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(Photo of a horse race in Gansu province in Tibet by slobo486. Some gorgeous shots here — magical stuff.)
Andrea Mitchell, reporting on MSNBC, that it looks like a horse race — at least in terms of finances — for the Democratic primary in first quarter reporting. Obama's campaign is reporting that they have raised $25 million — with 100,000 separate donors who have contributed for primary funding and the $2,300 limit. Which means they can double dip with these folks for general election campaign funding, if need be.
No word as yet from the Clinton camp on the breakdown of Hillary's funding, but Arianna had some thoughts on that yesterday. And Edwards managed to pick up around $14 million as reported by his campaign as well.
More on this as I get it — but it sure looks like a horse race to me. Money does not equal a win, but it sure does make it a lot easier to get your message out the way things are set up at the moment, doesn't it?
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zed?
Zee: zed!
mc: Christy!
Watched some bobbleheads go one for five minutes the other day about how the Republicans have a chance. It’s clear the Dems are outraising them exponentially.
Hillary’s 36 million came from at least twelve separate donors.
From AP:
via The Left Coaster:
(oomph added)
keep your powder dry for now, Al.
The interesting thing is to also tie this to current polling. While Edwards lagged behind considerably in the fundraising department for this quarter (funny to think of $14 mil as chump change), he actually gained 5 points and is in a statistical tie with Obama. Hillary lost a few points, but still leads the pack in the polls – but not by a lot.
I still think it’s way too early to predict what will happen. I don’t even know who I’ll put my support behind yet. I think it’ll be an interesting summer and fall before we have a notion of who is really running strong in this race… perhaps it’ll even be a dogfight all the way through Iowa (like last time).
I’m voting for John Edwards.
Lord how I wish this wasn’t all about how much money a person can raise and more about who is the most competant person to be president. The money spent on campaigns on both sides of the fence is astounding and out of control.
Bay State Librul @ 8
Me, too. At least until, if and when, he drops out. Then it’s Al, baby!
steeelthing at 9 — Amen. I don’t talk fundraising amounts very often, but this quarter has shown how fluid things are at the moment because the money for Democratic candidates is strongly there — but the decision has not been made — not by a longshot — on who exactly is most deserving to receive it. It is going to be a VERY interesting year.
It’s the breadth of his fundraising base that has to have the other candidates worried. Plus, since his are apparently all “primary dollars” he stands head and shoulders above the rest. BTW, Christie, I used to live 2 blocks down Main St. from you.
dr. bloor @ 4
Not really, but too close to the truth for her “supporters” not to share her pain. Even more painful must be the sparse crowds she gets whenever Obaba or Edwards are within an hour’s drive of her. I’ve heard, read or watched several reports of people clamoring for Obama shirts, stickers and
Hell’s Angels vests, uh, other paraphenalia, while Clinton’s campaign workers have to back a semi trailer up to her booth at the end of events to haul away the unclaimed campaign junk.If you don’t stop all this futile political speech you’re liable to become asuspect.
ABH
Anyone but Hillary. Because everyone (of the R persuasion) can beat Hillary.
pogo at 12 — Very fun — love our street. Especially this time of year, with all the flowering pear and magnolia trees in full bloom. :)
mc @ 10
Sharpton or Gore. I love them both.
Richardson? Edwards? Edwards? Richardson? I’m still torn.
I don’t know why anyone thinks polls at this point are anything more than name recognition. I think people know who Hillary is, in an, OK, I could vote for her, kind of way, but when folks start focusing and see that there are real alternatives (and I’m with you, Bay State Librul & MC – Edwards is the guy for now) I think the fatigue of all things Clinton will pull her down in a hurry.
It’s the old saw about her support being a mile wide and an inch deep…
tommy yum @
3
Yeah. When both Hillary and Obama outraise the top GOP fundraiser — and that top GOP fundraiser is “Mister Three Percent” Mitt Romney — you KNOW the Republicans are going to get their asses kicked.
If things go right, whoever wins the Democratic primary may actually have, in addition to coattails for the down-ticket candidates to grab onto, enough cash to share with the down-ticket folks.
dr. bloor @
4
I got invited to a big Hillary event here in LA – and they were really pushing the $4600 maximum, with half, of course, being for the General election. I think Hillary’s strategy was to scare everyone with money and “inevitability”, and it seems like they’ll need a plan B.
not on topic and I’m sorry but when you get a chance, check this youtube out it’s kind of frightening
torture cheney is standing behind bush far off where nobody but a long range lense can see him
he’s doing nothing but on looking the president as if he can hear what’s going on.
he has nothing else to do but watch the press conferance, out of ear shot and it looks like out of eye shot too
check that out…I don’t know why that is frightening but for some reason it is.
I was thinking about sending twenty five dollars to the Edwards campaign and twenty five to Kucinich..guess I better up it to thirty and cut back on next months chocolate budget.
If my contribution goes toward one rediculous television ad, I might scream.
jayt @ 15
Can they? Or is that just what they’ve been working on getting people to believe? I’m suspect of their propping up her image. Then again, I’m suspect of everything they do.
