Hillary Backers In Pennsylvania Meet Privately With Top McCain Adviser
An odd little scoop from Pennsylvania's Scranton Times:
A brother of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and local Democrats who backed her unsuccessful presidential campaign socialized privately Monday with a top surrogate of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain.The private gathering featured Carly Fiorina, Mr. McCain's top economic adviser, and took place at the Dunmore home of political consultant Jamie Brazil, a longtime friend of Mrs. Clinton's family who has signed on as paid national director of Mr. McCain's Citizens for McCain Coalition.
The attendees included Tony Rodham, Mrs. Clinton's youngest sibling, his wife, Megan, and their two children; attorney Kathleen Granahan Kane, who coordinated Mrs. Clinton's presidential campaign in Northeast Pennsylvania during the primary election; and Virginia McGregor, sister of Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty.
With the Democratic National Convention less than a week away, the gathering raises questions about the support Illinois Sen. Barack Obama can expect from former local supporters of Mrs. Clinton, who dominated at the polls in the Northeast in the April primary election.
Via Mark Halperin, who calls it "essential reading." Obama's Pennsylvania campaign, wisely, declined to comment. It's hard to gauge how much this matters, but it seems worth digging into a bit.
How come TPM is ignoring the speculation about McCain's veep selection being Lieberman or Ridge?
Religious and conservative leaders and blowhards are threatening that his base will "explode" if he does it, but he might.
I think this is a lot worse than the constant media handwringing about Hillary's feelings.
August 20, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not a religious man, but I'm praying for Lieberman.
August 20, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Come on, McCain. You're a fucking maverick, right?! Don't listen to the base. Go with your straight-talking gut and pick you good friend Joe.
August 20, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm hoping for Lieberman too. I fail to see what anyone besides some Washington hacks see in him. The guy is a complete wet blanket. Pious, sanctimonious, sycophantic - who wants to listen to him prattle on about the sacred duty of a president to protect America for four years? I don't see what he adds to the ticket except for "bipartisanship." Is there a Joe fan base I don't know about?
August 20, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
just announced on CNN... Lieberman to speak at RNC in Minneapolis...
August 20, 2008 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if it is Ridge, then?
August 20, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd add unctuous to the list.
August 20, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
They're ignoring it because it's very likely a feint. The same sort of feint Obama made by talking about Bayh.
August 20, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Her brother? Oy. I've always been one to ignore tin-foil hat stories about this, but that's ridiculous.
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
August 20, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess the DNC ran out of time slots for the rest of her family to speak so they're checking out if the RNC has any openings.
August 20, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
these people are lost souls
PUMA Dorks Listen 2 Rush Limbaugh, No Wonder They’re Idiots
August 20, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary Clinton isn't exactly putting Party first. It would be very surprising that this kind of group got together without her knowing. Sounds like they might be trying to keep Pennsylvania in play for McCain. Like Dowd said, two against one seems about right.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 20, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rendell has said he'll be voting for Hillary at the convention...
August 20, 2008 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. I'm not sure how cathartic that is for the party when we need to muscle all the vitriol we can against McCain. Reminding voters that you prefer Clinton isn't helping the cause.
August 20, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary and Bill are playing the same games now as they did with Kerry. You see if Kerry won, then Hillary couldn't have ran this year. Similarly if Obama wins, Hillary's dream of the Presidency is over. It's all about the Clintons, country be damned.
If Obama wins it will be in spite of the Clinton's best efforts.
August 20, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Apropos: See MoDo's NYTimes Op-Ed today.
August 20, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Rather than seeking Obama's comment, perhaps they should be seeking Hillary's comment on this matter.
She should be putting the kabosh on this behavior from her brother, if she wishes to demonstrate her purported commitment to ensuring Obama's success in this election.
August 20, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are so on the money there.
August 20, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe HC is the VP for McCain?
In the end as in the beginning, the powers that be always thought it'd be between HC and McCain.
But HC lost her own bearings in her and her husband's own hubris and McCain had to rise from the grave to save what was left of the RNC's hopes for a win.
But they still think that Obiwan has not earned the right to be where he is.
I am absolutely certain that BC's most cuddly dreams are filled with visions of Obama getting trounced by McCain.
Now, they are together backstage joking about Obama's woes as they play their own venal, partisan roles for a dying system.
August 20, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Essential reading, Halperin? Why does it always seem like Halperin is trying to put a finger in the eye of Democrats?
August 20, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
It is not Halpern with his finger in the eye of Democrats. It is the supporters of Sen Rodham-Clinton. If you are a public figure like the Sen and people are publicly acting in your name and you do not disavow them that is tantamount to endorsement. Sen Rodham-Clinton is a PUMA until she disavows them.
August 20, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can't disagree with that! She's done more to stop Obama from being President, than McCain has.
August 20, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why are you guys surprised? Personally, i have decided to wipe off anything Clintons' from my dictionary. If Obama loose this election as a result of Clintons' Shenanigan, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that Clinton doesn't become the Democratic nominee in 2012. By the way, it is highly unlikely that Obama will lose the election.
I can't stand anyone related to Clintons.
August 20, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
As if anyone had any doubts.
August 20, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gbengas says;
I certainly hope you're right, but look around, there's a lot of bad news about Obama, some on this site daily and much on TV news shows.
Obama is often in the news and more often than not its a negative story; constant reporting on his drop in the polls, reporting on questions about him.
CNN has now replaced thier constant broadcasting of the 2.75 minute video of McCain bashing Obama in front of the VFW, with a McCain speech from an oil rig in the Gulf, again bashing Obama. They're showing an Obama sppech addressing what he requires in his VP choice. Quite tame compared to what they showed of McCain.
Obama's biggest problem isn't McCain, its the media.
August 20, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Clintons will stoop however low it takes to get her campaign debt paid off, including getting her sleezy brother and other cronies to court rich Republicans.
August 20, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary wants to be vp. That's was this crap is about - putting pressure on Obama. I mean, if she's McCain's vp? C'mon.
It's about threatening to put PA in play.
August 20, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder who will become the annointed anti-Clinton Dem. candidate during the 2011-2012 primaries? Somebody will have a lot of votes there because an argument can easily be made that the Clintons and their backers did everything to help Obama lose.
This guy will probably end up with 80-90% of the black vote just like Obama, too.
August 20, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
A decision will have to be made early and supported by most of the net roots, or Hillary can grab a quick advantage and never look back. If the netroots split on candidates early it could be too late.
August 20, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Re: the black vote... You got a problem with that?
Did you have a problem with that in '92 or '96? Or is it just a problem for you now?
C'mon you raised the "issue"...
End of the Clintons cannot come soon enough.
August 20, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I made that observation matter-of-factly, not as criticism.
August 20, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mr. Chairman, I'd like to associate myself with the statement made by the distinguished woman from common sense!
August 20, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
That meeting tells you a lot, with her brother in attendance. Their loyalty lies with Hillery Clinton not the Democratic party. They have not yet realized that this battle for Americans is not about Hillery or Obama this is about the Democratic Party winning back the White House. Let them have their meeting with the McCain camp, in the long run, it won't matter.
August 20, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe McCain will pick Hillery as his VP.
August 20, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
These are the type of meeting that prevents Hillery from being picked--she can't be trusted.
August 20, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary is posturing for VP--that's what this is about. But these backstabbing tactics won't work.
August 20, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the reminder about those truly terrible brothers of Senator Clinton. Thank God they won't be bringing their very special brand of influence peddling sleeziness to the White House.
August 20, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Are we really that surprised that Hillary and Bill have basically been silent on this issue?
This is the same strategy as not really campaigning for Kerry.
August 20, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not surprised. The Clintons and their stooges don't care about one but themselves.
August 20, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like it or not, Hillary as VP would give Obama his best chance at winning.
And, NO NO NO, I'm NOT a Hillary supporter.
August 20, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. And i could accept HRC as Obama's VP, but it sickens me to core when i see and read reports about the Clintons and their stooges efforts to undermine Obama. If this is Hillary's way of getting the VP slot, this is not the way to get it.
August 20, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I completely disagree. Picking Clinton will allow the GOP to uncork all of the oppo research that they've gathered over the last 20 years on Bill and Hillary while at the same time attacking Obama's "judgement" for picking her. It would be the dream scenario for the GOP, as it would fire up the base without McCain having to keep pushing scurrilous attacks that is beginning to cost him his media base. The Beltway media will allow McCain to use Clinton as a stalkinghorse to attack Obama all day long, and they'll just eat it up.
