"The Obama wave is unlike anything I have seen during my career"

Obama's Extraordinary Wave
Fails to Sink Extraordinary Foe
By JACKIE CALMES
February 12, 2008; Page A6

"I think he's just about put it away," said Joe Trippi, former senior strategist to John Edwards, the former North Carolina senator who abandoned his own presidential campaign last month. "He doesn't have it yet. But all the momentum, all the victories are on his side." Sen. Clinton, he added, has "got to do something, and replacing Patti isn't enough."

..............

For Republican strategists and leaders, facing divisions over presumptive nominee John McCain, the Arizona senator, and demoralized over President Bush's and the party's unpopularity, the potency of both Democrats' candidacies is both fearsome and impressive.

"The Obama wave is unlike anything I have seen during my career. It would have totally swamped any traditional candidate," said Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who conducts The Wall Street Journal/NBC News polls with Democratic pollster Peter Hart. "The fact that Clinton is still standing and breaking even is actually a remarkable statement about how unique a candidate she is and what an exceptionally strong candidate."

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is 65% women.

...than saying Obama only wins states with large A-A populations. She has higher support among women, but that doesn't invalidate her being a strong candidate.

...I'm an Obama supporter, but I don't think we can marginalize or minimize Clinton's strength as a candidate on her own merits. And to do so would be dangerous.

working man.

If he wins Ohio - he will prove the above wrong.

If he doesn't - the analysis says Obama's playing the race card of seeing possible insults in innocent remarks will take him only so far.

If you believe that you are extremely naive.

Working men and women have been voting strongly for Obama all across the country. The fact that Obama decided to reach out to these voters speaks volumes.

If Hill does so well with retirees, why don't those retirees have time to vote for Hill?

For you Ohio may be the height of primary political culture. However, I'm still wondering if Hill can make it to Ohio. She's being soundly and convincingly repudiated by a majority of voters across the country.

candidates words and claim insults to all blacks.

Obama did not have to do it - the black vote would have been his - just not at 90% - and he wanted that 90% - win at any cost is the Obama rule - while you deny and claim victimhood

The Clinton clout swings a big bat inside the party.

Last weekend here in Bangor, ME close to 6,000 people waited for hours to see him speak and another 1,000 didn't get in (the civic center was full). He spoke to the crowd outside, who had waited in line, standing in snow and slush for at least and hour and a half. He was mesmerizing. He is extremely charismatic and his message is very similar to HRC.
I received 3 telephone calls (recorded messages) from the Obama camp and NONE from HRC. I received five e-mails from the Obama camp and ONE from HRC. They are doing a fantastic job at grassroots organizing. The movement swells and people want to jump on board and be a part of it.
I voted for HRC, but I think the campaign could be doing a lot more than asking for money to get the vote.

"The fact that Clinton is still standing and breaking even is actually a remarkable statement about how unique a candidate she is and what an exceptionally strong candidate."

:kick:

and coming from a GOP pollster. My immediate prejudice warns me something is wrong, maybe porpping Clinton?, but I totally agree with the valuation and sentiment. I wish we got to see a real contest in NY. She has been magnificent in one of the hardest tests in primary history. Notwithstanding the more controversial, negative stuff. I don't want to argue about all that. The overall positive viewpoint is something we should look back at with respect.

I think Obama must offer her the VP spot and vice versa. Whether the other would accept is up to them individually and other considerations for the good of the party which I don't think are all that necessary against the GOP this year. Crossed fingers.

28 years of dynasty is enough.

One reason (among others) that some people support Obama is because he is NOT Hillary.

She and Bill would constantly be angling to undermine an Obama presidency, because its all about
the Clintons.

Bill should retire gracefully - professional athletes know when to quit ( when they are ahead) and
so should Bill.

Many people see Hillary as just furtherance of the Bill Clinton politics.


NO NO NO. Clinton on the ticket would just boost GOP turnout.

make that not at all attractive or easy. I would think, a STRONG Obama nomination, bereft of the NEED to include Hillary(who could be absolutely great as a Veep) would look elsewhere and the balance be kept to someone with some sort of experience as a stabilizing anchor.

She brings negatives. That is verboten under normal circumstances for a Veep. She is indeed a very tough rival to include in an administration already going to have too many Clintonites in necessary postings.
Selfishly, I would love to have a Bobby kennedy Jr. appointed as a replacement Senator for us in NY. She is such the main choice for being the woman First President that another woman choice, making the ticket daring again, is risky more than a little. Condi?(You have to know I'm kidding.) I did suggest Sebelius a way back when.

The best and most vetted compromise and plus would seem to me to be Clark. Biden? The temptation to try to sweep the South seriously this time is pretty big. Women will feel cheated so some very high posts need to be highlighted more quickly than usual. Pelosi, in a clever move, should share the stage whenever tactical with the ticket to emphasize women in the line of succession. Obama is already seing some movement in the women's vote but not enough and very late. A lot of work needs to be done to reconcile that group. this choice will be as significant as it is practically difficult.

Still, rule number one is do no harm. The bottom of the ticket always has less clout to deliver, even, usuually, in the home state. A team and balance aspect overall does sell, but maybe that is more intangible and more difficult to measure. Obama has the charisma and the general appeal. Experience seems to be the number one consideration for Veep and then any rifts with significant electoral groups.

One analyst said that Obama would resist Hillary as VP because he wouldn't want the Big Dog hanging around the White House. If Bill gets back into the White House, they would have to do something about that windowless hallway near the Oval Office.

I will be proud to vote for either one in November.