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.

Comments

[Frank Spear]

IT is unfortunate that the delegates that Obama accumulated prior to his most recent revelations of
his Pastor's comments etc. were not known then, I'm
sure that the count would be in Sen. Clintons favor.

[Sir Edmund]

I'm still trying to figure out what PEOPLE POWER is. Does the PEOPLE POWER that trounced Obama in WV wear white hoods?

[Marcia]

Here's what REALLY irritated me -- and I was an avid supporter of John Edwards, even voting for him in the California primary after he prematurely left the race. But I lost a huge amount of respect for him and realized just how important it is to overcome the sexism in this nation, when he said over and over and over again today, "The only MAN who can...." "The only MAN who will...." It was sickening to hear John Edwards talk about the election as if it is only a place for men. No women have a role, in this view, which is so ingrained in our culture here. We must change this, and that's why Hillary ought to stay in as long as she can.

[Nikos Retsos]

It seems to me that John Edward's endorsement of
Obama complete the circle of 3 prior presidential losers to endorse him - along with Ted Kennedy and
George McGovern. Fortunately for Mrs. Clinton, they
are all the subjects of jokes of Saturday Night Live and Jay Leno's monologues. Mrs. Clinton should continue all the way to the Democratic Convention floor, and make the argument there that she will make
a better president. She should certainly not take seriously the endorsement of Obama by past failed politicians who are the fodder of late night comedians.

Obama is the black candidate, and Geraldine Ferraro was right that without his color he would be nobody.
The Clintons were well respected by blacks across
America, and received most black votes in past elections. But now Obama came along, and blacks
have been voting for their color -not for the best candidate. But any politician who made a career in the most politically corrupt state in the nation, Illinois,
certainly can't be the best choice for president. And as past convictions of governors, judges, and other politicians and insiders have proven here, Illinois
politicians are better suited to sit in prisons [the ex-
governor is there now], not in the Oval Office.

There is another chapter to be written in the baggage
of Obama: His "boneheaded" [if anybody believe Obama's excuse] relationship with Antoin Rezco
whose corruption trial is now deliberated by a federal jury. And if Rezco at some point decides to strike a
deal with the Feds, Obama's fortune may change
overnight - unless Rezco count on Obama for a pardon if he is elected. And that is another reason Mrs. Clinton should go all the way to the end. She is clean and almost like Caesar's wife if compare to Obama. Nikos Retsos, retired academic from Illinois.

[PEOPLE POWER for OBAMA]

That joker up there with all the PEOPLE POWER comments... I guess he hasn't realized that while a few states the Democrats would have WON ANYWAY in November (how long since New York or California voted Republican?), Obama leads in both the superdelegates AND the delegates that are pledged by the PEOPLE'S VOTES. So... PEOPLE POWER FOR OBAMA, it would seem. Some people just can't see the writing on the wall... I feel sad for all those who have been snowed by Clinton's power-hungry, self-serving campaign. She has shown since she started her tenure as Senator in New York that she cares little for the people she represents, and is only in it for herself.

[caboose]

Hey kaycie,
As one of those 'brainwashed' college educated whites.... you misspelled Stevie Wonder. Retard.

And my first post was way too nice.

Who gives a crap what West Virginia thinks? There's a reason they hardly have any delegates. No one lives there, and those that do are mostly idiots. Xenophobic, change-fearing, morons who still keep a hand on their wallet when they see a black man.

How come its racist for Blacks for vote for a black man? You and all your white-girl sorority friends voted for a white woman instead of a black man. And you'd FREAK if someone called you racist. I think people just want to use the word 'racist' to make them feel empowered and just. Racism deals mostly with IGNORANCE. Which is what the PEOPLE POWER in West Virginia represent. That's THEIR demographic.

[Mulu]

Dem or Ind for Hillary:
"No, it is not over!
We want Hillary Clinton."
Wow, you sound like a crying baby. You want Clinton but majority of us don't and that is why Obama is going to be the nominee!!!

[Mike]

On balance without doubt Hillary will make a better President(all the qualities put together) and match them with Obama. The choice is not a very difficult one. I think why Hillary is strugeling now is her likability problem, lousy campaign team and bias press. Electing a president is not a beauty contest we elect the best,most capable,most experience, toughest, most hard working one , the rest is secondary. At least we can sleep better each night.

[cap.hill]

Posted by: Matt in Austin:
"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."

