Not so good news about Obama - Ed Schultz.

[kstewart33]

David Shuster just reported that he won't be in PA tonight.

Shuster will be subbing for big Ed when he plays in an upcoming golf tourney. Should be interesting.

[SoonerPride]

1. Always looking ahead. Solid strategy.

I'm not worried.

[Mags]

5. tucking his tail and running from the big loss.

[cali]

8. you mean like the dozens of times hilly tucked her tail under

and ran away? you have such a convenient memory.

[Mags]

10. well, that's just what the Yes We Can Man is doing tonight.

running scared.

[cali]

23. avoiding that

hillypoo ran away scared shitless dozens of times. I'll just remind you that she did so.

[Mags]

25. well, you know he always wants her to answer the first questions

in a debate, then answers his question with Hillary's answers, So I guess he is just mocking her her also.

[DefenseLawyer]

31. Lame.

I mean really. First, you try to make an issue out of a non-issue. Then, when it is rightly and OBVIOUSLY pointed out that Hillary Clinton was, for example, at a fundraiser in Nashville on the night of the South Caroline primary, this is the best you have? He's mocking her? Lame.

[Mags]

38. really, that's is what I think he is doing, running scared just like his supporters.

[Yurovsky]

41. running straight to Denver to pick up the nomination...

HRC? Uhhh, probably looking forward to paying off a lot of campaign debt (and hoping WJC's speaking gigs don't dry up anytime soon ...).

Not sure how many times you can give the same speech in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but I bet WJC is going to find out.

[Mags]

43. nope, running scared , just like his supporters.

[Yurovsky]

49. What, is the Clinton mafia gonna whack him or what?

Jeezus Kee-rist on a pony, there is NO WAY ON EARTH that HRC can win the nomination without completely, and utterly, destroying the Democratic party, and with it, any chance she might have of winning the White House with a stolen nomination.

Man, c'mon back to reality and leave Hillaryland behind.

[Mags]

56. He's just running scared , just like his supporters.

[Political Heretic]

63. I'm not scared, nor am I running.

I'm sure his numbers show him losing a state he was never projected to win, and if so then its simply bad politics to stay in a state where there's nothing left to win. If I was his campaign manager, I'd be moving to In. as well.

[Mags]

65. he spent 9 mil. there, now that's bad politics.

[ima_sinnic]

77. poor widdle LOSER supporter--what in hell does Barack have to be "scared" of?

is he the one making a goddam fool of himself, begging superdelegates to come over to his side after he praised John McCain as better than the Democrat? IS HE THE ONE WHO'S BROKE?

That LYING POS is bleeding superdelegates so fast, she needs a tourniquet.

Sounds like the bitter, poisonous "supporter" should go back under its rock and wait till the GE, when it can vote for McCain, which it was going to do anyway.

[dionysus]

79. what a little childish twit you are

seriously you people act like a goddamned pack of third graders...


:rofl:

[Window]

50. I'm a Sen. Obama supporter, what am I supposed to "scared" of???

[MercutioATC]

46. Why would he be "scared" of losing a state that everybody expects him to lose?

Do you deny that Clinton was up 20+ points in PA a couple of months ago? There has NEVER been a poll projecting a win for Obama in PA...and he said himself that he plans to lose.

He spent a lot of money in PA because he HAS a lot of money to spend...it's not cutting into his ability to campaign in the last 9 races because he's generating $40M/month. For him to lose by less than 15 will be huge for him.

I expect him to lose by 9, and I'll be thrilled with that result.

[DefenseLawyer]

47. What was Hillary doing in Nashville on January 26th?

Do you even care? Do you have such a sense of entitlement that you can continue to "attack" Senator Obama on this (as if it matters in the first place) despite the fact that Hillary has repeatedly left states she didn't think she would win? It really blows my mind how obtuse you people have become.

[madwivoter]

64. Just FYI, Obama was speaking at a rally in Madison, WI on Feb 12th

...the day of the DC, Maryland and Virginia primaries.

What do you mean when you keep saying "...running scared just like his supporters"? That makes no sense whatsoever.

[rox63]

67. Geez, I wish I knew what "Ignored" is saying

Must be a whopper.

[snooper2]

69. me too...

:rofl:

[GoneOffShore]

80. Funny that.

So many moles, so little time

[MercutioATC]

14. What would you consider a "big loss"?

I wanna hold you to it later tonight...

[ihelpu2see]

22. Just keep moving those goal posts... nt

[jazzjunkysue]

37. Hillary. Is. Losing. Wake. Up.

Obama's ahead and it's over. Deal with reality. It is an eventuality, so, why put it off?

[olkaz]

2. I thought he had already planned to be in NC

Maybe I'm confused, but I thought his speech was going to be from NC all along.

[redqueen]

4. Yeah but everything must be spun all to hell and back.

If he doesn't win PA, what does that say? :crazy:

[NYCGirl]

3. He'll be in Indiana at a rally with John Mellencamp. NT

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/04/small-town-rock.html

[LisaM]

6. I think that Obama's absence illustrates an interesting point about him

Go ahead and correct me, but I don't find that he really is connected to the voters. I first noticed this in Florida, when Hillary went there after their "election" was over, and he couldn't be bothered. I noticed it in his failure to go to the State of the Black Union. I noticed it here in Seattle when she did three events to his one, even though she got less publicity for all three combined than he did for his one. I noticed it last night when he couldn't do KO or Larry King. He always has "scheduling issues" - but I find that she is simply more of a grunt, for lack of a better word, than he, and I think that she becomes connected to the people whose votes she seeks.

[Diamond Dog]

7. Spin, spin, spin, all day long

Spin, spin, spin, while I sing this song

[SoonerPride]

11. You must be joking.

You left out this :sarcasm:

[AllentownJake]

12. I see it as

The circus has closed in PA and today it began in Indiana and NC. This is a campaign. You go where you'll influence people to vote for you.

[goclark]

16. He is connected to thousands at rallies and train rides

and television and speeches on every issue and millions are voting for him.
He is connecting just fine.

[babylonsister]

19. OK, I'll try to correct you. He has a very well organized

ground game; they have "A PLAN" that seems to be working well. His plan was to start campaigning in Indiana, so he did. The residents in FL were told the primary wouldn't count, he didn't campaign there, so why should he have wasted his time there? As for the State of the Black Union, too bad Tavis got his panties in a wad because Obama thought being on the campaign trail was more important; he offered to send Michelle, and Smiley nixed her. His problem, not Obama's.
There was no way in hell ClintonNN would have invited Obama on last night. As for KO, I don't know what the deal was; he did do Jon Stewart; where was Clinton, if you want to make comparisons?

If you don't think Obama is putting every effort into this campaign, I'd say you're off base. Compare who has been more successful with their raising money, their organization, their ground game. You'll find your answer there.

[LisaM]

29. I didn't say that he didn't have a plan.

I just find him less connected than she. That's my opinion. I knew I would get flak.

[babylonsister]

40. That wasn't flak from me, that was just stating facts.

And how you can consider him less connected when you've seen the the attendance at rallies for both candidates is beyond me.

[LisaM]

59. I don't find the one-on-one connection

that I find with Hillary (if you read my other post, you will see how she actually went to a town hall for nurses when she was here, even though she knew that many of them would have to work and not be able to attend the caucus, and couldn't get a proxy because they wouldn't give one for people who had to work that day).

[babylonsister]

62. Okay. That's why we all have opinions. nt

[LisaM]

75. Yep! I'm not advertising it as anything but an opinion, either.

Don't you think it's shabby that Washington state wouldn't give a voting proxy to people who had to work the Saturday of the caucus? You could get one if you were disabled, but not if you were working. In my worldview, that's disenfranchisement.

[babylonsister]

76. I think there are many things wrong with the way primaries are

run, and do wish someone had tried to resolve the problems before this season. I can say the same thing about the way we vote, and on what. Until these issues are addressed, there will be plenty of us complaining.

[LisaM]

78. These were caucuses, not primaries, actually.

Ironically, we also had a primary that didn't count. I voted in it, and so did another 519,000 people. The turnout at the primary was twice that of the caucuses, Obama's margin of victory was extremely narrow (about 4%, whereas the caucus margin was something like 67% to 30%), but the primary results didn't count. Moreover, the people at the elections office said it would be a felony for someone to vote in the Republican caucus and the Democratic primary but that nobody was going to check the two lists and compare them - that it was the honor system.

My point is, don't believe the margin of victory in the Washington state results. It's not really indicative of the voters.

[Cass]

51. Larry King stated at the conclusion of Hillary's interview that Obama

was invited to appear on his program last night and he refused due to scheduling issues. I seriously doubt Larry King would lie about this.

[babylonsister]

57. I couldn't bear to watch LK so don't know what he said. I don't

blame Obama for not wanting to share a program with her. Besides, he had Jon Stewart all to himself, and that's reaching more of his core supporters anyway.

[SKKY]

21. That's OK because nearly 1.5 million voters are connected to HIM...

...and they've proven as much by their donations.

[OzarkDem]

24. His scant political record shows it

He's never shown an inclination to represent his constituents, other than his donors. He's always been busy advancing his own career, nothing more.

If he were to defy the odds and win the WH, he would govern much as Bush does, totally disconnected from the electorate and focused on his own personal enrichment.

[LisaM]

58. I agree with you, though I can't convince anyone who supports him.

I've told this many times here, but when Washington suddenly came into play in February, they all planned events last minute.

Hillary came on Thursday night, late (got here around 9:00 pm). 5000 of use stood for two or more hours waiting for her. She arrived, she was great, and she stuck around as long as people wanted her to.

The next morning, she got up early, met with the local TV reporter (the only candidate who did, though they were all asked), then continued on to Tacoma for a town hall with nurses - even though she knew full well many of them couldn't vote, because we had caucuses on a Saturday, and you were not allowed a proxy vote if you had to work (I know, it sucks).

McCain did a poorly attended fundraiser at a luxury hotel.

Obama blew in for a big rally at a sports venue, then left, but got giant kudos for going out and talking to people who couldn't get in with a bullhorn.

I just find that she works three times harder than any of the others. Yes, she's had missteps, all very thoroughly documented, but so has he and he gets a pass every time. My hunch is that if he's elected, he'll still get this pass, no matter what he actually does.

[beachmom]

35. When Obama won Wisconsin, Hillary spoke from TX. Are you suggesting

that Hillary didn't connect with WI voters? No, she knew she would not win that primary, so she moved forward to the next primary.

Similarly, nobody has suggested Obama will win PA, only that Hillary might not meet expectations of a double digit victory. Nevertheless, she will win, and therefore will have bragging rights for the night. BUT, the details are what matters -- the exit poll data, the margin of victory, and how the delegates split. Personally, I think she'll win by 12 points, so it is smart for Obama to move forward to the next state.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

68. they both spoke from TX; they rarely stay in the same state

[SoCalDem]

52. Her trip to Florida was the only "bright spot" she had, so of course she went there

She had gotten whomped, but good..so why not go and play the victor for the cameras..even if it was a "fake" election.. Sounds about right for her:)

Her ultimate goal was to gin up support for the undoing of the rules that she knew she would need later too..

pathetic..but that's what we have come to expect from her..

[Window]

53. I could correct you, but it's a waste of time.

[LSK]

54. so what is it? is he forming a cult or not??

Can you guys figure it out please.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

66. *Hillary left South Carolina before the polls closed.*

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18456129

By the time Edwards was talking about moving on, Sen. Hillary Clinton already had.The lights weren't out at local polling stations before she was on a plane to a Super Tuesday state.

Speaking at a town meeting-style event in Nashville, Tenn., she congratulated her rival, but made it clear this was little more than an evening of the score at two big wins each.

"I've always said that this contest was going to go for a long time. As people have dropped out, it's gotten down to a couple of us. And Feb. 5 has always been for me the key," Clinton said at the campaign event.

[oviedodem]

72. My dear Hillary has not been in a number of states on the nights she lost.

[AllentownJake]

9. Why be here?

I'm from PA and I don't see why he should be in PA today or tonight. They both should be in the next state(s) campaigning. Why lose a perfectly good day of getting your message out?

[madfloridian]

13. Terry McAuliffe was just about to make Schultz mad. He was yelling

at Ed Schultz. Hillary's gonna win em all.

[GoesTo11]

15. Heard this last night

He said he didn't expect to win, and I believe him.

Just methodically moving on and doing what he needs to do. No big highs or lows.

Too bad he can't get a concert with John Cougar, who was really big in Indiana. But this Mellencamp guy will do.

[AllentownJake]

17. Is he charging

125-2300 a ticket? :sarcasm:

[Hoof Hearted]

18. I heard about this yesterday.

Internals must not look very good for Obama.

[AllentownJake]

20. He never planned to be in PA

He wasn't in Mississipi when he won either. Also I heard a rumor that tommorow the campaign staff in PA are moving to Indiana and NC. I was shocked :sarcasm:

So is she going to do another balloon drop tonight lol.

[Shae]

32. She probably doesn't have the carfare . . .

You guys in PA might have to take up a collection for her just to get her to leave.
:P

[juajen]

33. I hope so. She looks great in the middle of all those balloons.

A balloon drop also gives excitement to the race and draws attention to the win, and really is a way of thanking all the people who worked so hard in PA to make this win happen. Of course, she is having money problems, and until the coffers are full or fuller again, this might be problematical, unless someone else is paying.

[AllentownJake]

44. My opinion

Of balloon drops before you won the nomination :puke:

[Hoof Hearted]

74. I hope she does a baloon drop and has a huge party - the energy is going to be AMAZING.

Wish I was there!

[rox63]

71. Not unless someone donates the balloons

Her campaign is too broke to afford their own balloons.

[OzarkDem]

27. Nope, even he knows he's going to lose

Probably getting ready to spin Clinton's victory as a loss.

[Lilith Velkor]

81. That's exactly what he was doing in San Francisco

Explaining why it's no big deal if those dumb hicks don't vote for him.

[Kesaco]

26. All that money spent in PA for nothing......

[GoesTo11]

28. The spending probably saved him about 25 delegates. Pretty good ROI.

[MercutioATC]

42. He's far enough ahead that he doesn't have to "win"...he just has to limit his losses.

That's the payoff to a 50-state strategy...his wins in all of the "little states that don't count" gave him a huge buffer to work with later in the primary.

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. David Schuster is subbing on Ed's radio show?

[Freddie Stubbs]

34. There isn't much for him to do there after 8:00 PM

He has other states to campaign in.

[MadBadger]

36. He also wasnt in Maryland, DC, or VA...I think he likes to get started on the next state

especially when there is a short time between them.

[Justitia]

39. And Hillary was in TX on the night of the OH primary. What is the point here? -eom

[NoPasaran]

45. It was also the night of the Texas primary

The point is that Obama is a yellow-bellied coward.

Run away, run away!

:scared:

[Justitia]

60. oh brother. I know this is the last state HRC may win, but he still has states to go.

No wonder she'll want to hang around PA to turn out the lights, it's the last place she has any possiblity of declaring anything a "win". She'll wallow in that until they kick her out.

Meanwhile, Obama needs to move on from PA today to rack up his next wins.

She might as well move back to that ramshackle "summer cottage" in Scranton - she's finished.

[SoCalDem]

48. Just doing what he's always done.. campaign, and move on to the next venue

That's how he's been winning.. His work in PA is DONE..the voters will decide..why hang around just for a "show".. He's got other "fish to fry"...

If he ends up winning there, I have NO doubt that he will swing back through for a "thank you", but to sit in a hotel ballroom waiting for results , when there are more races ahead, seems a bad use of his time..

The people who voted for him, know he has more to do, and he has spent several weeks there..

[knixphan]

55. If you're in NC or Indy,

You're welcoming the big O with open arms - he's running TO you.

last time I checked, there were 50 states.

Basketball is a moving sport - make a shot, then get back on D.

Primaries are no different.

[mindspell]

61. does anyone else wonder

why everyone is taking soo much effort to bash the democratic candidates? im not arguing against debating/researching/voting and choosing your candidate. but we are all falling victim to the manipulation.. the media is relishing in the ratings, and the republicans are relishing in the destruction of the democratic candidates. it is the only way for republicans to win this election, split the democrats right down the middle so that by the time they are done with each other mccain can just stride in, step over their carcasses and into the white house. let us not have this happen!!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

70. So?

It's been his strategy this whole campaign to give a big stump speech in the next state on election night.

It hasn't been two months since the last time, did everybody forget?

[LTR]

73. Typical M.O.

There's been quite a few instances this year of candidates moving on to the next state A.S.A.P., even before the end of voting.

After all, what else is left to do in the state?

[FlyingSquirrel]

82. If he stays in PA,

It shows that a victory in that state was extremely important to him, and since he's projected to lose, that'd be a bad thing. By moving on, he makes his concession speech in a different state and shows that he's already moved on and is focusing on the next race.

Standard politics.