How Hillary Beat the System

We were shocked by this stunning show of emotion. We were awestruck by the sudden sense of "unstoppability" surrounding Barack Obama. It seemed like New Hampshire was ready to launch a new political superstar and put an end to a truly great woman's historic run for the White House.

But in one day, everything changed. John Zogby couldn't believe it. The media punditocracy tried to spin it away. But ultimately, the nation was shocked to find... THAT HILLARY CLINTON KNOWS HOW TO BEAT THE SYSTEM AND WIN!

Follow me after the flip as we analyze how Hillary took on the system... AND WON...

So what happened? How did Hillary come from behind to win? The media was ready to declare her dead. How did they get it so damn wrong?

Well, let's start by looking at her good old-fashioned hard work. While everyone else was fawning over the new "frontrunner", Hillary's team in New Hampshire kept up their ground game and put together a great field operation. Basically, the media was missing the real story as it was on a mission to craft its narrative.

And in the end, that's what led to this.

So what should we learn from this historic upset? Well, quite a bit actually! Hillary's victory speech last night revealed that despite what others say about her, she's ready to work her heart out for us:

For all the ups and downs of this campaign, you helped remind
everyone that politics isn't a game. This campaign is about people.
It's about making a difference in your lives. It's about making sure
that everyone in this country has the opportunity to live up to his
or her God-given potential. That has been the work of my life.

We are facing a moment of so many big challenges. We know we face
challenges here at home, around the world, so many challenges for the
people whose lives I've been privileged to be part of. I've met
families in this state and all over our country who have lost their
homes to foreclosures. Men and women who work day and night but can't
pay the bills and hope they don't get sick because they can't afford
health insurance. Young people who can't afford to go to college to
pursue their dreams.

Too many have been invisible for too long. Well, you are not
invisible to me.

The oil companies, the drug companies, the health insurance
companies, the predatory student loan companies have had seven years
of a president who stands up for them. It's time we had a president
who stands up for all of you.

I intend to be that president, to be a president who puts you first -
your lives, your families, your children, your future. I believe
deeply in America, in our can-do spirit, in our ability to meet any
challenge and solve any problem. I believe in what we can do
together. In the future, we will build together. There will be no
more invisible Americans. So we're going to take what we've learned
here in New Hampshire, and we're going to rally on and make our case.
We are in it for the long run.

And that is because we are in it for the American people. This
victory will serve notice that people across our country know what's
really at stake, that we will all be called upon to deliver on the
promise of America.

For quite a while, I've heard the accusations that Hillary isn't a true agent of change. I've heard all the moaning about how Hillary supposedly isn't on our side. But if anything, last night proved to us just how hard Hillary is willing to work for real change for real people.

Against all odds, Hillary's been working hard for us. Whether it's for universal health care or for better education for our children or for women's rights and human rights, we know Hillary puts her heart and soul into putting people first and working for the real change that makes people's lives better. And no matter how much the right-wing attack machine and the big media pundits try to stop her, Hillary always comes out fighting and comes out winning.

That's why Nevada's great Democratic Congresswoman, Shelley Berkley, is supporting Hillary.

"When I first met Hillary years ago I was struck by the depth of her caring and knowledge of the concerns of my fellow Nevadans. And I have always been impressed that she is ready, able, and willing to take action. Her record against Yucca Mountain is 100% on the side of Nevada. I know first hand her tenacious advocacy for family health care, veteran's services, education, and affordable housing - and have no doubt Hillary Clinton has the strength, knowledge, courage, and vision to be a President who will lead by action to solve our great challenges at home and abroad."

Against all odds, Hillary knows how to beat the system. She's in it to win it for us. She's ready to work hard and succeed in delivering the changes we so need on foreign policy, health care, climate change & energy, the economy, and so much more.

So will you join Hillary in this historic fight? I will! In fact, I will be traveling to Las Vegas late next week to help Hillary win the Nevada Caucus! This election is just too important for me not to get active, so I intend to do whatever I can to help Hillary beat the odds and win the jackpot for all of us!

