Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida

In a sign that Barack Obama is transitioning to general election mode as he continues to campaign in upcoming primary states, the Obama campaign has scheduled campaign swings through Michigan and Florida in the coming weeks.

Barack Obama's surging presidential campaign announced Monday that he will visit politically neglected Florida and Michigan, as he focuses on a general election strategy with his primary race winding down.

It will be Obama's first time in either state since signing a pledge nine months ago not to campaign in the two states that violated national party rules with early primaries. Obama will have to build relationships in the two critical general election battlegrounds if he wins the Democratic nomination. [...]

On Wednesday, he plans to make two stops in Michigan -- the swing Macomb County and the GOP stronghold of Grand Rapids. He plans to spend three days starting May 21 in Florida, with stops in Tampa, Orlando, Palm Beach County and Miami. The area is a popular stop for political fundraising, but the Obama campaign says the candidate will mostly be appealing for votes.

Note that, in addition, Senator Obama has planned upcoming events in Oregon, whose primary is on May 20, and South Dakota, which votes on June 3, the latter perhaps an acknowledgment that the Obama team is under no illusions that this primary campaign will end before every state and territory has had its say.



Display:


Re: Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida (2.00 / 1)

Interesting schedule.

What about Kentucky?


TexasDarlin blog
by TexasDarlin on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:36:21 PM EST

you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky.. (none / 0)

is a swing state, are you?


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:39:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky (none / 0)

Is this coming from the same camp which suggest North Carolina is a swing state?


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:40:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky (2.00 / 1)

Latest poll has NC within 3 for Obama, and Clinton not getting KY within less than 12. Draw your own conclusions.


by Mullibok on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:52:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky (none / 0)

Maybe the polls in NC are like that b/c they just had a primary there.

Let's take a look at things in a few weeks.

Also, Bill Clinton won WV and KY in '92 and '96. There is no electoral map history for NC going blue since I think Carter in '76.


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:54:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky (none / 0)

Hillary isn't Bill.


by crackerdog on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:18:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky (none / 0)

It's ok to say Hilllary is more electable based on polls yet it's not
ok to say that Obama is more electable based on polls.

Typical.


Mooseburgers? Careful Sarah. Moose bite back!
by spacemanspiff on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:24:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky (none / 0)

Perot was in the race in which dramatically changed the map. You can not use those years as instructive for this years election.


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:21:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

are you complaining that the obama campaign... (none / 0)

wants to put north carolina in play?

kentucky republicans may have had difficulties recently, but i doubt that there are any polls that show it is a competitive state in the fall...


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:56:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Nah, but Clinton will win there, so it counts (none / 0)

in the mind of California Darlin', everyone needs to pay the utmost attention to Clinton-friendly states and ignore the rest.


by JJE on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:42:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky (1.16 / 6)

Obama is the ultimate hypocrite.


by RobinLB on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:03:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hyperbole (none / 0)

And he is history's greatest monster!


www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com
by LandStander on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:50:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hyperbole (none / 0)

You wouldn't think that hyperbole should be TR'able, would you?


by Montague on Tue May 13, 2008 at 09:07:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you aren't honestly trying to suggest kentucky (none / 0)

I agree - he's presently fighting to stop the delegates and popular votes from Michigan and Florida to be counted in order to win by default. Isn't he asking them to bring the vaseline?


by suzieg on Tue May 13, 2008 at 04:09:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

They're all swing states (1.66 / 3)

Every state should be considered a swing state. Writing off 36 states in every election is the old, discredited, DLC strategy.


Hillary: "Her dishonesty is actually honest." -- yellowdem1129
by Kobi on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:55:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: They're all swing states (none / 0)

LOL, you got troll-rated for attacking the DLC.  Mydd has seen better days.


by Skaje on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:49:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: They're all swing states (none / 0)

Polls only mean something when they show Hillary ahead.


Mooseburgers? Careful Sarah. Moose bite back!
by spacemanspiff on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:12:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: They're all swing states (1.50 / 2)

nope, i TR'ed him because he randomly goes around and TR's all of mine. So he got what he has been passing around. he can either learn to deal with it or he can stop being an ass. his choice.


by zerosumgame on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:51:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: They're all swing states (2.00 / 1)

You're a creepy little serial TR abuser. You make a mockery of the privilege. Go ahead and dish it out -- but know you'll get it back in return.


