Can everyone take a deep breath already?!

Jeez!  From reading the diaries and comments on Dailykos today you'd think something happened in the last 72 hours in the ballpark of Obama being caught, as the old saying goes, in bed with a dead girl or a live boy.  ENOUGH!!!!!

I've got news for you all.  The delegate math is still the delegate math, Obama still leads and will lead in the popular vote by the end of the primaries, and he will most certainly have won more states.  

What's the problem?  Everyone is acting like this is the worst day of their lives.  What's the big deal?  So Jeremiah Wright is back talking again.  If you'll all remember, the original Wright "scandal" did not hurt Obama in the polls.  In fact, the speech he gave in response to that situation moved a number of polls in his favor.  From personal experience, I know that both of my parents (white, Jewish people from PA) decided to vote for Obama after that speech.  Relax!  I really think many of us are unable to see the forrest for the trees.  Do you really think Team Obama is going to sit there and let this story drive the remainder of the campaign?  What part of their past performances would make you think that would happen.  If anything, this seems to give BO the opportunity to talk directly about how this is just another example of silly season.  Wright is not Obama!!  Say that to yourself 100 times.  In all of the posts on this issue, I have yet to see a reasoned argument over why this is so damaging.  Please, it's not gonna be damaging for it's own sake.  Do you really think that people are going to start thinking Obama is an anti-white racist?  They weren't stupid enough to fall for that before, why would they start now?  

Regarding the NC Governor's endorsement; that's all it is.  One Super Delegate.  My God, you'd think every governer in the nation just endorsed her with all of the hand wringing and whining on here.  Guess what, that won't be the last person to endorse Clinton's sinking ship.  There are "setbacks" in campaigns.  If you can't handle it, don't watch.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I just don't see any way for the SDs to overturn the will of the electorate.  You are saying that the party that claims to have gotten screwed in 2000 and 2004 is gonna screww the majority of those who voted in the primaries this year.  Add to that the fact that doing so would ensure that African Americans (an underappreciated but enormously essential part of Democratic electoral success) would leave the party and never come back, and I just don't see it.

Can we all take a few minutes to think about what has really changed?  Are we that weak-spirited that not being ahead by double digits in every poll is enough to make us scream that the sky is falling.  Stop it already.  Turn of the TV, get off the Internet, and read a book.  Or better yet, go out and canvas or make calls for BO.  We are indeed the answer we've been looking for.  That means we need to make the change we seek.  Crying about how the sky is falling isn't gonna get the job done.

•  Agreed. n/t

  by joy sinha on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:00:43 PM PDT

  •  Tips

    for sanity

    by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:04:45 PM PDT

    •  Sorry to jump your tip jar.

      by joy sinha on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:06:04 PM PDT

      •  No problem

        I forgot to put one up.

        by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:11:50 PM PDT

      •  a sad and puzziing aspect to this is HRC has just

        made incredible inflamattory remarks about "obliterating" the people of Iran and extending the nuclear umbrella to the middle east, potentially undermining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty that has been a key national security goal for decades and it is not getting any play.

        This is a substantive and highly consequential and radical departure from mainstream national security and foriegn policy tradition and it is getting zero play.

        I hope folks will write letter to the traditional media and make some effort to get this on the front pages.

        The rest of the world has noticed, I assure you.

        by HoundDog on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:12:16 PM PDT

        •  Exactly the kind of constructive suggestions...

          ...I'm calling for.  Great!!!  If everyone who wrote a diary or a post today freaking out about this or that could send such an email or letter, it would start to impact the narrative.  Her Iran comments were solely to try to sure up the Jewish support in the suburban Philadelphia region.  She should be taken to task for that and made to explain herself.

          by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:15:04 PM PDT

  •  Everyone

    is underestimating what is really going on here.  Do not think for a moment that the last 72 hours or so have not been terrible for Obama.  We can pretend everything is okay because of the delegate math, but the lack of superdelegate support should at least give your optimism pause.  She will not relent and there will be no one to stope her.  STOP BEING OPTIMISTIC.  Many of us were optimistic in 2000 and 2004.  Complacency and optimism will not end the Hillary movement to take the nomination.

    by whimser on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:15:05 PM PDT

    •  This is exactly what I'm talking about.

