SNEAK PEEK: And the Beat Goes On
In the race for the Democratic nomination, there really is no end in sight
March 05, 2008— -- There is no denying that Tuesday night was a solid outing for Hillary Clinton – two key victories in Ohio and Texas that give her campaign new life and gives her ample reason to stay in this race until the bitter end (whenever that may be. . .).
But, all together now – the race is not about winning states, it's about winning delegates. And Clinton is not going to come out of Super Tuesday Part Deux with any substantial net gain in delegates. She still trails Obama by 109 delegates in the ABC News overall count.
While it was quiet on the campaign trail today, as campaign staffers and reporters wrap their heads around seven more weeks of campaigning, the Clinton and Obama campaigns held dueling conference calls that laid out the lines of attack that will dominate this race from now until the Pennsylvania primary on April 22.
The Obama campaign signaled they would go negative, questioning whether the foreign policy experience that Clinton is pushing actually prepared her crisis management at the White House. The campaign also pushed for greater openness, from her tax returns to her records from her White House days and the donors to the Clinton Library.
The Clinton campaign stressed that "delegates are delegates are delegates" and rest assured that the theme of experience and ready on day one will stay in heavy circulation.
There is a new ABC News/Washington Post poll out today looking at the two potential general election match ups – John McCain v. Obama and McCain v. Clinton.
While McCain may have been the big winner last night – clinching the nomination and receiving the gift of a prolonged Democratic fight – the Republican nominee has some work ahead of him. And the Obama campaign has some good news to add to their talking points after going 1-4 Tuesday night.
ABC News Polling Director Gary Langer reports that a "a surge of Democratic allegiance is boosting Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton alike in match-ups against John McCain, with change vs. experience as the roadmap for voter preferences in the 2008 general election."
Obama leads McCain 52-40 in a general election match-up while Clinton leads McCain 50-44.
More from Langer: "The results of this poll overall offer a roadmap to likely themes in the general election. Foremost are competing desires for the future: Americans divide evenly on "new ideas and new direction" vs. "strength and experience" in a candidate. Against McCain, Obama wins 80 percent of new direction voters; Clinton, 65 percent. Voters more focused on experience instead go to McCain, by 2-1 over Clinton and by 3-1 over Obama."
No rest for the weary nominee (and his press corps) as McCain flew back to Washington for the biggest Republican endorsement out there.
It was all warm and fuzzy at the White House today when McCain lunched with President Bush and received his official endorsement. President Bush seemed so excited to have a friend come over to visit, he stood outside for several minutes before McCain arrived and awkwardly paced while he waited, like a guy waiting for his prom date to finally roll up.
Perhaps it was good strategery to get that Rose Garden photo op out of the way now. The ABC News/Post poll shows that President Bush's approval rating is back at his career low – 32 percent.
But while the DNC says that a McCain presidency would be a third Bush term and the Campaign to Defend America slammed him as McSame, the McCain campaign knows that President Bush can mobilize two things: cold hard cash and conservatives. And McCain would very much like the President to help him with both.
On the campaign front. . .
BARACK OBAMA
-- No public events scheduled
HILLARY CLINTON
-- No public events scheduled
BILL CLINTON
-- 12:45 pm ET: Attends event with voters, Riverton, WY
-- 3:45 pm ET: Attends event with voters, Rock Spring, WY
-- 7:00 pm ET: Attends event with voters, Laramie, WY
As for the Republicans. . .
JOHN MCCAIN
-- 9:00 am ET: Attends campaign event with voters, West Palm Beach, FL
-- 10:00 am ET: Holds media availability with voters, West Palm Beach, FL
-- 5:45 pm ET: Attends fundraiser with supporters, Atlanta, GA
At the White House. . .
PRESIDENT BUSH
-- 1:15 pm ET: Delivers statement to mark the fifth anniversary of the Homeland Security Department, Washington, DC
POLITICAL NEWS STORIES AT ABCNEWS.COM
ABC News' Gary Langer Reports: Obama and Clinton Lead McCain; Change vs. Experience Is the Roadmap LINK
ABC News' Jennifer Parker Reports: Clinton Hints at Joint Democratic Ticket LINK
ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman, Bret Hovell and Jennifer Duck Report: Bush, McCain Ride Roller Coaster to Rose Garden LINK
ABC News' David Chalian Reports: Clinton Wins, Obama's Still Ahead; What's Next? LINK
ABC News' Jennifer Parker Reports: Game On: Clinton Wins Crucial Texas, Ohio Primaries LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: And It Continues LINK
ABC News' John Berman Reports: Friends or Foes? Bush & McCain's Rocky History LINK
ABC News' Kate Snow Reports: On to Pennsylvania. . . LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: Congress's One Muslim Member Says Clinton Camp Taking Advantage of Obama Smear LINK
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Let the Vetting Begin, Obama Campaign Says LINK
ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Dems Say Primary Not Self-Destructive. . . Yet LINK
ABC News' David Wright Reports: Obama Questions Clinton's Experience LINK
ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports: As McCain Puts on Mantle, Colleagues Push Immigration LINK
ABC News' Dean Norland Reports: Pelosi: Not Surprised Dem '08 Battle Continues LINK
ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Election Results Don't Stop Paul Revolution LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: Really? Obama Called SNL to Complain about the Skits? Really? Really? LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO AT ABCNEWS.COM
Obama's EdgeBarack Obama highlights his lead in the all important delegate count. LINK
McCain's VictoryPresident Bush endorses the presumptive Republican nominee. LINK
The Road AheadABC's Jake Tapper on what's next in the tight Democratic race. LINK
An Animated Bush Backs McCainSen. McCain invites President Bush on the trail despite low approval ratings. LINK
McCain 'Humbled' By Bush SupportMcCain pledges to hold a "respectful campaign" and invites Bush on the trail. LINK
Bush Dances for McCainWhile waiting for Sen. McCain to arrive, the president tap dances for reporters. LINK
Vote 2008: Sexist Media?Has Sen. Clinton been unfairly treated because she is a woman? LINK
McCain Wraps Up the Nomination Sen. John McCain becomes the Republican standard bearer. LINK
Democrats Battle OnTuesday's primary only fuels the fire between Sens. Obama and Clinton. LINK
Turning Points in the Race for '08Cokie Roberts and Matthew Dowd discuss Sen. Hillary Clinton's primary victories. LINK
McCain Makes It OfficialThe Arizona senator is the Republican Party's nominee for president. LINK
Clinton, Obama Fight for NominationGeorge Stephanopoulos explains what each Democrat needs to win the nomination. LINK
Obama Holds On to DelegatesThe senator from Illinois maintains his lead in the delegate count. LINK
Clinton Ends Losing StreakThe New York senator wins primaries in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island. LINK
Clinton 'Going All the Way'New York senator's campaign is energized after a big win in Ohio. LINK
Obama Points to Delegate LeadDespite losing Rhode Island and Ohio, senator maintains edge in delegate count. LINK
Talk Back: Change vs ExperienceYullidoys & Nicole discuss what characteristic gets their vote. LINK
Vote 2008: OSU Webcam InterviewStudents Trent, Jacqueline, Andrew & Rachael discuss the issues. LINK
Vote 2008: Students Discuss IraqMark I. & Jane M. give their perspective on troop involvement. LINK
Too hormonal for the White House?Sam Donaldson & panel discuss how sexist attitudes persist. LINK
Can America Elect a Woman President?Eb A. says America may be uncomfortable with a woman being president. LINK
Clinton's ComebackHillary Clinton presses on in the battle for the Democratic nomination. LINK
Obama Prepares to Ramp Up CampaignObama says he plans to question Clinton's claims of superior experience. LINK
The Texas Two-StepSen. McCain spurs his way to GOP nomination while the Democratic showdown continues. LINK
Interns for the ABC News Political Unit:
The ABC News Political Unit is now seeking three full-time summer interns in Washington, D.C.
The internship begins Monday, May 19, and runs through Friday, Aug. 22.
Not only do Political Unit interns attend political events and contribute to The Note and the politics page of ABCNews.com, they also help us by conducting research, maintaining contact lists, and updating the political schedule.
In order to apply, you MUST be either a graduate student or an undergraduate student who has completed his or her first year of college. The internship is NOT open to recent graduates.
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If you write well, don't mind getting up early, and have some familiarity with web publishing, send a cover letter and resume to teddy.davis@abc.com as soon as possible, with the subject line: "INTERN" in all caps. Please indicate in your cover letter the dates of your availability.