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Today’s Conference Call: The Foxhole, and the Rats Surrounding It

By SusanUnPC on May 28, 2008 at 6:27 PM in DNC, Delegates, Democratic National Convention, Democrats, Electability, Hillary Clinton

MP3 of the entire call.
(With great thanks to V, who always comes through with these audios so all of you can listen in.)

Among the biggest rats on the call: Andrea Mitchell, a rat who always looks emaciated despite her designer finery and who smiles only to bare her large and deadly fangs — and then there’s a defanged, whiney, howling and moaning Kucinich-ite nutsack who somehow sneaked in on the call.

Harold Ickes and Howard Wolfson, and the other campaign officials on the call, were — as always — remarkably professional and did their very best to try to explain why Hillary not only DESERVES the nomination but has — in actuality — WON the nomination. Mssrs. Ickes and Wolfson did so with grace, style, strong arguments, a multitude of facts at the ready. It never ceases to amaze me how civil they remain throughout these calls. (Perhaps the campaign has a soundproof screaming room for them to escape to after these calls.)

MORE INFORMATION TO BE ADDED, but go ahead and listen. MORE NOW:

From the sexist Mark Halperin:

Getty/TIME

DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Member Tina Flournoy, senior adviser Ickes and communications director Wolfson hold morning media call with reporters outlining the logistics of Saturday’s meeting.

Aides stay coy on whether they’ll appeal if the ruling isn’t in their favor, Ickes says “that’s a bridge to cross when we come to that particular stream.”

They also insist they’ll be satisfied only if full delegations are seated.

Comes after DNC lawyers release memo saying the two states must lose at least half of their delegates for moving up their contests.

Plus: Florida Democratic Party sends memo to the DNC outlining the diversity in their delegate selections for the convention. Read PDF here.

  • http://deleted AnninCa

    This is a win-win any way it goes. Obama was offered plans to revote.

    So if the DNC reduces to 50%, he loses. He’s still the illegitimate presumptive nominee who couldn’t win on his own merits. He had to shut down 2 major states to cross the finish line, limping.

    She, on the other hand, is leading in all major polls, has won the states that matter, and did it in spite of no support from the party, the press, and being required to campaign with both hands tied behind her back, essentially.

    Obama has to put out a message to keep his supporters away. Personally, I hope they show up. But then, that’s an evil thought.

  • Donkey Brazziere

    Nice to actually HEAR them making the case.

  • Joel

    Here is an interesting op-ed piece.

    Obama No

    He’s a vacuous opportunist.I’ve never been an Obama supporter. I’ve known him since the very beginning of his political career, which was his campaign for the seat in my state senate district in Chicago. He struck me then as a vacuous opportunist, a good performer with an ear for how to make white liberals like him. I argued at the time that his fundamental political center of gravity, beneath an empty rhetoric of hope and change and new directions, is neoliberal.

    http://www.progressive.org/mag_reed0508

  • llilytoo

    And because he would be the illegitimate nominee, Hillary doesn’t have to work for him and hurt herself with her voters….she said she would work for the illegitimate nominee. That would not be Obambie

  • yttik

    “(Perhaps the campaign has a soundproof screaming room for them to escape to after these calls.)”

    Hey, can I get one of those rooms?

  • Milly

    On time we will get rid of those -rats-, in the meantime…I was thinking and come off base with this my invention, kind of satirical but, just waiting for 8pm.

    It is fiction ok, and just wanted to share some humor from my part to NOWAYOBAMA weird behavior.

    ^^^^^^

    Stay tuned for next gaffes memory lapses?

    OB misuse of the English language as disguise, Yo Hamlet, to connect with the hip-hop culture?

    Fiction situation:

    Sen Oblame in an American Culture Conference speaking in Manhattan, NY.

    Subject: Celebrating American Culture.

    Well Sen Oblame began to speak….

    “In this day that us are celebrating American culture, me is so proud of being born in this great island of Africa, and then moved to that great continent that is Puerto Rico, yes me was recently there dancing in the streets of Hawaii.