      I will never stop being optimistic.  I know I have the best candidate.  I also know that he has an advantage in the electoral process.  I was as optimistic in 2000 and 2004 as anyone.  Screaming that I should stop being optimistic suggests a little PTSD or something.  Are you gonna sit here and let her take the nomination?  Well then, how is it going to happen.  You are in charge if you want to be.  That's what progressivism and the people powered movement works.  That's how BO has almost 1.5 individual donors looking after their investments.  You think they are gonna let the nomination be dragged away from them.

      I'm not saying the last 3 days have been awesome, but jeez, nothing really terrible has happened.  You will not convince me otherwise.

      by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:25:39 PM PDT

•  Couldn't agree more...

  I'm taking phone bank pledges before May 6th if anyone wants to add their pledge...

  by Elise on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:01:57 PM PDT

•  Amen!

  But not surprising. Primary fever is very contagious.

  by wiscmass on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:02:46 PM PDT

  •  We get so worked up.

    I know people want to use Dailykos as a crying towel, but I just don't know how constructive its been today.

    by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:03:51 PM PDT

    •  Or yesterday. Or the day before.

      Or the day before that.

      But that's how it works. Until such time as we have a nominee, expect it to be all hysteria, all the time.

      by wiscmass on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:05:34 PM PDT

      •  God, I hate hysteria . . . n/t

        by Indexer on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:07:32 PM PDT

        •  Even worse...

          ...I hate people who try to pass off their hysteria as rationality.

          by wiscmass on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:08:48 PM PDT

      •  Agreed...

        ...but I feel like we have an obligation to drive our own narrative here.  When we start freaking ourselves out, we accomplish nothing.  I hope anyone who reads this will post there own diaries voicing similar ideas.  That's how you turn the damn page on news you might not like.  

        by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:08:40 PM PDT

        •  Been there, done that, used to have the t-shirt

          It got burned to a crisp by the hystericals in their flamefest. Then 1/3 of them went "on strike," 1/3 of them turned their attention to the faulty premise that Fox News isn't so bad after all, and the remainder either got themselves banned or shoved their heads so far up their asses that they can no longer find their keyboards on which to type their latest hystrionics.

          Elections are a martial art, and as in any martial art, the undisciplined and incompetent tend to get hysterical very quickly. That's just the way it is. I wish it were otherwise, but while I applaud the effort to reduce the hysteria, we have to be realistic too.

          by wiscmass on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:13:36 PM PDT

      •  Not good with hysteria

        When I realized that Kos and the primaries were taking over my life several weeks ago, I made a pledge to give up the internet for a week.  I also avoided the cable news shows.  It was nice, as it coincided with Holy Week.

        By chance, it was the Wright week!  Boy, did I do myself a favor.  

        Just think of all the pseduo-scandals you could spare yourself if you turned off the computer for one day, two days, or a week?  It couldn't hurt.

        by leawood on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:14:10 PM PDT

        •  Why...just today I could have avoided

          the Miley Cyrus half naked story... the OMFG story related to the Gossip Girl show... the Wright story... etc.

          I just need to turn off this crap.

          by Elise on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:15:39 PM PDT

        •  Oh - my favorite story of the day...

          Hillary Clinton wants to debate - she'll even do it in the back of a flatbed truck!! She doesn't need a "fancy studio" somewhere!

          She said this with her Southern twang...

          by Elise on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:16:49 PM PDT

        •  Heh

          I went to Israel for a week. Dear God, it was good to be away from electricity for most of that week, if only because it guaranteed no internet!

          by wiscmass on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:18:37 PM PDT

    •  and just spent a couple hours calling Indiana----

      and again----no one brings up Rev. Wright.  No one.  People have more immediate concerns and that's what they want to talk about.  Rev. Wright is really not on most voters' radar.
       As I was fretting about all the media attention on Wright, my husband reminded that most people aren't watching any of this.
       One gripe I do have----why does CNN and MSNBC always focus on the question of "why can't Obama win white working class votes?" and they never ask "Why can't Clinton win educated white votes?" or "Why has Clinton lost almost all black votes?" or "Why can't John McCain win any black votes?"  etc.  So much attention and the majority of focus is always on Obama and what he needs to do and what he's not doing and why can't he do this and why can't he do that.  It is something to watch----this corporate pushback.
       

      by dotster on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:40:29 PM PDT

•  NPR today noted....

