Clinton Dials Down March 4 Expectations

Clinton Dials Down March 4 Expectations

Huffington Post   |   February 29, 2008 11:15 AM


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Hillary Clinton's campaign is dialing down expectations for March 4th in their latest release:

To: Interested Parties From: The Clinton Campaign Date: Friday, February 29, 2008 RE: Obama Must-Wins


The media has anointed Barack Obama the presumptive nominee and he's playing the part.

With an eleven state winning streak coming out of February, Senator Obama is riding a surge of momentum that has enabled him to pour unprecedented resources into Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The Obama campaign and its allies are outspending us two to one in paid media and have sent more staff into the March 4 states. In fact, when all is totaled, Senator Obama and his allies have outspent Senator Clinton by a margin of $18.4 million to $9.2 million on advertising in the four states that are voting next Tuesday.

Senator Obama has campaigned hard in these states. He has spent time meeting editorial boards, courting endorsers, holding rallies, and - of course - making speeches.

If he cannot win all of these states with all this effort, there's a problem.

Should Senator Obama fail to score decisive victories with all of the resources and effort he is bringing to bear, the message will be clear:

Democrats, the majority of whom have favored Hillary in the primary contests held to date, have their doubts about Senator Obama and are having second thoughts about him as a prospective standard-bearer.

Read HuffPost's Texas Primary coverage here.

Read HuffPost's Ohio Primary coverage here.


 
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You know what? I haven't spent ANY money in these upcoming four primaries. I haven't held a single rally, gotten a single endorsement, or made a single speech.

In fact, I'm not even on the ballot.

If Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama combined cannot win every single vote cast in the upcoming primaries, then clearly voters have their doubts. I should be the nominee.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:42 AM on 03/01/2008

Clinton adviser: "This position is compromised! FALL BACK TO THE NEXT ALAMO!"

Intern: "Ummm, sir.. there is no 'next Alamo.' This is our 'last stand,' remember?"

"NOOO! FALL BACK TO THE RHODE ISLAND REDOUBT!"

"Sir, the Rhode Island reboubt doesn't even really have walls."

"WE WILL NEVER DIE!! CALL IN THE FAVORS TO THE SUPER DELEGATES!! AAAAAHHH!!!"

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:08 PM on 02/29/2008

There Billary goes again. Can't seem to figure out that we don't need her managing or analyzing voter expectations or decisions.

Noticed how she couched this though, that a majority of real Democrats support her nomination. Would that be the same real Democrats who have repeatedly failed to stop the war, or to bring even the sleaziest of Republicans up on charges. The same ones who affirmed Mukasey's appointment as AG, or Roberts to the bench. Your fricken time is up I hope!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:28 PM on 02/29/2008

I am a Hillary supporter. Obama claims that Hillary is not qualified to be the next President of the U.S. based on her vote for the Iraq war. Most important was the fact that he was not in the Senate at that time and did not have to register a vote. This is important considering Obama's voting record as that vote would have political consequences. The Bush regime did not have a plan and it was their day-to-day strategy that was flawed. Has Obama stood up in the Senate and made a speech that it was imperative that Bush be impeached for the good of the American People? Or, has he been preparing carefully for this moment in history. It appears that he latches on to phrases and everyone then sings them because it makes them feel good.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:46 PM on 02/29/2008

AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HE-HE-HE...

Sorry... So let's see if I have this straight. If Obama comes out of next Tuesday having ONLY won 14 of the last 15 contests and with an all but insurmountable lead in pledged delegates, that's a clear indication that there are "doubts" as to whether he should be the Democratic nominee???

BOY, THAT'S RICH.

OBAMA '08

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:57 PM on 02/29/2008

There's a blowout coming in Texas people. Expect Wisconsin numbers.

http://infogiant.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/election-prediction-for-texas-updated/

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:48 PM on 02/29/2008

Did I not take my Thorozine this morning? This isn't silly season. This is pure sociopathic spin from the Clinton Mutual Admiration Society. I see a movie starring Will Ferrell.

Glad my reality is more grounded then the Clintonians. I hate waking up in a different world everyday.

I wonder what she is like at three in the morning. I'm not calling.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:17 PM on 02/29/2008

That is quite a dial down. If Obama does not win big he has not won!! This from a candidate that was just a few weeks ago up 20% in the polls in these states. I would love to see the results of the polls that they have taken which force them to make this kind of statement.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:55 AM on 02/29/2008
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Dear Hillary -

Let me be the first to congratulate you and your crack team on that brilliant piece they just released "to all interested parties". It's stunningly logical.

I mean, really...if Hussein Obama can't pull off sweeping wins in BOTH Ohio and Texas next week - then CLEARLY you, our Dear Leader, must be anointed as THE ONE.

He's in a tough spot, and he's a tough Arab - but those silver-tongued words will only carry him so far. If he can't deliver at the ballot box, how in the heck will he deliver in the White House - especially if he has to start being the president on Day One - and not Day 101 as he said he wants to do!!!

No wonder all patriotic Americans of the democratic persuasion (except for a few demographic groups, like the blacks and lately the whites) are looking to you, Dear Leader. The presidency is YOUR prize, and just like one of those Powerball Winners, YOU are ready to claim your prize and cash your check. And that's REALLY important since you lent your campaign a big hunk of cash the other week.

So here's my prediction: if Iraq Obama can't win by double digits (by which I mean ten or more points) in both TX and OH, he will realize how hopeless his crusade is, and drop out IMMEDIATELY.

What a joyful day that will be! And maybe, if we cross our hearts and hope to die, it will be next Wednesday. So don't stop thinking about tomorrow!!

And then you can go rescue Bill from the back of that truck he's been standing on as he gives speeches to the woman's auxiliary in Podunk, and other picaresque and quaint towns, hither and yon.

And that will be a great thing - because as you guys have BOTH said - it's buy one, get one free at Clinton-Mart!!! What a deal THAT is.

We should ALL be grateful. So thank you once again.

Sincerely,

Your Friend OTAYPANKY

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:50 AM on 02/29/2008
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"The media has anointed Barack Obama the presumptive nominee and he's playing the part."

She's pissed. That was HER role. How dare he spend more money. (Gee, maybe he raised more...)

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:44 AM on 02/29/2008

It's a little hard to dial down expectations after spending the last month looking past all other elections to March 4. The Clinton camp's argument against the relevance of the last 11 contests has been that none of them were named "Ohio" or "Texas."

The real new talking point here is that she has the majority of votes of registered Democrats to date, which is true. Of course, it is also true that Obama has won by far the majority of votes and pledged delegates so far because independents and even registered Republicans have been voting for him in landslide numbers. The reason this angle hasn't been played much is that it's hard to argue that Clinton is the more electable candidate when voters outside of core Democrats so overwhelmingly favor Obama. Core Democrats alone just aren't enough to win the general election.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:44 AM on 02/29/2008

Lier! Fraud! Hillary!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:39 AM on 02/29/2008

Yes we can, yes we can, block by block, city by city, state by state, Yes we can:) Obama 08

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:46 AM on 02/29/2008

I quote from the Clinton Campaign:

"Democrats, the majority of whom have favored Hillary in the primary contests held to date, have their doubts about Senator Obama and are having second thoughts about him as a prospective standard-bearer."

No Doubts here! Obama was my choice 1 year ago, he's still my choice today. The lies and smears of the Clinton campaign have only convince voters to NEVER vote for her.

Oh and he's won the majority of Democrats to date!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:36 AM on 02/29/2008

She has one the majority of Registered Democratic voters ... everyone knows that. Its old bush supports (Independents and Republicans) who are supporting Barrack in large numbers. That is the case they will be making at the convention. But no doubt she has to win texas and ohio.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:02 PM on 02/29/2008

How can you dial down expectations? You can't go on without huge blowout wins on the 4th!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:36 AM on 02/29/2008

Because they aren't going to get the blowout. It's obvious. They are now trying to make it look like Obama is a shoe-in so that if Hillary squeaks a win, or is even within a couple of points, they make try to make the case for "Hill-mentum"

It is far too late for that ploy. Not to mention that every other time Hillary has "dialed down", her lose was 20+ points.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:40 AM on 02/29/2008

We see that the Clinton campaign has taken its cue from Saturday Night and is picking up their comedy writing. Good joke that: "majority of whom have favored Hillary".

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:36 AM on 02/29/2008
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