Carter, Gore to Escort Hillary Clinton from Race?

by: tremayne

Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 23:22


From the Scotsman via Poblano comes the news that Jimmy Carter and Al Gore are communicating with each other about pressuring Hillary Clinton out of the presidential race. I don't know much about the publication but, as Poblano points out, they did have the story about Samantha Power calling Clinton a "monster." According to the story, Carter and Gore are concerned about the negative effects the ongoing campaign will have on the Dems chances in November.

Not having McCain squarely in the crosshairs is a downside to the continuing campaign but there are upsides, such as the recent improvement Obama and Clinton are seeing in polling versus McCain in PA.

tremayne :: Carter, Gore to Escort Hillary Clinton from Race?

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Carter, Gore to Escort Hillary Clinton from Race? | 44 comments
A few days too late, IMO.... (4.00 / 1)
...This "bittergate" story wouldn't even be a story if Hillary wasn't pouncing on the, "Let's bash the Democratic party (except me) express."  

Republicans would have whined about it, but without Hillary fueling the story, it would have just been the typical Republican "outrage" of the week and been just white noise in the press...

REID: Voting against us was never part of our arrangement!
SPECTER: I am altering the deal! Pray I don't alter it any further!
REID: This deal keeps getting worse all the time!

I disagree (1.00 / 4)
This bitter comment has, for the first time, made me believe that HRC is more electable than Obama.  He won't be able to get out from under this one.  We're in for four years of President McCain.
[ Parent ]
HP (0.00 / 0)

In the words of Donald Rumsfeld, Henny Penny.
[ Parent ]
He'll be fine... (4.00 / 7)
...this is much tamer than the Wright thing, and he handled that... The fact is, people ARE bitter and angry... A "gaffe" that's the truth doesn't hurt as much as one that is a lie.

Besides, she's overplaying her hand big time on this one...  She's already making  fool of herself with her recent "hunting" story....

REID: Voting against us was never part of our arrangement!
SPECTER: I am altering the deal! Pray I don't alter it any further!
REID: This deal keeps getting worse all the time!

[ Parent ]
Hillary hunting :D (0.00 / 0)
She better watch out or the only thing she will 'bag' is her foot.
[ Parent ]
Annoying user histories... (4.00 / 1)
Reveals that you've been a Hillary supporter all along... but shhh... not everyone knows that, so please, go on.
[ Parent ]
And that's why dems have been losing for so long (4.00 / 8)
Someone says something true.  The press jumps on him/her because it didn't have the watered down, poll tested, meaningless qualifications and caveats.  All Dems cower in the corner afraid to be branded as something other then a "regular Joe".

Sorry.  Things they are a changin.  Barack stepped up and reiterated his underlying point (which is true). He didn't curl up in a ball and say he didn't mean it.

[ Parent ]
Exactly. (0.00 / 0)
Look what happened to Jackie Speier when she went to Congress, elected from a very wealthy San Mateo County district, and told Congress that the number one thing her constituents wanted was to see an end to the war.  The GOPers booed and Darrell Issa walked out.  They can't handle the truth.  They all just want to recycle the same CW so they can all feel really clever and never have to confront waht they did.  

Obama was right to run  before he had spent too much time in DC.  He is clearly more authentic than the millionaire corporate lawyer Hillary and her fading husband.

John McCain--He's not who you think he is.

[ Parent ]
I am not a supporter of either. I want to beat the GOP (0.00 / 0)
And yeah, like above poster. I am skeptical of your claim. All these "I've seen the light" commentaries by random people are always suspect to me. What light did you see by one comment? I really don't believe you.  
[ Parent ]
I agree to disagree (4.00 / 4)
Obama will come out of this fine and stronger than ever. By contrast, Hillary is overplaying her hand by becoming a Republican candidate, calling Obama an elitist, and then by trying to cast herself as a beer swillin', gun totin' non-elitist. She is only proving herself to be an even bigger lying phoney than any of us could have possibly imagined at the beginning of her sorry, pathetic, disgusting campaign.

Slacking toward the apocalypse
[ Parent ]
The Attack Machine is showing signs of wear (0.00 / 0)
About 7 of 8 voters live in urban environs, so for starters, any insult to small town voters only has a potential impact in swing states where the specific hot buttons Obama touched are common issues.

And many of those smalltown voters have been Reagan Dems for decades already. My review of the potential swing states where some impact may come yields: PA, OH, MO, AR, VA, NC, TN and in the past two very tight elections, only PA went to the Dems.

So I think the potential damage may be overstated. And with his combination of apolgy plus repetition of his central point, we may yet see that voters recognize what he was addressing without getting sidetracked by the sidespin.

In fact, I think that's precisely what Obama's onto: he recognizes voters are angry enough to not get fooled by the MSM sycophancy with everything so FUBAR. As I predicted Clinton would win PA by 6%, it's now up to PA voters to demonstrate if there was a distressing impact. If she wins by 10% or more, there likely was. Otherwise, I don't think his electability will be at issue. Because recession + Iraq makes a huge hurdle for McCain to surpass.

[ Parent ]
Ridiculous (0.00 / 0)
This comment made you think HRC is more electable?  How impressionable.  This gaffe is small potatoes next to McCain's economic and foreign policy misstatements ("I don't know much about economics," "What housing crisis?" and confusing Sunni and Shia, al Qaeda and Iran).

This story is being fueled by Hillary Clinton.  It will backfire.  All Obama has to do is pound her for her corporate board representation of Wal-Mart, her bankruptcy bill vote, her support of NAFTA, and her $109m.  Contrast that with Obama's career as a community organizer, civil rights lawyer, and the length of time it took Obama to pay back his student loans.

This is the pot calling the kettle black.  I hope the Obama campaign comes out swinging on this one.

[ Parent ]
Don't fool yourself (4.00 / 1)
Hillary didn't make up this story.  Crikey, the dude said people in small towns cling to their religion because they're bitter, and not only that, he said it at a toney fund-raiser at a billionaire's house in San Francisco.  If he stuck his foot in his mouth any farther he'd eat himself whole.
[ Parent ]
anytime would be fine (4.00 / 1)
This needs to get done, but i think if it happens it needs to happen after an Obama win.  If he doesnt win PA, maybe right after NC.
I'd rather have it this week (0.00 / 0)
It would snuff out the whole "bitter" faux-scandal.
[ Parent ]
Money will dry up if no blowout in PA (0.00 / 0)
If Hillary wins PA by 6% or less, it is over for her, and  NC/IN will ratify the inevitable.  I'm for waiting until they vote but that's it.  Most Oregon voters will have voted by then.  Since this is the first year in decades when voting in April or May has counted, it's really no big deal.

John McCain--He's not who you think he is.
[ Parent ]
What pisses me off (4.00 / 3)
...is how much money from Democrats is being put to work in attacking and damaging the future Democratic nominee. This has got to stop. The Hillary campaign issued the exact same statements as that of McCain, but with the power of media spin and a budget that McCain doesn't have.
Budget? (0.00 / 0)
How much of a budget does it take for either Clinton or McCain  to issue a statement to the press when the press is traveling with them every step of the campaign? The answer is none.

If you are going to slam Clinton at least do it with some credibility.

[ Parent ]
One press statement? (0.00 / 0)
Are you pretending to think that all Clinton and McCain have done is to issue a press statement? They have teams of "professionals" at work and are using all their connections and resources to push this story. It's not just about this story, Clinton is spending her millions on convincing people that Obama is not qualified to be president and that they should vote against him. You really think they will forget all that and turn around when she endorses him as the nominee?
[ Parent ]
Well they have issued many press statements (0.00 / 0)
just has Obama has against Clinton on too many occasions to count over the last year. As for staff are you saying Obama doesn't have the same numbers as Clinton does and that they are not as aggressive? I hope not.

It's amazing how people keep pretending Obama is so pure when in fact you know he has done the same to Clinton (and Edwards) as they have done to him. And pretending that gives your posts no credibility at all. This is politics after all and they are all politicians including Obama the Progressives non-progressive and he plays the same game as the rest of them. Admit it.

[ Parent ]
Off topic (0.00 / 0)
Your reply had no relevance to my post. I repeat my statement, Hillary is using Democrats' money and resources to attack the Democratic nominee and that's our fault (collectively). Anyone who can count knows that she won't be the nominee and that is the key point. It's not about her politics or lies, it's about the fact that the race is over and enough people have voted for the nominee to have been decided, she is now just hurting his general election chances by teaming up with McCain and providing him with money and resources he does not have.
[ Parent ]
It isn't over. (0.00 / 0)
Obama does not have enough total delegates to claim 51%. Nor will he. Anyone who can count knows that.

Of course he was elitist enough to say this race has gone too far just like you are suggesting. That is until he was told that in doing so he was shitting all over the voters who haven't voted yet so he backed off yet again from one of his misplaced and ill thought out statements.

The fact is that Clinton can win enough Supers to get the nomination, not to mention the dedicated delegates who are also free to switch who they vote for. You just want to stop democracy. You want to stop it so your guy wins. Sorry that is not democracy.

As for spending money to attack another Dem certainly Obama has done just that himself from day one in this race. He has repeatedly attacked Clinton (and Edwards). Unbeknown to you apparently that is what happens in political races.

Besides I'm certain there are many small town people out there who did take offense to Obama's words saying that the reason they 'cling' to their religion and like outdoor sports activities is only because they are bitter at the economy. Yeah right! Religion only came along because of the economy. And deer season never existed until the economy soured. When a person says such a dumb ass thing their opponent is supposed to ignore it? I don't think so.

[ Parent ]
LOLs (0.00 / 0)
"Clinton can win enough Supers... not to mention the dedicated delegates who are also free to switch... You just want to stop democracy."

So your working definition for a democracy is one in which, after millions of voters have cast their ballots, party elites come together and make their own independent decisions?  Man, you sure have convinced me.  I HAD been thinking that superdelegates would be ill-advised to overturn the results of the pledged delegate and popular vote winner because it would fracture the party, play out terribly in the press, and snatch general election defeat from the jaws of victory.  I think a lot of us HAD been thinking that.  But your working definition of democracy in action has just given me so much to think about.

[ Parent ]
The Rules Are the Rules (0.00 / 0)
and those are the rules that are used.

Should things have been flipped you Obama people would be all for the rules as they are because it would benefit you. It's not rocket science. You would be for whatever benefited you. For you the rules suck if they don't benefit you and the rules would be the rules if they did. No surprise, no mystery.

Just admit that the above is the truth. Should Kennedy and Kerry vote for Obama you won't complain even though they go against what you say. See what I mean by the above?

[ Parent ]
I really didn't plan on continuing the back and forth (0.00 / 0)
Because some people have already made up their minds about things and little things like facts won't dissuade them. The poster's definition of democracy and my attempts to stop them was so hilarious that I did not even know how to respond. I guess the media too routinely defies democracy when they call elections for one side when only 50 or 60% of the vote has been counted, as do the losing candidates when they call the winner and concede.

My original argument still stands, Obama will be the nominee. What I had not mentioned before is that if HRC is nominated by superdelegates, which IMO has a 5% chance of happening, it is utterly and completely impossible for her to win the presidency. It will not be a matter of not getting your preferred candidate and not liking the other option, as is the case with HRC supporters who say they will vote for McCain or Obama supporters who have suggested as such in the past... it will be a matter of recognizing the nominee as legitimate and sticking with the party. I've contributed around $3000 to Democratic candidates this cycle and I can assure you that I will be done and over with the Democratic party as a whole if this were to happen. I would concede that we have lost the party and would not think it worth fighting to save it.

[ Parent ]
Skeptical on the story... (4.00 / 3)
The Scotsman may have gotten the Samantha Power story right, but only because she delivered the quote right to their reporter.  Whether they have the ability to dig up facts that aren't handed to them on a silver platter by the person in question is yet to be determined.
Not to argue against your broader point (0.00 / 0)
That is, I don't know anything about the Scotsman and how reliable or reputable they are... however, there must surely be more to them than their Samantha Power quote. Because you and I only know them from that one story doesn't mean that's the only story they've ever published or we can judge them from... just saying, I'm sure there are more reliable indicators out there!  
[ Parent ]
The fact that I very much want this to be true forces me (4.00 / 1)
to manually switch on my skeptical alarm bells.

I'll believe this when I see it.  

[ Parent ]
First in the foreign press? (0.00 / 0)
I can`t speak to the reputation of the Scotsman specifically, but whenever an explosive political story like this one breaks in the foreign press before it does in the American press (particularly if it breaks in the hyper-competitive UK media market), red flags go up for me. I highly doubt that this story was based on unimpeachable sources.  
[ Parent ]
Bitter schmitter.. (4.00 / 5)
5 different MSM analysts on 3 different stations laughed Hillary off on her making something out of this "bitter" comment Friday night.  Now all of a sudden it's a story.  The so-called journalists who are really infotainment jockies have one thing in mind.  Drawing this out as long as they can so they can keep the cash coming in.

And excuse my French, but who the Hell cares if he said it in San Francisco?  Because gays live there and it was the center of flower power in the '60's?  Give me a break.  If we're that afraid as a party or as progressives we may as well fold our tent now.  

Hillary attacking like the Repubs? (4.00 / 4)
who would have imagined?

Here is Hillary at the debate not raising her hand when asked if anyone owned a gun as an adult....OH but now she hunted ducks and drinks Crown Royal...LMAO.....Is Rove really advising her campaign!

http://www.docstrangelove.com/...

Hillary is going out of her way (4.00 / 3)
To show Pennsylvanians that she is not an elitist. How totally absurd. Jimmy. Al. Please escort the clown from center ring. She is embarrassing herself.

Slacking toward the apocalypse
[ Parent ]
Shades of Kerry (4.00 / 1)
This looks as ridiculous as that Kerry quail hunt did 4 years ago.  Be yourself.  People know frauds when they see one.  Hillary is one of the biggest opportunists in the party.
[ Parent ]
A humanitarian deed (4.00 / 1)
This would be but an extension of all the good humanitarian work Carter and Gore have done in their private careers.

Slacking toward the apocalypse
True (4.00 / 2)
Obama's statement was true, when people are stressed about things like job loss and mortgage payments they seek some kind of security. Religion and guns are two ways to fill that need. Obama seems to be the only one that can address these kinds of real issues and the Queen of the bottom feeders hasn't a clue. Perhaps Carter, Gore and hopefull many otheres see what it would be like to have such a man in the white house.  
With all due respect to Gore and Carter... (4.00 / 2)
Why would Hillary Clinton listen to them?  Al Gore failed to use Bill Clinton in the 2000 campaign, and that very possibly cost him the election.  I'd say the Clintons have very little love or respect for Al Gore or his political advice at this point.  And bless Jimmy Carter's heart, but his opinion, at least on political matters, probably means nada also.

I also think that if Hillary Clinton is forced to withdraw before this primary season has played out, her supporters will be extremely angry at the party and at Obama.  That will do more damage to our chances in November than allowing the race to continue.  

Her hardcore supporters (0.00 / 0)
The Taylor Marshites
eriposteites et al, are already planning to vote for McCain, thinking that their "girl" will run again in 2012.....So let them ......I hope Hillary plans on running again on the Connecticut for Lieberman party, because it is obvious she is finished in the Democratic Party, the way some New Yorkers I know are talking, they think she has damaged her chances for reelection to the Senate, by acting like a Republican!
[ Parent ]
FYI (0.00 / 0)
I'm not worried about Taylor Marsh or eriposte (I think they'll come around in the end.)  My concerns are that the Hillary-supporting Democrats who call our local Democratic Party office will desert come November.  And here in Florida, there are more who support Hillary than Obama.

And btw, I've heard the same threats about voting for McCain from Obama supporters.  

[ Parent ]
I live in Florida (0.00 / 0)
Actually Ft Lauderdale, yes there are many Hillary supporters, BUT.......we also have mostly Repub-lite Bush dogs representing us and supporting Hillary.....People like Debbie Wasserman-Bush and her ilk need to be concerned with primary challenges in 2010.......and Bill Nelson will definately get one next time......these Hillary supporters have been the ones knocking Obama, and causing those Hillary supporters to desert to McCain if she loses......Just like when the Clintons sent Lieberman down here to make sure Kerry lost the Jewish vote, these Hillary supporters are being told by the Wasserman-Bush crowd, if Hillary loses Obama wiull lose and Hillary will run in 2012....maybe she will, but on the Connecticut for Lieberman party not the Democratic Party, once that is made clear by the party leaders, let's see if those Hillary supporters will vote for Mccain
[ Parent ]
DWS (0.00 / 0)
Though I disagree with her support of corporate Dems (Lipinski and Winn) over progressive newcomers, and over her Cuba stance, Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a good Democrat.  You can't compare her to Lieberman.  
[ Parent ]
I can compare her to LIEberman (0.00 / 0)
and I DO....she has proven over the last few months she is a Bush Dog!
[ Parent ]
forgot to mention (4.00 / 1)
Her lack of support for the three challengers in South Florida which I think is appalling.

[ Parent ]
Taylor Marsh is the Hannity of the Clinton supporters (0.00 / 0)
She's nothing more than a loudmouth who likes to rip apart Obama at every turn, despite the fact that his policies are incredibly similar to her dear Hillary.  She has more in common with Sean Hannity than any progressive.

There are plenty of Clinton supporters worth reading: Jeralyn Merritt and Paul Krugman come to mind.  I have no doubt both will be on the Obama train once the nomination is secured.  Taylor Marsh?  Let her keep hollering, it's inconsequential.  If she and her followers are going for McCain because of a petty primary feud, they will have lost all credibility among progressives.

[ Parent ]
it wouldn't work (4.00 / 2)
The idea that any party poobah (to use Obama's phrasing) is going to convince Hillary to withdraw is a joke. If Gore and Carter did try to make that argument to her, she would just use that as a new fundraising appeal and stump argument that the party elites are being mean to her again and why won't they let people vote? If the party wants Hillary to withdraw, there are 2 simple ways to accomplish this: defeat her in the remaining primaries and/or get the cowardly undeclared superdelegates to go public with their support for Obama thereby choking off Clinton's one remaining path to the nomination.  
Carter, Gore to Escort Hillary Clinton from Race? | 44 comments
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