Hillary Nabs Second Super-Delegate Of The Day; Obama Gets Two More
Hillary picks up her second super-delegate of the day: Irene Stein, the chair of the Democratic party in Tompkins County, New York.
In a press release sent over by the Tompkins Dems, Stein argues -- as did Hillary's first super today -- that it's her responsibility to pick Hillary because she's the best opponent for John McCain.
"[Superdelegates] are given the solemn role of using their best judgment as to who will be the best candidate for the Party and the Nation," Stein says. "I believe that having Hillary Clinton as our nominee will give us our best shot at winning the election."
The Hillary camp will work hard to focus attention on super-dels justifying their choice of Hillary based on electability, in hopes that it emboldens other super-dels to ignore the pledged del and popular vote count and do the same.
That brings today's super-del total to two apiece.
Late Update: The Obama campaign just announced two more from Michigan: Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, and Michigan Education Association President Lu Battaglieri.
Yawn.
June 2, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
FWIW... Tompkins County, NY-- the location of Cornell University and Ithaca College-- was the only county in the entire state to go for Obama during NY's primary election.
June 2, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
No yawn . . .
The Super Delegates are disenfranchising the will of the voters and caucus goers!!!
If the SD's keep declaring at rate of one every hour the folk casting ballots in South Dakota and Wyoming may not get their votes counted . . . Unlike the folk who screwed the pooch in Florida and Michigan who get half votes counted!
What makes Floridians and Michiganites better than the folk in South Dakota and Wyoming?
Is there no end to the inhumanity?
INQUIRY: Are the delegates in Denver counted on Diebold machines?
June 2, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like Irene "fears the pantsuit."
LOL
June 2, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did you hear the inventor of the Pants Suit died yesterday?
June 2, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Careful...
Hillary spent the run up to the Kentucky Derby talking about Eight Belles, but people thought it was absolutely classless to mention it after the tragic, unfortunate, sad and heart-breaking outcome of that race. You don't want to run afoul of the YSL/HRC axis... Lullvull'75 in particular will be all over you, as a charter member of the Pantsuit Brigade.
June 2, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yves Saint Luarent died this weekend . . . The creator of the pantsuit is dead.
Let us pause and reflect on the impact that this will have on the American politics.
June 2, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe it's 2.5 to 2. Obama got the Mayor of Southfield, MI (Lawerence).
June 2, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yawn. Some bonehead jumps aboard a sinking ship.
Do we really think the tide is turning for Hillary?
Wake me up when it's tomorrow.
June 2, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
This mess better be over by Wednesday.
I'm looking at you, Granma Pelosi. Could be time to start kicking ass and taking names.
~
June 2, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
blood from turnips
June 2, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama announced two Michigan Supers, so he is at 3 so far today since they get 1/2 vote each.
ONE:
Michigan Education Association President Lu Battaglieri says he also is endorsing Obama. That gives Obama seven Michigan superdelegates, tying the number rival Hillary Rodham Clinton has in the state.
TWO:
Sen. Barack Obama picked up another superdelegate during his visit today to Troy High School.
Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, who is a superdelegate because of her role with the National Conference of Mayors, said it's time for the Democratic Party to unite behind Obama.
I was undecided, but he's worked hard to show that he's the best candidate," Lawrence said before Obama arrived at the high school, where 2,000 supporters waited in excited anticipation for the probable Democratic presidential nominee.
June 2, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Michigan superdels only have 1/2 vote? I thought that Ausman clearly said that the rules and bylaws committee didn't have the authority to reduce a superdelegate's vote to 1/2 because the DNC charter specifically uses the word "shall," which is mandatory.
June 2, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, All Florida and Michigan delegates get 1/2 vote. That's what the RBC decided.
I fully agree the Superdelegates from those states, including the elected officials that helped create the mess, should be punished along with the pledged delegates.
June 2, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ausman was trying to argue that because the Charter says that they "shall" be unpledged delegates and so the DNC must seat them and give them their full vote. The RBC said, the Charter does say that you "shall" be a delegate but it doesn't say you "shall" have a vote.
June 2, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Former Iowa Gov. & Hillary Clinton Supporter, Tom Vilsack today:
Bill Clinton today:
June 2, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bubba's slip is pretty telling. Ben Smith is reporting on her "celebration" party tomorrow night in Manhattan. Tomorrow is sounding like the day she will throw in the towel.
BTW, does that mean she won't seek re-election for the Senate from NY? Or just that Bill doesn't expect to be around for that?
June 2, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG, straight from The Big Dawg's mouth. I missed that quote.
puts the champagne on to chill for tomorrow night
June 2, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Marc Ambinder reports:
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/
June 2, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
"'til Hillary decided to run." Right. Like they haven't been planning this since he was in the White House. Hillary just suddenly decided last year, what the heck, I'll try to be president. Won't it be fun.
Good lord, that man just cannot stop lying to save his life.
June 2, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
He forgot. After all, he did say that happens when you are old and tired.
June 2, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
in hopes that it emboldens other super-dels to ignore the pledged del and popular vote count and do the same.
Thanks for pointing that out.
The "ignoring" part.
June 2, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
i honestly thought that by this time at least 6-10 SD would hve been announced by BO. What the hell re the SD's waiting on?
June 2, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
They are waiting for MT and SD to vote.
June 2, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
BOOYA!
The momentum is just starting. If Clinton does better than expected tomorrow the race continues to the convention for sure.
She's is ahead in the popular vote.
She has won more primaries than Obama in the last months.
She got FL and MI seated (even though they lynched her)
She's on a roll.
Go Hillary.
June 2, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think we should just base the nominating process on what happened in February, the MOST.IMPORTANT.MONTH.EVAH.
The choice is easy: Obama 11, Clinton 0.
June 2, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL. You're very entertaining.
June 2, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
fogu2 - We do appreciate the avatar change. Thank you.
June 2, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, fogu, your apperance at the DNC's RBC meeting is a smash hit on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KACQuZVAE3s
Might I suggest you get back on your meds?
June 2, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Lynched. How cute. Asshat.
June 2, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/
More complete list included two 1/2 vote supers.
June 2, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're waiting for the last of the voting to be finished tomorrow. Then they'll declare en masse. Since Obama needs only about 12% of them, it'll be officially over.
June 2, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep em coming.
She is strong on national sercurity.
Wake up supers.
June 2, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wake up deluded HRC supporters, even Blowjob Bill knows it's over:
"I want to say also that this may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind. I thought I was out of politics, 'til Hillary decided to run. But it has been, one of the greatest honors of my life to go around and campaign for her for president," said Clinton as he began his speech.
June 2, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
it's so CUTE when you talk like the tide is turning!!!!!!!!
June 2, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wake up GOPers posing as Hillary supporters- you're almost out of a job!
June 2, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom got some great footage of a typical Clinton supporter at the DNCs RBC meeting Saturday, check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KACQuZVAE3s
June 2, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is dead in the water on national security, just like McCain. They both voted to invade Iraq and thought it was a necessary war.
Neither of them, unlike Senator Obama, have the judgement or wisdom to command our military.
June 2, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
She still holds sway over the hive. Point point, clap clap!
June 2, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm very excited to see Obama's victory speech tomorrow, live and in person. Let the delusion continue for all I care- Clinton is only hurting herself. Obama's got this thing wrapped up.
June 2, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joseph: In person, so will you let us know how it was being there?
June 2, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutley. I am so excited..... Fired up, ready to go! Indeed!
I'm showing up at least 2 hours early. I'm sure there will be a huge line even by then.
June 2, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure it's a wise idea for a flood of supers to announce support for Obama today.
Hillary won by a 2 to 1 margin yesterday. And she's creating a perception that "they've taken away four delegates of mind" and that she's being pushed out of the race.
She's positioned the "supers" as the ones who are taking away the voice of the people.
I could understand if Obama's campaign is exercising restraint considering all this.
June 2, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yawn.
June 2, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope. She's the one calling on supers to "exercise their judgement". They'll do what they'll do and she'll have to accept it whether it comes now, or later.
June 2, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG!!!!! LOOK AT THE SOUTH DAKOTA POLL NUMBERS!!!!! ARG IS THE BEST.POLLING.OUTFIT.EVAH!!!!!!!
HILLMEMTUM!!!!
Vote HILLARY!!!!! She's the very best.....WE'RE GOING TO THE CONVENTION!!!!!
June 2, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
ARG has Hillary up 60% to Obama's 34% in SD. Great news for Hillary! In it to win it!
June 2, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL. Poor things.
June 2, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously, WTF is up with that??? I thought he was favored in South Dakota?!
June 2, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Guys - the front page has a story that Bill Clinton told people in South Dakota today that this is probably his last day campaigning like this - ever.
Looks like they aren't coordinating messages again, and Bill is telling us it's over.
June 2, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ouch. No, not much message coordination going on today.
June 2, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Most of the seventeen Democratic senators who have remained uncommitted throughout the primaries will endorse Barack Obama for president this week, CNN has learned.
Sources familiar with discussions between Obama supporters and these senators tell CNN’s Gloria Borger that the senators will wait until after the South Dakota and Montana primaries to announce their support for Obama.
Two source familiar with the sessions said the endorsements will come sometime later this week.
Obama supporters have been “pressing” for these superdelegates to endorse earlier in the week, but according to one source, “the senators don’t want to pound Hillary Clinton, and there is a sense she should be given a grace period.”
A series of meetings on the topic have been facilitated at different times by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin. Durbin and Daschle are Obama supporters, while Harkin is uncommitted.
According to CNN’s Candy Crowley, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will remain uncommitted until Clinton officially drops out of the race.
June 2, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, then...Reid doesn't actually intend to commit?
June 2, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
So Obama needs what now, 42 or 43 delegates to put him over the top?
June 2, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
41. He'll win 15-20 tomorrow (see downthread) and we'll need 16-21 to put us over the top.
June 2, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now Shrillary is claiming she's won more states!!! When will it end????
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/2/112856/3235/569/527264
June 2, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
So if you exclude 38 states, she's winning the most states? I'm not sure I follow that. Cherry-picking?
June 2, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is more or less guaranteed to pick up another 15-20 delegates of the 31 in SD and Montana tomorrow. It would be very nice if we got just enough supers TODAY to mean that pledged delegates put him over the top tomorrow, not superdelegates Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. That number would be about 20-25 delegates.
Unfortunately I think most are waiting to declare until the voting is over. As of Tuesday evening, I think we can see Pelosi, Gore, Reid, Dean et al rapidly endorsing Obama, and the rest of the freakin' lemmings following suit.
June 2, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is GREAT NEWS, for OBAMA!
June 2, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, by the way...has Limbaugh officially kicked off Operation Chaos for SD and Montana like the media claimed he was going to this weekend?
June 2, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish the news had simply ended, "Rush Limbaugh kicked off."
June 2, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or just 'kicked' would suit me fine...
June 2, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another tea leaf to divine:
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/06/more_clinton_clues.php
June 2, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
And see the message that Bill is relaying to people in South Dakota today - it's over.
June 2, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Over for Obama, apparently. Check the latest polls where Bill is.
June 2, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wrong SD....Superdelegates, Not South Dakota, hold the key to this nomination.
June 2, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm joking, bonehead.
June 2, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, sorry, smart guy.
I'll be sure to take my bonehead back to Stupidville.
June 2, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
meanwhile, from politico.com:
June 2, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe they'll emerge from the meeting and Nancy Pelosi will say:
"It's time for us to play Atticus Finch to the rabid dog in the street."
June 2, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would pay her $500 to say that.
June 2, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd pay even more to find out how Nancy got into the meeting with the Senators. ;)
June 2, 2008 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Picky, picky!
;)
June 2, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nancy has no power to call the game over.
Even if you pay her.
June 2, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, she doesn't, but I'd still pay her, or any politician, to make a remark like that!
: )
June 2, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
And others are powerless to influence her with idle threats to refuse to pay her, Mr. Nemazee.
June 2, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh bless your heart Aubie! A reference to To Kill a Mockingbird - I salute you.
June 2, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for reporting this, Greg Sargent. This contest never fails to entertain.
June 2, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Senator Obama picked 2 Sds from Michigan, so that is 3 to 2 because SDs from MI count for 1/2
June 2, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just noticed the latest South Dakota poll from ARG:
Clinton 60, Obama 34.
And in Montana:
Obama 48, Clinton 44.
What the hell happened?
June 2, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yawn
June 2, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go to sleep, sweetie.
June 2, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think she likes you, JB.
June 2, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
MT-Pres (D)
June 2 ARG
Obama 48%, Clinton 44%
More good news for Hillary!
June 2, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I smell a rat. If she steals this election, I am grabbing a pitchfork and going to Denver. By the way, Ms. Stein represents a county that overwhelmingly went for Obama. They are not happy campers in Ithaca today.
June 2, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Those ARG polls are a joke. Reports are that Hillary's own campaign is projecting a narrow loss in SD and a big loss in MT.
June 2, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
You never heard of low ball? The Hillary folks are really good at that -- then BAM! The Obama folks, by contrast, have done fairly poorly at managing expectations. EVERYONE has been saying Obama is favored to win both races tomorrow. It will be s media shocker if he doesn't.
June 2, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, Bill told people in South Dakota that this will more than likely be his last day campaigning like this - ever.
I don't think that can be twisted enough to mean it's over for Obama.
June 2, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to ABC NEWS:
Bill Clinton is either again walking over Hillary's talking points for his own moment in the sunshine or just conveying the inconvinient truth.
"I want to say also that this may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind. I thought I was out of politics, 'til Hillary decided to run. But it has been, one of the greatest honors of my life to go around and campaign for her for president," said Clinton as he began his speech.
June 2, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you = that's what I read and was just going to post the link.
June 2, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
New Gallup via USA Today:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/107617/Americans-Favor-President-Meeting-US-Enemies.aspx?loc=interstitialskip
June 2, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
67% is pretty devastating for the only issue Sen McCain "has," and I imagine Sen Obama will be taking back foreign policy and security from the GOP before too much longer.
Thank L-Ron Bill sees it's over today...
June 2, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
How long before the McCain campaign backtracks and moderates their position on this issue?
June 2, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's too late. It would fracture his as-yet ununited cohalition.
Bob Barr is going to serious damage to McCain. This cannot be misunderestimated [sic.]. Bob Barr is able to make scathing cogent arguments, and he will not hesitate to take McCain to task for any wandering. And there's been plenty of wandering, that of a senile old coot who is searching for nothing more than his pants.
June 2, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is awesome news. Recent polling shows obama almost beating mcbush with the white vote after all the clintons garbage. Holy cow, I see a landslide in November against mcbush. This is his high-water mark. He has gotten no scrutiny and people still look at him as mccain of 2000. Once people realize that he has become mcbush it will be downhill from here on out.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0608/Warning_signs_for_McCain.html
June 2, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hah:
Don't tell dijamo.
June 2, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
What the hell can you say anymore, I give up.
June 2, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am disgusted with hillary supporters especially femanists who are making women look irrational petty and willing to hold so much vile towards their candidate losing that they would in fact vote for mccian or write in hillarys name!!! Im tired of them saying the nomination was stolen, or she didnt have a fair shot, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SHE WAS WAYYY AHEAD IN THIS ELECTION at the beginning
Send an email showing your disgust
The founder of the DFL Feminist Caucus in swing state Minnesota, Koryne Horbal, tells the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that she is pushing a petition drive to secure the commitment of feminists everywhere to write-in Sen. Hillary Clinton's name in November.
What if that means Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., becomes president?
"I don't care," Horbal said. "Let McCain clean it up for four years, and then we can have Hillary run again."
It's fairly irrefutable that should there be a Supreme Court vacancy in the next four years, which there probably will be, McCain will appoint a Justice who in all likelihood will be the final vote to overturn Roe v Wade.
I'm not making a value judgment here on that -- it's just a fact. It's one of the reasons why many conservatives will vote for McCain, whom they dislike on several other issues.
info@dflfc.org
this is the email address for the DFL
her name is
Koryne Horbal
should be koryne horrible
June 2, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
ugh...
Here's what I sent them:
The following statement is attributed to Koryne Horbal:
"I don't care," Horbal said. "Let McCain clean it up for four years, and then we can have Hillary run again."
This childish view reflects a detached sense of the facts surrounding both the Obama and McCain campaigns. It is my hope you will either entertain remedial education for Ms. Horbal, or consider severing your relationship with her altogether.
This is not constructive dialog, and it needs to stop.
June 2, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you kidding me Greg?
Obama has been pulling in on average 2-4 per day for weeks and you have studiously avoided writing those up as a separate article, so this is news how exactly?
I guess if the fact she hasn't nabs two in a single day, which she hasn't done in weeks makes it news but man is this silly.
June 2, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I find the fact Greg is reporting Supers today to be pretty significant. It tells me he believes tracking the final day or two of these delegates is more important than the daily spin from McAuliffe or Wolfson.
I actually found out about a Superdelegate on this site for the first time ever today.
The Superdelegates endorsing Clinton are worth reporting too I think since it is pretty hard to fathom why they would do so.
I expect the next 35 hours to be pretty interesting.
June 2, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree - can we stop beating up on the TPM staff for minor stuff?!? He posted Obama's earlier, this is just an update.
June 2, 2008 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
TPM pointed out two Obama delegates at the butt-crack of dawn and two more just now.
The great and grand goddess got two (and probably and half) and Obama got four. Celebrate - Don't berate. Rebukes are SOOOOOoooooo…. $hillary.
June 2, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Commenting is screwy for me - I have to sign in about 14 times in order to post - I'm outta here.
June 2, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
A visibly wasted and delusional Terry McAuliffe on Morning Joe, complete with Hawaiian shirt and bottle of rum:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/02/clinton-strategist-terry_n_104680.html
Classic!
June 2, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I'd be on the Mother of All Benders if I were him...
June 2, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
That ARG poll is frightening. Yes, it's a crappy outfit, but it might predict an upset in the making. Yes, it's over, but still not good.
June 2, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
And if she does win SD, can he not make her VP?
June 2, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not. Going. To. Happen.
That stench in the air is the smouldering bridges Sen Clinton has burned through her choice of words, and the kind of campaign she's chosen to run. Ditto, Until Recently King Bubbuh.
Sen Clinton has been given extraordinary political accomodation. Now her tab comes due, and it makes her $11 million campaign debt look like a cable bill.
She will be lucky to hold on to her (back bench) Senate seat. The amount of puckering up both she and Bill will have to do is literally beyond both of them.
For her sake, I hope she smells divorce.
June 2, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe these Senators are not wanting to POUND hillary by declaring for Obama...these people are politicians. Why wait? Does anyone believe it will be truly be over Wednesday morning then? Hillary will continue to drain all fucking life force out of her campaign first. I going to remember who declared WHEN and not forget that when it comes to my checkbook opening for them when they are up for relection next time. Party leaders should lead...not wag their asses behind Hillary's lead!
June 2, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
SD is old and poor mostly so I can see it going for HRC but not by this margin.
Still - no worries. This is done - Obama is in MI today. He is done campaigning in primary states.
OT- On a happier note, Sen Kennedy is out of surgery earlier than expected, his drs say they accomplished everything they need to and since he was awake during the procedure (how creepy must that have been - um just hold on a minute while we cut open your brain...)they could monitor issues with brain function and there appears to be no damage from the surgery.
June 2, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very encouraging news for Senator Kennedy. Thanks for passing along the info.
June 2, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent news! Cancer is no match for the Senate's Lion. He'll be up and campaigning in the Fall.
June 2, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
from your lips to FSM's ears.
June 2, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
There aren't any pain receptors in the brain.
And, they probably wanted him talking, to make sure that they stayed away from any speech/language areas in the brain.
FWIW.
June 2, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, so that is a good thing. It is more the creepy factor- the thought just seems absolutely horrifying.
On another note - this is his press release:
LOL - I love this man.
June 2, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's hilarious.
I love your avatar, btw.
June 2, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's horrifying for me not for the gore, but for the fine nuances of the brain's interconnections, let alone what they mean. We know so little. However modern the setting and wise the physician, brain surgery remains repairing a watch with a sledgehammer while wearing oven mits. Now that is horrifying!
Ditto, medications for the brain.
Bless anyone, knowing this, would proceed anyway.
June 2, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I remember feeling like that post-surgery. It's the painkillers talking.:)
But, really glad that he's come through the surgery in good spirits.
June 2, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, what's with today's ARG poll for South Dakota -- Clinton 60%, Obama 32% ?! And how come you folks at TPM haven't headlined it as you normally would? I know, I know, people will say ARG has a terrible track record or will change the subject by saying it doesn't matter. But can a poll possible be that wrong? And isn't it important for Obama to conclude the primary season on a high note? If the poll is anywhere near to being right, it looks like one last blowout embarrassment is brewing for Barack on what is supposed to be his big night. Has anyone heard any more optimistic news out South D?
June 2, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well it IS South Dakota, where the buffalo still use two cans and a string to conduct buffalo business..
June 2, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny, but I'm genuinely perplexed. How can a race that has been universally described in recent days a very close have polling results that look like this?
June 2, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
ARG's record has been not bad. And SD hasn't been polled recently, that I could find.
I wouldn't be worried about it. 60-40 split of 15 pledged delegates will not change the results of this race.
We need to just get beyond Tuesday, so that the SuperDels will feel free to declare so that we can move on to the next phase, already!
June 2, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm one of those Obama supporters who worry about his rather shabby ending. A 20 point loss in South Dakota, regardless of its effect on the final outcome, would get VERY BIG MSM notice on the night Obama is essentially suppose to win the nomination. It would be like a long distance runner beating out his closest competitor by a couple of strides only to fall flat on his face across the finish line. It will sour the whole tone of the evening and give further pause to those who are uncertain about his chances in the Fall. It would not be good.
June 2, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beth-arnold/hillarys-eternal-last-gas_b_104642.html
Out of the Hillary madness comes a great post! It has made my day and brings a comfort to my mind and soul!
June 2, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama gets superdelegates = dog bites man
Hillary gets superdelegates = man bites dog
June 2, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
More tea leaves to be read:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/02/clinton-summons-top-donor_n_104715.html
June 2, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ambinder on internal Clinton projections: "They project that Clinton will do better than expected in South Dakota, losing by a margin of less than ten points; they project a sizable loss in Montana."
Yes, ARG can be that bad.
June 2, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the encouragement. I wonder how an outfit like that (ARG) stays in business?
June 2, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
When I posted my first reply, I didn't know Ambinder was with the Clinton campaign. They're playing expectations and setting this whole thing up for a Tuesday night shocker. And Tuesday night, Hillary will announce to a large NY crowd, "We're going all the way to the convention and we're going to win!!!" Talk about raining of Obama's parade. Could it be more humiliating?
I feel sick.
June 2, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is something way off on that ARG SD poll. At worst, it is close.
June 2, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where did this American Research Group poll come from?? It shows Hillary with a 26 point lead in South Dakota...SD-Pres (D)
June 2 ARGClinton 60%, Obama 34%...What's going on here??...CNN just reported it...
June 2, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Clinton wins S.D. it goes to the convention.
Until there is an actual vote nothing is clinched.
June 2, 2008 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, so wrong and unable to admit it. It is clinched when someone can not win the required number of delegates (Hint: that would be Senator Clinton) and someone else can (Hint: that would be Senator Obama).
June 2, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with your first statement, but not with your second. If Hillary wins a blowout in S.D., she will go on the convention. In fact, as I posted elsewhere, I think she's going on anyway. Ultimately Barack will get the nomination, and probably will have it all sewed up by Wednesday morning. The 17 remaining undeclared Senators are slated to endorse him en mass by weeks end. His delegate lead will swell to 300 or more by the time Denver roles around. Will that matter to the candidacy that will not die? Something tells me no. I hope I'm wrong. Any Democrat who wants to win in November should hope I'm wrong. But for some time now I have senses something almost "unnatural" in the Clintonian persistence.
June 2, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, it's really time to stop reporting this in terms of "He's winning 4-2 in superdelegates today." The real story is how those 4 are moving Obama inexorably closer to the magic number. A super or two or three or four or whatever coming out for Clinton is meaningless.
June 2, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Concerning supers, I gather that another FL super has come off the bench for Obama since this thread was started (Janee Murphy), but I also remember hearing on NPR this morning that one of Obama's Virgin Island supers had switched to Clinton today. Strangely, I have seen no mention of this on any of the blogs today. Has anyone else seen mention of this?
June 2, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't happen today but a few days ago. It's a guy who originally was a Clinton super, then switched to Obama, then shortly thereafter switched back to Clinton. Go figure.
June 3, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, what a passionate and heartfelt endorsement for Hillary.
June 2, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink