Obama Congratulates Clinton for Puerto Rico Victory
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama, during his rally today in Mitchell, S.D., congratulated Sen. Hillary Clinton for winning Puerto Rico and confirmed that he called her to express his sentiments.
"I just got off the phone with Sen. Clinton. She is gonna win Puerto Rico and I wanted to congratulate her for that," Obama said to the crowd.
Obama said the two Democratic presidential hopefuls are now on the brink of the last primaries and assured the audience that there will be party unity. Obama said Clinton will be a great "asset" going into November.
"I know there have been alot of Democrats who have been concerned about whether or not the party is going to be able to come together after this long contest. And whether Clinton supporters will support Obama and whether Obama supporters will support Clinton," he said. "Listen, first of all, Sen. Clinton is an outstanding public servant, she has worked tirelessly on this campaign, she has been a great senator for the state of New York and she is going to be a great asset when we go into November to make sure that we defeat the Republicans. That I can promise you."
Santorum: Money Will Not Defeat Obama, Ideas Will 
Rick Santorum's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
Now that he is in trouble, he kisses up to her. I’m not buying it.
Posted by: tww | June 1, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
tww–
How exactly is he in trouble?
He needs 46.5 delegates to clinch, she needs 207.
Who is in trouble?
She isn’t even going to win the popular vote with the low turnout in Puerto Rico.
In your face Hillary.
Posted by: BLAH BLAH | June 1, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
What is this giving her????? Some delegates and put Obama closer.She knew she was winning when you spend the whole weekend there bound to happen.It amounts to sh– The name they knew.They are not to smart so knowing the name made it easy for them to remember…Some of the pople that were there were not even living in PR, they don’t get to vote in the GE.
Posted by: charlie | June 1, 2008, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
I’m was thinking the same thing. He’s 46 delegate away from the nomination, how is he in trouble?
Especially with the low turnout in PR, her popular vote lead is not likely.
Posted by: Vanessa | June 1, 2008, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
w00t
Go Hillary!
onward to the convention.
Posted by: seah | June 1, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
Yes, now they he realizes that her supporters are upset & will not support him he is trying to think he can spred some love. It will not happen. Regardlss of what Hillary mzy say to her base they will not vote for BO. The hate is on. It’s like a sports rivalry. If you are an IU fan you hate Purdue & nothing will change that!! If you disapprove of BO & everything he is you can’t change that.
Posted by: rockthebleachers | June 1, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Nobody has elected somebody to public office because of polls, but real votes and real votes show Obama in the lead, that is the reality HillLovers have to embrace and accept. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.
Posted by: BKMC | June 1, 2008, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
Once Obama gains this nomination and Clinton and Obama appear together campiagning there will be party unity.
I understand right now Clinton supporters are vowing not to vote Obama but that’s only temporary.
Posted by: Vanessa | June 1, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Well, that’s really nice of you Obama…But I still won’t vote for you..PERIOD!!
Posted by: Jan | June 1, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Thinking In California, where I live, Obama would beat Hillary if the primary were held today.
NOT TRUE SWEETIE. I live California too.
May be in your area..
Posted by: Jan | June 1, 2008, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
So what day this week will Hillary call it quits? I say Thursday but I would also say Friday has very good odds.
Posted by: Tom | June 1, 2008, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Jan-
Perhaps you don’t read the LA times or perhaps you just don’t read.
You all need to quit deluding yourselves.
It’s over. Now you all need to get over it.
P.S. Thinking– Yeah I use bad language, so what are you a Sunday school teacher? Bad language is not a reflection of my education, it is a reflection of how little regard I have for you idiots.
Posted by: BLAH BLAH | June 1, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
Jan–
Blah Blah is right.
They did a recent poll (hey, if Hillary thinks polls mean anything, I guess that must mean her crazy supporters do too).
Obama would win California primary by about 8 points if it were held today. Fact!
Regardless Obama carries CA in a landslide in November.
Posted by: I LIVE IN CA TOO | June 1, 2008, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
I guess there is no control of user names here.
At any rate Obama expects the same thing from Hillary as she would from him.
Obama08
Posted by: Thinking | June 1, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
Thinking although I don’t live there I’m sure the state of denial is very nice.
Posted by: Tom | June 1, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm
You all are getting desperate.
Argue the facts, it doesn’t change them. The poll I am citing was widely reported last week. Google it.
Obama wins CA in a landslide in November. No one, NO ONE, can logically dispute that.
Dream on about a convention floor fight. she may try it but she will lose. In fact I hope she does it, it will be career suicide.
Haven’t you all heard –OBAMA RUNS THE PARTY NOW!
Posted by: Thinking | June 1, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
The Clinton campaign has been running on nothing but spin for two months now. I can picture Hillary going insane after this is all over. Running around insisting she’s President. Insisting the living room in her home is the oval office.
Posted by: Tom | June 1, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
Tom–
Yeah, I think the straight jacket is in to the tailor right now for adjustments.
She has lost it in every sense of the word.
Posted by: Thinking | June 1, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
The flood of super delegates to Obama’s side is about ready to happen. Hillary has tried to shore up the dam but there’s nothing she can do about it.
Posted by: Tom | June 1, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Hillary will not be on the ticket. We do not want her to do the job that he is not capable of. It is sad that once again the dems are effing up. We will have lost the presidency again. There will be no coming together. After this Hillary will go on vacation from exhaustion and BO is on his own to lose.
Posted by: rockthebleachers | June 1, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Bottom line. Obama wont win with out Hillary. I for one will go independent. And the truth of it is, its not Obama that is turning me off. Its his supporters. Blind, arrogant, even stupid. Your anxious grab for the white house is making you act like rabid dogs. look in the mirror, you know you are fooling yourself. If Hillary is not on the ticket, in any capacity, I and many, many other will not join your ignorant ranks. the smell it too fowl. Discounting Clinton is as stupid as thinking Bush wasn’t going to be so bad. go figure. You all must like the hight gas prices, the never ending war, and the insult on your intelligence, although, that last remark is not holding very true. its actually sad.
Posted by: Smaterthanu | June 1, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
If Hillary is not chosen by the Democrat party, hispanics must vote for all Democrats representatives for the US Congress and for John McCain as president. McCain will be a lame-duck president with no veto power that will have to compromise with a Democratic Congress.
Pass along this option.
Posted by: raul | June 1, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Yeah sure the idiot, you are clueless. The Repubs do have alot of dirt but it is not on Hillary. They can’t find any more. It is on that loser BO and his wife the cow. I can’t wait. My popcorn supply will be ready becasue this is going to be good theatre
Posted by: rockthebleachers | June 1, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
Hillary will tear into the Puerto Ricans because of the low voter turnout.
Posted by: Tom | June 1, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
In response to “Yeah sure”, if Obama is on the ticket, even as VP, I will vote for Old Man McCain, even though I have contributed to Hillary Clinton.
Posted by: Rhys | June 1, 2008, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
“Rhys Hillary thanks you for the donation to her campaign debt fund.
Posted by: Tom | Jun 1, 2008 5:59:56 PM”
Wow that was clever. You get past high school with that brain? I bet you listen to rush, hannity and all the other sick, sick people posing as Americans. And I left the lower case on purpose.
Posted by: smarterthanu | June 1, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
” now when he needs her?”
Show me a time when he hasn’t been a perfect gentleman and congratulated and complimented her.
Gosh, you are dumb for saying he hasn’t.
Don’t forget, she needs him, too.
She, on the otherhand has said some deplorable things to him. Not exactly diplomatic or Presidential.
Posted by: Margaret | June 1, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
Once again Obama gets crushed by Clinton. Why can’t the “presumptive nominee” close the deal. What doubts still linger?
========================================
Obama, why can’t he close the deal?
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | June 1, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
of course.. speaking as a conservative here, with no bias. of course he’s being nice now. he knows he’s pretty much a shoe-in. its just politics people. now that the fight is basically over, he is going to be nice and act as if he likes and respects her. he cant stand her!!! use your brains people. listen, im a conservative. therefore i have NO OTHER choice than to vote for mccain, but if you think for a minute that any one of these canidates dosnt play politics when it comes to things like this, you’re crazy. take it for what its worth. THEY ALL PLAY POLITICS. dont like “you’re canidate” is perfect.
Posted by: tim | June 1, 2008, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
Even Obama’s supporters have nothing good to say about their candidate. Instead, they do what their master does, sling mud, attack the character of other’s, lie, blame — anything and everything that’s negative and NOTHING that’s positive.
Is there a word for this kind of follower?
Posted by: Aston | June 1, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
@WCM
I think he did close the deal, he hasn’t even been campaigning against Hillary since IN and NC.
He beat her in the rules committee, although I have to say I do not think it was a contest, just had to remind them of their part in the mess, and Hillary’s agreement to the sanction.
The deal wiull be closed soon.
Obama08
Posted by: Thinking | June 1, 2008, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
rhys…
just for you’re information, the democratis ruled CONGRESS approved the stimulation package. yes, george bush approved it, but dont make it seem like it was “his” bill. we all know it was a waste of time and money, but you’re making it seem like it was another george bush idea. call it for what its worth, dont blame everything on george bush!!!! our congress is just as important as the white house.
Posted by: tim | June 1, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
RHYS…
and one more thing… what would EVER make you think that a democratic president would help us get out of our debt???!! that is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard. look at their budget proposals. and whatever that number is, you can pretty much double it. for EVERY canidate, not just the democrats. you do realize that democrats want TOTAL government control on just about everything right??!! the debt will not go any direction but south under a democratic president. if you can prove to me otherwise, i would love to hear how.
Posted by: tim | June 1, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
does anyone here who is a democrat want to handle that question?! by electing a democrat, how do we do ANYTHING about our national debt?
Posted by: tim | June 1, 2008, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
Just for the record.
I’m a proud Democrat who will never vote Obama in the GE. The Dems have been sold a bill of goods and we deserve what we get in November. Name one accomplishment from the man – He has not once won a legitimate election – I’m ashamed of my party – we have put style over substance and it is a discrace.
Posted by: oldspice | June 1, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
Yeah, crazy! Democrats reducing deficit spending! Just because the two prior Democratic presidents did and the three Republicans did not! What, are you crazy, thinking that history is doomed to repeat itself!
Lunacy! GWB has done a wonderful job of creating so much debt and deficit spending that the Democrats will surely want to continue that irresponsible behavior, despite past history.
Posted by: tim | June 1, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
Obama is a classy man.
Posted by: Mark | June 1, 2008, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
Indeed NOW Obama is nice to Hillary? I swear I know she is a hard-core dem, but I don’t even want her anywhere NEAR him. UGH!!
_______________________
To BLAH BLAH:
The numbers changed, or did you not pay attention to what happened yesterday in DC?
Posted by: Mark | June 1, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Oldspice:
How about beating a heavily favored candidate in a national election, winning more states, and managing his money and campaign better? Would that count as an accomplishment?
I mean, it seems easy now. Just raise a few hundred million, organize in 50 states, and then raise more funds than someone who has been planning a run for POTUS for a decade. Anyone could do that!
Posted by: oldspittle | June 1, 2008, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm
tim
Don’t worry about Obama. Clinton is a centrist whose husband balanced the fed budget and left a surplus. Obama has promised about $900,000,000,000 in new spending, but he won’t get elected. At least 10-20 million FORMER Democrats will vote FOR McCain IF Clinton were not nominated.
Reagan Democrats have become Clinton Democrats in this season who cannot in their conscience vote for the MOST liberal Senator in the United States Congress. You should talk to your friends and colleagues who are Clinton supporters and you’ll be surprised how many of them will support McCain. Sure McCain may need Romney on his ticket, but these Democrats will not vote for Obama even IF Hillary is on the ticket (UNLESS she’s at the top).
Clinton > McCain >>>>>>>>>> Obama
Posted by: Brent | June 1, 2008, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm
does anyone here who is a democrat want to handle that question?! by electing a democrat, how do we do ANYTHING about our national debt?
****************************************
The Republicans have been doing a fine job of controlling the budget the last 8 years.
Obama08
Posted by: Thinking | June 1, 2008, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
If Obama is the nominee than Hillary supporters will write in her name, vote independent, not vote at all or vote for McCain but NEVER OBAMA! We are Americans first and do what is best for America and not the party.Obama is just another BUSH, a Media created FAKE!
