Sen. Barack Obama's Florida fundraiser last night was greeted by Clinton-supporters protesting. Here are some key lines from a pool report by the New York Times:
Pool Report
May 21, 2008
Maitland, Fla.
Senator Barack Obama arrived at the Sheraton Orlando North, located in the suburb of Maitland, shortly before 8 p.m.
A dozen or two protesters were on hand when the motorcade pulled into the hotel. Some appeared to be Clinton supporters, with their chants of "Count our votes, count our votes," echoing the message on their signs. One woman's sign had a slightly sharper version of a similar theme: "Count our votes, bonehead!"
The event raised $475,000, according to campaign spokesman Josh Earnest. It drew contributions from 900 people, he said, in three tiers: $250, $1,000 and $2,300. (A local fundraiser who introduced Mr. Obama called it the largest Democratic presidential fundraiser in the history of the Republican-leaning county. Your pool cannot verify.)
Reporter Sean Lengell was on the Florida campaign trail yesterday, and has this report in today's paper:
TAMPA, Fla. — Sen. Barack Obama, setting foot in the nation's biggest battleground state for his first campaign event since the fall, offered an olive branch to Florida voters whose Democratic primary results still hang in the balance and attacked presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.
Even though Mr. McCain enjoys strong support in Florida, Mr. Obama has pulled ahead in national tracking polls. His advance further deflates his Democratic rival's argument that she is better positioned to beat the Republicans in the fall.
"It is good to be back. I know you've been holding down the fort," Mr. Obama told a boisterous crowd of about 15,000 at the St. Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa. The rally was his first public appearance in Florida since September, although he attended two fundraisers in November.
"I am here to report that my debt has been paid off and my faith in the American people has been vindicated because everywhere I go people are standing up and saying we're ready for change."
Florida Democrats overwhelmingly favored Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the state's Jan. 29 contest, but she hasn't reaped the benefit as Mr. Obama has pulled within 64 delegates from laying claim to the party nomination with the June 3 primary finish line fast approaching. Because the state broke Democratic National Committee rules by holding its primary too early, voters will have to wait until May 31 to know whether their votes count.
Mr. Obama barely mentioned Mrs. Clinton but said she "has run an outstanding campaign and she deserves our admiration and our respect."
Read Lengell's full story here.
Clinton also was in Florida yesterday, and her event in Boca Raton made the comedy shows because a man sitting behind her podium kept yawning.
Here's Leno's take:
— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (43)
Nice of you to report on HRC's current agitation to count the Michigan and Florida results. Now go back and do the rest of your job as journalists: go back and bring us the statements from her campaign when her campaign agreed with those of the rest of the candidates that DNC did the right thing when it decided not to count the states that moved their primaries forward without authorization. Which HRC will we believe? HRC 2007? Or HRC 2008?
By the way, in retrospect it was pretty stupid of the Florida and Michigan parties to move their primaries so far forward in the process. As things developed, if they had left the primaries where they were in the schedule, these states would have been pivotal in selecting the nominee.
Posted by Tom i California | May 22, 2008 12:13 PM
STOP REPORTING HALF THE STORY.
Clinton agreed not to campaign in Florida. She lied. When she found out she was losing, she all of the sudden wanted them to count...very patriotic. Mr. Obama stood by his promise and did not campaign, as did all the other Democratic candidates. It is unfair to assign Mrs. Clinton these votes. If anything they should be split. The florida legislature is the one responsible for not counting the votes....not Mr. Obama. Please report the ENTIRE truth.
Posted by Jason | May 22, 2008 12:15 PM
Funny video!
I simply can't understand why Clinton supporters blame Barack Obama for the Florida and Michigan mess. Both state legislatures made the decision to move the primaries, both knew they faced sanctions. Now they're angry, but how on earth can that be Obama's fault? Because he didn't agree to everything the Clintons wanted? Well, hate to be a bummer here, but once again, he was playing within the guidelines set at the beginning of the campaign and has an equal voice in the negotiations.
