New Clinton Team Motivation: Stick It To Naysayers

Politico:

There's a motivational shift afoot in Hillary nation.

The legions of Hillary Rodham Clinton backers still investing their cash, energy and emotion into her faltering bid for the Democratic presidential nomination seem driven not by the reasonable expectation that she can beat Barack Obama, but by the emotional desire to see her through to the end of voting and stick it to those who have already written her off.

Clinton's campaign is fanning the flames of that backlash -- against the media, against superdelegates who recently backed Obama and against Obama himself. Aides hope to convert the sentiments into protest votes that could deliver landslide victories in West Virginia and Kentucky, Clinton strongholds that are among the next three states to cast ballots.

No matter how big Clinton wins in West Virginia, which votes Tuesday, or Kentucky, which heads to the polls May 20 along with Oregon -- a likely Obama win -- she won't significantly cut into Obama's lead in pledged delegates or popular votes.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[ann1]

She hasn't released April's campaign contributions. She only received 1mil after IN and NC. She's broke--

[Pammy1151]

I did hear on the morning shows today that she is willing to put more of her own money into the campaign. Terry Mc said on MTP that there is no truth to the fact that Obama is going to help her out with her debt. That is just a rumor going around so he says. He "might" do a few fundraisers at some point but that is not for certain at this time. The Clintons can afford this!!!

[ann1]

Personally- I don't think Sen Obama should help pay off her debts. What I don't understand is why would Hil give her own money to a failed campaign.

[kate123]

And the campaign claimed that they rec'd close to $10 million in 24 hours. I knew that was BS. But to inflate $10 million from $1 million seems awfully close to a . . . wait, is it . . . a lie??? Or did they just misspeak?

[jgalvan]

LOSERS! LAIRS, CHEATS, GROW UP AND LOSE WITH SOME DIGNITY. NOTHING A LITTLE FIBER AND HOT PROTEIN INJECTION WOULDN'T CURE.

[Pammy1151]

Your post is not at all helpful.

[NorVaGal]

Neither is Hillary's continued race-war, pammy.

[estevancarlos]

we need to stop dissing hillary here.

[NorVaGal]

Agreed. And Hillary needs to stop dissing Sen. Obama. She should continue campaigning with dignity, promoting respect for diverse demographics, or not at all.

[Stace]

Exactly! Forget all these Hillary apologists. I mean no disrespect but come on! It's incredibly difficult to grin and nod when this woman clearly is NOT trying to bow out gracefully. I have no problem w/ her staying in the race - it's her right and I believe all states should be allowed to vote as they choose. But it's another thing for her to continue to run her trap in a way that does not to me seem to want to rebuild the party. I dont condone bashing her or her supporters but the street goes both damn ways. And frankly I'm sick of all this "leave Hillary alone" crap. Bottom line, she is {{{STILL THE OPPONENT}}} and until she drops out - or rather, until Obama is declared OFFICIALLY the nominee - I personally will treat and speak of her as such.

[Pammy1151]

I am inclined to agree with you. It isn't helpful to do that. My hope is Hillary will end up supporting Obama and bring her fans along and heal the party. I really believe if she wants any future in politics she will be smart enough to do that. Maybe some of her people will not vote with us but I think the majority will if she encourages them and works hard for Obama. But the more we pick on them the harder it will be. Let's turn the other cheek as Obama does and start being nice even if it seems like it won't work with some.

[111]

If one quarter of what I have read about Hillary is true, she is not the kind of person to forgive Obama for winning the primary. Her recent history shows that she had to be cornered before she admitted Obama has a chance to win the GE. She also had to be cornered before she would state that Obama was not Muslim and then she added, not to her knowledge. I just don't think people change much but we can hope.

From what I have read at sites that support Hillary most of the people supporting her are not interested in anything other than Hillary winning the primary. I have read comments that state they don't care about roe v. wade, they don't care about getting out troops out of Iraq, they don't care about the economy, they don't care if there are four more years of Republican ideology, they don't care about anything except Hillary winning the primary. If she doesn't win the primary they will either not vote or they will vote for McCain. I don't think there is anything that anyone can say or do to change those minds.

Obama and the people supporting him have to take the high road and let those people go.

[MizFlagPin]

Tell them to stop at Taylor Marsh website. You read the article. Hillary's supporters are on a crusade to smear Obama wherever and whenever they can. Hillary deserves a good dissing for sic'in her attack dogs on her fellow candidate.

[Pammy1151]

Let the Taylor Marsh people live in their silly little world. I have gone there I know what you are talking about. As long as they keep it there let them enjoy themselves. I belief what Obama says all the time. Adults know better and they will not let that stupid stuff change their minds. I have learned a lot from his words already.

[Jazzbeau]

Why? She's invented a new philosophy of campaignin­g...
The Tonya Harding school.

