Barack Obama plans a little political theater in St. Paul

Barack Obama has cautiously avoided saying anything that might give someone the idea that he wishes Hillary Clinton would just pack it up and go back to the Senate.  But he came close in Thornton, Colo., the other day at the Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts, just north of Denver.

At the end of a town hall meeting on education issues, Obama told the cheering crowd: "All right, everybody, thank you very much. I'll see back in August!"  That can be interpreted different ways -- a candidate waxing hopefully, a reference to him being a superdelegate and thus in a chair at the Democratic National Convention, or just meaningless pablum from the stump (now that would be a first for a political candidate).

But the plans he's making for Tuesday night are hard to interpret in any way other than as an act of confidence, with a dollop of provocation.  Obama plans to celebrate the end of the five-month Democratic presidential nominating calendar not in Denver, or his home city of Chicago, or straddling the Montana-South Dakota border.

No, he'll be spending Tuesday evening in St. Paul, Minn.  And that just happens to be where the Republican National Convention will be held in three months.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Say What?]

What the hell is Scott Martelle talking about? From Obama's comment you could coclude that he hopes maybe even that he expects to win the nomination. Scott Martelle is the only person to derive a near slip of the tongue exposing a differing desire than what was expressed.
Are you purposely attemting to interject false interpretations for your own reasons?

[yael]

This is not the first time Obama has made plans to announce he has won the nomination. Yet he still won't be able to close the deal. He will not have won enough pledged delegates, although he will have about 3% more than Clinton. But she will have more popular vote. So it will come down to the SuperDelegates. Let's hope they get it right. Somehow, what I've seen of their recent backroom deals, I am worried they might not.

[Matt]

I agree. This is a rediculous article with a greater percentage of content coming from the authors mind than from reality.

[Jan E]

Yeah Give'm hell Barak!!

[DoTheMath]

Thanks. I saw the St. Paul event on a campaign schedule and wondered, "What the . . . ?" Now it makes sense.

Whatever else Obama's opponents may say about him, they'll have to admit he has run an effective, successful campaign. Wouldn't it be great if we could get someone to run our country that well?

Obama 'O8!

[Joe Bento]

LIAR LIAR PANTS SUIT ON FIRE. YOU HAVE NOT WON THE POPULAR VOTE BY ANY MEASURE AND TELLING THE PUERTO RICANS AND ANYONE ELSE THIS LIE OVER AND OVER DOES NOT MEAN IT IS TRUE. TIME TO LET THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM AND TAKE THE BATTLE TO JOHN MC CAIN WITH BARACK OBAMA ON POINT.

[BJ]

THEATRICS AND RHETORIC!!!

That seems to be all that Obama can offer.

He better not be so presumptious, unless he does not mind being embarrassed. BUT then again... he's getting pretty used to embarrassment, isn't he? Embarassed by his associations, by his political hardball tactics, by his wife, and by his church. He may not win the nomination, because there are more revelations coming.

NOW that Dean has admonished the press for "sexism" against Hillary, they finally admit this is true! BUT all this time, they called us "DELUSIONAL".

COLLUSION between the press, media, Obama and the DNC! It is a proven fact now!

[Monica]

Barack has run the most organized, effective and honest campaign in history as far as I'm concerned. He played by the rules from beginning to end without resorting to dirty politics like the Clinton's did.

Her popular vote claim is so bogus, I wish he can come out and slam her on that front, but as usual he is too respectful. Maybe one of his surrogates can shoot back and say "Hillary Clinton's account of the popular vote reflects her camp's delusional calculations from the beginning of her campaign. We find it shameful and regrettable that they must resort to repeated falsehoods. She is the biggest name in politics today, she should be able to stand on her own merits without lying through her clenched, venomously jealous teeth."

[joseph marcucilli]

He has the delagates wrapped up, he only needs 20 supers.

[raj]

Funny how so many people are willing to write off Obama because of the acts of his 'colleagues', while Clinton and McCain have been grievously involved in a number of morally decrepit and criminal scandals which are overlooked. It almost makes me wonder if there is a 'double standard'.

[boni karanja]

she is deceived and come tuesday nite.Everyone will know the nominee.

[Malama Makena]

Even months later the rafters will resound with Obama's words and the cheers of his supporters when Republicans come into the same hall.

[Malama Makena]

Obama is the only candidate who has had a consistent message. He is saying the same things now he said in Iowa (remember after he won Iowa how every other candidate was endlessly parroting "change"?)

And he has run a fantastic campaign. He has raised more money than anyone in history (imagine raising more than the Clintons!) He studied the rules and competed for every delegate in every state, by individual congressional district, even when he knew he couldn't win the state.

I think if he learned anything from this campaign it is not to trust "them" when they say it won't count. He didn't campaign in FL and MI. and wasn't even on the ballot in MI, because "they" said it wouldn't count. And, by God, they just counted FL and MI! Only half, but they counted them. In FL and MI, which voted as early as January, of course the new, young kid on the block is going to lose to the extremely well-known former First Lady.

I think the results would be different if FL and MI voted today. And California, too.

Barack Obama has run a large, far-reaching campaign organization with as much skill as anyone has ever seen. He will make a great President of the United States.

[Mary]

I will absolutely not vote for this man Obama; I distrust him in every way. The Democrats I know (and I know quite a few) are either voting for McCain or staying at home election day. Obama does not know squat about running his country. He spent a lot of time during his youth in foreign countries. I wonder if he's a sleeper.

[Joe]

What does McCain know about running this country, Mary? He wants to do nothing about the economy, health care and the war. The closest he has come to a promise to do anything is that the war might end in 2013, which means that he has PROMISED not to end it in his first term (but he might think about it in his second).

So why support him? Why let him win? Why would you trust McCain when he's become a 4th term for Bush (once you count Bush Sr., who was the first to start the war with Saddam). Do you think they won't continue their plan to change the region by going to war in Iraq? And what will THAT cost us?

I understand you're upset, but why would that drive you to support another unnecessary war, when McCain has all but promised to help cause another one?

[Richard]

It will soon be over. Probably before the end of this week.

And sometime soon thereafter Barack will have a monster rally, maybe in Ohio, or Pennsylvania, or Florida, or even Michigan, and will be joined on the stage by Hillary Clinton, and maybe even Bill. The Clintons will declare that any differences they had with Obama pale
beside the differences they have with McCain. They will declare their full support and urge all their supporters to get out there and make sure we don't have four more years of the disastrous Bush policies.

Candidates of the same party, who have fought hard (and sometimes nasty) against each other always come together when the nominee is picked. In 2000, in South Carolina, Bush claimed McCain had fathered an illegitimate black child! But McCain endorsed him - and this year Bush endorsed McCain.

Few hate each other more than McCain and Romney, but Romney endorsed him (and may even be his running mate.)

History is loaded with such improbable reconciliations - Kennedy-LBJ, Reagan-Bush.

Except for a speech in 2004, Barack was almost unknown. And yet he managed a campaign so skillfully, he was able to raise more money, attract bigger crowds, enlist more volunteers and win more delegates than the most powerful and influential Democratic family in recent
history. And that was without a lick of difference on the issues!

Now the issues will be powerful! Iraq. Iran. Our standing in the world. Health care. The economy. Foreclosures. Gas prices. Climate change. Energy independence. Supreme Court appointees. Roe
v. Wade. Civil Rights. Wiretapping. ...it's endless!

If John McCain is elected, the ensuing right-wing Supreme Court will change America for the rest of our lives, and our children's lives.

It will take a little while for Hillary's supporters to get over
whatever disappointments they have. After all, last year nobody doubted Hillary would be the Democratic nominee. But in time even Terry McAuliffe and Harold Ickes will endorse and support Obama for President.

The alternative is not acceptable.

[Dan]

Mary, you're crazy.

[Francisco Danconia]

Collectivism does not announce itself as such on the way in -- it wraps itself in euphemisms of equality, change, and hope. But we know how it ends. With poverty, despair, isolationism, endless blame of the "privileged", and eventually in involuntary individual submission to the state. An objectitvist history lesson tells us where we are headed with our widespread and enthusiastic shift to the left. There were 50 years of experiments with collectivist forms of government, and none produced the triumph of invididual rights as much the "wrong track" America we are so fortunate to live in. We deserve our upcoming fate, as it is in fact our democractic right to vote to surrender our individual rights to the messianic state run by a "savior", and bear the consequences. And we shall pay, and we shall learn, as others have paid and learned before us.

[NinaK]

Why do so many of you have such hate in your hearts and souls? We look at ourselves as a "loving" nation and it is so very sad to witness the hate and bigotry that seem to have seeped out of the deepest and darkest swamps during this campaign season. These are the same people that flock to Hilliary.....is she so evil that she draws the worst and ugliest sides of people?? It sure appears that way and that's pretty scary.

[wlbill]

No BJ there is a difference between delusional and ignorance. One is not responsible for the other. I say for those of you who want to vote for a McCain, goard head, it will prove my point.

[Guido]

In response to the posting by "Say What?" on June 01 at 2:42 PM:

Are you "attemting" to spell or make a comment? I can only "coclude" that you are practicing your spelling.

In the future do a spell check or consult a dictionary.

[COL. [retd] A. M.Khajawall MD]

Dear American Voters,

Hon. Senator McCain and Obama, besides each having many attributes and characteristics. The critical differences in my professional, political, and personal opinion are as under:

1. Presidential "Temperament and Composer".
2. Little Washington "insider Versus outsider" connectedness.
3. Vision and mission for our nation future rather than past.
4. American policies first USA centric than other countries centric.

In my professional opinion one senator has it and the other does not. We need one for our Greatgrand Nation to address our all these challenges with a fresh, clean and new slate.

God Bless America. its diverse people, and our Greatgrand Nation.

Yours truly,

COL. [retd] A.M.Khajawall
Forensic psychiatrist, Las Vegas NV

[Mary]

This arrogant racist empty shirt really thinks he's going to win in November. The American people are too intelligent to give him the phone to answer in the middle of the night. He's dishonest, his wife is a not proud american, he has friends in high places....Rekzo, Nation of Islam, Castro likes him as does Hamas....must I go on. If the Democrats want a smart, intelligent black man in the White House, my choice would be C. Powell. Now, that's a true American.

[Mary]

Dan, you are probably easily fooled as many young people are fooled. Look at history: the Soviet spy who fooled the British Intelligence Service for years and years; did not Hitler fool the German people (and many others, too, including lots of Americans, i.e. Joe Kennedy, Ford, etc.)

[victoria hampton]

WHERE did Hillary learn to count? Whew, I do not understand WHY she, Bill AND Chelsea are still 'running around' like Chickens with their heads cut off" --- What a circus.

She should have won Puerto Rico --- She, Bill AND Chelsea campaigned there almost daily for the last month.....spreading their lies and telling people what they wanted to hear.

WHAT A CIRCUS! I used to like the Clnton's ---Now, I am completely turned off and appalled at their behavior.

I am ...

White Lady, Over 60 ---I WILL SUPPORT OBAMA !!!!

[mona lisa]

Yael, my dear,

Please do some fact checking. Obama has a significant lead in "pledged" delegates-- those are the ones he earned in each primary and caucus. He also has the lead in popular vote (unless you count Michigan, and you give him zero votes there, or unless you give him the uncommitted votes in Michigan, but refuse to include caucus states in your tabulation...). You can read more at fact check. org or at real clear politics. Time to get used to math again. Obama is just 39 delegates from being the democratic nominee and you can bet your buns that a majority of democrats will be celebrating when it happens. Please, join us!!!!

[zeplin]

I hope Hillary supporters don't hold a grudge against Obama. He has been very kind and supportive of Hillary. It is the press that has been biased.

[themanobama]

oh great Joe Bento... in all your wisdom or evident lack there of, you concluded that it is far more likely that Obama is just part of some DNC and media conspiracy... yeah thats way more likely than the possibility that he's just a good candidate, who personally has only made one mistake on the campaign trail (the "bitter") issue but has had to endure some of the worst scutiny.