Obama Supporter Joe Andrew: He Will Win Both Indiana And North Carolina
Joe Andrew, the former DNC chair who gave Obama a big boost by switching to him, just pumped up expectations for Obama to the popping point by predicting on Fox that he'd win both Indiana and North Carolina.
The Clinton campaign was quick to blast video of the moment out to reporters....
"Tough races that Obama is going to win," Andrew said, adding: "I think he's going to win both."
Keep in mind, however, that Hillary, too, inflated expectations for herself to an equally lofty level, promising that North Carolina will be a "game changer."
Separately, it's really hard to imagine that all this "expectations game" playing -- or, in this case, the failure to play it -- means anything to actual voters. But it's something that super-delegates, major donors and other insiders seem to follow obsessively for some reason.
Hey Greg - You are "live blogging' Meet the Press now as well, right?
May 4, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, I asked that of Greg on another thread - in the interest of fairness, he needs to do at least 2 or 3 posts on Obama's MTP appearance, right? ;)
Russert is such an asshat! Please God, it's 15 minutes and we're still on this Wright bullshit. Hopefully this will put an end to it. Obama is handling himself beautifully and answering every question honestly, thoughtfully and respectfully. A true leader!
May 4, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's amazing to witness.
May 4, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the real news here is that Greg found a clip where someone on Fox News is actually saying something positive about Obama. The horror! The horror!
"pumped up expectations for Obama to the popping point"! I smell a Pulitzer!!!
May 4, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is honest, thoughtful and respectful, to boot ? Why didn't anybody tell me ? That's it, I am done with this liberal, elitist. I am voting for Hillary this primary and the GE too.
May 4, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't think so, Greg.
May 4, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
And isn't Russert just making you sick? I hate to say it, but Stephanopoulos is almost doing a better job!
May 4, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, He's drunken douche bag who can't let go of the spotlight on himself.
I think Obama is handling it beautify. What people see here is such a contrast to the obsessive sound bites 24/7 on cable news.
May 4, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOLOL!!!
"other insiders" follow obsessively. Kind of like your little pets down here on the thread, yo, Greg?
LOL
I am all the way back up 7 levels of crazy excitement. I think it's all good -
May 4, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Expectations be damned...
Barack Obama *IS* going to win both -- with our help. He needs people making calls TODAY into North Carolina and Indiana to help seal the deal, though.
If you've got a few minutes to spare, please help make some calls. It's easy and a great way to become involved in getting out every vote.
May 4, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
15 minutes in and he's still grilling him on Rev. Wright!
May 4, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know about "expectations" because that's purely psychological. I've always been more of a numbers guy, which are objective. As I understand the numbers, Hillary has to win both and win big if she's going to avoid having coup by SD. To the extent that I understand the psychological games she is playing, however, it seems to me that she has to maintain her OH/PA margins in IN and at least come within %5 in NC. Anything else would put the lie to the central argument she's been making for dragging this out to the convention.
I sure hope that Joe Andrew is correct. I can't wait to shift the focus to neocon John and "his friend" W(orst). The only way this thing is even close right now is Dem acrimony.
May 4, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now he moves on to "patriotism"!
May 4, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
He had to do it. Gets the negative out of the way first, gives Barack a chance to put it to rest and now moves on. Meet the Press always brings up any uncomfortable issues and contradictions and asks the guest to respond. Everyone knows that going in. Russert is fair and Barack is handling it beautifully.
May 4, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do you think the SDs and donors follow the expectations game? I bet they couldn't care less. The media and bloggers, on the other hand ...
May 4, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ding ding ding!!!! You win the jackpot!!! I watched a little of Chris Matthews' show before MTP came on and it was disgusting - they are salivating over all this crap. It is ONLY the media and the so-called "pundits" that care about this bullshit because it keeps the drama going. They are no better than the assholes that write articles for the National Inquirer - in fact, they are worse because they consider themselves serious journalists. Blech!!!!
May 4, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Peggy Noonan has a great column in the WSJ about how she just can't get too exercised about the Rev. Wright: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120966911007860195.html?mod=todays_columnists
May 4, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't hold back--tell us how you really feel about them! That's one thing I like about Josh and Matthew Yglesias and a few others--they're less concerned with "politics as sporting event" and more concerned with substance.
May 4, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Reading what you all are saying about MTP, etc., I'm so glad that I imposed a TV blackout on myself almost two weeks ago! Honestly, I really do feel so much better since I did that. I'm getting all the info I need or want on the innernets tubes, and those idiots on TV can go to grass. I'm saddened to hear that they're still harping on all the crap, though.
