TPM: "Some Hillary Advisers Worry About Staying In Past New Hampshire"

[milkyway]

Some Hillary Advisers Worry About Staying In Past New Hampshire; Others Urge Her To Fight On

By Greg Sargent - January 7, 2008, 3:53PM

Here's some detail on the internal discussions going on inside the Hillary campaign as they brace for the real possibility of a loss to Obama in New Hampshire tomorrow.

According to a Hillary adviser I spoke to today, Camp Hillary insiders who have been with her a very long time, such as Patti Solis Doyle, are worried about the long term damage that could be done to Hillary if she decides to fight on after a New Hampshire loss, though there's no indication they are yet urging an exit.

"People who are close to Hillary personally are worried about what this is doing to her, what it might do to her career," the adviser says. "This is about protecting her future. That's the way it's being presented. You have a number who are saying to her, `Consider the Senate career.'

"They're worried about the way the media might characterize her -- a woman being on the attack, that kind of thing," the adviser continued. "There's a real debate going on within the campaign." (Solis Doyle didn't immediately respond to a request for comment left through a spokesperson.)

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http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/some_hillary_insiders_worry_about_staying_in_past_new_hampshire_others_urge_her_to_fight_on.php

__________

I thought the crap on Drudge was his typical fantasizing, but it seems there's some truth to it. Talking Points Memo is a highly-respected website of progressive-leaning journalists, led by Josh Marshall. The reporter, Greg Sargent, spoke directly to a Hillary adviser who obviously has knowledge of the internal discussions.

I have not supported Hillary for the nomination, but I find the events of today disheartening. This may sound ridiculous, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a 20 point win for Obama tomorrow. (The Zogby 3-day tracking poll had Obama move from -1 to +10 in one day; that means their data from yesterday had Obama about +30.) As a strong Dean supporter in '04, I hated the idea that Iowa decided everything. It seems like it has again this year.

[Emit]

1. Consider the Senate career and a possible run again in 2012, maybe? n/t

[David Zephyr]

2. Hillary, like Rudy in the GOP, is looking for the big contests now in Feb.

Hillary is still ahead in national polls and here in California. She has ooldes of money and organization for the big state primaries. Unless her national lead drops before those contests, there is no way that she will even consider dropping out.

This is utter nonsense and I am supporting Obama. Her campaign from this moment on will be like Rudy plans his to be: big dollar televsion adverstising. Thankfully, Obama has money, too.

[milkyway]

3. Gallup just realeased a poll with Hillary and Obama tied. A big win in NH by

Obama will move the national polls a lot further. Financially, Joe Trippi, who knows a whole lot about a campaign pissing away all its money on Iowa, is speculating that Hillary's campaign might be running out of money. Trippi, of course, works for the Edwards camaign, but there does seem to be at least a little bit of truth to money problems for Hillary if NH goes badly for her.

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/poll_usa_todaygallup_national_4.php

[David Zephyr]

6. I just saw the new poll, milkyway

And it is great news for Barack and really bad news for Hillary. I know she is banking on Florida turning things around for her, but that's quite a bit down the road still although it is sooner than the big day in early February.

The irony is that it was the Clintons who loved this frontloaded primary season and now it seems to be working against them.

Still, a lot can happen in the next four weeks. Barack needs to stay on message and above the fray now.

Hillary is really in a box now: she has to attack Barack because John Edwards won't do it for her. And yet, if she attacks she only re-inforces the divisive image that so many Americans don't like about her (justly or unjustly).

Personally, I really think that the "Barack is a Muslim" and "Barack was a drug-dealer" crap backfired against Bill & Hillary and took all the luster off of them with the public.

And I'm glad it happened now because should the GOP try it, this record has already been played before.

Thanks for giving me the news on the new national poll.

[Got WMD]

4. Hillary will be 10+ points down nationally by 2/5

I'm a big Hillary fan (and plan to vote for her in WA), but if Obama wins NH and SC by double digits (a very good possibility), I fear she'll be 10+ points down nationally and in state polls come 2/5. Richardson will be gone by then and Edwards will likely be only a minor player. Head to head against Obama and that kind of momentum... I don't like her odds. Just my opinion.....

[Emit]

5. You know, considering how tight the Hillary people are here locally with their comments and

predictions, I really think this adviser might get a slap on the wrist from Hillary for letting this kind of discussion out. I see no advantage for her campaign from this information, and I'm surprised that the adviser said this, as it obviously paints Hillary as contemplating a loss -- not exactly the strongest in the fight, IMO.

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