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Obama and McCain make pitch to evangelical Christians
At the Democratic national convention next week, Lynn Forester, Lady de Rothschild, one of Britain’s most influential political hostesses, will be contemplating treachery. She poured her heart and money into Hillary Clinton’s campaign and she is thinking of voting for John McCain, the Republican candidate, for president.
She is not impressed by Barack Obama and doubts he will reach the White House. “My loyalty is to the Democrats winning. Barack Obama is going to have a serious problem getting elected, for good reason,” she said in an interview.
“The party needs to face the fact that without Hillary Clinton on the ticket, the Democrats will probably lose.”
Rothschild, 54, is a New York businesswoman and top fundraiser for Clinton who married into the British banking dynasty.
The billionaire Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, 22 years her senior and former chairman of the family firm, NM Rothschild, will be with her in Denver when Obama is crowned the victor. She regards the presumptive Democratic nominee, 47, as something of a usurper.
The Rothschilds spent the night of their wedding dinner in the Lincoln bedroom at the White House when Bill Clinton was president, so her loyalty to Hillary is understandable. However, the passionate distrust of Obama shared by many Clinton supporters is turning into a headache for the Democrats.
Leon Panetta, Bill Clinton’s former White House chief of staff, was tasked by the Obama campaign this summer with soothing ruffled feelings and helping Hillary loyalists to get over their sense of loss. It has been a demanding assignment.
“There is a sense of entitlement that almost seems to be inbred,” Panetta said. “They are convinced Hillary is the one who should be assuming the mantle and it’s tough to crack that.”
Rothschild is the founder of Together4Us, a group formed to “honour” Clinton and the nearly 18m voters who supported her in the primaries. Among its demands were a state-by-state roll-call of votes - a final show of muscle by the vanquished Clinton - and a prime speaking slot for her.
They got what they wanted after Obama caved in last week. Seasoned advisers fear the convention is shaping up to be a divisive Bill and Hillary psycho-drama. “It’s not something that I would have recommended, but they’re trying to bend over backwards as far as they can to accommodate her,” said Panetta. “I’m a little disturbed that this keeps playing out.”
The former president and first lady will both deliver big speeches, while diehard Hillary supporters will hold rallies and acclaim their candidate during the roll-call of votes.
“I think the roll-call will be a cathartic moment,” said Rothschild. “There will be a lot of people who will say, ‘Oh, what might have been’ and will vote for Obama but there will be a lot of tears.”
The roll-call will not be enough to bring Rothschild back into the fold, however. “We’re not going to win by pretending problems with Barack Obama don’t exist. He has a huge problem connecting with ordinary Americans, who think, ‘He doesn’t understand me.’ He is not modest; he is arrogant. He radiates elitism.”
It is a surprising charge from a wealthy socialite, but Rothschild believes she understands true grit. She was born Lynn Forester from New Jersey and built her multi-million-dollar telecommunications company before she met her husband. “It is not disloyal to raise legitimate questions about Barack Obama,” she said. “He started running for president before he even set foot in the US Senate.
“No matter what he says, he has not explained properly why he sat next to Reverend Jeremiah Wright [his former pastor] for 20 years. He talks about an end to partisanship but he has no record of reaching across the aisle for any purpose.”
The Atlantic magazine revealed last week that Mark Penn, Clinton’s former chief strategist, proposed targeting Obama’s lack of American roots during the primary campaign.
“I cannot imagine America electing a president during a time of war who is not at his centre fundamentally American in his thinking and in his values,” he wrote in an internal campaign e-mail.
Although Rothschild shuttles between London and New York, she shares Penn’s assessment. “Barack Obama can use the words ‘the American dream’, but they don’t resonate,” she said. “He magnified the problem by going to Berlin and calling himself a citizen of the world.” She also resents a lack of effort to pay off Clinton’s $20m campaign debt. “He has provided her with a pittance compared to what the Clintons have given Obama,” Rothschild said. “Her debt could have been cleared within 10 days. It’s ungracious.”
She is particularly incensed by the treatment of Bill Clinton during the primaries, when the former president was accused of playing the race card. “Barack Obama would not stand up and say, ‘It’s outrageous, it’s not permissible’ and speak up for him.” How Bill Clinton will perform at the convention is a source of nervousness for Democrats. “Clearly his wounds are deeper than I thought,” said Panetta, “but ultimately he understands what he has got to do in terms of supporting the candidate and the party.”
The enduring hostility to Obama is reflected in a Pew poll, published last week, showing that 18% of Clinton supporters intend to vote for McCain. With polling averages close to a dead heat between McCain and Obama, every vote counts.
Rothschild has not yet made up her mind. “I haven’t ruled out voting for McCain,” she said. “I like him a lot.” She is waiting to see who Obama picks as his running mate and has her heart set on Clinton.
