This little missive is directed at Senator Leahy and the other elite Democratic party officials, including Speaker Pelosi, whom I have supported unflinchingly throughout her tenure, as well as the elite progressives, who are suggesting Hillary Clinton drop out of the race. This goes for the mighty superdelegates who think they should weigh in before the rest of the primary votes are counted, as well. I don't expect you to understand this or even like it, but you'd better take it to heart, or you're going to be responsible for handing the presidency to John McCain.
If you continue to try to push Hillary Clinton out of the primary race before a clear winner emerges, you're going to accomplish one of two things, neither of which have anything to do with your actual goal. Taking myself out of this equation entirely, if the Obama elite keep pushing their agenda here's what you'll get:
1. Clinton supporters will harden further against voting for Obama if he becomes the nominee. (Hillary fans are already close to this, so don't push them any further, because you can't win in November without them, especially after Obama's Rev. Wright pastor disaster, which is already causing problems in the larger electorate.)
2. Clinton supporters will protest your overbearing and undemocratic interventionism by casting a protest vote for John McCain. (Lunch bucket and Reagan Dems don't trust McCain on the economy, but Clinton's their man in this race, because they believe she's the one who can get us out of this economic mess, but they hate elitist political snobs even more, so voting for a heroic veteran like McCain won't be that hard for them, especially if these same people took their vote away, too.)
I'm not even going to get into all the bellyaching coming from the Obama contingent about the alleged negative campaigning. As if McCain and the Republicans can't figure out how to run negative ads without the main Democratic challenger of Obama pointing out what gifts he's given to Republicans starting with Rev. Wright. It's true that Democratic primary voters don't care about Wright. But they're not your general election voter. Already, Rev. Wright has cost Democrats my home state of Missouri.
Few people know the mood of Clinton supporters better than myself. I've been talking to these die hard Clinton supporters for months and months. I've got stacks of emails on which to base this post and others I've written on the subject, which foreshadow dangers coming in November on the Democratic side. Many Clinton supporters started out willing to accept Obama, though that was before Rev. Wright's greatest hatred hits, as well as Obama's unwillingness to explain how he sat in a church for 20 years without walking out. Obama taking Clinton voters for granted didn't help. His appearance on "The View" didn't do it either, by the way. Read Tapper's column, which catches Obama in what may be an unending unwinding of details that don't add up. It's also not very impressive when Obama finally says he would have left the church, but only after Hillary Clinton led the way days earlier by saying the same thing. Playing follow the leader, with Clinton the leader, doesn't help.
Also, the Obama team needs to understand that there isn't a Clinton supporter who doesn't know the uphill fight she faces to the nomination. That's especially true since Obama won't let Michigan and Florida votes be counted. It's not a minor fact that legitimacy for the eventual nominee depends on counting Florida and Michigan before, not after, the fact, because Democrats are either for counting all of the votes or we're not. This one isn't multiple choice.
Right now, nobody has enough votes to claim the nomination. That's just a fact. Read Marc Ambinder's piece if you want to know just how close this race really is.
But as sure as Democrats know all about "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," if you Obama elites keep trying to push Clinton out of this primary race you're going to end up with a much bigger problem. Clinton's voters will dig themselves in and protest your undemocratic actions by either staying home or voting for John McCain.
Listen to Chuck Todd, if an in your face Show Me State former Missourian like me isn't good enough for you:
Ultimately, the Wright issue will never be fully behind him. He will have to address the issue again at some point because race is like catnip to the media, as well as to the public at large. As a society, we can't help but examine the issue any chance we get. For the press it is like a car crash story: We hate to report it, but we always do.Moreover, I would argue the Wright story turned off enough older white voters so that Obama can no longer argue that when compared with Clinton he will expand the electoral map in a general election with McCain. ... ..
... .. The party ought to lay off the calls for Clinton to drop out, at least for now, because her presence at worst is making Obama a better candidate. ... ..
It's also time to ask yourselves why Senator Obama, if he's such a uniter, has a good portion of Clinton voters refusing to vote for him. That's not a sign he can even unite the Democratic party, let alone the entire nation.
But if your guy wins fair and square, Clinton supporters are likely to swallow their pride and eventually join the fight against John McCain, who simply cannot be allowed to win in November. But if people keep trying to push Clinton out before the votes are counted, you're going to lose more than Clinton votes in November, and you're also going to hand the presidency to John McCain.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Follow Taylor Marsh on Twitter: www.twitter.com/taylormarsh
This was so silly I was finally motivated to answer an oft-repeated question...
Who IS this Taylor Marsh?
Here's the Taylor Marsh bio...
http://johnbrownks.blogspot.com/2008/03/fraud-or-legitimate-pundit-taylor-marsh.html
John Brown
And if they expect us to donate to the DCCC and DSCC to help senate and congressional candidates, they better back off. There has already been a mini-boycott of these efforts, thanks to Richardson, Leahy, Pelosi's publication online of the big donors letter, and the continued nastiness by Obama's followers.
Is this a patent effort to confuse or distort, or is it just me?
Is that what you people really want?
The roots of the foreclosure crisis can be traced to three deliberate
decisions made by Greenspan. First, by reducing the federal funds rate to a
mere 1 percent in 2003 and refusing to increase it for a year, Greenspan and
the Federal Reserve created the economic conditions for rampant investor
speculation and a loosening of loan underwriting standards as lenders
frantically competed for market share.
Second, Greenspan shunned increased regulations, even though he has now
admitted knowing about abuses in the subprime loan industry. His failure to
act has resulted in the mass use of the foreclosure, one of the most
inefficient mechanisms in the market. Not only is there a severe human toll
to families thrown out on the street, but foreclosures also carry with them
massive societal costs, with lenders losing up to 50 percent of the loan
value on each foreclosed home.
Third, blinded by the irrational exuberance of surging home prices,
Greenspan promoted the non-traditional mortgages that have devastated so
many homeowners. In a speech on Feb. 23, 2004, Greenspan stated consumers
were paying too much for fixed-rate mortgages and asked lenders to provide
"greater mortgage product alternatives to the traditional fixed-rate
mortgage." When a person of Greenspan's influence and stature promotes
alternative mortgage products, lenders and consumers listen.
Within 2 years he had driven the Fed rate up to where when the first mortgages began to reset, the homeowners would be unable to keep up with the new, and much higher rates. And This is the guy Hillary wants?
However, Greenspan's policies of adjusting interest rates to historic lows contributed to a housing bubble in the US. The Federal Reserve acknowledges the connection between lower interest rates, higher home values,...
In a speech in February 2004, Greenspan suggested that more homeowners should consider taking out Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) where the interest rate adjusts itself to the current interest in the market [2].
Greenspan hascomeunderfire for his recommendation...when interest rates were historically low. The fed rate was at a an all-time-low of 1%. A few months after his recommendation, Greenspan began raising interest rates, in a series of rate hikes that would bring the funds rate to 5.25% about two years later [3]. Hence, Greenspan's recommendation came at a time when interest rates bottomed out making it a particularly bad time to take out an ARM.
A triggering factor in the 2007 subprime mortgage financial crisis is the many subprime ARMs that reset at much higher rates than paid during the first years of the mortgage. In a speech on February 23, 2004, Greenspan suggested that lenders should offer home purchasers a greater variety of "mortgage product alternatives" other than traditional fixed-rate mortgages.
"It was the Federal Reserve-engineered decline in rates that inflated the housing bubble the most troublesome aspect of the price runup is that many recent buyers are fully exposed to rising rates." "BusinessWeek, July 19, 2004, Is A Housing Bubble About To Burst?[33]
Taylor is a very intelligent and thoughtful writer, and obviously devoted to the democratic party. She has urged her fans to vote for Obama if he's the nominee, so picking on her is not going to help Obama's cause. Her assessment of Hillary's supporters is on target. They are infuriated by the biased, totally uneven coverage of the two dem candidates. Keith Obamamann & that nasty guy on Hardball (yuck, what a name for a show) have eviserated Hillary, night after night, on their shows. The rest of MSNBC, CNN & the network news are scarcely any better. Fox news treats Hillary better than MSNBC. This is a strategy fit for dunderheads. The more the MSM belittles her, the more insulted her supporters will become.
Unless this changes, the only winner will be the republicans.
PS: Keep up the good work, Huffposters. Just wanted to let you know your wit is appreciated by someone!
