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SEIU Spending Big For Obama In Pennsylvania
One of Barack Obama's key unions, SEIU, is set to spend nearly $740,000 for a a massive get-out-the-vote campaign for Obama in the presidential primary.
This shows us yet again that Obama's forces will have a tremendous financial advantage over Hillary in the state that has become crucial to her hopes. As Ben Smith noted, Obama's objections to outside spending have dropped while his resources have gone up: "If money can buy an edge in Pennsylvania, he'll have it."
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We keep hearing how much money Obama's team is spending in PA, but nothing about Hillary's team.
Are people implying that she's spending nothing ON PURPOSE? So if Obama wins or gets within 4 pts - she can claim "Look at all the money he spent and he still didn't win".
Let's get some of HER money facts out there PLEASE!!!
April 7, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
is this an indication that the obama camp feels they can win the pennsylvania primary?
or is that irrelevant to the union's decision to mobilize voters?
April 7, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's merely indicative of a 50-state strategy. A strategy that seems to be paying off for him.
April 7, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh that's just unfair! Obama and his rich supporters!
April 7, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love the hard work the SEIU puts in!
April 7, 2008 11:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn waste.
Spend it on health care for their people or other benifits.
April 7, 2008 11:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
As a Hillary supporter, you're probably the LAST person that should be telling other people to pay for their people's health-care.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9274.html
* Yes, I'm aware that it's said that the premiums are now up to date. The fact that they were ever delinquent is PATHETIC for someone supposedly fighting for Universal Healthcare.
April 7, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR HILLARY!!!
April 7, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Eric, perhaps you can update this post with a comparison of monies being spent in PA by Obama backers [SIEU] compared Clinton backers [Emily's List, etc].
Thanks in advance.
April 7, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, Hillary has no problem getting a boost from a former president, what price can you put on that advantage? She also has home court advantage in this state, people don't know Obama, they have known the Clintons for a long time. He has to spend more to overcome the information gap...nothing is wrong with that.
He needs to beat her here, he needs a knockout blow to finish this so we can get on with fighting the Republicans. We need that as Democrats so we can win big in November.
April 7, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
What makes this "home court" for her? (This is an honest question and is not meant to be snarky in any way.)
April 7, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can't blame him for that. Money is effective. Television ads are effective. Swift boat ads in the Fall will be effective.
April 7, 2008 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, swiftboating McCain will be so much fun! Can't wait! Just put McCain of 2000 next to McCain of 2008, and POOF! President Obama!
April 7, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
Move-On and other progressive groups are lined up to actually spend more on 527 ads than the GOP this cycle.
Swift-boating works both ways....except the issues, as always, are on our side.
They'll attack Wright. We'll attack McCain as condoning torture.
They'll attack patriotism. We'll attack McCain as not knowing who we're fighting in Iraq.
They'll attack inexperience. We'll attack a political career spent at the lobbyist teat and hypocrisy.
Oh..I get it, you were suggesting that only the Republicans can use smears. Hardly. Haven't you seen what Hillary's been up to lately? We've taken their best shots and they're MUCH more credible and competent than the Republicans.
April 7, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just play that clip where he fumbles around with the Al Qaeda in Iran issue, and Lieberman whispers in his ear...then play the "100 years" comment, then maybe top it off with a couple different clips of Johnny Boy saying he doesn't "get" the economy....
Looks like your SwiftBoat just sank.
April 7, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
As Ben Smith noted, Obama's objections to outside spending have dropped while his resources have gone up: "If money can buy an edge in Pennsylvania, he'll have it."
Most of us who also frequent Politico recognize that Smith is at a minimum tilting in Hillary's direction.
With regard to Obama... money may not buy you love, but it can buy a whole lotta votes.
April 7, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is it somehow unfair that Obama is outspending Clinton in PA?
It's called campaigning...raise money, then spend it in places where you want people to vote for you.
Seems to be working, too.
April 7, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great!
I hope that with SEIU's help, Obama will win Pennsylvania not only in the upcoming primary but also in the general.
I cannot imagine McCain't mopping the floor.
Obama can and has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miUS7WnMgBw
as for Ben Smith's
*middle finger*
April 7, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Middle finger."
I second this motion.
April 7, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would be nice if voters did a little research on which candidate to support. Unfortunately that is not the case, so money is the necessary evil needed to bring a least a small portion of a candidates message to the masses.
It is also unfortunate that this money can't be used against the Republicans.
April 7, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
IMHO this is another reason not to support Obama. SEIU and similar unions are what is killing America with it's ludicrous rules and contracts. Ridiculous wage and benefits packages with no accountability, seniority rules that bankrupt municipalities and no consequences for mediocrity.
Unions like the SEIU are the antithesis of American ingenuity and achievement.
Screw the SEIU, screw Obama for accepting their money.
April 7, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
fogu2 - Spoken like a true Republican.
April 7, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the Dems who blindly support these unions are alienating what is commendable about being a Democrat. These unions suck and only their members support them. Greedy little goldbrickers they are.
The pathetic attempt at smack talk does not surprise me by the Obamites. They have little use for common sense.
April 7, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Paging Gene Shalit.
April 7, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good for SEIU. And here's the really cool thing -- a major Pennsylvania-based affiliate of SEIU's arch rival, AFSCME, broke with their international union to also endorse Obama. That's the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees. Let's hear it for labor solidarity!
April 7, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love this - now they are polling even in Pa and she was how far up a week ago?
This just rocks.
