With Hillary firmly in the race after her Texas and Ohio victories, the Dems are setting about forming that circular firing squad for which they're famous.
Evidence comes from this morning's Today show. First, goodbye Obambi, hello Rambo-ama. Then, DNC Chairman Howard Dean on the hot seat, snapping at David Gregory, calling his suggestion that a nominee decided by party elites would appear undemocratic "complete nonsense."
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Andrea Mitchell's segment on the primary race included clips of Obama speaking with reporters on his campaign plane. He made clear his intention to go after Hillary's record and her claim to be a known commodity.
BARACK OBAMA: There's no doubt that Senator Clinton went very negative over the last week. And the "kitchen sink" strategy I'm sure had some impact. She's made the argument that she's thoroughly vetted, in contrast to me. I think it's important to examine that argument.Back to Obama-on-the-plane.
ANDREA MITCHELL: Within hours, his advisers demanded that the Clintons release their tax returns, something they claim they'll do by April 15th. Clinton's team plans an equally tough strategy, similar to what worked in Texas and Ohio, attacking Obama as not ready to be Commander-in-Chief [cut to brief clip of 3 AM phone ad], a charge he is challenging.
OBAMA: One of the things that I hope people start asking is, what exactly is this foreign experience that she's claiming?Release the hounds!
A bit later, DNC Chairman Howard Dean had an at-times testy conversation with NBC's David Gregory, highlighted by this exchange.
DAVID GREGORY: Governor, are you worried at this point about the perception for the Democratic party? You've got Florida, Michigan whose delegates may be decided by the state party, the elite of the party, the insiders of the party, and it could come down in this nomination fight to the super-delegates, also the elite and the insiders of the party, deciding this. Is this democracy in the Democratic party?Testy, testy! Dean went on to claim he'd be "happy" even if the super-delegates were to decide the nominee, just so long as the rules are followed.
HOWARD DEAN: David, this argument you're making is complete nonsense. There are a set of rules that everybody knew about when we started this out.
Rig-h-h-t. If Obama goes to the convention with an elected-delegate lead, but Hillary walks away with the nomination thanks to the super-delegates, Dean could be presiding over a fractured Dem party that would make the 1968 convention look like a stroll in [Grant] Park.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Its nice to just sit back
March 6, 2008 - 11:08 ET by bassndudeIts nice to just sit back and "ooohhh" and "aaaahhh" at the pretty fireworks.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
We cant just sit back and
March 6, 2008 - 11:48 ET by Dan The Man 2We cant just sit back and watch we nee to take notes what postitions resonate with the public and incorporate those into our strategy. If wounds appear on the opponent we need to take note to strike at those hard and fast.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
»→ Open wounds
March 6, 2008 - 11:55 ET by Cool ArrowI'm finding it hard to swallow that Obama's dealings with Rezko aren't illegal in light of his decision to give $70,000 to charity as a result of the investigation.
Of course, one could say, "$70,000 now isn't nearly as much as it was when Obama wasn't as flush with cash.
♣ a seal
You will not find it hard to
March 6, 2008 - 12:25 ET by docbYou will not find it hard to believe that the $800,000 that clinton took from Norman Hsu was not illegal --he is in jail, nor the $100,000 they took from Mark Rich - he was in Switzerland when Billery pardoned him-- nor the $$$ from chinese busboys and dishwashers in Nyc.--they have no papers--- or the Corporation that has 100plus sexual harassement charges filed against them but clinton is holding onto their $170,000 donations or filegate- whitewater- cattlefutures...personal destruction of all the females bill drug thru the capital of Arkansas and the Oval office.
Dirty slimy and pushing for the a party split and to disenfrachise the voter- an stall the superdelegates...That is democratic...!!!!!
»→ docb
March 6, 2008 - 12:31 ET by Cool ArrowThe payments to Hill/Billy from their Asian benefactors is a small price to pay.
A Hillary presidency ensures the immediate takeover of Taiwan by the Chinese possible as early as DAY ONE.
♣ a seal
Dean was Partially Right
March 6, 2008 - 11:10 ET by Steve L.Dean was partially right in his answer; he just dodged the question a little. The states affected did knowingly violate the rules that the DNC had put in place. As such, they need to pay the price. However, that wasn't what Gregory asked (well, actually, what he asked was not what he really meant.) He asked about a close fight being decided by the "supers." What he meant was " Don't you think it's unfair that such a great candidate as Hillary Clinton is being robbed of her birthrigt just because of a excruciatingly minor infraction committed by two well-meaning states?"
Yes he is partially
March 6, 2008 - 12:08 ET by motherbeltYes he is partially right:
There are a set of rules that everybody knew about when we started this out.
But, in the Clinton playbook, don't forget..."Rules are just tools."
And Gregory is right about the process being "undemocratic" as far as the superdelegates go....and that's the way the Democrats want it. They purposely planned it that way for the "elites" to take over, lest the peasants screw it up.
However, as Rush has said (paraphrasing) In the Democrat party, there are no "rules"....there are just "customs" and "traditions"..
Wouldn't it be sweet if the
March 6, 2008 - 11:20 ET by Ruths husband BenWouldn't it be sweet if the Democratic Nominee was decided in the courts? I wonder if the Supreme Court would hear this case?
Oh, I know that I am just dreaming, but talk about ironic!
And, considering that this is the Dems, why don't they have Supernatural Delegates? Aren't dead people voting a big part of thier history and heritage? Maybe this is an improvement oppurtunity for the next election season (I wonder who FDR will vote for?).
Any truth to the rumor
March 6, 2008 - 11:25 ET by Mark FinkelsteinAny truth to the rumor Kucinich is planning to stage protests unless the delegates from Area 51 are seated? ;-)
Excellent Mark
March 6, 2008 - 11:27 ET by Cool ArrowI'm investing in ALCOA.
♣ a seal
How do you make those foil
March 6, 2008 - 11:45 ET by marpelHow do you make those foil hats the kids wore in "Signs". I think they were cool... I would like to see the Dem delegates with KuchyKoonich wearing them as their LOGO.... :o)
You get them for free when
March 6, 2008 - 12:03 ET by motherbeltYou get them for free when you join the "conspiracy theory club" or the Kucinich campaign....
And yes, I realize that's redundant.....
superNaturalDelegates
March 6, 2008 - 11:27 ET by m36b1Dang Ben, now there's a GREAT catchphrase. Wouldn't it be cool if some astute politician at a news conference or some pundit would "accidentally" let this phrase "slip out"? That would be soooo cool. "Supernaturaldel... Ahh, I mean Superdelegates."
That convention is going to
March 6, 2008 - 11:22 ET by marpelThat convention is going to be like a big bucket of writhing eels with someone poking them with a stick. Now, THAT'S entertainment...:o)
»→ The whole world's watching
March 6, 2008 - 11:26 ET by Cool ArrowAnd it's just what? Six weeks to the Super Bowl?
♣ a seal
The party of petulant children...
March 6, 2008 - 11:37 ET by habbyguy... acting exactly like you'd expect. I wonder how many Dems are going to wake up and smell the coffee burning over this debacle? If they're really for democracy, they're going to have to either turn Republican or hold their nose to vote with the Dems.
Class warfare with division and a crippled military vs. broad-based market-driven prosperity for all and national security. Tough choice, huh?
Why McCain Will Win
March 6, 2008 - 11:43 ET by Gat New YorkDean could be presiding over a fractured Dem party that would make the 1968 convention look like a stroll in [Grant] Park.
Very well put. This is like '68 but worse for the Democrats. You have anti-war loons hijacking the party. But this time you have the added feature of race. If Obama goes into the convention with a lead in popular votes and delegates and does not come out as the nominee you will see African Americans either staying home or voting for McCain.
"There are a set of rules that everybody knew about when we started this out."
Which set of rules are we playing with now Howard? The ones where every American's vote MUST count or the one where Democrats in certain states don't have their vote counted? Or is it the rules where the popular vote doesn't count and bunch of party leaders sit in a smoke-filled room and barter a deal for a candidate?
McCain?
March 6, 2008 - 11:59 ET by AgnosticWhile I agree with your analysis there are some points that need to be addressed. One is that the media has selected our final three candidates and yet people are mentioning the effect the media will have once the conventions are over. Do we really expect them not to pull out all the stops to get the Democrat, regardless of who ends up the nominee, elected especially now that they have proven under current campaign finance laws they are the only voice of opinion being broadcast outside of AM radio and the internet. Also, don't forget that the American public has repeatedly proven that their memories are extremely short. If the press ignores the potential Dem bloodbath in the primaries after all is said and done then people will forget and wonder if the latest hit job on Senator McCain is true.
I'm not being pessimistic but I think Republicans are already forgetting that the media, Republican insiders and primary election rules had more to do with picking their nominee than the voters. Remember all those MSM political analysis saying that Senator McCain is the only Republican candidate that can beat the Democrats or that Senator McCain is the only candidate that can unify the government by working with both parties? Any bets on whether you will hear any of that type of analysis now that he has won the nomination?
The reason we see the media
March 6, 2008 - 12:15 ET by Gat New YorkThe reason we see the media as unified against Bush is mostly because of Bush. The man has no communication skills and the White House strategy has been not to frame issues but to react to them. That was the case with Katrina, with Social Security, energy, taxes, national security and Iraq. There was an attitude of need-to-know in speaking with the press, particularly after the '04 election.
That is not McCain's style.
In terms of issues Hillary has already framed it: experience. The media actually likes McCain more than Hillary (who I think will be their nominee).
There will be certain media outlets that will always be in the tank for Hillary or Obama but there are many that will not. The best example is that bogus NY Times story on McCain and look how quickly the MSM turned on the NYT.
Gat NY,
March 6, 2008 - 13:08 ET by AgnosticI hope you are right and in the name of optimism I'll go so far as to say that I believe they will be easier on Senator McCain then they ever were on President Bush. Many people, okay everyone, disagree with me that President Bush made the mistake very early on in his presidency of admiting that he got his information from his advisors and not the media and the media, already against a Republican president who won a contested election, took it personally and has done everything within there power to make him look bad since.
As far as not the "secrecy" of this administration that is bunk. Go to the White House website and read some of the releases. The information is there to be reported on but the media picks and chooses what constitutes a story. While many are starting to look for alternate sources of information on media released stories most still wait for the media to declare a story before searching for additional info. The President could have done more and I'm in reality not a fan of President Bush but the communication angle is not entirely true. As an example most of the country seems to believe the administration said the WOT would be over in a few weeks when President Bush outlined a long and difficult war with his very words on the subject. If people can't even bother to listen to what you say and the media is going to twist anything you say to use against you why would the president waste precious time? Let the pundits fight it out and let him run the country.
The problem with GW Bush
March 6, 2008 - 13:24 ET by Gat New YorkThe problem with GW Bush is that he never had the communication tools that Clinton had. He (and I mean the White House) never had the ability to lead and frame an issue before it was done for him by those opposed to him.
A good example was Social Security. His privitization was not a new idea. In 1998 Moynihan/Kerrey offered the same proposal. In fact Bubba also offered a form of privitization. When Bush introduced it he should have said it was in the spirit of Moynihan and you would not have had Chuck Schumer immediately coming out and bashing the idea.
Putting something on a website is not enough.
True Gat
March 6, 2008 - 13:41 ET by AgnosticTrue, but hindsight is wonderful and I think President Bush suffered from the experience of his father. He came into office already disillusioned about the media and the reception of the American people and therefore never really fought to get out his message. A mistake that has hurt him badly but IMO a mistake that pales with the corruption, greed and self centered attitude prevelent in politics today. Once again, I'm not a fan but seeing the constant attack against what seems to be a decent man doing an good but not great job as president is hard to watch considering those that are getting praised for much, much less.
True
March 6, 2008 - 14:26 ET by Gat New YorkGW Bush has made some great decisions, but politics and media have clouded them.
I had a professor many years ago who said: "History is never written on the day, or the week, or the month it occured. It is only written many years later long after all the politics have been filtered out and only the facts remain."
I have no doubt that many years from now historians will be looking at the decisions this President made and he will get the praise he never got in office.
I completely agree. RRAM
March 6, 2008 - 15:51 ET by stratmanI completely agree.
RRAM Tough!
Which set of rules are we
March 6, 2008 - 12:11 ET by motherbeltWhich set of rules are we playing with now Howard? The ones where every
American's vote MUST count or the one where Democrats in certain states
don't have their vote counted? Or is it the rules where the popular
vote doesn't count and bunch of party leaders sit in a smoke-filled
room and barter a deal for a candidate?
I put this in another comment, but it fits here:
Rush said the other day that in the Democrat party, there are no "rules"...just "customs" and "traditions."
He was dead on target.
So of course, everything is negotiable....
Don't know much about history...
March 6, 2008 - 12:05 ET by ChrisMillsGregory is right. In the tenth essay of the Federalist Papers Madison articulated the difference between a republic and democracy. A republic is when you elect representatives to speak for you and a democracy is when every citizen vote directly. I wonder if Dean knows he's defending republicanism as superdelegate representative votes the will of democrat voters.
»→ Chris
March 6, 2008 - 12:09 ET by Cool ArrowI think Dean's view is that some delegates are more equal than others.
♣ a seal
Dean on Animal Farm?
March 6, 2008 - 12:39 ET by ChrisMillsAgreed. Dean should check out the book Animal Farm and let us know what he thinks. I bet he'd side with the pigs...
Not shown
March 6, 2008 - 12:09 ET by BarkerHOWARD DEAN: We're going to Michigan, and Florida, and then we're going all the way to Denver AAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!
DIMS EXPLODING, but will we hear!
March 6, 2008 - 12:24 ET by PawpawNCNN just running stories on VOTER FRAUD, MISSING CAUCUS SHEETS, ILLEGAL VOTES, Etc., in TEXAS & that both OBEWAN & SHILLARY are planning lawsuits! & the plot thickens. Can't wait for RUSH on this!!
Complete Nonsense...hmmm...
March 6, 2008 - 13:53 ET by RickTaLifereminds me of every word I've ever heard come out of Howard Dean's mouth. In fact, if you write Howard Dean's name backwards it reads back "Complete Nonsense."
Peace 8-)
Circular Firing Squad, Indeed
March 6, 2008 - 14:27 ET by Blondethe Dems are setting about forming that circular firing squad for which they're famous
Absolutely perfect. I had to laugh when I read that one...I was wondering what you'd put up from Morning Joe today.
I think Shuster may have to get another time-out for his Clinton bashing. Loosly paraphrasing "I want to know about File Gate, I wanna know about White Water, etc." Hillary won't like that.
I have to say, it's pretty funny watching these libs (Chrissy, Shuster, Gregory) bash Hillary, worship Obama, and then for Joe to sit back and pretend to be fair to Hillary. Or when Joe calls Mika like he sees her..."a northeastern liberal elite".
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Howard Dean the genius at
March 6, 2008 - 15:26 ET by bigtimerHoward Dean the genius at work for the DNC.
The gift that keeps on giving for us conservatives....
The Dem Circus
March 6, 2008 - 16:41 ET by Emma Grumpbt, this is really becoming spirited, isn't it? I can't remember when a presidential campaign turned into this much fun. I hope it gets worser and worser....
Emma.... Worry not...it
March 6, 2008 - 18:14 ET by bigtimerEmma....
Worry not...it will!
I have plenty of popcorn ready for the long hot summer and into the fall...let the games begin...oops they already have...let the games continue!
Electoral College vs. Super Delegates????
March 6, 2008 - 15:28 ET by ZayneI'm curious as to what parallels can be drawn between the Democrat use of super delegates and their apparent distain for the electoral college. I guess what I'm asking is why do they moan about the electoral college when they clearly have a process (controlled within the party) that goes far beyond that of the college.
Making it up as you go
March 6, 2008 - 15:40 ET by nkviking75The Dems are only acting in accordance with one of their guiding principles: It's OK to make up the rules as you go along. Whether it's Al Gore going to court to make new rules for recounts or judges holding polls open 90 minutes extra or the Florida/Michigan mess, chaos is always the name of the game. But hey, it's their party, and they'll screw it up if they want to.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Dems Re-do in Florida?
March 6, 2008 - 18:07 ET by BlondeThe bloodbath has begun. The dem leaders in Florida are at each other's throats already. Bill Nelson is demanding a new election at the DNC's expense (& Howard Dean won't take his calls). Two of the local dems (one the National Co-Chair of HRC's campaign, the other the Florida Chair of BHO's campaign) both agree that there is no way to get it done.
The funniest part of this article is the reader comments...all of them dems, and they are all furious!
Stay home or vote for McCain...it matters not to me. But if Hillary tries to steal these delegates...the rhethoric gets ratcheted up another couple of decibels.
Enjoy!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde
March 6, 2008 - 23:46 ET by Jerry MackThanks for the link. Always good to hear what Floridians actually think. sounds a lot different than the filtered version I get from the talking heads.
oh, that's different then!
March 6, 2008 - 20:45 ET by UndercoverConservative"There are a set of rules that everybody knew about when we started this out."
well, that settles it then! because there are rules written out that makes everything perfectly okay! and democratic, because the rules were written down beforehand! Even if the rules were written by the same "insiders" who benefit from this rule!
So when it was "the rules" to own slaves, and to keep women and monirities from voting, that was acceptable as well?
What a crock...YEEEEAAAHHH!!!
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is the same as calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
Supreme Court
March 6, 2008 - 23:58 ET by Jerry MackA re-do in either Florida or Michigan will cause as many or more lawsuits than the 2000 election. Does everyone get to vote or just the ones that voted in the first primary? What about the Military vote? The absentee vote? This is headed to court before any re-do takes place. They are many others that I can think of but I am sure you get the picture.