These Funds from Auchi's loan helped finance a complex series of transactions between Rezko and Democratic Presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama involving the 2005 purchase of Obama's Chicago mansion and Rezko's purchase of an adjoining landlocked parcel.
Instead of handing cash to Obama, Rezko handed Obama a preferential price for property. This is the same form of “honest graft” and preferential treatment that sent former Illinois Governor Otto Kerner to jail over 30 years ago, see United States v. Isaacs, 493 F.2d 1124 (7th Cir. 1974).
Mr. Tony Rezko is under indictment in Illinois for seeking to extort money from potential state vendors.
The Chicago Tribune editorial board has exonerated Obama 100% regarding his involvement in the so-called Rezko scandal.
..." Barack Obama now has spoken about his ties to Tony Rezko in uncommon detail. That's a standard for candor by which other presidential candidates facing serious inquiries now can be judged."
READ:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0316edit1mar16,0,2616801.story
"Chicago Tribune editorial board has exonerated Obama"
Cornelia Grumman, John McCormick, Bruce Dold, Clarence Page, Marie Dillon, Paul Weingarten, Dodie Hofstetter, Patricia Widder, Tim McNulty, Avani Patel, Kristin Samuelson, Marcia Lythcott, Steve Chapman.
We all know how fair and impartial Clarence Page is. Cornelia Grumman, Steve Chapman,
John McCormick are right there with him in the Impartial Reporting Room.
I wonder if anyone has informed the US Attorney's office that they can call a halt to the trial and save the taxpayers all that money, now that sportswriter Pavel has exonerated Obama.
"Candor" ? Oh yes. I never heard nothing, not in twenty years. Maybe I heard some. Yes I heard it, but Reverend Wright was retiring. Candor? Oh yes. Rezko? Never heard of him. Oh maybe I worked for a couple of hours for a church on a suit in which he might have been involved. Or maybe he contributed a few dollars. Or maybe fifteen thousand, or more. Or maybe a hundred thousand. Or two hundred. Or two hundred and fifty thousand. Or maybe more.
Candor? "I will serve out my full six years."
And so, why did Obama block revoting in Florida and Michigan? Is he afraid that it wil confirm that he is incapable of winning a single big state (with the exception of IL)?
Any Presidential Candidate, American Citizen, Government Official, Media entity that can condone the slur of "god damn america", the same America that soldiers have died on and died for do not deserve to be part of this country. The same America we are still dying for, that allows you to feel protected, and secure in your homes, that we represent whether stateside or on foreign soil. You do us a disservice, not only to us, but this country as well. There is no excuse, no apology worth given that can give rational thought to the use of any of those comments made by Rev Wright. You may feel secure in the reasons given by Senator Obama, but I do not.
Senator Clinton has done more for the military than Senator Obama and his endorsers in both him and Rev Wrights lifetimes combined.
And before you make the idiotic statement that she sent us to war, get educated. If it didnt require votes, the first Bush would of had us there while he was president.
-patsy
BTW - Even though I don't support the war I do support the soldiers. And Yes it is possible to not support the war but support the soldiers. That does not make me un-american. Hopefully we can get this Banana Republic that we created in Iraq to step up and govern. Hopefully we can start to withdraw troops.
No... vote for McCain.... yeah, THAT'S the ticket, vote for McCain!!!
This is a case of double standard hypocrisy BS. If HRC was the candidate who won 12 states in a row in Feb and she and Obama switched places in number of popular votes and delegates her camp and supporters would be SCREAMING for him to get out and she wouldn't give a damm about MI and FL.
So Taylor take your letter and....
Obama cannot secure a legitimate win with only 48 states. He needs to win 50 states, popular vote, swing/big states.
He is not a legitimate candidate for the GE and no, Clinton supporters will not support a candidate who won dirty.
However scorbs to appease you Lets look at the recent poll in a Big D state - Calif which HRC won.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/27/poll-obama-stronger-than-clinton-in-california/
The survey of 2,002 California voters was conducted by telephone from March 11-18
A new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California indicates if the election were held today, Obama would hold a 49-40 percent advantage over McCain in a hypothetical fall matchup there. Clinton’s 43-40 percent edge over McCain falls just outside the survey’s margin of error. Fifty-seven percent of independent voters in the state have a favorable view of Obama, while just 35 percent say they like Clinton.
The absolute key to winning ANY general election is INDEPENDENTS. So from this poll we learn the following:
Obama vs McCain, Obama takes the Independents
Clinton vs McCain, McCain takes the Independents
Hillary is only concerned about Hillary – and damn the voters, party rules and the country. Its time she found her voice. The one that doesn’t lie all the time.
Diehard Dems and Repugs usually vote party lines. However this race is a little different. The types of attacks that HRC has done to BO aren't the garden variety where the candidate gets attacked. Nope HRC has insulted his supporters as well. Remember the sky will open up and God rays will come down and we will all join hands blah blah blah. Well that remark among others insulted not just the candidate but the supporters.
Here's a clue NEVER insult the opposition's supporters. You need them to win. Its not the fact that she attacks BO thats fine this is politics but its the way in which she does and how she does that crosses the line into insulting his supporters. You will loose the not so diehard dems and indies.
I have seen many blogs where women yes women have called HRC the C-Word. I'm very serious when I say this. I was very shocked that women have used that word. This is the most emotional primary that I can recall in my life. HRC has insulted BO's supporters and they are hardened.
I don't care how long the primary goes but the dems are in big trouble. Lots of luck in trying to unify,
Take your threats and shove them, Taylor.
And if all you whiny schoolchildren hand the presidency to McCain with your vengeance and bitterness and spite, well so be it. YOU will then truly have the government you deserve, and have only yourselves to thank. I'm sick of your desperate threats, and they only strenghten my resolve against Clinton and for Obama. You better take THAT to heart, you selfcentered, entitled brat.
I don't have to vote for Rove's Tool Obama just to prove I'm not racist, because I'm simply not.
Besides, Obama doesn't have a chance in hell of winning anyway no matter how many Hillary voters vote for him. Nothing is going to overcome the audacity of more than a million white racists lining up at the polls a day early in 24 hour lines just to insure a black man, ANY black man, doesn't come within an inch of the White House.
Sucks, but you don't change it by suicide. You change it by working within the system, biding your time, being patient, and being Hillary's Vice President for eight long wonderful years in which most of those old racist voters will have died off.
But not for Barry. Rove's promised him it all, and he actually believes he will get it too.
Pitiful.
Wow, please adjust your tin foil hat before you move to Canada.
Don'tya think Rove would rather see McSame or Hillary (your candidates) win the GE since they would no doubt carry on with Bush's failed policies?
Its unfortunate that you are allowed to keep your US citizenship in Canada. Please don't ever come back to the states. Enjoy your single payer system and HUGE taxes.
No worries. We won't go where were not wanted.
Good luck with that.
We have the wright issue and the sniper issue (credibility, honesty), both are serious issues. All of america has problems with both of these. They aren't going to go away. For me, I look beyond the sound bites. No one president will ever be perfect.
The sound bites in the GE have always left a bitter taste in my mouth (from both sides, dem's, GOP).
After May 6 (after PA, NC, and IA), perhaps there will be some new information that will make things more clear: if the Clintons win all three that will be a major problem for Obama. If Obama wins all three that will be a major problem for the Clintons. If anything else happens, I suspect we'll have to wait until after June 3. At that point the Super Delegates should have enough information to decide.
Here’s something that I don’t understand: when MI and FL were told last year that their votes wouldn’t count, why was no one screaming “disenfranchisement”?
This is a case of double standard hypocrasy BS. If HRC was the candidate who won 12 states in a row and she and Obama switched places in popular and delegates her camp would be SCREAMING for him to get out and she wouldn't give a damm about MI and FL
Why not "Rove Boiller Room Shill #467" next time?
"Hypocrasy" is spelled "hypocrisy". Don't they teach you college kids ANYTHING?
Why? Because the Republicans would rather go against Hillary, because they believe they have a better chance of beating her than of overcoming Obama.
No, REALLY, please tell me what fantasyland you live in where a black man can win the White House against millions of white racists who will get to the polls a day early and stand in line for 24 hours to insure a black man, ANY black man doesn't come within an inch of the White House.
No, REALLY, PLEASE tell me, because I would like VERY much to go to that fantasyland, where Barry Obama with his Pastor Wright screaming "God Damn America!!!" in the background can win against John McCain.
Hillary has already WON against Insane McCain. In my still unfortunately VERY RACIST and very REAL AMERICA.