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Sam Stein

The Huffington Post

Plouffe: Clinton Is

Plouffe: Clinton Is "Behind The Eight Ball"

February 29, 2008 10:50 AM


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It's all about the pledged delegates, stressed David Plouffe, Sen. Barack Obama's campaign manager, on Friday. And if the upcoming primaries in Ohio and Texas remain as close as the polls portend, he said, then Sen. Hillary Clinton will find herself "behind the eight ball" when it comes to making up Obama's delegate lead.

On a conference call with reporters, Plouffe laid out a scenario in which neither Obama nor Clinton made big electoral gains during the slate of primaries on March 4, effectively favoring the Illinois Democrat because of his current 160 pledge delegate advantage.

"The Clinton campaign had one task on March 4, to seriously erode our lead in pledge delegates. And they are going to fail on that measure and fail miserably," Plouffe said."The truth is, if Ohio is a truly close race, five points or less, the leader in Ohio will only net three delegates... "We can net that out of Vermont if we have a good day."

Minutes after Plouffe's call concluded, the Clinton campaign sent out a memo, noting that the Obama camp had vastly outspent them in the four states voting next Tuesday. If Obama were unable to win all these states with all this effort, "there's a problem."

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

Currently Sen. Clinton finds herself trailing Obama in Texas but leading him in Ohio, according to most recent polls. Neither lead, however, is substantial, and the delegate margins they produce could be minor or, in the case of Texas and its hybrid caucus-primary system, could even favor the popular vote loser.

Following Tuesday's voting there will be only 611 remaining pledge delegates remaining. Should Ohio and Texas not produce a massive change, Plouffe predicted, the Clinton camp would have to win upwards of 74 percent of every pledge delegate just to break even. Rubbing some proverbial salt in the wound, he noted that the next two states on the electoral calendar - Wyoming and Mississippi on March 8 - could produce delegate gains for Obama, much larger than those in Ohio and Texas.

"I think even the Clinton campaign would maintain," said Plouffe, "that if this pledge delegate lead doesn't drop below 100 they simply don't have any avenue to the nomination."



 
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Obama's team has already started working Wyoming and Miss. I wonder if Hillary's team even realizes those states have primaries Mar 8?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:11 PM on 03/01/2008

That hillary's ad is actually good. I don't think that Bill and Hillary spend much time together - that is
in bed. I can just see just visual Hiilary simply napping at the Oval Office Desk. So she would be ready to answer a call at 3 in the morning. Heck she would be ready to take a call at any time. The nation
would be well served by this workaholic. As a NY Senator she has done a lot for the State. She would no doubt do well for the whole nation.
That was some profile coverage on Hillary on CBS news this evening. And she is certainly qualified to be a President.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:13 PM on 02/29/2008

Not only that but when she picked up the phone she was smartly dressed in a suit. At 3 AM?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:38 PM on 02/29/2008
- joje I'm a Fan of joje permalink

Obama would have not answered the phone. That would mean he would have to take some action and he is all talk.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:25 PM on 03/01/2008

Bill likes her that way in bed. It's a kinky thing.

Also, the phone rang 6 times before she picked up. Just what were they up to?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:20 PM on 03/02/2008
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Hillary's lack of sleep during her campaign is obviously taking it's toll. The rest of your post is you projecting... as if Hillary is a blank screen.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:55 PM on 02/29/2008
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barf

Just how many times can you post the same inane BS without being overcome by the fumes? This reminds me of bagging up after my dog.

Isn't this the intellectual equivalent of taking a bite off your chip and sticking it back into the bowl of dip?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:59 PM on 02/29/2008

I think she seems bipolar

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:33 AM on 03/01/2008

If Webster defines 'bipolar' as being arrogantly dismissive of the obvious, I would tend to agree.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:00 PM on 03/01/2008

The issue doesn't seem to be an issue of her work ethic, which by the way, I believe she demonstates very well. Hillary's problem is the decisions that emanate from such work ethic. When the Clinton team looked at the nomination contest, they began to posture and position Hillary to take on the republicans, and in so doing they and Hillary decided she had to insulate herself from cries of her 'being soft on defense.' This decision was not based on her so-called 35 years of experience, rather she made a purely calculating pander to covering her rear end; against the only fight she saw, the one against the republicans.

And unfortunately, Hillary's penchant to cover her rear end, mostly a wise move in establishment politics, was outweighed by real time everyday Americans tiring of the Iraq conflict. And more unfortunate for Hillary, not assuming that she would face a serious challenge for the Democrat nomination, has exposed her tendency to over-reach and look beyond the simple details which are present in any issue confronting the U.S.

Here, Obama has shown a clearer edge towards victory, as his campaign and he could not assume or ignore any detail. And, should Mr. Obama follow this simple prescription for dealing with complex issues, he will be competently able to overcome his adversaries and America's critical issues, by overlooking no detail or discounting no scenario as he makes his way towards plotting a solution. Moreover, his campaign and how it has been run, is a mini-run of the soundness of such an approach.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:58 AM on 03/01/2008
- joje I'm a Fan of joje permalink

Obama has the added advantage of not having to answer the tough questions that any candidate would have been forced to answer in a presidential race.Indeed, he has not had to cover his rear end because he has no record. Obama's campaign did not have to ignore detail, because Obama took care of that in the Illinois legislature. His simple prescription was to leave no paper trail and therefore on the tough decisions, he simply voted a neutral"present". This does not bode well for a transparent government that he so earnestly extols. Dealing with complex issues requires decision making.Already we have seen that Obama does not like to take responsibility for his decisions and a questioning of this approach to governing should seriously be considered in deciding the Democratic nominee.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:50 PM on 03/01/2008

I know that Plouffe is supposed to be a spinner, but the sad thing for Hillary Clinton is that he doesn't have to spin anything at all here.

He's right. It's all about the delegates. If Hillary doesn't get them here, where will she get them? Every state ahead except Pennsylvania is *ALREADY* polling with a 15%-25% advantage for Obama.

Where's her firewall going to be? In Pennsylvania, where she has a 5% lead with no campaigning... or is that state already compromised like Texas is?

Let's be clear. Obama will likely lose Rhode Island. He may lose a squeaker in Ohio. But he will clearly win in Vermont and easily win the most delegates in Texas' primary/caucus fight.

Hillary Clinton declared Texas and Ohio as her firewall. "Meet me in Texas."

Well, he did... and he raised her, too.

Hillary's own husband said that she must win in both states. Will she?! Not likely. Her firewall will be blown away, and she's going to lose even more delegates.. Again.

Plouffe is also right that all the races ahead are bad news for her. They're practically all polling 15-25% in favor of Obama already. Where's her next "firewall"? Pennsylvania, where she has a very narrow polling lead, with no campaigning yet, and two likely Obama landslides beforehand?

Obviously, Hillary should jump ahead and try making Puerto Rico her big comeback moment. But she might want to have a word with Puerto Rico's governor about that, because he's supporting Barack Obama.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:02 PM on 02/29/2008

That was some profile coverage on Hillary on CBS news this evening. And she is certainly qualified to be a President.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:53 PM on 02/29/2008
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I don't think anyone doubts that she's qualified. They're both qualified. Then again, after the past seven years, I think my calico cat is qualified.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:40 PM on 02/29/2008
- hiNY I'm a Fan of hiNY permalink

Hillary is the proverbial crap, that doesnot leave its own to survive, even though it knows very well that its time-out has come.
It is apparent that Hillary do not care about the democratic party, but the question is, does the democtratic party care about the Democratic party? If they do, then they will send hillary a bye-bye signal and a get lost card!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thus far it remains to be seen.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:33 PM on 02/29/2008

Well, you know... Mark Penn wouldn't advise her to drop out just yet.

Well, sure, Hillary could permanently damage her electablilty anywhere, and damage the Democratic Party, but hey... he stands to make another $10 million if he just drags this race on a little longer!

Gotta keep our priorities in order... ;-)

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:07 PM on 02/29/2008

This just in from the Clinton spacecraft, currently orbiting another planet:

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

It's opposite day on Planet Clinton. Up is down. Left is right. Right is wrong. Bill is Hillary. Hillary is Bill.

And caucuses don't count.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:17 PM on 02/29/2008
- DTGB I'm a Fan of DTGB permalink

the point being made in the quoted phrase is actually true. HRC has won a majority of registered democratic votes.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:59 PM on 02/29/2008

Not in states where the two candidates both competed, no.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:09 PM on 02/29/2008
    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:58 PM on 02/29/2008

Thanks for the news, M4rko!!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:21 PM on 02/29/2008
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How people ignore their history. Rockefeller Family has and continues to be a controlling force in the World Bank, Central Bank of the Fed and much more.

