WITH days to turn around her presidential campaign or face defeat, Hillary
Clinton swung through Pennsylvania last week on a crash tour to squeeze
every last vote out of the state after being outshone, outspent and
outmanoeuvred by Barack Obama in a bloody campaign.
For a moment, it appeared that the Clintons would stop at nothing to block the
Illinois senator’s ascent to the nomination Hillary once regarded as
rightfully hers. Chelsea Clinton appeared on a college stage with her mother
and seemed to be hinting at a shock announcement. “As someone who is
thinking of having my own family in the not too distant future . . .” she
began.
Chelsea, 28, extended the riff about her “children” for so long that it seemed
possible she was about to declare herself engaged or perhaps even pregnant,
but a campaign aide explained later that she was merely teasing Hillary who,
like any mother, would love her to get on with marriage and a family.
After Hillary Clinton threw everything including the kitchen sink at Obama
last week, one last wild move to boost supporters’ spirits would have
surprised nobody – because nothing, so far, has been able to prevent the
Democratic presidential nomination from slipping out of her grasp in the
run-up to Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary.
If it is too late for Clinton, 60, to turn the race around, she has only
herself to blame, according to Karl Rove, the architect of George W Bush’s
two presidential election victories. Democrats regard him as the master of
the art of negative campaigning.
“Her problem is not the attack on Obama, it is the timing,” he told The Sunday
Times. “She was complacent at the beginning and took him for granted.”
Clinton has adopted Tom Petty’s I Won’t Back Down as one of her campaign
songs. It blasts from giant speakers at rallies and reinforces her message
that she will not be driven prematurely from the race by the young
pretender. Nobody had heard of Obama, 46, when she was first lady, yet a
Newsweek poll this weekend gave him a 19-point lead over the New York
senator.
Democratic party leaders are itching to draw the race to a close and let Obama
take on John McCain, the Republican contender, yet nobody dares to close the
book on Clinton yet. Obama had the chance to finish her off during the Ohio
and Texas primaries last month – and fluffed it.
On Hillforce One, her campaign plane, and on her bus last week, she showed no
sign of tiring of the race. She smiled and charmed her way through a
succession of rallies, and still had the stamina to share a drink in the
hotel bar with journalists at the end of a long day.
Her skills as a campaigner have strengthened considerably during the war of
attrition with Obama. There is enormous enthusiasm for her in parts of
Pennsylvania, a populous, must-win state not only for Clinton in two days’
time, but also for the Democrats in November’s general election.
Outside a silver diner in a white, working-class corner of Philadelphia, fans
wore T-shirts with the message, “We’ve got your back, Hillary”, but it is
not a good sign when your own admirers are on the defensive.
Clinton feels her rival is finally being properly vetted after last week’s
televised debate, in which he was challenged about his relationship with the
Reverend Jeremiah Wright, his radical pastor, and his more casual
association with Bill Ayers, a former leader of the Weather Underground, the
domestic terrorist group of the 1960s and 1970s.
The debate went extremely badly for the thin-skinned Obama, who was irritated
by questions he regarded as personal trivia. Voters are more likely to
perceive them as important matters of character and judgment.
Yet Clinton is still waiting for a moment equivalent to Howard Dean’s scream
after his defeat in Iowa during the 2004 presidential election, when the
cheers of his supporters turned to “What were we thinking?” and his campaign
imploded.
Clinton’s assault on Obama’s alleged lack of patriotism and electability may
be repelling as many voters as it is attracting.
“She would have a better chance of winning if she had been saying these things
much earlier,” Rove said, although he does not rule out the possibility of
victory.
Two polls last week found that more than 50% of voters considered her
dishonest and untrustworthy, although Obama’s unfavourable ratings have also
risen from 28% to 36% in the past month and there could be more damage to
come from their recent clashes.
Some loyal Democrats complain that her battery of Obama is merely laying the
ground for McCain to win the White House. “She’s turning me off. I used to
kind of like her,” said James Pender, 48, a welder among the 35,000 people
who turned up to see Obama at a gigantic rally in Philadelphia on Friday
night.
Obama is preparing his own final onslaught on the state, blitzing the
television screens with $2m worth of advertisements in the closing days of
the campaign and outspending the cash-strapped Clinton by five to one in
Philadelphia, where he is hoping for a landslide to counter her strength in
rural and industrial parts of the state.
Losing Pennsylvania would almost certainly be a knockout blow for Clinton but
Obama’s supporters believe he can scupper her chances simply by preventing
her from scoring a double-digit victory.
With race and class playing such an important and divisive role in the state,
the result is difficult to predict. However, Clinton needs a spectacular
victory to retain any credible prospect of overtaking Obama in the total
popular vote, and to persuade superdelegates – the party leaders with a
casting vote – to break her way. Most of the traffic has been in the
opposite direction and she currently has 141 fewer delegates than Obama.
The pressure is mounting on Clinton to bow out after Indiana and North
Carolina have held their primaries on May 6. Superdelegates may force her
hand by lining up behind Obama. So far, Clinton has refused to acknowledge
the possibility of defeat. “We have 10 more contests and I’m going to
compete in each of them as hard as I can,” she told a trade union
conference. She received a standing ovation for her defiance.