Posted by: BLAH BLAH | June 1, 2008, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
i think that was very nice of president obama to say that about hillary even though she doesnt deserve it i listen to both of their speeches and obama always says nice kind things about her i dont think i have ever once heard her say anthing nice about obama
Posted by: angie | June 1, 2008, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
BRENT…
very good point. yes, clinton did balance the budget. times were different then. that was pre 9/11, and whether or not you agree with the war or not, it is a different time now. (clinton should have taken the terrorism threat FOR REAL by the way). not to mention the gas crisis we are in right now. do you think if clinton and the democrats would have allowed using OUR resources, we would be in this mess right now? if we would have set up shop in alaska 10 years ago, we would not be in this situation right now. even after FULL WELL KNOWING that we need to get off foriegn oil dependency RIGHT NOW, they still let special interest groups control there actions. the mortgage crisis. anyone ever do research on it and see how the clinton administration chnaged the laws to increase the ability for predatory lending? which is the main reason, along with irresponisible people buying something they couldnt afford, that the crisis happened? do democrats not realize this stuff or just dont want to admit it?!
Posted by: tim | June 1, 2008, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
JUST THINK …
Soon all of us Obama fans who currently spew so much hate about Hillary will be reaching out to Clinton supporters urging them to defeat McCain and save the world. And the Hillary uneducated supporters will fall in line when we tell them too.
Posted by: angie | June 1, 2008, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
by the way, i dont here any answers on where the money for QUALITY universal health care will come from. please, not all at once.
Posted by: tim | June 1, 2008, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
Tim, we had a budget SURPLUS during Bill Clinton’s administration and before Bush took over! Perhaps we dems could take some of the multi-BILLIONS being spent weekly in Iraq and spend it on education, alternative energy, job development, universal health care and our country’s infrastructure!
At least you are honest enough to state your opinion and identify yourself as a conservative. Some of my compatriots, on both sides in here, are scary.
What part of U-N-I-T-Y do you people not understand?? Do you want to GIVE the election to the hawkish, corporate-leaning Republicans???
Posted by: Glenna | June 1, 2008, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
Thinking,
The last and only President of a generation to balance the budget had the last name of Clinton. How about them apples.
========================================Hillary Clinton has shattered all records. Hillary is the first choice of the MAJORITY if Democrats. Obama is the second choice of all voting Democrats. It’s time to get it right!
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | June 1, 2008, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
Hillary should run as an independent.
I will vote for Hillary, but if Obama becomes the Democratic presidential nominee, I will vote for John McCain.
There is no way I will vote for Obama, because his actions for the last 20 years shows that he shares the radical left-wing values of Jeremiah Wright and Michael Pfleger.
Obama supporters are hoping that Hillary supporters will unite them if Neo-Socialist Obama becomes the Democratic presidential nominee, but they hope in vain.
Most Hillary supporters refuse to join with Radical Pastor Jeremiah Wright, Radical Left-Wing Priest Michael Pfleger, Racist Black Muslim Leader Louis Farrakahn, Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Nicaragua Sandinista Leader Daniel Ortega, Hamas, the Black Panter Party, and other radical left-wingers in supporting Rookie and Far Left-Wing U.S. Senator Obama.
Posted by: USmarine0331 | June 1, 2008, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
Obama is trying to overturn the will of the people. Hillary has won the popular vote. The DNC has not ruled for the people’s vote.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | June 1, 2008, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
tim
I agree with you on several points. I have even a few serious grievances against Clinton’s two terms.
Repeal of Glass-Steagall Act (pushed by Rubin and Greenspan and Wall Street) may prove to be one of the lasting stains of his legacy along with expanding trade withour labor and environmental stipulations.
The Telecom Act of 1996 contributed to the bubble in the telecom industry (think MCI-WorldCom and Global Crossing and Enron). Clinton the Rhodes Scholar probably lacked enough depth in finance (but of course Greenspan was not a genius either).
Trying to get gays into the military when he was sworn in was a bad move to say the least (Democrats rebelled against him). Then the Monica distraction cost him lots of capital.
But still in spite of their shortcomings, they genuinely do NOT harbor evil motives toward the average American (unlike Messrs. Wright, Farrakhan, Ayers and Pflege). My reading of Hillary’s stands on issues has convinced me she’s trending towards the Dennis Kucinich-Ron Paul-Pat Buchanan line of thinking on fiscal policies and away from Nancy Pelosi-John Kerry-Barack Obama’s tax-and-spend (without benefiting the average taxpayer) socialst expansion of the Federal government.
Compared with Obama and his gang, W. Bush looks like a saint. Even D. Rumsfeld whom I couldn’t stand looks better than Rev. Wright. Of course looks can be deceiving. But I don’t think Bush was trying to harm the Americans. Obama gang’s motives deserve thorough scrutiny and they look shady at best up to date. But he is entirely with out any experience for his entire life has been spent dancing, smoking, chilling and running for political office. He will be an ultimate failure. God help us if he should get elected.
McCain will do reasonably well if he elects to have Romney on his ticket. At least make Romney his Secy. of Treasury. Get rid of Bernanke who is plainly incompetent and can’t decipher the numbers. But McCain will surround him with fiscal conservatives which will be a good thing. He hasn’t got a choice really considering the $$$ China has been spending gobbling up treasury in spite of the sinking U.S. dollar.
As to drilling in Alaska, I agree with you. There is no reason not to start explorations. The Greenpease crowd is out of touch with ground as are the Obamabots.
Clinton > McCain >>>>>>>> Obama
Posted by: Brent | June 1, 2008, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
It’s nice that Sen. Obama congratulated Sen. Clinton, but following are just a few reasons why it won’t be so bad to vote for McCain if Hillary doesn’t get the nomination:
1. McCain most likely will just be a one term President anyway because of his age – no disrepect intended, just a fact
2. A lot of Obama’s support is from people who believe he really will pull all troops out of Iraq immediately. Even Colin Powell says this is not a likely scenario, and Obama’s own advisors (who resigned a few months ago because of their mouths engaging before their brains)were backpedaling on his Iraq pullout promise.
3. McCain is a lot more pallatable on several issues than Bush (Stem cell research, global warming etc.)
4. McCain’s real character and patriotism is not suspect as is Obama’s.
So for many who say they will support McCain over Sen. Obama who brings little or no national experience (19 months as US Senator doesn’t count as he spent most of his time planning his run for President during that time), poor judgment regarding his associations, many questions regarding his true beliefs, an aloofness and condescension that comes across to middle class working Americans, there are ample reasons for their determination to do so. Sen. Clinton has also been treated with the utmost disregard and contempt by most of the media and many (not all) Obama supporters which have caused bad feelings which will not be easily repaired. For all of these reasons, I no longer consider myself a Democrat, but an independent. The DNC should be ashamed of themselves for allowing such a circus to take place this year.
Posted by: dwc | June 1, 2008, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
A party that does not count the votes of the voter is a jelly bean party led by jelly bean Dean.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | June 1, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
How can you Hillary supporters dis on Obama? If you folks were capable of rational thought you would never support a Clinton, yet you expect us to listen to you now? With the help of the press, all Obama has to do is keep us from finding out who he really is, and the presidency is his. We are in for one hell of a ride America, one you have yet to see. Stalin is about to be resurrected.
Posted by: Karpy | June 1, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
There should be no superdelegates. If no candidate reaches the number of delegates needed to win. The popular vote should determine the winner.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | June 1, 2008, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
WestCoastMessenge
It was Newt & Company that balanced the budget. Bill was too occupied with other things.
Posted by: Thomas | June 1, 2008, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
How can the DNC leaders and some super delegates keep continue supporting the loser? Did they understand what Democrat voters in big states and swing states want? Did they read the primary results? So far, Obama only won in caucuses which do not exist in the general election. Well, look like we have to wait for 4 more years. God bless America.
Posted by: stock_craft | June 1, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
The Democratic Party has become a circus with clowns attached.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | June 1, 2008, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
Anders Scooper
But that wouldn’t be the democratic party’s way, would it? There’s nothing more un-democratic than the democratic party. Individuals are just tokens!
Posted by: Thomas | June 1, 2008, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
Glenna
First you guys gripe about oil prices. Second, you try to curtail supply.
What kind of thinking is that?
Posted by: Thomas | June 1, 2008, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
The only thing that counts in a democracy is the vote, but not in the Democrat Party.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | June 1, 2008, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
Blah blah.
He is in trouble,eventhough he will be the nominee as the DNC predicts.
Later on in the GE he will need lots of Hillary’s supporters to vote for him.
He needs Hillary’s endorsement.
That’s why he’s been nice to Hillary lately.