The favourite is Joe Biden, 65, who chairs the Senate foreign relations committee. He once described Obama as “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean”, sealing his reputation for putting his foot in his mouth, but he has the security and foreign policy credentials to take on McCain.
Biden will speak on Wednesday next week - the same day as the eventual vice-presidential nominee. But Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, another fancied choice, and Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico also have speaking slots then.
Both McCain and Obama were due to court evangelical voters yesterday at the California mega-church of pastor Rick Warren. In a recent poll, McCain led Obama by 67% to 25% among evangelical white Protestants, a gap Obama hopes to narrow.
Warren told The Sunday Times: “Without doubt, Obama is more comfortable talking the language of religion [than McCain]. In the past, Republicans talked about God and Jesus and the Democrats were silent. This year, their roles are reversed.”
The meeting, he said, was designed to make a statement that the “era of the partisan religious right” was over.
Video: Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild interview on Fox news about her support for Clinton over Obama: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=G1EZJ2hN3a8
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Since Rothschild loves Hilary so much and has so much money, why don't she pay off Hilary's debt. And...make up her mind about Barack. She doesn't like him, has nothing good to say about him, but yet wants him to bend over backwards to please her and defend Bill. Now, who's arrogant.
Theresa, Washington, DC, USA
Hilary Clinton needs to let it go and move on.
Elizabeth Jayko, Homeless, United States
Oh Hillary luv, should you not be keeping your eye on Bill?? He's probably looking for a strong young woman while you stamp your feet and cry over spilt milk!
Get over your loss to Obama and move on. Come on go live your life with your rich friends instead of being such a BIG BABY!!
EMA, london, uk
Barack is briliant, Anatole. I think sometimes he is grappling with ow to reduce his complex thoughts into more easily understood language and ideas.
See this video for a better look at how intelligent Obama really is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR1VruSYu7c
Jane, Chicago, USA
If she can't support the choice of the democratic party then she should declare independent instead of betraying from within. I don't like Hillary but if she was the nominee then I'd back her instead of stabbing her in the back, and on Fox news of all places. Stop putting your egos first.
Drew Dowling, San Diego, USA
I want to ask all to write in Hillary Clinton for President when your ballot arrives or you go to the Poll.
Carol Davidson, Lebanon, OR, USA
Obama claimed he could bring people together to get things done. Well, actions speak louder than words. Our party which was united when this process began, is now fractured. Obama could have healed our party, by naming Hillary VP, instead he has shown utter contempt for 18million dems.
marianne, Philadelphia, usa
I completely agree with the lady. I have never seen anyone so terribly treated and I have worked in all-male newsrooms in Texas! Many of down here do not trust Obama at all. We have family in Iraq and distrust him on that issue. I guess we will cling to our "guns and bibles" when we vote McCain.
D Stevenson, Salado, USA
This lady needs to get a grip. With negative attitudes and opinions this country will never come together. All because her candidate lost. By all means vote for whoever you want to but don't make it an issue. Voting after all suppose to be a private decision an individual make.
Karon, Newport News, VA,
Patrick Sullivan,
Republicans crossed over to keep Hillary afloat & disrupt Dems. Similarly Dems crossed over in Ohio etc. to ensure their choice of Leftwinger McCain as Republican candidate - a consolation prize if the Dems lose the election.
Democracy
The people of America decide it all
glen, houston texas, usa
Lyndon Larouche has an interesting take on this election.
He thinks that Clinton was pushed aside in the primary by crossover Republican voters with the intent to run Obama as a sure loser against Mccain.
A Clinton Mccain showdown would end with Clinton the sure winner.
Republicans decide it all
Patrick Sullivan, Des Moines, USA
Many would consider me a rich woman. I don't "dabble" in politics. I make myself aware of what is going on, & thought Hillary Clinton made the most sense to be our country's next leader ... smart, understands the "world" & knows the players. I may have to vote for McCain. Obama has no experience
d'ann, Mount Holly, USA
Another clear example that the big monied interests would benefit most from Hillary.... and still benefit from McCain. But Obama... he's going to benefit the American people instead.
Lynn, Cape Cod, USA
Read Jerome Corsi's book on Obama and you'll know why folks should not vote Obama.
Peter, London,
Hillary has these spoiled, rich women supporters who dabble in politics like they do in antiques or boating. It's play and they are acting like babies because they are not getting their way.
They do not speak for 95% of the party and never will. They are having temper tantrums like spoiled brats.
diane lake, machesney park, usa
If you put this together with the murder, last week, of Democratic superdelegate Bill Gwatney... time to get out the tinfoil hats?
brian t, Dublin, Ireland
the guy has no testicles.
he "solves" problems by not dealing with them and when the matter demand s resolution he usually caves in.
jama, NY city, unites states of america
Lady de Rothchild is the Democrats Abroad rep to he Democratic Platform committee. Obama won 2/3 of the overseas primary vote. She obviously does not speak for overseas Democrats; doubt she speak for anyone but her $600 million dollar hubby. A shame beyond measure that she is even heard.