April 7, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eric's post has a few facts but it appears to me to perpetuate a negative slant on Obama's campaign tactics.
If he works for TPM, does that mean he should try to appear fair and balanced reporting news?
April 7, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I realize that you are either a Republican shill or Clinton apologist, and not really interested in a debate, but the following link blows any argument you thought you had right out of the water.
TEACHERS UNION AIDING HILLARY IN PA
April 7, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not partucularly happy with the nonsense that goes on with teacher's unions either. But they are not goldbrickers, they work hard and are underpaid. That is not so with the SEIU and their ilk.
BTW, I have never voted for a Republican in my life. The myopic Dems who have no common sense, like you, are what drives away sensible party members.
April 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
They are just setting the stage. If Obama wins PA, Hillary does not need to drop out because Obama spent more money, so PA becomes "not important".
April 7, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know what? I don't care anymore - let her stay, but if she's just going to keep bashing Obama she isn't doing the race any good. Nevertheless, Obama seems to be able to fight off the accusations pretty handily - so let her stay. She can't win the nomination.
April 7, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
snap.
Destroying a troll with their own ammunition: Priceless.
April 7, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh great, so a bunch of ignorant janitors who want a few (undeserved) extra bucks are joining the bandwagon. Janitors, gummint employees, high school teachers, housewives, and parlor intellectuals. A powerful, if unappealing coalition. While you come in your pants over Obama, I will note that the nice people in the oil industry deserve much better from you. Obama whinges about the fact that a highly complex and well-run industry makes more than, say, a bunch of socially useless schoolteachers. And yet Exxon and Co. manage the amazing feat of supplying you fools with gaoline every day with 100% reliability. If you only knew how complex this business is.
Eh, I will laugh my ass off, Obama will be a disaster. A nice kid who has never had to work to accomplish anything because people find the idea of a nice spoken, somewhat literate black guy who isn't a thug to be a miracle.
Eh, I prefer knowing what's going on in the world to being a token black president of the US, especially one who will be reviled sometime in his second term when you people actually wake up : )
April 7, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
A scoop of classism and a scoop of racism topped off a thick drizzle of Dick Cheney-style lovin' on Exxon. A perfect troll Sundae.
April 7, 2008 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eurotrash Archetype Milla reemerges, once again pushing the boundaries of the Enfant Provocateur played with such calm reassurance in this weekend's efforts. As usual, it's an action-packed journey of unflinching self-discovery, but will it stand out enough against today's rival efforts by Dembillc and Gotalife to make TPM viewers open their hearts to a bold new voice?
Known Troll: +5
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Troll Rating: 155
April 7, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perfect! I had just paged you above!
April 7, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Paging TrollCritic 3000!
April 7, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
fogu2 writes:
From Wikipedia:
Yea, the SEIU represent the total scum of the earth. What exactly was your point again anyway?
Ok you are not a Republican. Great I'll scratch that from the list. That leaves what now? Oh I see, Clinton apologist.
Where do you stand on Hillary's...
*Bold face lie, and still dong it, about sniping in Bosnia
*Only strategy for winning is through political deals and negative campaigning
*Wants the votes of Michigan and Florida to count even though she has stated that they would not
*Champions the voters right to have their voice heard but then wants to steal the pledge delegates from Obama
*Willing to risk Democrat's presidential chances by forcing a divided convention to satisfy her own political ambition
*Subtly stating that Obama is using the race card while she openly plays the gender card
*Complaint that Obama's part time unpaid adviser made statement mitigating Obama's on NAFTA, while her chief strategist is actively advocating CAFTA while Hillary opposes(maybe?) it
And I could go on, and on, and on... but you get the point.
April 7, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, you listed exactly the categories of workers I'm talking about 1/3 to 1/2 of city employees here earn over $100K. There are a number of nurses who earn over $300K! In local schools the food servers and janitors eran more than the teachers.
Yup you hit it on the head. These people are screwing the rest of us big time. Thanks for making my point for me.
April 7, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, did I forget to mention that most city workers here get lifetime health benefits for only 5 years work and have pensions that are 80-90% of their salary?
Try finding any of that in the private sector.
They are screwing us big time. I would be ashamed to be aligned with them.
April 7, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pennsylvania is Clinton country. Both Bill and Hillary have spent a lot of time there over the past fifteen years, while Senator Obama is just now starting to introduce himself to the people there. Senator Clinton has all the Democratic party machines working on her side, including those run by the Governor, and the Mayor of Philadelphia. The demographics also heavily favor Senator Clinton, and a large portion of the College population are registered in other states, so they can not vote for Senator Obama. Also, this is strictly a Democratic primary with no crossover voting allowed.
If Senator Clinton does not carry Pantsuitmania by a margin of at least 15% over Senator Obama, that would show, once again, where she has gone all wobbly in another stretch run, and can not maintain early big leads. That would make her a very poor bet in November.
April 7, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
They are screwing us big time. I would be ashamed to be aligned with them.
Posted by fogu2
So, at least they have that going for them!
April 7, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a link to a NYT article about outside money for both Obama and The Clintons. It includes some PA stats.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/07/obamas-seiu-boost-in-pennsylvania/
April 7, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going to try this one more time. Sorry if it posts twice eventually, but the first post seems to have disappeared into the black hole.
Here's a link to a NYT article about the relative outside donations for Obama and The Clintons:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/07/obamas-seiu-boost-in-pennsylvania/
April 7, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
SEI-WHO?
They also spent gobs in Ohio, and he lost by 10.
April 8, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink