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Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior White House Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.
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Obama Open to Helping Clinton Relieve Her Campaign Debt
May 09, 2008 6:10 PM
While taking care to say the very question is premature, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, Friday indicated an openness to helping Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, with her millions in campaign debt.
Clinton's campaign debt is thought to be upwards of $10 million -- not including the $11.425 million she loaned her campaign from her personal funds. They are numbers perhaps not as immediately troubling as the 170 delegates by which she trails Obama in their race to the magic 2,025 delegate number to clinch the nomination -- but they are troubling numbers for her nonetheless.
Visiting “Luis’s Taqueria” in Woodburn, Oregon with his brother in law, Craig Robinson -- the new basketball coach at Oregon State University -- Obama helped himself to some tacos and signaled to Clinton that should she concede the nomination he would help her with the debt.
“That’s not a conversation that we’ve had because our working assumption right now is we're still in the middle of a race,” he said when asked about her debt.
But when asked again, ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports, Obama said, "historically after a campaign is done and you want to unify the party -- particularly when you’ve had a strong opponent -- you want to make sure you’re putting that opponent in a strong position so that they can work to win an election in November."
Obama said, "obviously I’d want to have a broad range discussion with Sen. Clinton about how I could make her feel good about the process and have her on the team moving forward -- but as I said its premature right now, she's still actively running and we’ve still got business to do here in Oregon and other states.”
- jpt
May 9, 2008 in 2008: Democrats, Clinton, Hillary, Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (126)
Nobody thinks it is a good idea to pay off Clinton's debt. She is woth $109 million, a multi multi millionare who chose to loan millions to herself and chose to keep going even though she was millions in debt. She was fiscally irresponsible and unlike many Americans now, she can afford to pay her own debt.
Posted by: carolyn | May 13, 2008 5:54:32 AM
Both Clinton and Obama have built impressive organizations. It cost them millions to build. It is unreasonable that she would just hand over access to her donors and network of election workers without some compensation for the expenses she incurred in building her organization. She isn't expected to make a profit but erasing her debt is a totally reasonable proposal.
Of course, Obama could in the short amount of time left before the November election try to rebuild the Clinton coalition from scratch but that would unwise. 26 million voters have voted for Senator Clinton and the easiest access to them would be through Senator Clinton. This is just good business.
Posted by: Terry | May 11, 2008 12:46:48 PM
Obama-Clinton ticket would have swing state difficulties. I agree whole hardily.
I refused the latest Obama solicitation for contributions saying that I would not give any more if Sen. Clinton was VP or Obama paid off the two multimillionaires (Penn and the Clintons)
Posted by: pjonathan | May 11, 2008 9:27:41 AM
Yo, Barack and Larry Sinclair never ruled out this option! You Clinton supporters need to take a chill pill already! Barack will hooks you up with some bling!
Posted by: Alison | May 10, 2008 9:20:03 PM
This is an unbelievable comment. He has simply purchased every political position he has assumed. I agree with DMK: he's bought the race with money we have not yet learned the source of and now he thinks he can buy just about anything else he wants including Hillary's good will??? This is so ugly that I can't believe we are seeing it in this country. Axelrod; Rezko; Auchi;Bill Ayers;the idiot Wright.... why do we have to watch this stuff bought by some fool who thinks he's a Democrat?
Posted by: Susaninbosque | May 10, 2008 7:59:39 PM
Why don't her supporters bail her out if they feel so passionate about her. Hilary's spending has been reckless and irresponsible.
She paid too high salaries to her campaign staff and their consulting companies. It shows what kind ot government she would have run. Nepotism.
Posted by: Jon | May 10, 2008 10:13:28 AM
I think the FEC rules does not allow the Obama campaign to directly pay off Clinton's debt. I donated my money to Obama NOT to Clinton and he better not use my money to pay her.
They can hold special fundraisers to help with her debt (which I would not be donating to). Fact is the Clinton were fiscally reckless and we hardworking people should not be bailing out millionaires.
Posted by: Jon | May 10, 2008 10:08:14 AM
CLINTONS ARE SHAMELESS THIEVES!
The last time the Clintons had to make a big exit was at the end of Bill Clinton’s second term as president — and
they made a complete and utter hash of that historic moment. Having survived the Monica Lewinsky ordeal, you might
have thought the Clintons would be on their best behavior.
Instead, a huge scandal erupted when it became known that Mrs. Clinton’s brothers, Tony and Hugh Rodham, had lobbied
the president on behalf of criminals who then received presidential pardons or a sentence commutation from Mr.
Clinton.
Tony Rodham helped get a pardon for a Tennessee couple that had hired him as a consultant and paid or loaned him
hundreds of thousands of dollars. Over the protests of the Justice Department, President Clinton pardoned the
couple, Edgar Allen Gregory Jr. and his wife, Vonna Jo, who had been convicted of bank fraud in Alabama.
Hugh Rodham was paid $400,000 to lobby for a pardon of Almon Glenn Braswell, who had been convicted of mail fraud
and perjury, and for the release from prison of Carlos Vignali, a drug trafficker who was convicted and imprisoned
for conspiring to sell 800 pounds of cocaine. Sure enough, in his last hours in office (when he issued a blizzard of
pardons, many of them controversial), President Clinton agreed to the pardon for Braswell and the sentence
commutation for Vignali.
Hugh Rodham reportedly returned the money after the scandal became public and was an enormous political liability
for the Clintons.
Both Clintons professed to be ignorant of anything improper or untoward regarding the pardons. Once, when asked
specifically if she had talked with a deputy White House counsel about pardons, Mrs. Clinton said: “People would
hand me envelopes. I would just pass them on. You know, I would not have any reason to look into them.”
It wasn’t just the pardons that sullied the Clintons’ exit from the White House. They took furniture and rugs from
the White House collection that had to be returned. And they received $86,000 in gifts during the president’s last
year in office, including clothing (a pantsuit, a leather jacket), flatware, carpeting, and so on. In response to
the outcry over that, they decided to repay the value of the gifts.
So class is not a Clinton forte.
But it’s one thing to lack class and a sense of grace, quite another to deliberately try and wreck the presidential
prospects of your party’s likely nominee — and to do it in a way that has the potential to undermine the substantial
racial progress that has been made in this country over many years.
The Clintons should be ashamed of themselves. But they long ago proved to the world that they have no shame.
Posted by: Cliff | May 10, 2008 9:36:09 AM
WHAT A SHAME! HILLARY CAN'T MANAGE HER OWN FINANCE. Why would anyone trust our country's Economy in her inefficient hands? ONLY IDIOTS WOULD SUPPORT HER.
Posted by: marie | May 10, 2008 9:34:58 AM
Money can't buy the Clintons. You don't have that much money, OBAMA. You have 9m to spend in primary. Forget!!! RACE on
Go Hillary. Full gear across the finish line to the convention and file complaint against all violations in the primaries.
Posted by: John_Lai | May 10, 2008 8:49:58 AM
To all the avid Clinton supporters:
Why is it that over 60% of the country does not believe she is trustworthy? I think you are outnumbered. Vote for whoever you want to - just leave your ignorant rhetoric at home.
Posted by: MEC | May 10, 2008 8:15:57 AM
This just shows what a condescending ass Obama is.
Posted by: EYES WIDE OPEN | May 10, 2008 2:46:30 AM
PS Shields and Brooks say she owes $25 million already and vendors where she campaigns are going to start insisting on cash. Otherwise they will be at the end of the line of her creditors. It's just cause Obama isn't selfish??
Posted by: Gaias Child | May 10, 2008 2:45:53 AM
I have enjoyed supporting Obama but now if he's got enough money to pay for Clinton's campaign he will not need any more from me. I need it. Why should this reckless multi-millionaire get dollars put together by people who love Obama? Then again, a gift is a gift and he can give it to her if he wants to. But that means I don't have to give him any more. Her tax documents show wealthy earnings and Bill likes to brag how they didn't need or want the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. The Clintons have got 100 times as much money as the Obamas. Why the heck would he bail her out? Some blogger said it's a common practice. Well first he needs to explain it to his little bitty donors like me.