“Sharpton or Gore. I love them both.”
Well, Gore IS formidable in California! (h/t to punaise) ;-)
hmmm
perris at 22 is waiting moderation…when someone can see it please tell me what is in that post that triggered the filter
Steelthing: you reminded me of something that came to mind the other day. I don’t remember who it was on one of the news talk shows (Hardball perhaps), but someone said that this quarter proves that the system of publically funded presidential elections is officially over. When candidates can raise this much money in a quarter, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to take the Presidential Campaign Matching funds provided by the government (with their restrictions).
The other day, I was doing my taxes, and my husband asked if I wanted to donate the $3 to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. My response flew out of my mouth before I even thought about it – “no, because this fund is moot now. The only candidates now who will use this fund are those who are fringe candidates with no real base of support, the people who can’t raise tens of millions and therefore have no real chance of winning. I don’t want to fund the trough for Lyndon LaRouche wannabees”.
I hope that this system is revised in the next ten years. We have bigger fish to fry at the moment, but when we’ve cleaned up a lot of the Neocons disasters, we should turn our attention toward campaign finance reform.
Bay State Librul @ 17
Actually, I saw a debate in ‘04 and left stunned because Sharpton was the only there not spewing rhetoric.
mc @
25
backatcha… another case of CA trendsetting?
Bay State Librul @
8
me too…after following the Conneticut senate campaign at FDL I can’t stomach the way Obama treated Ned Lamont and the Lamont campaign. I won’t vote for him unless I absolutely have to (i.e. he gets the primary nod) and if I’m living back in the States at that time, he won’t get my boots on the ground support. Just my vote. Now, if Edwards gets the nod and I’m still living abroad, I’ll plan a trip home just to knock on doors for him…
Phoenix Woman @ 20
Romney is in love with himself…
He spent 213 days out of Massachusetts on
a ego trip…
Massachusetts was only a fucking stepping stone
He may be a IPO specialist but he’s no leader..
CHS @ 16 – Yep, that’s a great little area – lived there for 8 years before we moved out to the C’burg CC area about 3 yrs. ago – we were on the corner of Park & Main (the multicolored Victorian next to Sotiricus) had no yard and a growing boy who needed to roam without being between the Monticello/PikeSt. connector (but I do work with Mr. ReddHedd).
[CHS notes: Yep, I know. And I’ve modified the above ever-so-slightly..you’ll see why. :)]
As almost everyone knows, the Net has helped Obama. From the NYTimes website:
I have contributed to Obama’s campaign twice now. He’s my Senator, and I waited in single digit temps for five hours to shake his hand on the day he announced in Springfield (affectionately referred to as SpringPatch by us locals…if you’ve ever been here you will understand why!). I watched him explode onto the IL political scene while I was serving as a leg. sec. for the other guys. (Eeek! Please don’t throw things at me. I was naive back then.) A lot has happened here in IL gov’t and politics since that first year he was a senator.
I have been exposed to politics from a very young age. My parents were Republicans and, by association, so was I. We lived in the state capitol, so EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING, was touched by politics. I left state employment because of a crisis of conscience. I just couldn’t play the game anymore.
I think Senator Obama is the real deal. I’ve seen a lot of phonies (read my republican bosses), and I just don’t get that vibe from him. I hope for a better America on the back of Barack.
perris -
I get spam for those little things that folks with bad vision put in their eyes . . . so your reference to a l*ns (or l*nse, as you spelled it) might have done it.
Corzine endorsed Hilliary, which is an indication of where the NJ machine money will flow. I’m sure they share the donor pool since the power base in NJ is in the north.
Corzine Endorses Hilliary Clinton
considering how front loaded the primaries and caucuses are now, coming on strong and fast for a few short weeks, if HRC/BO/JRE all have enough supporters and money to hit those early contests hard, could they split up the delegates in such a manner that no one has a clear majority before the convention?
OK I am a political junkie, and admit that a national conveniton that actually meant something would be very interesting…..
I gave money to the Edwards campaign recently. I am not a fan of Hillary’s, and even though Barack is an excellent speaker and charismatic — I’m not sure about him for several reasons.
First, I am very suspicious of anyone who would be involved in a land deal with the “indicted” Tony Rezko. There is no room in my mind for any corruption in my candidate. And I wonder if Obama is not a little too slick, and that he might give into the Republicans too easily. I could be wrong — but I don’t have a strong positive feeling about him as many do — it’s just a gut feeling. I want substance over sizzle now more than ever.
I believe Edwards is sincere and running on principles he believes in and that he will actually work to make the changes I think we need for our country. So for now — I am supporitng him.
Oh lordy. MSNBC is playing wall-to-wall American Idol footage today and that Sanjaya dude…ick. I mean truly…ick.
EPU’d from last thread but on topic here.
Meanwhile, McCain probably shouldn’t have had last Sunday in the Park:
Surely, fundraising matters more than polls at this point. But, polls do show how the race might be moving. Frankly, I’m surprised that Edwards is polling at the same place as Obama. Polling in Iowa is also very important – and my understanding is that Edwards and Obama both have more support than Clinton in that state.
Fundraising is the key – it shows who will be able to afford to put their message out. And, of course, we’re all waiting to see who stumbles, who has a “Dean moment”, and how other candidates capitalize on the tiniest situation and blow it into a controversy.
If you lived in a town 50 miles from where Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Richardson and Gore were all giving speeches in two hours at separate venues, which one would you drive to?
steeelthing @
9
The amounts of money involved are obscene. And the length of these campaigns! Boggles the mind. Well my mind, anyway.
Biodun @ 33
The key thing with small donors — Obama’s or anyone else’s — is that you can go back to them again and ask for more. You already know that they like you, which puts you over the biggest hurdle. On the other hand, if you’ve made the bulk of your funds off the big donors, you’ve maxed out until you find new people who like you enough to send money.
Donors who haven’t hit that $2300 ceiling are a deep, deep fundraising well, and it sounds like Obama’s got a lot of them.
Ruby at 37 — I think that is a very real possibility. And one that all of the campaigns have to be considering. I’ve heard that PA is thinking about pushing its primary forward — Rendell has been a buddy of Bill Clinton’s for a while — and I’m wondering if that might have a connection to the effort. But then again, you never know which rumor you are hearing is an accurate one — and which is a plant — without a LOT of digging, these days — and I haven’t been able to chase that particular one down with any specificity.
It is certainly quite fluid at this point, though, and that ought to make for some serious interest in all of this over the next few months.
That Sanjaya dude is just one more distraction for MSM, in the same vein as Anna Nicole. Just not as ghoulish.
And BTW: What’s up with mass culture’s obsession with hair? Sanjaya, Edwards, and so on.
Millineryman @ 36
Heard this with disgust the other day. Turned around and donated a little to Edwards and Obama. Mr. NJP and I are firmly in the ABH camp.
I don’t care how much money they have. Obama: Too much shiny-object factor, too little experience, too much rock-star factor. Hillary: Too much tringulation factor. Unless Al runs, I am looking for a dark horse, and am not convinced about Edwards yet.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 39
He is the shark that’s going to jump American Idol.
Ed*ard Teller @ 42
I’d drive, walk, crawl to hear Gore, Edwards and Obama. I’d take a train to hear Richardson. I’d stay home and knit when Hillary came to town.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 38
He looks like a child of M Jackson and a Stepford wife..
sofistic @ 48
Edward’s 60 Minute episode convinced me…
Calm under pressure…
Priorities are tip top…
and he is human….
Jack
Christy Hardin Smith @
39
Why, of course they are. There’s nothing important happening in the world, right?
Peterr @ 44
This is a tried and true political fundraising theory. I read, saw or heard that the number of donations to Obama’s campaign in the 1st qtr was in the 80,000 range whereas Clinton’s was in the 60,000 range. I’m not an expert, but the 20,000 difference has to equate to more votes for Obama, right? Or is my logic screwed up? Wouldn’t be the first time for that…hehe
perris @
26
perris, you have a link to that Youtube?
Ed*ard Teller @
42
Richardson – to learn more about him and see if he really deserves my vote as I suspect he does.
Mutant Poodle @ 49
And it’s about time that piece of dreck jumped the shark…
I too am firmly a member of the ABH club. I will never vote for her under ANY circumstance. As to the rest of the candidates, I remain undecided. I like bits and pieces of them all, and will gladly vote for any of them as the Democratic nominee.
But not ole Crazy Eyes. Yep….Ms. Rodham, when giving public speeches, comes dangerously close to being a woman with “crazy eyes”. It’s not evident in her one-on-one interviews, but put her in front of a crowd and I start to see those eyes. Not as advanced as Runaway Bride or Malkin, but close.
To answer Teller’s question, I’d drive to see Gore…in a heartbeat.
Ghostman
Money.
I can take a cab to the Oakland airport (one-way trip) for around $35.
If I lived in Baghdad, on the other hand, that trip to the airport would run between $3500 and $5000, according to NPR’s Anne Garrels, who has lived in Baghdad’s “red zone” for quite some time while reporting from Iraq.
(h/t to Steve Clemons – go read the whole thing, as she takes donw John McCain)
Ed*ard Teller @ 42
Edwards > Gore >> Obama.
I already know what Big Bill has to say, so no interest there for me. Hillary wants to be president way too much, and has shifted her positions in that interest way too often for my comfort, so no interest there.
BC
Ghostman – You know what I see most of all in her (HRC) audience eye? Two things.. The fix is in and I know it and arrogance. It is strange. Also her handlers need to get rid of her shoulder pads.
Eureka Springs @ 61
She might think the fix is in, but others have thought that, too. If we were back in the old D machine days, then the fix could be in. But she’s still got to win primaries to get the nomination.
BC
This recent quote from Hillary pretty much sums up why I don’t like her:
a) this is embarrassingly silly bluster and foreshadows the continual bombing runs and other methods of showing a gal can be just as tough as a guy that would characterize an H. Clinton presidency.
b) While Hugo Chavez suppression of opposition puts him about on-par with Putin in the “champions of democracy” sweepstakes, to make him an enemy of the US is to subscribe to the neo-con worldview. Maybe if we weren’t trying to overthrow him (as part of our history of assassinating/overthrowing Latin American leaders), he’d be a little less antagonistic toward the U.S. (Anyway, Hugo seems to properly focus his antagonism toward the Bush regime rather than the American people.)
Biodun @ 5
A huge ATTABOY!!! former SDNY alum, Jeh Johnson who has really been going all out for Obama. jeh has been fundraising, spokemodelling, you name it, and it is obvioulsy paying off.
I don’t know if I am going to be an Obama girl or not, but Jeh ole’ bean, if your lurking, you have done one amazing job so far. Really stellar.
Congrtulations.
Al Gore for me.
I don’t trust any of the others yet – all have pluses and minuses.
I’d say my second tier includes Richardson and Edwards.
Clinton and Obama – the negatives start piling up.
OT — USA firings, not sure if this has been posted
1) Conyers and Sanchez sent letter today to Goodling’s lawyer today, saying she doesn’t have grounds to plead the 5th. And…
2) Leahy and Whitehouse sent a letter to Gonzo that they are contemplating that the creation of a special counsel to pursue the investigation of the role of Justice Department staff in the firing 0f the 8 USA since DOJ is so “helplessly conflicted”
Link
The scandal that just keeps giving.
BC — Iowa is a tricky one, as is NH. The folks there take their politics and their responsibiliy as citizen selectors very seriously. And they have finely tuned bullshit meters that have toppled more than their share of would be contenders. Like I said, this should be QUITE interesting.
Hillary lost me with her stance on Iraq — it would have been nice to see Bill as Secretary of State.
Obama is VP material — not enough experience to be Prez yet IMVHO.
Gore — I really don’t think he’s going to run.
(If he did, I would vote for him).
I don’t know anything about Richardson…
Started researching Edwards a couple of weeks ago, and I liked what I read. So he’s got my vote.
Hmmmm. Now that’s an interesting observation by Eureka Springs. That’s a “pause for thought” moment for me. I hadn’t seen it that way, but…well, like I said, a VERY interesting observation by ES. Hmmm.
Ghostman
I won’t be surprised one bit if the Dems end up with an Edwards/Obama ticket. Edwards: P. Obama: VP.
I’m a charter member of the ABH club. She’ll never get one dime from me. Of course, if push comes to shove, I’d hold my nose and vote for her over a rethuglican, but that’s a pretty low threshold.
HotFlash @ 55
hey hotflash, when in new york?.
I, too, an in the ABH camp.
The news today about Obama’s fundraising is fantastic because one of the ONLY things Hillary had going for her was her claim of “inevitability”.
This announcement deals a devastating blow to Hillary’s “inevitability” claim, and thereby undercuts the heart of her campaign strategy, which had been to coerce big money donors to give to Hillary and only Hillary, because she was the clear frontrunner and presumptive nominee.
Once it is obvious to the public at large (and the big donors) that Hillary is not inevitable, I predict that her support will continue to erode at an increasing pace.
It is a beautiful, beautiful thing.
And Hillary, thanks again for helping to clarify things for us:
“If the most important thing to any of you is choosing someone who did not cast that vote or has said his vote was a mistake, then there are others to choose from,” Mrs. Clinton told an audience in Dover, N.H., in a veiled reference to two rivals for the nomination, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02…..mp;emc=rss
Ed*ard Teller @ 41
Richardson because of all the candidates he’s the one I know the least about and never heard him make a speech.
Zee @ 18
Richardson has bimbo problems–much more than just his propensity to invade your space in conversation & establish physical contact. These would come out bigtime if he became competitive. So resign yourself, that as good as his qualifications are, he’ll never be a prez candidate.
Biodun @ 70
That’s my ticket!
Christy Hardin Smith @ 67
CHS,
I think that was my point. She has to do well with primary voters to survive. It’s not clear to me that IA and NH Democrats will take kindly to a sense that the fix is in.
As the Big Dog said, “Democrats want to fall in love, Republicans want to fall in line.”
It’s going to be an interesting primary season, indeed.
BC
so Lieberman’s not running this time around?
Edward’s is not shy kicking Bush’s arse.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/….._0403.html
Biodun @ 70
I’d like that choice. Obama is too green to be at the top of the ticket. If you think of prez campaign as series of tests, he’s failed several-latest being post-veto Iraq funding statements. Rovians would rip him a new one during campaign. He’s a very dangerous ticket header for Ds.
punaise @ 78
Ha! Good one.
Biodun @ 70
punaise @ 78
Headline for January 2009: LIEberman No Longer Exits
notableabsence @ 29
If Edwards had still been in the Senate, he would not have embraced Lamont. It’s an accepted axiom, you don’t campaign against incumbants in your own party.
off to drive my 50 miles – to play J.S. Bach and Corelli to the 100 kids in a close friends’ music appreciation class. then to practice, practice, practice….
Edwards, Gore, Richardson, Biden, Dodd, Kucinich then Clinton.
I would love to listen to them all, but only Hillary manages to anger me in her speeches. I would vote for them in that order, too…though I like Kucinich much better than is indicated by my voting order.
