Heilemann, Like Noonan, Suggests That Clinton Camp May Be Fracturing

On today's Meet The Press, Peggy Noonan got ears burning when she suggested that there was some matter of dissension in the ranks of the Clinton campaign, saying that Clinton is "surrounded by people who would adore the chance to be for Obama." She added, mysteriously, "One of her top aides, who kind of privately makes it clear that he knows that he himself is an insurgent character and that it would be wonderful to be a part of Obama's insurgency but that he is backing Ms. Clinton."

Noonan otherwise made her animus for the Clinton's fairly readily apparent, which was just one of the factors that made me think she was worth dismissing. Others included the fact that last week, Clinton's surrogates weren't working the Reverend Wright angle particularly hard - Charles Schumer and Nita Lowey both backed off of hammering Obama on his association with Wright. Additionally, Clinton's position in the race for the nomination - while obviously hampered by the math - is nevertheless very strong where perceptions are concerned: she's had a pretty good couple of weeks (outside of perhaps the whole Bosnia matter) and is well-poised for a win in Pennsylvania, which is sure to give her some momentum. Additionally, and perhaps critically, the superdelegate flood to Obama has, in the past fortnight, subsided.

On Chris Matthews' show, panelists Norah O'Donnell, Clarence Page, and Elisabeth Bumiller all basically agreed that Clinton was nowhere near the point where she'd be thinking about leaving the race. But there was one outlier: New York Magazine's John Heilemann, who echoed some of the things Noonan would say on Meet The Press:

HEILEMANN: I think that one thing that's happening internally is that some of her top people are starting to say to her, "We won't stick with you. We won't keep working for this campaign if it's going to destroy Barack Obama." She's starting to hear that from her people and she's starting to kind of see it.

MATTHEWS: How do you know that?

HEILEMANN: [archly] How do I know that? Reporting.

The one thing I'd caution is that if you look back, rumors of internal dissension seems to always precede Clinton's momentum-swinging victories. Everyone was supposed to be getting fired in New Hampshire, but Clinton's win forced the press to table their obituaries. And the week before her Ohio win was fraught with Mark Penn-bashing from within the campaign.

Comments

[LeftLeaner]

why are people trying to "create" a negative story with Senator Clinton, especially since she's looking strong going into PA.

I think it's a continued Pro-Obama cheerleading squad.

[Tumult]

You do not need to "create" a negative story about Clinton, just report on one. The Jeremiah Wright negative story about Obama was "created". Of the 10+ minute sermon that was reported on, they choose a small soundbite, that as Wright said was a "faith footnote" based on the statements of a former US ambassador who had spent 32 years as a US diplomat. Some of the things left out that Wright was discussing in his sermon was the danger of turning the hatred of armed agressors into the hatred of unarmed innocents, the need to avoid simply lashing out in revenge, they didn't report on him saying people jumping out of burning buildings was a horrible thing, or how would God want us to respond. Wright sermon was a call for sanity and calm examination at a time when America was hysterical, a hysteria that carried us into a needless war in Iraq causing tens of millions of innocent Iraqis to suffer, and doing no good for the American people.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Excellent just excellent. You DO not need to "CREATE" ,,,, REV Wright negative STORY was.
created for the purpose to destroy.

The seeds we sow, just might be weeds with thorns that can make the sower bleed.

[OneLiberalLady]

Hillary WILL probably win Pennsylvania. So what? She'll still be behind in pledged delegates.

[KINOKO]

Is there ever a story about HRC that's not steeped in negativity? no, of course not....because she is a bold-faced liar. Who needs to "create" it? It's all there. And she has no campaign strategy or realistic plans whatsoever. And how come it's always "I will win...I can win...I can do it"? Why can't it ever be "WE can", like Mr. Obama says?

lets see:
1. HRC endorsed John McCain for President.
2. Refuses to release tax returns, Clinton Library donors list, unredacted Whitehouse information, method of turning $1,000 into $100,000 by speculating on cattle, campaign expenditures and recently, how much she is really making per month via her campaign donations. And where that magical $5 million dollars came from.
3. Told a bold-faced lie about "dodging sniper fire in Bosnia", as well as about being "instrumental in bringing peace to N. Ireland".
4. Lies about NAFTA, and lied about her campaign contacting the Canadian Government to tell them she was just 'making politics' on the debates.
5. WWW.PETERPAUL.COM
6. Suborned Bill Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro promoting/injecting racial strife into this campaign.
7. Lies about being instrumental in Whitehouse sanctioned healthcare reform, when in fact it took 8 YEARS to establish ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, for which she was paid handsomely.
9. Attempted to "liberate" numerous items of historical value from the Whitehouse as she was leaving. Stopped by Secret Service.
10. Disrespects any State that does not vote for her, thereby marginalizing the same people she smiled at the day before. A sure sign of being bi-polar.
11. Claims foreign policy experience due to (tax-payer sponsored) travel to 82 countries, yet most of that travel entailed shopping sprees and womens club meetings.
12. Whitewater
13. Censors her own website worse than the KGB. Allows only "feel good" comments, which I estimate by looking at the contributors names and/or variations of the same names of public "contributors", is 85% made up by her own people. Interestingly enough, things are getting so desperate over there now that most of the time you go directly to a "donate now" begging page at www.hillaryclinton.com .
Excuse me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't we elect someone with a bit more integrity than this to run this country?

[KirPicSis]

While were spending so much energy fighting amongst(myself included) ourselves trying to prove who is the greatest liar and who has the most baggage McCain is gathering his forces and gearing up for the general election. How long are we going to be divided and allow the Republicans to present a united front and begin an all out assault on our Democratic party?

Yes I said OUR party. Yours(Clinton) and Mine(Obama). This endless loop of Obama and Clinton bashing has got to stop and we must find some way to unite. I will take the first step. I'M REACHING OUT to all Hillary supporters in an effort to bridge the gap that is between us and ask you to take that step with me. I will honestly disclose that I have been one that also participated in the criticism of Hillary Clinton in support of my candidate Barack Obama (you can look up all my post and read them for yourself) but I WILL NOT CONTINUE to add to the divisiveness that has occurred between us. Instead I will begin the process to promote the much needed healing of our party and I ask that others join me. This is the post that I wrote in the blog titled,"Color-Coded Hillary Alerts" from this site. I ask that everyone please read it and offer your honest thoughts about it.

I'm not saying that this is the end all to all the strife that has coiled around us in a heated battle but give me some points for trying.

From Color-Coded Hillary Alerts Posted 3/12/2008

This is becoming really ugly and I don't like where it is headed. The Democratic Party cannot, cannot become engulfed or entwined in the culture of racial politics. I'm a Barack Obama supporter, not because I'm African American but because I strongly believe that it is time for a change. I did not support this war and I was against going to war with Iran. I don't support Hillary, not because she is a White woman(I voted for Bill Clinton twice) but that she voted for the war in Iraq. I'm anti-war PERIOD.

I have become increasingly upset with all of the statements that has come from the Clinton camp and their surrogates. Even after the South Carolina dust up I didn't want to believe that race was purposely interjected in the campaign but that it would eventually be interjected in the Presidential campaign because he is an African American BUT I did not think it would be from the Democrats, I thought it was going to be from the Republicans.

I have fond memories of the Clintons' from the 90s because I was swept up in the message of Hope that Clinton(Bill) himself was touting. He was a captivating fresh breath of air that was blowing across a nation that desperately needed and wanted a renewal from the stagnation that crept across the country and was seeping from the Bush 41 White House.

I keep returning to the 92 Presidential race because the dynamics of the two candidates(Barack and Bill) and (George Sr. and McCain) are so similar. Bill(Barack) was a Governor from Arkansas and was the new kid on the block. Not much was known about him but when he spoke it was like you knew him all of your life. He had the ability to make a connection with people, he drew you into his life and he made you feel that you were more than welcomed in his. He proudly spoke of his humble upbringing and identified with others with similar backgrounds. He was simply my Kennedy . I cannot explain it any other way. I listened with envy to my parents talk about the Kennedy's and how they loved them so much. My parents even remember where they were when they found out that he(John) was dead. It was a somber reverence of the past but they too saw a glimmer of Kennedy in Bill Clinton. I listened for hours as they spoke about how Kennedy could mesmerize you with his words of peace, unity and equality. That was Bill Clintons' message and he was my Kennedy...then.

George Sr(McCain) was a war hero. He served his country proudly and with honor. His terms in government was far superior than that of his then opponent Bill Clinton. His knowledge of foreign policy and national security far exceeded that of a mere Governor(it's not a put down I'm just reflecting the sentiment of Bush 41 attitude towards Bill Clinton then) but something was missing...he could not make a connection nor could he understand that America was changing. The Cold War was over. The Berlin wall fell and Saddam was defeated but America was in agony. She was suffering from an economic meltdown and the Leader of the free world didn't have a clue. America was ripe for change and Bill Clinton knew it.

Despite all of the overwhelming opposition to his candidacy and the swarm of attacks that were both political and personal Bill Clinton(Barack Obama) found it in himself to rise above it all. That spoke to the character of the man. He knew who he was and was comfortable with himself. He could easily and eerily slip in between the line that drew both close and far from a little place that he called HOPE(Chicago).
posted 03/12/2008 at 09:38:16 posted 03/23/2008 at 20:23:34

[KQuark]

Very good post.

Also for the first time since 1992 Americans say they are worse off today than they were four years ago. I'm an Obama supporter and I just don't see Americans supporting McCain in the long run because the economy is the major issue. McCain has run a campaign solely on the success of the surge which people really don't care about after five years of a grinding war. People will realize that McCain knows nothing about the economy or how to change direction in this country. McCain is simply a third Bush term.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

This is an important story and not just Republican spin, despite what some Clinton supporters might think.

[globality]

The Bosnia issue is huge not just a small blip on a great week.

www.clintonscandals2008.com

[langstonhughesfan]

I have a sinking feeling that HRC is going to steal this nomination. She's just deplorable. She knows the only way to win is to trash Obama and sway supers to her side. She really hopes he loses to McCain, and for that, I'll never vote for her. I will write in Obama's name before I ever punch a chad for her. I can't believe that with this economy and with this war, a Republican is going to win again because HRC refuses to see the writing on the wall and we're stuck fighting her, Bill, and McCain, along with the media who has nothing better to do than watch us squabble! I can't take it anymore. She's tacky, classless, and is just a sorry human being. She's been a sore loser. We expect more out of 5 year olds than we've gotten from the Clintons. And the irony is...If she had lost with grace after Iowa, and decided early on to make this a great campaign for our party--with both of them criss-crossing the country spreading our message, SHE'D BE WINNING RIGHT NOW!! And if she won fair and square, I'd be happy to vote for her in the fall. But this has gone on long enough, and the media wants us to be in a "close race" when she's already actually lost.

[kristin]

"the media wants us to be in a "close race" when she's already actually lost." Absolutely, just look up the Dem primary delegate count on Real Clear Politics.
The media who has nothing better to do than watch us squabble? it is worse than than. The media is doing everything to give the impression Hillary can still win fair and square. NOT possible, but much to the benefit of media ratings to pretend it is.

[Ranta]

So true. The MSM just can't let Michigan and Florida go no matter what the real news is. More likely, Obama has so many positives well before the convention that to restore the party, the rats leave Hillary's vessel high and dry. That makes the whole "big" issue moot.

[richardsgirl]

Although I'm sure that some of Senator Clinton's supporters will disagree, the media has always been in HIllary's corner. At first, it was all sport to them because, like Hillary and the Republicans, they did not take Senator Obama's candidacy seriously and assumed that Hillary was the "inevitable nominee." When they recognized the strength of Senator Obama's campaign and the real possibility that he would become the nominee, their game plan changed. If it was anyone but Hillary, the media would have long ago used their talking points to get her out of the race (much like they did Huckabee before he actually conceded). Instead, they continue to ponder out loud, "How can Hillary still beat Barck?." And then they go through all kinds of confusing gyrations on their power point trying to figure out how she can still win. They have virtually adopted Fox News soundbites, apparently with no investigation of their own, to trash both Reverend Wright and Senator Obama, and yet have ignored Senator Clinton's lies about her "experience." Have you noticed that they dropped the discussion on the breach of Senator Obama's passport records? As soon as it was reported that Clinton's and McCain's passport records were also breached (allegedly a year ago), they accepted this as an explanation that it was no more than "imprudent curiosity" that prompted the Obama breach, although many others could conclude that the Clinton-McCain breach report was a little bit too timely and coincidental to be given very much credibility. All in all, the media is doing everything it can to GIVE Senator Clinton the election, to kind of shape things up so when she STEALS it, they can explain it away. I don't trust any of them: Fox, CNN, or MSNBC (except Keith Olbermann).

[lafrance]

Definitely not a Clinton fan but, this is just republican spin.
Sort of like Limbaugh republicans messing with our primaries by having them vote for Hillary.
The republicans are bored. They are playing mind games with democrats.
Ignore them.

[cartopple]

The irony is that even though she would be making a huge step being the first woman president, Hillary is on the wrong side of history.

[factcheck2]

Since Iowa, it has been reported like clockwork before every primary that the Clinton campaign was on its last legs and the candidate about to quit the race. With the Rev Wright controversy now affixed around his neck like an albatross, Sen. Obama cannot prevail in November, even if Tiny Tim were running on the Republican ticket. His dismissive attitude towards the voters of Florida and Michigan (our 4th and 8th most populous states, respectively) means he will lose there for sure, while Clinton beat him by double digits in many other big states, and probably Pennsylvania as well next month. The question people should be asking themselves now is whether they're so tied philosophically or otherwise to this candidate, that they're wiling to let the G.O.P. retake the White House, continue the Iraq War and bankrupt the American government. Once this last scenario unfolds, there will be no more elections and no more democracy, since the institutions that maintain it will no longer be going concerns. The Obama candidacy has from its inception been the work of Karl Rove. For more on how the strategy was hatched and what we can expect down the road, I've posted an article at thecityedition.com. Here's a direct:

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/2008Election.html

[estreya]

I heartily disagree. Obama's campaign is unlike anything i've seen before in my lifetime. And moreover, people who have been political operatives all their lives are of the same opinion. Obama is a "once in a lifetime" candidate, running a brilliant campaign.

[Pammy1151]

Everytime Hillary lies many of us send Obama more money!!! He will be fine!!

[Ginko]

Is this your first Presidential campaign?

[IslandGyal]

Conspiracy theorist abound!

[kristin]

Alot of false assumptions here, factcheck2. Check the Dem primary delegate count on Real Clear Politics for facts.

[ddlrid]

eeeeeeeekkkkkk!

[indie17]

You say, "while Clinton beat him by double digits in many other big states...". Here's a map that gives a clear view of the depth of wins of each candidate. Note all the Obama wins, and the larger percentage wins overall.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:2008_Democratic_Primaries_Delegate_Vote.png

Your statement, fackcheck2, that, "The Obama candidacy has from its inception been the work of Karl Rove" is despicable and an horrific lie.

[Ginko]

indie,
you seem to not understand how our system works. The states Obama won for the most part will go MCCAIN in November. That is why itis so key that Clinton won the "big" states. She is ahead in the electoral predictions 263 to Obama's 202. These numbers count. She is even with McCain and Obama is sinking against McCain. The "popular" vote doesn't decide elections, not sure how you got that idea. Electoral college decides. Superdelegates and delegates decide the nominee at the convention if it isn't already decided by then.
They will ALWAYS decide what is best for the Party no matter how much you like him and forgive him for his lies and for his other problems with Wright and Rezco. The media will make sure of that.
If you want to win in November, you need to look at the facts, even if you think he is the great uniter, that is hard for many to believe seeing as how he believes in Black Liberation Theology and has a hate spewing mentor. It's hard for people to forgive people who are saying those types of things in a CHURCH to people young and old while Obama sat by and did nothing. Like leave.
Oprah went there, but left due to Wright. I think she did the right thing, Obama, not so much.

[Beowoof]

I have wondered about some of the Clinton team who probably weren't up for biting off their opponent's ear when they realized how formidable he was.

[Dave01]

Isn't that the truth.....she reminds me of Mike Tyson (in the ear biting aspect)! If you can't win in a fair fight then take your opponent down no matter the cost. Why is the DNC allowing her to continue on as a Democratic candidate? She has after all endorsed the Republican candidate multiple times over her Democratic rival.

[Montanamotor]

Clinton's "momentum-swinging victories"??? WOAHAHA! THIS ONE'S KILLING ME, MATE!!!

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/gallup_obama_retakes_lead_over.php

And:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/

Enjoy reading!

WOAHAHAHAHA!

[lovethesinner]

Even if the "reporting" is true, it changes nothing. Hillary will have those aides hooded and bound for one of Bill's "EXTRAORDIARY RENDITION" sites by morning.

Bill Clinton didn't begin "OUTSOURCING TORTURE" to deal with terrorists, he started the practice in the mid 90's to deal with disloyal staff who were leaking stories to the press.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_rendition#Use_by_the_Clinton_Administration

As always with the Clintons, "they will do anything, and it will CHANGE nothing".

Obama-Webb (Richardson, McKaskill, Gore, Nepolitano) '08

[AtlantaBill]

I say Obama/Hagel

[rubberchicken]

So maybe Clinton is out of it ! or maybe she is in it? Maybe we need to say the fat lady sang,she had diiner and is home in bed...Give Obama the support he needs. How about Hill and Bill say that Obama
is what we have worked for all our lives ,equality, and we are proud to back him..sorry ,they don't know how..pretty sad

[farseer]

Hillary would be a very long shot to win in November. It's not as though there aren't lots of capable, dedicated female public servants available. I wish her supporters would tell me: why did their choice for a woman to be president have to be Hillary, who has so many skeletons in the closet and who has had a known credibility problem which is growing almost daily?

[indie17]

So true. Let's see if you get an answer.

[Ginko]

she's leading in electoral votes by quite a bit. The media has counted her out I don't know how many times already and she went on to win Ohio and Texas, she's heading into PA. with a double digit lead. Take your blinders off.

[nomobull]

again she doesn't have electoral votes they are awarded in the general election after everyone votes again.

[Lisette]

Hillary can't win!
The math is against her
She is ruining the Democratic Party
She is trying to snatch the nomination from Obama OR why else is she still in the race?
I have had the Clinton's up to here
Get them out now so we can concentrate
on November instead of Hillary's enormous ego and faulty sense of entitlement..

[HuffJob]

she's smart enough to know America won't elect a guy associated 20 years with an anti-american hate monger just like most of America knows.

[timetorevolt]

Her association with lobbyist is more important. Speaking of guilt by assocaition, she has a tougher row to hoe than Obama.

[ChimpmasterDJ]

Het HuffJob, have you seen the viral video on YouTube, that shows Clinton's visit to Tuzla, in Bosnia, and getting flowers and a poem from a little girl, while the soundtrack is her grotesque lie about dodging sniper bullets and running to armoured cars?

It's a WONDERFUL video and will go a LONG way to enhance the credibility of your favourite empty pantsuit.

[estreya]

Say it as many times as you want. It's still not true.

People are getting too smart for the trickery of sound bites. And i find it very heartening.

[provgrays]

Since when do we elect presidents based on what their preachers say?

Obama is responsible or what he says personally, not what anyone else says. I guess Obama is such an outstanding candidate, people have to pick some other strawman to criticize him by proxy.

[OneLiberalLady]

You may want to find Obama "guilty by association" and you may even believe the Reverend's whole career can be fairly boiled down to a few sound bites, however obnoxious. But consider this:
'When Ronald Reagan ran for governor of California in 1966, liberals attacked him for getting support from members of the ultraconservative John Birch Society, which regarded Dwight Eisenhower as a communist agent. Reagan responded: "If anyone chooses to vote for me, they are buying my views. I am not buying theirs." '(from Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune column 3-23-08)
Maybe we are fortunate to have a leader gifted enough to attract followers to his view of a world where tolerance should prevail. That leader is Barack Obama/

[KDH]

"She is trying to snatch the nomination from Obama OR why else is she still in the race?"

Obama is trying to "snatch" the race from Hillary, by blocking a re-do in FL and MI, even if it costs the Dem's those states in November. Only a person who believes they are entitled, would do that. If Obama had any scruples, and courage, he'd approve a re-do

[indie17]

Please do some reading about the actual issues with these states, and quit blaming this on Obama. Furthermore, if these states revote, it still will not provide Hillary with a win overall.

[Lisette]

KDH CORRECTION--It is not up to Obama to decide a redo.
It is up to Howard Dean and those states in question.
And THEY have not done that yet.

[KINOKO]

LMAO@KDH

[Aleka]

Good gosh, What planet are you from?

How does the guy who follows the rules and wants to prevent cheating "snatch" a race from someone who is trying to cheat?

Look KDH...they ALL, even Hillary, agreed it wouldnt count. If a do-over could have been done "without giving an undue advantage" to someone they would have. It was not possible to "do-over" fairly. Did you miss that part or just conveniently overlooking it?

I understand you are upset they wouldnt let Hillary cheat to win, but trying to turn who is cheating who around is just silly. I suppose you are one of those illogical people who think that MI was "totally fair" even though Obama took his name off...I tell you, THAT one makes me laugh every time I see it.

[Ginko]

You think Hillary has an "enormous" ego but Barack doesn't?
Sense of entitlement? She's fighting her a** off for the nomination, how is that a "sense of entitlement" you are just making things up.

[Mollye]

Oh, I just don't know about Peggy Noonan. It's just sad to find out that someone who portrays herself as such a saint, is a trouble-maker who whispers falsehoods. If only she could be as special as she seems to think she is. Poor Peggy.

[HuffJob]

she was so proud of george too, until he was in office a couple years. what a sad pathetic thing she is.

[KimberlyKay]

I am not a big fan of Peggy Noonan's, but unlike most of Senator Clinton's supporters I truly am a feminist. Your use of "sad pathetic thing" was inappropriate. You would not use this descriptor against a man. Don't use it against a woman.

[Pammy1151]

That's those republican women for you!!