Posted by: catleya | June 1, 2008, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
A few elections down the road and Rev Pfleger & Rev Wright and others like them will be seated around the circle of the DNC disallowing the votes of the people.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | June 1, 2008, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
its over hillary people
in a few weeks this will be forgotten
of course some of you repubs and fanatics will still try to make some sort of case,
but the fact is, hillary cant even claim the popular vote, and if she continues to fight on this claim, watch everyone get into the calculating business and debunk her crappy math
the fact is out of 205 supers left
she will need 195 to win
and he will need 20
that is if they split the rest of the delegates
furthermore, if she somehow did win, she would become instantly unelectible and her negatives would sky rocket, obamas people would turn on her, and dont pretend that you win the white house without the african american base
and dont forget that the republicans hate more then democrats or not being in power, they hate a clinton
and her winning would energize their base and she would lose the ge
its over, obama has this wrapped up, and there is nothing you can do or say that will change that
at the RBC meeting obamas team had 9 supporters she had 13
he had enough votes to do a split 50/50 of michigan, but went with a more fair compramise, he could have fought the florida delegation also splitting htat, but chose to award her 19 delegates
obamas behind the steering wheel now
Posted by: bhrandon | June 1, 2008, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm
Many of you Obama supporters seem to think we Clinton supporters will automatically switch to BHO.
I’m sure some will, but not all of us.
Meanwhile, the Libertarians are preparing Bob Barr to run, thereby assuring a Democratic victory, no matter who is nominated.
America faces some tough times, and they’re about to become a lot tougher. Hillary Clinton is our only hope.
The DNC power-brokers should pay attention to recent landslide victories for Clinton. Their Golden Boy may have less glitter by November.
Unfortunately, the Libertarian “spoilers” may help us find out if charisma is all that’s necessary to be an effective President.
Posted by: Rhys | June 1, 2008, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
Obama is never in trouble but Hillary is. Time and time she is acting like a Ville. Puerto- Rico is a best place for her to be the President
Posted by: Jim | June 1, 2008, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
If Obama doesnt stick Hillary on the ticket or at least offer it to her, he loses the general election.
Posted by: cgeast | June 1, 2008, 8:57 pm 8:57 pm
In spite of what a few hard-core right-wingers say, McCain is too conservative (most of the time).
BHO is FAR left.
Hillary Clinton is the closest we can get to a moderate in these crazy times of extremism.
Just because we’ve had eight years of far-right theocracy doesn’t mean we need to push America to the opposite extreme. If you go far enough to the right or far enough to the left, it doesn’t matter; we lose our freedoms either way.
Hillary Clinton is a long way from perfect, but she’s the best we’ve got this year.
Posted by: Rhys | June 1, 2008, 8:57 pm 8:57 pm
Obama will use Hillary and her supporters to win the presidency for him.
Posted by: Zephaniah | June 1, 2008, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
Lake Hart, you must remember that “Mainstream America” is a constantly different thing. “The only thing permanent is change”, and as we old-timers gradually give you what you want (by dying), “Mainstream America” becomes something entirely new.
I graduated from High School in 1956, and already this is NOT the America in which I grew up. We (the “dinosaur” generation) must not lose sight of the fact that the future ALWAYS belongs to the young.
No longer is there any regard for wisdom, which comes ONLY from experience. Everything today is based on action and reaction: You hurt me and I’ll hurt you. It’s that simple.
There are many, many factors which have brought about this change in the way we view (and treat) one another. But the X-Files said it best: “Trust No One”.
Barack Obama could never have risen to power 50 years ago, and not because of his skin color. He is a product of “modern times”, born of conflict and confrontation.
Hillary Clinton is a moderate, and NO one wants moderation anymore. Everyone wants to “get even” with someone; this year it’s President Bush. Barack Obama is seen as the one who will REALLY get even with Bush AND the American “establishment”.
I am just as glad as most of you that I will be dead in a few years. Even though I love technology and the prospect of space travel, the future would scare me if I were much younger.
Posted by: Rhys | June 1, 2008, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
Wow… he sure didn’t come to her defense when the Catholic Priest was mocking her. All he was concerned about was the effect on his politcal campaign.
Posted by: rafraf | June 1, 2008, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
Hey, none of this matters anyway. Either Hillary wins the nomination by convincing the party to select her in spite of votes, or she can armwrestle Obama into making her the vice president … then she just has to wait for him to be azazzinated so she can become president. Or at least that honestly seems to be her plan!
It’s obvious that if all voting started all over again that Clinton would probably win (mostly due to rev wright). But Democrats need to grow up and do things according to plan enshrined in the rules or fix the plan, and LIVE WITH the results. This is why Republicans manage to stay in power, and will possibly win in November; by showing resolve and consistency.
In all seriousness, this Florida/Michigan trouble was caused by the states themselves. Election day costs MONEY, and they knowingly blew the money knowing that the results would be invalid if they proceeded.
Then people went to the polls anyway knowing that the MONEY was being wasted on holding the elections in violations of rules they are bound by, RATHER THAN DEMANDING THAT ELECTIONS BE HELD ACCORDING TO THE RULES TO ENSURE A FAIR RESULT.
I understand that Republicans had some part to play in this, so in the future the rules need to be formulated in a way that makes it impossible for one party to interfere with the validity of the results of the other party. And Democrats need to stop relying on revising the rules of contests in progress.
I can accept that in spite of Florida’s (monumentally stupid) mistake that it’s reasonable to accept the votes in spite of flaws.
But as for Michigan, you can proceed with a “vote” with the primary challenger missing on a technicality. Are Clinton supporters really saying that an election “contest” with primary challenger removed from the ballot (due to rule violations again) is any better than the third-world referendums we condemn?
I really don’t like the trajectory of the last 8 years, but the Democratic party still looks like a bunch of retards without a common purpose, sense of direction, common sense. How could there not be unity after the last 8 years?
I boggle at the stupidity. Take note that ALL challengers to McCain conceded EARLY in spite of a lack of enthusiasm from many corners, while Clinton holds out for as long as possible … praying that her fellow Democrat has something dreadful happen to him and does not care if the Democrats are split into two virtual parties in the process.
I can see how the Republicans could STILL win even with foreclosures, open wars, high unemployment, crazy health insurance problems, and a virtual promise of more war fronts opening up.
Posted by: Vince Foster | June 1, 2008, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
I am a Puerto Rican American. I have to say, that small number of Puerto Ricans that voted for Hilary Clinton do not have a clue about what it is to be a PR born & raised in the US. We are in the same boat as the blackest black man. The Islanders do not care for people like myself. My decision in this race is based on my experience as an American not on the color of skin. Her face sells big in PR because she looks just like one of our PR aunts. People from the Island do not take well with people of color even though there’s is the darkest. Truth is in experience.
Posted by: Tino Ramos | June 1, 2008, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
Bill wrote: “The backroom deal is done. Obama is going to win. Clinton hangs on so that she can dig herself out of debt by continuing this ruse and getting folks to donate big money. So, for the time being, Clinton and Obama continue the game until enough money comes into Clinton’s account so she can pay back loans, capitulate, and move forward in a solvent way instead of going broke.
This is business as usual, American style.”
You got that right!
People forget that elected party insiders used to routinely pick the nominee. When states grew in numbers, delegations formed to attend the selection meeting and conventions were born.
The only reason a primary or caucus came along was as market research so the delegations would know who to choose. It was the dress rehearsal before the real election.
Anyone who has ever been in politics knows that the majority of the super delegates know and have for some time now. They were simply letting the people go first. But the last of the “market surveying” isn’t making any difference whatsoever. This is about delegates and because it is, it’s been technically over since Super Tuesday. Only because it was a such a powerful brand name like Clinton did it drag out this long. She was owed a full monte and so she got one. But that is all she was owed and she knows that too.
Posted by: S.E. Croft | June 1, 2008, 11:09 pm 11:09 pm
I really don’t know what to say about some of you Democrats this year. Somehow some of you have gotten so caught up in all this hype and rhetoric, and forgot that either candidate is a marked improvement over John McCain, and if you are too blind to see it then I really feel sorry for you. Do you really hate Barack or Hillary enough to put up with another four years of this insanity…are you kidding me? For those of you who say they won’t vote for Hillary or Barack because she said this, or his pastor said that…I hope its your kid that gets sent over there into that quagmire called Iraq, and then you tell me how that John McCain vote was a smart choice. Any Democrat that votes for John McCain in the fall wasn’t a real Democrat to begin with, and really doesn’t believe in what this party stands for…period!!!