  Republicans will pick out candidate, since the elections are so close for the two democratic candidates.  Seriously.  That and only that is the whole point of the superdelegates- so republicans bent of mischief can't pick our candidate.

  by murrayewv on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:03:07 PM PDT

•  Totally agree

  Everytime the media pounces on Wright, some people get all scared. Those that do are just ridiculous.

  by Fairy Tale on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:03:51 PM PDT

•  Here's the pledges so far...

  
  

  
  

  DailyKos Obama Phonebanking Pledges
  Bloggers listed have pledged to make their calls before May 6th.
  Diarist	Call Pledge
  1. Elise	1000
  2. Kath25	100
  3. xyz	100
  4. djs	500
  5.
  6.
  7.
  8.
  9.
  10.
  11. Your name should be here!
  Total:	1700

  by Elise on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:03:59 PM PDT

•  thank you.

  by ruthhmiller on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:04:14 PM PDT

•  Jeremiah Wright should find a hole to hide in...

  ...until this election is over.  Much like Bill Clinton has done.

  by ayjaymay on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:06:30 PM PDT

  •  Now there's a plan.

    They can share one together, and reminisce over the old days, when Jerry was called in to be one of the ministers to hear Bill's repentance.

    by Catte Nappe on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:12:06 PM PDT

    •  Bill could get some advance absolution

      Hey, maybe Rev Wright could forgive Bill an idiotic personal choice or two in advance. It's never a bid time for Bill to commit an indiscretion or two.

      by HStewart on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:38:28 PM PDT

      •  More of a Catholic thing?

        I really doubt Rev. Wright is going to be into selling indulgences to any Clintons right now, anyway.

        by Catte Nappe on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 05:09:29 PM PDT

•  You know...

  ...the best way to get the narrative straightened out is to straighten it out ourselves.  This sky of falling diaries feed into the panick.  They do little to help in the long run.

  by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:06:34 PM PDT

•  Obama doesn't drive the media narrative

   In fact, his campaign sucks really, really bad at media management. The Clinton campaign is FAR better at that -- which speaks to Obama's strength as a candidate, given how he remains competitive despite his glaring weakness in this critical area.

   If the media decides to flog Wright for another week, it really doesn't matter what Obama does at this point.

   And Wright DID hurt Obama in the polls -- not a LOT, but it was palpable. He'd succeeded in getting beyond that issue...until Wright re-emerged. On his own.

   Wright's trying to kill Obama's campaign.

   

  by Buzzer on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:06:55 PM PDT

  •  Finally!

    Amazing to me that so many Obama supporters were still defending Wright today. That they can't see that Wright is trying to hurt Obama shows how blind they are. Wright is poison. He's an enemy to Obama. He's no friend. What he is is a bitter, small, petty man.

    by YoGo on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:13:52 PM PDT

    •  You don't know that at all.

      See my response to him.

      by Eternal Hope on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:14:25 PM PDT

    •  Fine, he's an enemy. No wait. He's a friend.

      regardless, I refuse to think this is the central issue on which this campaign will hinge.  What about Iraq?!  How about the economy sucking?!  Anyone for climate crisis?

      by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:19:34 PM PDT

      •  The sooner Obama rids himself of Wright

        The better off he'll be. Wright will continue to be a needless distraction until Obama totally disassociates from him. Obama owes this man nothing. Any man who would do what Wright did to Obama this weekend is no friend and deserving of no respect. Obama can rid himself of Wright easily - quit this hatemonger's church and condemn him in the strongest terms possible. THAT would end the controversy and would give a huge jolt in the arm to the Obama campaign. Obama, at this point, after what Wright's done to him, owes this loser nothing.

        by YoGo on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:24:45 PM PDT

        •  It's already taking place.

