Even in Sweden, Hillary Clinton loyalists are stirred up

We knew Barack Obama would have trouble winning over Hillary Clinton loyalists in places like Columbus, Ohio, and Morgantown, W.Va. and the middle of Pennsylvania where all those bitter, smalltown gun owners live.

But who thought there would be an issue in Stockholm, Sweden?

The Scandinavia problem surfaced when a Democratic political strategist offered an analysis of his party's vice presidential sweepstakes Thursday night to the Democrats Abroad organization in Stockholm.

Kevin Lampe said he didn't believe Obama would choose Clinton or, for that matter, any other woman as his vice presidential running mate.

Lampe’s reasoning, according to folks who attended the...

...dinner over there, was it would antagonize Clinton and her supporters if Obama passed her over and picked another woman instead. (As if Clinton and her supporters weren't already antagonized by simply losing.)

Those comments caused a good measure of consternation on both sides of the Atlantic, partly because guests over there thought they were getting the word from a full-fledged member of Team Obama. The invitation identified Lampe as a "campaign advisor."

However, in an interview Friday, Lampe denied he was working for the Obama campaign -- a point confirmed by Obama’s press office. And Lampe emphasized that he has no special insight into Obama's thinking.

"I’m playing the guessing game like everyone else," he said.

Still, it would be easy to think that Lampe might have the inside scoop. A picture on Lampe’s business website shows him talking to Michelle and Barack Obama in 2004, just before Obama delivered his heralded speech at the Democratic convention in Boston. In the photo, Obama has his hand on Lampe’s shoulder, which might mean something. Then again maybe he had some lint there.

Lampe, who has an office in Chicago, said he's known Obama since before the Illinois lawyer was elected to the state Senate there in 1996.

Many at the dinner took Lampe's words seriously.

“He said he [Obama] wouldn’t choose Hillary and he wouldn’t choose another woman to be fair," said Sandy Mansson, who lives in Stockholm and heard Lampe’s talk. “I guess she [Clinton] is just not a member of the big boys' club."

Mansson added: "I think it would be very good strategy to have her as his running mate because it would unite the party. I know Hillary supporters who will not vote for Obama, which I think is a shame."

Another audience member said he was disappointed to hear Lampe’s analysis. J. Graigory, a 37-year-old writer living in Stockholm, said it would be “ironic" for Obama to take this view given that the convention will take place during the 88th anniversary of the American women’s right to vote.

“He said if Hillary is not given the VP spot then Barack is not going to offer it to any woman because it would be seen as a slap in the face to Hillary," Graigory said.

For Obama to reject Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius "or anyone else because they’re a woman or because he is trying to keep the Hillary Democrats in the fold is wrong," Graigory added.

Still, the Obama campaign advised against reading anything into what's being said about the selection of a running mate. Bill Burton, an Obama spokesman, said: “The people who know anything about the vice presidential process on our campaign are not talking about it."

-- Peter Nicholas

Comments

[Kate C]

Can they Vote in Sweden? - The LA Times really has to dig deep to dis Obama every day. Are you guys running out of material? Are your coporate overlords whipping a dying horse? I read in Obamanation that Barack doesn't clip his toenails right. I hope the LA Times will fact check that. It's such an important point in the decision making process...

[debbie]

If the writer had even the slightest inkling as to why many people do not like Barack Obama for president, this would be a worthwhile read.

Losing isn't the problem, Barack Obama is the problem. The media has been so far in the tank for him they don't see the forest through the trees.

He is a pretty face with an empty suit and is big trouble for our country.

[mummblemouth]

Grow up, people. Your 18 million votes were heard, but they simply weren't enough, and that is how democracy works. You incessant complaining makes you look extremely immature. That said, I do think that Hillary would make a great VP (and yes, president if she had won), and that it may well be in the works. I think Obama may be allowing the drama to build so that when he gives her the nod he will dominate the news cycle for several weeks. Some evidence for this: Obama stating that he thinks people will be shocked by his choice sometime last month, he hasn't done any campaigning in Ark, and yes, your 18 million votes. I believe that despite his ideals that he is a pragmatist at heart. If he doesn't pick her, c'est la vie. And if McCain wins on your vote, then you're the fool for setting the women's movement back a generation.

[Charle]

Idiots Abroad.
Clinton supporters abroad seem very passionate about here. Rabidly so. I think it's because A: they are earning euros and pounds instead of collapsing dollars B: they easily forget that she voted for the war and to keep it going C: They, like most europeans think Bill Clinton was a godly figure forgetting that his sanctions killed roughly half a million Iraqi children and old people (I did a research paper on it - in other words it's not some Republican propaganda) and that Hillary will just be Bill part 3.

[Stacy Stacy]

There is something to be said for not voting for someone you dislike. I always disliked Edwards even though I agreed with the views he was spewing. But reading a script is not enough. I have to feel that this person can deliver on the rhetoric. Edwards turned out to be an empty shell who thought he could lie to the country and rise to power on sound bites and staged photo ops. So I congratulate my gut for the accurate signals it sent me. I have the same distrust for Obama. My God, the nauseating pampering the press has given him alone is enough to make you want to see him crash and burn. The way he revels in applause reminds me of the Pilsbury dough boy giggling after being sweetly poked in the belly by a huge, approving finger. He's supposed to be some breath of fresh air and his supporters keep emphasizing that with vindictive mysoginist ageist meanness, reminding us all that we are in trouble if we don't quickly sign up for a cult membership. Oh yes, I will enjoy seeing this guy crash and burn. McCain is not perfect, he's a career politician, a mature, tried and tested man familiar with power, no one to get excited about, but a capable person I can trust the country with.

[Charle]

And what was so great with Hillary anyway? She voted for the war (how feminine indeed) voted to increase the size of the military, never looked once into military waste fraud and abuse and then claimed that we would have to raise taxes to pay for minor entitlements.
Look, you're either for the military industrial complex or you are against it and that woman is all for it.
Take it from a veteran, there is more fiscal waste in the military than most civilians could ever dream.
I'd love to see a woman for president. But I mean it - a woman, not a man with a vagina like Hillary.

[Anonymous]

Cut me a break. Sebelius for VP? Her most significant accomplishment is getting elected in a republican state. She has NO policy accomplishments and her understanding of policy--domestic and international is limited (and that's being kind).

[hairy]

It's almost like this pair of bloggers are paid agents of the Republicans--ever desperate to find some smear of Obama, ever looking to cause dissention among those weary to death of Republican rule, in the hopes of dividing and conquering with the rich white man minority that is the Republican party.

Perhaps Frederick and Malcolm are winning nice prizes from the McCain campaign--a new dishwasher, or some frequent flier miles--for their disinformation.

[Robert Travis]

Don't you get it! Obama's people do not like Hillary. and Hillary people don't like Obama.
She might steel that nomination out from under him if he is not careful

[Dan]

Except for the multi-millionaires, the American people can not live another four(04) years with a Republican president. The danger here is since the Obama vs Clinton primaries ended, it is extremely quiet and the excitement is gone. Obama and team should have at least a 25% lead in the polls yet it is 5%. The hand writing is on the wall as so many other comments have indicated. Who is Barack Hussein Obama?? "Hussein". Is he just an empt suit, flashy speeches and having no experience?? I don't know but McCain isn't the answer. We need Hilliary!! The poor people and the middle class people in this country need Hillary.

[American in Sweden]

US citizens all over the world are eligible to vote for President. We are still Americans even if work or war takes us overseas.

I, for one, want Daniel K. Inouye for Vice President. No one has given him any due diligence. He's a brilliant elder statesman, war veteran and a solid representation of someone achieving the American dream. His politics are impecably democratic, and he hails from the oft forgotten in politics State of Hawaii.

OBAMA-INOUYE! (Even sounds like Obama In '08!)

[Gerald]

He may have the convention under control but his foreign policy skills as evidenced by his 3 attempts to get a valid response to the Russian invasion leaves many people more than worried. It also leaves them wondering why newspapers and other media outlets around the country are not asking any hard questions of the junior Senator. It may be fashionable to be an Obama supporter, but trust me, Putin is not swayed in the least by fashion statements.
Obama may proclaim himself to be "The Ones We Have Been Waiting For" but his oratory skills are no match for Russian determination, Iranian missiles, or Hamas suicide bombers. The world is a very dangerous place. Flowery rhetoric from a person who is very well accomplished at reading a speech written by a skilled wordsmith from a teleprompter is not going to be the salvation of this country. We need action. We need Experience. We need judgment. We don't need someone who gets it wrong twice before finally 3 days later gets a suitable response crafted. But most of all, we need a press willing to ask the difficult questions concerning intentions, judgment, experience, and policy. A swooning press corps, and tingly feelings up one's leg do little to comfort people when the phone rings at 3 AM. At least Bill Clinton has the guts to imply that Obama is not qualified to serve as leader of the (For Now) free world. The press is simply not doing their job here. Put aside the rich oratory. That speech was written by a professional speech writer. When Obama talks off the cuff, he often gets it WRONG!
The press should get their head out of the sand and get some answers to the difficult questions that have not been asked yet. http://www.harvybing.com
Hear Obama tell us why we need to "Slash our defense budget"

[jon]

Whether or not the *professed* Democrats that post here, and everywhere, that say they supported Hillary & won't vote for Obama, are real, those people that do vote for McCain (or don't vote) are only voting against themselves.
Between these people, and the GOP partisans that continually vote against their own economic interests, the American electorate is one sorry, ignorant lot, choosing petty emotional issues, over real substance.
For any Pro-Choice woman to vote for McCain, and thereby insuring more Roberts/Alito Justices, that choice borders on insane. But at least they'll feel *relief & vindication,* as Stacy Stacy so aptly stated her choice of Political Suicide.

[garette]

The public is just now discovering that Obama,
silver-tongued orator, is no debater - which explains why his camp did
its best to dodge debate invitations from Mrs. Clinton and Mr. McCain.
Feature Mr. Obama's flubbering on the outbreak of war between Russia and
Georgia. (Obama does poorly unscripted)

Is all this enough to prompt Democratic super-delegates to re-think
Their allegiance to Mr. Obama and hand the nomination to Senator
Clinton? Possibly? Allot of rumbling has been growing in the Democratic
Party since Senator Clinton suspended her run.

Fact: If you count Michigan, Mrs. Clinton won the reported popular
Vote in the Democratic primaries and caucuses, 17.8 million to 17.5
Million, and won many of the hotly contested big battleground states
That the Democrats need to win in November - Pennsylvania, Ohio,
California, New York, New Jersey, Florida. She won Massachusetts even
After Senators Kennedy and Kerry endorsed Mr. Obama.

Take away the delegates Mr. Obama has by virtue of the endorsement of
Senator Edwards, who has newly admitted deceiving the electorate about
The adultery he committed while his wife lay stricken with cancer,
delegate gap is even narrower. Obama doesn't have enough delegates to
win the nomination without the super-delegates, so there wouldn't be
anything terribly exceptional about the super-delegates putting her
rather than him over the top. Especially now that it proven she is the
stronger candidate against the republicans is why they wanted to run
against Obama.

By the time the convention rolls around, Mr. Obama isn't just running
neck and neck with Mr. McCain but could be lagging in addition to the
release of public polls still showing Senator Clinton doing better than
Obama in matchups against Mr. McCain in battleground states two months
after suspending her run has caused great concern Democratic Party
leaders.

Add the new anti-Obama book debuted on the top of the best seller list
proves media failed viewers and they are beginning to really look at
this guy. Showing Obama not fundamentally American in his thinking
and in his values or friends and advisors, second (as anticipated) Obama
makes a big blunder with his choice of a running mate, added to the fact
Rev Wrights book and tour start in Oct (which is already causing
whispers swirling among super delegates) Obama may very well be out...

Bias Cable news pundits dont presume to tell the Democrats whom to
nominate, We have no illusions about the ultra-long-shot of Mrs.
Clinton's chances of actually emerging as the Democratic nominee, even
with poor leadership by Pelosi and Dean, but truth being its not
technically impossible, as
Mr. Obama is no doubt aware.

Voters are watching but not listening to cable pundits any longer, Obama skipped a visit to a military hospital in Germany. He spent this weekend on
vacation in Hawaii. While Senator Clinton spent last week visiting
wounded service members at Fort Drum. Mr. Obama may think the primary
campaign is over, but Mrs. Clinton's die-hard supporters may trump a
last-minute surprise.

The Hon. James David Manning, PhD. The Last 100 Days" ...
www.atlah.org/broadcast/ndnr07-28-08.html

[JoshT]

This lifelong registered Democrat will NEVER vote for Obama and I am not female and I am not white. He is simply unqualified, unlikeable, pretentious, arrogant, and presumptious.

[tt]

Stop the insanity. End user generated content on news sites now.

[Sam]

My guess is that Senator Obama would choose Senator Clinton because of her strengths to unite the party and rebuild the country, otherwise, He could not win the whitehouse over Senator Mc Cain team. American lives in Canada

[anthony]

my vote counts as two this year

[jewels]

Have some pride and integrity. How do you go from backing Hillary to a total unqualified jack ***. The party wants you all to shut up in get in line behind their chosen failure. Obama has done nothing but try to use your votes to get his sorry butt elected.

[cdl]

I am looking forward to the convention. Hillary rides the tide of what our election process should be about. Learn something people. Some of you Obama supporters were screaming that she throw in the towel after Iowa to unite the party. I'm an Independent, and NOT behind Mr. Obama. I may be convinced but, not without Sen. Clinton on the ticket. She ran a tight race and I suspect, may have actually won. In in any case, Obama will have a tough time winning without her in November.

[NObamaDem]

Would you people go back to your political history books and actually read them! Better yet, how about you review the Democratic Party's own rules for nominating Presidential candidates. I have never seen such stupidity within a Democratic electorate in all my life. NEITHER Clinton or Obama have as of this date enough 'pledged' delegates to win the nomination. No one has won, not even the golden boy. They call these convention 'NOMINATING' conventions for a reason. They never have been nor are they supposed to be coronations! We do NOT live in a country ruled over by a tyranical monarchy - we live in the United States of America - a democratic republic - a representative government. Read the Declaration of Independance for crying out loud. Read the US Constitution. I am so sick of you idiots who simply go around shouting 'he won, he won' fair and square. He didn't! This has been a brokered convention, a rigged election from the start people. Just so we could have an affirmative action, empty suit, symbolic black candidate running for the higest office in our land. Jeesh. get a clue will you. Our very principles of democracy upon which this country was founded and on which our brand of government either sinks or fails, is being subverted right before our eyes. Wake up and smell it burning folks! That is what Puma and Just Say No Deal are fighting for - to make sure our democratic principles remain intact. It's got nothing to do with Clinton or Obama at this point. Either join us or fights us. But either way, we're not going anywhere anytime soon no matter how much you continue to denigrate us all as "sore losers" and oh yeah, my personal favorite - 'RACISTS".

[Kithara]

It is no secret anymore that Clinton ran a poor and divisive campaign, and Obama ran a well-organized and inclusive campaign and that's one reason why he won. Clinton's campaign budget consistently ran in the red and now owes millions; Obama's campaign is financially sound. These points should give anyone a good indication of how either would perform as president.

[wolf]

I do hope, that most people can look past their broken pride and vote for someone who will bring prosperity, maintain our rights, and give our children a future.

[Spider]

Obama is flatlining: tied with McCain in Gallup when he should be 15-20 points ahead? Only HILLARY can save the Dems and save America. Wake up superdelegates and nominate HILLARY at the convention!

[Judy]

You offered the anecdotal evidence of 2 people who heard Lampe's speech. You stretched that into the general notion that Swedes support Hillary Clinton for VP. That's quite a leap to make for a journalist.