The danger is that she will ultimately bequeath the Democrats a wounded
candidate – not the new John F Kennedy, but an effete liberal known as
“Snobama”, the 2008 version of John Kerry, the last election loser. If so,
his image will have been defined not by Republicans but by a Democrat.
Rove argues that it is “superficial” to blame Clinton for behaving like a
Republican towards Obama. “He’s been countering it as best he can by saying
it is unimportant and a distraction, but Americans don’t care if she’s doing
the Republicans’ dirty work for them. They just want to know more about
Senator Obama.”
Obama’s exotic background as the son of a white mother from Kansas and a black
father from Kenya is part of his appeal, but also his mystery. He grew up in
Hawaii and Indonesia, a long way from the American heartland. At a rally for
Clinton on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Georgia Bihlar, 59, said: “She is
born, bred and raised here. I first heard about Obama a year ago. I just
don’t trust him.”
Clinton has made much of her father’s upbringing in the gritty, working-class
town of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, she tells crowds on the
stump, worked in a lace mill from the age of 11 until he retired, although
like Obama, she is an Ivy League-educated lawyer.
Chris Carney, a Pennsylvania congressman who has yet to declare for either
candidate, said: “This is probably the most stressful situation the two of
them have ever been in and it gives us clues to how they will govern in the
White House.”
He was not impressed when Clinton accused Obama of condescension towards
working-class voters after he suggested at a West Coast fundraiser that
economically deprived, small-town voters “cling to guns or religion or
antipathy to people who aren’t like them”.
“I think it’s a tempest in a teapot,” Carney said. “It’s an indication that
she’s grasping for something here. This is a close race. The fact is she’s
come down from a lead of 22% in the polls to 5% or 6%.”
There are still enough “undecideds” to swing the Pennsylvania race heavily in
Clinton’s favour should the fallout from the attacks on Obama continue. Yet
the speed with which the former first lady has gone from “inevitable” winner
of the nomination to the brink of sudden death is extraordinary.
Rove believes she committed a fundamental error at the outset by allowing
Obama to steal the mantle of change from her. After Clinton spent years as a
senator building bridges with Republicans, Obama breezed in and said only he
could unite “red state” (Republican) and “blue state” (Democrat) America.
“She let him take her natural message from her after she had gone out of her
way to work on bipartisan initiatives,” Rove said. “There is no evidence he
has worked for bipartisan change, but she has.”
In his view, Obama’s hands are no cleaner than hers. “The same claim could be
made that he is doing the Republicans’ dirty work for them. Obama has been
attacking her – subtly, but nevertheless strongly – as a symbol of the past
and someone who has flip-flopped on the war in Iraq.”
After taking the heat in the TV debate, Obama said Clinton was “in her
element” when playing the cynical Washington game of tearing people down
rather than “lifting each other up”. In turn, she accused him of being a
wimp. “He spent all day complaining about the hard questions he was asked.”
Rove is reluctant to call Clinton the stronger Democratic candidate against
McCain this autumn, but he observed: “All her weaknesses are known. There
will not be a lot of surprises if she is the nominee. Americans are now
finding out much more about the Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers and Obama’s
attitude to small-town America.”
An Obama adviser said he had proved his resilience last week. “Yes, he’s been
pummelled and remarkably he is not only surviving he is doing quite well,
thank you very much.”
Obama’s black supporters still find it hard to believe that he can win.
Shehrazad Ali, 59, saw him in Philadelphia with her grandson Hassan, 7.
“Clinton is already pulling the rug from under his feet,” she said.
Ali had some advice for Obama to help him overcome the perceived wimp factor.
“He might want to pick up 30lb or 40lb because we like a big man to protect
us. He needs to be a little more forceful because they’re running all over
him – and we haven’t even got to the Republicans.”
Hassan, in contrast, had the confidence and swagger of a new generation. “Yes
we can,” he said, turning to show off the T-shirt with Obama’s slogan on his
back.
Clips
from Democratic debate
'Jay-Z' Obama brushes off jibes
Barack Obama “dissed” Hillary Clinton with a cool dance move from the rap star
Jay-Z, casually brushing dirt from his shoulder to express distaste for her
attacks on him. Click
here to watch the video.
To Mike from Sydney, Australia: I know much more about George Bush than I do about Barack Obama, but that does not make Bush a good president. If you want to know more about Barack Obama, check out the virtual plethora of information available through his two books, his website and online newspapers and blogs. Not knowing a candidate is not a reason to distrust him: it's a reason to learn more.
And to Sarah Baxter, I'm surprised you consider Obama a "loser" of the debate from hell this past week. ABC and the pathetic moderators Stephanopoulos and Gibson made all US citizens the losers. A number of newspapers here characterize the debate as a win for Obama simply because he survived that ridiculous onslaught ... I don't think anyone won.
And by the way, I will vote for whoever runs against McCain, whose foreign policy ignorance, personal crudity and extreme conservatism are going unaddressed in the US media because of the dirty fight among the Democrats.
Karen Pettengill, Greenfield, MA, USA
If you want to see what I believe is truly the significance of the Democratic primary battle, see Pete London's comment, second one down.
His could stand in for the tens of thousands that have clogged the blogosphere of late. What they demonstrate is that Bush Derangement Syndrome has thoroughly corrupted and deranged the Democratic base in a far more general way. Once Bush is gone, after all, what will these folks do with the beast of vitriol and rhetorical overkill they have endulged and regarded as the norm these past eight years? This is a tonic and toxic drug, and the readiness to attack Hillary, yesterday's heroine, with more viciousness than Repuboicans ever did, is a sign of what may be a permanent disorder.
The true irony is that Democrats still blame this, of course, on Republicans. Karl Rove is still behind it all. Got to get ready for that "Republican Attack Machine." I've got news for you, folks, the attack machine is in the mirror, and it will take you down.
Jon Burack, Stoughton, Wisconsin
"He spent all day complaining about the hard questions he was asked", Karl Rove said. Did anybody actually hear Obama complain?? I think - it's just the game of Karl Rove and Hillary.
Inger , Aarhus, Denmark
Please stop with the combined ticket. Unfortunately that will no longer work. I started wtih thinking I would probably support clinton. Then after I researched both Obama and clinton changed my mind. I then canvassed and caucused for Obama in Nevada. Until about a month ago I was still of the opinion that I would support the democratic nominee regardless. I then became so disenchanted with clintons tactics I made the dicision to not vote democrat for the first time
in over 25 years of voting. At that time i still thought possibly if Obama was presidnt and her vice president yes. Then she went even further and got more desperate. I will never vote for a clinton again in any capacity. If she is on the ticket we lose period end of story. There are too many people that feel the same way I do.
tsp, reno, nv
Of course Rove is going to build up Hillary because he knows she is the weaker candidate against McCain. He hopes that the people of PA are stupid enough to extend the chaos in the party by voting for Hillary and helping McCain. We will see if he is right that the people of PA are not smart enough to see the writing on the wall and end this thing now.
Paul, Harrisburg, PA
Norman Walker - Why on earth should Mrs Clinton step down? It is Mr Obama who is more likely to be defeated by John McCain. To quote Karl Rove “All her weaknesses are known. There will not be a lot of surprises if she is the nominee. Americans are now finding out much more about the Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers and Obama’s attitude to small-town America.†What he doesn't say is that Americans don't much care for what they're discovering - and who knows what else there is to come. If John McCain should win, however closely, supporters of the candidate who did not become the Democratic nominee will be able to say without fear of contradiction, "you chose the wrong person".
David Cunard, Los Angeles, United States
Excellent article. Obama will survive both the debate and Clinton's attacks. The debate was simply an assault by Stephanopoulos who is a shill for Clinton or McCain, or both.
Clinton may now be angling for a cabinet post in a McCain administration.
Rolf Westgard, St Paul, Minnesota
It is baffling to hear Obama supporters say the Clinton campaign is doing the McCain's work for him by remaining competitive in the primary. Do these people think the Republican researchers and ad-makers wouldn't know about his past and how it could turn off middle-America and only came to know about it because through Clinton's attacks? The GOP smear-machine is light years more advanced than Clinton's and they will not be restrained by concerns for uniting the party in the future the way Clinton has been.
One of the things that concerns me most about Obama is that his campaign seems to be full of people who can not fathom how or why anyone would possibly not adore him as much as they do. If he is the nominee I will vote for him, but I have a feeling he will have a tough time withstanding the onslaught from McCain, and more importantly, the 527 hitsquads that will have free reign on him.
andre, new york,
I am with you David, and you too Bruce. Lets hope the voters in Penn feel the same and pull the plug on Hillary.
P. Smeed, Claremont, NH, USA
Here's how it will play out.
If Obama wins Super Tuesday in Philly, he will be the next president of the US. It will be an entertaining and uplifting contest between him and McCain, but ultimately Obama will come out looking better and will win all the democratic votes and a few non-card carrying republicans.
If Hillary wins Super Tuesday in Philly, John McCain will win the presidency by a small margin. Disenfranchised Obama supporters will either grudgingly vote Hillary, not vote at all or go over to the dark side and vote McCain. Polls have shown that a larger percentage of Obama supporters will vote against Hillary in the presidential election if Obama is knocked out, than if the reverse were to occur.
Hillary comes off as divisive, uncharismatic and phony. Barack Obama appears to voters as intelligent, eloquent and he inspires hope.
Craig, Burlington,
The worst thing happening to Hillary's campaign is the repeated muisings of the likes of Rove, Limbaugh and their ilk by giving couched praise for the way she is managing the effort. "To late, but she still may win" from Rove scares everyone with an IQ above 90 and Limbaugh's reverse endorsement appeals to the group below 90. It is interesting watching the Clinton's vaunted political machine being artfully manipulated by the very right-wing conspiracy they so hated in the past.
Benny, Midwest, USA
Your comments seem to be coming from the Obama campaign playbook.If the numbers were reversed, do you actually believe anyone would have the temerity to ask a man to walk away?I think not!Hillary Clinton's campaign will certainly not give the Republicans any fodder that they do not already have in their arsenal.And, Obama's thin skin and "How dare you ask an impertinent question" attitude is what will lose the election.He simply can't handle the onslaught that will most certainly come his way.She can and she'll win in November.E.Cooney,Cumberland, Rhode Island
Emilia L. Cooney, Cumberland, Rhode Island
Oh my God, you have got to be kidding me after Obama's relentless and non-stop attack machine has been riding her down with the hidden support of the media since the onset of the campaign season, particular since his "bitter defeat" in the debate. Hillary, is right for our country and particularly we the working class who haven't fallen for the media hype of Obama. We need a person with her strengths to fix our ailing economic woes, end the war in Iraq responsibly, fight a true global war on terrorism, etc. She is right for America I thank the rest of the Americans who are looking at the issues as they are and who support Hillary. She will be a great President who will also restore our standing. Former Sec. of State Madeline Albright words in Ohio identified how badly our country needs a strong President who will put our needs first. With decisive wins PA and most of the primaries to come she will stop the media’s bias, once and for all. Thank you, God Bless America.
Mary O'Bryan, Louisville, KY
Ironically, it is the Obama campaign that has consistently engaged in negative commentary, attack ads, and disgustingly sexist remarks. The media has essentially ignored much of this, and in a page out of - yes - Karl Rove's playbook, accuses the other candidate of these tactics, while all the while claiming the moral high ground. Despicable and disgusting campaign by Obama and his handlers.
I am one black man who is proud to support Hillary. If Obama represents hope and change, I sincerely hope he has the courage to change.
josepg wilson, Berkeley, CA
It is amazing to me how well Obama has been able to persuade people that he has taken the high road. Oh, of course, it's not HIM, it's his campaign surrogates, so they don't count! Jesse Jackson's remark, after she won New Hampshire, that she 'cried' (she had a second of slightly choking up with emotion) for her appearance but not for Katrina' was about the lowest blow imaginable. It was a disgusting, totally illogical remark. She's been hammered, attacked, hammered, attacked, over and over again by his spokesmen, but Obama can claim to be above the fray. What total hypocrisy.
Emmy, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Obama is trying to take over the party with running a campaign run by Alexrod. Alexrod has previously run a campaign for Deval who has a silver tongue with no experience and has run the MA state to recession within 3 years and ruining the economy.
We are getting the same candidate in Obama.
Indus, CA, USA
Is it wise to choose a candidate who has lost every Democratic stronghold? I think it opens the door to an unthinkable McCain sweep.
LC, Ottawa,
I could never vote for anyone who thinks Jay-Z is appropriate campaign speak. What's Obama's real motivation int his campaign. I'm starting to question whether it is to represent all Americans or only just a few..
LC, Ottawa,
Um, since when do we consult Karl Rove about a Democratic race? give me a break... Obama has no one to blame but himself for whatever image he has right now... The sheer misinformation and nastiness from the Obama camp has me ashamed to be a Democrat
Angie, Atlanta, GA
The Republicans should be praying for Obama to win. He has no appeal to the very voters the Democrats need if they are to win. The fact that Obama was able to win the half dozen democratic party caucus goers in states like utah and wyoming is irrelevant, those states will not vote democratic in the general election.
The sad truth as demonstrated by the polls is that Clin ton is slightly ahead of McCain in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and barely behind in Florida. Obama is ahead in Pennsylvania, behind in Ohio and behind by double digits in Florida. Add to that his poor position in Michigan and New Jersey, and it is hard to see how Obama stands a chance.
Pete Wass, Birmingham, UK
This is surely a republican ad in the times. Rove is trying to get democrats to listen to him? If the demos listen now it will help make his job easy come the battle with Mc Cain.
jim, Pembroke, usa
Are we all going to whine when the Republicans tare into Senator Obama? Senator Obama has released more attack adds than Senators Clinton and McCain combined. If he can't take the heat he should get out of the kitchen.... Rev Wright, "Bittergate", plagiarizing speeches, non-patriotic.... will all be brought up over and over until he looses to Senator McCain. Wake up Democrats!!!
Rob, New York, NY
I've said it elswhere, it won't be thw American public who decide, it will be the money men, those who hold the American purse and are behind the Fereral Reserve. Watch and see.
Ron, Milton Keynes, Bucks
The question one has to ask is who is more likely to beat McCain. are the Democrats willing to give Obama a quick victory and in turn sacrifice the White House?
shane, Belfast, N. IReland
. Obama thinks he has won it hands down and he has slammed her as much as she has him. I do not like his background whatsoever. Why would anyone want a man that has such people around him that hate what t the USA stands for?
he stutters when he is caught in a LIE .
He will Not change anything if he wins . he is in it for the prestige .... I think he is not what he claims to be.
with Hillary we know she and Bill had our backs and put the USA in the best shape it had been in for many years.They know what we need.
I am sadden to think america would want a man like obama in office with his track record of having people around him that thinks we are so dumb , I think he thinks he is above all poor and working class people , so what makes people think he will help the poor . Hillary has fought for women and children for so long.. she is the best choice . Why people can see this is crazy. She will fight for the regular people till the end . wake up people. We need a caring person
vickie, vine grove, ky
To Victoria of Oakland, Ca
Why has BHO not closed the deal if so he is such a great politician who can unite this country?
I'm not surprised at all that Karl Rove was asked to analyze the Democratic nomination. CNN in affiliation with Time is pro-Obama. So it is only natural for them to again use Karl Rove to put a spin on Hillary's campaign and make her out to be a divisive and an attacker. A Republican's definition of Hillary. The Republicans are so threatened by Hillary that they are putting all sorts of spins on her. She is a formidale opponent for John McCain and so they are boosting Obama's support in order for Obama to get the nomination because he is the easiest one to beat come Nov '08. Hillary supporters all know, that she has a vision to get us back on track. She has a proven track record that outshines Obama's and McCain's. McCain's only advantage is that he has been in Senate longer. He was involved in keating 5 scandal.