John McQueen, Heidelberg, Germany
That is amazing. The fact that she said she might vote for McCain completely negates everything else she has to say.
"My loyalty is to the Democrat's winning."
How petty
Sarah, New York, USA
Just another example of which candidate has the hearts and minds of the high rollers and which candidate had the hearts and minds of the American people. She can wait and see what Obama will do, but to contemplate a vote for McCain only shows how isolated she is from our Democratic values.
Garrett, Istanbul, Turkey
Rothchilds are part of the ONE WORLD ORDER you keep hearing so much about. So now you see who are best
connected to it. Clinton first, McCain second, and the jury
may still be out on Obama. I want real change I can believe it...
Pray he's our guy.
Earl Allen Boek, Anderson, CA, USA
She may vote for Sen McCain and live to regret it. First, the composition of Supreme Court will change. Second, her patron Saint Clinton will lose her senate seat in New York. Worse yet, Clintons will not be able to find the job of even a dog catcher. Her fate will be worse than that of Ralph Nader.
AJ, Buffalo, USA
She will vote for McCain but Hillary will vote for Obama.
Ted, Ohio,
Rothschild is a real piece of work. She dares to criticise Barrack for "failing to explain" various things. Has Hillary explained yet why she backed an illegal war in Iraq?
Bella, Glasgow ,
The Rothchild's only have one vote each. [period]
Jerry, Orlando, Fl
Why do we have this garbage in our newspaper ? This is like reporting the happenings in the 18th century, and is one of the reasons why English people left England and established a colony in the New World. Big money paying for Clinton, which supports the poor people of America, against Obama ?
Phil de Buquet, Newport,
People, please use common sense and stop being so emotional. This is bigger than HRC and its bigger than you. We need a Democrat in the White House!!!!!! Stop thinking about "what should have been" and start thinking about McCain's pro-life stance and Roe v. Wade!
Lynette, Central, SC
Sir Evelyn de Rothschild staying over night at the White House. That says a lot.
Andy White, LA,
Oh, Please, Anyone that don't vote for BO knows they are not voting for him simply because he have black in. Stop being a player hater. Get over it, BO is 100 times smarter than Mr Bush, I like BO, and HC, BO won so go with the flow. We will now see how everyone really feel about race in American.
Rosa Jackson, Baldwin, Nassau
Interesting. The only ones accusing Obama of being elitist and out of touch are precisely those who are -yep, you guessed,- elitist and out of touch.
Candy Crowley, Hartford, Connecticut
How could she vote for the candidate from the "white" party. The DNC orchastraded the decision they made in private and is cramming Move On. org down the publics throat. We wont go for it.
james edwards, sacramento, usa
Hillary has already done more for Obama than past candidates for their opponents, for God's sakes! Most don't even endorse until the convention. HRC went through hell because she waited four days. What should she do for the neophyte..wipe his nose, or change his diaper?!?!
kmb08, Fordyce, US
Since clinton couldn't win the nomination in open elections, and despite the thinking on her and Bill's part that she is entitled to the nomination as a consequence of having lived in the White House, clinton and her narrow-minded supporters are doing everything they can to buy her the nomination!!
Dr. John Ivy, Sandpoint,
of course rich foreigners love the clinton/mccain sell-america-to-the-lowest-bidder partnership. without them, somebody might lose a few billion euros on their dubai oil wells and their kazakh uranium mines and their colombian coffe plantations and their chinese shoe factories. lieberman uber alles!
roy rogers, main street, usa
So, when it comes to politics, they would vote for someone who has policies that they find abhorent rather than somone of a different colour?
Interesting people, the Americans - or rather more specifically, Hilary Clinton's supporters.
kim, London,
Sorelosers encouraged by the clintons...It is a mistake, this will tarnish the image/legacy even more than her poor management and race baiting in her campaign.
jetl, denver, co,
It was a race and she lost GET OVER IT! The Clintons and this Ms Forester, only care about power, not about anyone else! Debt could have been less if she stop when she couldn't win.Obama has been so patient with her! I'm a women,over 50,white & I was for Hillary! Not now nor 2012!
Carolyn Burke, New York, USA
If the ROTHCHILD'S are so pro HILLARY why don't they do her a favour and pay off her CAMPAIGN DEBTS, god knows they can afford it. Why should ordinary poor people foot the bill. The Rothchilds & the Rockfellers can buy the world and the Rotchilds can buy it and every one in it.
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK
It's 2009 and we have a Russia/Georgia-type conflict appearing out of nowhere... we also have a President Obama who thinks himself a citizen of the world and, just to prove it, claims Canada has a president.
And he's the guy to lead America? Are you kidding me?