Hillary: "Her dishonesty is actually honest." -- yellowdem1129
by Kobi on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:52:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: They're all swing states (none / 0)

It's only because of the most ridiculous hypocrisy you can still even rec/rate items. You constantly troll rate everything by Obama supporters you even mildly disagree with, Clinton supporters that agree with Obama supporters, etc.


Serious question- Is This Snark?
by ragekage on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:12:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida (2.00 / 1)

He's in Kentucky tonight.


by Piuma on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:47:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida (2.00 / 1)

Be interesting to see how he answers the "seat Florida and Michigan" issue.

My guess is that he'll refer to Clinton's rejection of the plan Michigan proposed, that was backed by all its Democratic representatives.  


John McCain: Healthcare for Kids? In America? No way
by bosdcla14 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:37:08 PM EST

Unfortunately (1.25 / 4)

for Obama, Michiganders are smarter than that.
by linc on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:39:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unfortunately (none / 0)

They're smarter than what?


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:40:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Smarter than Senator Clinton, he means. (none / 0)

Most MI Democrats wanted the delegate compromise Senator Obama agreed to.  I know their state leadership is not happy with Senator Clinton right now.


by McNasty on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:44:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unfortunately (none / 0)

Yawn.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/3/14/1737 20/373


John McCain: Healthcare for Kids? In America? No way
by bosdcla14 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:41:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unfortunately (2.00 / 3)

Yes!  My buddy from Detroit said that if Clinton were given the nomination without him having a chance to vote against her, he and most of Detroit would sit out the election.

He is already pissed that her "votes" are going to count in some way, when he was disenfranchised from voting for his candidate...

Yes, Michiganders ARE smarter than that...


It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)
by LordMike on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:41:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wow! (1.00 / 0)

Is your biddy like the godfather of Detroit? That is so cool!
by linc on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:44:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wow! (2.00 / 4)

You spoke for the entire state of Michigan above, so surely he can speak for just Detroit.


by PSUdan on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:48:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wow! (2.00 / 1)

Yes, he's this guy!

Don't mess with Dr. Detroit!


It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)
by LordMike on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:25:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That (2.00 / 1)

is hillarious- way to one up me! Here is a tip.
by linc on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:44:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: some of us from MI (none / 0)

actually both Obama and Clinton supporters wanted a revote. It would have been possible. But Obama didn't want a revote. I hope he is asked about that.


What would Eleanor Roosevelt do?
by ricardo4 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:10:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: some of us from MI (none / 0)

I hope so, too... that way the public will learn that Clinton supporters in the state democratic party blocked the revote attempts...  actually, it was most democrats in MI "blocking" the attempt... they wouldn't be able to pull it off and still abide by fair voting laws.  Both Hillary and Obama supporters agreed that it couldn't be done.  The national campaigns had nothing to do with it.


It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)
by LordMike on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:24:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: read it on Michigan Liberal (none / 0)

we had extensive coverage of it. for one of the diaries You can't spin this one. The Obama camp stopped the revote by telling the MI dem delegation that they would support it so it wasn't going to fly. Every dem vote was needed because we knew the Repub. weren't going to vote for it. So when Tupac said no, it was dead.


What would Eleanor Roosevelt do?
by ricardo4 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:35:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: read it on Michigan Liberal (none / 0)

I can spin it... the mail in vote could not conform to fair election laws... even the hillary supporters in the legislature agreed (you conveniently left that part out)... Then, a judge said that you couldn't get the list of democrats from the SoS.... that killed any chance of a revote!  Without the lists, the party couldn't do a vote!

Blame the judge, not Barack!


It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)
by LordMike on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:40:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: read it on Michigan Liberal (none / 0)

what are you basing your statements on?  Also there was more than one revote proposal. Do you have some sites that show it wouldn't meet legal requirements, that Clinton Supporters were against it? Did you read any of the Michigan Liberal diaries?


What would Eleanor Roosevelt do?
by ricardo4 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:44:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: read it on Michigan Liberal (none / 0)

Did you miss how Clinton nixed the proposal Michigan Democrats came up with?