I would only vote for Hillary as a vote against whichever nutjob the Republicans put up. I think it will be Romney, the same folks supporting him are the ones that gave us Dubya over much stronger Republicans. He’s looks the part of the “compassionate conservative”, too, though they won’t recycle the phrase.
My dream ticket is Edwards / Richardson.
Brisingamen @
68
Seriously look into Richardson. He doesn’t have my vote yet, but he’s working on it. He seems to have true substance. Excellent foreign policy experience which sure would be nice right now. Good environmental cred. I’m learning more about him and so far, so good.
I know Obama’s a good speaker, but until he actually says something…
My reason to vote for Edwards: Elizabeth. The country could use a “First Lady” like her. (Gawd, there must be a better term…)
Crap…Typo in the Jan ‘09 Headline
Supposed to have typed:
LIEberman No Longer Exists
I should prolly be working anyway instead of commenting. Later!
punaise @
71
I’m with you 100%. I’d vote for her. But I wouldn’t like it. I ain’t doin’ another four years of Bush-like hell if I can help it.
Christy Hardin Smith @
39
Why are you watching MSNBC? Reach for the remote, please………….
OT
But Waxman just sent a little letter to the head of the RNC looking for some emails.
mc @ 86
Exactly.
Meanwhile, Edwards returns to Iowa. From the NYTimes website:
Kucinich has the best positions on the issues I care most about.
Then there’s Gore.
I will not support Hillary.
Rove gets the heels welcome. Go to jail Karl.
-GSD
Ed*ard Teller @ 84
JS Bach I would drive 50 miles to hear.
AnnieW @ 85
I like Kucinich more than any two of the others combined. I just don’t believe that DK can win the general election. If he’s too left-wing for D primary voters, he’d be in trouble in the general.
BC
landofthefree @ 7
Some polls here in Iowa actually have Edwards leading. He is campaigning hard and is really hitting the “Town Hall” settings. The strategy seems to be paying off here in Iowa. I have yet to decide on who I am supporting. Personally, I am leaning toward Edwards. I like Obama, because he kissed my baby girl at the Harkin Steak Fry last fall!
emptywheel @ 91
Fantastic news.
Bay State Librul @ 79
pretty nice, here’s the money line;
check this part out immediately after, I have a suggestion for edwards to follow
I think it would have been GREAT if he followed with;
“for instance, I just pointedg out the obvious, that Bush is not only dead wrong but that he is decieving Americans when he makes bizzare claims like “democrats aren’t funding the troops” when everyone knows as a fact we gave him every penny he asked for and more…now, with that I am willing to bet the poll numbers change for the better just by pointing out this obvious fact”
hehe
that would be GREAT
eCAHNomics @
75
More details please?
emptywheel @ 91
The circle is closing, the noose is tightening.
A few more months and the Republicans may be lining up at the George W. Bush dunktank with a handfull of balls.
-GSD
I want a modern-day equivalent of Thomas Jefferson.
*xyz @ 99
Yep
Emails relating to any use of government resources to help REpublican candidates.
In Karl Rove’s world, that’s just about everything, including a fair share of his email to DOJ, I’d imagine.
GSD @ 95
Wow. Karma’s starting. And there is much more to come…
off to work, catch all later
Marcy -
That Henry. Doesn’t he know that it’s Spring Break?
Who knows what evil lurks . . . the servers know.
Anybody remember Obamas position on the Lamont-Leiberman Senate race?
emptywheel @ 104
that’s absolutely correct, every single correspondance from rove has to do with maintaing republican domination
this is good stuff here
waxman for president in “0″ 12
Larry @ 108
Any Nutmeggers know Lamont’s position on the Democratic presidential race?
Peterr @ 96
Ahhh, Bach. (h/t to Hawkeye Pierce)
Christy Hardin Smith @
67
For all the criticism leveled at NH, we do take politics very seriously here and are very used to reading up, talking with and meeting candidates…….
For instance, right now I am getting a neck rub from Bill Richardson.
-GSD
OK, fantasy Island here.. could anybody convince Lamont to enter the pres race?
Peterr @ 107
Well, I guess if Abu G is canceling his spring break, Henry thought it might be a good idea to do so as well??
Don’t need Gore, he can be Sec of Energy, or UN rep.
We have the rich political insider, the well off moderatly insider, and the rich moderatly outsider. All are more or less self made, however Clinton would be part of a political dynasty – which I will never vote for again.
It won’t happen, but: Edwards/Obama 2008 (I flipped my preference).
A vote for Edwards in NH.
mc @ 87
(Turn on SCA Herald mode)
Actually the correct styling of the title is “First Lady of the Land.”
It originates, as so much of our government did, from English custom, where the King’s wife is also refered to in that manner, in addition to the formal title of “Queen.”
It has been the habit of the press to shorten the title, and I will admit it does sound a bit silly.
(SCA Herald mode off)
Larry @ 108
Peterr @ 110
Lamont is supporting Dodd.
Peterr:
AFAIK: Lamont isn’t supporting anyone at the moment.
