Senator Hillary Clinton got the Pennsylvania Democratic primary victory she needed so she could press the case that she should continue in the race because rival candidate Senator Barack Obama could not close the deal after vastly outspending her. But her victory margin (a 10 percent margin, at this writing) most certainly means that the increasingly ugly battle for the … [Read more...] about Clinton Pennsylvania Victory Means Democrats Split Could Deepen (Analysis And Roundup)
If Obama’s Inevitable, Why Can’t He Sew Up the Nomination? (& Why that’s the Wrong Question)
Even before her win tonight, Hillary was pointing out that a Hillary win in Pennsylvania demonstrates the fallacy underlying the 'Obama is inevitable' argument. Hillary Clinton said if Barack Obama does not win Pennsylvania despite his huge campaign war chest, people ought to ask the question, “Why can’t he close the deal?”... Clinton went to say that if she wins … [Read more...] about If Obama’s Inevitable, Why Can’t He Sew Up the Nomination? (& Why that’s the Wrong Question)
Hillary Clinton: “The Tide Is Turning”
Prophets of (Hillary Clinton's) doom have again been proven wrong. The prophets' strident claim that this Pa. primary elections would sound the death knell of Clinton's ambition to get the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, has yet again fallen flat on its face. To those living abroad, the American media/blogs might have contributed in a substantial manner in … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton: “The Tide Is Turning”
David Gergen: The longer this goes on, the more likely Obama or Clinton will be forced into VP slot
My love for David Gergen continues unabated (while I muted Wolf Blitzer). And he has just said on CNN that the longer the race for a Democratic nominee continues, the more likely it is that one of the two candidates will be forced to run as the other's Vice President. What do you think of that!? He says it will be necessary to keep the party from completely … [Read more...] about David Gergen: The longer this goes on, the more likely Obama or Clinton will be forced into VP slot
Update on the MS-01
One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post on the special election for the Mississippi 1st House District: If nobody gets over 50%, it goes to a run off. That being said, it might not matter. Latest results (40% reporting): TRAVIS W. CHILDERS (D) 15,321 (53%) GREG DAVIS (R) 12,634 (43%) This would be a huge Democratic pick-up, and yet more proof that 2008 might … [Read more...] about Update on the MS-01
Hillary Clinton Wins Pennsylvania Primary
Several news organizations are now calling the Pennsylvania primary: and it's a win for Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton over rival Senator Barack Obama. The question now: how big will the win be and will it be a big enough win to impress Superdelegates? ABC News: Sen. Hillary Clinton has won the Pennsylvania primary vote as expected, ABC News has projected. Clinton … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Wins Pennsylvania Primary
The Other Election
The Pennsylvania primary may not actually be that important, but there actually is an intriguing race being decided today: the special election to fill Mississippi's First Congressional District (vacated by Roger Wicker (R), who was appointed to a Senate seat). This is another one of those Democratic pick-up opportunities in a solid-red district that came together because of a) … [Read more...] about The Other Election
55% Hillary, 45% Barack: With 3% of the Vote In
In the last hour the cable shows went from not enough difference in votes to comment to too early to call to now, they say, Hillary may take the State of Pennsylvania You also see the chattering of some in the press creating the next storyline: Out of Money, Even If Clinton Wins The issue slowly grinds to one of money alone, that is, according to the amount of time … [Read more...] about 55% Hillary, 45% Barack: With 3% of the Vote In
Pennsylvania Outcome So Far… More Fade-in Than Wild Win
Some posit, there is a zero percent lead by either Democratic candidate as the polls close in Pennsylvania. The Senators Clinton and Obama are presently neck and neck. The certainly of the polls from yesterday, are not so clearly certain tonight. Perhaps that's because there appear to be entrenched myths can that hamper insightful analysis of office seekers the one … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Outcome So Far… More Fade-in Than Wild Win
Bill Clinton Denies He Said What He Said On Radio About Obama Campaign Playing Race Card
We earlier ran THIS POST that has an audio clip of a radio show in which former President Bill Clinton again thrust himself into the news -- this time by charging that Senator Barack Obama's campaign played the race card against him and that memos prove it. But now Clinton is denying he ever said what was in the interview: Bill Clinton denied Tuesday he had accused the … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Denies He Said What He Said On Radio About Obama Campaign Playing Race Card
Will Hillary Go Willingly After Pennsylvania?
If Hillary doesn't win big in Pennsylvania tonight, will she have the good sense to withdraw? Pierre Rousselin writes for France's Le Figaro, "She needs a win that is vivid enough to reverse the course of the election … otherwise all that will remain is for her to drop out or, through reckless calculation, be dislodged against her will, which will prolong a fratricidal duel … [Read more...] about Will Hillary Go Willingly After Pennsylvania?
Obama and the viral constituency
Pennsylvania primary analyses show a clear divide: not only in Pennsylvania>, but in most states, older voters favor Clinton, younger voters favor Obama. Is it possible that the most telling demographic factor in the Democratic nominating process may not be gender, or race, but age? All three are historic. Hillary Clinton would be the first woman candidate for president, … [Read more...] about Obama and the viral constituency
Pope ‘Subliminally’ Campaigns for John McCain
Did the Pope visit the United States in part to influence the U.S. Presidential race in favor of John McCain? That seems to be the conclusion of a large number of mainland Europeans. This article from France's Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien, quoting French journalist V. Jauvert, points out, "Since April 16 - his birthday - Pope Benedict XVI has been in the United … [Read more...] about Pope ‘Subliminally’ Campaigns for John McCain
Obama Leaving Pennsylvania to Seek Votes in Indiana
According to Political Wire: An Indicator? An early indication that Sen. Barack Obama thinks he'll lose today's Pennsylvania primary: He's heading to Indiana tonight for a rally with John Mellencamp while Sen. Hillary Clinton plans a victory party in Philadelphia. In addition, Obama's campaign also released a memo essentially erasing all expectations of a win. … [Read more...] about Obama Leaving Pennsylvania to Seek Votes in Indiana
10 Hillary Positives for Those Still Undecided
Since the ads are still going nonstop in Pennsylvania, I thought I'd provide an 11th-hour summary of 10 Hillary positives. The media --- and the Obama campaign --- have attempted to paint their policies and experience as virtually indistinguishable in order to justify its ongoing emphasis on petty bickering and gossip over their secret thoughts and beliefs. Here, then, … [Read more...] about 10 Hillary Positives for Those Still Undecided
This Is Just Freaking Amazing
President Bush now has the highest disapproval rating of any president in the 70-year history of the Gallup Poll, but that’s not the half of it. With only a 10 percent disapproval rating following the 9/11 attacks, there has been a 59 percentage point swing in the years since with Bush now clocking a 69 percent disapproval rating. The previous record of 67 percent was … [Read more...] about This Is Just Freaking Amazing
So Much on So Little
I have to say, I am thrilled that Pennsylvania is finally voting. It seems like an age since the last primary or caucus, and the press has already shown it has the attention span of a three-year old and that without the immediate specter of horse races to analyze or polls to parse, it will mindlessly pursue the first shiny object that catches its attention. So, if only for … [Read more...] about So Much on So Little
Kevin Rudd’s ‘Ideas Summit’ & Australia ‘Grows’…Literally!
Kevin Rudd's tenure as Australian prime minister would be 'historic' in more ways than one. Recently he invited 1000 "brightest" among his countrymen for an "ideas summit" to develop key goals for Australia. And now comes the sensational news that suddenly Australia gains more territory equivalent to 20 times the size of the United Kingdom!!! "Australia, already the world's … [Read more...] about Kevin Rudd’s ‘Ideas Summit’ & Australia ‘Grows’…Literally!
Carter’s Hamas Bid
Carter's meeting with Khaled Meshaal over the weekend wasn't exactly a blinding success. Dion Nissenbaum, the Jerusalem bureau chief for McClatchy Newspapers, has the scoop: In his talks with Hamas leaders, Carter sought to persuade the group to declare a unilateral, 30-day cease fire in Gaza as a good-will gesture. But Hamas was having none of it. Early Monday, Carter said, … [Read more...] about Carter’s Hamas Bid
News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: April 22nd
A biweekly feature of news and opinion pieces from the Israeli and Palestinian press. 1.) After meeting with former President Jimmy Carter over the weekend, exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said that in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders, his organization would agree to a ten-year ceasefire. American and Israeli officials were quick to throw cold … [Read more...] about News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: April 22nd