If Hillary can beat the system and win for us, then we can stand up and help her make history! :-)



Display:


Tips? Flames? Suggestions? (2.00 / 6)

You know what to do! :-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 06:19:20 PM EST

Re: Tips? Flames? Suggestions? (2.00 / 2)

Yes, I have a suggestion for you:  

Would you please keep writing this well?  You always give me a lift!  


by susanhu on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:43:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks, Susan! (2.00 / 1)

Well, I try. Oh yes, and I hope to continue seeing more of your writing here. That always makes me think as you report the real facts.


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:53:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

an historic upset (2.00 / 4)

turns out working moms, single moms, working class folks came out to vote for her.  They know she's got them on the top of her priorities, because that's who she's always worked to help.  She's a real old-fashioned Democrat who will both repair the Bush damage and improve all our lives, with universal kindergarten, college or training school post high school, tax credits to bring jobs to inner cities, better law enforcement in our crime ridden and forgotten neighborhoods. Anyone watch The Wire.  A great place like Baltimore needs help too.  


what a relief
by anna shane on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 06:25:19 PM EST

The Wire (2.00 / 3)

Greatest TV series, ever. And it shows a great deal about how politics works. Lessons here for starry-eyed idealists and tough realists both.


by Coral on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 06:34:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Wire (2.00 / 1)

Ahhh, but according to this link, "The Wire" is Obama's favorite show!  (Hillary prefers Grey's Anatomy.)


"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman
by Steve M on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:09:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Wire (2.00 / 1)

I'm gonna have to go with Obama on this one.  Absolutely amazing show.


"It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety". Salvor Hardin
by Denny Crane on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:10:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes, it truly is! (2.00 / 2)

Just when the entire big media punditocracy was ready to write Hillary's political epitaph... She comes roaring back to stun them all!! And yes, real working class folks came out in HUGE numbers to vote for Hill because they know that she's the real deal to bring about real change.

And if Hillary's able to do all of this and change the entire political landscape in one day, then you bet I'll do whatever I can to make sure this wonderful woman becomes our next President! :-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 06:35:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wowza! (2.00 / 1)

I cannot wait for my wife or I to get those college loans so that we can get to work in an inner city Walmart.  Oh, I forgot...Hillary did not do that much work on the Wlamart board of trustees.  And oh yeah, I heard Bill was recently gettin together with Walmart on environmental stewardship?  I wonder if they checked out those factories in China spewing their pollutiuon in the air, while dominating Walmarts product line.  Or maybe I will go to work in a Tyson/illegal alien sweatshop...I mean, chicken factory/biological nightmare.  Do you think that these chincken factories and Walmart, coming out of Arkansas...and with Clinton interactions throughout their political life is good for working class moms?  If you do, then good luck.  Are you from the working class?


by msnstd on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:47:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wowza! (2.00 / 1)

as a matter of fact Clinton did do a lot of good while serving on their board.  Look it up.

and working to get them to go as green as possible is a good thing.  


ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 05:24:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Yep, Hillary was the one... (none / 0)

Speaking up for better working conditions, more fairness for women, and better environmental standards when she was on the Wal-Mart board. And when she saw that wasn't happening, she resigned. So why now does everyone want to condemn Hillary for fighting for change while she was on the board? Gimme a break!


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 08:35:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Some Working Class State (none / 0)

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/stat e13.prn.

While I have no doubt every state has some working class people, here are some intersting statisitcs from the Census bureau.  Median household income in 1990 for New Hampshire was $40805 which was the best, #1 ranking in the USA.  Turns out the Clintons were not so good for the economy there.  By 1995, New Hampshires median household income had fallen to $39,171, which placed it at #8 in the nation.  


by msnstd on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:03:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Some Working Class State (2.00 / 1)

This is the first time I have ever heard someone blame Bill Clinton for the 1991 recession.


"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman
by Steve M on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:24:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Some Working Class State (2.00 / 1)

Well, outside of Rush Limbaugh, that is.


by georgep on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:45:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (none / 0)

Will Hillary pick up more seats in Congress for us?  Any candidate who can't do that is useless to the party.  


by Toddwell on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 06:54:34 PM EST

I think so... (2.00 / 2)

Did you see how HUGE the turnout was in New Hampshire last night? So many working people, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, are really enthusiastic about Hillary. I have no doubt that as our nominee, she can not only win the Presidency, but also help us give so many women throughout this nation a reason to vote to break the final Glass Ceiling in Washington. And as a result, I think we'll do mighty fine in picking up COngressional seats. ;-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:02:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 1)

Expect Democrats running for the House to from Clinton like the plague.  


by Toddwell on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:44:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 1)

Yeah, that'll happen.  The candidate who has come through a tough nomination process by bringing out record turnout (new record for women voting) in places like New Hampshire will be disdained and avoided like the plague.   Makes as much sense as the idea that Hillary won NH because of Diebold cheating.  


by georgep on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:48:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (none / 0)

Do you think this will be of any help to embattled freshmen like Baron Hill, Gabby Giffords, Steve Kagen, Nick Lampson, Tim Mahoney, and Chris Carney?


by Toddwell on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:53:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 1)

Of course it will.   Clinton will bring out a record amount of women to the voting booths (alongside most likely record amounts of Hispanics, a historically high black turnout, etc.)   That will benefit everybody who happens to be on that same ballot, naturally.  


by georgep on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 10:06:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I couldn't have said it better, George! (none / 0)

How will Hillary help downticket? Oh, she'll only provide inspiration for all the women in this nation who feel that it's time for that HUGE glass ceiling in Washington needs to be broken! Oh yes, and Hillary will inspire so many minority and LGBT voters to come out and vote because we'll have a candidate who really understands our issues! For all the naysayers who think Hillary's "bad" for our downticket races, I think they so easily forget how having such a fantastic woman on the top of our ticket will inspire so many people to come out and be a part of making HERstory! :-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 12:58:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 1)

How about the Conservative voters in these districts(there are a lot of them) that show up in droves to vote against Hillary, who might not have been enthused enough to vote if the nominee was say Obama or Edwards?  Ill tell you right now, if Hillary does not pick us up at least 5 seats in the House, three in the Senate, one governorship and about 100 state legislative seats nationwide, her campaign will have been a huge failure.  


by Toddwell on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 01:17:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 1)

I don't necessarily believe that Clinton would be the catalyst for us picking up 3 Senate seats, 5 House seats, etc.  Many of those types of races are decided by who runs, what the national mood is, etc.  I believe we would be hard pressed to not win 3 Senate seat, given how many Senate seats Repugs have to defend (22 vs. our 11) and the retirements on top.  

I just don't see this conservative backlash against Hillary.  Whatever little there would be would be more than made up by Hillary delivering an absolutely historical woman vote and the other constituencies already listed above.  For the most part they'll be concerned about their own prospect, with conservatives VERY unhappy about BOTH Huckabee AND McCain winning the first 2 states, with the concerto in the right-wing punditry having it that Huckabee is only in this race to help kick Romney out of the race, so his buddy McCain can win the nomination and make him VP.   They'll be breaking off from the GOP big-time if hated Huckabee or McCain make it through (or even worse, both holding hands together as a team.)  Listening to Limblob, Hannity, on my car radio is very instrumental in realizing what it is conservative fear the most:  Huckabee or McCain, who are now both disdained beyond repair within that group.   Hillary will be the least of their worries.


by georgep on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 05:07:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 1)

yes she will. She will bring lots of women to the polls as well as union voters.  Women and union members vote more for democrats.  Clinton will be great for down ticket races.  All these young male independents who Obama is bringing in are much more likely to split their vote.


ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 05:27:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 3)

I sent her a hundred bucks this morning.


"It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety". Salvor Hardin
by Denny Crane on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:09:43 PM EST

You rock, Denny! (2.00 / 1)

I'm sure that $100 will go a LONG way to helping us win Nevada, the nomination, and thw White House this fall! If we all give what we can, we can join Hillary in making real change that puts people first! :-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:17:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 3)

I signed up to have an auto monthly debit taken from my checking account. Go Hillary!


by lonnette33 on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:17:06 PM EST

You rock, lonnette! (2.00 / 1)

You're doing a LOT to help Hillary win this for all of us! All the good work you and the other Hillary supporters here on MyDD are giving me encouragement to do whatever I can to help this amazing woman make history with us!

Because of all of you, I'll be off to Nevada next week! :-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:19:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You rock, lonnette! (2.00 / 1)

wow, good for you.  I wish I could join you.  


ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 05:29:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Like framecop? (none / 0)

Sorry, but if all you have to offer is unproven, ridiculous assertions, then I think there isn't much left for the anti-Hillary forces to attack her with. ;-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:51:02 PM EST

what system... (2.00 / 1)

...did Hillary beat exactly? Oh yea...the pollsters (including her own). So what!? What does that prove about her campaign? Nothing.

Hillary lucked out by having the pollsters mess up so she kind of beat expectations. She was always suppose to  NH for god sake! Remember NH was her 'firewall'. It's her back yard and her constituency (lily white, east coast).

Obama never should have had a chance.  The fact that he did says something about his campaign that's for sure.


by JoeCoaster on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:07:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: what system... (2.00 / 3)

The media for the most part was trying to bury her, write her obituaries.   The media is learning to their chagrin that they are not as all-powerful in making or breaking a candidate as they used to be.  The PEOPLE have spoken, polls and media pundocracy be damned.


by georgep on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:50:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: what system... (2.00 / 3)

BTW, "always supposed to win NH" makes little sense.  We were told by everyone (including yourself) that the Iowa bounce would be legendary, that Obama would be riding the wave to immortality.   HE was supposed to win NH by middle-double digits towards a 20% margin, for crying out loud.  You know it, everybody here knows it.  Don't come back with "she was supposed to win NH."  Then where was that heralded Iowa bounce?  19% it was said to be for sure (the average of previous Iowa bounces,) and probably more, given the excitement surrounding the movement and the shallowness of Hillary's support.   Let's not rewrite one-day old history here.


by georgep on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 10:03:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Gimme a break! (2.00 / 1)

Seriously, you're not helping yourself here. Take a deep breath, get some sleep tonight, and come back here tomorrow morning without the tinfoil hat. Believe me, we'll then have a MUCH BETTER conversation! ;-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 01:00:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't want someone who (2.00 / 2)

"represents change"  I want a candidate who has actually made change happen in people's lives.

GO HILLARY!


ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 05:34:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Precisely! (none / 0)

Hillary doesn't just talk about "change"... She works hard to MAKE IT HAPPEN! That's the difference here. When other candidates talk, Hillary acts. That's why she earned my vote! :-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 08:38:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (2.00 / 1)

yeah that's why she won IA.


ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 05:30:07 AM EST

Re: How Hillary Beat the System (none / 0)

uh...Hillary IS the system.


by the mollusk on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 10:36:07 AM EST

If Hillary wins the Democrats lose (none / 0)

Her negatives are way too high.  You may be high on the idea of a woman president - so am I. Hillary is the wrong one.  She cannot get elected.  The Republicans know it an are salivating for a chance to savage her.  


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 10:53:30 AM EST

If Hillary wins the Democrats lose (none / 0)

Her negatives are way too high.  You may be high on the idea of a woman president - so am I. Hillary is the wrong one.  She cannot get elected.  The Republicans know it an are salivating for a chance to savage her.  


Listening comes first
by Moonwood on Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 11:05:31 AM EST


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