The chump knows less than Bush.
Bertie, London,
A "legitimate question against Obama" is "he started running for President before he set foot in the Senate." ? OmiGod! Hillary started running for President the day after Bill's inauguration, and she used 2 Senate campaigns as springboards for her 2008 run. Everyone, even our Lady, knows that.
Harvey A. Leve, Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
Hillary should've had her $20m debt paid off by Obama? Please. Why didn't she run a more prudent campaign in the first place? This simply shows the Clintons and their supporters' sense of entitlement. The Clintons or any family for that matter has no right to the seat. The people spoke so LISTEN!
David K, Enfield, UK
Can someone explain why Obama is considered bright. From what I've seen he can remember a soundbite OK but has difficulty stringing two thoughts together, and replying to supplementary questions. Not really dumb maybe, but moving in that direction.
Anatole Fahri, Rheims, France
The Rothschilds have been running the show for centuries, and it's never likely to change - they will decide the overall direction for the human race. I'm serious, the house of Rothschild (and specifically the de Rothschild) are the largest share owners in the world's central banks. They own money.
Dan, London, UK
she may have married OLD money/ but she is braindead!!!!!
she was never a democrate anyway...and we sure don't want the likes of her. Let McSame have all the brain DEAD women!! good riddance
PAMELA PURSE, fredericktown, usa
One of the best 'negative-sell' pitches I've heard. If her opinion does not mobilise hundreds of thousands of ordinary people to vote for Obama then the US deserves Mr. Magoo.
Keith Robotham, Dalsland, Sweden
The irony of the Clintons and their supporters claiming Obama played the race card. Ha! Bill Clinton attempted to race bait, and it backfired...plain and simple.
Hillary lost in a fair process. Any sexism Hillary confronted was no worse than the racism Obama confronted in places like Ohio.
Alexis Robinson, Little Rock, USA
Hillary naysayers can hold onto their disdain for her right up until the end as far as I am concened. Let them feel so self rightous as the Dems lose Penn, Mich, Fla, and Ohio. Rather then give Hillary the respect that she deserves from having the SAME amount of pop. vote as Obama you can just lose.
Annie, San Rafael, USA
This is why I didn't vote for Hillary and will never vote for Hillary.
Shawn, Gold River, United States
These narcissistic has beens make me sick. Get over yourselves, and Lady d R, please DO vote for McCain--you two have a lot in common.
Deeno, Seattle,
She's right. Obama cannot win the election. It's painfully clear, watching the polls, and then watching the faith discussion he and McCain, participated in tonight. McCain says he'll use Petraeus, etc. as advisers. But Obama? Michelle and his grandmother! God save us from his grandiosity.
Steven, San Jose, USA
Oh to have this real democratic process in Britain where you can vote for a PM separately from the party. Britain is still stuck in its un-democratic process's of first past the post, the party elects the leader and the whips bully the MP's. And they call that democracy, I don't think so !!!
Mike, Alicante, Spain
HILLARY cannot save Obama. NO VP choice will help him.
j clark, houston, us
I agree with everything Lady de Rothschild discussed in this article. Actually I believe the article was much to kind regarding Obama's short comings. Obama has achieved and helped no one in his life except himself.
I will be votting for McCain.
Leslie Militzok, Los angeles, United States
How on earth can he even pick her as veep when her supporters think he's unqualified, arrogant and elitist (even her arrogant and elitist supporters).
For months I've been arguing in favor of Hillary as veep. Now I understand the reason it's never gonna happen is three words: Hillary supporters.
SarahJane, Dallas, TX,
This woman's support is exactly why I voted AGAINST Hillary Clinton. This is exactly the cadre that we need to keep AS FAR AS POSSIBLE from the White House. We're sick of TRULY elitists who disdain the choice of the masses.
This woman should stay out of US politics. She is not representative.
John, Los Angeles, USA
The Rothschilds! All Hillary needs now is for the Illuminati to get on board and she will be guaranteed the nomination.
Kevin Finnerty, Atlanta, USA
Will all of the rich people PLEASE refrain from referring to Obama as the elistist. Senator Clinton's behavior is appalling. I regret that I ever supported her. If this election is won by the republicans, she will have less supporters in 2012.
Larita Thomas, Raceland, United States
good grief....another rich spoiled brat who wants her way.
by the way has she done what alot of children do when they act out their tantrums...throw herself on the floor while kicking her feet and flailing about screaming and sobbing.....sheesh!
Get over it lady whatever!
Angela , Nicholasville, USA
Wow, this lady´s attitude reeks of entitlement and the elitism that she perceives in (or projects onto) Barack Obama. She´s detached from reality. She can´t understand how her money hasn´t bought her political love. It´s a shame when you can´t just throw your privilege around to get what you want.
Stephen C., Corona, CA,
There go the Democrats, right on cue, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
John F, London,