Karen, San Jose, CA
Iff any of You Yanks trust what Obama is saying-I feel sorry for You.And iff you elect him,we will have a FENCE built across the 48 parralel from Shore to Shore.Hove many BRIDGES did He sel you??Good luck naighbours.
Adam, Vancouver,
I could not disagree more with this piece. Senator Clinton has the right to remain in the race. Only 700,000 votes separate the two candidates, but no one is asking him to quit. I realize there are those in the left of the democratic party leadership that want to end this now and crown him with the nomination. They forget that Obama will need Clinton supporters like myself come November. If they do this and do not count MI and FL by giving those states a revote, then, the nomination will be perceived by millions as illegitimate.
Senator Obama was not complaining when the heat was on Senator Clinton. He has had a honeymoon with the liberal MSM. Why are him and his supporters whining now? Both campaigns have run similar negative ads. Both campaigns have traded barbs. Actually, this race has been pretty tame compared to others in the past.
One thing, Obama should refrain from coming off so arrogant, and yes, elitist. Elitism, is not about how much money you have, but rather, it is about a certain attitude that looks down on those less fortunate. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with having a great education. However, no one likes an "educated fool". I am trying to be as polite as I can because I do want to offend anyone. However, Senator Obama's remarks about small town America were inaccurate, and highly offensive. Worst yet, was that he would choose to make these remarks to a very affluent audience far away in San Francisco, where he believed it would not fall on the ears of small town America. I call this world class pandering.
Lets clear one other thing, I do not dislike Senator Obama. I just believe Senator Clinton is better positioned to win in November. There is nothing new for the GOP to take her down. Unlike her opponent. The Republican attack machine is ready for him.
Oh yeah, most, if not all of those democrat-for -a -day voters(Republicans that hate Hillary or just enjoy messing up our primary results) will not vote for him in November. Bet on it.
I guess some people have made up their mind regardless of the facts that do not support their beliefs. So be it. Senator Clinton is a fighter, she can take the heat in the kitchen. I admire her tenacity, and resiliency. She inspires me, and she has my unequivocal support. I do not put her on a pedestal, as she is flawed like the rest of us. However, I believe she truly wants to serve her country. She has been maligned by the liberal MSM.
Regardless of what candidate one supports, there is no need to insult one another. That is exactly what happens nine out of ten times that I engage in debate with an Obama supporter. This is a major turn off, especially when it is accompanied by unwarranted vile and misogynistic comments.
No one likes to have their voice silenced, or have their vote suppressed. Howard Dean, Dona Brazile,Nancy Pelosi, and the entire DNC should take notice and listen to the other 49% that is supporting Senator Clinton. This race should play out without interference from interested parties with a hidden agenda. These acts will prove fatal to the party in November, and it will not be Senator Clinton's fault as many are bound to claim.
Sincerely,
Rocio Juarez
Rocio Juarez, Long Beach, CA
I ask: How has Senator Barack Obama remained standing, and strongly so, under political attacks for months of Hillary, Bill, McCain, MSM, miscellany of pundits, bloggers, posters, the surrogates like BET Bob Johnson, failed pol Ferrero, and 24/7 "smears" from endless "citizen-voters"?
Senator Hillary Clinton in spite of her powerful political tool box was defeated Super Tuesday by Junior Senator Barack Obama and his very extraordinary strategy, personhood, and dynamic campaign.
Senator Barack Obama IS an extraordinary American, making a phenomenal run for office of POTUS. He's showing he has what it takes to fill the office. He may appear weak, wimpy to some, but make no mistake about his strength: Barack Obama IS a TOUGH, savvy FIGHTER. (Hillary flails wildly all the time.) Barack strategically strikes back judiciously on his own terms in his own time.
Change IS on the wind. "We're on the "cusp of a seismic shift in American Politics."
OBAMA, POTUS COMING SOON!
Victoria, Oakland, CA
Sarah Baxter,
Why dont you try reporting the truth, instead of your fantacy world news??? When you add Michigan and Florida to the democratic numbers, Hillary is down in popular vote about 65,000. After PA, she will be ahead. Not to mention, Obama is leading in del count, in part to stupid election process known as a caucus. These include the red coat states, you know the ones, the Republican states. Obama has not won any state with a large electorial vote except for IL. All this bad news that reporters like yourself continue to write about Clinton, is just helping the Republicans. If Obama gets the nomination because of the news media, come Novemeber, the election map will look like the one between Carter and Reagan. The entire south will be red, including MI and FL (who vote McCain because of the democratic rules). Obama might win DC or a north england state, but that will be it and then we will have to put up with another 4 years of REPUKE control. BTW, I live in FL, and if Obama gets the nomination, im one of those 29% that will vote for McCain. So you guys keep dreaming of Obama, your only destroying any chance the Dems might have of winning back the white house and give Democrats a name once again, just like the last Democratic president. Who was that??? Oh, yeah, Bill Clinton. Until he won, the democratic party was a joke, and will be again, if Obama get the nomination.
Mark, Orlando, FL
Why are all these ignorant people from other countries supporting Obama? Maybe they should be more interested in their own country and politics, so they can election people to office that will make a difference for their country and help them stop leaching of the United States... Low life scum always looking and supporting someone who gives FREE handouts!
Mark, Orlando, FL
In judging Bill Clinton, he offered change in the 90’s, but, HE DELIVERED. He presided over one of the most prosperous times in American history. Why do you presume that Hillary could not do the same. In the first New York Senate race, she also promised. But remember that she won her second election with an even greater majority, because SHE DELIVERED on her promises to the New York electorate. Hillary even won over voters in upstate New York, because they saw the hard work and commitment she had to the people in her state. She is authentic and serves the people. Part of this working class group, she understands and determines to partner with the working class to better their lives, keep America strong and restore respect for our wonderful country. I used that word, partner, deliberately. The difference between Barack and Hillary, she listens to the people and tries to work to serve their wishes. Barack tells them what their wishes are works to be the hero rescuing them.
Ramona, dayton, Ohio
There's no way Clinton should step down. There are 10 more primaries to go and the candidates are separated by 0.4%. You don't ask a runner who's behind by a hair to give up until someone crosses the finish line. So let the race be run.
Many Americans are not at all convinced that Mr. Obama is "the one," even though the media and their pundits are trying to shove him down our throats. If he is crowned, without counting Florida and Michigan especially, and without a complete race, he will be seen as an illegitimate nominee. A significant portion of Democrats will crossover vote if that happens.
I've met Hillary Clinton and found her to be warm, funny, genuine, wise, and inspiring. Basically, she's pretty much the opposite of her media portrayal. She's tops on policy, she knows how to work across the aisle to get things done , and she loves this country wholeheartedly.
Obama tried to insult Hillary by comparing her to Annie Oakley. Yep. Anything he can do, she can do better!!
EricaLeigh, El Cerrito, California/USA
An Obama lover wrote that stupid article blaming Mrs. Clinton for everthing Mr. Obama has done himself. Mr. Obama has only himself to blame, everytime his speech writer doesn't write what he has to say he is lost. Then Mr. Obama followers blame the media when Mr. Obama can't answer. They are a dangerous group indeed. Pennsylvania people are smart enough to know who the smartest cadidate is . Vote for Mrs. Clinton she is a friend of the middle class the back bone of the economy.
alice, lebanon, usa
Hillary has endured 15 months of relentless bashing from Obama campaign and bloggers. Anytime she defends herself or clarifies what he's saying she's accused of throwing the kitchen sink. In reality he's the one who has gone beyond the kitchen sink. He's thrown in the living room as well. Not to mention he's outspent her with his barrage of negative ads and weekend bus tours criticizing clinton at every stop while she' trying to discuss the issues. "She's trying to discuss the issues so says CNN"
susan jensen, warren, OR
I think that the media has treated Obama like a rock star during this whole campaign process,on the other hand they have painted Hillary to look like a she-devil.I am a 25 year old voter and this will be my first time voting for president,and I live in Kentucky,a state that does not vote until May 20th.But I am not decieved.I see the REAL Hillary,the human side to her.She is a wife,a wonderful mother,and she really cares abut people like me who are struggling because I can't afford to pay 4.00 a gallon at the pump and feed my little boy.I manage,but I bearly get by and the bills aren't getting paid on time,and that stack of bills keeps on piling higher on my kitchen table.I know that Hillary will work her heart out for the middle/lower class voters.I thought the ABC debate was fair and Obama may as well get ready to answer the questions about Rev.Wright,Farrakan,& Ayers,and why he would even associate with these anti-american leaders.These questions will be brought up in Nov. Hillary08
Marsha Eversole, Hazard, Kentucky
Personally, I cringe at the thought of young Americans graduating from college in 2012 having known no president other than a "Bush" or a "Clinton."
Alan Epstein, Pittsburgh, PA
@Sarah from PA: did you actually ever READ his books? Because that's some amazing disinormation there. Barack never says he knew his Kenyan father, who left while he was still young. Obama Sr. didn't go to Indonesia, he went back to Kenya after he divorced Barack's mother, and then died in a car accident several years later (in Kenya). Barack's mother remarried an Indonesian man and they moved there for a few years, so yes Barack DID live in Indonesia for a time. Then his mother divorced again and they moved back to Hawaii, where he was originally born. He stayed there until he graduated High School.
This is all put out there very clearly in both of his books, all you have to do is read them.
Andrew, Phoenix, AZ
If Hillary is being perceived negatively, it is because of Obama's attacks on her. It began when he accused her of being 'racist' for comparing Obama to Martin Luther King and herself to Lyndon Johnson -- which several Black leaders and other historians said was quite accurate.
F. Steele, Boulder, USA, Colorado
"He grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia, a long way from the American heartland"-- Obama is far from "exotic" either: he claims he never knew his biological father from Kenya despite the misleading title to his autobiography. His father lived for awhile in Indonesia, but Obama never did. And I don't consider Hawaii exotic by any means. But he'll never give you the straight facts as they are, he'd prefer voters keep their personal idealized version of him. And by the way, he was raised by two caucasian parents (Irish Catholic). His mother did marry, and he had a stepfather, even though he often tells the story of his "single-parenting mother".
Sarah, Philadelphia,
There are a few from Great Britain who believe that they are able to say and do whatever they want to influence a US election. Out of those, all I have seen are pro-Obama.
Let's make certain that we understand that this is a British paper, and that the writer is pro-Obama. What else needs to be said?
Political Center, Seattle, USA
Who here doesn't understand the horror of the Clintons making an end run around the constitution to get a third term? For the moment, Obama is the hero standing in their way. Doesn't mean I'll vote for him, but I will be profoundly grateful to him if he stops them. There must millions like me who will feel the same. That will be political capital he can bank on for the rest of his political career.
redmanrt, Jacksonville, Florida
Greetings from the USA!
In your desire to see our presidential primary campaigns culminate, you are excluding the fact there are still Americans who wish to know more about the candidates (beyond voting records of "present") and how each will handle individual agendas. Our concerns do not only consist entirely of the foreign community but our present economics, upholding our ammendments, trade agreements (which are unfairly balanced and which import products which are manufactured under labour conditions we do not support), etc. Most Americans did not agree with the Iraq invasion and want to see an end to this war, which is costing us dearly, but we also have to show responsibility in leaving. Will our hasty withdrawal create a battleground for the Suni's and Shiite's leading to a destabilization of the region and flow of oil to all of our countries? One candidate mentions focusing on Bin Laden's capture, does this mean we will bomb and invade Pakistan? Campaigns inform voters.
Genevieve, Tuscaloosa, USA
Take a breath folks. We basically are not comfortable with the Liberal side of politics or there representatives. Also, like we really have no interest for the comments from China and Indian. We embrace and like those that COME here from there but not the likes of those non-brave) that stay behind, thanks. Get to learn that most all of us folks here in the US of A had relatives come here long ago. Ask yourself; why do so many Indian and Chinese want into US of A? Just for a shot at the weak dollars? No. Freedom, Liberty, Opportunity of wealth and Fair Treatment. Suck it up, we do not make snide comments about the jerks that run UK; Indian or China. Go Indian, win a medal in the Olympics.
Nick Chance Michigan, US of A
Nick Chance, Allen Park, Michigan, USA
I wouldn't mind having a woman as president. I just have a problem with Hillary NOT being that woman!
Senita, NYC, NYC
As much as it pains me to say this Clinton could easily defeat Mccain. No matter how much she is hated at the end of the day she would scrape the swing states. Obama on the other hand has absolutely no record of ever doing anything, and no matter how much they like him voters are unlikely to vote for a magical pixie who's campaign motto is: elect me and al your troubles will simply go away, they just will.
Simon Adebisi, Greenwhich Conneticut,
Wouldn't it just be marvellous if she lost? she really scares me with just how trechourous and bitter she is. I blame Bill, I dont think he listens to her enough. Listen to her Bill, please!! take her for a fancy meal or something!! by her a new dress make her feel special for a bit, maybe compliment her hair or buy her some nice new shoes... ANYTHING to get her out of everyone's hair.
S.Ammo, Leeds, uk,
I would not be surprised to see McCain pickup Hilary as his running mate, when Obama finally wins the nomination. Out of sheer gratitude... After all she's done his job rather well in trying to demolish Obama, plus she would bring youth (albeit relative) to his ticket, not to mention enhance his reputation as a maverick! Besides, I'd love to hear the horrified howls from the neo cons!.
Simone Vest, Williamsburg, VA
This campaign has been a remarkable exercise in democracy, and one showing the world that America is the free nation which we all would love to admire again, after the manipulative Bush years.
Bravo to Obama, McCain and Clinton. And, keep it up, it's actually been quite clean, if you can keep Bill C out of the campaign.
David, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hilary Clinton really does give the impression of being such an embittered old jealouos and spiteful bunny boiler who will do anything, including destroying the Democrats, to try to gain power and maintain the status quo. Instead of withdrawing early, an art which Bill could have taught her, to fight another day she has done the Republicans work for them, with all her negative anti-Obama campaigning. Why haven't her family told her to pull out before she ensures the re-election of the Republicans.
Pete, London,
No women has become president of USA.Half of the society are women. What an irony that the land of liberty does not have the gender equality when USA preaches the virtues of the democracy including gender equality all over the world. The very dev. world even has already produced woman main political CEO.Women have at last one member of their clan/ lady Clinton who has come all the way & now women folk will have to come forward more aggressively if they want to seize this oppurtunity to undo partly the long historical injustice. Who knows when will youyr next memeber of the clan/female gender will appear in the scene. Lady Clinton is equally qualified & competitive. Mr. Obama/ the gentleman & the party high command shd work it out to give this chance to the female gender & pair Mr. Obama which will be a sure winner in the fall election. Engineer Ram Bahadur K.C. from the land of Mt. Everest & Lord Buddha.
Ram Bahadur K.C., Kathmandu, Nepal.
The answer is as plain as the twitch under Georgy boy's left eye.
Obama and Clinton must move to a combined ticket with Obama diplomatically leading it.
Together they would win comfortably.
McCain is flaky. His grasp of the US economy is more woolly than Chelsea's bobble hat.
On defence and world affairs he is dangerously close to the neocons and therefore, would prevent America moving upwards from its globally reviled status.
So, what's it to be? Barack Clinton or Hillary Obama?
How about: Barahill Obaclin?
Leigh Vernier, Riyadh, KSA
As a Canadian and big fan of the United States, I really feel bad for all of you. Your election process seems like a huge waste of time and money. Why don't you just pick a day, have one national election to pick your democratic candidate, and then you are free to go cut the grass or something.
