Obama Eroding Clinton Base; Makes it 10 Straight
Maybe were were guilty of playing the Clintons’ lowering expectations game ourselves when we downplayed Barack Obama’s chances in Wisconsin.
Maybe the Illinois senator is building a bigger coalition than even his supporters give him credit for, rendering all polls and predictions useless.
What’s certain is that Obama cruised past Hillary Clinton, who we thought stood a good chance to upset him in the Wisconsin primary.
Obama also won big in his state of birth, Hawaii, giving him a stunning 10 straight primary and caucus wins since Super Tuesday.
In Wisconsin, Obama won 58 percent of the vote to 41 percent for Clinton.
In Hawaii, his margin widened to 75-24 percent.
The key to success: Obama has been bringing in younger, higher-paid voters from the start, but is now eroding Clinton’s base.
Blue-collar, older, working-class Democrats and white women backed Clinton in large numbers - until last night, when he split or won those groups.
Obama has always done well among many Dems, but if he makes inroads with these “Clinton” demographics - as well as Hispanics - watch out.
At a typically boisterous rally, Barack Obama was already courting the vote in Texas last night as we the results came in from America’s Dairyland.
“The change we seek is still months and miles away,” Barack Obama told an overflow crowd, mixing more elongated policy discussions in with his signature stump speech in what became a nearly 45-minute address.
Hillary Clinton made no mention of her Wisconsin defeat, and showed no sign of surrender in an appearance in Youngstown, Ohio.
She called upon familiar themes that - as evidenced by the last 10 races - seem to be falling more and more upon deaf ears.
“Both Senator Obama and I would make history,” the N.Y. senator said.
“But only one of us is ready on day one to be commander in chief, ready to manage our economy, and ready to defeat the Republicans. Only one of us has spent 35 years being a doer, a fighter and a champion for those who need a voice.”
One thing’s for sure: the upcoming Ohio and Texas primaries March 4 weren’t already must-win races for Clinton, they certainly are now.
Many believed Clinton had to come up with something in the Wisconsin primary - even in defeat - to show she still had any momentum left.
A 17-point loss didn’t accomplish this.
In a telling sign of their standing in the race, most TV networks cut away from coverage of Clinton’s rally when Obama began to speak in Texas.
On the Republican side, John McCain won Wisconsin with 55 percent of the vote to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s 37 percent.
Inching closer to the 1,191 delegates he needs to clinch the GOP nomination at the party convention in St. Paul, Minn. the Arizona senator also won the primary in Washington, with 49 percent of the vote at last count.
In thinly-veiled criticism of Obama, the Republican said he will “fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure that Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change.”
NATIONAL
February 20th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I received this is in an email message this morning and was asked to send this to CNN…
Let’s take a closer look at who’s really qualified and or who’s really working for the good of all of us in the Senate. Obama or Clinton.
Records of these two candidates should be scrutinized in order to make an informed decision.
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6yrs. - and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law - 20 - twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.
These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress http://www.thomas.loc.gov, but to save you trouble, I’ll post them here for you.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O’Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men’s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men’s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton’s bills are, more substantive. 16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11 18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
There you have it, the fact’s straight from the Senate Record.
Now, I would post those of Obama’s, but the list is too substantive, so I’ll mainly categorize.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These inculded **the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law, **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law, **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate, **The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law, **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee, and many more.
In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public.
He’s not just a talker.
He’s a doer.
Pass it on….It’s impressive
February 20th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Let’s put this in perspective. Barack has won 20% of all US states in the past 14 days. Americans are ready for change.
February 20th, 2008 at 7:57 am
The walls of Jericho are tumbling down. Hillary’s campaign is coming to an end. She is loosing her base and cannot draw in independents, moderates, and republicans.
The thing is that she started this race with an advantage. Many superdelegates threw their support behind her before the race began and now she is loosing. Regardless how this race for the Democratic nomination and the General election turns out, Sen. Obama has proven one thing. Yes, we can! Obama 08!
