John McCain, the most likely Republican presidential nominee. California was his decisive victory, nearly winner-take-all in a primary designed for Mitt Romney.
** OBAMA REACTS TO CLINTON SELF-FUNDING, SAYS CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED $3 MILLION IN THE PAST DAY. Just a few hours after it emerged that the Clintons loaned $5 million of personal funds to Hillary Clinton’s stretched presidential campaign, the Obama campaign reacted with an appeal to its 650,000 contributors. “This is a dramatic move,” wrote campaign manager David Plouffe, and a clear acknowledgement that our campaign has the momentum. … The Clinton infusion of $5 million — and there are reports it could end up being as much as $20 million — will give them huge resources for the next set of primaries and caucuses. Thanks to you, we have raised more than $3 million since the polls closed on February 5th. But we have no choice — we must match their $5 million right now.
** SEIU BACKS OBAMA. MSNBC just reported that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has endorsed Barack Obama in Washington. Various state councils had previously endorsed him. Now he has the entire international union, one of the most potent in American politics. The California state council, which previously backed John Edwards, endorsed Obama last Friday. Which was clearly a bit late in the game.
** TOP ROMNEY BOOSTER ACCEPTS INEVITABILITY OF MCCAIN. Our old friend Hugh Hewitt, the well-known conservative talk show host and blogger who authored Mitt Romney’s authorized biography, “A Mormon In The White House,” penned a column today in which he essentially accepts the inevitabiity of John McCain. Hewitt has been inveighing indefatigably against McCain and Mike Huckabee, and explaining why virtually every development in the campaign redounds to Romney’s benefit, for months now.
** NEW MEXICO STILL OUT, OBAMA WITH TINY LEAD. At mid-day, some 16,000 votes remained to be counted in yesterday’s New Mexico Democratic presidential primary. Barack Obama has a tiny lead over Hillary Clinton in the latest count.
UPDATE: While I was out and about, The Page revealed that senior Clinton staffers, including campaign manager Patty Solis Doyle, are working for free to ease a campaign cash crunch.
** CLINTONS SELF-FUND HILLARY’S CAMPAIGN. Hillary Clinton just revealed that she loaned $5 million to her campaign last month. Campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe didn’t mention this last week when he said that Clinton had raised $13.5 million for the month. Barack Obama raised $32.2 million last month; $28 million on the Internet.
Although Hillary served on the board of Wal-Mart and was a top corporate lawyer with the Rose Firm, the Clintons were never wealthy until after former President Bill Clinton’s two terms in office ended. Both Hillary and Bill Clinton have earned several million dollars in book publishing deals. Bill Clinton has made far more as a very big-dollar lecturer before various business and foreign organizations. He has also many millions more in sometimes controversial business consulting work.
** STATEMENT FROM THE ZOGBY POLL. About California: Some of you may have noticed our pre-election polling differed from the actual results. It appears that we underestimated Hispanic turnout and overestimated the importance of younger Hispanic voters. We also overestimated turnout among African-American voters. Those of you who have been following our work know that we have gotten 13 out of 17 races right this year, and so many others over the years. This does happen.
** RONALD REAGAN’S BIRTHDAY. Today is Ronald Reagan’s birthday. An interesting juxtaposition with the likely essential end yesterday to the highly competitive portion of the Republican presidential race. Here is a link to my column, “Considering Ronald Reagan,” from last year. Which includes four vintage Reagan videos and won the coveted “Golden Pen Award” from the right-wing Republican Flash Report. Nothwithstanding the fact that, in my view, many who call themselves Reaganites today do not understand his essential approach.
** SCHWARZENEGGER LIVE WEBCAST THIS MORNING. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger holds a live webcast event at 11:30 AM this morning on levee reconstruction. In the flood-threatened Natomas area of Sacramento. He will also probably comment on yesterday’s elections.
THE MORNING COLUMN
** MCCAIN’S DECISIVE CALIFORNIA WIN. John McCain took a commanding lead in yesterday’s Super Tuesday contests, capped by a shattering victory in California. Mike Huckabee surprised with big victories in the South, while Mitt Romney — the best-funded of the candidates — performed below his expectations, capped by his delegate wipe-out in California.
Romney is out of the spotlight today, meeting with family and advisors to reassess his campaign.
McCain won big in big winner-take-all states such as Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. But his biggest win of all was in California, which was not supposed to be a winner-take-all contest, instead allocating delegates by congressional district. On a winner-take-all basis therein. And McCain, stunningly, won at least 50 of the state’s 53 congressional districts.
Romney, as readers know, actually led in some pre-election California polls, flying across the country on election eve for a Long Beach airport rally on Monday night to try to cement a California win.
But McCain, who had expended late energy in a bid to embarrass Romney in home state Massachusetts, countered Romney’s apparent late strength with a tough TV ad (seen below) using video of Romney denying any affinity for Ronald Reagan, personal campaigning by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a dramatic election day rally in San Diego following a cross-country flight from New York.
At the center of these moves was McCain senior advisor Steve Schmidt, Schwarzenegger’s re-election campaign manager and director of the 2004 Bush/Cheney war room. Schmidt, who’s been traveling with McCain for weeks (dubbed by Time magazine as “the Messagemaker”) as the Vietnam War hero surged to the fore of the Republican field, was able to help engineer Schwarzenegger’s timely endorsement of McCain last week, as well as needed late adjustments in California as Romney made his own move in the Golden State.