Posted by: Don Jacobs | June 1, 2008, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm
I would love to have faith in the good people of Montana and SD, that they are bible clinging, gun toting Americans who have been following the news on Obama. Or are they all leftys? These two states vote Red in Nov. right?
Why would he win those two states?
Also I hope his arrogance wins out and he thinks he does not need Hillary on the ticket with him…we cannot vote for him regardless of an offer of VP. I could’t stomach him near the WH. Her supporters are so OK with the moderate Republican McCain is. I contributed to Hillary’s campaign and will work for Sen. McCain in Sept, five days a week.
There will be a quiet riot in the voting booth come Nov., from Hillary supporters voting McCain.
Posted by: Debra | June 2, 2008, 12:17 am 12:17 am
Hussein Obama will never be the president of the USA. He is not electable.
Posted by: Moe | June 2, 2008, 12:20 am 12:20 am
Dan…no one is drafted……it’s called enlist. Some guys really belive in this country and fight for our freedoms and protection. No one likes war…..but no one was drafted. Some want to serve multiple tours.
Posted by: Debra | June 2, 2008, 12:21 am 12:21 am
I meant Don
Posted by: Debra | June 2, 2008, 12:22 am 12:22 am
Anderson Scooper,7:34:12
I agree.
The SD helps him to reach the delegates number.
If popular vote don’t count why The DNC made a big argument when Al Gore ran for president.
Posted by: catleya | June 2, 2008, 1:26 am 1:26 am
The Barack Obama campaign and its sympathizers have begun to articulate much more clearly what they mean by their vague slogan of “change” – nothing less than usurping the historic Democratic Party, dating back to the age of Andrew Jackson, by rejecting its historic electoral core: white workers and rural dwellers in the Middle Atlantic and border states.
Without a majority of those voters, the Democrats have, since the party’s inception in the 1820s, been incapable of winning the presidency. The Obama advocates declare, though, that we have entered an entirely new political era. It is not only possible but also desirable, they say, for Democrats to win by turning away from those whom “progressive” pundits and bloggers disdain variously as “Nascar man,” “uneducated,” “low information” whites, “rubes, fools, and hate-mongers” who live in the nation’s “shitholes.”
Having attempted, with the aid of a complicit news media, to brand Hillary Clinton as a racist — by flinging charges that, as the historian Michael Lind has shown, belong “in black helicopter/grassy knoll territory,” Obama’s supporters now fiercely claim that Clinton’s white working class following is also essentially racist. Favoring the buzzword language of the academic left, tinged by persistent, discredited New Left and black nationalist theories about working-class “white skin privilege,” a vote against Obama has become, according to his fervent followers, “a vote for whiteness.”
Posted by: david from texas | June 2, 2008, 11:10 am 11:10 am
After Saturday, I saw signs in yard stating “No Bama”. I think the Dems are fooling themselves that the party will be united. It won’t and can’t be. This was a year of “firsts”, first woman candidate, first black candidate. Now, the DNC has destroyed the party, the DLC will not let Obama go unscathed, and now millions of Clinton supporters will vote for McCain in protest. As I said earlier, Obama’s victory will be short-lived. He only thught the fight with Hillary was bad, wait until the GOP with thier full arsenal attack him. The problem will be, is that he won’t have a united Democractic party supporting him…its divided, the GOP know this and will use this a trump card against Obama. Sorry, but Obama is toast in the GE. I know it, Obama supporters know it, the DNC is now realizing it, and most importantly, the GOP knows it.
Posted by: david from texas | June 2, 2008, 11:19 am 11:19 am
Just say it !
Did U say that Hill supporters couldn’t vote enough for her because of BO? if this is the case, let’s go back to squarre one and re-vote in Fllorida and Michigan after a real campaign so that everyone sees if BO will not score anything. You are realy idiot. remember, your selfish attitude clearly expressed by Bill & Hill at the moment were they were second in the race, saying they would take BO for VP, even though he was in the lead. Being the President is what Hill want. her and only her. Funny ………..
Posted by: Toussaint | June 2, 2008, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
Obama is a class act and I respect the way he is dealing with this delicate situation. He is being very respectful of the process and his colleague.
It’s time for his counter parts and Super Delegates to rally and put an end this battle and nominate a candidate, which I believe should be Senator Barack Obama.
Posted by: Lou | June 2, 2008, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm