Could not picking Hillary cost Obama the election?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
I have started writing a weekly column for CNN.com. This week the headline is "The Beverly Hillary-billies come to Denver." (You will be able to read it tomorrow on cnn.com.)
Despite all the rosy assurances from both sides, there are signs of lingering deep bitterness between the Obama and Clinton camps. And it's a division and bitterness you could see coming in South Carolina. And John McCain is using Hillary Clinton like a baseball bat to hit Barack Obama over the head, using her own words from the primaries against him.
The Clintons will have ample opportunity to try to heal the wounds this week at the convention, but I'm beginning to wonder if they're capable. Hillary speaks tomorrow night, former president Bill Clinton on Wednesday night.
Watch: Cafferty: Clinton overlooked?
According to CNN's own poll, 66% of Clinton supporters – these are registered Democrats who wanted Hillary to be the nominee – 66% say they're backing Obama. That's down from 75% in June. At the same time, the number of Clinton Democrats who say they will vote for John McCain has gone up 11% since June.
And this may be the telling number. Only 59% of Hillary's supporters say the selection of Senator Joe Biden as Obama's running mate was an "excellent" or "good" decision. Among all registered Democrats that number jumps to 73%.
Here’s my question to you: Is it possible that not picking Hillary Clinton as a running mate could cost Barack Obama the election?
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Clinton fundraising at convention?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Yet another sign that Hillary Clinton is doing her dead-level best to take title to the Democratic National Convention.
In addition to the laundry list of concessions she has already wrung out of Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton plan to use the convention to raise money to pay off more of her campaign debt from the primaries.
Hillary Clinton has announced she will award one lucky donor a trip to the convention – with her. And in case that's not incentive enough, Bill Clinton sent an e-mail to potential contributors promising a memorable week with his wife.
Watch: Cafferty: Clinton in debt?
"You'll get to see Hillary speak on Tuesday, and Barack Obama – the next president of the United States – on Thursday. And I hear Hillary and you will have a chat – I'll make sure to stop by." Makes you want to borrow against your house.
I mentioned Hillary Clinton's doing her best to take title to the convention? Clinton will have her name placed into nomination and there will be a roll call vote. She gets her own prime-time speaking slot. She will be introduced by her daughter, Chelsea. The video preceding her will be produced by her own production company – the same bunch that did the "Man From Hope," for Bill Clinton. Oh, and he's going to speak too. All this for the loser in the race.
The clock is ticking when it comes to Clinton's debt. According to campaign finance rules, candidates only have 20 days after the convention ends to fund-raise for their personal loans. So if you see Senator Clinton out in front of the convention hall with a cup of pencils, buy one. She needs the money.
Here’s my question to you: Is the Democratic Convention the appropriate place for Hillary Clinton to raise money to pay off her campaign debt?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Has Hillary taken over the convention?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/15/art.clinton.denv.gi.jpg caption="Hillary Clinton will give a prime-time address at the convention. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)"]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Democratic National Convention is shaping into quite some party for Hillary Clinton.
Her name will be placed into nomination. She'll give a prime-time address, introduced by her daughter Chelsea. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will get his own plum speaking slot on a separate night. She will also have her own production team to create the introductory video that precedes her speech – the same people who produced Bill Clinton's biography video "The Man from Hope" in 1992.
And, there's now language in the party's platform that refers to the "18 million cracks in the highest glass ceiling," and suggests that media sexism contributed to Hillary's defeat. All this makes it easy to forget that Hillary Clinton is the loser.
Barack Obama and Clinton say they agreed to put both of their names into nomination after weeks of negotiating. It's meant to help unite the party and head off potential embarrassing problems at the convention from Hillary supporters. You can bet Obama wants a drama-free convention and sees this laundry list of concessions as a way of keeping the peace.
Others suggest this amounts to little more than extortion. One expert says the Clintons have "got Obama hostage and are exacting their ransom" with all of these convention demands. New York Daily News columnist Michael Goodwin writes that "Obama blinked and stands guilty of appeasing Clinton”. He points out by giving in to her, Obama doesn't stand to get any votes he wouldn't have gotten anyway, and that those who refuse to accept him as the legitimate winner probably won't change their minds because he's caved in.
If he can't stand up to Hillary, how's he going to fare against Vladimir Putin?
Here’s my question to you: When it comes to the convention, has Barack Obama let Hillary Clinton take over?
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Placing Hillary’s name in nomination?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Some Hillary Clinton supporters want to make sure that the upcoming Democratic Convention doesn't turn into a "coronation" of Barack Obama.
A humorless organization called "The Denver Group" ran an ad in a Capitol Hill newspaper demanding that Hillary's name be placed in nomination at the convention and demanding that speeches be allowed in support of her nomination. They're just full of demands.
Watch: Cafferty: Clinton in play?
And if they don't get their way they are threatening a revolt. The ad says, "Will Howard Dean and the DNC turn the Democratic Party into the Boston Tea Party?" More demands. They demand a roll call vote on her nomination... presumably after those speeches they are demanding. This despite the fact that she lost and dropped out of the race months ago.
Of course, Clinton herself hasn't ruled out the idea of placing her name in nomination – saying her supporters would experience a "catharsis" if their voices were heard. Another group of Clinton supporters is planning a march in Denver on the same day that she is expected to address the convention.
And there are Clinton delegates who have started collecting signatures to place Clinton's name into nomination.
They say their effort is about respect. Baloney. In their heart of hearts, what they really want is to wrestle the nomination away from Barack Obama. They won't be able to do it, but in the process of trying, they can go a long way toward diminishing the historic nature of Obama's achievement, disrupting the convention, taking the spotlight away from the nominee, and slowing his momentum going into November. Is this what they call party unity?
Here’s my question to you: In order to satisfy Hillary Clinton’s supporters, should her name be placed in nomination at the convention?
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Does Hillary want Obama to win?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Hillary Clinton apparently hasn't gotten the message yet that it's over.
She's now trying to find a way for her delegates to be heard at the Convention, saying it will help unify the party. And, she hasn't ruled out having her name placed into nomination.
Clinton told supporters at a California fund-raiser last week that the party will come out stronger if people feel their voices were heard. She spoke of an "incredible pent up desire" on the part of her supporters, saying people want to feel like it's "a catharsis" and then they'll get behind Barack Obama. It's beginning to sound like group therapy.
Watch: Cafferty: Is Clinton over it?
Under DNC rules, Clinton would have to submit a request to have her name placed in nomination. She says no decisions have been made. But several groups of her supporters are planning marches and demonstrations in Denver, and collecting petition signatures to nominate her.
Time Magazine reports that while in public Clinton is doing everything she's been asked to help Obama, behind the scenes it's a different story. Associates say Clinton is still skeptical that Obama can win. And if he loses, that could set the stage for her to run again in 4 years.
And then there's Bill Clinton who continues to pout. Earlier this week he refused to tell an interviewer if he thought Obama was ready to be president, instead giving some lame excuse that "nobody is ever ready" and that the Constitution sets out qualifications for president.
Needless to say, none of this is helpful to Barack Obama. His campaign and Clinton's put out a joint statement saying that they're working together and the party
Here’s my question to you: Do you think Hillary Clinton wants Barack Obama to win?
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Should Obama consider Clinton for V.P.?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
When it comes to Hillary Clinton – not so fast.
Some Democrats are worried that Barack Obama isn't farther ahead in the polls at this point, especially when you consider the unpopularity of President Bush, the often unfocused campaign being run by John McCain and Obama's successful trip overseas. Suddenly some are wondering whether Obama should reconsider putting Clinton on the ticket.
Watch: Cafferty: Hillary for VP?
CNN Senior Political Analyst David Gergen points out that the major tests for a V.P. pick are whether the person is qualified to be president, and if that person will give you a better chance of winning. Clinton predicted during the primaries that the Republican attack machine would be in full bloom against Obama. One columnist wrote – reacting to some of McCain's recent ads – "The swift boats have sailed," a reference to the Republican smear campaign that destroyed John Kerry's chances. Gergen suggests there's no one better than Hillary and Bill Clinton to fight off such attacks.
Clinton supporter Lanny Davis points to a recent poll that shows Obama holding a 1-point lead over McCain, but when voters were asked to choose between Obama-Clinton versus McCain and Mitt Romney the Democrats' lead then jumps to 9 points. This strongly suggests that even though Clinton might drive away some voters, she has the potential to bring in even more. Davis suggests Obama could not lose with Clinton on the ticket, as she would shore up key voting blocks.
Meanwhile, there are indications from some former Clinton supporters – particularly those in the women's movement – that if Obama picks anyone but Clinton, the divisions from the primary season just might not heal. They are adamant that Obama can't assume Clinton's supporters will back him regardless of whom he picks as V.P.
Here’s my question to you: Should Barack Obama be seriously considering Hillary Clinton for V.P.?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Why do some Clinton supporters want to derail Obama?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
PUMA is an acronym that stands for "Party Unity My A–." It's the rallying cry for a group of disenchanted Democrats – "PUMAs."
Many are supporters of Hillary Clinton who just can't quite get over the fact that she lost and Barack Obama won.
A humorless group, they accuse the party of rigging the primaries to favor Obama, saying that the DNC unfairly punished Michigan and Florida. Others say Obama isn't qualified enough to be the party's nominee or competent enough to lead the country. But he won, so a majority of Democrats obviously think he is.
Now Clinton called on her supporters to vote for Obama after losing the nomination in June. She is not supporting these PUMAs, and she says the stakes are so high that anyone who voted for her has more in common with Obama than John McCain.
But the PUMAs aren't listening. The head of the group estimates there are 250 PUMA-related web sites and 2.5 million supporters online. They are supposed to hold a conference next month in Washington to plan for the Democratic Convention in Denver in August.
They want Hillary Clinton's name placed in nomination so delegates get a chance to vote. In the "cut off your nose to spite your face" category, we find a bunch of these people who insist that if they aren't successful at the convention – they'll vote for McCain instead of Obama in November.
A recent poll showed more than 4 in 10 Democrats still prefer Clinton as the party's nominee. But, Obama leads McCain in general election polls. And it's likely that as Clinton continues to show her support for Obama, more of her backers will decide to vote for him.
Here’s my question to you: Why do some Hillary Clinton supporters want to derail Barack Obama’s nomination?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
How much should Obama help Clinton with debt?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton may be campaigning and fund-raising together these days. But behind the scenes, there are some nasty wounds that are a long way from being healed.
The New York Times reports that many Obama donors are not too eager to help Clinton pay off her estimated $23 million in campaign debt. Some are saying things like "Not a penny for that woman. Or her husband. Or – god forbid – Mark Penn."
Obama has asked his top donors to help Clinton retire her debt, but Clinton officials say so far they've come up with less than $100,000, which one adviser describes as a "paltry sum."
Obama's donors say they think Clinton racked up most of this debt after it was mathematically impossible for her to win the nomination, and she simply spent additional money doing damage to Obama. His campaign also says it's unclear how much money from Obama supporters will satisfy the Clinton camp.
Meanwhile, Clinton's people think Obama has been half-hearted in his fund-raising efforts on her behalf and should do more to include Hillary's people in his campaign. Some are also complaining that Obama has not asked his 1.5 million small donors to contribute to Clinton.
It's a delicate dance for Barack Obama. If he's seen as unhelpful, then Hillary and Bill Clinton and their supporters might not be so eager to jump aboard his campaign.
Here’s my question to you: How much money should Barack Obama be expected to raise to retire Hillary Clinton's debt?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
How united are Obama and Clinton?
Click the Play Button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Today's rally with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Unity, New Hampshire, was the latest in a series of staged events designed to show that all is forgiven between two former rivals for the Democratic nomination. Like a children's fairy tale... if it doesn't have a happy ending, it won't sell.
Yesterday, Clinton praised Obama in front of two major interest groups that had supported her in the primaries. And the two Democrats appeared before a group of Clinton's top donors last night. Clinton told supporters that Democrats "are a family" and Obama hailed Clinton and her backers, for their passion. Both Obama and his wife Michelle gave the maximum $2,300 to help Clinton retire her debt.
But how close-knit is this family really? The fact is each is forced to rely on the other as the general election ramps up. Obama needs Clinton to help convince her supporters to vote for him in November. And Clinton needs help in paying down her campaign debt, plus she wants to know that she'll be treated as a top surrogate throughout the campaign and at the convention.
Fine, but there are sticking points. Aides describe the relationship as one that's "slowly thawing" with a lot of unanswered questions. As we told you in the Cafferty File yesterday – they're reportedly using a high-powered Washington attorney to negotiate some of these issues.
And then there's Bill. The former president and Obama have not spoken since Obama wrapped up the nomination. Wouldn't you think the last sitting Democratic president might want to talk to the party's presumptive nominee? There may be less here than meets the eye.
Here’s my question to you: How united do you think Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton really are?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Hillary Clinton's role at the convention?
Sen. Clinton will introduce some of her top donors to Sen. Obama on Thursday night in Washington, and on Friday the two of them will appear together at a rally in Unity, N.H. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
After a rough and tumble primary season, the Democrats are now hard at work trying to heal the wounds.
The New York Times reports that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are working their way through a stack of complicated issues with the help of one of Washington's top lawyers - sort of like a couple in a troubled marriage going through counseling.
On the table are topics like how to repay Clinton's campaign debt and what her role should be at the Democratic convention. Aides say no one has raised the issues yet of a potential V.P. slot for Hillary, or what to do about Bill Clinton.
When it comes to Clinton's debt – which is estimated at more than $22 million, including $10 million of her own money – Obama has asked his big-dollar fund-raisers to help her out. However, he says he's not going to e-mail his small-dollar donors to pitch in since "their budgets are tighter." Some Clinton backers are disappointed that Obama hasn't made the symbolic move of writing Clinton a check for $2,300, the maximum allowed. Others think Obama hasn't made much of an effort to hire Clinton staffers.
As for the convention, the two sides are negotiating which night Clinton should make a prime-time speech and if her name should be symbolically put into nomination. The talks have been described as complicated, but not hostile.
Meanwhile, Clinton and Obama will have a joint meeting with some of her top donors tonight in Washington and tomorrow the two will appear together at a rally in Unity, New Hampshire.
Here’s my question to you: What should Hillary Clinton's role be at the Democratic convention?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
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