Panic In Hillaryland?
The Telegraph is reporting that Hillary Clinton advisors are in a state of panic because they anticipate that Barack Obama will win today's primary contests.
Hillary Clinton’s most senior advisers are in a state of “panic” about her presidential prospects and are plotting to enlist Democrat leaders in Congress to thwart her rival Barack Obama’s ambitions.
The Clinton camp is braced for Mr Obama to win a series of primary elections over the next three weeks, which they fear could hand the Illinois senator unstoppable momentum in the race for the White House.
Mr Obama has begun calling those “super delegates” - 795 congressmen and senior party officials who could break a dead heat - who are committed to Mrs Clinton, asking them to change their minds and help him wrap up the nomination.
As of tonight, the two candidates were neck and neck but Mr Obama appeared to be gaining momentum.
“He’s saying: 'Hey, I won your state and I won your congressional district, why are you supporting her?’” a Democrat strategist revealed.
The Clinton camp hopes to stop the Obama bandwagon by winning Texas and Ohio primaries on March 4, after which Mrs Clinton is planning to call on party grandees including Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Harry Reid, the party’s leader in the Senate, to persuade Mr Obama to stand down.
It's all about the insider politics at this point. This is going to get really ugly if Clinton "wins" by getting the party establishment to back her and kick the popular upstart that is blocking her. Frankly, Obama would be crazy to tie himself to her as a VP at this point - if she loses the general election he will be the John Edwards of 2008 - politically damaged and unable to make a comeback. If Obama is ahead, Hillary will never agree to being his understudy - and Obama would be crazy to have the political Bobbsey Twins looking over his shoulder and maneuvering behind him the whole time.
This is getting interesting, indeed.
By Uncle Pinky, Saturday, 9 February , 2008 @ 9:05 pm
Thing of it is, the Clinton Twins (powers activate!!!) kind of wrong-footed themselves here. Obama was very careful about playing the race card. He (admirably, in my book) kept it subtle yet powerful. The Clintwins are seen as the aggressors here, with good reason. There might be something to that theory that Bill wants Hill to fail. Are they willing to risk the future of the party on their ambition, though?
Probably.
If Hillary maintains the bloody-minded stubborness that has defined her so far, pass the popcorn and count me as glued to the set. The old maxim of “No matter how dumb republicans are, democrats are dumber” seems to be proving out here.
Perhaps it is time for me to start a third party. “Eeyores for Uncle Pinky: Avuncular experience with unconditional caring.” or “The Law is an Ass: Vote U.P.”
By DavidL, Sunday, 10 February , 2008 @ 7:00 am
I’m Hillary Clintoin and I’ll be ready to lead from day one.