*** UPDATE *** NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli adds, Clinton is also going up with a TV ad and radio spots and South Dakota, a week out from the Democratic primary there. The TV ad, "
Responsibility," also focuses on the economy -- specifically on the national debt, social security and oil. The radio ad, "Matters," is 60 seconds and starts out similarly to other primary state ads:
"In Washington, some people say the presidential primary in South Dakota doesn't much matter. That your voice doesn't really count. But you know what? Tuesday, we can show 'em. We can pick a President." And this: "Stand up for Hillary Clinton. She'll always stand up for us." The ad also echoes some of the economic themes of the TV ad.
link There is a perfect example of Hillary projecting. She is the "some people" who repeatedly argues that some states don't count:
She said Monday that she is the "more progressive candidate" and dismissed the hype surrounding Obama that results in the large crowds like the record rally of an estimated 65,000 he drew in Portland on Sunday afternoon.
Clinton said Obama, who has refused to debate her since they last faced off just before the Pennsylvania primary last month,
would "rather just talk to giant crowds than have questions asked."
Later, while speaking to several hundred people in a high school gymnasium, Clinton picked up her campaign's argument that Obama's victories in states that had caucuses instead of primaries are somehow less significant because turnout was lower.
Clinton also revived her pitch that
many of the states where he has beaten her, like Alaska, Idaho and Utah,
matter less because they would not be competitive for Democrats in November. Anybody "who's really analyzing this" should come to the same conclusions, she said.
linkBill invokes "they" to push his conspiracy theory:
(CNN) -- Former President Bill Clinton said that Democrats were more likely to lose in November if Hillary Clinton is not the nominee, and suggested some were trying to “push and pressure and bully” superdelegates to make up their minds prematurely.
Bill Clinton did not explain who he was accusing of “covering up” Sen. Clinton’s chances.
“I can’t believe it. It is just frantic the way
they are trying to push and pressure and bully all these superdelegates to come out,” Clinton said at a South Dakota campaign stop Sunday, in remarks first reported by ABC News.
Clinton also suggested some were trying to “cover up” Sen. Clinton’s chances of winning in key states that Democrats will have to win in the general election.
” ‘Oh, this is so terrible: The people they want her. Oh, this is so terrible: She is winning the general election, and he is not. Oh my goodness, we have to cover this up.’ “
Clinton did not expound on who he was accusing.
more*** Did Hillary stay in too long? Given the thud with which Clinton's RFK flub was received, it's starting to become clear that perhaps she erred in deciding to stay in the race this long. Imagine had she suspended her campaign and still won primaries. Wouldn't that have put her in an even stronger position than now? Obama hasn't run a campaign against her for the last few weeks and, in turn, it's helped Clinton prop up her personal standing. But wouldn't she be winning over the support of some in ObamaNation if she were sort of returning the favor by getting out and suspending the campaign? And that's the rub: At some point for her political future, she has to win back the support of Obama's supporters. And they don't seem to be very forgiving of her right now. The Clinton campaign may believe these folks are being irrational, but it's the state of play right now. It's interesting -- Clinton partisans are mad at a lot of folks, but Obama isn't at the top of the list. For Obama partisans, Clinton (or the Clintons) is at the top of their anger list. As for Clinton, she really hasn't given a good reason for staying in (versus suspending her candidacy while keeping her delegates) for any set of voters other than those folks in Michigan and Florida or for the folks in Puerto Rico. If she were in suspension mode, she could be focusing on legacy restoration. Instead, everything she says is viewed through the prism of angling for a longshot 1% chance at the nomination. Whatever the outcome at this point, Clinton's folks may wish they had suspended their candidacy a few weeks ago. In this case, short-term gain could end up being long-term political pain.
link In a week this will be over. Obama has effectively
clinched the nomination:
Total delegates remaining: 287
Obama will get a minimum: 54
287 - 54 = 233
If Hillary gets all the remaining 233 (never going to happen), she comes up 13 short:
Hillary has 1779 + 233 = 2012
Obama has 1976 + 54 = 2030
Hillary's next campaign will be for her future:
By Shailagh Murray and Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, May 27, 2008; Page A01
The climate on Capitol Hill has changed considerably in the 18 months since Clinton began her presidential campaign. The Senate leadership path that she had once viewed as a viable alternative is now all but blocked. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) has gained clout in his role, and he will grow even more powerful if Democrats succeed in expanding their narrow majority in November by up to half a dozen seats.
Reid's deputies, Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (Ill.) and Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), also have enhanced their status in recent months and are quietly laying the groundwork to succeed Reid whenever he decides to step down.
"Within the caucus, there's strong support for Senator Reid, and those who speculate otherwise don't understand the Senate," said Durbin, who was the first senator to endorse Obama. When Clinton returns to her old job, assuming she does not win the nomination, Durbin added, "she will be an important part of the future. But I can't tell you that anyone has approached me, or anyone in the caucus, with any specific suggestions about what she would do."
When Clinton announced her bid in January 2007, she was the prohibitive favorite, and most of her Senate colleagues appeared ready to rally to her side. But as her primary battle with Obama draws to an end, with the senator from Illinois almost certain to emerge the victor, Clinton has discovered that the reservoir of Senate goodwill was not so deep after all.
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