Was the AP announcement pre-planned and coordinated with the Clinton campaign?

[NorthCarolina]

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/740039126037106692/pu/vid/720x1280/wTwKE3uZyNB2xXOw.mp4

You make the call.

[Chasstev365]

1. Ah, yes!

[virtualobserver]

3. In the words of Douglas Renholm.....

[w4rma]

52. Sanders supporters outraged over Clinton's 'secret win' image

Christina Bellantoni ✔ @cbellantoni
The images in this Clinton email are labeled "secret win."

Supporters of Bernie Sanders expressed outrage and suspicion in the hours following the Associated Press’s declaration of Hillary Clinton securing the Democratic nomination when it was reported that she had sent an email to supporters hailing the win with an image labeled “secret win.”

The AP’s delegate count included superdelegates which Sanders supporters say is unfair since they can switch their support at any time in the weeks leading up to the convention.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/282512-sanders-supporters-outraged-over-clintons-secret-win

[dchill]

2. Par for the course.

Gotcha!

[beachbum bob]

4. again...it does hillary no good...

[Hortensis]

23. Yup. AP called WHEN PUERTO RICO'S DELEGATES PUT HER OVER.

That's all. Except that BOTH Hillary and Bernie wished the AP had not. It wasn't good for either of them, very bad timing, but it was news and it was our business so they reported.

I know only Bernie has integrity in some minds, but...what if that weren't quite true? What if somewhere in AP-land there was one other such being?

[senz]

67. NO THEY DID NOT PUT HER OVER. She has not reached 2383 delegates.

To win the 2016 Democratic primary, a candidate must have 2,383 delegates.

As of June 6th, yesterday, Hillary had 1,812 pledged delegates and Bernie has 1,526 pledged delegates. That's a difference of 286 delegates.

To reach 2,383 before the convention, Hillary would need 571 more pledged delegates and Bernie would need 857 more pledged delegates.

The states that vote today and the number of pledged delegates available from each:

CA -- 475
MT -- 21
NJ -- 126
NM -- 34
ND -- 18
SD -- 20

D.C. has 20 delegates and votes on June 14.

http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/election-2016/delegate-targets/

It is virtually impossible for either candidate to reach 2,383 pledged delegates from the remaining states. Since the pledged delegates alone don't confer 2,383, the superdelegate votes at the convention will make up the difference and decide the nomination.

The AP announced last night that Hillary had "won," even though she hadn't. They made this announcement before the seven remaining primaries had been held. It will depress voter turnout and is an an act of sabotage.

[wendylaroux]

5. ha!!!!!! this is a coordinated coronation .so yes,

can I get an amen!!!????

[snooper2]

11. you can get a Yahken Amen!

[NurseJackie]

6. I'd be inclined to believe that the AP gave the HRC campaign a heads-up just moments before ...

... going public with their story. It seems more likely that Hillary's campaign would have asked them to delay, but the AP declined and instead gave Hillary's campaign a courtesy-call.

(You guys crack me up, ya know that?)

[NorthCarolina]

7. Of course the fly in your belief ointment would be the DATE. -nt

[NurseJackie]

9. Well then, I guess they planned it all along! Hillary can do ANYTHING! The media ...

... love her so much! If she can do THIS as a mere candidate, just imagine all the phenomenal power she'll have as PRESIDENT! It'll be GREAT!!

[NorthCarolina]

14. Yes, imagine the feat required to get coordination between an establishment candidate and the

establishment media. Must be an overwhelmingly difficult task to pull off.

[NurseJackie]

17. She's great! I just love her! Champagne for everyone!

[Rex]

37. I'll have what she is having!

[Marrah_G]

8. I think it is obvious

[highprincipleswork]

10. Seems very planned. Let's just see if we can disenfranchise California, where things look best for

Bernie.

We'll see how it goes today, but as someone who lives in California I certainly do not appreciate anything that discourages our turnout. After all, besides this ongoing mess we also have other important things to vote on!!!!

The Clinton folks will of course say, nothing's stopping you from voting! True, and you'd have to physically restrain me to get me from going. But, many people do get stopped by antics like this.

Reminds me how politics is a dirty game. Or at least usually played that way. I personally believe we have had in Bernie one of the few honest, authentic, genuine politicians we will see in our lifetime. Too bad, in my opinion, we did not seize that opportunity and instead are currently going for the tribe that has done so much to damage the Democratic Party and quality of life in the US.

For me, this is not over. I'm fighting for Progressive values forever. And I'm criticizing Democrats who cheat us on those forever also. If not here, then elsewhere.

[Lord Magus]

50. What reason do you have to think things look so great for Bernie in CA?

It's certainly not the polls.

[Demsrule86]

12. No...only in Bernie-land would people believe such nonsense.

The AP wanted to the first...they have been waiting to call it, as soon as they had the info...they went for it. I think Obama may have given the supers a push...it was time to put this puppy to rest.

[Lodestar]

13. Follow the money

Just for beginners, Warren Buffett's person is at the helm of the AP Board of Directors.
Lee Enterprises is a failing news organization that was
recently bailed out by Buffett. Why?
The second in command is from Hearst. Etc.

http://www.ap.org/company/board-of-directors

AP's National Politics Team
http://www.ap.org/products-services/elections/team

How AP calls elections:
http://www.ap.org/products-services/elections/calling-races

[Skinner]

15. I think a more likely explanation is that

the Clinton Campaign knew they could clinch it at any moment, and had created the announcement email (or emails) ahead of time so they would be ready to go at a moment's notice. All they had to do was drop in a screen cap of the tweet from whichever news organization called it first.

The URL of the graphic shows it as "V2". I'm guessing there is a "V1" (also secret) which they would have used if they clinched the nomination tonight based on the voting in the various primaries.

[NurseJackie]

18. ⬆⬆⬆ THIS ⬆⬆⬆

[Rex]

34. Hmmm...that sounds too reasonable an answer.

Never fly in GD-P. Far too rational an explanation.

[FSogol]

44. So, the theory is they used planning and had something ready for when it happened? Someone should

tell Jeff Weaver about planning!

[Rex]

62. Bingo! It is as if HRC has been planning to become POTUS or something for the past 8 years!

Diabolical! Who could have seen these events unfolding like this? This is where I part with people that will believe any old CT.

[berni_mccoy]

40. Why label it "secret win" if it was no secret? You and I have been around too long

To not know there was coordination between AP and her campaign.

[Skinner]

41. The graphic created by the campaign was secret.

Because when the graphic was created she hasn't clinched the nomination and it wasn't for public consumption.

[berni_mccoy]

42. Speculation or first hand knowledge?

[Skinner]

43. I said above that I think this is a more likely explanation. (nt)

[berni_mccoy]

45. I saw that but the way you stated your response to me sounded as if you knew.

I'll take the more skeptical approach based on my experience of observation of her campaign tactics.

[justiceischeap]

46. As a web developer, this is exactly the sort of thing we'd do for breaking events

I've worked in press release heavy industries (PETA, PBS & NPR) and when we knew something was about to break we'd prepare for it ahead of time, so when the news broke we could get things online moments after they happened.

The only nefarious plotting involved was making sure we got all the head honchos to sign off on graphics in a timely manner.

It's called being organized.

[lumberjack_jeff]

49. One assumes that they had a graphic made up for each potential media company to break it.

... and that they made a really good guess about the language AP would use in their tweet.

Because if they knew it was going to be AP to break it and the language they were going to use, it negates your point.

Sounds like a lot of secret graphics and brilliant guesswork to create on spec.

[emulatorloo]

55. In Photoshop, text and image layers are separate.

In other words, I can have a static picture with an easily changeable line of text on top.

So they could have the graphic all ready, and insert the tweet quote at the last sec.

As a graphic artist, To me it is highly likely both candidate's graphic teams prep files in advance so that the campaign social media team can react quickly. I would be very surprised if Sanders graphics are done at the last nano second.

[lumberjack_jeff]

60. The image isn't a photoshop (i.e. layered) file

... even given your explanation, the jpg file *would* have to be created at the last nano second. Only after all the information is known, and placed onto the .psd file, can you create the .jpg.

[emulatorloo]

61. of course! .psd is created in advance, 'flattened' .jpg version at last nanosecond.

.psd is the artist's master/work file, the .jpg is the final output for web/social media team.

Was trying to give basics without getting too techie but obviously failed lol

i expect both candidate's graphic teams work that way.

That is why I don't view the graphic as 'proof' of a conspiracy.

[KingFlorez]

16. AP was going to call the race tonight anyway

Any graphics they were going to use would have been prepared in advance. It's really crazy to think that AP is colluding with any campaign.

[dana_b]

19. yes. She had an interview w/Rachel where

Rachel congratulates her on being the Dem nominee and it is totally scripted.

And yeah, I saw that video last night. It's disgusting. We have the media and a few Supers deciding our elections for us and many here don't give a shit. As long as their candidate wins, it's okay that the oligarchy decides for us. Because you cannot say that this was democracy. When six states and D.C. don't get to vote before the fucking AP calls the election based on a few Super votes, that is NOT democracy! It's the very definition of an oligarchy!

Evidently turnout is not good and that is on the heads of the bigwigs in the Democratic party and the media. But that's what they want so they got it. They told me and millions of Californians and people in other states that we and our votes do not matter. We are shit to them. Fine - but I will do nothing for them anymore. The hours/days that I have put in tying to get their candidates elected, the thousands in dollars I've donated, the wasted time I've spent here! Yeah, I know... "so get out!" Don't worry, you'll get your way. You always do.

But if you think I'm alone, you are dead wrong and more arrogant than your filthy candidate.

[justiceischeap]

47. Funny, I watched her interview last night and didn't see the congrats

you claimed happen.

[seabeyond]

20. Nah, Sanders did it to get people to be pissed and gather the pitchforks and torches.

I guess we just get to say wtf ever we want, right?

[JoePhilly]

22. +1

[eastwestdem]

29. Totally the case around here. All of the Sanders people I know are more motivated than ever to vote

while the Hillary supporters are much more ho-hum. This was not something that Hillary did on purpose. It totally steels her thunder...she had a huge 'coming out' as the nominee planned starting tonight, highlighting the historical significance. All of which is much, much more muted now.

[Rex]

35. No way! HRC is THAT powerful! She controls the Internets too!

It is silly time at the DUs. HRC want to rule the world!

[TwilightZone]

38. lol, that's actually a much better theory than most of the ones floating around here.

It's certainly more realistic. It certainly generated the anticipated outcome.

[Jarqui]

21. looks like it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017382259

[Lucinda]

24. Nope. n/t

[GoneFishin]

25. I think many believe that Bernie will do well if the turn-out is high in California. So I think yes.

The media has carried water for Hillary since the beginning. In this case by suppressing the vote.

[wisteria]

26. No.

[Exilednight]

27. there was no conspiracy to this. I've worked for AP on

Several occasions, and still do every so often. This happened one of two ways

1. AP contacted SDs and established their support. After making their discoveries and writing their piece, they then called the Clinton campaign to seek a statement - thus tipping off the campaign.

2. SDs contacted AP and started declaring in hope of what eventually transpired.

[Brickbat]

28. .

[berni_mccoy]

30. 6-4-16. Yup. Been planning it for days now.

[LonePirate]

32. Everybody has known for a few weeks that she would cross 2383 today. It was no secret.

Prep work for graphics, data, communication drafts, etc. are completed ahead of time much like lengthy newspaper obituaries written in advance of an actual death. This is no conspiracy nor is it evidence of coordination between the Clinton campaign and the media. I know it's easy for anyone on the losing side to grasp onto any and every possible idea or theory or excuse to explain the result. There's nothing nefarious here regardless of whatever dots people think they are connecting.

[Brickbat]

31. Gentle people, so many things are scripted in PR and the media. In this age of split-second

newsbreaking, they have to be ready for anything. The AP and other news orgs are sitting on dozens of prepared obituaries for prominent people that just need a little tweaking to make them relevant. Top-notch PR people -- and I'm guessing there are one or two on HRC's team -- work with their social media experts to prepare shareworthy graphics and clever tweets in advance, and that are closely guarded (one might even say "kept secret&quot to keep from leaking prematurely. This shit is getting embarrassing and I'm hoping it settles down by September.

[Maedhros]

33. Generally, the media profits from the "horse race" aspect of elections.

It seems to me that their profit motive would lead them to portray the election as closer than it is, to keep each side spending money on advertising. Also, pundits and talk shows thrive on the back-and-forth between the campaigns. It is counter-intuitive for a media organization to put a damper on that - unless there is some quid pro quo that tilts the scale in their favor...

[Rex]

36. .

[Jitter65]

39. Yes, yes, EXACTLY. She needed more enemies to sew up the GE.

[grasswire]

53. and she's getting her wish. nt

[AzDar]

48. Yes.

[condoleeza]

51. LA Times reporter

[link:http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-trailguide-clinton-money-email-uses-images-labeled-1465266744-htmlstory.html|

[jwirr]

54. Yes. All of her supporters understand the game and how it is

played. Each plays the game from whatever position they are in - working the polls or the propaganda.

[RobertEarl]

56. Of course

It was posted here a week ago that the media was gonna call it before California voted. Reason is the news from California is gonna be bad for the Clintons.

[Cheese Sandwich]

57. Absolutely yes coordinated no doubt about it.

[Cheese Sandwich]

58. People would have to be so naive to not see through the most basic first layer of bullshit

The real question: Does the Clinton campaign coordinate with their superdelegates on the timing of their endorsements?

Especially when you have more than 20 all moving at the same time.

If people can't see that I feel horrible for them.

And it's way too much of blaming the press, blaming the AP.

If the AP didn't announce it, another news agency would have. They compete. It was the coordinated release of the delegate endorsements that made this story.

[moriah]

59. Of course. Hillary is all-powerful, can influence every organization in the country...

... to do her bidding at her whim, even making the Associated Press wipe their ass with journalistic integrity.

She can orchestrate massive voter fraud in states -- exit polls are flawless and always take into account the exact percentages and demographics of early voters.

She so clearly, as Bernie often said, is the "most powerful political organization in the United States of America".

What I don't understand is why people who believe all that don't realize it actually kinda sounds like an endorsement, if the goal is to defeat Trump...

[Waiting For Everyman]

63. ^^Fundraiser email created 6/4 for a "surprise" event on 6/6???^^

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512150240

[LAS14]

64. I expect there are many other posts...

... in this thread that say the same thing. Like the one from an AP employee. The explanation is that ANY professional organization involved in PR will have prepared e-mails and twitters for possible upcoming important events. Like newspapers have obituaries for hundreds of well known figures just waiting for them to die. This win wasn't "secret" by a long shot. Where's the secrecy? But the campaign might reasonably want to name such pre-written e-mails in some way to remind people not to let them out early.

[shanti]

65. does a bear

shit in the woods?

[senz]

66. The "announcement" was supposed to be Tuesday night, AFTER the six primaries.

Instead they did it last night, the night BEFORE the primaries, knowing it would suppress voter turnout.

Yes, the video points out something extremely suspicious, but the changed timing of the announcement says it all.

Dirty, dirty, dirty campaign. Lowlife campaign.

Election sabotage = election theft.

Her friendship with Dubya makes more sense now.

May this candidate be remembered in history for the kind of person she actually IS.