Please, let's not forget the 45% or more of us who are well educated and support Clinton--you know, the other side of the 55% supposed to be enamoured of the Obamanation, i.e., abomination. I'm certainly well enough aware to be horrified by your ignorant suggestion that we start taking away the vote from those who don't meet "your" standards. Look at it this way, how many people had a college education 100 years ago? 200? How many framers of the Constitution or signers of the Declaration of Independence went to the few colleges in existence here at that time? Yes, an educated populace is our most valuable asset--to paraphrase Jefferson--but not an aristocracy, thanks.

[cap.hill]

Posted by: Doug:
"Oh you beloved supporters of Ms Clinton. We really do love you and what you stand for. We are so ready to welcome you back to the democratic party when this is all over."

Of course, after all the vitriol that has been spewed by the Obots, no reasonable person could believe them, let alone respect them or elect them.

Unless the convention decides to call on Gore to unite the party with his candidacy...well, Nader, McCain, Paul...hey, there's still a choice of ways to say "shove off." Count on it.

Oh, and when are you going to move out of mom's basement?

mmm...cathartic...

[kd]

If the democrats lose in the general election you can blame Hillary. She has purposely divided the Democratic party along racial lines.

So for all those that believe her, go ahead, vote for John McCain. Do you think he can he do a better job leading this country then Bush did?

[Gary Haden]

Terry McAuliffe, I can't wait to see your face when you have to go on television and congratulate soon-to-be President Barack Obama for winning the nomination. What is far from over is the building contempt for the Clinton Political Machine and its disdain for the facts. People don't like Hilary, not because she's female, not because she is a victim, but because she PLAYS the victim, she caters to every demon of the human mind, and she will destroy anyone who gets in her way politically. Just because she's a woman does not mean she has no ego or can't be arrogant or isn't susceptible to contemptible behavior if under enough duress. She's has plainly staked her right to be obnoxious. What most people see as obnoxiousness the Clintonistas see as fight.
Her presidency would exhibit the exact same wallowing in fear and attack dog politics her campaign has engaged in. Her campaign is her presidency. How's it a change?

[Dan K]

Mark,
Where in the world did you get the impression that Obama is foreign born? That is simply a lie. Please do not post lies. They make me sad.

Marxist taught? What are you talking about? There is absolutely nothing remotely Marxist about his legislative record or earlier career. There is nothing remotely Marxist about his current policy proposals. Before you make claims of that nature, you should familiarize yourself both with Obama's positions and with Marxism. Of course, you may have been referring to Groucho Marx: Obama does have a good sense of humor.

Also, what does "hold's" mean?

[kd]

Should Obama or his supporters help Hillary to pay off some of her debt? Would Hillary (or her supporters) help Obama pay off his debt if the circumstances were reversed?

kd

[Mattie1]

So big deal that the majority of people in W. Virginia voted for Hillary mainly because she is more qualified. It is not about race; you are all a bunch of ignoramuses. What makes Obama suitable for the presidency? Nobody seems to have an answer. He is the supreme elitist and does not deserve the presidency. A clueless individual out of touch with the world in general .I am not racist. I would vote for Colin Powell or Condoleeza Rice if they were running. Grow Up all of you!

[Edwin Herdman]

I am worried that many Obama suporters write off vast swaths of the country voting their preferences as the result of "idiots. Xenophobic, change-fearing, morons," as if reverse ethnocentrism and racism is going to build a winning coalition come fall.

Yes, Clinton's made some mistakes, but I hope to goodness Obama can rise above his supporters and get out a meaningful line to Clinton supporters and build a winning group. People haven't noticed that McCain has quietly been gathering supporters from all across the political spectrum; he's for (very slow) climate change, he's for this and that - who knows if he'll keep his promises, but he's going to build a fearsome base.

Obama seemed to have given up on some of the population, which is not something he can afford to do.

Luckily, he'll have Clinton on his side - something else I haven't seen the Obama faithful talking about much. It's as if people are living in a fantasy land where only Clintons and Republican use dirty tactics that drive voters away - if Obama's supporters cut out the nastiness and started building bridges, maybe their candidate can stand a chance this fall.

[AngloBlues]

The stone it is thrown, the die it is cast. The first one now shall later be last. Sorry Bob, I probably mangled that, but you get my point. Women and blacks are both fighting fiercely now to be first. Race, Gender? Please let it be a fight on the merits of the candidates. I really want to know who is going to fight for the underdog, the missused, missplaced person of no position. Please America assert your place as the shining beacon on the hill. Put em up and duke it out. Ideas, ideas, ideas.

[Joe]

This is sad it appear that the American society is no prepared at this time to give the opportunity to this Hillary Clinton woman,who clearly is the right candidate to defeat the Republican candidate,this atitude is hurting the Democrat party,also is good for the black people to stop thinking that everything that is not in favor of they people is in a concept of Racism,see the atitude only this is a mistake.

[sabrina]

i switched from registered democrat to repblican. any republican will be better than obama.
democrats for mccain 2008

[Charles Goh]

Hillary Clinton does not need to be the Democratic Nominee to be the next president of U.S.A. On her own, she has every qualification to become the next president. Obama and Mccain are hardly Presidential materials. HILLARY CLINTON SHOULD STAND AS INDEPENDENT FOR PRESIDENCY. This will truly decide whom Americans who they want as president.

[JAN]

I wonder why no one has mentioned in all the blogs about Obama not wearing the flag lapel pin because he doesnt want to take sides. Or how he doesnt salute when the National Anthem is played because it speaks of war "the bombs bursting in air" so he thinks the National Anthem needs to be changed I am sorry but how can anyone vote for a man or woman for president that feels he is taking sides by wearing the flag. Our flag that people died for. I was on the Obama wagon but jumped off when he responded to those two incidents as he did. I hope no man ever leads out country that cant salute out Flag

I pray Hillery wins

[Kevin]

I'm thinking it must have been tough for hillary to find herself the people's candidate. She'd most certainly feel more comfortable with the backing of the highly educated urban snob democrats, but she wasn't their choice. She would gladly pander to aftrican americans like her husband, but they didn't want her. So she's left with shots of whiskey and talk of hunting, and wearing blue collar pantsuits. It's been almost enjoyable at times to watching her contort herself to fit that role cause it's so ridiculous . But most of the time its just a horror movie. It's sad. And like Bush, I can't even stand to hear her speak any more. I look forward to June like I look forward to January. Please make it stop

[cyberbian]

Count Every vote! "Hil Hil"

Do not disenfranchise a single voter! "Hil Hil"

The votes never counted, the delegates need to decide who is best, and that's me. That's what delegates are for!
"Hil Hil"

[Yo]

I just want to say - if OBAMA wins the nomination I am going to vote for MCCAIN. Obama does not represent my views nor do I like or appreciate what he does I believe he is a FAKE. Who cares if the Kennedys, or Edwards endorses him? They do not pay for my mortgage nor my food - so why should I be influenced by them? I will vote for the right person and if Hillary cannot make it then I will become Republican come November. In fact - there's a bunch of us who are going to do just that! You guys could vote for OBAMA - that is your choice but do not try to let Edwards or the Kennedys influence my decision. That tells me that OBAMA is not so confident of himself because he needs someone to endorse him.

[Page]

Hillary can't quit until she figures out how to recoup all the $ she's loaned to her campaign. Her huge ego aside, she's looking to do damage control for her pocketbook. Isn't she wonderful?

[Bryan]

Hillary is people power?? Yeah right. The lady who disdainfully commented about how she didn't want to "stay home and bake cookies"...She's the girl who went to Wellesly college, Yale Law school, worked at a law firm, then in government the rest of the time. This is not a people person...it's an elitist blue blood pretending to be a down home country person...about as accurate as her claim that she was under sniper fire in Serbia. The woman will do just about anything to get people's votes and morals are often not an issue for her.

[jje]

obama is being endorsed by a bunch of losers. bill richardson, john edwards, michael dukakis, george mcgovern, john kerry, ted kennedy. is this the new politics obma is preaching. if ever obma wins, he will be heavily indebted to this bunch of losers that he will surely put this people into his cabinet, so much for new politics. maybe a new and change for the worst. in comparison, hillary is being endorsed by these great incumbents: bayh, strickland, rangel, etc. and most democratic governors of good standing.

[John]

Some people are complaining about Obama and how he is doing this and doing that- just to become the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party.
What we forget many times, is that Obama was not part of the Washington establishment.
Mrs Clinton, on the other hand even before Iowa, she already had the commitment of many politicians and worker unions. She had the Democratic machine on her side. including the typical money givers to the Democratic party.
Obama was just elected two years before to the Senate> he is in a way a Junior Senator.
However,he decides to run with a promising hope of change- a promise to change Washington, and unite the country. That is a very simple message but powerful that have attracted so many people.
Obama is inspiring, honest and with the deep desire of making changes in Washington for the betterness of all of us, including republicans and independents.
The super-delegates are moving in his direction because they see what it is happening that he is unstoppable.
Mrs. Clinton sadly to say, is willing to do anything to become the presidential candidate.
So, when I read some negative accusations against him, I feel either you were told about it or simply you hear what you want to hear.
OBAMA- OBAMA

[Milla]

The repulicans know what they are doing they know that Mccain will win If Obama gets the endorsement.

Look who Is endorsing Obama those who have supported Bush wake up America.

Mccain will win If Obama gets the nomination and when Mccain Is in Office will finish the war games in the middleeast as planned gasoline will be $5-$7 a gallon If Mccain is elected.

Hillary knows this and this Is why she Is not quitting WAKE UP AMERICA OBAMA WILL LOSE ALL RED STATES!

[Diana in California]

It's so sad to see so many spineless and misogynist democratic politicians run from the their duties as superdelegates. All Hillary supporters should vote for Senator McCain or write in her name on the ballot as a sign of protest. I don't believe Hillary would run as an Independent, but if she did I would vote for. It's time for a quite and peaceful revolution within the Democratic party. We're not going to threaten the party with fires in American cities' streets like some irresponsible national African-American leaders and 92% of African-Americans and the youth voting for Barack Hussein Obama. Let's see if Barack Hussein Obama can get elected without more than 50% of the womens' vote, 30% of Hispanics, and Reagan Democrats who comprise the Democratic Party. Let's send Washington a loud and clear message since they don't have the "cojones" to do their job.

[Real New Yorker]

Real New Yorkers see Hillary as a transplant that came here from Arkansas State a few years back because Arkansa was turning republican and therefore she couldnt pursue her political goals. Hillary is a New Yorker like Bob Tuke is a New Yorker... who? The first thing the pundits here said was when she first was elected to the senate was how long will it be before she runs for the presidency.

Hillary does not have a new england accent, she doesnt support any local professional teams, she doesnt have a clue about the locals here at all or our issues. What she is good at is pandering and buying votes, thats what shes good at. We have lost jobs here, our income is lower than previous years, our taxes are high, indeed highest nation wide, and purchasing health insurance has become more expensive than previous years. Can any New Yorker really say that we are better off now than we were before Hillary came here? Some will say yes, the rest will admit no.

Voted Republican for a long time (consider my self independent) and this is my voting order come November:

1)Obama
2)Bob Barr
3)Stay Home

[Tanzanian Mind]

Beats me what Mama Clinton wants so badly to go back to White House for. Happy memories? With good portion of the American seeing her as unreasonable (Either I win Dem nomination or we Dems lose presidency) she ought to be able to weigh facts. It's very cruel hanging on hoping for last minute scandal shooting down Obama (or Angel Gabriel endorsing Mama Clinton :-)

[Denmark Vesey]

SOLUTION

Hillary can be President of West Virginia.

-

[Judy Gibbs]

Congrats Terry McAuliffe on making 18 million dollars on the IPO stock he got from Global Crossing's CEO before it went bankrupt a few years later. Terry also made $2.5 million on a deal with the Electrical Union Worker's Union, where he put up 100 dollars, and the union put up 39 million.

Terry is a degenerate sell out who has corrupted his party and the entire system. He is the worse kind of Shill, and his Super delegate vote should not count.

[tryingnottolaugh]

good luck beating the republicans in the fall.

you would rather have the opposing party be in office than the person you lost to in the primary that has essentially the same position on everything?

too funny...

[Anthony]

People Power. Ms. Clinton was the person that had the lead at the beginning of the democratic nomination. It was Ms. Clinton who was the favoured to win the nomination. She promised change. With the bitterness coming from people who want Ms. Clinton to win or Obama to lose, is a clear demonstration why Ms. Clinton's campaign is doomed. Ms. Clinton would have made a great president, and she should have been the president 8 years ago.

As stated above by other people Ms. Clinton's dream of becoming president is almost over. There is a stark difference between Obama's and Clinton's prospects of becoming the Democratic nominee. If Clinton gets 94% of the remaining primaries, she will need to get 47% of the remaining super delegates to secure the nomination. However, if Obama gets 69% of the remaining primaries, he will need about 3 more super delegates to secure the nomination.

