Clinton Says Obama Wants to Stop Votes

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton accused rival Sen. Barack Obama and his allies of trying to stop people from voting as some of his backers have called on her to drop out of the presidential race.

The Obama campaign rejected the charge, dismissing Clinton's criticism as "completely laughable."

In a series of television interviews in states holding upcoming contests, Clinton vowed to press on with her campaign and suggested Obama and his supporters wanted to keep those states from playing a role in selecting the party's presidential nominee.

"My take on it is a lot of Senator Obama's supporters want to end this race because they don't want people to keep voting," she told CBS affiliate KTVQ in Billings, Mont. "That's just the opposite of what I believe. We want people to vote. I want the people of Montana to vote, don't you?"

Montana holds its primary June 3. The New York senator made similar comments in interviews with stations in Indiana and North Carolina, which hold primaries May 6.

Obama leads the overall race for the Democratic nomination with 1,631 delegates, including separately chosen party and elected officials known as superdelegates. He got the backing of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Monday. Clinton has 1,501, according to the latest AP tally.

Clinton almost certainly will end the primary season narrowly trailing Obama in the popular vote and among pledged delegates unless the nullified primaries in Florida and Michigan are counted _ an unlikely scenario at best. But Obama is unlikely to end the race with the 2,024 pledged delegates needed to win outright either, meaning the nominee will be determined by roughly 800 superdelegates.

Responding to Clinton, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said: "That is completely laughable from a campaign that thought the race would be over on February 5. We have encouraged our supporters to do no such thing and Senator Obama was very clear he supports her carrying on in this race."

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Campaigning in Pennsylvania, Obama called the continuing primary battle "a struggle" but said he believed it was a good process that would strengthen the party in the long run.

"It is a healthy thing that so many people are passionate," Obama said in Johnstown. "I think it is great that Senator Clinton's supporters are as passionate about her as my supporters are about me... I think that is making this historic race that much more compelling."

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy last week became the first leading Democrat to openly call on Clinton to step aside and cede the nomination to Obama. He said he worried the prolonged nominating battle was strengthening the chances of the Republican nominee in waiting, John McCain.

Since then, Obama and his supporters have said Clinton should stay in the race as long as she chooses while indicating a lengthy primary battle would not help the party's position in the general election.

Obama has been picking up superdelegates at a rapid clip while Clinton's success with that group has slowed considerably.

"I don't even keep track of it, I can't even tell you that figure," Clinton said when asked by Pittsburgh CBS affiliate KDKA how many superdelegates had endorsed her in recent weeks.

As she spoke, her husband, former President Clinton, was in Oregon, lobbying uncommitted superdelegates.

___

Associated Press Writer Devlin Barrett in Johnstown, Pa., contributed to this report.

Comments

[Beowoof]

Michigan is a red herring. Florida has over 600,000 disenfranchised voters. But they're felons and who cares?. Most people don't know that Florida is a rigged state for elections due to a law enacted after the civil war to revoke your right to vote if you're a felon.Uh-huh, back to race. Yes, a high percentage of those who are African-American have had their voting rights taken away by the Atlanta firm hired by Jeb Bush's bunch in the 2000 election fiasco----­-thousands thrown off the voting rolls(mostly African American). Hillary could care less about Michigan. She wants Florida, knowing that the predominant number of senior citizens and Jewish voters will go her way and Obama can't count on this state to break his way as many others have. Of course he's is reluctant for a re-do knowing that she will say that she wins the "big states"(super delegates do your duty). Hillary will have the same problem in the general election though. Somehow, since the Florida Republican legislature is thrilled with this concept(di­senfranchi­sing anyone they can), new voting rights legislation has to be passed federally. NO! Not so the psychopathic killers have there protected voting rights, but so the legislatures can't find any reason to put any of us on the list......­.bankruptc­y, no insurance, COMPUTER GLITCH!

[englishprof]

Actually, a little-noted fact is that Mr. Obama just won a big state: Texas.

[ntmessage]

And the DNC is happy to keep Florida disenfranchised! Amazing!

[nohat]

Huff, you should rename this thread, call it 'Danbury'--we can't get a word in. I am going somewhere else.

[bluesnot]

Danbury is crowned "The Great Uniter"!

[BlueLight2]

Ah Thalia, how lovely to see you dear. I am so sorry your fellow liberals here are being so hard on your whining. No, I'm not.

I do, however take a little pity. Your elitist snobbery and your obsession with anything Clinton seems to have landed you in mess with your fellows. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Let me quess, you are still preaching the same diatribe: Hillary Clinton is the best, she rocks and anyone who disagrees with me is hateful and stupid and mean. Did I get that right?

Sound like anyone you know?

[phreso]

Oh, BTW for those that don't know Thalia=Danbury

[FrankBlackFrancis]

I don't know any self respecting liberal who supports the Clintons unless they are the only choice on the ballot. But your analysis of Thalia/Danbury is spot on from what I've read.

[Robin1962]

THE WAR IN IRAQ IS HAVING SERIOUS NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR ECONOMY and those who voted for the war (i.e. hillary) should be to blame, in part, for the state of the US economy.

Look how the WAR IN IRAQ is affecting the US economy...

$3,000,000,000� 3 billion dollars PER WEEK! That is the amount America is paying for the Iraq War PER WEEK, money that should have been used here, at home.

Add to this:

Interest. We are financing the war with borrowed money (e.g. treasuries) that carries interest; so in actuality, the war is costing the United States MORE THAN 3 billion dollars PER WEEK.

Higher oil and energy prices. Instability in Iraq is adding roughly 30 dollars per barrel as a premium.

High utility bills. Due to high oil prices, demand shifts to other sources of energy - gas, coal, etc. - and greater demand will raise the equilibrium price of all sources of energy

Our dollar is weak and getting weaker. Since we have a trade deficit and is growing in large part to the rising cost of imported oil, the value of goods and services we import exceeds the value of goods we export. Everything we buy that's made abroad will cost more, Ceteris Peribus, because the dollar is weak.

Lastly, how do you think the world views our country since the argument was made for war? The evidence was weak and circumstantial, yet we rushed into war with Iraq thanks to hillary"s authorization.

[BlueStateMan]

There's a great article in this weeks "Nation" to that effect.....

....but you can't just blame Hillary for it, either.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Links for Duncebury, since she can't seem to manage to find anything herself:

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_080327.htm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080327/ts_nm/usa_politics_pelosi_dc
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4534038
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004309051_campdig27.html
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/27/top-clinton-supporters-warn-pelosi-over-superdelegate-statements/

[joeinvt]

Of course Obama wants to stop the voting, especially in places like Florida and Michigan that he might lose. The guy's not stupid. He is a skilled politician not a candidate for sainthood. Why his supoprters feel a need to canonize him and demonize the Clintons is a mystery to me. Don't they realize what the Republican smear machine has in store for him? Let's just hope that he has never cheated on Michelle or we'll be soon hailing President McCain. And by the way, I don't know which is more venal on his part--denying that he knew any of Rev. Wright's more controversial views or saying now that if Rev. Wright hadn't just resigned or renounced his views then he, BHO, would have jeft the Church, Come on Barack. Be a stand-up guy. Rev. Wright's views are perfectly defensible.

[Aleka]

Why do you spread out right lies like this? Are you paid to, or just like to misiform people for kicks?

I mean common sense sherlock.... its documented that he wants her to stay in the race, over and over - this "he wants to stop the vote" is not even based in reality. I can see you are either exceptionally gullible or exceptionally malicious.

[Shozen]

Remember Aleka, for the Clintons and the Clintonistas honesty is a value to be tossed aside in favor of a good "spin."

[rmetz74]

The only poeple I've heard mentioning sainthood/­messiah/pe­rfection and Obama together are angry Hillary supporters. I'm an Obama supporter, and I know very well he's a skilled politician, a human being, and imperfect at both. (He himself makes that point regularly in speeches, which I really like.)

Some Obama supporters do demonize Hillary, and that's ufortunate. True, I like her less and less as the campaign continues, but she's leaps and bounds better than McCain. I do wish you and some other Hillary supporters would stop talking about Obama supporters as though we were all one big group of brainless cultish zombies. It's nonsense, and straight out of third grade.

As for Rev. Wright... In his "race speech", Obama explained that Wrights views are common in the black community, explained their origins, and very specifically declined to write them off as part of the radical fringe, because they are a part of the reality of race in America. If you missed that part of the speech, I suggest you watch it again, because you missed the most important part.

[BlueStateMan]

Besides..... Wright was correct in what he said (just not "politically").

[McSurgent]

Why do Democrats hate Democrats so much ? - no need to answer, just keep it going!!!

[BlueStateMan]

I'll answer anyway, if you don't mind.......

It's called "impassioned discourse".

Come November, you can COUNT on ALL of us rallying behind whichever ticket is nominated.... & we WILL purge our government of all of the neocons once & for all.

[TiffShelton]

Danbury, the beacon of ALL knowledge at Huffington, didn’t hear that Nancy Pelosi was threatened by none other than BET founder and pimp Bob Johnson. Nancy was told to shut up or risk campaign contributions.

Way to keep the conversation going, right Danbury? Wasn’t that Sen. Clinton’s initial campaign philosophy, Danbury? Why does her campaign want to keep Nancy Pelosi quiet, Danbury?

That doesn’t sound very progressive and feminist, does it?

Still waiting on Gloria Steinem and NOW to reject and denounce Bob Johnson’s threat against the woman holding the highest government office in the country.

[nohat]

Look at this, it's worth repeating, it's from the Pelosi thread here at Huff:

"I think the election has to run its course," Pelosi said. "I think that for all that I have said about respecting the will of the people that the inference to be drawn from that is that we have to continue the election in terms of hearing from the people."

That is NOT the inference she was drawing when she first talked about the superdelegates respecting the will of the people. Then, she was talking about the supers going the way their constituents voted. Or at least the Clintons thought so (and so did everyone else), for they wrote her that nasty letter. Now she is changing the meaning. Saying a different inference is what she meant BEFORE. That is bull. Probably BECAUSE of the letter. I just wonder what you make of it. Me, I think she has been cowed. That she has caved in, to the letter, or to something that has happened since.
Let's be honest: Bill and Hillary are running this show.. Every time someone says something they don't like, they threaten that person. They are bullying the whole party, no one stands up to them. It is terrible and shameful too.

[WeCanFixThisMess]

But the sad thing is that for every idiot that actually believes her when she says something like this-- there are 100 educated people that watch the news, hear him support her right to remain in the race, know she is lying and downshift their opinion of her.
That foolish uninformed person's vote is worth more to her than the respect of people who are/were her supporters.
Lets say she somehow wins the nomination. 100% of the Republican Party and over 50% of the Democratic Party will be so hardened against her for actions like this-- her chances of winning the general election will be so tight. What happens when all these "new voters" that Obama has found get disillusioned and just fade back away? Plus, nothing will get done in the next four years without her having full support from her own party-- and a good portion of Congress are already furious with her.
She will have her victory but will just be a place holder for the next slick Republican "I told you so" candidate in 2012.
I never ever thought the day would come when I would think so badly of either of the Clintons-- they have destroyed years of support and admiration. My respect for them is just collateral damage in their quest for votes. This is not how this should be done.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

There is virtually no chance that she will win the nomination or the general election:
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/03/poll_supports_o.html

[postdem]

If you think this is a whopper, check this out http://www.northstarwriters.com/dc163.htm .

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Yes I am glad this is finally coming to light. If she was already lying and unethical at 27, then this along with all the other lies that have been exposed over many years, shows a life long pattern of lying and unethical behavior. Hopefully the MSM will interview her White House supervisor and expose her first stint in the WH to the public.

[bobdob]

Speaking of lying, didn't she promise to release her tax returns a few days ago?

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

I think she put forward April as the month, after the tax returns were supposedly completed. Of course, the tax returns from 2000-2006, were already done before April 2008. But don't let a little truth get in your way when you're trying to hide your overseas income from nefarious sources:
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120097424021905843.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/14/AR2007061400474.html?hpid=topnews
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/60414c4c-a95e-11da-a64b-0000779e2340.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/14/AR2007121402124_pf.html
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ViecghWE3pk

[bobdob]

She just can't stop lying, can she? William Safire was right about her: she's a congenital liar.

[rmetz74]

Let's clear up a few myths.

No one is suggesting any votes be stopped. Some people - and not just Obama supporters - are suggesting that Hillary should drop out (I disagree.) But if she did that, the remaining states would still vote. Republican primaries are still being held, despite McCain clinching the nomination. That's how it goes in the vast majority of elections. That's what happened when her husband got the nomination. Hillary is being extremely disingenuous in suggesting that anyone is trying to stop anyone from voting. (I assume it's disingenuosness, rather than a lack of understanding of the primary process.)

And before anyone brings up Fl and MI, no, Obama did not stop those votes from being counted. It has always been between the states and the DNC, and in both cases, the state legislatures killed the revote plans over cost, logistics, and in Michigan, potential legal problems. It's terrible that it's happened this way, and FL and MI voters have every reason to be furious - at their local leaders. It's not Obama's fault, and his opponents weaken their arguments by continuing to claim otherwise.

[Star2000dancer]

I would like to hear a debate about what people think about Michelle Obama as the first lady.

[TiffShelton]

Is she a disbarred indicted perjurer too?

[kevenseven]

You start. Begin by making a case that the question is in anyway pertinent or material.

[Star2000dancer]

A First Lady play an important role in our government, she is the woman behind the man and does alot for her country too.

[SCG]

I have heard her speak, and you can find some her speeches in entirety on C-Span's website. I find her intelligent and down to earth.

[Seattlelite]

Something people don't seem to give the Obama's credit for is their years of work in the poor communities in Chicago, instead of making mega bucks. Michele after she married Sen. Obama left a well paying job to join him in his community work. For me that says allot because had I graduated from an Ivy league school I don't know if I would have been so generous. They've both mentioned that at 46 they just recently paid off their student loans. Michele now is making a good living but again I due to their careers I believe they are sincere when they talk about wanting to help this country and the less fortunate in our country. So in short I think she will make a terrific first lady.

[nohat]

Oh my god... from the new thread:

In an interview with me this morning, senior Hillary adviser Harold Ickes confirmed that Reverend Jeremiah Wright is a key topic in his discussions with uncommitted super-delegates over whether Obama is electable in a general election

How low can she go !!!??? I could just scream. Well, I am going to say it now, I don't care who doesn't like it. Hillary is trash.
Yes, trash.

[SCG]

The site Truthdig has two longer video clips of those infamous sermons, and in context it's not as inflammatory.

"Rev. Wright Uncensored"
Posted on Mar 31, 2008

excerpt:
"The national media have made a pariah of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s former pastor, by replaying carefully selected snippets of his sermons without context. Here are extended versions of two of Wright’s more controversial statements. "

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20080331_rev_wright_uncensored


P.S . Hillary, he's still going up in the polls even after the Rev. Wright fiasco.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

More shocking video from Obama's church!!!!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/15/203242/685/352/477632

[nohat]

My point is that there are many things Obama could talk to the superdelegates about, to do with Hillary---and going back 20 years!!! I think it's low. They just can't stand the idea of Obama besting the entitled Hillary. I think someone needs to remind the voters of Hillary's past, for there is indeed a pattern and it hasn't been broken. What is this stuff about Hillary belonging to a Fellowship that is supposed to be ominous, do you ahve a link? Not that anyone would need that, there are plenty of other things. I think it is all right to go negative about an opponent if 2 conditions are met. First, what you say must be true, you have to back it up, and second--and this is really important---it must be something that the voters have a right to know, i.e. SHOULD know, BEFORE they cast their vote, so that they can make the best decision. And I think a pattern of lying fits the bill, if the lies are big enough and if they show the person's word just cannot be trusted, the lies are that frequent.

[Seattlelite]

If people want to tie Sen. Obama to Rev. Wright's words and behavior then it's only fair Hillary be tied to Bill's less than savor behavior. She's made the statement "well you can't pick your family, but you can pick your pastor" well I'll go as far to say you can pick your husband.

[rmetz74]

The SD's aren't stupid. They know if they overturn the will of the voters, they'll cause deep damage to the party for decades to come. I wouldn't worry about it.

[kennedy]

Obama sends out his henchmen to try to force Hillary to stop running. And now Obama bold face lies after Hillary and us supporters tell Obama to get off. He is such a two faced liar. Be a man Obama and tell the truth for once in your life.

[TiffShelton]

Were you upset at Hillary henchman, Bob Johnson, who tried to strong arm Nancy Pelosi with threats?

[EyeWantOneNation]

Way too funny....you want to talk about "Obama henchmenn" after the way the Clinton's have run teir campaign ???

You want to talk about "bold faced-lies"...let's talk about Hillary's !! (Let's not !!)

You mention "two-faced liars" without mentioning the Clinton's ???

People complain about the Obama supporter's on this site. Let's face it...supporters for BOTH sides are enthusiastic, to say the least !!! But pointing a finger at the other candidate, and ignowing what your own candidate has done, is beyond any form of truthfulness !!!

kennedy....you have long had a problem with twist and spin when it comes to the Clinton's...be careful about being so willing to open Pandora's box !!!

[kevenseven]

kennedy is also a racist, which has been on display repeatedly.

[kevenseven]

"Henchmen"?

Are they breaking legs?

Have your medications checked. Often.