They only thing that picking Clinton will help is with internal Party politics, which is a shame. Especially if there are people who truly are willing to sit sideline rather than helping pick up the White House to clean up Bush's mess.
It's more important to call these people out -- by name -- when they cross the line, but picking Clinton won't really help, because these people aren't sticking their necks out just to see a Clinton finish 2nd.
Honestly, this party is bigger than one family. If we can't prove that, we'll deserve to lose.
August 20, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillpatine's brother is a CRIMINAL.......just goes to show you the Rodham/Clinton clan are a bunch of disgusting trolls.
Hillary could have stopped her brother and his family from doing this, but she probably APPROVED IT............anyone here ever going to vote for a Clinton EVER again??????
August 20, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sadly, we don't have the luxury of pick our family.
P.S. NY Daily news reports Tony Rodham owes child support.
August 20, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
CORRECTION: Sadly, we don't have the luxury of picking our family.
P.S. NY Daily news reports Tony Rodham owes child support.
August 20, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm. Maybe Tony is trying to shake down Hillary for, um, financial help?
August 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary cannot wait for 2 Barack terms to run at age 68 in 2016. So she must make sure Barack loses this year or else that she is his VP and then has him eliminated (like LBJ had his archenemy JFK killed in Texas).
August 20, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
These people need dick.
August 20, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lol...they all need to get laid and soon.
August 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
No doubt. I almost want to take up a collection to send over some happy massage people over to PUMA. They need some lovin'.
August 20, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is truly sad. It's becoming clear that they feel that if they didn't have the power to win the nomination outright, they'll at least use what power they have to rip the party apart and destroy any chance that we can move forward. This type of selfishness is absolutely unbelievable.
This is the first time since this entire process began that I truly feel discouraged. I hope their happy.
August 20, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
to all of you nasty hilliary haters...PUMA, and for that matter anyonehas a right to vote for whomever they want. stop trying to blame hilliary, or anyone else for OBAMA's tanking in the polls. this is your candidates fault. if he loses it is because most people felt he was too inexperienced to lead and a personal dislike of him. i personally can no more listen to him talk his same ole boring non meaning speeches than i can. don't be angry at PUMA's as you are the ones who said we were all just racist, old white women and irrelevant.
August 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why is it Obama's fault that you're too angry to make a dispassionate decision about who would best move this country forward in a positive direction?
Basically, it's vote for Obama and hope things change, or vote for McCain and hope they don't. There's no real in-between here. I'm honestly not sure why that's so hard for some people to see.
August 20, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
More fine examples of why Democrats have such a hard time winning elections. Economic advisers to do not conspire to win elections with family members of defeated candidates. That is what the political operatives are for. Further they don't do so at dinner parties. Get off your asses and get out and work for the Obama campaign if you're worried about his efforts and quit spending all your time whining in forums about HRC. You show nothing but contempt for Clinton supporters who you feel can't let her loss go yet you can't let any excuse slip by without raging against her and her supporters. All parties have factions but only the Democrats since for more than 100 years have been unable to come together at least semi-amicably to work for the good of the majority. The one thing Reagan had right was the 11th commandment of not speaking ill of another Republican. If you really think another Democrat said something about your candidate then try leading by example and remembering that two wrongs still don't make a right.
August 20, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tony Rodhams' first wife was Barbara Boxer's daughter--remember the White House Garden wedding?
August 20, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
These people have the right to do whatever they want to do, but they do not have the right to to hold power within the Democratic Party. It must be made clear that there will be consequences for their actions. Committee chairs, event invitations, positive mentions in press releases, and all "official" money sources should disappear. Democratic party activists and like-minded bloggers should not be afraid to kneecap them. Publicly. They're middlemen. We can send them packing and get better ones, people with morals, people who won't screw around and play chicken with our nominee.
Now is not the time for dissent within the ranks. If you're against us now, you're a Republican. You're not a "PUMA", or whatever other cutesy little name you've made up to make yourself feel young (nothing makes you sound older, btw). You're a pro-war, pro-gun, anti-choice, anti-environment, anti-union, anti-universal health care, anti-gay rights, anti-Social Security Republican. Go buy a Confederate flag to celebrate.
And as for the pathetic PUMAs: they can't even muster more than 300 emails to superdelegates -- I get more emails from Mumia supporters.
August 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink