Daily Kos

Will Obama do what it takes to win ?

Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:40:22 AM PDT

      That is to win the nomination because right now it sure doesn't look like it. The Obama people are playing the game according to the "rules" organizing voters, sending out memo's on their policy disagreements, and complaining about media coverage. Meanwhile the Clinton people are successfully savaging him in the spin game, it's got to the point where many are parroting the line that it's OK for party officials with deep ties to the Clintons to figure out away to nominate Hillary. So what does team Obama do they put out a memo on how Hillary will do anything to win. When I read that I wondered do these people still have no idea what they are up against? The Clintons are brilliantly setting this up to where Obama will have no choice but to either threaten to leave the party or watch Hillary take the nomination.

   http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/

Who's the front-runner? So, the weekend campaign between Clinton and Obama has been a discussion about a Clinton-Obama ticket, how to pay for a Florida-Michigan re-do, and the commander-in-chief question. So who's the frontrunner? Obama, at least this past week, has lost control of the campaign's narrative. The Clinton campaign is now fighting the campaign out on its turf, despite being behind a nearly an insurmountable margin on the pledged delegate front, 1373-1232. Just look at how little coverage Wyoming and Mississippi are getting and how much focus is being put on Pennsylvania, even over other big states like North Carolina. And nevermind the incredible lift the Clinton campaign continues to get from the folks at "SNL." This last opening skit might actually have been written by the Clinton campaign; it was striking in how on-message the skit was for Clinton. It was the third week in a row the comedy show has delivered for Clinton. Bottom line: the Clinton campaign appears to have wrested control of the campaign narrative, while Obama's camp continues to be in reactive mode. The Obama folks will say it's the media's fault, but as we've said to others who blame the media for these perception swings -- the media can only cover what the campaigns deliver

       
Unless Obama knows he has a big block of supers coming his away or a big gamechanger like Gore then it's time to start putting some serious pressure on these supers.He is campaigning for them which was ok when they were all going his way but now it's time to campaign against having to campaign for them. If supers are insulted that he does not think it's ok for them to use their independant judgement well that is a risk he is going to have to take. Right now he is making it way too easy for them to consider nominating Hillary.  Use words like disenfranchising my voters and illegitimate to describe a scenerio where people like Harold Ickies decide to take away the process from voters. And please GET OVER YOURSELVES about doing what it takes to win because here's a newsflash, alot of people like that about Hillary. We know she is willing to destroy you and the party to get this nomination but to be blunt unless you are willing to do the same SHE IS GOING TO WIN!

Poll

Will Obama do what it takes to get this nomination

83%89 votes
16%18 votes

| 107 votes | Vote | Results

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, the endgame. (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

Permalink | 29 comments

  •  tips for winning this nomination (6+ / 0-)

    come on Barack close this thing!

    After Obama's eighth straight victory, Penn told reporters: "Winning Democratic primaries is not a qualification or a sign of who can win the general election.

    by nevadadem on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:39:23 AM PDT

    •  I think Obama is immune to our anxiety (6+ / 0-)

      and is going to set the pace.  Like the Lakers would slow the clock down and piss the opposing team off (well at least that's what I used to see when they played the Celtics in the 80s).

      I think we just have to get used to it.

      NetrootNews coming soon!

      by ksh01 on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:50:08 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Obama is Bugs Bunny to Hillary's (4+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        ksh01, itskevin, joe shikspack, pvlb

        hysterical Daffy Duck.

        He is cool and does things on his own terms. He will win this thing, but we'll go nuts in the meantime second guessing.

        My suggestion: send money, volunteer, and make calls - all things you can control.

        "We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics that will only grow louder and more disciplined." Barack Obama

        by speck tater on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:56:11 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  And if you can get to PA in the next two (1+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          joe shikspack

          weeks to help with voter registration efforts, it is the greatest thing in the world you could do.  See rec list diary re: March 24 deadline.  Call the campaign in PA and find out where you're needed if you are close enough to make a road trip.

    •  you're freaking out (3+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      itskevin, joe shikspack, Punditcrat

      unless you are willing to do the same SHE IS GOING TO WIN!

      she won't win shit...dems are sometimes stupid, but not suicidally stupid, in my opinion

      that being said, obama needs to be a little more forceful claiming his position as king of the hill

      I drink your Ovaltine!

      by memofromturner on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:57:45 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Too many Obama Supporters Incredibly Naive.... (2+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      Katydid, joe shikspack

      .......naive as to what the beltway insider/Clinton machine is doing.                        