          This process of separation is already starting as evidenced by Axelrod's remark that Wright's tour is not helpful. Now, I realize that this is a painful separation, but it is something that has to happen -- the two men have basic philosophical differences. But that does not mean that Dr. Wright is a hatemonger; both men have strong progressive credentials. Dr. Wright speaks for himself and does not represent the Obama campaign in any way, shape, or form.

          by Eternal Hope on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:33:23 PM PDT

          •  The sooner the better

            The sooner and more complete this separation is the better. Axelrod making a wishy statement is o.k. as far as it goes. If Wright wants to preach his message fine. But let it be clear to all that Obama and he have nothing more to do with each other.

            by YoGo on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:40:27 PM PDT

            •  It has to be a process.

              It can't be overnight, or Obama will just piss off the Black community and then he will lose the nomination or the general election. Trinity is still his church, and whether he leaves or not has to be his own personal decision, just like it has to be a personal decision when Clinton leaves the race.

              by Eternal Hope on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:43:31 PM PDT

    •  completely false----he is not Obama's enemy----

      and he is not the caricature that the media tried to make of him.  We may have wished that he would have remained in the background, but he is not trying to hurt Obama's campaign.  I think he believed that people needed to see that he wasn't the person who was being portrayed in the media.
       I have faith that Obama will be able to put this in its proper perspective---again.
       And by the way, I could listen to Wright from now till next Thursday----he is a brilliant man with a rich biography who has many important----and true---things to say.  It's just a shame that he is being used for political purposes.  He gave those who were waiting for an opening a chance to leap----and a chance to distort.

      by dotster on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:53:07 PM PDT

    •  Sad, really sad

      YoGo, I'm a white atheist Obama supporter. I found Rev. Wright's words encouraging, and yes, I listened to his whole interview. I have increased respect for Rev. Wright after hearing the interview and no change in my support for Sen. Obama. I don't agree with everything Rev. Wright stands for (the whole god part mostly) but I enjoyed listening to him speak.

      by notrouble on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:57:55 PM PDT

  •  You don't know that.

    I don't think that at all. What is happening here is a process of separation. The problem is that the two men have basic philosophical differences because they have different objectives. Obama, as a politician, is all about bringing this country together. Dr. Wright, on the other hand, is all about channeling what he sees as the word of God and diagnosing our problems. I think that what is happening is that the two men are separating and going on different paths, especially since Obama is aiming for a post-racial America where we will have buried the hatchet on racism. And it's painful, especially given the fact that Wright was highly influential in Obama's development as a person. But that does not mean that Wright is somehow out to get Obama.

    by Eternal Hope on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:13:57 PM PDT

    •  If that is true...

       ...then Wright has absolutely no political instincts whatsoever.

        He couldn't wait a month or so to resurface?

        By coming out NOW, he's ripped the scab off the original wound, and in the process severely jeopardized Obama's nomination chances.

       As for "separation"... that's a rational argument. Unfortunately for Obama, most voters are not rational.

      by Buzzer on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:18:05 PM PDT

      •  He's a preacher, I doubt that he has political

        instincts.  

        by latinadem on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:18:50 PM PDT

      •  I disagree.

        First of all, the math is still the math -- Hillary still needs to make up a 160-delegate deficit. Secondly of all, Obama has cut into Hillary's led in Indiana in SUSA polling. Thirdly of all, Obama was a long-shot in PA anyway since it was her backyard and she was popular there. Fourthly of all, Obama cut into Hillary's lead in PA; he was down by as much as 20 there. Fifthly of all, I totally disagree about the intelligence of the people; if you insult them like that, you piss people off and lose their votes and Obama would not approve.

        by Eternal Hope on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:21:57 PM PDT

  •  Agree with comments

    I agree with your comments - for example, Obama has been saying for a long time we need to focus on Afghanistan - yesterday Clinton says it and it all over the news.  What is wrong with the media types at the Obama campaign?

    by Laura Long on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:20:28 PM PDT

•  But there is a problem

  He has lost ground in NC and the numbers are shaky in Indiana.

  He cannot "Coast" to victory. I'm not a political pundit and I have no idea I could run his campaign better. And he has problems that are not his fault.

  But bottom line is-they need to shake some stuff up, stop allowing Hillary to set the story and take back the story line.

  A few weeks ago before the bitter comment broke the story was about Hillary, Bosnia, Bill and Penn's relationship with Colombia. And add to that the false story of Obama's staff person meeting with Canada.

