The "thing is far from over," key Hillary Clinton aide says
Terry McAuliffe, chairman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, issued a terse statement in the wake of John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama today.
"We respect John Edwards, but as the voters of West Virginia showed last night, this thing is far from over."
We suspect there might have been stronger views expressed within the Clinton camp when it learned of Edwards' decision which, of course, took the edge off her crushing win in the Mountain State.
-- Frank James
Frank James writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune's Washington bureau.
The delusion continues. "Far" from over? Try "almost."
Posted by: Anne J. | May 14, 2008 at 06:59 PM
ONE LOSER ENDORSING ANOTHER LOSER. Edwards is trumped by PEOPLE POWER.
The West Virginia resounding defeat of Obama was an expression of PEOPLE POWER that proclaimed Sen. Clinton is the Democratic presidential nominee. The PEOPLE POWER of Sen Clinton's victory trounced the pro-Obama biased media. Superdelegates who are endorsing Obama daily in an end run around the Democratic nomination process to swipe the nomination for Obama should ponder seriously the PEOPLE POWER that buttresses Sen. Clinton. Edwards. Obama and his superdelegates are taking the Democratic Party down the path of a train wreck in November.
Posted by: crat3 | May 14, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Wasn't it PEOPLE POWER when Obama won 11 states in a row? Wasn't it the PEOPLE who gave Obama an insurmountable lead in popular vote and delegates? For weeks now it has been mathematically impossible for HIllary to win. One state with a particularly high population of racists who can't handle having a black man in the Whitehouse doesn't change anything. Even when Obama loses a state now, he closes in on the magic number of delegates that HIllary cannot possibly reach. She will be crushed in Oregon. She's hemorrhaging superdelegates. Face it bro. It's over Grover.
Posted by: Andy | May 14, 2008 at 07:37 PM
McAuliffe called her a "thing"?
This "thing" looks about over to everyone else, Terrance.
Posted by: David Mince | May 14, 2008 at 07:47 PM
How gracious can Sen. Obama be? Not very, apparently.
By calling on Edwards to endorse him, all he's trying to do is preclude Hillary's overwhelming victory in WV.
Edwards is NOT a superdelegate. so how does this count? Ohhh, because his supporters were blue collar workers? BUT that was eons ago!
Hillary supporters now feel totally disrespected by the press, media, by the Bill Richardsons and Democratic party as a whole.
This is "in your face" sexism! Obama, we will not forget this, especially in November because Hillary will prevail!
There are a few "hidden treasures" in your closet, and these will be revealed before November.
Posted by: BJ | May 14, 2008 at 07:47 PM
The people have spoken and will continue to speak against the traitors of the DNC. They are shoving this Idiot obama down our throats and we are going to fight back.
We the people will stop sending our money to the DNC and in the fall if snobama is the candidate we will get sweet revenge, a landslide defeat for him and Dean.
Any independents or Libs want our vote? start your engines!!
Posted by: Anee | May 14, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Hey, crat3 -- last time I looked, there was significantly more PEOPLE POWER behind Obama than behind Hillary. He's ahead by every possible metric now, including the popular vo... sorry, I mean the PEOPLE POWER vote. The superdelegates that are flocking away from Hillary and towards Obama aren't doing an end run around either the process or the PEOPLE -- they're reflecting the PEOPLE's will. (And they're also doing what Hillary keeps saying they're supposed to do: make an informed choice about who they think will be the strongest candidate in November.)
Posted by: Rick | May 14, 2008 at 07:50 PM
What drug are they taking over in the Hillary camp? It has to be a hallucinogen. I don't know what's more over, the disco era or the Clinton campaign.
Posted by: JimmyMac | May 14, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Most delegates: Obama
Most superdelegates: Obama
Most states: Obama
Most new voters: Obama
Most total votes: Obama
Most money wasted: Clinton
Most different strategies used during campaign: Clinton
Most different positions on same issue: Clinton
Most lies told during campaign: Clinton
Most times trying to skirt the rules: Clinton
Most delusional: Cinton and her supporters
Next President of the United Sates: Barack Obama!!!