Serious question- Is This Snark?
by ragekage on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:14:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: read it on Michigan Liberal (none / 0)

Tupac?


If yer after gettin the honey, then you don't go killing all the bees.
by Fluffy Puff Marshmallow on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:05:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unfortunately (none / 0)

Your right. We are smarter then that. We understand that it was our pathetic legislature that got us into this predicament in the first place.

We want the 59/69 split that was agreed to by the state. Even Clinton supporters agreed to it.

It will be resolved and then we can move on.


John McCain defends Bush's Iraq strategy.
by recusancy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:55:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unfortunately (none / 0)

Michigan given a fresh vote at this point in time would go to Obama....of that I have no doubt. Hillary's likely share of the black vote would be in the 10th of a percentage range.

Me:Proud,Michigan male who supports Obama


by GeeMan on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:59:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida (2.00 / 2)

Be interesting to see how he answers the "seat Florida and Michigan" issue.

I think that's quickly becoming a non-issue. Whether FLA and MI are seated ot not, he still holds his delegate lead. But McCauliffe, Ickes and Dean agree, you can't let states jump the line without some penalty. May seat them at 50%


"No matter what happens, I will work for the nominee of the Democratic Party because we must win in November." -Hillary Clinton
by fugazi on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:44:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida (2.00 / 1)

It's about the only dead horse they have left to beat at this point.


On Nov 4th, Barack Obama officially ends the Southern Strategy....
by WashStateBlue on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:59:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida (none / 0)

True.  The rest of the herd has been pummelled into a fine powder already.


I'm as strong as a bull moose, and you can use me to the limit. - Teddy Roosevelt
by fogiv on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:38:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Seat them at 50% (none / 0)

That's what the Republicans did this year for MI and FL.  Without all the drama.


by McNasty on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:46:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida (none / 0)

My guess is that Obama will assure MI and FL Dems that he'll seat their delegations without mentioning his former challenger.


Hillary: "Her dishonesty is actually honest." -- yellowdem1129
by Kobi on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:50:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Good for Obama. Even though FL and MI (2.00 / 2)

probably feel a little bit like unwanted step-children after violating DNC rules and screwing up the primary season with their schedules, I'm glad he's going to campaign there...it's only a matter of time before he has a lead in those two states (that, apparently, matter).


by darthstar on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:38:13 PM EST

If he gets the nomination (1.50 / 2)

he is going to have to spend way more time in MI and FL than he should have had to- should have revoted- shouldn't have stalled. Boy, if he gets the nod, are we going to struggle when we should have wiped the map clear of red.
by linc on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:38:19 PM EST

it's your first election, isn't it? (1.50 / 2)


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:40:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ha! (2.00 / 1)

was that an Obama supporter poking fun at youth? Ha! Sorry grandpa- try again.
by linc on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:45:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ha! (2.00 / 0)


    Not to mention that now, it's Hillary who is refusing the plan to seat the delegates.

   Just proves she never gave a damn about their rights...only about improving her delegate count.


by southernman on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:57:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes, but the truth is irrelevant here. (none / 0)

Like Idaho, Utah, North Carolina, etc...


by darthstar on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:08:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

i wasn't poking fun at your youth... (2.00 / 0)

assuming that you are young.  and thanks for the grandpa tag.  just had my first grandchild.  not exactly ashamed of that.

i'll let you ponder what i was poking fun at..


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:57:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If he gets the nomination (2.00 / 0)

As I've writtten time and again, the revote idea was a terrible one.  It would have rewarded MI and FL with tie-breaking status after they broke the rules.  If the revote idea would have gone through in March, why shouldn't PA, NC, IN, etc., which followed the rules and patiently waited their turn to vote, be allowed to move their state's primary to some date after scofflaw FL and MI in order to get tie-breaker status?  A revote would just mean chaos.


by Brad G on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:45:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If he gets the nomination (2.00 / 2)

The revote would have resulted in a slew of lawsuits in Michigan.  It was not Obama blocking it, it was the MI Dem party.


by Piuma on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:49:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re not true (none / 0)

Tupac Hunter - Obama supporter blocked it so it couldn't get through for a vote. Do you have a cite for lawsuits? Who would have done a lawsuit? I live in MI didn't here of anyone threatening lawsuit if the revote happened.


