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Clinton Supporters Launch New Email Campaign To Try And Derail Obama Nomination

August 20th, 2008
By JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief

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Scripps Howard News Service reports that there’s a new email campaign underway by some Hillary Clinton supporters to derail the nomination of Democratic Senator Barack Obama, who is now starting to seriously sag in various national polls:

A massive e-mail and Internet campaign is under way aimed at derailing the nomination of Barack Obama and making Hillary Clinton the party’s standard bearer next week at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

“It’s downright nasty,” said Memphis, Tenn., superdelegate and city council member Myron Lowery, who has shared dozens of the messages he’s received with The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal newspaper.

“I think it’s divisive for the ‘Support Hillary’ campaign to continue at this time. She made the decision to fully support Mr. Obama,” said Lowery, who initially supported Clinton but later switched his allegiance to Obama. “I don’t know why they’re not taking their cue from Hillary and falling in line.”

Lowery said he does not believe Clinton herself is behind the effort, but that it’s “her supporters, acting on their own because they’re proud of what they have done for her.”

One message veers into extreme, EXTREME right wing territory:

“I think it’s a terrible tactic,” said Memphis delegate, Baptist minister and Shelby County, Tenn., Democratic Party Chairman Keith Norman. “We had hoped that this kind of politics, especially from within the party, would have been abandoned.”

A pledged Obama delegate, Norman noted that some of the attacks are overtly racist and that in one instance Obama was likened to “the Anti-Christ.”

The biggest story of the 2008 campaign may turn out to be the Democrats’ lack of party unity. If it ends in an Obama defeat, it’ll also be a huge story — and Democratic obstacle to victory — in 2012.



This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 12:20 pm and is filed under Conventions, Brokered Convention, Superdelegates, Denver Democratic National Convention, Newsweek Blogitics, Democratic Party, 2008 Elections, Democrats, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Politics. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Viewing 14 Comments

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    The interesting thing about this is that most of those people voting for Obama honestly believe deep down in their hearts that these PUMA types are really Republicans who are just stirring up stuff.

    Ordinarily I would tend to agree until you look at the figures from national poles. While Obama might be behind in a couple polls or up a couple points in other polls I find it truly amazing that he is not up by 15 points. So does everyone else. Its pretty obvious that a lot of Hillary Clinton Democrats are saying at least to pollsters that they are going to vote for McCain.

    I will say again as someone who supports John McCain that Obama has a serious lack of judgment if he does not choose Hillary Clinton as his Vp.
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    greenschemes, there is evidence that the leaders and prominent cheerleaders of the PUMA movement have, at best, ulterior motives. One of their chief founders says she is a "lifelong Democrat" but only has one recorded campaign donation...to McCain. The comments and even posts on PUMA sites are covered in the kinds of words usually associated with Little Green Footballs (on a bad day), not Democrats:
    - Calling the Democratic party the "Democrat Party"
    - Filthy racism and Islamophobia. One example: the way to stop Obama's followers is to "take away their welfare checks"
    - Accusations that Obama is a secret Marxist.

    Check out http://www.yestodemocracy.com/ for an exhaustive documentation of the evidence.

    Many Clinton voters may not be convinced by Obama, but a Clinton voter does not a PUMA make. PUMA-PAC has made resounding....$60,000 and recently was unable to fill 250 guests at a meeting to even half that. They are a small number of unbelievably motivated people, and many of their leaders have more than suspicious motives.
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    greenschemes -
    I will have to say that I am starting to agree with your point about Obama picking HRC as his running mate, as much as I hate to. His numbers are starting to sag nationally, and there is no sign of anything forthcoming that will improve them.
    As someone who would simply abhor a McCain presidency, I don't see much other choice he has at this point. The PUMA voters , no matter how small it may be, is a factor in this, sadly. And who even knows if having HRC as the VP would even satisfy them.
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    Hey, I haven't gotten any of these emails.
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    Lynix I agree with you. Personally I think that most are not Clinton supporter. Just think about it...I believe that Hillary will want to run again for president and if Obama supporters *think* that her supporters sabotaged Obama, that would hurt Clinton whenever she decides to run again.

    I think it's the republican party trying to bring down both Obama and Clinton. Remember - republicans are the party of tricky Dick.
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    Seriously sagging?
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    Where's Sil when you need her, or are you GS now?

    GS, I'm not totally a "Obama supporter" though I'd rather see him win than McCain now. I too wouldn't put it past some that call themselves Republicans to play dirty politics like that. I would hope that the party leaders wouldn't be behind this, even though they don't seem to discourage it.

    Let's look at the list:
    - Write a book of lies. (2004? Check) (2008? Check)
    - Create "swiftboating" ads. (2000? Check against McCain!) (2004? Check) (2008? web ads so far?)
    - This also seems close to how they assisted Lieberman to get reelected to the Senate.
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    no, not *seriously* sagging, but his numbers are staying stagnant and even dipping in some polls. How as poor a candidate as McCain can be making gains in this country after 8 years of Bush just baffles me.
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    That's so weird, before I even read the comments here my first instinct told me that this little antic had GOP origins to stir up animosity of superdelegates aimed at Clinton.

    It's another move they're making to rob her of votes.

    Are we going to let them have their way?

    They've been playing this party like a fine-tuned fiddle since day one of this election.

    I say to superdelegates, ignore the BS and vote where your heart tells you you should.

    ****

    And Rambie, no, I have no other online identity in the political arena. This is it, like it or not. I just have other obligations at times than just blogging... lol...
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    I'm telling you now, Hillary Clinton will be Obama's VP. I'll bet a free BBQ dinner and car wash on it!

    So the "derailment" will be derailed. And a question to you Sil, how would you feel if, dare I say "when", Hillary Clinton is Obama's VP choice?