I think what Hillary is doing right now is completely tasteless, and is going to ruin our party. Hopes of unity are fading with each passing day. I don't really know what she's trying to prove, but she should actually think about the fact she may be yelling and screaming her way right out of politics for good. I would never vote for her, for any political office.
Posted by Susan | May 22, 2008 12:16 PM
Why are you leading with a story about a dozen Clinton supporters demonstrating against Obama? It's not Obama's fault that Florida screwed up their primary. Seems like you'll use anything to generate a negative Obama headline. Isn't that media bias... or what the old folks used to call: "YELLOW JOURNALISM"?
Posted by Ken | May 22, 2008 12:16 PM
I wonder if this would have been printed if there were a "couple a dozen" Obama supporters doing the exact same thing? I leave it to you!
Posted by We The People | May 22, 2008 12:18 PM
Hillary at this point appears delusional. She is not going to get the nomination and it is clear that this is all about her and not the country. Obama is being more than fair than by offering a solution on Florida. Hillary on the other hand wants to have her cake and eat it too. She was all for letting Florida and Michigan go to hell when she figured she didn't need them and now wants to back out. If they want to split it 50/50 or 60/40 Hillary still doesn't win.
Posted by MJJP | May 22, 2008 12:20 PM
This is SHAMEFUL!! As though Obama had ANYTHING to do with Florida primary not getting counted!! I think it is sick and it shows how malicious Clinton supporters have become. I hope Clinton wins the nomination so McCain can win the election and Clinton can vanish into oblivion. Clinton has proven that she is unqualified and completely unelectable in the last few weeks.
God Bless
Posted by Jan E | May 22, 2008 12:20 PM
I hate the fact that people don't listen to rules and then want to cry about it. Hillary was not crying after the Florida votes were in, because she thought she had it in the bag. This is my advice to Florida BLAME YOUR REPRESENTATION!!! Don't blame Obama. The democrats in Florida thought it would be "coool" to vote early knowing the consequences. So give Obama a break and find a real fault to pick at.
Posted by Jane Smart | May 22, 2008 12:21 PM
These protesters must be the hard working white Americans that are backing Hillary. I would like to see them re-categorized to a more reflective title such as uneducated redneck. Do they really think that Obama has the ability to just waive his hand and say...let the Florida votes count? He isnt on the DNC rules committee. The DNC is the one that needs protesters not the candidates. This is all a big joke. I live in FL, I didnt vote because I was told by the DNC it would not count. If I was told it would have counted or even would have the possibility of counting I would have voted. If the DNC allows the Hillary votes to be counted it would be a violation of their own rules, this is NOT how I want the next president of the U.S to win, we have had enough of this "make the rules up as we go" politics from W and crew.
Posted by npafl | May 22, 2008 12:28 PM
Shame on you! Just another elitist "journalist" infactuated with the Obama fever. Everything reported about Obama is positive and that about Clinton is the yawning supporter.
Posted by andrew lo | May 22, 2008 12:31 PM
Rules mean nothing if they are changed every time someone does not like them. Clinton is self-serving and trying to cheat her way to the nomination. The DNC leadership needs to step up and take charge - as is their job. All these calls to "count the votes" seem just slimy to me. This is a fairness issue, and simply "counting the votes" is not fair as anyone with a conscience can see.
But if you are hellbent on changing the rules, then I alternatively propose we change the rules to make the primaries winner-take-all affairs, change the legal voting age to 60, and allow cats and dogs to vote (their barks and meows need to be heard). In that case, we could REALLY guarantee a Clinton "victory". These alternative rules are just as fair as what Clinton proposed.
Posted by Brian | May 22, 2008 12:33 PM
"WE" have one word for Mr. Obama or,shoud I say name, (WEBB).
Posted by We The People | May 22, 2008 12:35 PM
Stop blaming Obama for your woes! Obama is not DNC. And Hillary is not above the Party rules. Infact she is out of the race looser! its hard for feminists to swallow eh!