Larry @ 108
Everything you need to know about Obama and Lamont is right here:
http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..rs-needed/
Zee @ 101
Friend in TX who’s plugged in to lots of people says it’s widespread rumor that Richardson’s plays around on his wife. Now, you may dismiss it as rumors, but I say that if it’s widespread, the Rs would definitely use it as a smear, true or not. Ds do not need that, especially so close to the Blue Dress Era. The only thing I’ve seen in the news to date is a woman accusing him of sexual harrassment–but that seemed to stem from what I said in my original post: he like to stand close & place his hands on you in conversation, which can be misinterpreted. Even that will be used as a smear, with racial overtones, a tactic that works well with the bottom 30%.
Henry is on it.
LOL GSD at 112!
fyi– Jimmy Carter coming up on cspan 1 in a few minutes…
*xyz @ 105
Yep.
The people are reaching the point where they are sick of the lies and the games and they are letting it be known.
The world is also tired of the whole Bush Regime too.
Instead of the US President leading the way in the Middle East we now have Speaker Pelosi and even Saudi King Abdullah.
There aren’t anymore wheels to come off the Bush Bus, it’s up on blocks now.
-GSD
Brisingamen @ 116
Maybe the President should be called “Master of his Domain.”
BC – I agree. It’s just what I see in her eyes.
Arrogance best describes it.
As a native Arkansan I have been watching her in person for over thirty years. The look comes across the television screen much worse than in person. She is just being very focused and wants to be much more direct but knows better. Honestly I think she is just trying a little to much to look tough. I understand her motivations in this respect, and like most here I don’t want her to be the D nominee. Frankly I think much of what we see and have difficulty with in Hillary reflects much more on what’s wrong in our society and our selection process than her as an individual. She is not the best person to help us overcome much of that and we need a real leader now.
If it comes down to Hillary vs Obama. no question for me. Obama rama.
Much more valuable where he is!
eCAHNomics @ 125
Though actually in 0 12, (actually, 0 13), he loses his tenure as Chair of Oversight, per Nancy’s new rule. So he won’t be there in any case, unless she makes an exception.
ew at 91 — LOL, I just saw that and put up a post on it. Fresh thread, everyone.
The Richardson bimbo stories are completely bogus. The goopers given their field would be silly to bring this story up. And Democrats who do it do it at their own risk.
Zee @ 101
Facts:
Richardson is a little too hands-on with women. There was a mild kerfuffle between him and Light Gov Diane Denish about him keeping his hands to himself.
Richardson fluffed off something about being a people person, and he is — he really enjoys pressing the flesh. Denish said she’d appreciate it if he kept his hands to himself.
Rumors:
(1) Richardson is even more hands-on when not in the public eye.
(2) Richardson treats women staffers like his personal harem.
(3) Richardson sexually harasses women staffers.
And so forth. No one has come forward to substantiate any of the rumors. Denish hasn’t made any more complaints. Of course, Denish wants to be the next Governor of New Mexico, and perhaps she sees the best way into the Gov’s office is to ship Bill back to Washington.
BC
Although Slate’s dough-boy John Dickerson has a different take on the possibility of an Edwards/Obama ticket:
From KOS.
Political Donations:
Republicans
Romney $23
Giuliani $15
McCain $12.5
Huckabee $0.5
TOTAL $51
Democrats
Clinton $26
Obama $25
Edwards $14
Richardson $6
Dodd $4
Biden $3
TOTAL: $78
Demomentum……with apologies to Joementum….
-GSD
Biodun @ 129
Who voted “yes” on a resolution to give George W. Bush a blank check to wage an unnecessary war in the middle east?
Edwards
Who gave a speech before the war warning against the invasion and occupation of Iraq?
Obama
I don’t need an anti-Obama.
emptywheel @ 91
OK, I’m getting excited now.
Eureka Springs @ 124
I was 2 years ahead of her at Wellesley. Didn’t know her, but know the type well. Didn’t like them then, and don’t like them any better 40 years later. Focused, goal directed, nose to the grindstone. But no command of the larger picture and no intellectual curiosity. They respond to narrow rules superbly, but have no scope. That’s why many of her responses are tone deaf. She gets asked questions that don’t fit into her narrow constructs and can’t be adaptable in her response. Her spontaneity must be pre-programmed, like her Sunday sermon in that Black church.
An example: She’s been in the WH and seen the difficulty Bill had getting military intervention in former Yugoslavia. The lesson she learned from that is prez perogatives must be jealously protected, which is why she has such trouble with Iraq War. Lesson she should have learned is that, in a democracy, use of military force must be explained & marketed thoroughly to public. Even W knew that. He had great support for Iraq war before everyone found out he lied.
Richardson has bimbo problems? Never heard of that before.
He’s been doing a pretty good job of being the governor of New Mexico, funding for education, transportation and infrastructure are improving. He’s got most of the Dems in the state legislature agreeing with him most of the time. Signed a medical marijuana bill this week. His efforts to get NM into alternative energy sources are beginning to have an impact. Last year’s energy bill included eliminating the sales tax on hybrid cars, saving me almost 2K on my new Prius.
