Feb. 12, 08

The Thematic Trump Card?

By William Rabbe

If Hillary Clinton feels the nomination slipping away, it's not for lack of definition on policy...

With positions similar to her democratic rival, the differences between the Democratic candidates have been largely thematic. In case you haven't heard, the buzzwords are "change" and "experience". While "experience" is a good credential on a Presidential resume, "change" is proving to be something of a thematic trump card -- applicable in a variety of ways that we have seen throughout the Primary season: Change vs. More of the Same, the Past vs. the Future, Old vs. New, Forward vs. Backward... you get the idea.

In other words: Hillary's theme, experience, doesn't seem to be working...

Let's fast-forward to November and consider the electability factor: if Clinton was nominated, how would she win with "experience" against John McCain? He has the battle scars to prove his experience. Maybe this is why the "electability" polls have been reflecting a stronger Obama candidacy against the Republican in November.

To this effect, Senator Obama turned his focus away from the race against Hillary Clinton tonight and without missing a beat, he instead began addressing a presumed new rival: John McCain. It appears that the same arguments that Obama used against Senator Clinton will now be applied to him -- how's that for not flip-flopping?

But be ready, Senator Obama -- John McCain has noticed. The maverick Senator unabashedly quoted Obama's token line at the end of his speech: "fired up and ready to go" and had a response ready for Obama on his theme of hope: "To encourage a country with only rhetoric rather than sound and proven ideas that trust in the strength and courage of free people is not a promise of hope. It is a platitude."

WOW. The race is on.

A side note: remember the themes of the 1992 election were "Trust" and "Change" -- guess which was Bill Clinton's? Should she have known better?

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Feb. 12, 08

Panic At the Democratic Disco!

By Sarah Scully
There are cries of outrage throughout the Democratic Party as rumors that mysterious superdelegates, or worse, "a back room deal" will decide the nomination.  Howard Dean is being quoted (and misquoted) all over the place, warning of grave danger to the party.  But few are paying attention to what he actually said:

"I think we will have a nominee sometime in the middle of March or April. But if we don't, then we're going to have to get the candidates together and make some kind of an arrangement." –Howard Dean

That's the "middle of March or April," to be clear.  We are still in February and Democrats have yet to finish counting today's ballots let alone hold the Texas and Ohio primaries- which will likely be decisive from the looks of tonight. 

A couple of questions: Why do we hold primaries through June if they're not supposed to count? 

Do you really think that Howard Dean will preside over a completely unfair and opaque process that is assured to invite the scorn of voters and journalists alike?

Furthermore, the superdelegates are not just shadowy figures who answer to no one.  Most are elected officials who will be under pressure to vote with their constituents.  Keep in mind that even the unelected Superdelegates are  party loyalists and my guess is none of them want to act to the detriment of the DNC.  In fact, some of them are speaking out against their own power. 

So, hold your horses, Donkeys- until March 5^th, at least.  If Clinton and Obama are still within a few hundred pledged delegates of each other, then you can freak out.  Enough alarms have been pulled at this point that I don't think you’re going to have another 1968 on your hands.

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Feb. 8, 08

Video: Super Tuesday Wrap-Up

By Sarah Scully

An up-to-date look at Super Tuesday with an analysis of the results following the explanation of and expectations for the biggest collection of primaries in the history of American politics.

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Feb. 7, 08

So Long, Mittens

By Sarah Scully

Mitt Romney is holding a press conference this afternoon to announce that he is ending his bid for the presidency and the GOP continues to consolidate in order to begin preparations for battle with the Democrats.
Meanwhile, Clinton and Obama are each claiming to have an edge on delegates but with superdelegates thrown in the mix, it's impossible to get an accurate count. Many of the SD's are still uncommitted and it is unclear whether Florida and Michigan will be represented at the convention (having been punished by the DNC for holding their contests early).  If the two candidates continue to split the upcoming primaries and caucuses, and superdelegates fail to unite behind one, this race could go well into summer.  With the Republicans locked and loaded, this would prove dangerous to the Democratic Party.  It's entirely possible that secret negotiations have already begun to avoid that fate.

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Feb. 6, 08

...BUT FIRST, A TRIP DOWN THE POTOMAC

By Sarah Scully
Candidates will next be focusing on the hallowed grounds of our first president, as three major primaries take place along the Potomac River.  Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia hold contests on February 12th. There are also a few caucuses and primaries this weekend that could provide an extra little boost to take into the Potomac Primary. 

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Feb. 5, 08

See You In Houston...

By Sarah Scully
The Senator from New York has taken the stage. Bill briefly appeared with Chelsea to wave to the crowd but he quickly stepped offstage- this time the main attraction is Hillary. Tonight she can claim her home state and many, many delegates in huge wins across the country. Giving a special mention to the Arkansans who have just been hit by nasty tornadoes, the candidate is reiterating her stump speech but with some extra oomph this time, as she clearly is feeling confident. I would be confident too if this many people were screaming for me this loudly. The race is still far from decided after a strong showing from Obama and a lot of votes left to count. But for now, she can take a moment to revel in these hard-fought victories… but she had better not stay too long at the party- Campaigning for Texas and Ohio starts first thing in the morning.

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Feb. 5, 08

Live from Hillary Clinton’s NYC Election Party

Disco funk classics blasting on the speakers, a hand selected crowd of supporters sitting on stage jumping up and howling every time Anderson Cooper announces a projected victory for Clinton. Tennessee, New Jersey… screaming! My ears... Looks like she just claimed New York! Her entire campaign collectively heaves a sigh of relief. With the Big Kahuna of delegates, California, still voting and Obama leading in other key states, it’s going to be a long night. In the meantime, we will enjoy the Stevie Wonder classic, “Superstition” that they are now playing and continue speaking with her worker bees.

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Feb. 5, 08

McCain/ Huckabee 2008

By William Rabbe

Described as an "ambitious little sidekick" by Bay Buchanan this evening on MSNBC, Mike Huckabee is getting newfound attention, but now as an undercover surrogate for John McCain. Maybe the Vice Presidency isn't that bad...

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Feb. 5, 08

Eli Manning Distracts Citizens From Voting

By Sarah Scully
Walking through what is called the Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan, we are greeted by Giants fans, reveling in their Super Bowl victory and not voting. We just spoke with one celebrant who swore he was going to vote as soon as he left the bar. Several others voiced support for Eli Manning as a write-in candidate. I’m happy for my home team but I do wish they had picked a different day for their parade.

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Feb. 5, 08

From the Trenches

By Sarah Scully
The candidates are sprinting from state to state with celebrities, volunteers and in some cases, family members in tow. Bill Clinton seems to have been put on the bench today. Word has it that he holed up in the family domicile in Chappaqua today after voting- presumably for his wife. Although it’s possible he wrote in Eli Manning. Chelsea has bravely taken up the mantle. The Senator is campaigning in upstate New York and will end up in Manhattan this evening for a Super Tuesday Election Party. Meanwhile, Obama supporters are out in full-force, covering the city with placards and giant O-shaped stickers. This is going to be a close race, particularly in NYC.

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