Posted by Doe | May 22, 2008 12:37 PM
Our country and the world are looking for a leader. We already know his name, Barack Obama. There times ahead are difficult, and I know Mr. Obama has yet to refine and restructure some of his plans and ideas on how to move the country forward. The difference between him and the competition is his integrity and wisdom in dicephering good policy from catastrophic popular myth. Mr. Obama will be a great American President. Obama Rocks!!!!
Posted by Willie in Kansas | May 22, 2008 12:40 PM
I am surprised, desapointed, that in the country that preach democracy not practice one, why florida and michigan votes dont count, is regular people who vote .why politics get involved.
No body is change rules, is being fair to the regular people.and let the first right of the citizens count
Posted by socorro | May 22, 2008 1:13 PM
Hillary will do anything to win. She will go anywhere and say anything that will further her ambitions. There is no truth that she won't shade nor rule she won't bend to meet her ultimate objective: To Win. She wraps her narcissistic self up in the Feminist cause but actually owes her national spotlight to her husband Bill. I have no doubt that she will push her "argument" all the way to the convention in August at the expense of the Democratic party and Barrack Obama. She is a bright ,strong, and tenacious woman that is capable to be sure but "Monster" is not an altogether inappropriate description of her.
Posted by Craig | May 22, 2008 1:23 PM
Concerning Florida and Michigan, the votes should be counted. Those that voted wanted to exercise their legal right to have a choice, and probably hoped the DNC ruling would be overturned. Those that didn't vote apparently were not that interested. The voters should not lose their votes, it's unfair and very likely illegal. The state officials responsible for violating DNC rules should be punished with a personal fine to be paid to the DNC. The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee should consider this at their May 30 meeting and do the right thing by the voters. Let those responsible pay, not the voters. Hopefully the committee will have the common sense and decency to do this.
Posted by Billw | May 22, 2008 1:27 PM
To American (Hillary supporters) who brainwashed by Clintons, who take side with Hillary in following Hillary's jungle laws / rules and blaming Obama - what would you teach your children / grandchildren: follow the rules if they are benefit for you, break / change the rules if they are not benefit for you?
Be role model for your next generations, would you. Clintons are not American & world role models based on their history and Hillary campaign actions. What is a shame.
Posted by Katy | May 22, 2008 1:50 PM
May 21, 2008 (LPAC)--With her speech today in Palm Beach, Sen. Hillary Clinton has also placed Floridians' Constitutional right to have their votes fully counted, in the long progress of ending slavery and winning the right to vote for Black Americans and women. Clinton was speaking to senior citizens, some of whom lost their votes in the Florida recount debacle in the 2000 Presidential election.
She did it while making clear she is continuing until the Democratic National Convention, if necessary, to win this fight for Florida and Michigan, and calling on Sen. Barack Obama to join it.
On slavery or the right to vote: "In each successive generation, this nation was blessed by men and women who refused to accept their assigned place as second-class citizens ... The abolitionists and all who fought to end slavery, and ensure that freedom came with the full right of citizenship."
On the Constitutional principle: "We have certain core rights that no government can abridge and these rights are rooted in, and sustained by the principle that our Founders set forth in the Declaration of Independence. That a just government derives its power from the consent of the governed, that each of us should have an equal voice in determining the destiny of our nation."
On the Florida disenfranchisement of 2000--by corporate purging of public voter lists, Wall Street lawyers' disruption of recounts, and Supreme Court overrule: "We believe that the outcome of our elections should be determined by the will of the people. Nothing more, nothing less. And we believe the popular vote is the truest expression of your will. We believe it today just as we believed it back in 2000 when right here in Florida you learned the hard way what happens when you're votes aren't counted and a candidate with fewer votes is determined the winner.
"I believe the Democratic Party must count these votes. They should count them exactly as they were cast.
"Some say that counting Florida and Michigan would be changing the rules. I say that not counting Michigan and Florida is changing a central governing rule of this country--that whenever we can understand the clear intent of the voters, their votes should be counted."
Posted by maryjane | May 22, 2008 2:20 PM
Howard Dean should count ALL of the votes and not only half!
Why isn't Obama pushing to count ALL the votes too unless his campaign message of 'hope and unity' is dimminished by his 20 year relationship with Pastor Wright and there are allegations that they may have had a closeted homosexual relationship and is the reason why he could not leave him for 20 years....
Posted by maryjane | May 22, 2008 2:25 PM
Hillary must win no matter what. This is the way the Clintons planned it, and no other outcome will be acceptable. She is a stubborn fighter so she cannot lose. Even if she loses she will not quit. She was already fitted for her crown and she can't stand the embarrassment of returning it to Wall Mart.
Posted by D MINER | May 22, 2008 3:12 PM
maryjane, you are obviously as sick and demented as your Clinton. The fact that the Hillary you are delusional about now initially agreed that your votes be voided means nothing to you. The fact that some voters stayed away because they told that their votes would not count means nothing to you. Instead you would manufacture 'homosexual' allegations from your moronic mind. Shame !!!!!
Posted by Dr SS Jamgbadi | May 22, 2008 3:23 PM
Not only did Clinton agree to the rules, she didn't complain when the Rules committee sanctioned the states, she only complained AFTER she won and decided she needed those votes. Also at the time the Rules committee voted to take the delegates away from the states, Hillary's supporters were in charge of the rules committee, over 2/3rds of the commmittee were either endorsers of Hillary, working on the Hillary campaign or had worked for the Clintons so in escense Hillary decided to take the delegates away from the states and she will have a huge say in how they are returned. She also said the votes would not count when she was the only one on the ballot, a move that was suggested by the DNC to show solidarity with the early primary states. The candidates tried to remove their names in Florida but it was too late by state law, ballots were already printed.
She got to take the delegates away from the states and assure she was the only one running in those states. She stole the primaries in two major states. In Florida, since she had the Clinton name and no one was allowed to campaign it was almost like no one else running.
If the punishment was wrong why did she abide by not campaigning in those states or complain BEFORE they voted, so EVERY vote could be counted because a lot of people stayed home or voted in the republican primary because they were told their votes wouldn't count.
She was the only one running in Michigan and STILL 40% voted against her. If she wouldn't have cheat she may not have won either state. Now she is screeching about counting the votes after she cheated to get them. this is why 68% of Americans say Hillary is dishonest and divisive.
Also a lot of the problems with the revote were state problems, a lot of the options were against state law or very unfavorable to one side. By state law, they could not run another primary in one of the states, I think Florida, but they were looking into an outside group paying for it and running it, but it was also against the law for the state to supply an outside group with voter lists. One of Hillary's suggested fixes was to have one of her groups run it, pay for it and the DNC to supply the list. Now who would trust the Clintons to do that? In New York, in all black districts run by Clinton supporters they were reporting Obama received 0 votes. It was a big story in New York papers but got little national coverage. The Clintons can not be trusted.... ever.
Posted by John | May 22, 2008 3:24 PM
McCain's use of the words craven, despicable and scam are mighty powerful and poisonous words from a man who admittedly traded "military information" to his communist captors in exchange for better medical treatment--or who divorced the wife that stood by him while he was a POW, after she became crippled in an accident.
Those words are hypocritical from a man whose younger and richer wife (she's an heir to Hensley & Co., the second largest Anheuser-Busch beer distributor in the United States) got caught after stealing drugs for two years from a charitable organization of which she was president.
Editor's note: The U.S. military Code of Conduct is the definitive code specifying the responsibilities of American military personnel while in combat or captivity.
Article V of the Code is very specific in ordering U.S. military personnel to avoid answering questions to the utmost of their ability and to make no oral or written statements disloyal to the United States and its allies or harmful to their cause. Any willful violation of the Code is considered collaborating with the enemy.
U.S. Navy pilot John McCain was shot down on his 23rd mission over North Vietnam, October 26, 1967. He was released March 1973 after being held captive by the North Vietnamese for 5-1/2 years.
Within days of his release, McCain wrote the following account of his captivity, which was published in U.S. News and World Report - May 14, 1973:
"I think it was on the fourth day [after being shot down] that two guards came in, instead of one. One of them pulled back the blanket to show the other guard my injury. I looked at my knee. It was about the size of a football . . . when I saw it, I said to the guard, 'O.K., get the officer' . . . an officer came in after a few minutes. It was the man that we came to know very well as 'The Bug.' He was a psychotic torturer, one of the worst fiends that we had to deal with. I said, 'O.K., I'll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital.'"
McCain now says it was only a coincidence that at the same time he was offering "military information" in exchange for special medical treatment, his captors discovered that his father was Adm. John S. McCain Jr., commander of all U.S. forces in Europe and soon-to-be commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific, including Vietnam.
Upon learning about McCain's father, the communists, in an unprecedented move, rushed McCain to one of their military hospitals where he received treatment not available for other U.S. prisoners of war.
Read following news excerpts that chronicle McCain and his associations:
"Nhan Dan today published answers to questions by one of its correspondents made by a U.S. air pirate detained in North Vietnam. "He is Lt. John Sidney McCain . . ." Hanoi VNA International Service in French - November 9, 1967
"To a question of the correspondent, McCain answered: 'My assignment to the Oriskany, I told myself, was due to serious losses in pilots which were sustained by this aircraft carrier due to its raids over North Vietnam territory and which necessitated replacements. From 10 to 12 pilots were transferred like me from the Forrestal to the Oriskany . . . upon arrival near the target, our formation, with six bombers, would mount the attack according to the following order: I would be number three, and the chief of the formation, number one. Each pilot would have to approach the target from a different direction, the choice of which would be left to him.'" A November 9, 1967 declassified Department of Defense document
"A meeting which will leave its mark on my life: My meeting with John Sidney McCain was certainly one of those meetings which will affect me most profoundly for the rest of my life. I had asked the North Vietnamese authorities to allow me to personally interrogate an American prisoner. They authorized me to do so. When night fell, they took me--without any precautions or mystery--to a hospital near the Gia Lam Airport reserved for the military. (Passage omitted) The officer who receives me begins: I ask you not to ask any questions of political nature. If this man replies in a way unfavorable to us, they will not hesitate to speak of "brainwashing" and conclude that we threatened him. (Passage omitted) "This John Sidney McCain is not an ordinary prisoner. His father is none other than Admiral Edmond John McCain, commander in chief of U.S. Naval forces in Europe." Written by "prominent" French television reporter Francois Chalais - January 1968
Posted by don | May 22, 2008 3:24 PM
"Let those responsible pay, not the voters."
Hillary and her supporters where responsible for taking the delegates away from the states, check out sho is on the Rules Committee, I think it is run by Ickes.
Posted by Steely | May 22, 2008 3:27 PM
12 protesters? Florida is a state with almost 18+ million people.
So a protesting ratio of LESS THEN 1 in a MILLION is news? The news won't report when thousands of thousands of people protest the war -- but this is news?
The media makes me so sick.
Posted by Jay | May 22, 2008 3:34 PM
Now some of you dems are learning what the rest of us always knew about the Clintons, they are evil and will say anything to get what they want. How quick do you think they would throw these old lesbians under the bus if it suited their purpose. Their racist side came out when they decided it was advantageous. I hope blacks are smart enough to ever vote for a Clinton. Blacks were the only reason why bill won, he only got something like 39% of the white vote and lost white males easily. Hillary will never win a national race now. How could Hillary win? if she stole the nomination over half the Dems wouldn't even vote for her. But I think she should continue to fight, she is the best weapon us Republicans ever had. The funny thing is the Clintons are responsible, to different degrees, in all the Dems presidential losses and the loss of the congress. They have hurt the Democratic party and only ever helped themselves and Dems are too stupid to see it.... this is like Christmas day for us. I actually think Obama might have won, but thanks to Hillary we will gave a good election and do better in the congressional contests then people are saying right now.
Posted by Madmax | May 22, 2008 3:36 PM
Folks, Calm Down! WE ARE THE DEMOCRATS! Can't afford to loose the big prize. FL = 27 Electoral Votes (CO=9 + IN=11 + IA=7). Don't we want ALL democratic voters from FL come out and vote for our nominee? (I am sure before NOV we will have one).
Posted by JL | May 22, 2008 4:00 PM
Those voters should recall that HILLARY CLINTON and her team voted to disenfranchise FL and MI in the first place!!
The only reason she cares at all now is because she is losing.
They should be seated, but they should be divided between Clinton and Obama. Even with Obama not setting foot in either state, and even with being the SOLE candidate on MI's ballot, Clinton still lost 40% of the vote to "uncomitted" and 30% of Florida's vote. It is not fair to give all the delegates to her at all whatsoever. And she brought this mess upon herself by voting to disenfranchise them in the first place. STOP WHINING HILLARY.
Posted by heyrey | May 22, 2008 4:06 PM
I think the biggest point made in the above posts is that Hillary and her campaign AGREED to the rules that Michigan and Florida's votes would not be counted and the delegates would not be seated at the convention. Now by pushing that the votes be counted and the delegates seated (as she feels this is her last chance) - she is going back on her word (which I hope is in writing somewhere).
The other point is that the state democratic parties in FL and MI knew what the results would be if they changed their primary dates. Now, if we let them get away with that and count the votes, what's to prevent other states from changing their primary dates in the future - it will be a free-for-all. We need to follow through with the punishment for these state parties to show that the national DNC has some teeth.
Thanks.
Posted by Steve | May 22, 2008 4:48 PM
I figured out how Obama will win the November election. Obama will remove his name from the ballot and/or not campaign in states where he is likely to lose ... and then claim the process is unfair to him.
Posted by js | May 22, 2008 5:01 PM
Oh, please. She was in Florida before the actual votes and said she wanted it to count. The voting had just started a few weeks before, no winner had been announced and it was anyones ballgame. She didn't campaign, nor did Obama as promised. Obama, however, conveniently has denied it until he secured a majority. Now let those votes count and be split appropriately to the percentages. I understand if Michigan is not counted, since Obama was not on the ballot and the situation would prove unfair if it were counted. In that situation I would prefer a revote, however, costly. Nevertheless, in Florida they were both on the ballot and Florida should be counted fully.
Everyone should stop insulting Hillary. Her attempt at running is admirable and so is Obama's. Both attempts are historical for many reasons. And why should she quit, when she keeps winning states? It's a ridiculous notion to do so. I would go on until I cross a finish line, a make darn sure that there is clear winner. Seriously, just because your team is losing a basketball game and there's two-minutes left, do you quit? No, You go on and finish the game, knowing you put up a fight.
Posted by Diley | May 22, 2008 5:11 PM
Why isn't Clinton getting the same protest? After all, she actively opposed counting Florida and Michigan votes and her representatives voted against letting those votes count. Bad decision, but she made it.
Even if they were to count, though, it's impossible to know what to count. How do you apportion an undeclared vote or, for that matter, a vote for a named candidate in the absence of other names? No one can argue with a straight face that these were valid elections.
One other thing: as a matter of law, there was no disenfranchisement, because there is no right to vote in a party primary. It's typical, actually, for a party primary to be decided before many states vote. This is functionally the same situation.
Posted by Ellen | May 22, 2008 6:53 PM
Madmax, the Obama campaign and their network MSNBC question why white voters in West Virginia are noting voting for him so they must be racist but you do not question why 92% of African Americans are not voting for the white candidate. YOU TELL ME WHOS RACIST. Of course I don't think that most of the African American voters are racist but I do think they are voting for him because of his race. So they have made this a campaign about race not Clinton. Also reading some of these comments lends me to think that you get most of your info from some one telling what happen because you do not have a clue. You need to do a bit more reading on your own instead of letting other sources form your opinion for you. AND WHO ARE THE LESBIANS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT???????SMH
Posted by betty | May 22, 2008 7:18 PM
Hillary's people are the ones who voted to take the delegates away from the states. She set it up so no one would run against her and she could claim she won them.
And the comment about sexism being worse then racism in this contest is stupid. We don't hate all women just this one.
She didn't lose any contests due to sexism, but Obama lost a few due to racism and you don't ever see him whining about it. Also I don't hear of anyone talking about or hinting at killing Hillary. She is the worst thing that ever happened to feminism. We won't have a female President for a century when she gets done. SHe has whined and cried to get votes. If she didn't get women to feel sorry for her she would have lost New Hamshire and been out a long time ago, true feminism isn't about crying and getting people to feel sorry for you to get ahead.
The funny thing is, at this point I think she is hurting herself. If she hurts the party, when she returns to the Senate she will be ignored and lose her leadership position. She will anger the African-American community and will have trouble just holding onto her Senate seat and will never be able to win a national election. Her unfavorable ratings are approaching Bush's, 35% of AMericans view her favorably, keep running Hillary, destroy everything Bill created.
Posted by Bab | May 22, 2008 8:29 PM
I am independent voter; and I am surprise how the Democratic party can't just forget the good time of prosperity and peace we had. They are trashing the Clinton family. Hillary may not be "likeable" enough like "Al Gore" was ... and now we can see the results of these past 8 yrs. This is not a contest of "miss-congeniality"... check the "resume" ... "vote history"... their public service... of all candidates ... including when they release the name of their "vice". In reference to Florida..."their vote should be counted" all candidates' names were on the ballot...Hillary won; howver, Michingan should be divided.
Posted by Lucia | May 22, 2008 10:34 PM
I just love the comments from Obama supporters. It sure is going to make for a united party. I voted for Clinton, in Florida. It makes no difference now, the Democrats are toast in the general election here. If I stop reading the comment section of articles I might bring myself to vote for the Democrats, even though, the count every vote party, took my vote away because apparently God intended Iowa to tell democrats who the nominees are forever. If the democratic party continues to be so undemocratic in it's primaries, I for one will leave it. Caucuses need to go, they are particularly unrepresentative of the actual feeling of the majority of voters and are geared toward the passionate few who have the time to attend. Texas and Nebraska prove that point. Nadar is closer to my true beliefs anyway. Start talking real issues Obama fans, like how Senator Obama is actually going to change how Democrats and Republicans get along. How is he going to do that? Will he deal with the Republicans on Social Security, abortion, medical savings accounts? Some answers please. Exactly what is this "Change we can believe in" in the real world. You need to be more demanding of your candidate and hold his feet to the fire on specific issues that are important to you. I voted for Clinton for three specific reasons, not because I think she's perfect, and it was a vote for Clinton, not against Obama. All these Hamlet like, nuanced expressions from Obama are way to general. You need to know his actual positions on everything. I see Obama as a neo-liberal as many do, and on many things less progessive than Clinton. From what I read of many Obama supporters they seem to think he's the second coming and don't need to know more. If he's to be the democratic candidate you don't want to give him a free pass on issues, you need to know his bottom line on as many issues as possible.
Posted by Mark Anderson | May 22, 2008 11:34 PM
"Will he deal with the Republicans on Social Security, abortion, medical savings accounts?"
If the Democrats quit screwing around he won't have to, the Dems will have a working majority in the Senate. THe Republicans will NOT be able to fillabuster. There will be no reason the Democrats can't change Washington and the country for the good. The down side is if the Dems don't deliver the public will blame them because they should have total control of the process. If the Dems keep playing games and hurting themselves McCain will win and we may not pick up enough seats in the Senate. With McCain we will have war with Iran and the loss of Roe V. Wade. Of course Israel is saying Bush people told them he plans on attacking Iran in the next couple of months, so maybe McCain won't start it, just support it.
Although, with Obama or Hillary, we still may end up with war against Iran, but I would believe them if they said it was needed. After Bush/Rumsfeld/Cheney/McCain debacle in Iraq how can we trust them if they decide to invade Iran? They lied before to get us into war.
Posted by Ed | May 23, 2008 1:04 AM
Re:Mark Anderson Exactly.Unfortunantly Obama fans DONT have answers to these questions "how Senator Obama is actually going to change how Democrats and Republicans get along. How is he going to do that? Will he deal with the Republicans on Social Security, abortion, medical savings accounts? Some answers please. Exactly what is this "Change we can believe in" in the real world." Because Obama doesn't have answers he only has loooooong speeches written by other people my goodness the man doesn't even know what The Hanford Site is,Obama fans i have a bit of advise for you all first put down the Kool Aide,stop blog bashing Hillary,(unless your one of Obama's PAID blogger's) then do some homework since the media claims Obama is getting the educated voters (sure could have fooled me)i would think some of you wouldn't have a problem doing homework,visit www.ussenate.gov look up Obama's record,read his book,take a look at the people he surround's himself with,take a second look at the issues he stands for,and then ask Him HOW,WHEN,WHY,WHERE,he plans to bring this change,don't vote with a blindfold on and dont vote because he makes you tingle,educate yourself.Obama will NOT beat Mcain! Republican's Reagan democrates a majority of Hillary supporter's indapendant's won't let it happen,the man is tooooo liberal,look up what is Obama's stand on infantcide then decide is this who you want to run against Mcain,then ask yourself are you prepared to wait 4 yrs for a democrate in the white house?? Vote Mcain..Hillary 2012
Posted by Vote Hillary | May 23, 2008 1:12 AM
"Two superdelegates representing the Young Democrats of America turned down a promise of $1 million in exchange for their endorsement of Sen. Clinton. Clinton donors are offering payments in exchange for endorsements"
Who is trying to buy the nomination? The clintons accused Obama of buying the nomination because millions of normal people donated $5, $25 or $50 and her big money donors are trying to buy delegates. SHe will do anything.
Posted by Mike | May 23, 2008 1:14 AM
How can you trust Hillary since she voted for war against Iraq? How can you trust any of the candidates since they are all weak on illegal immigration and plan on raising taxes even in a downturning economy. Lunatics.
Posted by chris c | May 23, 2008 1:26 AM
Mary Jane, if you are dude, you are seriously twisted, I'm sure you already know that, if you are a woman you are either not fully grown up or you are a politician.
Florida house decided to violate DNC rules, house is elected by those same floridians who are bickering now.(suck it up I say)
Now concerning the primary, this isssue should have been spoken about (either accepted or rejected) by the candidates before the season, not when you figure how its going to serve you.
Posted by NNYC | May 23, 2008 11:00 AM
Ninety percent of commenters here are WRONG about what really happened in FL! And yes, Barack Obama BLOCKED in talks with the DNC Hillary's earned votes/delegates counting--yes, your candidate blocked the counting of votes cast by 1.7 million Dem voters in the state. Thanks, Barack! Shades of 2000! Barack Obama, if you care to research his shady past, was CREATED by a sleazy guy named Rezko, who is now on trial in Chicago for a host of wrongdoing; he financed, to the tune of some $250,000 his first campaign--created this boy wonder! No product of the highly corrupt Chicago political machine will get elected prez--there are far too many skeletons for the RNC to dig up and parade before the voters! It's either Hillary or McCain for the next four years--you decide!
Posted by JanisL | May 25, 2008 2:27 PM