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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: kingattax

Obama is an empty suit, and America has a limited supply of brain-dead voters. Obama will fulfill the primary directive - slay the clinton dragon.


61 posted on 02/22/2008 5:14:07 AM PST by sergeantdave (Governments hate armed citizens more than armed criminals)
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To: kingattax

Her biggest mistake was being born in 1947.


62 posted on 02/22/2008 5:14:48 AM PST by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast ( Peel back tabs for tagline. Do not remove this label. Obey.)
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To: DainBramage

He is the Ross Perot of his generation, except Ross Perot was actually successful in the real world.

Lots of lip service, empty promises to solve every problem, but unelectable.


63 posted on 02/22/2008 5:15:35 AM PST by unsycophant
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To: unsycophant

Perot was actually, IMHO, very electable. I think he jumped out because he was leading. Perot ran to split the vote, and I’ve always believed he had a deal with Bubba. He jumped back in because Bush was making up ground.


64 posted on 02/22/2008 5:18:41 AM PST by Richard Kimball (Sure, they'd love to kill me, as long as they can do it without admitting I exist)
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To: King of Florida

Well said King of Florida.


65 posted on 02/22/2008 5:19:06 AM PST by Budge
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To: kingattax
It was a strategy designed for wartime, presenting her as a tough, experienced leader in the mold of Margaret Thatcher, someone who could be trusted to keep the country safe.

He needs to take that back and apologize to Mrs. Thatcher.

66 posted on 02/22/2008 5:19:08 AM PST by FrdmLvr
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To: kingattax
FIRE SALE ON BUMPER STICKERS!! 75% OFF!!


67 posted on 02/22/2008 5:19:53 AM PST by badgerlandjim (Hillary Clinton is to politics as Helen Thomas is to beauty.)
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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.

Nope. Spousal immunity.

Cordially,

68 posted on 02/22/2008 5:20:44 AM PST by Diamond
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To: RichInOC
I would be deeply surprised if Hillary has ever blown anything in her entire life.

I'm sure Huma has blown her.
69 posted on 02/22/2008 5:21:34 AM PST by Sig Sauer P220
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To: Sybeck1
Don’t forget that question Russert asked about licenses for illegals. That was what I think started it all.

The fence got too high for her to straddle.

70 posted on 02/22/2008 5:22:06 AM PST by lonestar
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To: DainBramage
aka "Car salesman of the decade"

Let's just keep quiet about that until AFTER he gets the nomination, please.

71 posted on 02/22/2008 5:22:30 AM PST by nina0113 (If fences don't work, why does the White House have one?)
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To: kingattax
I am fairly certain Hillary has not “blown” anything for years.
72 posted on 02/22/2008 5:25:38 AM PST by mad_as_he$$ (John McCain - The Manchurian Candidate? http://www.usvetdsp.com/manchuan.htm)
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To: Richard Kimball

He had a lot of momentum the first time around, and average people who should know better, fell for his schtick, thus the comparison to Obama.

Blahblah, makes you feel soooo good, but......(((empty)))


73 posted on 02/22/2008 5:28:01 AM PST by unsycophant
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To: kingattax
Short of cash as the race turned toward the Super Tuesday voting Feb. 5, Clinton lent her campaign $5 million.

Here's what I don't understand if someone could explain: What does she mean by "lent"? Would she really take back the $5 mil out of forthcoming campaign contributions or matching funds? Wouldn't she just spend the $5 mil on the campaign? Do candidates do that?

74 posted on 02/22/2008 5:28:35 AM PST by FrdmLvr
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To: Diamond
Nope. Spousal immunity.

Spousal immunity for the period of the marriage applies even after a divorce.

75 posted on 02/22/2008 5:29:33 AM PST by nina0113 (If fences don't work, why does the White House have one?)
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To: ARE SOLE
I don’t get the B. Hussein Obama thang.

Ever see the Peter Sellers' movie Being There?

Obama is Chauncey Gardiner all over again. I heard a caller suggest this on Rush a few days ago. The analogy is perfect!

76 posted on 02/22/2008 5:34:20 AM PST by Neverforget01
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To: kingattax
Do not use clintoon and blew or blow in the same sentence, Lewinsky will be upset.
77 posted on 02/22/2008 5:34:42 AM PST by org.whodat (What's the difference between a Democrat and a republican????)
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To: sagmanagain

AWWW! An Andrew Lloyd Webber fan!


78 posted on 02/22/2008 5:38:59 AM PST by ontap (Just another backstabbing conservative)
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To: Richard Kimball; ARE SOLE

Or picture that your parents believed everything they ever read or heard in the main stream media, that you did too, and that you believed everything you were ever taught in school, and never read or examined critically the source materials that any book or article or story was based on, and read only books recommended through the New York Times Book Review or it’s downstream surrogates.

Now imagine that all your friends are the same and that you’ve believed all the sources saying it is socially unacceptable to consider a Republican and that conservatives are a form of fascist or KKK member. Imagine that you do not go to church or have only gone to churches that don’t talk about the gospel, or examine scripture, but only talk about social action. Now imagine the deep bitterness that comes from having a worldview that doesn’t correspond to reality but is self-referential to a failed idealogy. Finally, imagine a candidate that gives you hope that you are indeed right and that all the good things that all the people and media around you talk and write about are right around the corner.


79 posted on 02/22/2008 5:40:56 AM PST by Greg F (Do you want a guy named Hussein to fix your soul? Michelle Obama thinks you do.)
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To: Bluebird Singing

Hussein always answers questions, “Change!”


80 posted on 02/22/2008 5:41:20 AM PST by arthurus
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