When someone becomes disillusioned they make outlandish claims. The reality of the primary is the Obama is acting more like a seasoned politician that Ms. Clinton. This could be the reason that she is failing. Ms. Clinton's campaign reminds me of someone in a losing condition, who does not realize that they can comeback when they are more prepared.

I would have preferred for Obama to have waited, but he appears more and more ready for the chance to prove to American that he should be considered as the Democratic nominee for president.

[Anthony]

People Power. Ms. Clinton was the person that had the lead at the beginning of the democratic nomination. It was Ms. Clinton who was the favoured to win the nomination. She promised change. With the bitterness coming from people who want Ms. Clinton to win or Obama to lose, is a clear demonstration why Ms. Clinton's campaign is doomed. Ms. Clinton would have made a great president, and she should have been the president 8 years ago.

As stated above by other people Ms. Clinton's dream of becoming president is almost over. There is a stark difference between Obama's and Clinton's prospects of becoming the Democratic nominee. If Clinton gets 94% of the remaining primaries, she will need to get 47% of the remaining super delegates to secure the nomination. However, if Obama gets 69% of the remaining primaries, he will need about 3 more super delegates to secure the nomination.

When someone becomes disillusioned they make outlandish claims. The reality of the primary is the Obama is acting more like a seasoned politician that Ms. Clinton. This could be the reason that she is failing. Ms. Clinton's campaign reminds me of someone in a losing condition, who does not realize that they can comeback when they are more prepared.

I would have preferred for Obama to have waited, but he appears more and more ready for the chance to prove to American that he should be considered as the Democratic nominee for president.

[Lewis]

What happened to Red and Blue States and the electoral votes they represent?Hillary leads in states most likely to go Democrat, Counting electoral votes represented by these states, she leads 151 to 84 if you bother to count!

[Stan45]

Posted by: Denmark Vesey
SOLUTION

Hillary can be President of West Virginia.

---------------------------------------

LOL

[SALI]

THIS NOMINATION IS GOING TO THE CONVENTION.

CLINTON WILL NOT BOW OUT.

NOMINEE WILL BE SELECTED IN AUGUST.

[Realitychecker]

This "thing" was over a long time ago. The show is over, the fat lady has sung her last encore and left the building with Elvis. The only people who don't know this are Hillary and her increasingly delusional supporters who seem to believe that if they keep denying the truth, it willl somehow magically morph into what they want it to be.

WVa was an empty and completely meaningless victory that tells us nothing we didn't already know about Obama's weakness and did nothing to advance Hillary's campaign. Obama knew the Edwards endorsement was coming so he let her have her moment under the sun then promptly blew her off the front page just in time for dinner the next day. This morning, I bet few people even remember that she won WVa..

It is time for her to step aside while she still has some kind of political future. All she is doing at this point is damaging the party and her own chances in the future. She has no good argument to continue; "vote for me be because I'm white" is no longer an argument that will get you far these days.

If Hillary was truly "more electable" she wouldn't be losing by every measure. Even if they try to move the goal post with Mi and FL she will still be behind in every category; the math is irrefutable. At this point, she can either depart with some dignity and move to unify the party, or she can keep trying to steal the nomination with politcial trickery and be crushed under wheels of the bus that is driving Obama to the nomination.

[puciret]

All of you Obama supporters just remember who you are. After the coming election and if by some miracle this joke is elected President don't start complaining about his prolonged stay in Iraq or his plans for the invasion of Iran. This man is a deceitful purveyor of untruths and his background as a racist only serves to emphasize this.

[VT]

Barack Obama had the backing of all the stalwarts campaigning for him including the kennedy Clan, Kerry and still they cannot win against Clinton in the swing states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and also he outspent her 3 to 1 in advertising. This shows how weak he is as a candiate come this fall. He talks about judgement all the time where was his judgement when he chose to attend Rev. Wrights Church for 20 years or when he chose to accept donation from Resko.
I will vote for Mcain instead of him

[Felicity]

If the Demcratic nomination goes to Obama and Hillary decides to run as an Independent, she would WIN in a three-way. An independent and a woman winning the presidency and fracturing this tired old two-party system? Now that's change and it IS possible!

[White makes Right]

Hillary will never surrender! WHITE POWER!!!