What would Eleanor Roosevelt do?
by ricardo4 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:13:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

obama memo explaining this (none / 0)

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2 008/03/19/783219.aspx


by Bucky on Tue May 13, 2008 at 09:02:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If he gets the nomination (2.00 / 1)

I suggest helping Obama instead of hand wringing.


Hillary: "Her dishonesty is actually honest." -- yellowdem1129
by Kobi on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:51:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (2.00 / 1)

1. No more caucus states.

  1. No more favorable demographics.
  2. No more states neighboring Illinois.
  3. No more beating on Hillary by the MSM because they think the race is over.

Obama has his work cut out for him.


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:39:49 PM EST

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

Snark?


My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!
by RLMcCauley on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:42:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

No more favorable demographics?  Then what are Oregon, South Dakota, and Montana?


by Brad G on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:47:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

Primaries.


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:49:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

Primaries...with demographics favorable to Obama, which was your point #2.


by Mullibok on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:53:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

Thank you!


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:55:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

Zeitgeist, you're being a bit incoherent.


by JoeFelice on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:17:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

What charity did you contribute to after our friendly wager RE: Pennsylvania? Just wondering.


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:25:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (2.00 / 1)


   Obama has won several primaries, in addition to caucuses.

   Not to mention that when hillary actually competed for a caucus, she won, (Nevada).

   Why is it Obama's fault that Hillary didn't show up in the others?


by southernman on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:55:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

Her people, her demographic, her base, the casino workers, were actually given the opportunity to leave work and caucus. This didn't occur anywhere else.


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:57:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (2.00 / 2)


   You're mixed up. The casino workers endorsed Obama. Bill Clinton tried to STOP the plan to let them caucus where they work.

  You're a bit mixed up. She won that caucus, despite the huge disadvantage of that union endorsing Obama.

  She won b/c she actually WENT THERE AND WORKED FOR IT!!! I give credit where it is due, she fought for Nevada and won it.

  Why the hell didn't she do that everywhere?


by southernman on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:59:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

"This didn't occur anywhere else."

What about MY state?

Held on a Saturday, and, it's not like Obama supporters don't have to work, or the ELITE folks overwhelmed the poor working class? That's a total myth.

Obama won EVERY COUNTY in WA?  

Of all the completly Bullshit (and, yes, it deserve to be spelt out) arguments the Clinton camp floated, it's "we got beat in the caucus cause OUR voters couldn't get there."

The hard truth is, WunderKind Mark Penn told them "don't worry, it's over on Super Tuesday anyway" so by the time they figured THAT out, they were too late to get a caucus game plan going?

Axelrod knew he couldn't compete with some of the big machine states, so he went where he thought he might win.

And, he did.


On Nov 4th, Barack Obama officially ends the Southern Strategy....
by WashStateBlue on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:05:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

Obama won the WA primary, too!

And not every caucus state votes like a caucus. some, like MN, vote like a primary!


John McCain hates terrorists, except the ones that hate women. Those are just swell.
by terra on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:33:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama won my state (none / 0)

Wisconsin.  A primary, not a caucus, and not a large AA population.  Just an average midwest, middle-class working population, plenty of rural votes, and he won it by a healthy margin.  Sort of pokes a hole in the theory that Obama can't win over certain demographics.  As I see it, the areas he has  problems with suffer from regional trends, not demographic trends.  Obama has a winning map.  Not the same one as Clinton, but a winning one none the less.


by protothad on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:56:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

wishful thinking... (2.00 / 1)

barack obama brings extraordinary advantages to the democratic ballot, one that we've seen for the past four years:

1. dramatic advantage in financial resources

  1. favorable media attention for the democratic candidate
  2. strong and favorable contrasts (vote for the future vs vote for the past; vote against the war vs vote for the war; vote for a break from politics as usual vs vote for continuation of the bush era; etc)
  3. tremendous excitement for the democratic candidate with lower than usual negatives
  4. a candidate who has consistently driven up voter turnout and helped democrats win

i have no idea why you'd prefer that democrats reject those advantages but, thankfully, they haven't...


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:52:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: wishful thinking... (none / 0)

  1. I don't call 200 million v. 220 million dramatic. Relative.
  2. Favorable media attention = pass
  3. Strong and favorable (a. Obama has no political past, so I guess this point applies; b. No one really cares about the war vote, they're too broke; c.) If you think Hillary wants to continue Bush policies, I think you're hitting the Oregon primary hashish a little heavily there, partner.)
  4. The idea of negatives is passe, hackneyed, and overused with Hillary because some people are truly afraid of her ability to win in the G.E.
  5. There's no evidence that both haven't contributed equally, or one candidate over the other.

I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:04:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: wishful thinking... (none / 0)

20 million of hers is debt and 11.4 million is a personal loan.  So it's more like 170 to 220 and that is fairly large


Tony Romo for Secretary of Awesome
by kasjogren on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:10:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

hello, mcfly? are you there, mcfly??? (none / 0)

my points are the advantages that democrats take into the general election.  you are free, like hillary, to continue to contest the primaries, but we are turning the page to the general election -- as we should...


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:21:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: wishful thinking... (none / 0)

Time to start healing.  Get over your anguish that Clinton is losing the nomination.  It was hers for the taking a year ago. She with the incompetent help she hired, lost to Obama, a no name recognition candidate.  I was a Hillary early voter in CA.  I want a dem in the W.H. so I'm going to vote and support our nominee.  No matter how I slice it, that nominee is Obama.  I don't need to batter him--NEITHER DO YOU.  Put your angst on McSame.  We must come together and do this for the sake of our future.  

Furthermore, don't let overzealous Obama supporters drive you to the wrong candidate, or to stay home.  Look at Obama and listen to what he says, and then decide for yourself.  

I have found that by being open and actually listening to what Obama is saying, I have found a lot that I can support.  Maybe it's my 50 years of  age and being a mom of two kids that gives me the ability to be mature enough to consider another contender.  I don't know.  Whatever, it is important for anyone hating the last 8 years to give up the ghost and start healing for the sake of our party's chances to change things for the better.


by citizensane on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:03:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (2.00 / 0)


  Yep. If Obama hadn't have won, he'd have lost. Great point!
by southernman on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:54:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Better Campaign in the Primary (none / 0)

Wow, I didn't know we were bordering on IL out here in WA state?

Or Oregon, where Obama will win in double digits?

That Il, it has ONE MASSIVE Border...


On Nov 4th, Barack Obama officially ends the Southern Strategy....
by WashStateBlue on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:01:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm in CO and we pop across the (none / 0)

state line to IL for lunch all the time. ;)


That One is the Right One for 2008.
by GFORD on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:23:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

it's the barbeque, isn't it? (2.00 / 1)


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:25:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: O Campaign In Michigan and Florida (2.00 / 1)

Maybe he'll agree to a re-vote.  And since he is so flush with cash, maybe he'd be willing to pay for it.  (taxpayers shouldn't have to pay when their original votes are all legit and certified.)


by moevaughn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:41:55 PM EST

Re: O Campaign In Michigan and Florida (2.00 / 0)

Great idea!  Let's reward FL and MI with tie-breaker status after they broke DNC rules.  If that's the case, then why can't any other jurisdiction that followed the rules also have a revote in order to get tie-breaker status?  Our primaries could go on until after the general election!


by Brad G on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:51:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: O Campaign In Michigan and Florida (none / 0)

FL and MI aren't going to be tie breakers. That's why Obama can afford to be magnanimous and seat them to Hillary's advantage after he's officially wrapped it up next week.


Hillary: "Her dishonesty is actually honest." -- yellowdem1129
by Kobi on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:05:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (none / 0)

Who broke the rules?

Not the voters.


by moevaughn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:56:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (none / 0)

The voters, however, voted to put these people in office, and are therefore in part responsible for this mess.


by Brad G on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:57:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

gotta disagree... (none / 0)

while i do think the pols in michigan and florida got carried away with themselves (and i think they should be sanctioned -- allowing no superdelegates from those two states), i don't see how we can blame the voters.  voters don't much care about the internal machinations of political parties, so it's hard to see how they can be blamed for them...


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:16:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: gotta disagree... (none / 0)

voters don't much care about the internal machinations of political parties, so it's hard to see how they can be blamed for them...

