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

[IntelligentDesign]

It is important to remember that Obama's middle name is Hussein.

[Aleka]

Why?

[MichaelTenery]

Because then the magic happens. The brain turns off and fear sets in and you can be reprogrammed.

[ruscle]

Because that's the only thing Hillary and McSame can count on... fear and ignorance. If you forget about Obama's middle name, you might remember that he has two young daughters, that he can't loan himself $5 million (like Hillary) and that comparing all three candidates, Obama is more like normal people than either McCain (with this rich wife) or Clinton are.

I was initially cool to Obama. I thought he didn't have a chance with the funny name and being black/white mix. But after listening to all the candidates (and having some of my favorites removed by the media like Edwards) I came to see that there is a wisdom and dignity to Obama that is sorely lacking in Washington at this moment. I would be so happy to see someone NEW bringing in new ideas and fresh blood to that stagnant pool of incestuous political dynasties. We need his kind of thinking now. We needed it 10 years ago. We've needed it for a long time. But at this point in history, enough American's can see where the old political dynasties have lead us. NAFTA, War, Bank Deregulation. Obama is the only rational choice. Only ignorant people care about his funny middle name.

[GrainOSand]

“Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd.”
--Bertrand Russell

This quote describes well what I have witnessed on the TV news and in other forums of information exchange.

The collective fear (enthusiasm) of people who support a presidential candidate, their collective angst concerning losing can cause ferocious attacks against any who would support the idea that they fear (losing) and for which they have herded together to prevent.

This is true of both groups of supporters. I have read some nasty and hateful blog comments here and on other sites and it leaves me where I was before all of this started, wanting to be indifferent, believing that America will never change (unify) because the people do not have it in them, and very glad that I have not allowed myself to become part of any herd of emotional investment in a human being subject to human frailties.

I hope Senator Obama wins but I attempt not to hate, disrespect, devalue, or disregard others who may see it differently. The hypocrisy lives in the people; the candidate channels/reflects that hypocrisy as a person of flesh and bones themselves.

No messiahs are in this race, nor were any claim of inevitability wise claims. There are just people in this race and therein lie the agony and the ecstasy; for humans can disappoint or inspire, they can tear you down or take you higher.

[kevenseven]

Danbury:

"Nah. I don't attack people personally here. ..."

Posted 01:38 PM on 04/01/2008

No? Tell everybody about the lie you told about me. Do it, or I will.

[phreso]

LMAO, that's all she does is attack and deflect. And whine.

This from someone who didn't even bother to vote in the interim election.

[Gordon]

too busy dodging sniper fire

[ChiGuy]

Please do...
(Unless of course it's the story of you and the two hookers in the....oh.­..never mind. :)"

[BlueStateMan]

Now, now children..­....

Do we REALLY want to get back into THAT nonsense again?

[kevenseven]

She's the one claiming to be so damned pure.

Just tell her she is not pure and I'm good.

Me, I sweet as pie.

[lornejl]

It's very important to remember that repubs want to unite the country , and dems want to divide us.

[HumeSkeptic]

True. But Bush was able to unite only 75%. The other 25% still support him.

[patapsco99]

Here, Here. Republicans have already united half the nation while democrats can only unit 25 percent of their party as rabbit liberal dogs try to steal the nomination.

[OverIt]

Unbelieveable, Sen. Clinton should instead be arguing with Michigan & Florida democratic leadership. They are the ones that should be purposing solutions to the DNC. Sen. Obama has said on multiple occassions that he would except a DNC ruling on the matter and would like to see the delegates seated in some fair fashion. Sen. Obama is the only one left in the campaign playing by the rules as they were understood prior to any primary/caucus in January. That was the time for Sen. Clinton to make her claim and push Michigan & Florida leadership­...it falls flat now that she is clearly behind. She didn't have the judgement to do that. She didn't have the judgement to manage her finances better in light of the $5 million loan that she needed to keep the campaign going. What erks me the most is that I get the sense that Sen. Clinton feels that this nomination is somehow owed to her and that only she is capable of leading. How elitist of her. I want a real promise for change. Sofar, I found that in Sen. Obama

[patapsco99]

The DNC is so arrogant it belives that it doesn't need two of its biggest general election states. Michigan going red. that is a big possiblity. Florida has always been red they judt don't know it.

[ncvoter]

Hillary's National Party Co Chair is Rep Debbie Schulz Wassermun, of Florida.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm endorsed Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

[drzoon]

... At that time Hillary Rodham was 27 years old. She had obtained a position on our
committee staff through the political patronage of her former Yale law school
professor Burke Marshall and Senator Ted Kennedy. Eventually, because of a
number of her unethical practices I decided that I could not recommend her for any
subsequent position of public or private trust.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

http://www.aim.org/aim-column/print/hillarys-crocodile-tears-in-connecticut

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

59 percent of Democrats said that Obama would have the better chance as the Democratic nominee in November, compared to 30 percent for Hillary Clinton. Among Republicans, 64 percent said their presumptive nominee, John McCain, would have a better chance to win against Clinton, while only 22 percent said Obama would be the weaker Democrat.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/03/poll_supports_o.html

[scandals&skeletons]

danbury i was going to post that you never have anything substantial to say about hillary, not a thing. all you do is whine about those who support obama and post here. yet.....yo­u are here day in and day out.
think about it

[phreso]

I thought Danbury left. She said day after day that she had to not post here because Obama supporters reminded her too much of republicans.

[TiffShelton]

Bill said stop whining.

Doesn't she do everything Bill tells her to do?

[ScandalousCandice]

I wonder about that all the time. Why do people hate the Huff post so much, cry all day about it being biased, and then sit here 24/7?

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

That's all they have.

[JohnTalbutt]

Don’t underestimate one benefit of her contined campaign. More and more people see through Clintonism. For instance in a debate in 1992, Jerry Brown asked Bill Clinton to explain lucrative contracts he had steered to Hillary’s Rose Law Firm as Governor of Arkansas.. Bill turned to Brown with indignant anger and said “You can attack me all you want but don’t you dare attack my wife”. The crowed cheered him and he never made any other answer. I doubt if either of them will ever get cheers with indignant evasions again

[etc]

Obamentality is an incurable disease!

[patapsco99]

Its ok though, because Obama believes having an unwanted baby is like having an unwanted STD

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Bush believes each drop of blood spilled from American soldiers is potentially a million bucks more in his numbered swiss bank account.

[KimberlyKay]

I certainly hope so. As Senator Obama said he "isn't asking" us "just to believe in his ability to change Washington, but for" us "to believe in ours." I certainly hope this "disease" is incurable and Americans will wake up all over this Country and remember that our government is "of the people, by the people and for the people" and that we have every right to insist, demand, pressure and change everything about it and not simply with our vote. Already I personally know 100's of folks who have awakened and are stretching their political muscles -- I hope that everywhere others are doing the same.

[BlackLeatherRain]

Bingo!

Listening to one of his stump speeches in PA last week, I came across my favorite reason to have a man like Obama leading the nation - he expects us to do the work. This is a good thing!

We went to war, and the politicians said, "What you need to do for US is pretend that we're NOT going to war - don't change your habits, be sure to keep spending money, and if you could spy on your neighbors, that would be just peachy." We as a people were asked to sacrifice nothing but our civic duty to question, question, question the motives and the actions of those who run this country.

Obama says, "We as a country have a responsibility to help the disadvantaged. The young man who wants to go to college deserves the chance to go, no matter what his economic background. We will help him - and we expect him to work, in turn, for us. He will be directed to help the helpless, work in his community, join the Peace Corps, and strive to make life better for those people he can reach out to."

This "government benefits with responsibility" is something that has been necessary in our country for a very long time. I cannot remember a time since the early 90s when I saw prominent government officials speaking to the American people about things like Civic Duty and volunteerism. It's time for that to return to being In Vogue.

[TiffShelton]

So is losing. Good luck with that.

[gmt217]

Alternate headlines:

"The Michigan State Government denies its own citizens the right to vote in the Democratic Primary".

"The Florida State Government, led by Republican Governor Crist deny Florida Democrats from being counted in the primary in order to deliver state to McCain."

And why is anyone consulting the candidates about resolutions to this mess? Was their a provision in the DNC's decision that said any resolution had to be ratified by whatever candidates are still in the race? I thought it simply said that the state parties could submit proposals for re-votes to the DNC rules committee? Unless Clinton or Obama are on those committees they should shut the hell up.

The Democrats will run against Republicans with an unpopular, mouth-breather of a president, an unpopular war, and and economy in the middle of a recession -- and they could actually find a way to lose. If they manage that, they should simply disband as they will have proven that they are not a viable political party in this country.

[2351]

As a voter that has not voted in the primary, since the Kentucky primary is not until 5/20, I am insulted that Hillary would keep telling people this stuff to get a vote. She apparently thinks that people are not listening to the news, so it is very insulting that she is saying something that is not true.

If I were a Pennsylvania voter, I would be insulted. She does not give the voters of Pennyslvania for being smarter than that. That will also backfire on her, just like the Bosnia lie.

[NotWaldo]

That's the problem with her. It's as if she's talking to dumb and ignorant people. She reminds me of Romney.

[kevenseven]

So, Obama is going to end this thing with a minimum lead in the Pledged Delegates of 145. Assuming that to be the case, are there any Clintonistas ready to argue, and I mean make an argument, that he should not get the nomination?

[Aleka]

I think they all will. She has convinced them that pledged delegates shouldn't count.

[NewJerseyMike]

Correction, Obama's pledged delegates don't count.

[McSurgent]

No, as long as you keep calling Hillary supporters Clintonistas - right through election day!

[HumeSkeptic]

OK. How about Hill Billies? We'll do anything to please you.

[MichaelTenery]

Clintonistas a term coined by Paul Begla who is/was one. It is non-derogatory.

[HumeSkeptic]

Let me play the Devil's advocate here.

He should not get the nomination because some of his supporters have not been nice to Hillary supporters. How's that?
And if you don't agree with the above, you are anti-democracy and you hate people in MI and Fl.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Hillogic.

[KimberlyKay]

Well, by that logic, Senator Clinton certainly should not get the nomination because she insulted millions of folks by calling us "delusional" simply because we choose a candidate other than herself. But, you are joking aren't you???

[muffinmix]

Ohhh Duurrr. This is getting sadder and sadder. She has got be so disillusioned right now and is completely disconnected from what she is doing. She will definitly look back on this campaign incredibly embarrassed.

[Aleka]

Honestly, if I were a high ranking dem, now is about when I would start trying wondering about her psychological health. Isn't she disqualified if she is mentally unstable?

[muffinmix]

Good point. Give her a break though. Im sure running under sniper fire in Bosnia was a really traumatic experience and took a major toll on her health. But ya, Clinton should go see the Dems chief medical officer. Take note Dean- thats how you can end the race!

[Koreboomer]

I completely agree.

When this started, I could easily vote for either Hillary or Barack, but now,
I'm totally turned off by the Clinton campaign's negativity toward a fellow Democrat. And Bill, you're not
helping one bit. In fact, he's turned off a lot of people. As a columnist (can't remember who) wrote, it reminds voters of everything they did NOT like about the Clinton years.


Instead of Clinton sniping at Obama, and then Obama feeling obligated to return fire, why can't they both confine themselves to telling the country how they'd govern differently from the Republicans? Gee, there's no lack of issues there!

Why aren't both candidates campaigning against the Republican nominee?

John McCain and Hillary Clinton:

I've lost a lot of respect for both of them.

[breezeway22]

EVERYONE KNOWS THESE PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR HILLARY TO QUIT, AT THE BEHEST OF OBAMA. YOU SHOULD KNOW NOW HE IS TOTALLY CAPABLE OF SAYING WANT THING AND DOING ANOTHER. WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE SMOKIN.

[HumeSkeptic]

You're so cute. I think I'll keep you little Clintonista.

[DougMontreal]

Did you know that your caps lock is on? Furthermore, did you know that many people like myself just skip over such posts? I thought this information might be helpful to you. I can't comment on the content of your post, because I didn't read it (as explained above).