Dave Carnahan, Trenton, Canada
It may be the US election, but it will affect us all, so we all are entitled to take an interest. Hillary Clinton and John McCain, and what they stand for, are reasonably well known. I think the world will survive OK with either of them, for all their obvious faults. Barack Obama, on the other hand, scares me. Too slick, too evasive, too many undesirable contacts, and no idea what he really stands for.
Mike, Sydney, Australia
At present Hillary is democrats biggest enemy. She is unelectable and the longer she continues with the presidential race stronger she makes Senator McCain.
Ajay Kansal, Glen Carbon, IL USA
Who really cares? They have both spent so much money, the US could go bankrupt anyhow! Lets concentrate on what really matters. Getting the US to mind its own business in the rest of the world.
Mike W, Zengcheng, China
Hillary Clinton whined during one of the recent debates that she was always asked the first question. Now, when Obama correctly states that no issue of substance was brought up for 45 minutes she says he can't take the heat? Give us a break.
The corporate owned media claim they have no new questions to ask as justification for their gossip column moderation. They have never touched: energy policy, tapping phones and other civil liberties questions, changes in laws allowing media monopolies and more. Why not take the brave route instead of pandering to your corporate sponsors?
The real "'elitists" are the moderaters, who think the American public is too stupid to realize what they are doing. I believe that Obama will do better in Pennsylvania as a result of the dirty work that we have witnessed, mobilizing our tendency to support the underdog. Also, Obama has outspent Clinton BECAUSE he has raised more money, and it has come from ordinary citizens, unlike Hillary's support.
Lynn Levine, MINNEAPOLIS,, MN
You know Hillary is the wrong choice for Dems when Karl Rove is going to bat for Hillary.
This isn't the first time Hillary has gotten support from Karl Rove and her cuddling up with McCain on numerous occassions makes one wonder where her true loyalities lie.
E Nelson, Pittsburgh, PA
It surely is time that HC gave up the battle! Is she wanting a REPUBLICAN president? Maybe. She is losing the DEM battlle and seems determined that the REP will win by not allowi ng
the real voters to listen to the two main candidates. She would hate it of OBAMA won the Presidency. She should go home, put feet up and await her family extensions. She had her time in the White House as First Lady. She and he have plenty of money and it is time she went away and spoke quietly to people and stopped waving her arm around.
David Graham, Barrow, England UK
God in heaven, you quote a draft evader like Rove, who sat in on policy with the other "chicken hawks" in this administration. As they defame a man like Wright who did two tours in VietNam. The other point is that sure BillAyers was a "weatherman", but Obama was on a board of directors of a neighborhood service with the man and others...Why do you not name the others? Because you are clueless gossip mongers. Further Bill Ayers and his wife have worked with Hull Housde and in youth services for their whole lives. They have raissed not only their family but other children as well. Obama is right....you guys are like our National Enquirer, gossip monerers only you cloth it with a veneer of respectability.
Marty Price, Oakland, California
I wish the name of Karl Rove disappeared from the political scene and I find it incredible that this man now seems to be funcioning as a consultant for negative campaigns and governments. His contribution to the well being of the USA has been negative.
Obama should continue with his positive and magnifying campaign.
Louis Pascal de Geer, Barretos / SP, Brazil
Republicans and Rove watching Hillary's back is an alarming indications of how the "elite" establishment sticks together to keep the US under their thumb. I hope Americans have the courage to give Obama a chance.
Carl, Los Altos, Ca
Hillary won't listen to the cries of anyone. The lady is as determined to get her way as a stubborn ass! And that's exactly what she is - a stubborn ass! She believes she is God's gift to America... and who, dare I ask, can tell her otherwise? Maybe the Pennsylvania voters can. But even this is not certain, because having surrounded herself with the likes of Governor Rendell, who do nothing more than play the psycophant spin doctors to her, the lady (did I just call her that?) will want to go on and on and on, despite the FACT that defeat is apparent, and not caring what damage she is doing to her party.
It is time for the Democratic Party to unite behind Barack Obama and to end this Billary nonsense once and for all! It is time that the gutless so-called superdelegates took a stand - for the good of the party they represent! And among this group are John Edwards and Al Gore!
John, London, UK
In January, I struggled over which candidate to support, Hillary or Obama. I chose Obama because I could see that he proved in Iowa that he could unite Republican and independent voters with us Democrats, but I continued to admire Hillary. But no more! She has lied big time over “sniper fire in Bosnia†and has descended into racism and has become a Fifth Columnist for the Republicans.
She has only done damage and she continues to do damage in a fight she cannot win. And Karl Rove's words are clever. He knows Hillary can't win either, but, like Rush Limbaugh, he wants to keep her in the race against Obama as long as possible, so she can do maximum damage to Obama and he Democratic Party. How sad! She's only making a disgrace of herself, and millions of Democrats who once respected her now view her with only contempt. All decent people should unite behind Barack Obama!
David Irby, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Please let it be over on Tuesday.
Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA
Hillary should step down, having failed to justify herself - and after being impeded by her husband (notably in S. Carolina) and clear the way for a united party that can win on Nov. 6. Hillary would never defeat John McvCain...who's hell-bent on trying to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in Iraq. It's a different scenario from Vietnam..
norman walker, Foxorck, Dublin, Ireland