Well, maybe after this mess they should start paying a little more attention. In Florida, it was their elected officials that did this to the voters.


by tysonpublic on Tue May 13, 2008 at 08:02:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: gotta disagree... (none / 0)

And yet if I were a Republican and had those same pols, I wouldn't have been disenfranchised. So what is the difference? How the national parties responded.

If EVER the Repubs have a more reasonable response to something, then you should know the Dems have gone overboard.


If Dems take away my primary vote, they don't deserve my general vote.
by Step Beyond on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:22:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: gotta disagree... (none / 0)

And the Repubs were smart to let their candidates campaign in FL and MI -- gave them a headstart.  DNC fell into a Repub trap by srewing their own voters.


by moevaughn on Tue May 13, 2008 at 03:32:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: O Campaign In Michigan and Florida (none / 0)

There's no need for a revote since delegates are what decides the nomination.

As de facto leader of the party after May 20, Obama will seat the delegations of MI and FL and everyone will be content.


Hillary: "Her dishonesty is actually honest." -- yellowdem1129
by Kobi on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:55:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Delegate update, 1:40 pm, CST, 05.12.08 (2.00 / 2)

Obama 4, Clinton 0

For Obama:

Tom Allen, Maine, US Congressman

Dolly Strazar, Hawaii, DNC member

Daniel Akaka, Hawaii, US Senator

Keith Roark, Idaho, DNC member/Idaho Dem Party Chair


by bookish on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:42:35 PM EST

Re: Delegate update, 1:40 pm, CST, 05.12.08 (2.00 / 1)

4-1.  Ciro Rodriguez is endorsing Hillary today.


by Brad G on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:48:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Delegate update, 1:40 pm, CST, 05.12.08 (2.00 / 0)

Again?  How many times do they plan to trot out this endorsement which came on the 9th?


by Piuma on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:52:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Delegate update, 1:40 pm, CST, 05.12.08 (none / 0)

Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, announced Friday night that he is endorsing Clinton.

From the Houston Chronicle, May 9, 2008.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hots tories/5768673.html


by bookish on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:55:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Why? (none / 0)

He will lose both of them along with WV,KY and PR.


by gotalife on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:49:57 PM EST

Re: Why? (none / 0)


   LOL...are you serious? No way he loses OR, MT or SD.

  They split the final 3, and the math goes from grim to hopeless for Hillary Clinton.


by southernman on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:53:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's all about the general election now (none / 0)

So what if he wins any of the remaining primaries.  He can't win the general because it's elections only (no caucuses) and winner take all.  

If the Dem nomination process was winner take all, he'd be behind in delegates right now.  The electoral college is winner take all, and it just ain't gonna happen for him.


by RobinLB on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:21:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

defeatism has a strong democratic tradition... (none / 0)

now we know it continues to this day!!!

i sure hope you won't be too sad when we are inaugurating president obama...


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:24:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The general election is (none / 0)

winner take all?  When did this happen?  This will shock the DNC when they find out.  They will immediately want to nominate the person who had the popular vote in states where Democrats always win.

If I were you, I'd send them an email letting them know ASAP so they can change the primary rules.


That One is the Right One for 2008.
by GFORD on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:33:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's all about the general election now (none / 0)


   Primaries are different from general elections.

  Our rules are our rules. Just b/c your candidate couldn't win with them  is no reason to take the nomination away from the man who did.

  Not to mention that Obama has won several primaries in addition to caucuses. Your argument is ridiculous.


by southernman on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:49:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's all about the general election now (none / 0)

The argument may well prove prescient.  Obama won "several" primaries?  How many is several balanced against 50 states?  Personally I don't believe Obama can win either the popular or the EC vote over McCain.  People here in the blogosphere like to call McCain old and doddering and out of touch and rightwing, but to the MSM and a lot of voters, he is a maverick, a straighter talker, and a war hero.  Even Hillary would have a devil of a time against him.  It's just that Hillary might be able to beat him; Obama's chances are worse.


by Montague on Tue May 13, 2008 at 12:48:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

barackobama.com says 32 of 48... (none / 0)

impressive, eh?  it is really amazing when you think about just how poorly hillary has done -- especially after she spent eight years planning this thing!  a monumental failure that we will mull over for years.

i understand that you don't really pay attention to campaigns, and you are a defeatist (which definitely has a tradition in democratic politics), but your analysis is fatally flawed.  no, barack is not a woman, but he offers a far stronger contrast to mccain than hillary could.  barack gets the "change" mantle, while hillary could never credibly claim it (because she was a clinton, not because she was a woman).  barack opposed the war and can contrast that with mccain's support of it.  mccain's criticism of bush -- far more vocal than hillary's until she noticed that people didn't support her position -- would have made that a muddled position if he ran against hillary.  in the end, hillary's strengths (leadership and experience) paled considerably when compared to mccain's strengths in the same area.  they would have run on the same message, which would have benefited mccain, since hillary energized conservatives and divided progressives.  

while hillary's campaign was truly awful, barack's campaign clearly outclassed mccain's.  and barack has gotten favorable media attention, something that hillary could never have counted on.  only in bizarro world was hillary a stronger general election candidate than barack.  you are free to believe that -- this is america! -- but all you offer is hyperbole in support of it...


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Tue May 13, 2008 at 09:12:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's all about the general election now (none / 0)


   Montague,

  So far, Obama and Clinton have won 17 primaries each. Hillary has won NO MORE primaries than Obama. That will likely change with West VA, which means she's won ONE MORE than Obama...and I'm not counting Guam, which technically Obama won.

  Against all 50 states, Obama tied Hillary in primaries, and beat her like a drum in caucuses. Your argument that she can win more primaries is nonsense. She hasn't even done that yet.


by southernman on Tue May 13, 2008 at 06:58:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's all about the general election now (none / 0)

STOP THE NEGATIVISM.  You are becoming your own worst enemy for changing the future of our country.   It is time to heal, and all of us to come together and support the nominee.  I know it is not officially over yet, but the writing is on the wall.  At the very least, it is time to stop bad-mouthing our party's front runner. Please do our party a favor and stay of the blogs with your pessimism.  Take a breather, cry your eyes out for a day, then come back and be prepared to help get our candidate elected!

FYI, I was a Hillary early voter in CA.  However, I am a DEM first, and I want a Dem in the W.H.  Are you a Hillary supporter first, and Dem second?  Wrong priorities!


by citizensane on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:10:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's all about the general election now (none / 0)

Enough with the holier-than-thouism.  Please don't parrot nonsense like "heal" - it's too reminiscent of Obama's wife saying that he's the only one who can heal the nation.  Give me a break.  That's insulting.  Obama had early campaign advertising saying he was "called" to office.  What did that make me think of?  Junior Bush.  Ugh.

Because I am Democrat, I'm more interested in strong Democratic voices in the Congress.  That's more important than the presidency, IF they do their job as a co-equal branch of government.  I'm not going to waste my time this fall with the presidential race, since it's almost certain to be lost.  Congress, statehouses, governorships - that's where the action is.


by Montague on Tue May 13, 2008 at 12:53:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Its all about knowing the rules of the game (none / 0)

Obama looked at the rules in place for the Dem primary and figured out a strategy for winning.  That same skill will serve him in the General election.  He is already implementing the GE plan... that is what the Vote for Change voter registration drive is about.  They've done an exhaustive analysis of the polls/demographics and figured out the path to victory.  All those states that are currently polling at the margin are going to tip toward the blue.  It is going to be freakin tidal wave.

No more negative looser talk.  We are going to kick ass this year.  This is the election we take our country back from the lying, torturing, war-profiteering, budget busting neocon f*cks, and I am not letting any pessimistic post primary depression get in the way!


by protothad on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:31:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

May I ask your age? (none / 0)

I have to wonder if you have been alive for many campaigns?  Whenever anybody says things like "freakin tidal wave" and "kick ass" I start to worry about their analytical ability.  You think we didn't want to kick the chimp's ass in 2004?  That didn't turn out so well.  A sweetly named Vote for Change drive is not going to be enough.  It's nice, it's good to get more people registered, but this country is not Big Blue.  It just isn't.  And all your admiration of Obama ain't gonna make it so.