Posted by: Gaias Child | May 10, 2008 2:43:20 AM
why would Obama help clinton with her debts.....yes it would be a friendly notion....but why would he spend money that people donated for His campaign not Hers
Posted by: oregon4Obama | May 10, 2008 1:57:17 AM
Was the money that Obama received from Rezko coming from Hamas? Authorities should look at his "bundlers". He did money laundering once with robert Blackwell's quid pro quo.
Posted by: libre | May 10, 2008 1:50:32 AM
Obama Bought delegates and now wants to buy Senator Clinton? Why is he still affraid of her? Something else in the closet?
Posted by: libre | May 10, 2008 1:38:55 AM
As a very unhappy Michigan voter, I want the DNC to know they have destroyed my interest in ever again voting for a Democrat, other than Jennifer Granholm. The DNC is run by an idiot who couldn't get through the nomination process and is now destroying the process. I'm finding that John McCain isn't the evil reincarnation of a Bush that the Dems are saying - looks to me like he's going to be our next President. The Supreme Court elected Bush and the DNC is going to elect McCain. A curse on them and all their ilk for a dozen generations.
Posted by: Disenfranchised Michigander | May 10, 2008 1:13:25 AM
Obama is attempting to make himself look generous and Clinton desperate while the media is obviously gracious to comply. I thought she had millions in reserve for if or when she wins the nomination.
I wonder how his campaign is so flushed. The moneys aren't coming in earnest from folks contributing $25 here and $100 there on the grassroots level.
Posted by: katrina | May 9, 2008 10:44:35 PM
alohaone
The fact is that when Bill Clinton became president, the economy was naturally on the upswing. Because of all the Clinton's dirty dealings (too many to list) we voted in a republican majority under his administration.
The Clintons did nothing for AA. He courted the black vote because they were the most loyal base in the democratic party, and blue collar workers were voting republican.
It was because of the AA votes Bill was even reelected.
He set up shop in Harlem, because his wife had aspirations to run for president, and he wanted to mantain that base.
He signed NAFTA into law, and most of our jobs went overseas. That's why we're in this sad state of affairs now.
It's all due to the Clintons.
Posted by: s_ben | May 9, 2008 10:44:27 PM
alohaone, yes you have helped destroy the party for not voting for a dem. It's Hillary or then McCain for you. Way to go. Take your toys and go home.
Posted by: d | May 9, 2008 10:44:14 PM
Nomination is unattainable by Hillary
Clinton. She cannot reach the goal.
Her supporters would do well to learn
to be fair and courteous.
Vote for Obama in the General.
Posted by: anon | May 9, 2008 10:44:01 PM
I have never read so many comments that have no basis for their argument. OBAMA has been selected by the people to be the nominee. Clinton has lost and now should step aside and support the party.
Posted by: Travis | May 9, 2008 10:42:07 PM
the only way the obamas will get to see the white house is if Hill & Bill invite them to take a tour of it.
Posted by: andrea | May 9, 2008 10:34:55 PM
this Craps about Clinton supporters destroying the party make me SICK.... who has unified the party in 92 after its humiliating defeat 2years ealier ?? who fight so hard for health care reforms???(I remember then that for almost 2 years , that is the most talked-about issue after Bill was Pres.), who got the gut and wit and talent to stand against the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy ( and don't you tell me that it did not exist , not after the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and over 50 mil. of tax-payers' money and countless dead-end , good-for-nothing so-called investigations on Who Bill **** that have absolutely nothing to do with the people's dinner plates ), who has helped improved the conditions of the Black communities in inner cities ??? People who criticize the Clintons as power-hungry couple forget one thing , all politicians are power-hungry , there are only 2 kinds of them , the one who can actually do the job that they are hired to do (like Clinton ) and those who screwed up on the job (like Jimmy Carter and soon OBAMA if he is elected) , NOW , some people say Bush JR. , but hey , he did keep us safe all these year and he did get those Al-Qaida running for their lives with their pants down , didn't he??? Bush has his short-coming , but he by no-mean an incompetent like Jimmy Carter who turned a great nation into laughing stocks of the world ...Anyway , the Dems. party has forgotten all that the Clintons have done for them , just like the black people ....this party is going down the tube with the like of Jimmy CArter and Nancy Pelosi and Barrack Hussein Obama ....If Clinton is not the nominee in Nov. and if she still does not run as an independent , I am voting for Mc Cain, that clown Obama can go back to Chicago with his discriminative church for the next 20 years.....
Posted by: alohaone | May 9, 2008 10:30:48 PM
Obamaknew, my biggest concern is McCain becoming president. And I don't understand how any dem would vote for him. I know Hillary supporters are passionate about her which is fine. But to put this country in jeopardy with a conservative Supreme Court is just insane to me. If people don't like Obama then vote him out in 4 years but we can't do that with the Supreme Court. We are stuck with them. I wish people would see the big picture here. There is so much at stake with the Supreme Court.
Posted by: lisa | May 9, 2008 10:29:13 PM
Hillary keep up the fight. It is not over!!
You will win big i W Virginia.
Republican will crack Obama in November.
Posted by: JT | May 9, 2008 10:26:02 PM
Lisa: It's a fact that race is going to define this election and it's not myself I speak of but the reality of the racial divide in this country. I'm a life long democrat and if Obama is the nominee I'll support that hesitantly as a democrat, but there are many who will not. AND it's those who will not who outnumber those who will and maybe even I, when in the booth might still hesitate before sticking the pin in the O column. Hillary has died hard decades old support and this upstart Obama is not going to change the view of people who waited their whole life to see a woman president or Hillary as president. AND Obama's very candidacy brings the racial baggage with it no matter how you spin it lady. AND if the party disenfranchises FL and MI. I might vote McCain. SEE!
Posted by: ObamaKnew | May 9, 2008 10:23:41 PM
"Hillary needs to bow out after Kentucky. The game is in the bottom of the ninth and Obama is winning, no need to play the last half inning."
==========================================
Whoever said the above has never been a New York Mets fan. Remember 1969? I do. I was there at Shea.
"It ain't over, 'til it's over".
Yogi Berra
P.S. - It ain't over 'til Denver.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | May 9, 2008 10:23:38 PM
Paul writThats the way life is. First Obama made us small town Americans mad because of the "clinging to gun" statement and so he can forget our votes!"
=============================
As if you were perfectly happy being socioeconomically stagnant. You'd get far more respect by simply saying you're jealous of the educated Black guy. At least that would be an honest response. (lol)
Posted by: Dems | May 9, 2008 10:13:44 PM
And for those of you who say you'll vote for McCain, are not TRUE democrats.
You're probably the same ones who voted for George W. twice. Look where it got us?
Do you really want to see Roe v. Wade overturned?
Do you really want to see more Americans die for oil?
Do you really want a future for our children?
Posted by: s_ben | May 9, 2008 10:12:49 PM
Clinton should fight on , it's 2min. left in the game , you are down by 3pts. , your opponent has the ball at your 40th . It's a dire situation but NOT impossible , especially when your opponent has shown his weakness . Just hit him hard so he fumbles like he had earlier (because this guy has a hard time holding on to the ball), you can get the ball back , with one minute , 2 plays , touch down as time run out , I believe she can still win , just like Bill says , you gotta believe girl, go for it , the Clinton can always come back , NO matter what. The only reason Obama is surging is because the Dems party has been hijacked by the ultra-left liberals , they will be in for a surprise come Nov.08 . The media is biased , the party powers are biased , the Black community is biased . Look at the number , if Obama has not won the Black Vote by at least 90% , he is nowhere near where he is today , next question is , how can you win any group by 90% ?????? Remember , if people vote fairly , a good candidate can only win by 65% of a group Max. , and that is plenty , Obama won by an ave.of 90% of the Black votes , and that is after all that the Clintons has done for the Black community (they do not call him the first Black Pres. for nothing) , this is appalling , gross injustice to say the least . I say Clinton should fight on , 'til the END , for justice ,for Glory , for the American people who deserve better than an inexperient , 1st.-term junior Senator who had shown that he is a bigot( by listening to the hatred rhetorics of Wright for 20 years) for President . Clinton should fights to the End , and after that , as an independent like Joe Libermann if she is not the nominee. NO Retreat , No Surrender , she owes that much to herself, to her supporters , to the country and to the Name Clinton itself ...Go Hillary , look at John McCain, see how he came back from the Death ??? Go Hillary , you can do it ...make us proud ...Hillary or McCain 08 ---Absolutely NO OBAMA ....
Posted by: alohaone | May 9, 2008 10:12:08 PM
How is Hillary going to get our country out of debt when she can't even keep her own campaign in the black?
She scares me.
She's touting "experience", but she is clearly the weaker candidate.
Hillary is probably shocked because she didn't see Obama comming. She underestimated him.
She thought it will all be over by super tuesday, while Obama kept pressing on.
Sen. Obama ran a more organized campaign, and it shows.
Senator Obama deserves this nomination for all his hard work, honesty, and dedication.
Posted by: s_ben | May 9, 2008 10:07:14 PM
Like this was a fair race media wise that is bs they had thier fun and as for women supporters we think it was a very bias race they trashed Bill played the race card and thier are plenty of us out here that will not vote for Obama and why the hell can't he go to WV and KY thats Hillary's fault to right Ted kennedy is an ass he knew this would happen that women would stay with HIllary thru thick and thin and that AA would stay with Obama maybe he wants McCain they are close friends there are millions of women we have put millions of are dollars out for Hillary we truly believe that she is the best for us.just like Obama supporters love him we love her
Posted by: Bishop | May 9, 2008 10:02:38 PM
Obama is destroying the democrats, not Hillary. Obama wants to disenfranchise Fl and MI and if they do that, there will be no more democratic party anyway. Obama is going to bring misery and disappointment as the nominee, so whether it's Aug or Nov. Obama people better prepare for the possibility of a big big disappoinment. Then what will the black vote mean, nothing at all. I think Hillary was correct in saying she has the white vote. Obama's candidacy has made this about race and race is what will determine who the president is.
Posted by: ObamaKnew | May 9, 2008 9:57:34 PM
I think Senator Clinton knows she has lost but still running to recover the money that she has loaned to her campaign and to pay off debts.
Posted by: plaridel | May 9, 2008 9:52:19 PM
To all who have been claiming that Hillary would beat McCain based on polls, before the voting even started. Remember, those same polls had Hillary beating Barack before the voting started.
Posted by: runnerin1 | May 9, 2008 9:46:51 PM
I believe that Hillary should, after she takes the Presidential Oath of Office, show her gratitude to Senator Obama for his kind offer to retire her campaign debt. I think this would best be done by offering Senator Obama a high governmental position, like Ambassador to Kenya.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | May 9, 2008 9:44:48 PM
I'd love to tell Obama what he can do with his money, but you wouldn't publish it.
Posted by: s. valenti | May 9, 2008 9:40:36 PM
Paul, what a wonderful post, thank you.
Posted by: lisa | May 9, 2008 8:37:05 PM
Thanks lisa, it is heart felt. I can't believe that people don't see what to me is so obvious.....
Posted by: Paul | May 9, 2008 9:40:07 PM
Hillary continues to divide and bring bad vibes to her own party. She is a divisive figure who should concede with honor before she tries to do more damage. She is only helping Republicans by being as stubborn as Bush.
Posted by: Marjorie | May 9, 2008 9:32:11 PM
Then how come Clinton beats McCain by more points than Obama in the national polls. I have been a democrat for 30 years and I will not vote for Obama. Plain and simple. Posted by: J | May 9, 2008 8:37:00 PM
Well a poll is not a vote and certainly, any comparison of Hillary or Obama to McCain at this time is a little early. Let's see how things trend out and what the voters' judgment is in November. It is hardly worth getting too excited and getting into a hypothetical question about n imaginary and hypothetical match up at this particular moment in time. If I recall, it was not that long ago the reverse was true.
Posted by: Paul | May 9, 2008 9:29:39 PM
For the good of the democratic party, barack obama should get out of the race.
Posted by: andrea | May 9, 2008 9:28:28 PM
Its going to be hard for Obama to win without small town hard working class Americans, Also no matter what anyone says there are many Hillary susporters that will not vote for Obama because he is black. Thats the way life is. First Obama made us small town Americans mad because of the "clinging to gun" statement and so he can forget our votes!
Posted by: paul | May 9, 2008 9:18:54 PM
Since my other post was deleted, I'll ask again.
WHERE DO THE MILLIONS Senator Obama seems to have available and is willing to give to his opponent, COME FROM? Any reasonable explanations would be appreciated. Oh, and "online contributions" is not a reasonable answer.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | May 9, 2008 9:17:31 PM
If Obama helps Clinton with her campaign debt, I want all of the money I donated to his campaign returned. I did not intend for my donation to go to any other campaign, especially Clinton's. Obama, what could you be thinking?
Posted by: Susan | May 9, 2008 9:17:27 PM
Hillary needs to bow out after Kentucky. The game is in the bottom of the ninth and Obama is winning, no need to play the last half inning. Obama is the right person for the right time. He will kick-ass against mc-more-war, no doubt. Obama 2008!
Posted by: pt | May 9, 2008 9:11:32 PM
For some 'pundits' to say that if barack obama wins the nomination that the Hillary supporters will follow suit is a lie. I could NEVER vote for barack hussien obama not even if I was offered money to do so. My hatred for him is much too intense.
Posted by: andrea | May 9, 2008 9:06:33 PM
I believe that she can use the 40million she has for her Presidential race. So really just more BS
Posted by: Bishop | May 9, 2008 9:02:38 PM
Which Democratic candidate is most electable?
Consider this:
The Democratic Electoral College as of April 23, 2008
This assumes a winner-take-all primary/caucus vote takes all Electoral votes for each state. The totals immediately below are WITHOUT any consideration of the states of Florida and Michigan.
Clinton 261
Obama 181
But with Florida and Michigan:
Clinton 305
Obama 181
Assuming the following victories, based on current polls, with Clinton winning Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Obama winning North Carolina, South Dakota, Oregon (which is doubtful), and Montana, the totals would then be, still without Florida and Michigan:
Clinton 285
Obama 209
Even with a victory for Obama in Indiana, the totals would be, still without Florida and Michigan:
Clinton 274
Obama 220
Whether or not the vote turns out as indicated, I firmly believe the above analysis more than amply demonstrates which of the Democratic candidates is in a better position to be the stronger candidate in the General Election.
In addition, the ACTUAL PLEDGED DELEGATE count, as per the New York Times is:
Obama 1410
Clinton 1332
Difference 78
Everything else is counting one's chickens before they hatch.
This nominating process will go to Denver and be decided there. And I know who shoud be chosen.
Posted by: Yavo Lem | May 9, 2008 9:02:35 PM
Why doesn't barack obama just go away? God, I cant stand the man. He's nothing but a spoiler. If he wins the nomination Mccain will be president. Hillary is the one who can beat Mccain not an inexperienced weakling like barack obama. Go Hillary!!!
Posted by: andrea | May 9, 2008 8:57:34 PM
Obama is contuning to shine. Now it the time for a unity of the party.
Congratulation
Way to go OBAMA
Posted by: lee | May 9, 2008 8:50:29 PM
Syofie, it's not Obama destroying the party, it's Hillary's supporters that are. Most Obama supporters would support Hillary.
Posted by: elle | May 9, 2008 8:47:42 PM
Whoever Paul is, the attempt to portray Barack (liberal of the liberals) on even the same page as Ronald Reagan is completely without merit and indicates an intent to mislead.
The rest of the rambling post simply amounts to whining that everyone has not bowed down to worship the liberal messiah who is the choice of Hamas.
General election voters and their electorates, not caucus-circuses, will produce the next President, not a radical liberal and self-annointed messiah
Posted by: Jayhawk | May 9, 2008 8:45:46 PM
Besides hope and a new direction, what is Obama for?
Posted by: Just Curious | May 9, 2008 8:42:11 PM
Well, Hillary, "Deal, or no deal"?
Posted by: Yavo Lem | May 9, 2008 8:37:56 PM
To Paul... you are one of those idiots. How much off the wall stuff that comes out on Obama has to hit you in the head to make you wake up dude??
Posted by: MJL | May 9, 2008 8:37:49 PM
How bizarre that Barack Obama would try to "buy" the support of Senator Hillary Clinton.
Hillary Clinton and John McCain need to immediately condemn this brazen type of Chicago-style, hack politics and continue to slash any Obama potential.
The arrogance of Barack Obama is simply pathetic.
Posted by: Jayhawk | May 9, 2008 8:37:42 PM
Paul, what a wonderful post, thank you.
Posted by: lisa | May 9, 2008 8:37:05 PM
Paul,
Then how come Clinton beats McCain by more points than Obama in the national polls. I have been a democrat for 30 years and I will not vote for Obama. Plain and simple.
Posted by: J | May 9, 2008 8:37:00 PM
Just look at history do you really want to be on the side like the Confederate and Klan?? This is American History in the making..Be on the right side of history.
OBAMA 08
Posted by: Lawrence | May 9, 2008 8:29:51 PM
I would be concerned about Hilliary running the country. She can't run her campaign. She can't pick talent to run her campaign. I would be really afraid if she was president. She is in debt??? Imagine what type of debt she would put the country in, like we don't have enough.
She touts so much experience - I would be convinced when I see that she can actually balance and control her own personal campaign budget.
Posted by: Jackie | May 9, 2008 8:25:51 PM
Um take it,
The majority of voters do want Hillary and she will be ahead in the popular vote after everyone has had their say.
Michigan and Florida vote in Nov and I'm pretty sure I know how they'll vote.
Posted by: s.b. | May 9, 2008 8:24:21 PM
All I hear is a bunch of sore losers whining like babies about Hillary losing. Face it, If the vast majority of Democrats wanted her to be in first place, she'd be there. But she isnt. Why?. Dont get it yet?. Good. Keep being mad. Obama will be the next President, and maybe someone will explain it to to you by November. Go Obama!!!
Posted by: Take it like Americans | May 9, 2008 8:21:16 PM
There is nothing ABC news can do to stop Sen. Clinton from becoming President. About three years ago a well known televangelist, Perry Stone Jr., told his congregation that God spoke to him and said Sen. Clinton will be the next President. This information can be obtained from one of his published works on CD entitled “Strange Patterns of Recent American Presidents.” On track 7 of this CD, he tells us that Sen. Clinton will once again be in the White House. So give it up ABC News. And Barack, your days are numbered.
Posted by: brianerickson65 | May 9, 2008 8:20:31 PM
Everyone knows WV and KY consist of the smartest people in America. Of course he would be down...he hasn't step foot there yet.. we always close the gap..and I expect the same when he hit the mountain states.
Posted by: Lawrence | May 9, 2008 8:20:04 PM
Hillary will be back in 2012 because Obama doesn't have a snowballs chance in Florida or being elected.
Posted by: s.b. | May 9, 2008 8:19:22 PM
A,
You are seriously delusional if you ever think that is going to happen. Either that or you are a troll trying to get a rise out of people. Either way you will find out in November when Obama doesn't have those Hillary followers behind him.
Posted by: J | May 9, 2008 8:18:41 PM
Catleya, everyone over the age of 35 knows he isn't going to win them or the white house in November either.
No Democrat has ever been elected without winnning West Virginia or Kentucky.
He's behind by 43 in WV and 38 in Kenn before undecideds break.
He is political suicide.
McGovern, Dukakis, Gore, Kerry, Obama
Way to go Dems!!!! Idiots the supers were created from preventing this from happening again. Dems don't deserve the white house because they are too dumb.
Posted by: s.b. | May 9, 2008 8:17:37 PM
The Presidential race won't be a cake walk nor a slam dunk for either side. Just a year ago, if not even more recently (just prior to Iowa in January), everyone had Clinton as the inevitable POTUS and McCain was all but "dead" politically last summer. It may depend more so in this election (than in past elections) who will be their respective Vice-Presidential running mates. If Obama puts Hillary on the ticket, say goodbye to the Democratic Party - if you think Obama has baggage, with the two of them on the ticket, it will be a recipe for disaster. I know I would vote McCain if Hillary insists on a joint Democratic ticket. If Obama becomes POTUS, he could better reward Mrs. Clinton for her tiredless efforts with an ambassadorship to Bosnia (watch out for sniper fire, Mrs. Clinton!)
Posted by: mariann | May 9, 2008 8:15:06 PM
boo hoo,
Obviously you don't know how to read or are some young pup that has Hope on their mind. Clinton has loyal followers who for whatever reason do not want Obama to be POTUS. They will walk away from the Democratic party.
Posted by: J | May 9, 2008 8:14:25 PM
Before sign-off, would like to remind people:
Americans NEVER quit!!!!
Posted by: True Truth | May 9, 2008 8:13:50 PM
Hillary supporters, please don't buy Obama's condescending gesture to offer to pay off her campaign debts. Obama's trying to buy the support from all our Hillary supporters, so that he can win the general election.
However, I'll not be swayed by this. I'll continue to support Hillary as always and will not support Obama if unfortunately he's the nominee. I don't support him because I strongly believe he's not ready yet. On top of that, he's mean and hypocritical. I remember all the severe personal attacks Hillary had received from Obama and his campaign. I also remember clearly how Obama wanted to disenfranchise voters from Florida and Michigan and killed the chance of a re-vote. From what he has done in the past, I just don't buy his condescending/arrogant gesture! This revolts me.
Posted by: Cici | May 9, 2008 8:12:10 PM
Obama's money can't buy people'suports, just like what happened from OH, PA, and Ind..
Posted by: True Truth | May 9, 2008 8:11:02 PM
How about she cleans his clock in West Virginia, Kentucky and Puerto Rico, the DNC decides to count the votes of 2.3 million democrats, and the superdelegates decide to back someone who can actually win in November.
That sound good.
Posted by: s.b. | May 9, 2008 8:07:22 PM
At this time in history one must ponder, Is the political party more important, or the candidate? Answer: The Candidate. GO INDEPENDENT HILLARY. The DNC has already turned its back on the people -- with the bias and disenfranchisement of Florida and Michigan. Hillary would beat Obama and McCain in a general election.
Posted by: What Really Matters | May 9, 2008 8:07:09 PM
True Truth
Obama DOES NOT represent the values of the democratic party. It's as simple as that!
Posted by: A | May 9, 2008 8:02:47 PM
A- It will never happen. People need to wake up and realize Obama is not electable in a general election. Sure, African Americans, the young and liberal love him...but that is NOT enough to win in a general election...JUST THE FACTS.
Posted by: the truth | May 9, 2008 8:02:23 PM
Just to be fair, some of these Clinton comments sounds pretty damn angry, and I'd feel angry also if my candidate of choice was losing.
Second, every party has supporters that speak rudely, even disgusting at some point.
Third, if you think it is easy for an Obama supporter to hear that he may help pay off millions of debt for an opponent, ummm....... you need to learn to look at things from both perspectives.
Fourth, as a mother who has a son that turns 18 under this next president- some of these arguments wish certain posters and I were in a boxing ring so I could knock your ass out.
Quit being selfish- I make less than 30,000 and have given over 200 to the Obama campaign, and there are about a MILLION others like me.
Clinton is outspent? Well, let's look at why Clinton doesn't have millions like me donating to her campaign. It is the very reverse of her white blue collar argument.
Posted by: Bud | May 9, 2008 7:59:04 PM
formerdemocrat,
I too plan to change my registration from Democrat to Independent. I'm a life-long Democrat but I no longer feel belong there.
Posted by: bebe | May 9, 2008 7:58:57 PM
No Way
Most Clinton supporters WILL vote for Obama (aka Soetoro). They'll allow themselves to believe that the end of the world is inevitable if they vote for McCain. They'll surrender their fragile principles for the sake of the party even though it no longer represents them. Wait and see!