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Big Pro-Hillary Third-Party Group Won't Be Funding Ads In West Virginia
I'm told reliably that the American Leadership Project -- the big third-party group funded by Hillary-backing unions and major donors -- will not be funding any ads on her behalf in West Virginia.
The West Virginia contest this coming Tuesday will obviously be an easy win for Hillary. Still, keep in mind that she needs to run up her margin of victory as high as possible, so any third-party spending on her behalf would be helpful.
So it's not hard to divine the significance of the fact that ALP -- one of the biggest-spending outside groups in her corner -- isn't putting any cash into the state.
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Comments (64)
Oh god, I can't help it, urge to start a wave taking over... must resist... can't stop myself...
THIS
May 9, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
IS
May 9, 2008 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT
May 9, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
NEWS!!
May 9, 2008 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR
May 9, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
HILLARY!!!
May 9, 2008 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear American Leadership Project:
Thank you and your wealthy individual donors and pro-Hillary unions for wasting millions of dollars to prolong an intramural Democratic primary fight long after your candidate had been mathematically eliminated. I'm sure we won't need that money in the fall against John McCain or in close House or Senate races anyway.
Hillary was so obviously superior on labor issues that there could have been no doubt as to whether that was the smartest way to spend the money of your fellow union members. It's not like a filibuster-proof Senate majority would make a huge difference on issues important to unions and the progressive movement generally.
Sarcastically yours,
OM
May 9, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's nice to know we can work together in times of need.
May 9, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR
May 9, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
HILLARY!!!!!
May 9, 2008 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR HILLARY!!!
May 9, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
apologies. didn't notice a wave had begun. carry on.
May 9, 2008 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
idiotic..bro...no wave can compare your complete and sufficient remarks- on the money everytime.
I reject and denounce your apology.
May 9, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
But do you disown his apology??
Do you spit upon his apology and demand satisfaction by way of a duel?
Really, your denouncement is not enough!
May 9, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. Yes. A thousand times, YES! idiotic must reject and denounce and deject and renounce and project and pronounce and eject and enounce.
OK, I lost some steam there.
May 9, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe you'd throw idiotic under the bus like that.
May 9, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Much as I'd like to see this as an omen, it just seems like a reasonable decision, given the poll numbers.
And I certainly don't want to trash West Virginia, but when did that become the most important state in the union? It's too funny, in a way.
May 9, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
In answer to your question it became the most important state in the union on Tuesday.
May 9, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
If her margin is 100% she gains 28 delegates.
70-30 (which is possible) gives her a 20-8 win. Those 8 delegates for Obama puts him 25 away from clinching the majority of pledged delegates. A similar margin in Kentucky gains him another 15 delegates, and Oregon puts him over the top as long as he keeps an advantage there.
In fact, he could lose the next three states 70-30 and still clinch on May 20.
May 9, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about AFSCME, Emily's List, NOW PAC, and the Painters Union?
The only late expenditure report filed since Tuesday is SEIU for Obama in Montana. Hillary's going to have a hard time justifying staying in the race if the people who've been paying for a large chunk of ads in her favor on TV and in the mail have given up on her. Put your money where your mouth is and all that.
May 9, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg:
Are you going to look further into the source of the Hamas endorsement smear?
May 9, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes please do.
May 9, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why does she need to drive up margin as much as possible? Is there still a real way she can win the popular vote (even though that doesn't matter)?
May 9, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it has something to do with momentum.
Did any of you see that ass clown McAuliff on MSNBC crowing about how good they were doing early in the evening on Tuesday? He claimed it was all about "momentum" and that Hillary was winning the "momentum war." He didn't look so happy later on in the night.
May 9, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is my thought as well. It really would not matter even if she won by 60 pts instead of the 30 by which she presently expected to win. WV does not have either the delegates or the raw votes to make much of a difference.
May 9, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
But, but, but....Hillary is telling all of us how important this state is!!!
May 9, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
AND Hillary is gonna turn WV Blue in November!!! It's all over for Obama!!!
May 9, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wile E. Coyote dropped her brand new Acme Power Point Anvil, but at the very last second, the Road Runner veered off to gobble up five more super delegates, and then speed ahead. Meep. Meep.
May 9, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't need to.
She will thump him there.
May 9, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
No diggity GL - if there's one thing they know how to do in WV - it's thump (unions!).
Let's keep up the substance and take all the Cool Aid drinkers on with our well thought out, non-stop posts! I really think we're making some impact here and - like always - are completely relevant!
May 9, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
So what? It is over, she lost, get over it.
May 9, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not quite as prestigious as the Hamas endorsement, but Obama did pick up his SIXTH Super Delegate today:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/9/15630/25512/861/512742
May 9, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seventh:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/9/15633/62862/862/512741
May 9, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are superdelegaets and "add-on" delegates the samem thing?
May 9, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
They all count towards the ultimate total, that's all that matters.
May 9, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wile E. Coyote dropped her brand new Acme Power Point Anvil, but at the very last second, the Road Runner veered off to gobble up five more super delegates, and then speed ahead. Meep. Meep.
May 9, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
An EIGHTH Super is going to be announced shortly (Utah add-on)
May 9, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meep meep is magnificent!
May 9, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Still, keep in mind that she needs to run up her margin of victory as high as possible
have you no shame man! Your like the bucket boy screaming to the fighter who is knocked out on his feet to keep going, and hit hard, while the rest of his crew is preparing to throw in the towel. She's done.
May 9, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
GREG:
Another Add-On Delegate to Obama (from NM):
http://www.newmexicoindependent.com/view/nmi-exclusive-count
Laura Weahkee, the add-on delegate from New Mexico, is backing Barack Obama.
Managing Editor David Alire Garcia got the story.
"After the primary elections in Indiana and North Carolina, it is now absolutely clear that Barack Obama will be our nominee," Weahkee, lead organizer for the Native American Voters Alliance, writes in a statement e-mailed to the Independent. She adds, "Obama has proven that he can campaign in a difficult environment and still inspire thousands of new voices to take part in the democratic process."
May 9, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
*laughing* I come here just for the comments.
May 9, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Breaking:
John McCain has crashed his car into the Clinton's Chappaqua, New York, estate.
Apparently Senator McCain was following directions from his onboard GPS, after he had entered: "Gates of Hell".
May 9, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
May 9, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I predict an upset with West Virginia.
Obama will likely get big support around Morgantown, where West Virginia University is at.
You know the MSM existing polls on Obama's strong support from the educated.
May 9, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
As much as that would be nice, it ain't happening. He's not really even trying because then she would claim "he tried his hardest and outspent us 4 to 1 and he still lost."
He knows it's lost and won't do more than he has to.
Supers knows this win of hers means nothing at this point. No matter how she tries to frame this win.
Same as Kentucky.
It will be light campaigning from Obama in these states.
May 9, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone heard from Eric what color the six new Supers for Obama today are since that NJ guy he so helpfully told us was African-American?
Because, I don't know how seriously to take the news of their support of Obama until I know if they are black or white.
May 9, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOLOL!!
May 9, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't laugh. We need to know if they're hard working supers (worth three votes), latte sipping egghead supers (worth one vote) or African American supers (3/5 vote.)
May 9, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rep. Donald Payne (NJ) - African American (M)
Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR) - Caucasian (M)
DNC John Gage (MD) - Caucasian (M)
DNC Edward Espinoza (CA) - Caucasian (M)
DNC Vernon Watkins (CA) - Caucasian (M)
DNC Wilbur Lee Jeffcoat (SC) - African American (M)
Add-on Laurie Weahkee (NM) - Native American (F)
Rep. Mazie Hirono (HI) - Pacific Islander (F)
Think that's about right... :)
May 9, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice multi-cultural cross section of America. And they all are hard-working! Absolutely beautiful.
May 9, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eighth superdelegate: Hawaii Congresswoman Mazie Hirono Endorses Barack Obama, according to Politico.
Is this a flood yet?
May 9, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a bit off-topic, but for fans of Lanny Davis, this might be a bit disappointing:
Since Tuesday, Davis spoke to CNN political director Sam Feist, and has decided not to appear on the network during election coverage.
h/t Michael Calderone.
Link: Shorter Lanny Davis: WAAAAAH!
May 9, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I find it absolutely hilarious the kool aid is so strong, you actually think Obama is going to save this country.
This guy has no short term gas price solutions and has done nothing but give a speech.
When will he lead on anything?
Unbelievable.
May 9, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry, we can't hear you over the flood of Super Delegates announcing for Obama today.
May 9, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously Gotalife - thanks for sounding out on this.
Honestly - whenever I want to hear about what's absolutely unbelievable - I can always turn to you.
Btw - hope you don't mind me using this catch phrases like "Cool Aid" and "He needs to Lead" over and over and over - but I think it's a great way to get through to people and show some substance to your argument.
May 9, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lanny Davis:
Crazy person.
May 9, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bagdad Bob!
May 9, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
oops, Baghdad...ruined by spellcheck!
May 9, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is Obama making any appearances in West Virginia? I'd like to see him put up an effort in the state, if just to tamp down her popular vote total. Having lived in WVa for a bit, I'd like to see him make a race of it. They're not all racists down there.
May 9, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone on Politico said he was making an apperance in WV on Monday.
May 9, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
ALP is a 527. By law, 527's cannot campaign for a specific candidate. The Obama campaign I believe has filed a suit for them to cease and desist in promoting Clinton. 527's are supposed to be "public interest" organizations meant to provide political information and may be party-oriented but to use them to support a specific candidate is illegal. Legally they are not supposed to fund any "ads on her behalf" as Greg reports.
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/02/complaint_filed_against_procli.html
I think Greg is being less than forthcoming in not reporting this aspect of ALP's decision. The complaint may be in fact a contributing factor to the groups holding back on their efforts in West Virginia.
May 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh Hillary.... Chappequa is callingggggggggg!
May 10, 2008 12:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
to goatlife
from one troll to another:
why don't we see mcCain's picture in uniform?
if he's surrounded by heavily armed men all the time, does it become easier to see the mustache?
May 10, 2008 4:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain will not pander his military experience for a couple of reasons. (1) he has already done a thorough job of documenting his Vietnam experience and (2) it would be a two-edged sword, cutting both ways, as a lot of people feel that his wartime and post-war experience leave a lot of room for criticism.
After the conventions, you will see some SwiftBoating of McCain by some very unhappy Vietnam vets. Anyone who is interested can google and bring up stuff that is not complimentary to his military aura, but the site below links to both sides of the McCain story, though it is basically negative on him.
http://www.farfromglory.com/john_s_mccain.htm
I would say, his Iraq support, his surge promotion, his 100 years of war wish, bomb bomb bomb Iran, his flip-flop on torture, all will make McCain not too eager to appear as a warmonger, even though he is just that.
His job is to run on a war platform without looking like he is running on a war platform. But he will seldom if ever talk about peace. The closest he will come in Iraq is to talk about reducing the violence, and then occupying the place with no end in sight. That is not peace.
He has two sons serving in Iraq whom he does not mention, but that is a two-edged sword also, as using them in his campaign could be seen as cynical and pandering.
On net balance a lot of people will vote for McCain because of his war experience (totally irrelevant to my view), but at least as many will not because of his eager-for-war outlook (very relevant in my view).
May 10, 2008 8:34 AM | Reply | Permalink