Dems: Experiencing a Rebirth

Despite being outspent three to one by "the highest political spender" in the history of Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton's important victory in Pennsylvania yesterday is a clear sign that voters want this unprecedented presidential campaign to go on a little longer. Barack Obama has not closed the deal, and has now lost to Senator Clinton in every large state in the nation, other than his home state of Illinois.

Hillary Clinton has shown that she is the best Democrat to beat John McCain this November. We have two strong candidates, but Hillary has the toughness, the resilience and the determination that we need in a president. At every step in this process, when the pundits and the Obama campaign claimed the race was over, the voters have intervened to say "Not so fast!" America's voters deserve to choose our nominee, and there still are potentially more than 15 million to be counted in states that have not yet voted. They deserve their say before this nomination battle is prematurely shut down.

Too many reporters are complaining that the race has gone on too long. They're wrong. The race is energizing the Democratic Party's base as never before -- bringing new activists into campaigns, increasing our fundraising and laying a solid and vibrant foundation for success in the fall against a Republican candidate who guarantees four more years of the Bush economic and foreign policy agenda. Whether Hillary or Barack win the Democratic nomination, John McCain will face a party fully committed to bringing a Democrat into the White House, and ending the disastrous policies of George W. Bush.

I spent much of the last three weeks in Pennsylvania, speaking to AFSCME gatherings from one end of the state to the other. The members and retirees I met with were fired up. Pennsylvanians were excited to have a chance to help choose the next president of the United States. The unusually competitive nominating contest has electrified Democratic voters, encouraging many to become part of the process and the party. Democrats in Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, West Virginia and other places still waiting to vote deserve a chance to feel that energy, to have their voices heard and their votes counted.

According to USA Today, Democrats are registering to vote in encouraging numbers in states next in line to vote, calling this "a sign that turnout could continue to break records." Some 12,500 voters in the swing state of Oregon changed party affiliation in March, with the overwhelming majority choosing to become Democrats. Bucks County, Pennsylvania, until recently a Republican-leaning suburb of Philadelphia with 21,000 more Republicans, has turned voter registration on its head, with a new Democratic advantage of 3,500 voters. Those party switchers and new voters are joining the Democratic Party because of the vibrant competition between Clinton and Obama that some pundits and Obama supporters want to choke off.

One result of this landmark primary campaign is that our party is experiencing a rebirth. Democrats set new records for turnout in 12 states on Super Tuesday. James Thurber, of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, sees a dramatic shift in politics not seen since John F. Kennedy's 1960 campaign. Thurber says that the candidates and issues at stake this year, including an unpopular war and a shriveling economy, are driving turnout to historic levels that have the potential to reshape politics well into the future. That's the kind of change we can all agree on.

Both Democratic candidates raised more than $100 million each 2007 – each more than doubling Howard Dean's 2003 take in what the Wall Street Journal called "a stunning reversal of fortune." They have set new fundraising records this year at a pace that The Politico labels "a disturbing trend for Republicans."

The primary campaigns of U.S. Senators Clinton and Obama have built unprecedented field operations in state after state that dwarf Republicans' campaign efforts in their ability to move volunteers to action AND voters to turn out on Primary Day. The Clinton campaign has increased turnout among women 4% to 6% while both campaigns have brought new voters into the process and re-energized those who are determined to end the destructive politics of President Bush and Republicans like John McCain. When the primary season ends, we will have a strong candidate for the general election. Just as importantly, we will have a strong base of activists to turn out the vote and turn our country around.

Read more reactions from Huffington Post bloggers to the Pennsylvania Primary results

Comments

[Herrington]

So encouraging Clinton to keep smearing the likely Democratic nominee seems like a good idea huh? Why don't we try this? Let the adults run things for a while and see if you don't like it better. We can always go back to name calling and fear mongering if reasoning through and accomplishing things don't work out.

[S1m0n]

No candidate with public disapproval ratings over 60% is going anywhere in the general election but down in flames.

[javaman110]

Mr. Mcentee,

I've been a democrat my whole adult life. I voted for Bill Clinton in 1992,1996, voted for hillary in her senate races in New York 2000 and 2006. I really loved the Clintons then, but now I will hold my nose and vote for her if she is the nominee, which I doubt.
I don't know how you can so strongly support someone who has lied to the American people about her experience (Nafta, bosnia, Irish peace talks, knowledge about pardons concerning weather man ).

[BMurphyNYC]

The quote below is from John Hume, architect of the Good Friday agreement, he is a Nobel Peace Prize, Gandhi Prize and the Martin Luther King prize winner.

“I am quite surprised that anyone would suggest that Hillary Clinton did not perform important work as first lady in the area of foreign policy. I can state from firsthand experience that she played a positive role for over a decade in helping to bring peace to Northern Ireland. She visited Northern Ireland, met with very many people and gave decisive support to the peace process.”

Also, former-Senator George Mitchell (U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland) told James Rubin something very similar.

[puakev]

Well the other half of that Nobel Prize-winning team, Lord David Trimble, gave a bit more detail as to Hillary's role in "bringing peace" to Northern Ireland.

"I don’t know there was much she did apart from accompanying Bill [Clinton] going around," he said. Her recent statements about being deeply involved were merely "the sort of thing people put in their canvassing leaflets" during elections. "She visited when things were happening, saw what was going on, she can certainly say it was part of her experience. I don’t want to rain on the thing for her but being a cheerleader for something is slightly different from being a principal player."
Speaking of George Mitchell, the following is from a Washington Post fact-check that quotes him directly rather than going through a Clinton loyalist like Rubin:
"I just spoke to Senator George Mitchell, the Clinton administration's leading Northern Ireland peace negotiator, who said that Hillary was "not involved directly" in the diplomatic negotiations that led to the landmark April 1998 Good Friday agreement on power-shar­ing."
The article does say that "Mitchell credits Clinton with taking an intelligent interest in the issues and getting acquainted with many of the key players" but that doesn't amount to "bringing peace" to Northern Ireland.

[BMurphyNYC]

You can go to realclearpolitics.com and review the latest polls state-by-state. Here are few of the results:

(McCain vs. Clinton and McCain vs. Obama; anything around 4% is still a tie)

FL - Clinton ties, Obama -12%
OH - Clinton +5%, Obama -2%
PA - Clinton +6%, Obama +2%
MO - Clinton +1%, Obama -8%
OR - Clinton +1%, Obama +9%
CA - Clinton +7%, Obama +8%
AR - Clinton +15%, Obama -20%+
CO - Clinton -14%, Obama +3% (Convention is there, but Obama is doing much better now)
VA - Clinton -16%, Obama -8%
MA - Clinton +15%, Obama +2% (Massachusetts should not be this close!!)

(I'm a huge McEntee fan, he is one of the coolest guys in Washington)

[mslindab]

What I get from the Pennsylvania election: There are thousands of democrats (including Catholics) who won't vote for a black man for President. As a native New Jerseyan I understand and have heard the slights and insults all of my life. I had hope for better but, even at age 60 I guess I am still somewhat naive (or hopeful). At the same time I am ashamed that in a week during which the Pope visited and talked about our responsibility to each other, so much hate and racism would be exhibited especially by white Catholic women. Maybe it is fear of the unknown: better a known liar than someone who is not like us. As for being outspent, I am so tired of this argument and the fact that the Clintons keep spinning it. Hillary is being outspent because she has been outplayed on fund raising something her experience should have taught her. Whether she has hired the wrong people, they have the wrong strategy or she is the wrong candidate, Hillary being outspent reflects a weakness and failure on her part.

[Kirk59]

Obama did not outspend Clinton. WE the Obama donors outspent her and we will again and again. We will continue to donate until the Clinton Dynasty is dead and buried. After that, we will dig in our pockets again to outraise McCain.
When Hillary had the biggest war chest it was an affirmation of her inevitability. Now that Obama is in the financial drivers seat they try to use it against him. Fish ain't biting on that one.
Final point, over 1/2 of our party decided from the outset that Hillary was not their candidate. Despite the money, endorsements, and fame we decided to look for an alternate candidate. Among all the contenders, Barack was the winner. Trying to disparage Barack now only reinforces why we don't want, and never will want Hillary as our President.

[AshleyMarie]

Yes, yes, yes!!

If Hillary had as much money as Obama, she would have spent it!

It is not his fault that she has such little financial support! I guess it is easier for someone to take 5 minutes out of their day to vote than it is to ask them for 5-10 bucks. Her supporters draw the line!

Her problem with fundraising and her lack of activist base wouldn't be so disturbing, had she not alienated move-on.org. Now she will have a REAL problem raising money if she is the nominee (which is impossible, but the way).

[bobsmith]

I was under AFSCME for a few years until we managed to decertify them and create our own union. This is a completely worthless union that is known for selling out its employees, so it is no surprise that its leader has sold out to the likes of Hillary Clinton.

McCentee's AFSCME will be largely to blame if Hillary hands this election to McCain.

[thegaygardener]

Why Can't Hillary Close the Deal?
She's been running for President for over a decade.
She's a household name
She has her popular (well, not any more) husband helping her.
Why can't she close the deal?
Why is she illegally claiming victories in FL & MI?
Why does more than half the country hate her? (54% according to the Washington Post)
Why did the New York Times just call her out on her negative & nasty campaign?
Why do her supporters come to Huffpo & write "Fairy Tales" like this post?
Why is the media still promoting the myth that she is viable & can still win?
Obama has won more votes (FL& MI do NOT Count), more states, more delegates!
Why are we inventing some kind of new math to keep her in the game?

[paixa3]

You are dreaming correct?????? Have you read about the lack of performance in Congress?

The sooner the USA get one national primary to encourage real democracy, the better the world, and the USA will be.

The one party shill system needs to end, SOON.

[Beachrunner]

It's going to be Obama vs. McCain. And McCain will win, no matter what the polls say. You know why? Because people will lie to the pollsters so as to not appear to be racist.

"Oh sure, I'm voting for Obama." Then they go and fill in the bubble next to McCain's name.

[Merin]

At this point, as much as I don't want Senator Clinton (and haven't since before the Primaries started - I had to swallow my distaste 4 years prior and vote against my will for Senator Kerry), if she were in the lead I'd want the superdelegates to END IT NOW and GIVE IT TO HER. She ISN'T in the lead, however, and I want the superdelegates to give it to the guy IN THE LEAD.

Despite how ridiculous this sounded all of 6 months ago, I really do believe John McCain will win the Presidency at this point.

[paixa3]

Your comments and realisation are correct. The ironic thing is why did anyone write off the repubs months back????? American voters have no good choice and do not have the sense to revolt against a rigged, one party shill system.

Too bad, you are only BEGINNING to see bad behaviour by the USA.

Shame.

[happytrails]

Merin, you and I are on the exact same page and I hope that you will vote to save SCOTUS. From your comment I believe that both of us will be holding our noses and voting for the Democratic candidate. However:
I will NOT donate to any national Democratic committee if Clinton is the nominee
I will NOT campaign in any way for Clinton
I will NOT support their (Bill & Hill) campaign in any way

[Merin]

It is this simple -

what started out as a great year for the Democratic Party in January has now by April become a horrible year.

The party is badly divided. It is on the verge of destruction.

Alarmist? I don't think so. All I have to do is the following:

1 - Look around me. A sizable number of women in my life (mother, sister, nieces, cousins, co-workers, friends) are so Pro-Hillary that they hate Senator Obama. Moreso, they call me and others who support him anti-woman. Let me tell you, if there is one reason that I have come to hate the Clintons it is because my lack of supporting her has gotten many men dubbed mysoginist. This is disgusting. A good portion of those women will be so angry if Hillary doesn't get the nomination I don't think they will hold their noses and vote for Senator Obama.
2 - Look at the Democratic Party strategists and pundits. They are attacking each other daily in the news. Months of news of a party tearing itself fresh wounds SINKS INTO THE PSYCHE OF THE PUBLIC. How can any Democratic President reach out to Republicans and Independents when their own party cannot stand together, cannot even tolerate itself?

We are at the precipice of disaster. Perhaps we've already fallen over the edge and are hanging on by our fingertips.

[paixa3]

...and IMPEACHMENT was taken off the table....t­he FIRST AND BIGGEST SIN of all.

[elbzee]

I'm really afraid you've hit the button. I do take the elimination of impeachment as an enormous betrayal by the democrats I actively supported through the 2006 elections. It's not surprising that a lot of dem voters are really pissed off and have lost faith. Me, I'm an optimist & idealist. That's why I support Obama. I am enough of a realist however, to vote to end the republican manipulation regardless of the race or gender of the nominee.

[Titonwan]

You have the nerve to still support Hillary Clinton? You're out of your mind. Skew the statistics and you screw your credibility. She's lied and will continue. She didn't win Texas, Hello!? Go back to what ever your job title says you're capable of. Being a tokyo rose this late in the game is foolish and stupid. Barack will be the next President of the United States of America (with or without you).

[mortrefuge]

Even as she asks for your support which you give blindly, she is throwing you under the bus and actively working against you and your union. Yours may be a service/government and not a manufacturing union, but as she did with NAFTA, the Bankruptcy bill, and ending the welfare system, she will throw you and your union away as soon as she is in power. It's just what the Clinton's do. I don't know how she voted when they excluded union protection from the "patriot act", but all she really wants is the power and money being president brings. I BET she was surprised at how much money Bill has made in the past 7 years giving speeches and "opening" doors for foreign governments and businesses.

[ChartreuseMuse]

Don't worry, after all is said and done, the Dems will still blame it all on . . .

Ralph Nader.

[westwind]

If Barack Obama had stooped to use Republican tactics against his rival from his own party, as Hillary did by airing an Osama bin Laden ad the day before the primary, and bragging about how Iran's obliteration was just one press of the button away, he could have made the race a lot closer, or won. Given that Clinton's lead for months was over 20%, a 9 or 10 point win is hardly worth the scorched earth tactics, unless you don't care what gets destroyed in winning.

I have no doubt that come the general election, Obama will use hard-hitting ads against McCain, but for a Democrat to attack another candidate from her own party, as if he is the person who got us into this mess, is low, but we're coming to expect that of her.

I'm always a little wary about people who say that there is no difference between the parties, but the Clintons are doing their best to make that come true, all so that they can become the first husband and wife presidents. Wouldn't that be cute?