Believe It or Not, Barack Obama Won It.
I have to start by saying that I like Howard Wolfson, and respect him. Wolfson is one of the smartest, toughest and fiercest operatives in the Democratic party. I have worked with him, and I have been on the opposing side of him. Hands down I would rather be in a campaign with him..
So his comments declaring that if John Edwards told the truth and left the race earlier then he did, Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic nominee, leaves me scratching my head. Howard Wolson in denial too? Say it ain’t so.
In politics the number of things you can wonder “if only” about are legion in a losing campaign, and Hillary Clinton’s campaign has hundreds of them.
If only they had actually contested the caucus states, Hillary Clinton would have been the nominee.
If only they had known the campaign was going to last past February 5th, and planned accordingly, Hillary Clinton would have been the nominee.
If only they hadn’t spent all that money prior to Iowa, Hillary Clinton would have been the nominee.
If only they had figured out just a little earlier that change was more important than experience, Hillary Clinton would have been the Democratic nominee.
If only they had run a more bottom-up campaign that empowered people, Hillary Clinton would have been the nominee.
If only they had let Hillary be authentic, Hillary Clinton would have been the nominee.
And of course, if only Barack Obama had not run for President, Hillary Clinton would be the nominee.
If only, if only, if only.
But it was, in the end, the Clinton campaign that decided it was going to promote experience over change, while John Edwards and Barack Obama contested the nomination as change candidates.
Our data showed that the bulk of voters, in Iowa and elsewhere, who supported John Edwards wanted change. When asked who was their second choice if Edwards wasn’t in the race most chose Barack Obama.
John Edwards framed the race better than any other candidate to be about the status quo vs change. If that had an adverse impact on the Clinton campaign, why would that be the case? When you say status quo does anyone think Obama?
The Clinton campaign conducted itself in a way that made voters see Hillary Clinton as a status quo candidate. Its amazing that the first woman with a serious chance at the presidency could be seen that way. But it was the Clinton campaign that created that perception – not John Edwards, not the press, not Barack Obama.
If John Edwards had left the race before Iowa, Barack Obama would have defeated Hillary Clinton by a wider margin in the Iowa caucuses. Clinton would have almost certainly lost New Hampshire as many of the Edwards change voters voted for Obama, and then she would have lost Nevada for the same reason. The Clinton campaign’s calculation that the race would be over by February 5th would have proven correct except that Barack Obama would have sailed to the nomination that much sooner.
The country is hungry for change, and Barack Obama is the candidate Democrats chose to be the nominee.
John Edwards didn’t lose it for Hillary Clinton. Believe it or not, Barack Obama won it.
I forget, is it 50 or 100 McCain points for each “messiah” reference?
Joe, thanks for the post. I am in the middle of reading “The revolution will not be televised” I honestly believe that we owe so much to you and what you started in 2003. You put the frame work out there and look where we are today. The Obama team followed that frame work and took it to a new level. I am still confused why the MSM does not get it.
Thanks
I feel sorry for poor Summer and all the other hardcore Hillary supporters. Here we are on the verge of a bright progressive future and all they can feel is outrage and bitterness. Me, I’m filled with joy that Bush error is coming to a close and we have a intelligent, articulate, decent urban man heading our ticket. Peace
Summer, oh, Summer,
You’re cracking me up. Really. All Obama supporters are misogynist wife beaters? So, does that mean I, as a womanly wife, beat myself?
You say:
There is no possible way that I could fear and hate myself, noodle. Really, I hate the Bush regime and will do whatever it takes to prevent them from taking my birth control (that’s a link to another website- in case you didn’t know). Does that make me misogynist?
Can Latino voters not also be “working class”?
Why would you assume African-American voters are only interested in identity politics? Along those same lines, why should I not believe you were only supporting Clinton because she’s a woman (also Identity Politics, noodle)?
When you mentioned our “new” democratic party [sic] you forgot to add highly educated and informed women who have been part of the political discourse for years- unlike yourself (who obviously just learned that there’s more to the Internet than soap opera message boards).
My first choice was Kucinich and then he lost. Guess what? I got OVER IT. (Yes, I too can use unnecessary capitalization.)
Wow…thats the best that you can do for Barry/Barck’s qualifications that he is a decent urban man… what the hell does that mean.
Bejammin075
If he is not qualified to run in this election, why would he be qualified in 2012?
Puma power is why her name will be placed into nomination, and its because of Puma power that the real Barack/Barry will be exposed…
Think back a few weeks ago…why did President Clinton say, “the constituation decides who is qualified”? Do you really think that he meets the requirements?
There are a lot of SUMMERs out there, you know.
Old.
Annoyed.
Feeling cheated.
And marginalized by Obama and his crew of thugs.
We insignificant lot, why, we vote. Reliably.
We’ll see how it all shakes out come November. I will say, if McCain wins, it will be OBAMA’s supporters he’ll want to thank.
The truth is that Barack Obama is the 44th president of the U.S. and it’s about time. Being a young African-American woman who grew up in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, progressive neighborhood in New York City, I received a wonderful education primarily through collaborative friendships in school with fellow students of every race, religion, and ethnicity on the planet.
It is beyond belief how many people consciously choose to remain ignorant and racist. This whole Hillary Clinton saga is race based not gender based. If John Edwards won, this would NOT be an issue. All of the “Dishonest” individuals, groups and organizations who pretend that this is a “Feminist Issue” are clearly hiding behind that mask.
Racism is ugly and it hurts everyone. Thank God that the “Global Community” is truly “Ready For Change”…Thank God for a candidate that Transcends Race, Gender, & Politics As Usual; and finally Thank God that Barack Obama is the next president of the United States.
I have never seen so many TROLL and PUMA HILLHAGS since the primary. Get over. Obama won and HRC lost.
If you don’t want to vote Obama and vote McCain instead. Do it. You hurt no one but yourself. Obama has millions of supporters and he will win in Nov. Just practice saying every day from now on – President Obama
lol, what a hoot that was…
Clinton’s aide, Wolfson, might think that, but I was rather convinced by Obama’s aide, Marty McFly, who was arguing your case exactly.
Obama didn’t win anything. He was dragged over the primary finish line by the Washington insiders. He had votes given to him in a primary where he voluntarily removed his name–translation—stolen votes. They had to reduce Florida to half votes for this squeaker. He is not the nominee yet! And by the way, this faker is no progressive. Amazing how many of you will throw your principals under the bus for this Chicago thug. The Democratic party no longer values a woman’s right to privacy and equality! They have watered down the platform to appease the Obamacons who want it both ways. Given Obama’s dismal campaign and poll numbers along with the numbers of votes that refuse to drink the kool-aid–the November outcome is far from certain with him at the top of the ticket….I may just vote for McCain in retaliation for Democratic Party’s corruption and collusion during the primary. Then again, maybe I won’t have to!
Dear Friends,
Victimization is ugly and unproductive no matter where it comes from. When you are the most recognized name in politics, when you have been in the public eye for decades, when you have major institutional resources lined up on your side and then lose, it’s not because you’re a “victim” of anything. It’s because you’re organizationally-challenged. (Read “incompetent.”)
To those who say that Obama “stole” the primary, that comment only works in quotes. (Please see figurative vs. literal language in your old English books.) He did “steal” it because it was assumed that the Clinton juggernaut would win hands down and Obama came in with superior organizational skills, more dedicated supporters and an agenda of change. Period. The nomination was owed to no one. That’s the beauty of a frickin’ democracy, people. If you think it’s owed because of years of service, you’re wrong. Everyone has to WIN it. Hillary didn’t, god love her.
Move on. If not, we will lose the Supreme Court and then Roe v Wade will go down. If you are a feminist, from any generation, you know that can’t happen. Please tuck your anger away and work for the greater good. If you are a shill for the McCain campaign, I hope you’re being paid well. It’s unbecoming otherwise and undercuts the progressive agenda that you supposedly support.
Talk about cult of personality. The PUMAs redefine the term if the person is more important than the politics. Remember, this is a democracy and that’s how it works. Obama won. If you want a Democrat in the oval office, move on.
(I’m sure that fixed everything!)
Hillary has succeeded in her biggest managerial challenge: parenting. despite the pressures of governing and the scandals of Bill, Chelsea has grown up to be a seemingly good person. Congrats. However, in the other two largest managerial challenges she has faced, she failed, for a lack of true leadership.
We would have national healthcare if she hadn’t been so insular and bull-headed, had incorporated others ideas. She would be President, at least the Dem nominee if she had run a better campaign.
So, let’s name her mother of the year, and be done with all this silliness. Barack won because he was the better candidate and ran the better campaign.
Reading all of these hateful posts, Obama will never win. The vitriolic, misogynistic, divisive, and racist posts show more of a divided democratic party, than a unified one. Change, what change? Obama has divided the electorate more than any other candidate. Spew racial slurs, but he has. Guess that is why Gallup daily shouw the race tied today; nothing more to hang on to. Again, the democrats have chosen the wrong nominee.
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Obama has divided the electorate more than any other candidate. Spew racial slurs, but he has. Guess that is why Gallup daily shouw the race tied today; nothing more to hang on to. Again, the democrats have chosen the wrong nominee.
Thanks a good deal! I truly enjoyed reading this.Looking through these posts and the information you’ve provided I can appreciate that I still have a lot of things to learn. I will keep reading and keep re-visiting