      I support Obama. I first voted for McGovern in 72'. I have been around the political block more than a few times.

      Obama is in the process of losing the nomination if he does not expose the insider/establishment game the Clintons are now making operative.

      Obama's team do not seem to recognize what is happening.

      They better wake up and act.

      Well I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari... Tehachapi to Tonopah--Lowell George/Little Feat

      by frandor55 on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:07:48 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  oh and H is time foward Wolfson just gave Obama (1+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    Statusquomustgo

    a huge opening on the VEEP question. He said Obama is not qualified to be her running mate. It is time for Obama to the Clintons frauds for insinuating he would be picked.

    After Obama's eighth straight victory, Penn told reporters: "Winning Democratic primaries is not a qualification or a sign of who can win the general election.

    by nevadadem on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:41:57 AM PDT

  •  does ANYBODY like... (5+ / 0-)

    And please GET OVER YOURSELVES about doing what it takes to win because here's a newsflash, alot of people like that about Hillary. We know she is willing to destroy you and the party to get this nomination but to be blunt unless you are willing to do the same SHE IS GOING TO WIN!

    Does anybody among her supporters like that she said McCain would make a better president than her fellow Democrat?  Wouldn't that be treason to one's own party?

    Does anybody among her supporters like that she's apparently willing to subvert the democratic process and try to flip pledged delegates, thus rendering the votes of the citizens meaningless?

    I just wanna know if ya'll really support those things... because I don't find 'em at all respectable.  There's being "tough" and then there's being a sociopathic asshole... and, I'm sorry, but doing those things I mentioned are more in the "sociopathic asshole" category.

    If Hillary supporters aren't ashamed of those things, then I've underestimated 'em and shouldn't give them as much credit as I have been...

    "Today a priest who performed 300 exorcisms was eaten by a green boogieman!"- George Carlin (R.I.P.)

    by shadetree mortician on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:45:39 AM PDT

  •  She is setting the agenda - - (3+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    Zain, frandor55, Punditcrat

    what's in today's campaign news?
    (1) Hill 'n' Bill offer BO the VP position (spin - they want unity!)
    (2) Hill wants revotes in MI and FL (spin - she wants their voices to be heard)
    That's the top stories and the spin they're getting.
    Hell, I even heard MSNBC say he'll win Mississippi but "it's the 'blackest' (paraphrasing) state with 50% AA voters in the primary".  If he doesnt trounce her in Mississippi, he's in for a major MSM dumping on.

    John McCain says he'd be happy to see our troops in Iraq for another hundred years. I just can't agree with that.

    by Barry in MIA on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:48:49 AM PDT

  •  How Do You Know He's Not (1+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    Punditcrat

    And the fact that you are quouting MSNBC makes me certain this is a pack of lies.

    What has Obama done that would make you think he is not in to win.

    He was thirty points down in this race, now he is in the lead.

    The cable news shows will lie their ass off to protect the great Clinton slime machine.

    I believe the Obama camp.  Not MSNBC.

  •  He needs to get going on policy statements (1+ / 0-)

    and take it to the Clinton campaign with new material, not be reactive or be Tweedledum to her Tweedledee.  It's time for new material and to win over the economically oriented voters.  He's gone as far as he can wooing "the wine vote."

    •  I think he should showcase (1+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      Rolfyboy6

      the military officials who are endorsing him and maybe have some kind of roundtable event for them. He needs to pump up his stance on helping the middle class. Specifics !

      Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us. Jerry Garcia

      by OrdinaryGal on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:01:24 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  That's one place he can work (1+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        OrdinaryGal

        That would go to the National Security thing.  He's also got to start dealing with the worsening economy.  More and more voters are listing that as the big number one.  With Adjustable rate mortgages re-setting in March and April at record levels the mortgage crisis is going to be a big issue.  He needs to tie the war, our loss of national treasure and the economy firmly together as a single issue, and as a strong single frame.

    •  no what he needs to do (1+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      frandor55

      is better define the endgame. He needs to make it known that he will not accept being judged by DNC officials instead of the voters. He has to make it impossable for supers to to give this to Hillary. If he is too "nice" to do soemthing the Clintons would have done long ago with a delegate lead he will lose becuas ehe probably will not close this out in Pennsylvania. Can you imagaine what the Clintons would be doing if there was any indication of supers overruling the voters becuase they thought Obama would be a better nominee?  Please the Obama team is not as of yet fighting fire with fire.

      After Obama's eighth straight victory, Penn told reporters: "Winning Democratic primaries is not a qualification or a sign of who can win the general election.

      by nevadadem on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:03:26 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Oy, people (0+ / 0-)

    Comparing Barack and Hillary, tell me who is it that seems desperate?  

    Is desperation a trait you want in your president?

    You trust him to be president. Trust him to run his campaign.

    Trust him to be president, trust him to run his campaign.

    by pvlb on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:14:12 AM PDT

  •  What is all the panic about? (0+ / 0-)

    While you are freaking out about the "spin" and "Obama not fighting back" he is still winning the numbers game, and the finalized certified vote tally in California narrowed Clinton's victory and handed him three more pledged delegates - from her "big state win" which wasn't as big as estimated.  I counted 7 superdelegate commitments in the past week to Obama following her "big win" in Ohio.

    Are you aware that Obama has refused to use the term "frontrunner" and fiercely maintains that he is "always the underdog"?  It is not his style to blurt out a lot of hyperbole and speculation, nor would his supporters expect him to.  And Obama supporters, knowing these facts, know that the process has to play out and that the nominating contests have to be completed before anyone can declare anything.  The most he has said is "we are still ahead" and that he is running for President, not veep.  It isn't like he is not responding to attacks - he is.  He has a double-digit lead going into Mississippi and believe me, those are the important things.

    Clinton is not magically going to double-talk her way into reversing the trend and causing delegate defections.  It didn't happen on Super Tuesday, when she still had a hope of catching up, it didn't happen on Semi-Super-Tuesday, when she barely won enough to justify staying in, and it sure won't happen after her losses in Wyoming and Mississippi.  If you want your blood pressure to shoot up over her desperate measures to keep the focus on her vain hopes, you can do it but clearly Obama has a much clearer and focused strategy than pointing out just how unrealistic it is all the time.  Why should he?  People can add up the math allll by themselves.

    louise 'hussein' to you! proud donor to "White Dudes for Obama" Endorsed 11/1/07 and never looked back!

    by louisev on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:19:21 AM PDT

  •  This comes down to defining himself (0+ / 0-)

    Half the party want Clinton, think his presidency was great, think she would be a strong leader, and don't care that she supported the war, and are skeptical of this new guy Obama. What change can he bring that she can't?

    That's the question I think if he could answer clearly and decisively, he could end this.

  •  Barack knows what he's doing (1+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    Rosemary

    He responds when he needs to respond.

    The other times, he lets Hillary shit on her own camp. Her lies are tearing her own platform apart, so why does Barack need to meddle? The NAFTA situation was a joke. My family hails in OH and that area is now steaming because many feel as if they were duped with a one-sided smear.

    This whole Barack for VP joke couldnt BE anymore damaging to herself. Soooo now now this man that you claim cant cross the threshold, wont answer the phone at 3 am and cant write his own speeches is just GREAT for the 2nd spot in command and heaven forbid if something was to happen to Hillary, WHO WOULD THEN HAVE TO CROSS THAT THRESHOLD???

    She is confused. She is misinformed. She is cocky. She is insulting to democratic voters.

    That alone is enough to picket her name being anywhere close to the ballot in Nov.

    "Yes we WILL evict Bush from the white house, fumigate & exterminate and then escort Barack and Michelle into their shiny new place of residence :-) "

    by RemarkablyChanel on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:43:34 AM PDT

  •  Just this: "Do you want the same old ...?" (0+ / 0-)

    The same old "throw everything including the kitchen sink" type of vicious attack politics (within our own party, yet!)?
    The Clinton campaign is throwing so much Republican-style dirt that it looks like they're hysterial, desperate and totally out of control.
    What a stark, dismaying contrast the current Clinton snakepit is to the positive, optimistic tone of Obama's rise.
    He should emphasize that the Clintons are mired in the past and it's time we turn the page.

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