Posted by: Bill Dailey | May 14, 2008 at 07:56 PM
People power? How about racist power, that's more like it. Most people in the exit poll said race was a factor in their decision and the Obama people in West Virginia have been subjected to a flood of racist comments and actions. So don't get too excited, especially when Oregon comes in. And oh, don't expect a VP slot either. That will go to Sebelius, Richardson, Edwards and others less divisive and delusional than Hillary.
Posted by: Barbara | May 14, 2008 at 07:56 PM
No matter what, Hillary, New Yorker love u, because of your strenght, your dinity, your hard workings, your stand of points, and your love to the americans,.... I salute u !!!
Posted by: connie | May 14, 2008 at 07:56 PM
THE DEMS ARE TOO STUPID TO REALIZE WHAT THEY'RE DOING. SO jOHN EDWARDS ENDORSED oBAMA........ANOTHER REASON TO SUPPORT hILLARY AND FIGHT TO THE VERY END. OTHERWISE, JOHN MCAIN IS THE ONLY CHOICE AS I SEE IT.
Posted by: mary ferrari | May 14, 2008 at 07:57 PM
It is obvious that she inhaled.
Posted by: Captain Major Christian Smith | May 14, 2008 at 07:57 PM
OK CRAT3
Your PEOPLE POWER should read UNEDUCATED PEOPLE POWER. WV is a prime example of why there should be minimum standards on voting. Sad but true.
Clinton and her followers are truly delusional at this point. They are starting to become a laughing stock if they haven't already.
Well, regardless of what Clinton or her aides say -- at least it IS OVER on June 3rd. We will see a continued rush of supers until then and the writing will be on the wall for Clinton to throw in the towel. We will finally be rid of her old style political games and chicanery and a man whom our country can be proud of will be on his way - one step closer to become President of the USA!
Posted by: Matt in Austin | May 14, 2008 at 07:58 PM
No matter what, Hillary, New Yorker love u, because of your strenght, your dinity, your hard workings, your stand of points, and your love to the americans,.... I salute u !!!
Posted by: connie | May 14, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Hillary is a terrible candidate, she is to polarizing and the public will vote for Mcain if she is the Dems candidate, that is why people power wanted all of the Rush listeners to vote for Hillary.
Posted by: Dave Liniger | May 14, 2008 at 07:59 PM
You know what's keeping Hillary behind in the popular vote, pledged delegates and number of primaries/caucuses won? PEOPLE POWER!!
It must feel pretty good when you could potentially loose all the remaining primaries and get less than half of the remaining super delegates and still win the democratic nomination.
The people of this country have spoken, and their choice is abundantly clear.
Posted by: Mike B. | May 14, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Clinton is the only democrat who considers the VOTERS.
It looks like the rest of the party is in a bubble shut off from this country.
They are forcing us with an inexperienced candidate who has lived his adult life in an backwater area sealed off from from mainstream America.
He doesn't understand why people are aghast that he took his children to a racist church with a nutcase pastor.
He has no understanding of the country outside his enclave.
He needs a few years to get his equilibrium, THEN start thinking about national office.
He isn't ready, folks. Push him out now, and you'll finish him off.
Posted by: lute | May 14, 2008 at 08:00 PM
In Response of Crat3,
Crats is what a loser. Obama is the nominee of Democratic party and Obama will win the election in Nov. Hillary is divisive and trying to torn down the democratic party.
Posted by: Angelina | May 14, 2008 at 08:00 PM
I fail to see how one state can win over all others. This is precisely why we have the electoral college. Why should a state full of uninformed individuals decide an election, when it's clear that the majority of other states believe Clinton is not the best candidate?
Posted by: k | May 14, 2008 at 08:01 PM
crat3: The people power that you yelled about (you used capital letters) was what gave Obama victories in some 30+ states, with an insurmountable lead in delegates and votes (even without counting caucus state votes).
Posted by: Jason | May 14, 2008 at 08:02 PM
What I think is that PEOPLE POWER is PEOPLE POWER and anyone who disagrees with PEOPLE POWER will soon find that PEOPLE POWER is here to stay and PEOPLE POWER will not be messed with. PEOPLE POWER. PEOPLE POWER. PEOPLE POWER is why Hillary is going to win. PEOPLE POWER is why Hillary has a lead in the popular vote...wait...nevermind...what I really mean is WHITE PEOPLE POWER! Yeah!
Posted by: crat333 | May 14, 2008 at 08:02 PM
No matter what, Hillary, New Yorker love u, because of your strenght, your dinity, your hard workings, your stand of points, and your love to the americans,.... I salute u !!!
Posted by: connie | May 14, 2008 at 08:04 PM
PEOPLE POWER can not, and should not, be seen as the answer to the political process in our country. If you want to campaign for Hillary, go get a poster and some buttons and do it right. But remember when the votes are counted, and your guy or gal loses, it's not because of THE PEOPLE. It is because our ELECTORIAL SYSTEM--good or bad, right or wrong--made the decision FOR THE PEOPLE. The delegates REPRESENT THE PEOPLE. God forbid we should rely upon THE PEOPLE of West VA (or any one state) to decide for the entire country who should run for and possibly win the presidency.
Posted by: NotADem | May 14, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I believe Obama is afraid that Clinton will win and the superdelegates are trying to force americans to accept someone on this ticket we don't want. GO CLINTON AND DON'T EVER QUIT-PROVE TO ALL THAT IT IS TIME FOR A WOMAN TO BE PRESIDENT.
THANKS
Posted by: Carolyn | May 14, 2008 at 08:06 PM
crat3, you are an idiot. Plain and simple. Or someone who does not think, which is worse. Obama is leading by FAR in the popular vote, the number of states won, the pledged delegates and the superdelegates. In what alternate reality do you live in to believe that a "resounding" (expected) win in West Virginia means that the majority of the people support Hillary Clinton, who feels entitled to be the next president? She won by what, 67% to 33%? Look at her next "biggest" win, something like 58% to 42%. Now take a look at the FACTS and see how many states Obama won by 70% (!!!) or more.
If a bunch of uneducated white people in West Virginia would rather vote for John McCain than vote for Obama, I say let them. And let them live under no more taxes and no social programs, no unemployment benefits, no subsidized healthcare, no libraries or roads or anything else that taxes pay for. I say whoever votes for McCain (Bush's third term) should secede from this country and be forced to live under the real-world consequences of Neo-Conservative rule. The Democratic Party needs to go back to its roots (more liberal). Liberal is NOT a bad word. Conservative should be made a bad word by the mainstream media.
People constantly vote against their own best interests. Poor people who need affordable healthcare and good paying jobs vote for Republicans who cut healthcare benefits, raise premium and ship good-paying jobs overseas. It's supposedly some moral thing because Republicans are supposedly the party of family values.
This is BULLSH*T. Look at all the Republicans who end up caught soliciting gay sex in a park or tapping their toe under a toilet stall for gay sex or cheat on their wife with some Congressional page, etc. etc. etc. etc. The list of Republican sex scandals goes on and on and on. Family values, yeah right.
No welfare for the people but tons of corporate welfare is more like it.
THINK people who would protest vote for McCain (Bush's third term) instead of whoever the Democratic nominee ends up being.
Posted by: Chris | May 14, 2008 at 08:06 PM
John Edwards has no influence or following. He lost as VP nominee with Kerry and was not any force to be reckoned with in the O8 Primaries. No loss no gain.
Posted by: Paul | May 14, 2008 at 08:06 PM
The game is over pack your bags and head to New York. You might even loose the senate there who knows!
Posted by: Pedeen | May 14, 2008 at 08:07 PM
The game is over pack your bags and head to New York. You might even loose the senate there who knows!
Posted by: Pedeen | May 14, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Just like when he was head of the Democratic Party, McAuliffe is presiding over yet another failed campaign. The likes of McAuliffe, Carville, Penn and the Clinton's effectively handed the reigns of government over to the most rabid neo-con Republicans in the 90's (Delay, Lott) and allowed the Democratic Party to essentially become a complacent wing of the Republican party and screwing over the middle class. Well, (thank God) their triangulating, flip-flopping and pandering ways are about to end. Good Riddance.
Posted by: Clarke D. | May 14, 2008 at 08:10 PM
This is nothing new with Hillary. She plays the race card and then say it is not a race card but the facts. She will do anything she can to under cut Obama. Is there any way she think she can win with as she put it "Hard Working White People"?
Posted by: Tyler | May 14, 2008 at 08:11 PM
@Ann J.
You are correct, it's ALL about people power. Obama has more than a MILLION people support OVER Clinton. Talk about closing a deal?!?! She couldn't even get her deal going, let alone close it. She's run a miserable campaign. VERY telling that her so called "experience" was and is worthless.
GObama!!
Posted by: Pastafazool | May 14, 2008 at 08:12 PM
It's amazing that Clinton gets castigated for telling the truth.
She is supported by whites while Obama is supported by blacks, that's life and a fact, what' wrong with pointing it out. Secondly, and more importantly is the other FACT that Clinton is supported by the more educated and that's possibly the most important fact of all, I'd much rather have a president based on intelligence and education than the opposite. Obama may or may not be intelligent, but being deemed so by the media who has shown itself to be incredibly stupid and being deemed intelligent because he won kudos in the field of law does not impress me, lawyers and judges may know tha law, but few of them know life.
Posted by: Michel Ditlove | May 14, 2008 at 08:13 PM
AS MUCH AS I WANT CLINTON TO WIN I WOULD HATE TO SEE BILL SPEND 8 YR'S IN THE WHITE HOUSE AS SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT.AND I COULD NEVER SEE HIM WONDERING AROUND WATCHING OBAMA SIT AT HIS OLD DESK.. IT WOULD BE HUMILIATING
Posted by: GLENN | May 14, 2008 at 08:13 PM
My question is why Obama could raise twice the money Clinton did. If that's the measure of popular support, then Obama has it.
Posted by: jay | May 14, 2008 at 08:14 PM
I agree. After a long campaign, people gradually recognize that Obama is not the one who can leads this country. People wake up and hope Hillary is the one. She has the strength, intelligence, and especially the experience being a president to solve the problems. Besides, Hillary really is a great lady!
Posted by: frank | May 14, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Thank you voters especially in Texas, Ohio, PA, Indiana, and West Virginia for showing the world that voters elect the next president, not the media. Also, Florida and Michigan votes must be counted. We voted for nothing? Howard Dean, this is a democracy, where the people's votes must be counted, not you acting like a dictator and throwing all of our millions of votes in the trash. Are you going to let Florida hand over the election to the Republican candidate for the third straight time?
Our soldiers supposedly are fighting in Iraq to help the Iraquis establish "democracy". How can that be when this country is beginning to look less and less like a democracy itself?
Posted by: OhiogirlinFlorida | May 14, 2008 at 08:14 PM
It seems to me that the purpose of having super delegates, is to prevent electing presidents that are unfit, or may harm our country. I do not believe that super delegates were meant to influence and control the outcome of an election by using the power of their endorsements, coupled with the power of the media. I sincerely hope, and pray, that the American people will come together and demand to either eliminate super delegates all together or prevent all endorsements until after all primaries are completed. We must make all votes count. Believe it or not, that is the American way. I give high honors to those super delegates that refrain from endorsing any candidate until all the primaries are completed. By doing so, they give the highest priority and value to the American voters. I believe the only time many politicians listen to the voters, are when the voters meet their needs. I question John Edwards endorsement timing? Did he make a deal with Obama for a vice president position? I imagine that there are many Americans that feel the same way. Whom can we trust? John Edwards stated that he would not accept a VP position. So, if Obama happens to be the nominee, and if John Edwards, is on the same ticket for VP? I promise the American People that I will not vote for Obama and I hope millions of other voters will join me. This is the only guarantee we have that will prevent me and others from voting for an undeserving presidential and VP candidates.
Posted by: Robert Enos Vargas | May 14, 2008 at 08:14 PM
As if Clinton's aides would ever say otherwise?! Fourth estate: you've beaten the Obama-Clinton storyline to death. The secret's out - Obama is almost a lock to win the nomination.
Please stop misleading people and manipulating your news outlets to keep this tired drama alive. It served you well for almost a year, now move on. The American people you "serve" want to hear more about important issues. For one thing, what's happening in Iraq? Suddenly dying troops don't matter so much to you?
Posted by: Sean | May 14, 2008 at 08:15 PM
I agree. After a long campaign, people gradually recognize that Obama is not the one who can leads this country. People wake up and hope Hillary is the one. She has the strength, intelligence, and especially the experience being a president to solve the problems. Besides, Hillary really is a great lady!
Posted by: frank_c | May 14, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Mister McAuliffe is absolutely correct, this thing is far from over...It's been over for months now and that 's pretty far behind us.
Posted by: Nuclear Midnight | May 14, 2008 at 08:15 PM
I GET SO SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT OBAMA BEING THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT. HE IS 1/2 WHITE! I HOPE THAT HILLARY WILL STAY IN THE RACE AND THAT SHE WINDS THE NOMINATION FOR OUR NEXT PRESIDENT.
Posted by: Fred S. | May 14, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Yes, this thing is far from over. I want Hillary Clinton to take her campaign all the way to the convention. Even if Obama ends up as the Dems presidential candidate, I want him to earn it!
Posted by: andy norton | May 14, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Is definitely not over until Hillary pays back her $20MM in outstanding debt.
She struggled managing her team, her money, her views, etc....this was a microcosm of what she would do to the USA. I am glad she isn't winning votes, delegates, states or endorsements, super delegates...
SAVE AMERICA FROM HELL - ARY 08
VOTE FOR ANYONE ELSE
Posted by: Ken | May 14, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Hey crat3,
by what metrics does Clinton have "people power"? even if you include skewed voting from FL and MI, Obama still has lead in popular vote - What R U Talking about??
Posted by: aliup | May 14, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Actually crat3, it's called demographics. People power proclaimed Sen. Clinton as the nominee? Are you delusional? Even if you include Florida and Michigan, Obama would still be slightly ahead in the popular vote and still ahead in delegates. Some of you Clinton supporters have lost your minds. You think Obama is taking the Democratic party down the path of a train wreck in November? Jesus, talk about pessimism and sore loser-ness. The funny thing is that Edwards has VERY favorable ratings from the demographics that Hillary won in WV. So, I see this as an easy equation. Obama + Edwards = Landslide in November against McCain. Of course Obama + Hillary would probably have the same effect. You know, as an Obama supporter, I'd stand behind Hillary 100% if she was going to be the nominee, but it's just not gonna happen. Not when Obama wins big in a couple more of the upcoming primaries and seals the deal. People who say things like you crack me up. It's over. Get over it and come together as a party so we don't get McBush in November. Some of you Hillary supporters are such sore losers it makes me sick. When the whole Rev. Wright controversy came out, I thought Obama was finished and was ready to throw my support behind Hillary. It's called being a good sport and realizing that Hillary and Obama are running on 90% of the same policies. It'd be moronic to turn around and vote for McCain just because you're a sore loser and can't handle the fact that your candidate lost. Grow up.
Posted by: Brandon | May 14, 2008 at 08:21 PM
It is apparent from the exit polls that folks in W. Virginia have yet to graduate to the 21st century. Racisim is still evident in some parts of this country when people 8 out of 10 state they would not vote for a black man. The problem is all of us have to much at stake to look at color, race, or any other difference. We must look to the views and policies that this politicians expound and forget who or what they are. This is Amercia and this land is a melting pot of masses yearning to be free...free from bigotry, and racisim, sex, etc. Let's look to the nation as a whole and if W. Virginia is a little different it tells us we still have work to do in this country. But....W. Virginia does not speak for this entire country, thank God!
Posted by: Emilio L. Niglio | May 14, 2008 at 08:21 PM
This story has been at the top of the list for 2 HRs. I this the only story out of 7000 list on Google News?
Posted by: Kate Cooper | May 14, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Crat you(and most of WV voters) have to be some of the least educated -most racist biggots in this nation.... when are you all going to get your heads out of your asses so you can see which way the wind is blowing.
Posted by: cratsucks | May 14, 2008 at 08:21 PM
This is certainly the most exciting election in decades, and the press is having a field day with all the down-to-the-last-second drama unfolding in the last days of the primaries. Not even Hollywood could come up with a better story of suspense, twists and surprises than this very election. Truly a nail-biter, nobody has the slightest clue who the Democratic nominee will be. All in all, THIS is healthy democracy at its finest!
Posted by: Tom Carter | May 14, 2008 at 08:21 PM