May 4, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
They don't. They're looking at the pledged delegate count, the fund raising capacity, the down ticket coat-tails affect, the African American vote now "for some strange reason" (lol) and how well Obama response to the crisis' that have occurred (personally and in the polls).
They're not fooled by the big state, popular vote, FL & MI, non-sense.
As long as Obama doesn't drop 20 points against McCain suddenly, they know polls can right themselves very quickly, as had been proven time and again with Obama and how he handles a crisis.
They also know that Clinton hasn't been attacked in any way, shape or form as she could have been by Obama, but will be by republicans.
They're not stupid.
May 4, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Couldn't agree more.
May 4, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree - and I think the real big issues there are: money and votes and Obama is da bomb on both.
May 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ding ding ding. Give the boy a cee-gar. Right on, joshuablog.
May 4, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm curious as to what this statement is based upon.
May 4, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oops. For some reason the statement didn't show.
"But it's something that super-delegates, major donors and other insiders seem to follow obsessively for some reason."
May 4, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
As a former DNC chair, Joe Andrew is unlikely to spout out inanities, and the Obama campaign is much too disciplined to have a surrogate do so on prime time.
Such comments could therefore result from:
- positive internal poll numbers (which are much more reliable than those offered by the media polls)
- good news in the early voting front
- confidence in their ground operation
Remember, over a month before the Pennsylvania primary, Obama himself announced his campaign's goal in Pennsylvania was to be within 10 points behind Hillary. They achieved 9.4. That was a startling prediction which withstood viscious controversy.
I look forward to a White House equipped with this sort of numeracy.
May 4, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just realized you were referring to Greg's statement, not Jackson's.
May 4, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
As people are realizing the difficulty in denying Obama the nomination, this drama continues to no possible benefit to the Party.
Now we have a new Obama beauty and she's slapping Hillary around with her cuteness.
And they say Obama doesn't fight back.
Although I wouldn't have thought this possible just a few weeks ago, I am entertaining the possibility of an Obama/Clinton ticket.
It is clear that between Obama and Hillary the Democrats have the vote to win in November. Despite Hillary's ability to rally the GOP against her, she has shown she has strong support in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.
If this ticket went forward, this would allow Obama to govern without a Clinton coalition fighting against him in the congress - a very undesirable prospect. It would also allow Obama to adopt Hillaryโs Healthcare Plan. She would also be second in line to the Presidency.
The challenge would be for Hillary to repair the damage she has inflicted on Obama these past few months? Can she do it?
Yes She Can.
May 4, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well I can see why you liked it, but I really liked it too.
She's good - that's a hell of a song -
"O Hillary you're killing me,
Please go home to Bill,
won't you please find a hobby
and get off the campaign trail..."
LOLOLOL!
May 4, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know if I offered an opinion about the video. I'm curious, why do you think I like it?
May 4, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Man, that's some stinging stuff. Out of the mouth of babes and all that. And lots of angry, angry, indeed, even bitter, comments from Hillary supporters on Youtube about it.
I especially loved one I saw taking her to task for "attacking Democrats." Apparently, she's childish and naive too. Does Hillary just naturally attract the irony impaired, or does the campaign remove their sense of irony somehow when they sign up?
May 4, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
I loved her sigh at the end. We get you Girl.
May 4, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Doesn't this seem odd to anyone? Both campaigns playing up their expectations? Don't they normally downplay so they can exceed?
May 4, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
We might be seeing the endgame playing out right here. One never knows how campaign and party insiders are pushing on the candidates.
May 4, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, Obama just said that Michelle Obama's father has Multiple Sclerosis - I didn't know that. I have MS and this is yet another reason to vote for him - maybe we'll get some funding for this damned disease and get a cure!! Yes, I know it's self-serving on my part but nonetheless...
Woohoo!!!
May 4, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do I know you?
This is gettin wack - I have another dear friend who has MS.
Chorales - what next? LOL!
May 4, 2008 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOL!!! Maybe she's my doppelganger LOL!
My MS is pretty mild, thankfully, and I hope it stays that way!
I don't know why I didn't know this about Michelle Obama's father - she's said it more than once. Maybe it's because the media don't publicize her events the way they do Bill's. Hmmmm...anyway, this is good news because I'm sure the MS Foundation can lobby her once she's First Lady for some major funding for research. MS is becoming an epidemic and it really needs more federal focus (I personally believe it's an environmental problem and we are slowly killing ourselves with toxic shit).
May 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so glad it's mild. My other friend's is mild, too.
Actually those are two different friends of mine - chorale and MS - but the coinkydinks sure piled up in a hurry!
LOL!
May 4, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Comparing Michelle's father & Timmy's father was brilliant.
May 4, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Totally.
He came to this interview prepared for Russert's "gotcha" garbage. I don't think that Russert is biases, however. He is an equal opportunity buffoon when it comes to these kind of interviews.
The lack of posts from the TPM bloggers on this interview is a bit unfortunate.
May 4, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
BO nailed his interview on MTP.
As it relates to Joe Andrew's comments, he may know something we dont. the fact that BO and HRC are working overtime in IN suggests that some shifting is going on there. If hillary had IN locked up, she would be spending the bulk of her time in NC to try and keep the margin close there. But we will find out 48hrs..
May 4, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
"The Clinton campaign was quick to blast video of the moment out to reporters...."
And at least one reporter was quick to post it...
May 4, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Please don't call Greg a reporter. He's not.
May 4, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent. Clinton has a town hall on ABC with closing arguments while Obama plays defense on MTP.
She won Guam and will win both States on Tuesday.
May 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Clinton won Guam? Did they verify all those questionable ballots already?
May 4, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
She won Guam?
May 4, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
No Clinton did not win Guam.
From NPR
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90167645&ft=1&f=1001
"Results of the count completed Sunday morning Guam time show delegates pledged to Obama with 2,264 votes to 2,257 for Clinton's slate. That means they'll split the pledged delegate votes. Obama's slate won in 14 of 21 districts."
----
"Eight pledged delegates will attend the convention, each with one-half vote."
---
"Voters picked two of the superdelegates, electing uncommitted Pilar Lujan party chairman and Jaime Paulino vice chairman. Paulina ran as an Obama supporter. One other existing superdelegate has favored Clinton and the votes of the other two have not been declared.
"The Guam caucuses added two pledged delegates apiece for Clinton and Obama. The vote for party chairman and vice chairman also added a superdelegate for Obama and subtracted one for Clinton because the outgoing vice chair had endorsed the New York senator."
May 4, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of Joe Andrew, "Mr. Super" thinks that Andrew's switch indicates this will be over by Memorial Day.
May 4, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Doesn't Obama have more SDs stacked up to release? I read that somewhere -
May 4, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe because it's something blogs obsessively report on.
May 4, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
i am watching Stephanie interview HRC. Why didnt he ask these types of questions at the ABC debate?
May 4, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
More Superdelegates Coming for Obama:
Someone asked about this issue...
He said Mr Obama had garnered the support of 100 more super-delegates since early February, and added: "You're going to see a lot more of that soon." >>
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/1924872/Michelle-Obama-Barack-has-hit-boiling-point.html
May 4, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oops...
He said Mr Obama had garnered the support of 100 more super-delegates since early February, and added: "You're going to see a lot more of that soon." >>
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/1924872/Michelle-Obama-Barack-has-hit-boiling-point.html
May 4, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Christ, let's hope the third time's the charm.
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, his chief strategist David Axelrod said the trickle of super-delegate endorsements would grow this week.
He said Mr Obama had garnered the support of 100 more super-delegates since early February, and added: "You're going to see a lot more of that soon."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/1924872/Michelle-Obama-Barack-has-hit-boiling-point.html
May 4, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Carol Soprano: Alas, Michelle Obama's father died some years back.
May 4, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama looked refreshed and relaxed today. I wonder if his internal polls for Indiana are reflecting the ones in Zogby, which now show him leading ?
May 4, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I actually think expectations are important here because the media will slavishly adhere to them and, partly because of perceived expectations, will declare that Obama has either stopped the bleeding or continues to fall. (I think his supposed fall is not really supported by fact but it's what the press, including TPM, has been drumming so they've made it a fact.)
A sense of fairness in picking the nominee is important and for the SDs to go to Obama when he is perceived to be on a downward slope and HRC is perceived to be on the rise will leave her supporters furious and with a sense that the nom was "given" to Obama. It will be easier for them to (grudgingly) accept him as the nominee if the press is saying that he's recovered.
May 4, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thinking more about Andrew's comments, I also wonder if he wants to make sure voters see Obama as a winner. This psychology is so important in the booth. Andrew, after all, is no dummy, having run campaigns Clinton-style for many years. I do believe he's sly like a fox.
May 4, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love it. I wish I knew the real reason why Joe Andrew is so intent on seeing Hillary lose. But whatever his reason, I love seeing him go overboard like that.
May 4, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, at least he got the name right this time. When he endorsed him, he called him "Barama".
May 6, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, at least he got the name right this time. When he endorsed him, he called him "Barama".
May 6, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink