MyDD :: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight

The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight

by Todd Beeton, Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:20:39 PM EST

I have to say Senator Claire McCaskill is turning into my favorite Obama surrogate. It was a really smart decision for them to start putting her out there instead of losers like Tom Daschle and Ed Schultz. On MSNBC a few minutes ago, she just, as always, succinctly and charmingly communicated the Obama message out of tonight:

For Senator Obama to have had the three weeks he's had, and what he's had to fight back from, for him to put the most delegates on the board tonight, which it appears we may do, is remarkable. It shows that he is ready for the general election, it shows that he can be straightforward and honest with the American people and they relate to that as opposed to any of the election pandering or gimmicks that were going on on the other side. So I think this is shaping up to be a pretty good night for us tonight.

Considering the size of Obama's likely NC victory, it's starting to look like this will be the gist of the message that wins the night.

Tags: 2008 presidential election, democratic nomination, barack obama, claire mccaskill (all tags)

Permalink :: 46 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

well, if these numbers stick in N.C. (anything over 20%), i'll be incredibly surprised. Didn't seem possible. One thing is certain though. if Obama is doing the closing (on the polls), he'll certainly lose a larger percentage of last minute voters. If Clinton is the one closing, she'll certainly lose a larger percentage of last minute voters.

by alex100 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:23:33 PM EST

Slightly off-topic... (none / 0)

Claire McCaskill for V-P! (if not HRC)

I can't think of any Democrat who comes across better on TV than Senator McCaskill....

Clinton Democrats care about the same things I do, most importantly beating John McCain.

by TrueBlueCT on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:02:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

Are you following the Axelrod press conference?

I didn't think I'd find a campaign director that I liked less than Penn or Rove. Axelrod takes the cake - I've counted about half-dozen outright lies so far, and more petty insults than I can count.

by bobbank on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:24:14 PM EST

I'm an Obama guy, but I agree... (none / 0)

The only thing I like about Axelrod is his ability to win...

Clinton Democrats care about the same things I do, most importantly beating John McCain.

by TrueBlueCT on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:52:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (2.00 / 1)

They can spin it like they want, but Hillary won the state that he was suppose to win, and even predicted on his spread sheet. He is losing in a landslide there, especially among the white voters.

Steven Shaman Publisher Skywatch-Media News

by steve468 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:24:15 PM EST

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

The polling doesn't support your assertion so it looks like you're the spinner.

My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!

by RLMcCauley on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:25:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

I believe concerning the white vote, Obama cannot break forty. We can' t win the GE with those numbers. Oh, that's right! Whites aren't a desirable demo, are they, now that Brazille has thrown half the party under the bus.

by bird52 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:30:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (2.00 / 1)

Right, and here's where I say "see how you do with 8% of the black vote". Yawn.

Primary results aren't the same thing as general election results - if they were, both candidates would be screwed.

by Mostly on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:33:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

Finally the reality check we have all been waiting for. If Obama takes flak for not carrying rural low-income whites (not a reliable Democratic demographic) then Clinton has to take that same flak for not carrying blacks (a huge Democrat demographic).

"We have said since Iowa that this is a race for delegates."
-Howard Wolfson

by belicheat on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:02:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

HRC got less than 7% of the African American vote in North Carolina. In December, I wouldn't have believe that was even possible.

How can she win with that? Further, how can our down ticket candidates win if AAs stay home / don't vote democratic in the fall?

the third eye does not weep. it knows.

by mijita on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:49:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (2.00 / 1)

Actually he can win the GE with 40% of the white vote.

My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!

by RLMcCauley on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:50:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

Lanslide?

Yeah, a 6% "landslide". And with Lake County yet to report a single vote.

Oh, what a "landslide" ...

by Collideascope on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:15:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

Other than a months old internal prediction from the Obama campaign, who said Obama was going to win IN? Cinton's been favored heavily for a long time.

John McCain

by Mandoliniment on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:16:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Is Ed Schultz officially part of the (none / 0)

campaign or is he just asked to appear by networks? How does that work?

My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!

by RLMcCauley on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:24:22 PM EST

Re: Is Ed Schultz officially part of the (none / 0)

He's a freelancer.

It's the reason I'm in this thread: calling Ed Schulz an Obama surrogate is like calling Pat Buchanan a Clinton surrogate.

by Mostly on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:34:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is Ed Schultz officially part of the (none / 0)

Heh. That would just be mean. Even if Pat hearts Hillary right now.

My candidate lost fair and square. So did yours. Get over it and let's kick McSame's ass!

by RLMcCauley on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:49:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (2.00 / 1)

It's true. Obama will win more delegates and popular votes today, even if Clinton gets the same percentage win in Indiana, due to North Carolina being bigger.

Just 218 pledged delegates left after tonight (and 270 superdelegates, 54 of those being add-ons yet to be selected).

by Skaje on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:24:56 PM EST

Wow (none / 0)

Axelrod actually just said that Clinton only won Indiana because of Rush Limbaugh.

Unbelievable.

by bobbank on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:25:09 PM EST

Re: Wow (none / 0)

And the media will regurgitate Axelrod's heavy spin without question or remorse, just as they have the entire campaign.

The fix was in on this one since the convention speech before Obama was even in the Senate. He's been groomed for quite awhile. Axelrod's first "hope" template was the Deval Patrick campaign, a dry run for what we'll be stuck with now.

by Jim J on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:28:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wow (none / 0)

Actually, I believe John Edwards in 2004 was Axelrods first "Hope" candidate.

by Mostly on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:35:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wow (2.00 / 1)

I don't have a link, but one exit poll I read earlier in the night indicated that 19% of primary voters plan to vote for McCain in the general. Of these, 87% indicated that they voted for Clinton. If this is true, and the numbers tighten somewhat, then Axelrod might just be right.

by Clancy on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:34:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wow (2.00 / 1)

Why is it unbelievable? The number of Clinton voters who in exit polls say they will not support the nominee is alarmingly high. It was 5 percent of her number in Mississippi - that's already an incredibly high number.

I would expect it to go up. What would you do if you were politically motivated, unscrupulous, and Republican? You'd vote for Hillary - no matter which candidate you ultimately want to face, a vote for Clinton at least extends the primary.

by Mostly on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:39:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wow (none / 0)

Oops - that should read "will not support the nominee no matter who it is."

by Mostly on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:40:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

I'm looking at the NC State Elections board and only 2 counties have been counted.

Scotland County (where my family is from and still live- rural) has not reported yet. Before the Obama camp starts jumping all over the racially split race he just won, they should wait to see all the number.

And has the mail in ballots been counted yet?

by stefystef on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:25:44 PM EST

The Hard Mathematic Fact (none / 0)

If Obama gets even a small net gain in both pledged delegates and popular vote from today's primaries, it will be a huge loss for Hillary's campaign.

Let the children lose it Let the children use it Let all the children boogie

by toyomama on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:26:39 PM EST

Re: The Hard Mathematic Fact (none / 0)

I think Hillary will do very well in IN to negate anything from NC. Hillary is showing that Obama can't win blue states or the Blue Dog Democrats. Obama's support from white voters is decreasing dramatically.

And this is a problem. You can't win the General on just black voters and a handful of students.

by stefystef on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:29:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Hard Mathematic Fact (none / 0)

Count the net delegates at the end of the day.
If Obama nets more pledged delegates from the two primaries, it's a huge win, period.

Let the children lose it Let the children use it Let all the children boogie

by toyomama on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:33:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Hard Mathematic Fact (none / 0)

Obama can't win blue states?

Gosh, I didn't know that that Illinois, Vermont, Wisconsin, Iowa, Washington, Minnesota, Maryland, DC, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine and Hawaii had turned into Republican strongholds all of a sudden.

by Last Frontier Democrat on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:36:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Hard Mathematic Fact (none / 0)

Obama's support among white voters is not, in fact, decreasing. It's been rising since Ohio.

by Mostly on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:41:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Hard Mathematic Fact (none / 0)

Shhh... just nod and smile.

John McCain

by Mandoliniment on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:19:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/ NC/1875/3225/en/summary.html

North Carolina state election board website.

by stefystef on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:26:47 PM EST

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

It's just that, spin, supported by a totally compliant media that makes no attempt to hide its open support of Obama.

Our entire democracy has essentially turned into American Idol -- first railroaded into Bush by the media, and now Obama. In each case it's simply a matter of personality. America has become a weak country with no convictions to speak of.

by Jim J on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:27:00 PM EST

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (2.00 / 2)

"It's just that, spin, supported by a totally compliant media that makes no attempt to hide its open support of Obama."

That's right. They're so supportive. I mean they didn't say anything about that Rev. Wright guy or about those "bitter, clingy" rural voters. Yeah, they're totally in the tank for him.

Give me a break.

by chewie5656 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:07:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

no spin here (none / 0)

14 days to victory.

Our Moment Is Now

by mboehm on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:28:52 PM EST

Next Axelrod outrage (none / 0)

Axelrod says that Obama went into North Carolina at a substantial disadvantage, due to the Governor's endorsement.

by bobbank on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:30:30 PM EST

With the racial split that Obama turns up... (none / 0)

the Dems will lose in November.

I'm sorry to have to say it and I know you will all attack me as a racist....but somebody has to address this issue.

Obama cannot win with these demographics.

by CoyoteCreek on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:31:51 PM EST

Re: With the racial split that Obama turns up... (none / 0)

Look at Jerome's map on the front page. According to it, Obama is beating McCain.

Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius

by Blue Neponset on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:54:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sorry, it won't happen. (none / 0)

by CoyoteCreek on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:58:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Right (none / 0)

Why let data or common sense prevent a good line of attack?

Obama will carry white Democrats by a very healthy margin in November, and if (somehow) Clinton is the nominee, she will carry African-Americans by at least the 88 percent that Kerry carried them at. Some might not be as enthusiastic, but there will not be an enormous divide in the Democratic Party come November.

The "racial split," as you call it, is a primary season thing only.

Walberg Watch - Following Radical Conservative Rep. Tim Walberg in MI-07

by Fitzy on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:11:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sorry, it won't happen. (none / 0)

Just saying "Obama won't win" doesn't make it true. You also have to prove that Clinton would do better. And there is no evidence to support that. Hell, she is 4% into the negative on popularity ratings! How the f*** do you win the presidency when more than 1 in 2 Americans has a negative view of you?

"We have said since Iowa that this is a race for delegates."
-Howard Wolfson

by belicheat on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:19:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Clinton Spin is on the Front Page (none / 0)

It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama

by Lefty Coaster on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:33:07 PM EST

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

Obama may have won the nomination tonight.

Obama/Warner 2008

by MissVA on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:35:49 PM EST

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

Easy to see why McCaskill is in the Senate and Daschle is not.

by alamedadem on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:35:54 PM EST

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

The more I hear of McCaskill the more I like. I hope she can improve on her margins in the next Senate race. I remember it was a tight race in 2006.

by Mr DC on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:37:01 PM EST

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

I worked on McCaskill's campaign and it was going back and forth between her and Jim Talent all night. On the plus side, that meant the victory party went on long into the evening. :)

I've always liked her, even though I was a little disappointed with some of her votes. Hopefully her star in the party keeps rising.

Stop the racism. Fight the smears.

by CrazyDrumGuy on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:06:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Obama Spin Out Of Tonight (none / 0)

Remarkable when he has 92% of one third of the electorate in his pocket. Not quite how I'd put it but there you are.

by ottovbvs on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:27:07 PM EST

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