Hillary Clinton: Barack Obama Can't Win

UPDATE: Mark Halperin is reporting comments from an anonymous Clinton official:

"Bill Richardson is clearly embarrassed that he broke his promise to them. He should come out and tell the truth and admit that he told both Clintons that Obama wasn't ready and can't win."

ABC News reports:

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and former President Bill Clinton are making very direct arguments to Democratic superdelegates, starkly insisting Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., cannot win a general election against presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Sources with direct knowledge of the conversation between Sen. Clinton and Governer Bill Richardson, D-N.M., prior to the Governor's endorsement of Obama say she told him flatly, "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win."

Keep reading.

Watch the segment from ABC News.

Comments

[DavidK08]

Richardson's support for Obama is "insignificant". Just another lie from HRC. When was the last time she told the truth? Is she just lowering the bar about the truth so that she can say one true thing and it will be like the second comming? Everything out of her mouth is a lie.

[Buttercup08]

The trouble is that Clinton lies and lies just like Bill her husband. When things are not going her way she then cries. When things are getting tough she screems like hell. When she runs out of something to lie then she goes to say Obama cannot win. I want to tell you the truth that Sen. Clinton will not win either primaries or national. People are tied of the Clintons' lies in white house. She told us how strong her foreign policy which turned out to be lies and lies. Where was Hillary when Bill was running around with Jennifer Flowers for 12 years? Then came Monica Lewnsiky?

[chinaskee]

If you Obama supporters didn't know she was right you wouldn't be getting so bent out of shape over her pointing it out to you.

[WaveFunction]

We're getting bent out of shape because she's trying to overrule the decision of the popular vote and delegate count by simultaneously propagating this false assertion that Barack Obama cannot defeat McCain. This is essentially her third or fourth endorsement of McCain over Obama. We, the people who voted for him, disagree with this idea that Obama isn't electable - that's part of the reason why we voted for him. It's totally false, defeatist and counterproductive to say that Barack Obama, who she knows will eventually be the nominee, is unelectable.

She has no draw among independents. McCain and Obama both do. If she wrests the nomination away half of the Democratic party will probably sit out the election, including all of the people Barack brought into the process. She is the one who cannot win the GE. To say anything else is patently absurd.

Because of this, it's now public knowledge that HIllary thinks Barack Obama cannot win the election. This already makes it something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, since once that perception becomes lodged in the electorate's consciousness, it gives them permission to rationalize not voting for him based on whatever other prejudice they have. It has thus already done damage to our chances in November. This is Hillary at her worst. It's naked ambition, bitterness, and suicide politics. If she can't win, she's going to take down Obama with her.

[BarryChamplain]

WaveFunction: SPOT ON!

Now, ask yourself WHY she'd rather see McCain win in November, than a candidate who isn't She. Only two possible answers:

ONE, is that she thinks that getting Obama buried now will position her for 2012.

This is idiocy. Do I really have to mention the incumbent advantage? And let us not forget how that advantage accrues to the vice-president, should "something happen" to McCain!



TWO, is more sinister. Maybe whoever sits at the controls of the world economy and the United States Government like the aliens in The Simpsons really doesn't CARE whether Hillary or McCain gets it. These are the "approved" candidates. And Goldwater Girl KNOWS it.

And that would explain your "suicide politics"... because whether Head One of the hydra wins the election, or Head Two wins it... SO WHAT?

[DavidK08]

You're an idiot!

[dlkincaid]

I heard a pundit (Obama journalist) say that Obama chooses when he want to be Black (or African American or what ever you Obamaniacs want him to be) well, I don't have that choice. I am Black and WILL NOT VOTE for him. He could not go to the State of Black America conference (2007 & 2008); couldn't mention Jena 6; and God help him and those of you who support him (especially Black American) they wouldn't even allow him to go to Memphis, TN (he is supposedly the 21st century King). Please - Black America don't be dupped by this African American Republican (who doesn't give a damn about you). How much more is he going to show you.

[pithymaxim]

he is not positioning himself as a civil rights leader, other people are.

[joiedavivre1969]

Why should he have gone to the State of Black of America?

[Wildcatdiva]

Stop lying you're not black.