February 20th, 2008 at 8:05 am
He’s a “preacher”. It’s a mega church syndrome. It will probably last, unfortunately,
February 20th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I hope the debate Thursday night will have a different format from the last one. Where can we find that out? The moderator of that debate was very inept, and allowed one of the candidates to blather on almost indefinitely. Debates are better when both parties have time limits.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:25 am
So what if Obama wins ten states in a row? A true champion for the American people is never afraid of taking hits from the left and the right, dusting herself off, and getting up again to fight for what is right in this country. Too many Americans lack the mental faculties to see what is truly good for this country. Just because someone can speak well does not mean that he can become a great President. Hillary has a proven record of bringing about change to those who really need it! Being a 24-year old, college-educated registered Democrat, I am appalled with my generation for voting their emotions than what is good for this country! If Obama wins, the United States of America and the great things it stands for can go to hell in a handbasket! Young people are such confused souls! I have fought for so long to increase turnout in the young population. Looking back, I guess I can say be careful what you wish for!!
February 20th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I will make sure that Obama loses if it is the last thing I do on this Earth! I need someone like Hillary to make a difference in this world! after eight years of incompetence and damage by Bush, we need another Clinton to clean up his mess! I will vote for Hillary in the general election in November! Go Hillary!!
February 20th, 2008 at 8:27 am
If Obama wins the nomination, I will either abstain from voting or change party affiliation from Democrat to Republican!!
February 20th, 2008 at 8:28 am
If the numbers for Clinton and Obama were reversed, does anyone think Obama would be getting the same kind of treatment that Clinton is getting? I Hillary had won 10 states in a row nobody would be talking about how “its not over yet.” The Clinton machine is in its death throws, its about time and thank God.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:58 am
“Too many Americans lack the mental faculties to see what is truly good for this country.”
Thanks for letting me know I am too stupid to vote. I guess I should just let HRC tell me who I should vote for or just you. Cause god forbid you should be wrong on something the whole world would come to and end. If you know how to fix all our problems then why are you not running?
Look at the recorder in the first post. Evidently he is a doer too. And the fact that almost all their programs are the same means either BHO is really good or HRC sucks just as bad as he does.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:25 am
All image and little substance! The media has created the image. She is a better candidate. Go Hillary!
February 20th, 2008 at 9:46 am
It seems that Hiliary is the candidate with more image than substance if we review the legislation these two have authored.
The question is: how long will it be before she realizes that the best move for our country is for her to concede?
February 20th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I did go to the site thomas.loc.gov and what I read indicated that Hillary
was the sponsor for several more bills then the blogger above stated.
They were also quite more substanial then indicated by that trashy blog.
Obama as a Senator has actually sponsored a lot less and far less
substantial then the above blog would like you to believe.
This is the kind of nonsense that people read and take as truth.
It’s wrong… This is not a high school popularity contest for school
president. This is serious! Please people do your homework and make
an informed vote or do me a favor and don’t vote at all!
Oh by the way, I did mine… I am absolutely voting for Hillary Clinton
To much at risk to take a chance with Obama
February 20th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I am a Democrate in support of Clinton. If Obama gets the nomination, I will definately change my party to vote in the general elections for McCain. I for one do not want someone in office with no experience. It has to be either Clinton or McCain. I really feel that Clinton is the better candidate.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:10 am
You need an image to get your voice out. Obama has done an exceptionally well job at being able to do this, not to mention based on the facts above, he has done a lot more than Hilary did during her six year term. Everyone is entitled to their own prospective of this democratic race, but ideally Obama is the best candidate for the job. Obama speeches are not empty, nothing is empty until proven to be so, and with all the bills he has written seems that empty is not the proper term. Face it Obama will make change happen, and I for one am tired of seeing Clintons, Bushes, and certainly cannot phantom having McCain as president .
February 20th, 2008 at 10:19 am
So, HRC only won the poor old uneducated catholic white woman’s vote…hmmm.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
What experience does Hillary have that Barack doesn’t? They are both senators, only Obama has a longer tenure and a more substatntial record. Does being a family member of a president make you experienced? If so than G.W. should have done a great job in the White House! I believe Obama as president will symbolize the fall of White supremacy in this country - which is exactly what many of those bashing Obama are afraid of. The man is a Harvard-educated attorney, and a United States Senator with an extensive record. Those who would argue that he doesnt have a plan havent taken the 5 minutes needed to go on his website and read his plan for every major issue facing America. I imagine these same folks wouldn’t be too upset if America reverted to the days of Klan hunts and cross-burnings. To say Obama is nothing more than a preacher, with no real substance or experience, is plain ignorance. Wake up people - ignorance is what put G.W. in the White house for two terms and is sending this country into a recession and keeping us in an un-winnable war. I pray that there are not as many ignorant Americans at the polls in November as there are on these message boards…..