New Clinton Talking Point: 2,118 delegate threshold does not mean anything

[TeamJordan23]

On past 2,118

Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe tells my colleague Ken Vogel in San Juan that Hillary Clinton will “probably” continue a retail-level campaign operation after Tuesday’s primaries regardless of what happens in them.

Team Clinton also won’t necessarily consider the campaign over if rival Barack Obama soon reaches the 2,118-delegate threshold necessary to clinch the nomination.

“No, it’s not it,” McAuliffe responded when a reporter asked if securing 2,118 delegates would mark the end of the marathon race. “We’ll see. We’re going to get through Tuesday’s votes. We’re going to see where we are, and we’re going to look at all of our options. Every option is on the table.”

As for what Clinton would do Wednesday morning with no more primaries on the horizon, McAuliffe said he hopes she’ll call uncommitted superdelegates. “That’s what I’m doing,” he said.

And he hinted that the campaign might be targeting some superdelegates committed to Obama.

“We’re calling the uncommitted ones, primarily. But we’ve heard things. You know, you pick up stuff. So we’re following up on leads that we get,” he said. “Just remember: No superdelegate is bound until they vote at the convention.”

McAuliffe wouldn’t comment on how much the campaign raised in May, except to say that he was insulted by a question about whether it had topped $10 million.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0608/On_past_2118.html

[anonymous171]

1. Fuck it.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Traitor to the Dem party

THE FAT LADY IS SINGING STUPID

[jenmito]

3. In Hillary's speech tonight, she said she'd fight 'til someone hit 2118 when she said neither

one of them has 2118 delegates yet. Don't worry-he WILL and it will be over. She signaled it tonight.

[tekisui]

9. Will Obama get 30 superdelegate endorsements between now and

Tuesday night?

He is right now, 47 from the Nomination, 2118. He will get at least 17 on Tuesday, will be get the big numbers, 30 more supers before Tuesday night?

I don't doubt that he has at least 150 of the remaining 200 supers in his corner, probably closer to 200 of them. But, will 30 come out on Monday and Tuesday?

It would be a big story if that happens.

[jenmito]

11. Yes. Tim Russert said so. n/t

[tekisui]

13. Monday and Tuesday will be exciting then.

And, then ALL(or very near it) will move in the following 48 hours.

I can hardly wait. I wonder if we'll see a block of supers at once.

[jenmito]

15. Yup. Jim Clyburn already announced he'll endorse "someone" Tuesday morning 11am.

I'm sure others will get the message and follow.

[tekisui]

19. DemCon Watch has started showing only 2 days worth of endorsements.

They know it's coming, too. They use to post two weeks worth. They have "cleared the board", now I know why.

[jenmito]

20. Good! Thanks for the info.

I've never been to DemCon. :hi:

[tekisui]

25. It is THE site for Superdelegate info. Here's a link:

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html

[jenmito]

28. Cool. Thanks!

:hi:

[LordJFT]

27. he will win more than 17 pledged delegates and if he doesn't get enough sds by tuesday night

he will soon thereafter

[tekisui]

31. I don't doubt they will flood after Tuesday.

I am trying to see if he'll get 30+ before Tuesday night, to carry more weight when he claims the Nomination.

[LordJFT]

45. lets hope, it'd be a nice big fuck you to mccain in the RNC convention hall

[IDemo]

22. I misread your headline for a second

I thought it said "she said she'd fight it until 2118"

which is entirely believable at this stage... :crazy:

[stillcool]

42. a more likely scenario...

[YDogg]

4. I wonder what mcauliffe will do after the primary is over? market this new drug he's discovered?

[Boz]

16. Liagra, grape kool aid

And his co spokes person

[IDemo]

26. Sell perpetual motion machines

Oh, wait a minute. He's already been doing that for several months now.

[mcctatas]

5. I think Hillary will do the right thing....

t-mac and ickes may go on tilting at windmills, but no one else seems to care....

[SeattleGirl]

6. Terry the hyperactive chihuahua needs to cut down on the meds.

:eyes:

[bbinacan]

7. Looks like it's going

all the way to Denver.:banghead:

[Why Syzygy]

32. It won't

I think if they appeal, it has to be in July, when the Credential Committee is formed. And Obama chooses the members of the committee. So. I don't think so. This is so much hyperbole and is not helpful to anyone other than Terry getting his face in front of a camera.

[crankychatter]

The thing is, the DNC, NOT Clinton, make that determination

McAwful can spew till hell freezes over... doesn't change the facts

[Skidmore]

8. Methinks the Supers are warming their vocal chords and

we'll hear the full chorus within a couple of days. They will not let her blow this GE.

[silverweb]

10. What the hell is that?

What's "a retail-level campaign operation" anyway? :shrug:

Hillary and her circus are going to be a running joke for years to come.

[Liberal Veteran]

12. I wondered that as well and my only conclusion was it was a euphemism for....

...a guerrilla campaign to undermine Obama between now and August.

[silverweb]

34. Hmmm...

Primarily by trying to strong-arm both pledged and super delegates, I imagine. That should make them about as popular as bleeding hemorrhoids.

I hope McAuliffe is just blowing smoke and Clinton doesn't do any such thing, because it would destroy any credibility or future opportunities she has left.

[SoCalDem]

47. She will speak out snidely, whenever anyone gets near her with a camera and microphone

Expect to hear more about HER (bogus) stats

and more "left handed' compliments

more "as far as I know" style comments

and more "reminders" about how poorly FL and MI were "treated" after they willfully broke the rules..

She's a pro, and she knows how to fake sincerity and support..and still blow that dogwhistle loud and clear for the mouth-frothing minions who hang on her every word, and pick the carcasses of her statements cleaner than any vulture could.

[silverweb]

48. God, I hope you're wrong.

I fear you may be right, but I fervently hope that party leaders or someone can rein Hillary in and put all that energy to productive use.

I fear that getting her to willingly cooperate and support his campaign in the GE will be a greater test of Obama's diplomatic skills than negotiating an Israel-Palestine peace treaty.

May I also add that if she does not sincerely support Obama and the Democratic Party in the GE or tries to undermine him in any way, I hope her only political opportunity left is retirement.

[SoCalDem]

49. Honestly? I would prefer that she just go back to the senate

and get to work on that gas-tax thingie she promised those hardworking Americans..the white americans.. and that she works so HARD on it, we don't have to see that face of hers or hear that voice until her 3AM speech at the convention...

[silverweb]

50. That would be fine with me.

After all, she does have a Senate term to finish and then the good people of New York State can decide if they want to keep her.

However, if "Ms. Inevitable" continues her current demented and destructive course, tries to undermine the Democratic Party's chances for winning big in 2008, or tries to sabotage Obama in any way, I hope with all my heart that her current senate term is the closing act of her career -- and except for jeers at the mention of her name, political oblivion is her future.

[yourguide]

14. If anyone has any question that they want to take this to the convention...

:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:
:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:
:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:
:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:
:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:
:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:
:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:

[Whisp]

17. Hillary - changing the law of gravity

for the good of the party of one

[Boz]

24. Not gravity, center of universe, everything revolves around her

[NC_Nurse]

18. Wonder how you run a "retail campaign" with no cash and no credit?

[billyoc]

29. Volume!

:rofl:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

30. She can't even do it on layaway.

[Whisp]

37. bait and switch?

but even then you have to have some kind of inventory.

she don't.

[Jazzgirl]

39. More cowbell! n/t

[Major Hogwash]

21. Maybe Hillary will start campaigning in Idaho on Wednesday!!

Where Larry Craig first announced he was resigning from the Senate, then said he wasn't.

All the crazy Senators wind up in Idaho one way or another.

[Alvy Singer]

23. Another followup on this ...

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0608/Clinton_hopes_for_switches.html

[IDemo]

33. “My political obituary has yet to be written,” she said. “It’s not over til it’s over.”

"I'm not dead yet!"

[Alvy Singer]

35. She thinks she has 9 lives, politically.

[Inuca]

44. A telling and I think scary quote

“I’m a day-to-day person,” she said, adding that she has “closed very strongly” and “dominated” Obama since February 20.

She said the campaign has been so intense, “I don’t think there’s been a lot of time for reflection.”

The "day-to-day" part is true. Look at how the campaign was run, and also think back to the Clinton years. They are (or at least used to be) excellent tacticians, and poor strategists. This, in addition to the "me, me, and me again before anybody and anything else" mindset explains a lot.

[yourguide]

36. If they push this to 2209

Obama can get 2209 as is with the .5 seating of MI & FL...

His delegate count is currently 2071

There are 13.5 Edwards delegates out there.

There are 203 supers remaining

There are 30 add ons remaining.

That leaves a total of 246.5 up for grabs, not including Montana and SD, total of 16 delegates per state.

Lets assume the split is 8 per candidate per state. He nets 16 which brings him to 2087


He needs 123 delegates to get to 2209, 50% of the remaining delegates (supers, add-ons, & edwards). She has STILL lost.

[Crunchy Frog]

38. If she persists in this game, she will completely marginalize herself,

trash her husband's legacy, and destroy any kind of political future for herself.

I'm sure that Obama has planned for this contingency, and will ignore her and begin his serious campaigning against McCain. I think the media will also mostly ignore her. She'll be seen as some sort of deranged stalker, and no one will take her seriously. If that's what she want's it's her choice. I don't think it's going to have a big effect on Obama's campaign though.

[rockymountaindem]

40. What happened to 2025?

Why is it up over 2100 now?

[Scooter24]

41. Michigan and Florida delegations are now seated

at 50% strength. Michigan went Obama 59/Clinton 69.. Also 2 Superdelates from Michigan are now promised to Obama.

[Yael]

43. Michigan and Florida

[PseudoIntellect]

46. Trying to get superdelegates to switch endorsements? How's that worked so far?

I've only heard of one Obama delegate switching, and plenty of Hillary's switching.