But his stint at Energy included the Wen Ho Lee debacle, and there’s tape of him being dressed down by both Repub and Dem Senators at a hearing. I think it was Byrd who said he’d never vote to approve Richardson for any appointed post again because of the problems at Energy.
He’s very personable and likable, but I don’t think he’s going to make the final cut.
angie – Kucinich is my favorite for a primary vote. He has made a few strange coments in the past. Milineryman pointed out a dkos post, iirc. His priorities in his platform are spot on and his past shows a remarkable person, he lived in a car as a homeless child and made it to where he is today for goodness sakes (among other things)! He is definately the kind of person who has the potential to do much of the FDR-esque and Gore-vision good our country needs to revisit. If the economy goes to hell in a hand basket he is the man I would want in the WH. jmho
Bargain countertenor @129
My main point is that, even if ruomors are not true, they’ll still create more problems than Ds need in a campaign.
I gather that Richardson is a man of many talest & he’ll do a great job in a high level position in a D admin. Sec of State?
But his stint at Energy included the Wen Ho Lee debacle, and there’s tape of him being dressed down by both Repub and Dem Senators at a hearing. I think it was Byrd who said he’d never vote to approve Richardson for any appointed post again because of the problems at Energy.
He’s very personable and likable, but I don’t think he’s going to make the final cut. Ruby Tuesday
It’s why he wasn’t he vp choice for Gore ..although a much better choice
there may be worse things than HRC being nominated for the Demo candicacy. Initially, I think she loses to almost any Repub.
BUT – Iraq is still a Repub problem, and I think that, quite likely, the next pres will be a one-termer if for no other reason than that GWB is going to leave Iraq the same monstrously fucked-up mess that it is today. There will be no good way out of that, and I think it will inevitably sink the next president.
I’m already beginning to resign myself to a Repub being elected pres in 2008 (if HRC won’t get out of the way) but even if that happens, that Repub still has to clean up GWB’s Iraq mess, and there’s simply no good way to go about that – no matter which party one comes from.
All the more important to keep both houses of Congress Democratic.
I actually contributed to Edwards – never contributed to a presidential candidate before (and the first time I became politically aware was when Kennedy ran against Nixon). I have a really positive feeling about Edwards, as do my husband and several friends and coworkers.
An irrelevant, but nice, Richardson story. The state capital of NM has a wonderful collection of local artists, and the public is free to enter & view it. Gov’s office is on top floor & art exhibit continues in his receptionist’s area. Don’t think any old walk-in could get that close to gov of NYS or CA! Don’t know if Richardson started the tradition of exhibiting local artists.
I am not a Hillary supporter. But if she wins the nomination, I will work for her and donate to the campaign. But her politics are not close to most of my personal politics. When I do a contrast and compare of the candidate’s issues, I keep finding myself thinking ‘that John Edwards guy seems to have it going on’.
If Hillary is our nominee, I’ll work hard, not specifically for HRC, but any of our current candidates are better for our nation than any one the republicans will nominate. I’ll work hard and donate to HRC because I know if she doesn’t win the general, the pundits will be declaring that no woman can ever become president, and what happened to all the fancy-pantsuited feminists who were going to take over the world, feminism is dead, etc., etc..
Christy Hardin Smith @
39
Sanjaya is the funniest Indian sad sack since Anand Bakshi (The Party, starring Peter Sellers)
Most memorable line – “Mr. Bakshi, WHO do you think you are?”
Bakshi/Sellers, “My good man, in India, we don’t think who we are, we KNOW who we are.”
Maybe it’s because I’m an Indian meditation teacher, but I see the humor as well as the spiritual meaning of that statement.
From Josh: Late update: Obama had more donors online than Hillary had in total.
mc @
87
But if Giuliani wins, he could be The President AND the First Lady as well.
Congratulations FDL (full list at dailykos):
1,393 registered users have created their own personal blogrolls. With the magic of a database query, we can see which are the top blogs linked by Daily Kos diarists, and the percentage of blogrolls in which that blog appears:
Firedoglake 15.79%
TPM 15.29%
Crooks and Liars 14.93%
My Left Wing 14.00%
Hullabaloo 12.85%
Eschaton 11.20%
Booman Tribune 9.91%
MyDD 9.76%
The Huffington Post 9.33%
Glenn Greenwald 7.39%
I am totally and utterly convinced that Hillary Clinton is unelectable, even if everey single Democrat were to vote for her. Middle Ground voters just will not vote for her in sufficient numbers.
Hello the new Republican President if she is the Candidate.
And who is contributing to Hillary? Interesting that the pharmaceutical companies, the insurance companies, and the AMA are all lining up behind Hillary now.
As a medical social worker, I regularly deal with Medicare D and co-pay issues among the cancer patients I work with. I followed the evolution of the Medicare D program closely and was appalled. I was outraged to learn that former Congressman Billy Tauzin, whoshepherded this outrageous piece of legislation through Congress, landed himself a $2 million per year job as spokesperson for Big Pharma after leaving Congress.
This past Sunday, 60 Minutes aired a piece on the Medicare D legislation. I was further outraged to learn that in addition to Tauzin, about 10 more administration and congressional staff landed lucrative jobs with either pharmaceutical companies or firms that lobby on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. Steve Croft pointedly said to Tauzin during the segment “Some people made out well with this legislation.” Tauzin responded “The American people who need these meds are doing well.”
Monday morning I returned to work and resumed my efforts, begging charitable organizations for $226 to cover the cost of a metastatic breast cancer patient’s xeloda prescription. This is just one example of how NOT well the American people are doing under this plan. I have many more examples I can cite for Mr. Tauzin.
So all this leads me back to Hillary. The growing number of unisured is just one factor in the broken state of our health care system. The power of the pharmaceutical industry and insurance companies is another. I am convinced that unless and until their power is addressed, there can be no real reform of the system. Hillary was slapped down by these folks before. But things have changed and they are lining up behind her, believing in her inevitability, and positioning themselves close to her ear. And they are donating to her in a big way. According to the NYT’s Hillary ranked 2nd behind Santorum in contributions from the Pharma and the Ins Co’s. I fear that Hillary will not want to cross them again.
So who will speak for the patients? Will it be Obama or Edwards? Monday eve. I attended an Edwards event in NH and had the chance to address my concern re Medicare D with Elizabeth Edwards. She knew the program’s pitfalls I referenced and then referenced more. She told me that John plans to address the problems.
So for today, I am leaning Edwards.
You have to be likeable of to win. Hillary just doesn’t have that. Obama has it, Edwards has it. One of them should get the nod, I suspect Obama. He’s the civil rights lawyer (as opposed to personal injury) the community activist, the professor of constitutional law…and he has the backing of AIPAC (which is why he’s not anti-Iran war fyi). Oh yeah, Obama is also the most gifted political orator since JFK…that helps too.
I love FDL. People are nice here. On some blogs I’ll have my pointy head handed to me if I say “I don’t like Obama because he’s too pretty to support marriage equality”. Not here.
Jane, Redd and the FDL lineup: thanks for making FDL the best blog.
i’m having a hard time getting past “andrea mitchell, reporting”…
credibility = 0.
One small piece of advice. Don’t EVER link anything to Huffington Post that contains the word Hillary! The post is ALWAYS negative when it comes to Clinton. While I am not a huge fan of hers, I feel that we should let the “Dark Side” trash our candidates (as we may end up having to vote for her)………. Also while I am on the subject of Arianna’s Anti-Hillary obsession I would like to add that numerous times I have tried to comment on this (her bias) and my posts just…never… appear…anyone else have this problem?
Monk@148.
Yes indeedy doody. Where candidates get their money from is a pretty important reason for voters to reject them. Especially in any aspect of the medical industry, where the economics are so f-ed up. Anything that industry wants is bad for the country.
As Molly Ivins said You Got to Dance with Them What Brung You.
Taylor Marsh pointed out this article last night about a poll in New Hampshire:
http://www.boston.com/news/loc…..rging.html
Short version: Clinton 27%, Edwards 21%, Obama 20%. That’s about as horse-racy is it gets, I suppose. Of course, we’re still ten months away from the only poll that counts in that race.
Samson at 150 — Well, normally I would agree on that, but I cross-checked after I heard it and there were others with the same information. But, because Mitchell was the one from whom I heard it first, she get the credit — because that is the right thing to do.
Monk at 148 — Good to see you. :)
I’m wondering if HRC will see a new message is needed. What is the reason that she voted to give the shrub extraordinary power? Will she work on progressive/populist issues or will she continue the “triangulation”?
Horse race = Third place is the best place this early in the race. Whoever pulls ahead into first will get Gored/Deaned/Kerryed by the MSM pundit class. If Obama and Clinton stay neck to neck, MSM picks one to build up and tear down by Iowa caucus day. Edwards has a better chance by holding back at third and making his move before the finish line. I’m pretty sure the Edwards are well aware of the power for ill that the MSM wields.
Sirota today on the MSM propaganda – the betrayal.
lance carleton @ 152
I have not, I guess because I agree with her position on Hil! Of course, it’s nearly impossible to get a comment to go through on any subject these days. Have seen many complaints about it on their site.
I will say that if a comment of yours does not go through, it is probably due to a server problem. I have seen countless posts trashing Arianna (and other posters) on any number of subjects so there is no moderation of e-mails as exists here on FDL.
Petrocelli @ 143
I adore Peter Sellers (and Stanley Kubrick, hence, my handle)
Zee @ 89
God, it’s going to take an industrial strength barf bag and a binder clip for the nose, but, yeah, I guess I’ll have to do it, too, just like in 2004. But it’ll take a long time to recover from despising my party for this kind of sh#t.
Gansu Province in in, uh, Gansu Province, not the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
Another member of the ABH Club. Not only would she lose her own race, but having her at the top of the ticket could drastically affect close House & Senate races.
Edwards/Richardson ‘08 for now, unless President Gore decides to run for re-election.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 156
Well thanks.
But what I failed to make clear in my post is the fact that the $226 is the cost of this patient’s co-pay under Medicare D, and that’s just for one drug.