[WaveFunction]

He doesn't choose when he wants to black. Regardless, he is not just black - he is mixed race, and he has no choice in that matter. And he's running to be President of the United States, not to be President of Black America. That's all of us, not just you.

[BarryChamplain]

You are right on all counts, that Obama has played it too safe, and thus dissed what should have been his base of support.

But if you understand how opposition research works, you must also understand that Obama is clearly giving the bastards as little to work with, as possible: he's not "too Black"; he's not "beholding to the Left"; he's not "the 'gay' candidate", etc.

All those groups are pissed, as a result. You're pissed.

But the alternative is clearly unacceptable. McCain is being used as a Potemkin "war hero" "straight talker", as a back door for Bush/Cheney interests. Hillary and Bill are in the pocket of Wall Street, the neocons and A*PAC; different hydra head of the so-called "Money Party".

If either of these two make it to the White House, the long and maybe still-unattainable goal of undoing the last 7-odd years of the rewriting of the American system will be impossible.

If Obama wins, there's at least a fighting chance that from the White House, he can undertake that task, assuming there's ongoing pressure to stay on-track from the people who put him there. And if THAT happens, I doubt he'll feel the need, in 2012, to run away from Jena, the State of Black America Conference, celebrations of MLK, etc.

Of course, I could be wrong. But you've GOT TO hold your breath and give him that chance, because there simply is no alternative this Election Day.

[BarryChamplain]

One other thing: Obama's "running to the middle", in order to snag the nomination, was first exemplified by none other than BILL CLINTON (it is not for nothing that his enemies called him "Slick Willy"; it was said with 4 cups anger and one cup envy!).

Why do you think the Clintons are so enraged by Obama, and want him destroyed? This goes beyond the primary fight; this guy is turning their own tactics back on 'em. He's out-Clintoned the Clintons. And if you think YOU'RE pissed at Obama..!!!

[Veeve]

Earth to Hillary: 'We don't like you."

[pithymaxim]

actually, I'm beginning to really admire her

[scornflakes]

Me too. I'm also beginning to admire these hot metal spikes under my toenails.

[JohnnySorrow]

This is a compelling argument she makes. It seems to only be contradicted by his...you know...winning.

"He can't win! I can't seem to beat him, but trust me, he can't win!"

[Pleidian]

How does she know? Did she e-mail Diebold or is this more deperate "I can still win" baloney?

[rzan]

What trumps everything anyone can say about Obama is Hillary's pathological lying. There are other lies that the news media have not publicized that will come out if she is to coerce the nomination. The Republicans have tons of ammunition against her. She cannot win.

[GhostOfSchlesinger]

It is common knowledge that Hillary, Bill, Mark Penn, Harold Ickes and James Carville have decided that "Barack Obama can't win."

But the quote should be stretched into its correct context.

The Clinton team has decided that Senator Obama cannot win this year if he is the nominee, "because that will preclude another run by Senator Clinton in 2012."

They know that they've less than a 3 percent chance of "winning" the nomination - even given the false story (an unsourced rumor/lie regarding Senator Obama that they plan on circulating post the Pennsylvania primary) they're advancing to friends in the media (which include at least TWO very well known right wing talk radio hosts and a "friend" at Fox News).

BUT they have decided that they MUST destroy Senator Obama - both personally and politically - "by any means necessary" in order to regain total control of the party machinery for her 2012 run.

Bad news for them is that "lunch bucket" Pennsylvania voters are infinitely more perceptive than they think. And - given the lies and smears and the questionable income streams in their tax returns - there is a marked and discernible shift occurring in Hillary's base. They are moving toward Obama.

Indeed, rather than "Rocky," Hillary would do well to begin referencing a more fitting dramatic parallel to her presidential run: "Richard III."

[cyndeewi]

They know that they've less than a 3 percent chance of "winning" the nomination - even given the false story (an unsourced rumor/lie regarding Senator Obama that they plan on circulating post the Pennsylvania primary) they're advancing to friends in the media (which include at least TWO very well known right wing talk radio hosts and a "friend" at Fox News).

I so believe this Ghost. Obama would have done so well in Ohio and won the popular vote in Texas if Hillary had not circulated the picture of Obama in muslim clothes and accused his people of meeting with the Canadians about NAFTA. I knew then how shady that woman really was.

[delysia]

So, so true. I hope you're right about the voters being able to see through the lies and smear campaign, however. Some people refuse to see the truth, no matter how hard it smacks them in the face.

[greylox]

**No, no, no. It's a visual.

Not, "He can't win. It's impossible."

But,

Hillary's face is turning red, she is jumping up and down, shrieking "HE CAN'T WIN! HE CANNOT WIN!!! Don't you understand!!!!! That will ruin all my plans!!!!"

[Sylmason]

Isn't she pathetic? Why would she think she could win? No black votes, no young votes, no educated votes, no male votes. Will she bring in bus loads from Mexico the way she did in Texas and Nevada?

[ajbb]

That's not accurate, she's winning half the vote. The reason he will get the nomination is because MI and FLA won't count.

[IslandGyal]

"He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win."

[uglybetty]

Sources ???? Unnamed Sources ????

[IslandGyal]

"He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win."

[pithymaxim]

I get the impression she said "That n------- can't win". I get that from a composite of Richardson's interviews and writings on the matter.

[bobdob]

I think I've got this all figured out. Turns out Jesus in on Hillary's side, so there's NO CHANCE she'll lose. Don't believe me? Read it for yourself:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080331/ehrenreich

[uglybetty]

Is that better than people trying to convince us that, thats who Obama himself is !!

[cyndeewi]

Bobdod,

I don't like the Clintons lies, but I cannot believe she is a member of a cult. Hillary belongs to a Methodist church is Little Rock, Ar. I know that she is capable of many things but she does not belong to that cult church.

[pithymaxim]

Please. What did Chelsea Clinton say to reporters yesterday? That her mother instilled in her THE DISCIPLINE OF GRATITUDE. That is straight from The Family's teachings. I'm just saying, look at all the data. So what if she's in The Fellowship? Is it any different than any other club/organized religion?

[VivaZapata]

really it's hillary who can't win. whether deserved or not, she is quite hated by large groups of Americans. blame Limbaugh or any of the other smear artists, but she is, nevertheless, hated. I don't like her for her corny and condescending way of speaking to people and her vote to authorize the war in Iraq and set the stage for war against Iran (Kyl-Lieberfish). I voted for her the first time she ran for senator but against her the second time. same with new york's senior senator, Chucky Cheese. I could never vote for them again. i'm not convinced obama can win once the media does to him what they've been doing to her, but she has almost no chance. the lies. it's all about the lies.

[GotRights]

I'm not from New York but viewing him from a distance, I've had the impression that Sen. Schumer is progressive and principled. What am I missing?

[tucsonlib]

Well said, Zap! This is a nightmare. With Clinton and Obama both claiming that the other one can't beat John McCain, tell me then: Just how the hell did we wind up with the only two Democratic candidates who could actually LOSE? A TRAINED GERBIL could beat John McCain. But I fear you're right. If Hillary is the candidate, it's all over. And Obama is only slightly less vulnerable.

[cyndeewi]

I have to agree with Zap and Tucson.. Still, I hope Obama can make it through.

[ajbb]

According to the recent polls they both fair about the same. The problem with Obama is the Wright and Rezco connection. He will be vilified by the Republican smear machine.

[GravitonX]

Clinton plays the race card, again, and again, and again. The insinuation shows Hillary has really always had secret contempt for Blacks.

[VivaZapata]

and she still won't apologize for her iraq war authorization to kill and plunder vote.

[bobdob]

Apologize? What for? Instead, she goes on Leno and makes jokes about being shot at by snipers, while real soldiers in Iraq face the very real threat of sniper fire in a war she helped put them in.

[pithymaxim]

Don't take it personally. The contempt extends to anyone that gets in her way. She is a very aggressive politician. I'm beginning to really admire that. And they all lie. It's to protect us. They lie as a sacrifice for our country...

[ajbb]

That's totally false. She has done more for equal rights for the AA community than Obama has. If you look at the situation logically you will note that it is the Obama camp that has played the race card to get her out of the game.

[djelimon]

Your best bet is to look at what your common interests are, put everything else aside, and work together. Wedge issues are there to stymie teamwork, they mean nothing else.