  Obama can lose this election and if it happens, it will be because he tried to coast.

  by Citizen Rat on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:07:45 PM PDT

•  Not just that - it's a lot of bad news in one day

  Yesterday I thought Obama definitely had the nomination.  Now I'm not so sure.  If Clinton somehow wins NC, then I think the nomination will be hers because it will require her to have eaten into Obama's core constituency.  Now I'm not familiar with NC politics and I don't know what effect Easely has on that state but I'm definitely nervous.  I really want to be convinced otherwise - I just need to see more.  

  by latinadem on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:08:23 PM PDT

  •  There is no way he loses NC

    by doin it for the shorties on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:10:55 PM PDT

  •  I'm not worried about Easley.

    As Kos points out, the only endorsements that really matter are the mayoral endorsements because they are the ones who control all the patronage jobs. So, people will owe their jobs to how hard they organize and work for Obama.

    by Eternal Hope on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:15:57 PM PDT

    •  Doesn't it depend on the state?

      Rendell contoleed the machine in PA, right?

      by latinadem on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:19:28 PM PDT

      •  Actually:

        Most mayors in PA actually endorsed Hillary, including the mayor of Philadelphia. Rendell controlled the machinery there, so it might have had some kind of an impact, but in NC, it is different -- most mayors in that state endorse Obama, while they are split 50-50 in Indiana.

        by Eternal Hope on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:23:29 PM PDT

•  OMG

  Obama went on FOX and tried to define himself to republicans, something that he will need to do to win the general election. Everyone freak out!

  compaired to

  Hillary trashes MoveOn and the grassroots....

  cricket noise

  by LieparDestin on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:08:32 PM PDT

  •  Amen. n/t

    by Aerials on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:33:28 PM PDT

•  What makes me disappointed

  is the bickering here. I also wish more Superdelegates will come our way before May 6th.

  by sweetliberty on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:14:57 PM PDT

•  was freaked out a bit

  I'm usually the optimist in my family, but I came home all freaked out and my spouse - usually the pessimist - calmed me down, saying that anyone who was against Obama because of Wright was still against him for Wright.

  Also, I felt better after haring of the Bingaman endorsement and listening to a really nice story on NPR. The reporter talked to 2 superdelegates and they really changed the frame. The reporter was trying out the "Isn't Obama doomed by Wright" line and neither - one a Clinton, the other an Obama supporter - would have none of it.

  by maineiac on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:27:31 PM PDT

•  When someone named "doin it for the shorties"

  talks, you listen.

  by pylonsound on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:34:13 PM PDT

•  Most voters aren't this hypersensitive

  I'm amazed that there seems to be so much panic today.  Wright gave a speech.  Hillary got another governor endorsement.  Some polls have shuffled a little.  

  The only people for whom Wright did damage to Obama are those looking for an excuse to not vote for Obama.

  Oregon's governor endorsed Hillary ages ago.  Why worry?  Oregon will go to Obama by a large margin.

  Polls... you'd think we'd learn our lesson about 1-day trends by now.

  You know what?  Most voters are paying little attention to all of this.  Many here seem shocked when a negative against another candidate does not cause a mass exodus.  It's because most people are not following the daily news cycle for the slightest quibble or bobble.  Anyone remember some of those stats from Pennsylvania that showed that the majority of people made their decision over two months ago?  It's nearly a week later and people still seem freaked out that Pennsylvania went to Hillary when it was never really up for grabs.  Pennsylvania is evidence of nothing more than voters doing exactly what was expected of them.

  I swear that it sometimes seems like the difference between day traders and long-term investors.  The people in it for the long term don't get freaked out by every little dip and surge in the market.  Ignore the concern trolls.  They do you no favors.

  by DesertCat on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:36:14 PM PDT

•  I agree

  I think wright explained himself well.  I have to admit i really liked his speeches.  I think most Americans will see wright through a different light.  Yes he still is saying things that some might find controversial but for the most part i think he explained himself well.  The people that are blowing this out of proportion is the media and raving supporters.  Wright has every right to speak his mind and defend himself.  Even if Obama is running.  Obama is not the supreme leader and wright has his own needs that need to be taken care of.  We cannot expect him to just go away because we think he will harm our candidate.  I would never support soemone who thought that way anyway.  This is yet another challenge he needs to face.  A challenge that pales in comparison to the problems he will face in the Oval Office.  He can handle this and he will.  As far as Wright is concerned i am glad he was able to speak and let people know how he thinks.  I truly think most people if they listen will see that he is not who the media portrayed him to be.  The media will no doubt try and play this in a negative way but this is their lively hood and i don't think anyone really expected anything different.  I will say this.  Rick Sanchez tried really hard to find things wrong with yesterdays speech, but soledad and martin and many viewers were saying what i am.  He explained himself to people in an intelligent and funny way.  When a guy like Rick Sanchez has a hard time trying to find something to hate about it; you have to know the "people" for the most part did not either.  Let the press blow this up it really just makes them look all the more bad.

  by Pappalardo on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:36:53 PM PDT

•  Agreed

  People seem to be losing faith because she gained 10 delegates in PA. No one expected her to lose PA so I can't really understand the fuss. Since PA Obama has gained 5 SDs to her 4, and that includes todays endorsements.

  by jbjowe on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:46:05 PM PDT

•  hey, difts!

  nice post!  though i confess to being one who frequently gets caught up in the hysteria, i too have come to terms lately as well:

  THIS.IS.OVER.  OBAMA.IS.THE.NOMINEE.

  of course, i am continually enraged by the new shit HRC pulls daily, dragging this out, and i am deeply disappointed in Rev. Wright that he couldn't SFTU until after Barack has this thing TOTALLY locked down (i.e., in the media, so we don't have to listen to daily bullshit on the "horserace," etc.)

  but here is what finally convinced me:

  the only thing HRC has left to use against Barack is this faux "unelectable" meme.

  but let's suppose for a moment that it is true:  that with all the Clinton baggage (and my gods, there's so much she's like one of those rich chicks that needs a separate cab for it at the airport), that Obama's baggage- Wright, Rezko, Ayers, flag pin, secret Muslim-ness, etc.- is far worse and absolutely renders her more electable than he.

  even if that is true RIGHT NOW (which it absolutely, unequivocally is NOT), the instant that the supers hand HRC the nomination despite the fact the Barack leads in both meaningful and meaningless metrics, at that moment, she will become the most unelectable Democrat in history.  sure, she'll have her seniors and her all-important blue-collar crowd, but she will lose: 1st time voters, young voters, black voters, netroots voters... oh, and voters with a sense of decency and fair play.

  the bottom line is:  Barack Obama has EARNED this nomination. and for those HRC supporters who say, "Don't you want to win? We have to elect the strongest candidate!"  the fact is, he has even earned the right to lose in the general, if it comes to that.  (think sports metaphor:  having a good second half doesn't give you the championship, it means you came up short. just like building an early lead doesn't mean you're ultimately the weaker team...)

  it doesn't matter if the supers think winning no matter what is most important thing, such that they're willing to pick HRC over Barack to make that happen: because the minute they do that, it won't happen.

  by carpediva on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:54:09 PM PDT

•  In MA our Gov

  endorsed Obama. That put an end to Clinton here I tell ya. Oh wait.....

  by kitebro on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 03:57:57 PM PDT

•  I like the direction

  this diary goes in.  I too am a White Jewish Pennsylvanian.  My father stumped for Bill in 92 and 96.  His picture had a place of honor above the menorah on the mantle.  He could do no wrong in our home.  My father voted for Barack Obama in the primary last week.  So did I.  So did my mother, and my ornery, old grandfather who holds some peculiar views about race.  He made his decision after the Philadelphia speech, as did my father.

  The Obama camp is not taking this sitting down, there is ALWAYS someone working behind the scenes doing the dirty work.  David Plouffe is far more intelligent than Mark Penn, and handles these issues far more capably.  That's one of the reasons we're winning.  So let's take a deep breath, continue writing level-headed, fact based blogs, and know that in the end, no matter what the talking heads say, this changes nothing about the primary except that Hillary loses NC by 12 instead of 15 and Indiana by 3 instead of 5.

  by Obamaniac08 on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 04:21:01 PM PDT