Hillary Clinton counting votes, looking forward
Hillary Clinton's campaign just sent this e-mail to supporters, spinning off the results from the Puerto Rico primary. It is missing the sense of urgency that such e-mails had after earlier primary wins -- and losses -- in which the campaign used the fresh results to spur on supporters.
"Another big win! Today in Puerto Rico, the voters spoke with a powerful voice to say that this race is not over yet. And thanks to your support, we're celebrating another great victory.
"When all the votes in Puerto Rico are counted, our popular vote lead will be even bigger. More than 17 million people have cast their ballots for our campaign, more votes than any candidate has received in the history of the Democratic Party. Now there can be no doubt: The people have spoken and you have chosen your candidate. We are winning the popular vote.
"Every time the pundits count us out -- every time they declare the race over -- you, the voters, send a clear message that you have another idea. And you and I just keep winning races together.
"Now there are just two contests left, the final primaries in South Dakota and Montana. I know I can rely on your support for these last two races, just as I have throughout the campaign.
"Thank you so much for everything."
Then it was hand-signed "Hillary" over "Hillary Rodham Clinton," with a button to click for contributions. Click past the jump to see the letter she sent out after winning Kentucky.
-- Scott Martelle
"I owe our 35-point win in Kentucky yesterday to your incredible support. So let me ask you -- do you think we should let the TV talking heads have the final say in this race? Or should we do what we have always done, and fight together for what you and I believe in?
"I have never for one moment forgotten what this race is about -- the millions of people who are looking to you and me for the leadership America needs. It's about getting our economy moving again. It's about bringing the war in Iraq to a responsible end. It's about fulfilling America's energy needs while protecting the planet for our children and grandchildren. It's about making sure that every man, woman, and child in America has healthcare.
"Now we have just three races left, and your help is absolutely critical in these final two weeks. So let's do it. Let's keep fighting and winning together, as we have all along.
"Contribute today and let's keep driving toward victory.
"Let's talk about the state of this race.
"I've won more votes than anyone running for the Democratic nomination in the history of our party. I've won states that will total 308 electoral votes in November -- more than enough to carry the general election. And it is critical that we make certain the more than 2 million voters in Florida and Michigan are heard.
"We can let the media decide this race. We can let the pundits be the ones who determine our party's nominee. Or we can listen to the voters. Yesterday, voters in Kentucky joined you in sending a clear message -- this campaign is far from over.
"Throughout it all, through the ups and downs of this race, you've been there, supporting me every step of the way. Help me send a strong message that this race isn't over yet.
"Contribute now to help us in the final three races.
"I'm so proud of what we accomplished yesterday in Kentucky, and of all the victories we celebrated together. We've worked too hard to stop now. Thank you for your incredible support. I don't have to tell you that I couldn't do this without you.
"Sincerely ..."
Andrew Malcolm's immigrant parents repeatedly stressed the importance of active participation in a democracy. Early lessons included learning the alphabetical list of states by watching televised roll calls of national political conventions. That childhood exposure led to a lifelong fascination with politics, including 40-plus years of covering them and a brief stint practicing them as press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000. A veteran foreign and national correspondent, Malcolm served on the Times Editorial Board and was a Pulitzer finalist in 2004. He is the author of 10 nonfiction books and father of four.
Johanna Neuman is a veteran Washington correspondent for both The Los Angeles Times and USA Today, having covered presidents and politics as far back as Ronald Reagan. A former president of the White House Correspondents Assn., she authored a book on media and foreign policy, “Lights, Camera, Wars.” Most recently she was co-author of the 
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Hillary needs to either take it to the Convention, or declare herself INDEPENDENT.
From the way Obama surrogates and supporters are reacting, you would think the that he leads by a landslide. Most of his supporters are "newbies", and while I congratulate them for wanting to be involved, I have to remind them that this IS politics, after all. And the tide can turn very quickly.
Posted by: BJ | June 01, 2008 at 04:02 PM
BJ: By judging Obama's supporters as "newbies" and stating that Hillary needs to prolong this divisive fight or ensure a McCain win by going independent, you've stated nothing but the fact that you are an idiot.
Posted by: DT | June 01, 2008 at 04:25 PM
You know, I keep seeing all these claims about Hillary has more votes than anyone in the history of presidential campaigns.
I also know that in Kansas, a caucus state, she got her butt kicked to the tune of 71% to 21% with well over a million votes cast in the state.
The same scenario happened in almost all the other caucus states. Trouble is, a lot of those caucus states didn't record vote counts on paper, and therefore never counted towards Obama's vote count total.
Now, the last time I checked, we voters in the caucus states are still proud Americans, and our votes count just as much as those from Ohio, or any other primary state.
So, lets get this straight --- if ALL the votes were counted, Hillary would still be behind by about 150,000 votes. Take it to the bank.
Posted by: CW-in-Wichita | June 01, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Hillary should not drop out of the running, she should take this all the way to the convention. There is too much about Obama that people don't know. For one thing he criticized Bush for his speech before the Gnesset when Bush spoke of appeasers during WWII. He claimed that Bush was speaking of him, and that Bush should never speak of domestic politics on an international level.
Well, somebody should tell Obama that it is also wrong for him to have his HAMAS buddies manning phone banks in Gaza on his behalf. In other words, he is having his MUSLIM buddies call Americans on the phone urging them to support his candidacy. This smacks of taking Domestic
Politics on an international level, the same thing he
criticized Bush for.
RUN HILLARY RUN, DON'T STOP NOW, YOU HAVE COME THIS FAR, DON'T QUIT NOW.
Posted by: Hobo Joe | June 01, 2008 at 04:56 PM
The undeclared Super-Delegates will deliver the death blow shortly after the two remaining primaries this Tuesday. The question remains, will Hillary take her medicine or appeal the DNC decision on the seating of FL and MI?
Hillary has one last chance to concede with grace!
Hillary, the Queen of Spin and a Legend in Her Own Mind!
http://klintons.com
Posted by: Bob | June 01, 2008 at 06:05 PM
To CW in Wichita...Here is the data from the Kansas Caucus..Kansas Democratic Caucus Results
Candidate Votes
Barack Obama 27,172
Hillary Clinton 9,462
John Edwards 53
Dennis Kucinich 35
Bill Richardson 1
Uncommitted 0
Key: * Explainer: What are these votes? | Winner
Precincts: 1% | Updated: 11:09 AM ET | Source: AP
Not quite a million votes as you attest!
Obama can only claim a lead in delegates due to caucuses in which disenfranchisement takes place. When large numbers of voters get to vote in private, and/or get to vote period, Hillary normally wins.
Heck, even in Texas, Hillary won by more than 100,000 votes, but Obama gets to claim more delegates. Surely, even Obama supporters see that as a crock!
Thank goodness for disenfranchisement !!
Posted by: kmb08 | June 01, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Hang in there Hillary, go for VP
Posted by: dale hansen | June 04, 2008 at 06:51 AM