yawn*
Posted by: rudy | Jun 4, 2008 8:16:09 AM
Rudy said: And we will not take your advice to stop reproducing or cease participating in the political process.
Dude, you said yourself that y'all won't vote at all rather than vote for a ticket with Hillary on it.
Rudy said: It is not surprising that some of you are so blinded by your loyalty to a particular candidate that you cannot see her all-too-obvious faults.
Blinded works both ways. And it's notable that you still don't list a single fault, unless you count "divisive" which I don't think is necessarily a fault.
Posted by: Michael | Jun 4, 2008 11:40:36 AM
PS Yes, I was guilty of some name calling, but I'm not apologizing. Everyone is entitled to their opinion about these candidates. I understand and respect that. It's your pledge that you and your kin won't vote AT ALL if Hillary is on the ticket that disgusts me.
Posted by: Michael | Jun 4, 2008 11:51:40 AM
Michael, What is it about conditional statements that you fail to comprehend? I clearly stated what would occur IF HRC was on the ticket. Obama would only make that choice if he were to somehow become someone other than who he has shown himself to be. He does not need her; she only hurts the ticket. Most importantly, Obama knows that. HRC is negotiating in bad faith from a position of weakness (the hallmarks of her disastrous campaign). Moreover, there is no way that Michelle Obama would allow HRC to join the ticket. She is the family enforcer but the initial decision will not be in favor of HRC, so it is all theoretical.
Enjoy your malinformed slough of disgust. ;)
Posted by: rudy | Jun 4, 2008 7:09:03 PM