McCain’s dramatic San Diego rally yesterday with Schwarzenegger, in which the maverick Western senator declared that he will pursue Osama bin Laden “to the gates of Hell,” brought well-known fissures in the California Republican Party to the surface again. According to well-informed Republican sources, Duane Dichiara, a Romney consultant who is a key ally in San Diego and a key party lieutenant of state Republican chairman Ron Nehring, mounted an effort to discourage local Republicans from turning out to the rally with Schwarzenegger and McCain.
Which raises another matter. As NWN has reported extensively, and sometimes exclusively, most of the current leadership of the California Republican Party has worked hard to move the party apparatus to the far right, marked by frequently histrionic criticism of Schwarzenegger. On a narrow majority vote of the state party’s executive board, yesterday’s presidential primary was designed to exclude independents, a move that was supposed to help Romney.
McCain wasn’t supposed to be able to win closed Republican primaries. Yesterday’s primary was designed for a hard right conservative such as Romney. (At least in his current incarnation.) California Republican primary voters were supposed to be lockstep hard right conservatives, a “base” which rejected Schwarzenegger.
Yet the exit polling showed that Schwarzenegger is very popular with yesterday’s voters in the closed Republican primary. And that his endorsement of McCain was quite influential. Which means that a certain faction of folks who claim to speak for Republican voters actually do not.
McCain, with Schwarzenegger’s help, dominated a contest that was designed by “movement conservatives” who idolize Rush Limbaugh and company to go to Romney. It didn’t happen. Which means that a lot of folks who thought they had assured delegate tickets to the national convention in St. Paul are on the outside looking in this morning.
Barack Obama speaks following the split decision of Super Tuesday.
** SUPER TUESDAY SPLIT DECISION. After all the sturm and drang, not to mention yesterday’s continual spin cycles — I think I’ve been on enough conference calls for a day or three — and 22 complex contests in every quadrant of the country, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are where they were when yesterday dawned. Deadlocked, both in state victories and in delegates.
According to NBC News, in fact, Obama actually won slightly more delegates on Super Tuesday than did Clinton. Clinton has a slight edge in overall delegates, due to having more superdelegates, unelected in primaries or caucuses. But they are unpledged, and can depart in a moment. As they were about to do just prior to Clinton’s shock, narrow, comeback win in New Hampshire.
Yesterday saw a continuation of some of the polling problems we saw with New Hampshire. That was especially true with respect to California, where the latest tracking polls placed Obama in the lead. But in the event, Clinton had a relatively comfortable win in the popular vote. Though it appears at the moment, according to the Sacramento Bee, that Obama will win only 20 to 30 fewer delegates in the Golden State, where there were some voting problems for independents, who generally favored Obama. Because of other voting problems, it will be some time before we know the final numbers.
Hillary Clinton speaks following the split decision of Super Tuesday.
Hillary finished first in most of the big states yesterday, staving off a late-breaking move toward Obama. With Obama appearing to come on like gangbusters in California, she and husband Bill Clinton had to spend many days campaigning in California, which has been Clinton Country since the early 1990s. Obama, in the chess game of politics, decided to leave the state essentially to high-profile surrogates, holding only two California events in the last week, surrounding the Los Angeles debate. This freed him up to pursue a delegate haul elsewhere, winning 13 states to Clinton’s eight in the process. New Mexico is still outstanding as of this writing.
So what has evolved into a great race between two outstanding candidates and campaign organizations continues, with several contests this weekend, and the “Chesapeake primary” — my ancestral Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., all near the amazing Chesapeake Bay — next Tuesday.
You can read all the thinking of the Clinton camp in yesterday’s edition.
Congratulations, incidentally, to the estimable Ace Smith, who directed Clinton’s California campaign and held steady in what had to have been daunting circumstances.
And congratulations to Mitchell Schwartz, who directed Obama’s California campaign, putting together a very impressive organizational effort that garnered a very big delegate haul.
** NUNEZ AND PERATA LEGISLATIVE CAREERS ENDED WITH DEFEAT OF PROP 93. As expected for quite awhile, the term limits revision initiative, Proposition 93, went down to defeat yesterday. The margin of defeat was far less than forecast in the last Field Poll, which had it going down 33% to 46%. In the event, it seems to have been defeated by a relatively close margin of 47% to 53%.
The result ends the legislative careers of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata. Both men are termed out of office at the end of the year. Jostling to replace them in their current leadership slots will no doubt accelerate.
The reasons for the defeat of Prop 93 have already been covered here on NWN. The revelation of seeming luxury spending from campaign accounts by both Nunez and Perata — especially Nunez’s infamous purchases at the Louis Vuitton boutique in Paris — coupled with Perata’s ongoing FBI investigation and the failure to follow through on repeated promises to pass redistricting reform legislation all combined to kill the measure’s hopes.
** CALIFORNIA INDIAN CASINO TRIBES TRIUMPH. In another non-surprise, the four ballot measures to ratify the casino tribe compacts negotiated by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger — Props 94 through 97 — all passed handily. The union which had wanted an easier time organizing tribal casino workers joined forces with other gambling interests to force referendum votes on the four deals ratified by the Legislature.
Schwarzenegger campaigned extensively for a yes vote on the four referenda. Ironic, in its way, since Schwarzenegger was first elected in 2003 in part by winning a high-stakes fight against casino tribes, which he typed as exhibit A of special interests dominating Sacramento. But he has gotten somewhat of a better deal from the tribes in terms of state revenue, in exchange for authorizing a massive expansion of casino gambling in the state.
Voters saw this as a battle between big interests, with the signal advantage to the proponents of the deals being hundreds of millions a year in new revenue for a cash-strapped state governemnt.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the new Russia Today channel.
You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti.
While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND U.S. ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Crude oil prices are trading in the $89 to $90 per barrel range on continuing fears of a US economic slowdown.
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Jonas Blane:Another great Obama speech. Kind of long.
Feb 6, 2008 - 8:54 am Jonas Blane:Another great Obama speech. Kind of long.
Feb 6, 2008 - 8:54 am Jonas Blane:Hillary’s speech is good. She acts like she won. Gotta love the Clintons.
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:01 am Jonas Blane:Hillary’s speech is good. She acts like she won. Gotta love the Clintons.
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:01 am Ann:Another big loss for Jonny Flashman and the Flush Report. lol
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:02 am Jonas Blane:McCain is good in that video. I think he should more young people around him.
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:06 am Jonas Blane:McCain is good in that video. I think he should more young people around him.
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:06 am Prospero:Your lead is definitely the real story. Those who claim to represent California’s Republicans do not — at least in some very important ways. This is a central, and (as Drudge says) “developing” story that is worth some real soul searching in the party. Thanks for giving it the prominence it deserves.
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:11 am Capitol Boy:I know Obama did well. But I’m still disappointed.
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:12 am Len:When will the talk show yakkers put a cork in it?
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:31 am Len:When will the talk show yakkers put a cork in it?
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:31 am Bill Bradley:You don’t become a talk show because you dislike attention.
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:52 am Bill Bradley:I understand.
>Capitol Boy :
I know Obama did well. But I’m still disappointed.
Feb 6, 2008 09:12 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:52 am Bill Bradley:I understand.
>Capitol Boy :
I know Obama did well. But I’m still disappointed.
Feb 6, 2008 09:12 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:52 am Bill Bradley:Thanks.
Their whole plan has backfired.
>Prospero :
Your lead is definitely the real story. Those who claim to represent California’s Republicans do not — at least in some very important ways. This is a central, and (as Drudge says) “developing” story that is worth some real soul searching in the party. Thanks for giving it the prominence it deserves.
Feb 6, 2008 09:11 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:53 am Bill Bradley:That might make him look old.
>Jonas Blane :
McCain is good in that video. I think he should more young people around him.
Feb 6, 2008 09:06 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:54 am Bill Bradley:Our friend Jon authored the party resolution to ensure that independents would be barred from the presidential primary.
>Ann :
Another big loss for Jonny Flashman and the Flush Report. lol
Feb 6, 2008 09:02 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:55 am Bill Bradley:Our friend Jon authored the party resolution to ensure that independents would be barred from the presidential primary.
>Ann :
Another big loss for Jonny Flashman and the Flush Report. lol
Feb 6, 2008 09:02 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:55 am Bill Bradley:Always “on message.”
>Jonas Blane :
Hillary’s speech is good. She acts like she won. Gotta love the Clintons.
Feb 6, 2008 09:01 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:55 am Bill Bradley:Too long. By a factor of three.
>Jonas Blane :
Another great Obama speech. Kind of long.
Feb 6, 2008 08:54 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:56 am Ann:Your friend Hugh hewitt is throwing in the towel! lol
Feb 6, 2008 - 10:09 am Duane Dichiara:“According to well-informed Republican sources, Duane Dichiara… mounted an effort to discourage local Republicans from turning out to the rally with Schwarzenegger and McCain.”
YOUR SOURCES ARE IN ERROR. I’M NOT EVEN SURE HOW ONE WOULD MANAGE TO DISCOURAGE LOCAL REPUBLICANS FROM TURNING OUT TO A RALLY (OR WHY ANYONE WOULD BOTHER) UNLESS I SOMEHOW ON A VERY BUSY DAY MANAGED TO CALL SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE I DONT KNOW AND ASKED THEM NOT TO ATTEND.
DDD
Feb 6, 2008 - 10:24 am Duane Dichiara:“According to well-informed Republican sources, Duane Dichiara… mounted an effort to discourage local Republicans from turning out to the rally with Schwarzenegger and McCain.”
YOUR SOURCES ARE IN ERROR. I’M NOT EVEN SURE HOW ONE WOULD MANAGE TO DISCOURAGE LOCAL REPUBLICANS FROM TURNING OUT TO A RALLY (OR WHY ANYONE WOULD BOTHER) UNLESS I SOMEHOW ON A VERY BUSY DAY MANAGED TO CALL SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE I DONT KNOW AND ASKED THEM NOT TO ATTEND.
DDD
Feb 6, 2008 - 10:24 am Marcos Obledo:I hope the Limbaughs, Ingrams, Fleishmans and assorted yo-yos hie thee back to their Young Americans for Freedom reunions and leave real politics to non-clowns.
Feb 6, 2008 - 10:28 am Bill Bradley:Well, they spent all their time attacking McCain and Huckabee.
And who did the Republican primary voters like?
McCain and Huckabee.
Interesting.
Feb 6, 2008 - 10:43 am Bill Bradley:That’s pretty amusing.
As you know, there were not “several hundred thousand people” who knew the time and location of yesterday’s rally.
>Duane Dichiara : I’M NOT EVEN SURE HOW ONE WOULD MANAGE TO DISCOURAGE LOCAL REPUBLICANS FROM TURNING OUT TO A RALLY (OR WHY ANYONE WOULD BOTHER) UNLESS I SOMEHOW ON A VERY BUSY DAY MANAGED TO CALL SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE I DONT KNOW AND ASKED THEM NOT TO ATTEND.
DDD
Feb 6, 2008 10:24 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 10:44 am Bill Bradley:That’s pretty amusing.
As you know, there were not “several hundred thousand people” who knew the time and location of yesterday’s rally.
>Duane Dichiara : I’M NOT EVEN SURE HOW ONE WOULD MANAGE TO DISCOURAGE LOCAL REPUBLICANS FROM TURNING OUT TO A RALLY (OR WHY ANYONE WOULD BOTHER) UNLESS I SOMEHOW ON A VERY BUSY DAY MANAGED TO CALL SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE I DONT KNOW AND ASKED THEM NOT TO ATTEND.
DDD
Feb 6, 2008 10:24 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 10:44 am Bill Bradley:What?!
>Ann :
Your friend Hugh hewitt is throwing in the towel! lol
Feb 6, 2008 10:09 AM
Feb 6, 2008 - 10:45 am Barbara:Obama and Billary
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:09 am Sacramento Solon:I am not disappointed…I did not buy the poll hype …I always expected a close race…there is a surge (post S. Carolina, Kennedy-Shriver endorsement and Edwards drop out) for him that is for sure but I doubt if in any of the polls asked have you voted already? A lot of people voted for her before the surge…I remember two women behind me at Sunday’s rally saying they were there to support him because they had buyer’s remorse and had already voted for her and coming to the rally was a way to support him…this horserace will just make him a better racer… he is becomming a better candidate with each test…you saw that in the last debate… he will win this…and since he is going against McCain …possibly a McCain Huckabee ticket …he needs this run…there are no accidents in life …there is always a reason for everything…this tough run against Hillary is a blessing in disguise…he needs the “training” even great horses need training …or rather especially great horses need training …he will be our next President…more Sun today …more riding to do! Toodles
Mr. B…
Who’s going to be Johnny Mc’s running mate?
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:10 am Sacramento Solon:Mr. B…
Who’s going to be Johnny Mc’s running mate?
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:10 am Len:Hewitt HAS thrown in the towel. He is all respectful toward McCain this morning.
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:14 am Len:Hewitt HAS thrown in the towel. He is all respectful toward McCain this morning.
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:14 am richard locicero:I agree that the next few contests favor Obama and he’s getting better at debates and campaigning but then so is Hillary and there is noreason to think this can’t go right to Denver where the Seating of the Michigan and Florida Delegations become crucial. Nothing like a good credentials fight to stir the blood! See the 1952 GOP Convention where Ike Triumped by unseated Taft Delegate and led to a memorable speech where Ev Dirksen denounced Tom Dewey for leading the party down the road to defeat for the past decade.
Course the voter saw if slightly differently that Fall.
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:14 am richard locicero:McCain looks old and very unstirring in his remarks. Plus, he’s tied his whole campaign to two things - endless war in Iraw and surrender to the same forces that got their butts kicked here - no new taxes, anti-immigration (fences, deportation, etc.) and hard right social positions as he tries to prove he’s the “Most Conservative” in the land to a skeptical audience. Watch what he says Thursday at NCPAC.
If Dems are smart (I know, a dubious proposition) they’ll hang these positions around his neck like the albatross in the Ancient Mariner!
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:18 am richard locicero:McCain looks old and very unstirring in his remarks. Plus, he’s tied his whole campaign to two things - endless war in Iraw and surrender to the same forces that got their butts kicked here - no new taxes, anti-immigration (fences, deportation, etc.) and hard right social positions as he tries to prove he’s the “Most Conservative” in the land to a skeptical audience. Watch what he says Thursday at NCPAC.
If Dems are smart (I know, a dubious proposition) they’ll hang these positions around his neck like the albatross in the Ancient Mariner!
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:18 am Ann:Schwarzeneger is on time!
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:34 am Paul Burton:I can’t wait to see insane McCain lead the charge to the gates of hell to catch that evil varmint bin Laden! Even if it takes 100 years! Is there a helmet big enough for this fool’s oversized head? He is about as inspiring a leader as Herbert Hoover, although McCain looks older and his surge is bankrupt.
Anti McCain Protest Phoenix Arizona 2-4-08 Photos
Feb 6, 2008 - 12:16 pm Vladimir Bierko:http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/02/05/18477135.php
For those folks whose candidate or proposition lost, a bit of levity is in order to lighten your day. To wit, the link below is for “The 10 Star Wars Toys that Unintentionally Look Like Other Celebrities.”
http://tinyurl.com/yr4stz
Fun stuff.
Feb 6, 2008 - 12:30 pm Vladimir Bierko:For those folks whose candidate or proposition lost, a bit of levity is in order to lighten your day. To wit, the link below is for “The 10 Star Wars Toys that Unintentionally Look Like Other Celebrities.”
http://tinyurl.com/yr4stz
Fun stuff.
Feb 6, 2008 - 12:30 pm Dana:Here is Hewitt urging Republican unity toward what he sees as McCain’s inevitable winning of the nomination (mostly on the basis of making sure they dominate making appointees to the Supreme Court):
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog
Feb 6, 2008 - 12:58 pm Dana:Steve Schmidt? Damn, now the McCain California electorial surge makes sense. Thanks, Bill.
Kandy, in re your question of last night about Butte County passing Prop 91 by 87% (the next largest margain the measure had was 49% in Imperial County), as the co-chair of the only campaign for the measure I profess total utter dumbfoundment.
That 91 got 41% of the vote despite promotion by nothing beyond an unfunded grassroots campaign I think speaks to latent public support for transportation improvements. Maybe the new legislative leadership (bye, bye–Fabian and Don!) will take this into account as the yawning budget deficit begins to be grappled with (soon?).
http://www.socata.net/gm/archives/00000056.shtml
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:18 pm Sullihan:Bob “Darth Vador” Novak reports that Mitt spent $10,000,000 of his own money in California last week. He did not add the punchline: All for 9 delegates. I can’t decide if he reminds me more of Michael Huffington or Bill Simon.
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:19 pm Sullihan:Bob “Darth Vador” Novak reports that Mitt spent $10,000,000 of his own money in California last week. He did not add the punchline: All for 9 delegates. I can’t decide if he reminds me more of Michael Huffington or Bill Simon.
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:19 pm James- The Historian:Proof that there is an echo chamber and more importantly, it does not work.
These are people who are only greatly influential in their own minds.
>”Which means that a certain faction of folks who claim to speak for Republican voters actually do not.”
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:20 pm James- The Historian:Proof that there is an echo chamber and more importantly, it does not work.
These are people who are only greatly influential in their own minds.
>”Which means that a certain faction of folks who claim to speak for Republican voters actually do not.”
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:20 pm Capitol Boy:The Clintons are hitting a fundraising wall.
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:25 pm Chris M:The Clintons are funding their own campaign!! I thought only plutocrats did that! Some champion of the people, that Hillary.
This just opens up all kinds of questions about Bill’s dealings with the world’s financiers and autocrats. Can you imagine the fun the Reeps would have with this??
Talking Points Memo has a little more on the story: http://tinyurl.com/2dfkxp
Apparently, this $5M is in addition to the $13.5 M the campaign reported last month.
Still, the questions of how desperate the Clintons are or how far will they will go to win are being answered.
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:27 pm Chris M:The Clintons are funding their own campaign!! I thought only plutocrats did that! Some champion of the people, that Hillary.
This just opens up all kinds of questions about Bill’s dealings with the world’s financiers and autocrats. Can you imagine the fun the Reeps would have with this??
Talking Points Memo has a little more on the story: http://tinyurl.com/2dfkxp
Apparently, this $5M is in addition to the $13.5 M the campaign reported last month.
Still, the questions of how desperate the Clintons are or how far will they will go to win are being answered.
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:27 pm Chris M:Bill:
Re: New Mexico
So, Bill, do you have something newer than the Clinton +210 that both CNN and NYT are showing?
Thanks!
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#NM
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:33 pm Jonas Blane:————-
Cool software, the way it shortens the URLs on the screen.
This is an incredible race.
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:37 pm Bill Bradley:Indeed.
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:39 pm Bill Bradley:Indeed.
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:39 pm Bill Bradley:Yes. I called into New Mexico. Obama up by less than a hundred votes.
>Chris M :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:41 pm Bill Bradley:Bill:
Re: New Mexico
So, Bill, do you have something newer than the Clinton +210 that both CNN and NYT are showing?
The Republicans can certainly imagine it.
For those who think all is already out there about the Clintons, think again.
>Chris M :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:42 pm Bill Bradley:The Clintons are funding their own campaign!! I thought only plutocrats did that! Some champion of the people, that Hillary.
This just opens up all kinds of questions about Bill’s dealings with the world’s financiers and autocrats. Can you imagine the fun the Reeps would have with this??
That’s a leading theory. They’ve raised more from big donors, but there are contribution limits.
>Capitol Boy :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:43 pm Bill Bradley:The Clintons are hitting a fundraising wall.
Feb 6, 2008 01:25 PM
That’s a leading theory. They’ve raised more from big donors, but there are contribution limits.
>Capitol Boy :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:43 pm Bill Bradley:The Clintons are hitting a fundraising wall.
Feb 6, 2008 01:25 PM
The two candidates most attacked by that crowd are the two who did the best in the Republican primaries.
>James- The Historian :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:44 pm Bill Bradley:Proof that there is an echo chamber and more importantly, it does not work.
These are people who are only greatly influential in their own minds.
>”Which means that a certain faction of folks who claim to speak for Republican voters actually do not.”
Feb 6, 2008 01:20 PM
The two candidates most attacked by that crowd are the two who did the best in the Republican primaries.
>James- The Historian :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:44 pm Bill Bradley:Proof that there is an echo chamber and more importantly, it does not work.
These are people who are only greatly influential in their own minds.
>”Which means that a certain faction of folks who claim to speak for Republican voters actually do not.”
Feb 6, 2008 01:20 PM
Sounds like the Romney sources low-balled me on his spending here …
>Sullihan :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:45 pm Bill Bradley:Bob “Darth Vador” Novak reports that Mitt spent $10,000,000 of his own money in California last week. He did not add the punchline: All for 9 delegates. I can’t decide if he reminds me more of Michael Huffington or Bill Simon.
Feb 6, 2008 01:19 PM
You’re welcome.
>Dana :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:45 pm Bill Bradley:Steve Schmidt? Damn, now the McCain California electorial surge makes sense. Thanks, Bill.
You’re welcome.
>Dana :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:45 pm Bill Bradley:Steve Schmidt? Damn, now the McCain California electorial surge makes sense. Thanks, Bill.
Yep. You know, he is Romney’s biographer.
>Dana :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:48 pm Bill Bradley:Here is Hewitt urging Republican unity toward what he sees as McCain’s inevitable winning of the nomination (mostly on the basis of making sure they dominate making appointees to the Supreme Court):
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog
Feb 6, 2008 12:58 PM
Very nice, Gospodin Bierko.
>Vladimir Bierko :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:49 pm Bill Bradley:For those folks whose candidate or proposition lost, a bit of levity is in order to lighten your day. To wit, the link below is for “The 10 Star Wars Toys that Unintentionally Look Like Other Celebrities.”
http://tinyurl.com/yr4stz
Fun stuff.
Feb 6, 2008 12:30 PM
No doubt he will be easy to defeat.
>richard locicero :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:51 pm Bill Bradley:McCain looks old and very unstirring in his remarks. Plus, he’s tied his whole campaign to two things - endless war in Iraw and surrender to the same forces that got their butts kicked here - no new taxes, anti-immigration (fences, deportation, etc.) and hard right social positions as he tries to prove he’s the “Most Conservative” in the land to a skeptical audience. Watch what he says Thursday at NCPAC.
If Dems are smart (I know, a dubious proposition) they’ll hang these positions around his neck like the albatross in the Ancient Mariner!
Feb 6, 2008 11:18 AM
No doubt he will be easy to defeat.
>richard locicero :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:51 pm Bill Bradley:McCain looks old and very unstirring in his remarks. Plus, he’s tied his whole campaign to two things - endless war in Iraw and surrender to the same forces that got their butts kicked here - no new taxes, anti-immigration (fences, deportation, etc.) and hard right social positions as he tries to prove he’s the “Most Conservative” in the land to a skeptical audience. Watch what he says Thursday at NCPAC.
If Dems are smart (I know, a dubious proposition) they’ll hang these positions around his neck like the albatross in the Ancient Mariner!
Feb 6, 2008 11:18 AM
Unknown.
>Sacramento Solon :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:51 pm Bill Bradley:Mr. B…
Who’s going to be Johnny Mc’s running mate?
Feb 6, 2008 11:10 AM
Unknown.
>Sacramento Solon :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:51 pm Bill Bradley:Mr. B…
Who’s going to be Johnny Mc’s running mate?
Feb 6, 2008 11:10 AM
You must be somewhat disappointed.
>Barbara :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:53 pm Chris M:Obama and Billary
I am not disappointed…I did not buy the poll hype …I always expected a close race…there is a surge (post S. Carolina, Kennedy-Shriver endorsement and Edwards drop out) for him that
Thanks, that’s why you are DA MA-A-A-AN (Although I’m still bummed there isn’t at least a bottle of Lynmar’s finest Pinot awaiting the lucky 50,000th commenter).
—-
>>Yes. I called into New Mexico. Obama up by less than a hundred votes.
>Chris M :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:58 pm Chris M:Bill:
Re: New Mexico
So, Bill, do you have something newer than the Clinton +210 that both CNN and NYT are showing?
Thanks, that’s why you are DA MA-A-A-AN (Although I’m still bummed there isn’t at least a bottle of Lynmar’s finest Pinot awaiting the lucky 50,000th commenter).
—-
>>Yes. I called into New Mexico. Obama up by less than a hundred votes.
>Chris M :
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:58 pm Brasky:Bill:
Re: New Mexico
So, Bill, do you have something newer than the Clinton +210 that both CNN and NYT are showing?
“I called into New Mexico. Obama up by less than a hundred votes.”
Holy crap!
Simply great work Bill…thanks for everything on Super Tuesday and everything leading to it.
So Obama outraised Clinton like 4 to 1? wow…
Maybe Clinton should team-up with Ron Paul…
Feb 6, 2008 - 2:07 pm Barbara:No I am not really disappointed…this guy from Politico has been explaining for days on Mathews …Oberman …this would happen…anyway I beliveve Obama will win in the end…the Clintons will overreach get dirty again something to turn more off…
I just walked in to Hardball…I think I read or heard that Chris Matthews moderates next debate…I don’t like that one bit!…he says things that call into question if he is objective…he either is supporting Bullary or believes they are just so formidable they will just win…even today, when it is clear Obama is still in the game and Obama could stilL (will) win he said something like …Hillary will have to share the ticket with him the way things are going…to say something like that means he is resigned or hoping that Billary gets it!…Obama Camapaign beware!
What’s going on with this double bubble ballot? was it significant number of ballots impacted? This may be a case that Jill Stewart needs to investigate…let’s see where the trail leads to! someone trying to mess with us DTS voters!
Feb 6, 2008 - 2:56 pm Bill Bradley:Beautiful day in Sacto !!!everyone get out and run, ride ,walk around!!!
Actually, Chris Mathews is something of an Obama booster.
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:43 pm Bill Bradley:Actually, Chris Mathews is something of an Obama booster.
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:43 pm Bill Bradley:You’re welcome. And check out the new update per The Page, Hillary’s staff working for free to ease cash crunch.
>Brasky :
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:44 pm Bill Bradley:“I called into New Mexico. Obama up by less than a hundred votes.”
Holy crap!
Simply great work Bill…thanks for everything on Super Tuesday and everything leading to it.
So Obama outraised Clinton like 4 to 1? wow…
Maybe Clinton should team-up with Ron Paul…
Feb 6, 2008 02:07 PM
You’re welcome. Actually NWN has already passed 50,000 comments in the crush of the Super Tuesday run-up I believe.
>Chris M :
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:45 pm richard locicero:Thanks, that’s why you are DA MA-A-A-AN (Although I’m still bummed there isn’t at least a bottle of Lynmar’s finest Pinot awaiting the lucky 50,000th commenter).
—-
>>Yes. I called into New Mexico. Obama up by less than a hundred votes.
Well I said it depends on a certain mental accuity on the part of the Dems but Obama could run rings around him by tying him him to Bush and the war. And point out that we can have Health care or a year in Iraq or so - voter’s choice.
MCCain must tie himself to positions the public rejects to win the base. Look at his numbers yeardaY. vERY WEAK.
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:49 pm richard locicero:Well I said it depends on a certain mental accuity on the part of the Dems but Obama could run rings around him by tying him him to Bush and the war. And point out that we can have Health care or a year in Iraq or so - voter’s choice.
MCCain must tie himself to positions the public rejects to win the base. Look at his numbers yeardaY. vERY WEAK.
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:49 pm Dana:“Includes campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle.” YEOW! That isn’t a good sign.
http://thepage.time.com/
>Bill Bradley :
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:56 pm Bill Bradley:You’re welcome. And check out the new update per The Page, Hillary’s staff working for free to ease cash crunch.
Bill Clinton had weaker numbers than McCain’s when he was first elected …
Don’t assume the anti-war argument prevails in this debate.
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:57 pm Dana:BTW, I had two calls yesterday from the Obama campaign asking for my vote–a robo call in the morning of a pitch by Stevie Wonder, and late afternoon a live volunteer reminding me the polls would still be open for a few hours. No calls from Billary or others.
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:59 pm Dana:BTW, I had two calls yesterday from the Obama campaign asking for my vote–a robo call in the morning of a pitch by Stevie Wonder, and late afternoon a live volunteer reminding me the polls would still be open for a few hours. No calls from Billary or others.
Feb 6, 2008 - 3:59 pm Bill Bradley:Was that the famous “I just called to say I love you” robocall?
Feb 6, 2008 - 4:03 pm Bill Bradley:Was that the famous “I just called to say I love you” robocall?
Feb 6, 2008 - 4:03 pm Ann:I told you Hugh Hewitt gave up.
Feb 6, 2008 - 4:25 pm Sacramento Solon:And now for a litte break from the world of politics…
Shaq O’Neal has been traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns in return for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
We now return you to the world of politics
Feb 6, 2008 - 4:25 pm James- The Historian:Really?!
>”No doubt he will be easy to defeat.”
Feb 6, 2008 - 5:02 pm James- The Historian:Really?!
>”No doubt he will be easy to defeat.”
Feb 6, 2008 - 5:02 pm Wilbur:To quote the inestimable Foghorn Leghorn, “It’s a joke, son!”
>>James- The Historian : Really?!
>”No doubt he will be easy to defeat.”
Feb 6, 2008 - 5:25 pm Anonymous:I just got the Obama email you mention (at 6pm PST) and according to that email, Obama’s total “since the polls closed” yesterday (whatever that means exactly) is now $4,955,210. If he could do $5M in 24 hours, perhaps he could match the $8.5M Clinton raised in all of January (not counting her loan)…
Then again, as Steve Forbes, Mitt Romney, and Steve Westley could all tell you, money ain’t everything. Obama has to spend WAY more than Clinton to overcome her inherent advantages. I suppose the real question would be how much of Hillary’s money is available for the primary. Early stories had large portions of her donations coming as General election funds, thus not usable in the primaries. This could get very interesting…
Feb 6, 2008 - 7:04 pm Scott:Sorry that last post was me. Forgot to fill in the name info…
Feb 6, 2008 - 7:35 pm Scott:Sorry that last post was me. Forgot to fill in the name info…
Feb 6, 2008 - 7:35 pm James:The March 4 Texas primary will be a big battle. Today I learned that Texas has a weird primary — you get to vote twice! There’s a general election followed by a caucus. If you vote during the day for district delegates, you may return to your precinct at 7:15pm and caucus for the at-large and PLEO delegates. Only those who voted earlier are permitted to caucus. Advantage Obama?
Feb 6, 2008 - 8:01 pm James- The Historian:Wilbur:
Foghorn Leghorn: one of the greats!
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:15 pm James- The Historian:Wilbur:
Foghorn Leghorn: one of the greats!
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:15 pm Sullihan:Debra Bowen reports 100% of the precincts have reported. McCain 49 Mitt 4, with the caveat the in CD 42 Mitt has only an 73 vote plurality. As it stands this translates to a 158 to 12 GOP delegation.
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:15 pm Sullihan:Debra Bowen reports 100% of the precincts have reported. McCain 49 Mitt 4, with the caveat the in CD 42 Mitt has only an 73 vote plurality. As it stands this translates to a 158 to 12 GOP delegation.
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:15 pm Sullihan:With 1197 needed to nominate, 158 is more than 13% of the number needed to win.
Feb 6, 2008 - 11:48 pm Bill Bradley:I think there are hundreds of thousands of uncounted ballots, if not more.
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:17 am Bill Bradley:I think there are hundreds of thousands of uncounted ballots, if not more.
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:17 am Bill Bradley:Indeed.
>James- The Historian :
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:17 am Bill Bradley:Wilbur:
Foghorn Leghorn: one of the greats!
Feb 6, 2008 09:15 PM
I ran West Texas for the last week of a primary. But I, gulp, seem to have forgotten most of it …
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:18 am Bill Bradley:>James :
The March 4 Texas primary will be a big battle. Today I learned that Texas has a weird primary — you get to vote twice! There’s a general election followed by a caucus. If you vote during the day for district delegates, you may return to your precinct at 7:15pm and caucus for the at-large and PLEO delegates. Only those who voted earlier are permitted to caucus. Advantage Obama?
Feb 6, 2008 08:01 PM
Evidentally the amount raised changed as to when the email was sent out.
Actually, Obama does not have to spend so much more than Clinton. He needs to spend more, at the same time that he needs even more to spend more time cultivating an electorate prior to the vote.
Which he did not do in California, due to scheduling decisions designed to yield the biggest delegate haul across the board. But never again will such a screwy, accordioned calendar confront him.
>Anonymous :
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:21 am Bill Bradley:I just got the Obama email you mention (at 6pm PST) and according to that email, Obama’s total “since the polls closed” yesterday (whatever that means exactly) is now $4,955,210. If he could do $5M in 24 hours, perhaps he could match the $8.5M Clinton raised in all of January (not counting her loan)…
Then again, as Steve Forbes, Mitt Romney, and Steve Westley could all tell you, money ain’t everything. Obama has to spend WAY more than Clinton to overcome her inherent advantages. I suppose the real question would be how much of Hillary’s money is available for the primary. Early stories had large portions of her donations coming as General election funds, thus not usable in the primaries. This could get very interesting…
Feb 6, 2008 07:04 PM
Evidentally the amount raised changed as to when the email was sent out.
Actually, Obama does not have to spend so much more than Clinton. He needs to spend more, at the same time that he needs even more to spend more time cultivating an electorate prior to the vote.
Which he did not do in California, due to scheduling decisions designed to yield the biggest delegate haul across the board. But never again will such a screwy, accordioned calendar confront him.
>Anonymous :
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:21 am Bill Bradley:I just got the Obama email you mention (at 6pm PST) and according to that email, Obama’s total “since the polls closed” yesterday (whatever that means exactly) is now $4,955,210. If he could do $5M in 24 hours, perhaps he could match the $8.5M Clinton raised in all of January (not counting her loan)…
Then again, as Steve Forbes, Mitt Romney, and Steve Westley could all tell you, money ain’t everything. Obama has to spend WAY more than Clinton to overcome her inherent advantages. I suppose the real question would be how much of Hillary’s money is available for the primary. Early stories had large portions of her donations coming as General election funds, thus not usable in the primaries. This could get very interesting…
Feb 6, 2008 07:04 PM
He didn’t get voted to the All-Star Game, did he?
>Sacramento Solon :
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:22 am Bill Bradley:And now for a litte break from the world of politics…
Shaq O’Neal has been traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns in return for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
We now return you to the world of politics
Feb 6, 2008 04:25 PM
He didn’t get voted to the All-Star Game, did he?
>Sacramento Solon :
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:22 am Bill Bradley:And now for a litte break from the world of politics…
Shaq O’Neal has been traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns in return for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
We now return you to the world of politics
Feb 6, 2008 04:25 PM
Well, sort of, as subsequent posts make clearer.
>Ann :
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:23 am Kandy Kid:I told you Hugh Hewitt gave up.
Feb 6, 2008 04:25 PM
Solon, the Kid Family tried the 2006 Foley pinot noir last night and it was very good, in the same tier as the Lynmar in both quality and price. Very smooth and surprising fruity for a pinot. We paired it with slow roasted Muscovy duck breasts (Taylors naturally) and it worked very well. Too pricey for an every day wine, but a great alternative to serving unworthy guests a fine cabernet from the library collection.
Feb 7, 2008 - 7:59 am Kandy Kid:Solon, the Kid Family tried the 2006 Foley pinot noir last night and it was very good, in the same tier as the Lynmar in both quality and price. Very smooth and surprising fruity for a pinot. We paired it with slow roasted Muscovy duck breasts (Taylors naturally) and it worked very well. Too pricey for an every day wine, but a great alternative to serving unworthy guests a fine cabernet from the library collection.
Feb 7, 2008 - 7:59 am Jonas Blane:I hope you’ve got more video today.
Feb 7, 2008 - 8:06 am Sacramento Solon:Kid,
Glad you enjoyed it. Totally agree with the assessment. I found that it also works quite well with chili!
Feb 7, 2008 - 8:13 am Kandy Kid:Funny, Mrs. Kid has white bean chili in the slow cooker today and there is a glass of the Foley left for this evening.
Life is good.
In our Capitol world, too often cynical political machinations taint common pleasures, good relationships and cheerful attitudes. Good wine and a funny story can help lubricate that friction – even in cyberspace.
Feb 7, 2008 - 8:54 am Kandy Kid:Funny, Mrs. Kid has white bean chili in the slow cooker today and there is a glass of the Foley left for this evening.
Life is good.
In our Capitol world, too often cynical political machinations taint common pleasures, good relationships and cheerful attitudes. Good wine and a funny story can help lubricate that friction – even in cyberspace.
Feb 7, 2008 - 8:54 am Sacramento Solon:Mr. Kid…
True, true. You have a good day as it appears it’s going to be a good day to be had in the River City.
Enjoy your white bean chili and please let me know how the Foley goes with it.
Give yourself a treat, pick up a bottle of Hahn pinot. More than $20 less than Foley/Lynmar, but very drinkable.
Feb 7, 2008 - 9:02 am Dana:Yes.
>Bill Bradley :
Was that the famous “I just called to say I love you” robocall?
Feb 7, 2008 - 9:03 am Bill Bradley:I heard it, it’s pretty good.
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:25 pm Bill Bradley:I heard it, it’s pretty good.
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:25 pm Bill Bradley:Indeed.
>Kandy Kid :
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:25 pm Bill Bradley:Funny, Mrs. Kid has white bean chili in the slow cooker today and there is a glass of the Foley left for this evening.
Life is good.
In our Capitol world, too often cynical political machinations taint common pleasures, good relationships and cheerful attitudes. Good wine and a funny story can help lubricate that friction – even in cyberspace.
Feb 7, 2008 08:54 AM
Always.
>Jonas Blane :
Feb 7, 2008 - 12:26 pm Bill Bradley:I hope you’ve got more video today.
Feb 7, 2008 08:06 AM
Incidentally, NWN passed 50,000 comments sometime in the past week.
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