Nice to see how blind people are that Jay is somehow the black sheep in a family of robber barrons.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:29 PM on 02/29/2008

Rockefeller's are also the head of the trilaterals, Bilderberg group, and NWO

Oboneheads very long list of friends seem to be showing a trend.....the writing is on the wall
folks......time to get your heads out of the sand

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:13 AM on 03/01/2008

wow so much for change. and hope.
Obama is the candidate of the corporations banks and wall street and the funny thing is, the radical left wing will vote him into office hahahha

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:19 AM on 03/01/2008

Clinton is the corporate and special interest candidate.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:35 AM on 03/01/2008
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Hillary's campaign has been run so poorly, I'm glad Im not a Clinton donor. How can she run the country if she cant even run her own campaign?? Don't throw Penn under the bus, Hillary picked that guy.

The bottom line is she can't win without super delegates, but why does she think the undecided super delegates are going to go her way? If Obama is ahead in pledged delegates, and also is beating her nationally (current he has a 16 point lead in national polls) she will not be able to steal the nomination via super delegates. There is simply no chance for her to win, and she's keeping the Dems from running the general election against Mccain.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:58 PM on 02/29/2008

If Hillary can't run a campaign, how can she run the government?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:50 PM on 02/29/2008

she can't and she won't.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:40 AM on 03/01/2008

more importantly you should be looking at who how and why oboneheads campaign is being run

who's supporting it? who's funding it? who is going to be owed the favors?

are you afraid to know the truth??

you should be very afraid!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:14 AM on 03/01/2008
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Frank Sinatra;
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which Im certain.

Ive lived a life thats full.
Ive traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Your way was to listen to your arrogant handlers and slash and burn anyone who had the "audacity" to get in your way, successfully dividing the Democratic Party for 2008.

i no longer think you will make a good VP for Obama you are too divisive and Bill carries too much baggage.

Majority Leader in the Senate is more suitable for you.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:49 PM on 02/29/2008

Haha, so the Clinton campaign is expecting Obama to sweep? What kind of plan is that??

And excuse me Hillary, but the vast majority of Democrats so far have chosen Obama, and have expressed serious doubts about you.

Jesus Christ, what's next? Ignorance is Strength? Freedom is Slavery? I'm sick of their lies and spin!

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

Sooooo...Basically, Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton and a cadre of campaign surrogates and leadership have all indicated that Texas AND Ohio are 'Must Wins' for Clinton - that "She will not be the nominee if she does not win" - all in some last-ditch effort to strong-arm voters or guilt-trip them into keeping her campaign afloat after March 4th.

Now that polling suggests she is weak in TX and may be losing her slim margins in OH, they want to change their story. Big Surprise.

Does anyone else find this deeply reminiscent of the current Bush administration tactics? Don't like the Reality? Change the story, change the rules. She keeps using this tired, manipulative tactics.

Obama may win TX, or he may not. He may win OH, or he may not. That is REALITY. He never stated that either state was a MUST WIN. That is REALITY. The Clinton Campaign, and many of her closest advisors, friends, surrogates, and family have said that TX and OH are MUST WIN states for Clinton. That is REALITY.

If Clinton and her campaign advisors have such difficulty with reality...well, perhaps she might want to seek some professional help (other than Penn), rather than making a desperate, last-ditch effort to place the burden and onus of of her latest campaign blunder on her opponent?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:37 PM on 02/29/2008
- hiNY I'm a Fan of hiNY permalink

Hillary is the proverbial crap, that doesnot leave its own to survive, even though it knows very well that its time-out has come.
It is apparent that Hillary do not care about the democratic party, but the question is, does the democtratic party care about the Democratic party? If they do, then they will send hillary a bye-bye signal and a get lost card!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thus far it remains to be seen.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:31 PM on 02/29/2008


Are you people mad?? Here this country has huge problems and those two argue over stuff that
does not concern us - how childish! Has anyone offered to go after the Bush/Cheney Crime
Family? What about the Federal Reserve holding us hostage? And those two bicker, Hillary more
than Obama and the Hillary Supporters attack their own people - how insane? If Hillary gets in
I shall vote for McPain or Nader. We let the good one go already because we are so stupid, which
was Kucinich and Richardson.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:52 PM on 02/29/2008

Vippy,

Knock it off with the "you people."

Get a grip; it's not "let them eat cake." It's get a nominee out of this melee and work to elect. This is the process; it's not pretty, neither is making sausage.

So the "I shall for for McPain or Nader" borders on the insane. You want to change the world, or change the US, then get off your duff, take off your rose-colored glasses, and go to work.

That is, unless you want more war, more corruption, more GOP lies. it really is up to you, and to the rest of us.

You are one of the "you people" and you are accountable like the rest of us.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:54 PM on 02/29/2008

LOL, nice memo Hill. Too bad the general election isn't decided by just Democrats, or just California and New Jersey. Maybe you should sue. I'm sure media bias has played a role as well.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:52 PM on 02/29/2008
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