Furthermore, Obama didn't figure out a strategy for winning.  He hired a team that did that.  The strategy has worked well for the Democratic primary.  Whether they can shift gears to a GE strategy remains to be seen.  But I doubt it.  I've seen too many horrors happen - Nixon, Reagan, the chimp.


by Montague on Tue May 13, 2008 at 12:58:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

you honestly feel like you can ask??? (none / 0)

given your atrocious analytical skills?

you clearly have no idea about political campaigns or what has worked.  while you naively -- but sarcastically -- dismiss voter registration "because it won't be enough" you are dismissing a long history of successful democratic campaigns that changed the electorate and won because of it.

and you naively assume that this is the only element of obama's strategy.  given your previous comments, no one can be surprised at such idiocy.  if you think that obama's strategy is due to axelrod and plouffe, you are beyond naive.  they lost the detroit mayor's race -- one that the axelrod candidate had a 20 point lead -- because they didn't do field.  axelrod's campaigns have consistently neglected field, yet you want to credit barack's tremendous field effort to the team "he hired???"

like i said, you had already shown yourself to possess bad analytical skills.  what you miss -- because you choose to miss it -- is that barack has a strong sense of timing matched only by his ability as a strategic thinker.  he learned the lessons from the dean campaign, from the harold washington campaign, from the clinton campaigns, etc, and has sought to apply them here.  axelrod could have learned them, and there is a reason that steve hildebrand was forceably promoted from national field director to deputy campaign manager.  but you just don't get it.

i don't see how you ever will.  we can lead you to the truth, but we can't make you think...


"This is the time for resolve and steady leadership" -- Barack Obama
by bored now on Tue May 13, 2008 at 09:22:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm 40, if it matters... (none / 0)

And my post was obviously more cheer leading than detailed analysis, so I think your criticism is misplaced.  Of course Obama has a team working on this (its not all him), and it is going to take a lot work to make it happen (not just cheering)... but it is DEFINITELY not going to happen if we all take your pessimistic attitude.  Obama's team does have a great record so far with strategic planning, and there are a lot of fundamental currents in the electorate that are flowing in our direction... so there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.


by protothad on Tue May 13, 2008 at 01:58:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's all about the general election now (none / 0)


   He's won several elections Robin. Not just caucuses. He's won several primaries as wel....the EXACT # as Hillary Clinton actually.
by southernman on Tue May 13, 2008 at 06:56:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why? (none / 0)

And she still will finish more than 100 pledged delegates -- the only metric that decides the nominee -- behind him.


by Brad G on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:55:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why? (none / 0)

What?  You mean he may lose Puerto Rico in the general election?


by Skaje on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:58:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sorry Todd (1.50 / 2)

Hillary didn't care about states after February 5th as she stated she would have the nomination wrapped up then. I'm just not feeling her pain right now.


by sweet potato pie on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:03:48 PM EST

Re: Obama To Campaign In Michigan and Florida (1.33 / 3)

I think it is time we start donating to Bob Barr


Matthew25Network.com
by cardboard 1 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:11:06 PM EST

Cleanup in aisle 7! (none / 0)

Can I get a troll banning over here, ASAP?


by McNasty on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:49:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Also ban his buddy "sricki" (1.00 / 1)

Who thinks Bob Barr supporters deserve mojo here.

Shoo, you little turds!


by McNasty on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:50:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Also ban his buddy "sricki" (none / 0)

Read what I said below. Cardboard is an OBAMA SUPPORTER!


Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.
by sricki on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:54:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Also ban his buddy "sricki" (none / 0)

Oh, and TR'd for jumping to idiotic conclusions and calling people turds. Think before you type.


Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.
by sricki on Mon May 12, 2008 at 03:56:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Also ban his buddy "sricki" (none / 0)

Look, I hate to stand up for Obama supporters but he was not suggesting voting for Barr, but for encouraging his campaign.  In Pennsylvania for instance, Ron Paul got about 16 percent of the pug vote against MCCain.  Ron Paul looks a lot like Barr in some issues such as abolishing the IRS and being against preemptive strikes such as what we did in Iraq.  So there is a good chance that he could take a lot of votes from McCain.  Seeeeee?


by Scotch on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:02:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Also ban his buddy "sricki" (none / 0)

Well at least you said why you were troll-rating.  I do always encourage people to do that.


Matthew25Network.com
by cardboard 1 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:07:22 PM EST
[ Parent ] </