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How Hillary Clinton blew a sure thing
McClatchy Newspapers ^ | February 21, 2008 | Steven Thomma

Posted on 02/22/2008 3:22:06 AM PST by kingattax

WASHINGTON — She had everything going for her. The most famous name in politics. A solid lead in the polls. A war chest of at least $133 million.

Yet Hillary Clinton now finds herself struggling for political survival, her once-firm grasp of the Democratic presidential nomination seemingly slipping away.

What happened?

Barack Obama, for one thing, a uniquely gifted speaker with a face that appeals deeply to the Democratic Party. He also had a better-organized campaign.

But Democrats say that Clinton, whose central theme is her readiness to be president, also made blunder after blunder. She chose an inexperienced campaign manager, crafted a message that didn't match the moment, fielded poor organizations in key states and built a budget that ran dry just when she needed money most.

"She got outmaneuvered," said Mark Mellman, a Democratic strategist who isn't aligned with any of this year's candidates. "Her campaign allowed her to be outmaneuvered on several fronts."

"To think that someone named Clinton with $130 million could end up here is amazing," another neutral Democratic strategist said. He spoke only on the condition of anonymity to permit more candor, as did many party insiders quoted here who dare not offend the still-powerful Clintons.

Clinton isn't out of it yet. Aides this week dismissed talk of mismanagement and mistakes and said that she can fight back in Ohio and Texas on March 4 and in Pennsylvania on April 22, and win the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August.

"People have made the mistake of writing off Senator Clinton before," campaign spokesman Phil Singer said.

Yet it's undeniable that the New York senator has fallen awfully far awfully fast.

One factor is Obama, an Illinois senator.

"You've got to give credit to Barack Obama. He is a once-in-a-generation politician," Mellman said.

(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; flyingashtraytime; hillary; hillbilly08; obama
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To: ARE SOLE
"I feel dumb as hell. I don’t get the B. Hussein Obama thang."

It isn't possible for emotionally mature adults to relate to emotionally immature infants-in-adult-bodies.

Don't try.

101 posted on 02/22/2008 6:55:14 AM PST by Matchett-PI (Racists, criminals, and all the dregs only have a voice in one Party - all vote 'RAT)
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To: ThinkingBuddha

I have dreams of the Clintons losing the nomination and then determining on REVENGE! Her side of the candidacy might just get into that sort of thing. I really am not convinced they will not be the nominee, though.


102 posted on 02/22/2008 6:55:18 AM PST by arthurus
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To: NavyCanDo

I agree with you, but find little comfort in calling attention to that truth about Hillary.

Seeing as how far, far worse than anything she has ever said about him is said about George W Bush every day here on FR.


103 posted on 02/22/2008 7:05:18 AM PST by txrangerette (Anyone, ANYONE but McCain/Huckabee!!)
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To: PBRSTREETGANG; oldglory; MinuteGal; mcmuffin; gonzo; seekthetruth; SE Mom; sheikdetailfeather; ...
"He’s surfing a wave of black pride and liberal white guilt right into the White House."

There are still enough sober, emotionally mature adults in this country to prevent that from becoming a reality.

In retrospect, we may discover that Obama turned out to be a God-send. Who else could have possibly had a chance of prying such a big chunk of the Clinton's base right out from under them?

In fact - what other scenerio could we dream up which could possibly wind up being the cause of a land-slide defeat of the 'RAT ticket in '08, REGARDLESS of which of the two gets the nomination?

Think about it. :)

104 posted on 02/22/2008 7:11:40 AM PST by Matchett-PI (Racists, criminals, and all the dregs only have a voice in one Party - all vote 'RAT)
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To: fortheDeclaration
"She never expected that she would actually have to campaign to win the nomination."

All her campaign speeches have ever amounted to has been "national bitching" about GWB. Guess what hitlery, George ain't running this time...

Liberals just know so much about the wrong things....
105 posted on 02/22/2008 7:17:12 AM PST by FrankR (Finally, the democrats "allow" a black man to be a candidate...only 50 years later....)
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To: Neville72
Expect the divorce proceedings to start shortly

I doubt that, she and Bubba deserve each other.

106 posted on 02/22/2008 7:22:01 AM PST by shiva
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To: kingattax

I think her “sure thing” was blown years ago when Bill was.


107 posted on 02/22/2008 7:24:03 AM PST by CodeToad
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To: Neville72
Expect the divorce proceedings to start shortly after she acknowledges her life-long quest has foundered on the rocks and is over.

I've been wondering the same thing....

108 posted on 02/22/2008 7:29:47 AM PST by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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To: fortheDeclaration

Shouldn’t be too hard. How many sitting Congressmen do they have files on?


109 posted on 02/22/2008 7:31:07 AM PST by Erasmus (Exile from Gondwanaland)
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To: kingattax

110 posted on 02/22/2008 7:32:58 AM PST by Gritty (Obama announces a principle, then endorses exact opposite policies. It's Clintonian!-Ken Blackwell)
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To: Matchett-PI
You're absolutely correct in your analysis. Hillary could and probably would win in the November general. Obama has so many strikes that will be working against him once his radical background, marxist stands and racist views on issues become well-known that I look for a GOP victory over him.....and not even all that close.

Leni

111 posted on 02/22/2008 7:50:32 AM PST by MinuteGal (Mitt and Fred are Still My Guys!)
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To: MinuteGal

I don’t even think Hillary could win in the general in November now that Obama has stolen most of the rabid-anti-war / anti-American leftists right out from under her. They have their “hearts set” on Obama and will probably sit home if she gets the nod - that is -— AFTER they stage a huge protest RIOT!! :)


112 posted on 02/22/2008 7:59:27 AM PST by Matchett-PI (Racists, criminals, and all the dregs only have a voice in one Party - all vote 'RAT)
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To: kingattax

It doesn’t matter what she does as nobody wants Bill back in the White House and she is just now starting to see this. Where was he during the debate last night, LOL!


113 posted on 02/22/2008 8:02:17 AM PST by acoulterfan
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To: RichInOC

Bill told Jennifer Flowers that “Hillary has eaten more p***y than I have!”. Does that count?


114 posted on 02/22/2008 10:13:43 AM PST by darth
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To: Neverforget01
Hillary’s biggest mistake is that she didn’t cause a thrill to run up the leg of anyone in the media.

reactions to hellary run DOWN people's legs, not up

115 posted on 02/22/2008 10:56:23 AM PST by kingattax (99 % of liberals give the rest a bad name)
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