[hugs4u]

People still giving money to Hilalry proves that fools and their money are soon parted.

[amerdiaspora]

fools?
i don't think so hugs, i just think it is the 'world is still flat' contigency of her base

[TheShadow]

Why stop at sticking it to the Naysayers? Just continue to "stick it' to everybody like you have been doing.

That's why you are ahead in the count for Super Delegates, popular vote, and pledged delegates.
By the way, your printer for all those “Hillary For President” signs called and said that you’re over 120 days late on payment. You only had NET 30.

Ahhhh forget about him: He's only a “Naysayer” too.

[ajax2]

Yes, throw money at her so she can continue her racial innuendos.

[snruB]

Ahhh...the Ron Paul strategy

[illinoisan]

Clinton has a lock on the petty, sore loser vote for sure.

[shrugged]

#1 focus on the core objective, the Presidency. The objective is to make sure McCain does not win. There are too many people with both Obama and Clinton who are committed only to winning the primaries. Who can win the swing voters in the swing states?

The hard left Obama supporters are already seeing him move center as he eyes the general election. Iraq, he now states "no precipitous withdrawals". They will and should feel abandoned. But then again, their say will not make a difference in the general election. The bashing of swing voters as hicks and bible thumpers will cost Obama the general election. If the objective is the white house, you must appeal to the swing voters in the swing states?

[illinoisan]

Wrong.

Obama has run a general election campaign from the very start and has remained consistent throughout, unlike Clinton's message of the week campaign. Obama let Edwards take the hard left populist slot and then let Clinton try that suit on after Edwards bowed out (gracefully).

Lefties have come to Obama for reasons other than ideological purism. They have set aside their most strident positions in the interest of Obama's new politics as evidenced by the support he won from MoveOn's membership.

He is not moving center because that's where he began and that's where he'll win.

[Kishadawn]

Obama has run a GE campaign. He's been setting up grass root offices in every state...ev­en the Caucus states, even the red states, even the blue states. He's hasn't focused on a single demographic, even if he is more successful with certain ones.

He didn't campaign like only certain states mattered. Which is why he's ahead in the Democratic Nominee Primary. When the GE comes, he's the best prepared to run as a candidate.­..and he won't have to lend himself any more money to do it.

I commend HRC for putting forth her best effort, but it doesn't have to be a dirty one. I agree with Edwards that she should be campaigning on why she's great. If she had done more of that after 2/05/08 instead of attacking Obama the race results might be very different right now.

[NorVaGal]

shrugged: The so-called "hicks and bible thumpers" (your words, not mine) have voted as a bloc for Republicans for decades. Neither Sen. Obama OR Sen. Clinton would win their votes in November. Swing voters generally are more moderate/ centrist. Obama has done well with that group throughout this nomination process . He is not the one who has run a divisive campaign.

[daddydamon]

Hillary is so smart, gentle, beautiful, and kind.

[PAposter]

daddydamon: you may have to fight Joe Scarborough for her, hahahahahaaaaa!

[riverhouse]

Hillary is the psycho ex from hell who can't let go. She calls constantly, calls your mother, calls your sisters, calls your workplace. She keeps driving past your house. She parks outside and watches you. She shows up wherever you go. She breaks in your house and boils your bunny. She threatens to kill herself but then won't. You gotta get a restraining order before she crashes your wedding wearing a bridal gown and carrying a bouquet. You gotta get that restraining order, buddy. She's going to hurt you big time.

[ginnypoo]

Yea, that will bring in lots of Hillary people to Obama's camp.....N­OT. You are in idiot, and just ensuring we never vote Obama...th­at post alone will be famous on several site...I will see to it myself.

[Aleka4]

What are you, twelve?

Do you not think you should be more responsible with your vote?

Trying to blackmail anonymous strangers on a blog with it only makes you seem immature, irresponsible, irrational and as smart as a 13 y/o girl trying to blackmail a boy into not leaving her.

It is not up to US to sooth your sore ego. We are strangers. It is up to YOU to look in a mirror, and learn how to accept defeat with grace.

[PAposter]

ginnypoo: What's the matter, past your bedtime? Why are you voting based on Blogs and the people who post there? Get informed, get acquainted with the candidates and stop looking to see what other people think, and make an intelligent decision, and not excuses for your choices.

[dcgoats]

Wait. You won't vote for someone because one of their supporters says something that you find stupid? That is preposterous. Principled disagreement with a candidate's positions is one thing. Having a fit because some anonymous person on a blog says disparaging things about Hillary is irresponsible.

You are not joining a club. You are voting for president.

[NorVaGal]

ginnypoo: Hillary and Bill have said: "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen." I visit several pro-Hillary websites, and they are VERY HATEFILLED and vitrolic toward Sen. Obama. Much worse than anything I have read on HuffPo. If you are immature enough to vote for Republicans who will do everything in their power to steal from the poor and middle class to give to the rich, then we don't want your vote anyway. Either join with the Dems in changing America for the better, or get out of our kitchen. Millions of new voters are registering everyday. We will succeed with our without your help.

[EvoMan]

"You are in idiot..."

Winner of the best unintentionally funny post of the evening.

[lmrgreen]

Come on - this kind of thing is not helping. We are alienating any reasonable Hillary supporters. We all agree that Hillary's chances of winning are slim and next to none, but it's time to stop the mean spiritness; let's give them some time to grieve and stop dancing on Hill's grave. Once they have their mourning period, they'll be ready to join the party and move forward in defeating Obama.

If we're going to "dissect" Hillary's campaign, let's take the high road while we're doing it. Obama is.

[lisakaz2]

I think the illogic of the diehards is too far gone for there to be much help regardless of how nice anyone is to them.

[windyindie41]

Riverhouse is DEAD-ON, and that's what's truly scary about Hillary. She really has morphed into a psycho hose beast, and is having a neverous breakdown in front of the world. What's sad is that idiots like ginnypoo are to narrow minded and brainwashed to realize how crazy and destructive Hillary has become, both to the Democratic party and the country.

How can you deny reality, HIllary supporters? By this, I mean the fact that in everyway possible that matters, she has no chance of winning. Once again, this includes the facts that Obama has more pledged delegates, more of the popular votes, more states won, and there is no way for Hillary to overtake Obama in any of these categories. In addition, as of this posting ,Obama has pulled even to Hillary in Super Delegates, has pulled in more donations and donors then her by a 3 to 1 ratio, is attracting the VAST majority of new or firsttime young voters, has 91% of the black vote (which no Democrat could win without), has weathered a flurry of well-televised "non-controversies" and come out stronger for it in the end.

I could go on and on, but considering no HIllary supporter can give even ONE justifable reason for her staying in the race, at least one that shows why she should win, I've done more then enough to prove why Obama should be and will be the Democratic nominee.

[chicagojosh]

And this will do what, exactly? She wants to fight on? Let her. As has been said since North Carolina and Indiana, she should be allowed to leave however she sees fit.

Those who are strong supporters of hers will continue to fight for her. That is their right, and they should continue to fight for her.

If anything, this is good for the Obama campaign. The remaining states will still need to be worked hard to make sure his voters get to polls to ensure a win by Obama in those states that he needs to win (of which West Virginy and Kain-tuck are not.)

[Aleka4]

In what way is it good to take attention away from the general, where the nominee -should- be focussing, in order to indulge the whims of the loser who doesn't want to admit defeat?

It is -not- good to waste those resources at this point in time.

[Kishadawn]

Dont worry Aleka4, Obama has plenty of cash left to campaign all the way to August if he has to. He's a fighter too. He's been fighting for almost two years now, what's 3 weeks..or 3 months more?

The world is watching. The onus is on HRC to campaign well. She owes it to her supporters to give it all she's got. She will only lose more supporters if she tries the scorched earth policies. The onus is on Obama to maintain his lead by continuing to campaign and register voters.

[lmrgreen]

At this point, there are only a few weeks left. If Hillary wins big in WV & Kentucky, but loses as we expect in my home state of Oregon, it is the platform for her to bow out graciously -which I think she will. After her "misstatement" last week about "hard working whites" and the super dels that fled to Obama afterwards, I expect her to take a different tact this week (but could be wrong - hope not). Especially after she wins WV - after that I think she'll coast the to May 20th - she doesn't have the money to do much else.

[ebbtide]

What is the motivation? Hysteria and total denial? Misandry? Selfishness, and the lack of reflection to see the handwriting on the wall and willing to let the party be destroyed, hell, even the whole country and even other countries to be destroyed at the will of a warmonger, a nuke em all woman they support, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Lack of empathy and compassion for the human race? ...to willfully and stubornly stick to a loser because they are a "woman"" Hillary and Bill?

What? Racism?

Can't seem to indentify the rational amongst her supporters.

[lockewasright]

stupidity, spite, and petulance.

[robXdion]

aaaahhhhhh YES, the much accepted but never mentioned American jewel: MISANDRY. Now sprinkle that with some good doses of white entitlement and VOILA!!! You have legions of Geraldine Ferraro-type minions foaming at the mouth, vowing to back Hillary even if it means old white lady suicide bombings at the convention (hopefully it won't go that far).

They crossed the bounds of rationality in even seriously considering the Clintons in the first place given their history. Other countries are laughing because they can't see the correlation of how the former president's spouse can even be seriously considered. And these foreign observers don't have the benefit of knowing the details of scandals we know.

[Aleka4]

You know I hate to give this credence but I think you may be onto something. I have been wondering why some of her supporters are SO rabid and irrational - and maybe misandry is the answer.

[PAposter]

"robXdion": Thank you for making this point, I wonder if it will be as acceptable as Elton John making the comment that American men that are not supporting Senator Clinton are Misogynists.

[Countdown09]

I've been posting here for a month now pleading with Obama supporters to halt the Hillary bashing because it would just continue to rally her base. Now it's official they feel they have no where to go, they now it's a matter of "us against them" -- and trust me these fair ladies will burn the house down come November purely out of spit. Hell has no fiery than a women scorned. I think we still have a chance but it is fading very fast. So once again I will ask Obama supporters to refrain and realize the bigger picture.

[lisakaz2]

Given the amount of illogic here, do you really think any discretion will accomplish anything? I have my doubts.

[jupitor]

It was predicted she would win big in those two states and let her go out with glory! but thats where her road ends now. If she cannot see it and stop than, I think every one involved should get behind Obama and end it once and for all. E-mail in w.virginia are so untruethful and hurtful to obama, and it has to end before she tears the party apart. If for some crazy off the wall reason she becomes nomanee, and steals this from obama, You can kiss the Dem's chance good bye, because those Repub and independent as well as black voters won't stay with her after that! She's gone to far now for most obama supporters to even think about supporter her!

[AMJordan]

With all due respect, any woman who is stupid enough to put a conservative in the White House, when there's a chance that at least two liberal Supreme Court justices are going to retire in the next 4 years, is going to get what they deserve. In short, a overturn of Roe versus Wade, a cornerstone of the Feminist movement.

I hope they like their burkas.

[cmeans29]

My thoughts exactly. Don't forget about their sons and daughters in Iraq.

[kcam44]

Tell Hillary to stop Obama-bashing, publicly and privately. She's saying that the Democratic party will be united in Nov, yet she still continues to bash Obama. Hillary is causing a lot of this, you should send your post to her campaign and tell her to stop. If Obama loses in Nov, we can thank Hillary.

[SanityNowPlease]

you need to talk to your suicidal/homicidal sister below, OtayPanky. she is the kind of hillary supporter that comes here every day looking for a fight. no debate, just scorched earth. "you are either with us or against us." these are the types of hillary supporters that are not really democrats. they are hillarycrats. there is only one option. hillary or death.

i am a democrat and will support our democratic nominee, whomever it ends up being and however that is decided, smoky back room and all.

[OtayPanky]

You must have me confused with some other OtayPanky.

[OtayPanky]

Dear Hillary -

That's right. We're 100% with you. We're going to stick it to the naysayers - show that we're better than them - and we'll NEVER, NEVER, NEVER allow that phony B. Hussein Obama-Drama to win in November.

We'll make sure McCain is elected, and if he appoints more justices to reverse Roe V. Wade, or he starts a war with Iran, or avoids doing anything about the health care crisis - SO FUCKING WHAT!

Let them eat scorched earth sandwiches.

Those creepy Obama people think they can keep us from having our way? Well - they better think again, because we've got your back, girlfriend - and you're gonna have the last laugh.

Sincerely,

Your Friend Otaypanky

[buckygreen]

Hey look a troll!

[illinoisan]

Reminds me of that feminist cult in "The World According to Garp" where the women cut out their own tongues to protest against male dominance.

In Clinton's case, the cultists would cut off their noses to spite their faces.

Clinton has been compared to William Seward but I would compare many of her supporters to the secessionists.

[OtayPanky]

illinoisan: In Clinton's case, the cultists would cut off their noses to spite their faces.

===

Exactly so. It's irrational­...even a bit insane.

[PAposter]

"Otaypanky": LMAO, some guy really f*cked you up, it's time to move on, in more ways than one.

[OtayPanky]

That's my theory exactly. Some of these rabid cllntonistas need to get over their exes, or something along those lines.

[jkpcguru]

good lord.... this is one die hard clintonista. Hopefully Hill can convince her to point her anger towards the real enemy... John McCain. We are gunna need hardcore females like that to shutdown the republicans!

Otaypanky, are really serious about supporting Roe Vs. Wade being overturn? really???.­..no.. no...reall­y? cz you know you'll never get it back! A real femininist will keep the fight going even if its not the way they planned.

You would be supporting the death of the work millions of woman around the country have been working at for 50 some years.

Obama is 100 times better then McCain when it comes to those issues. He may not be your favorite but he will work just as hard on the exact same goals as clinton will.

[OtayPanky]

Let's leave the good lord out of it, otay?

[remc]

Hey Otay, where ya been? Wherever it was, you've been gone long enough for folks to completely misinterpret your sarcasm.

[OtayPanky]

A lot of folks get confused by Andy Borowitz also.

Anyway, I'm always willing to take one for the team, if it will help point out just how stupid stupidity can be.

Hopefully, the rabid clintonistas will wake up and smell the hummus before November..­.but even if they don't, McCain should be easy for Barack to beat.