    Me, yo…can’t wait to go to America to tell my grandmother about what a great democratic island is Africa, where me will be the next Resident. As a great African, me only feed my dog with arugula, and eh…ah..eh…you know me has a funny name, oh, eh..umm…how expensive are those ‘alcapurria’s symbol of the New York culture, but yeah hot dogs are also a reflection of our American Culture here in Africa. yo know..eh..ah..eh?

    Reporter: Excuse me ehh..senator, pls senator.

    Sen Oblame: Yes sweetie, yes you Chris, hey an applause for my great friend from Fox News Chris Mattews.

    Reporter: Senator right here, damt it, is me, not Chris, and Chris works for MSNBC, you want me to scream, “you are in America, you crazy Magoo Bama”

    Sen Oblame: Why are you screaming at I, ah? Is that a threat? Are you telling I that me is in America to confuse I, so me feel scared to death, me will be shot, oh yo, see, Bill did no heal Hillary as I advised him to do, security. (Oblame screaming in panic)

    And the media will go crazy with all the brilliance poping out from Barry’s mouth Bloopers!

    Got go, is almost time for LS addressing the Nation!

    Roll it!

  • hillarysmygirl

    Since the DNC seems to be such a stickler for the rules all of a sudden, because Obama ran ads in Florida, he should be penalized, right? And since he chose to take his name off the ballot in Michigan, only Hillary should be awarded her delegates, right? And Michigan’s Undecided Delegates can DECIDE at the convention for whom they’re going to vote, right?

    What gives with Ed Rendell? I just heard on Fox News that he doesn’t think the Super Delegates will vote for Hillary and that he doesn’t think she’ll be the nominee. Why is he giving up?

  • katmandu

    http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/polltracker/2008/05/clinton-ahead-by-13-in-puerto.html

    Poll Tracker is now confirming the first poll out of PR.

    Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama by 51 percent to 38 percent with 8 percent saying they’d vote for neither and 3 per cent undecided, according to a poll conducted for the newspaper El Vocero and Univision.

  • http://deleted AnninCa

    He’s pragmatic. That’s all. Unless a major story breaks, I can’t see how they’ll overturn his delegate lead, either.

    I do believe she should just finish out the race and go to the convention without conceding, however.

    He’s a timebomb.

  • LOU-THE TRUTH TELLER

    test

  • hillarysmygirl

    And the great thing about the re-instatement of MI and FL into the game is that now the Obamazoids will have to admit that MI and FL’s popular votes count (even though WE know they always counted because as Hillary says, they have been legally and dutifully recorded)! Although some of the stupider Sweetiezoids have posted on here that if they get a 50% penalty, then only half the popular votes count :D It’s half of the DELEGATES votes, morons!

  • LOU-THE TRUTH TELLER

    blog at cnn

    they have 2 things on hillaryyyyyy

  • http://www.hillaryclinton.com **== President & Commander-in-Chief Hillary Clinton **==

    EXCELLENT conference call! It cuts right through the MSM noise and the Clinton campaign presents FACTS.

  • Denise

    Susan,
    Thank you for the update. You are so right about Andrea Mitchell, by the way.

  • hillarysmygirl

    And the fact is, he’s not going to have the required number of pledged delegates to secure the nomination either. The Obamazoids keep saying, “No candidate in history has lost while being ahead in delegates.” What they fail to say is no candidate in history has won without having the required number of TOTAL delegates. And at this point, neither of them do.

    I agree, let’s see how the Supers vote at the convention. And like Kristen Breitweiser says, we’ll keep an eye on who voted for whom!

  • bart

    Here’s some pertinent commentary on the whole “rat” meme.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch%3fv=dhwOWVNpDx4

    Rats is stupid. . .
    RATBOAT!

  • Tricia

    Andrea is trying to change the subject of her husband that has destroyed the Real Estate market

  • Kinky Ogremann

    Is anyone else having trouble posting comments?

  • Kinky Ogremann

    Please help Hillary!
    For just today – Wednesday – every donation you make will be automatically doubled! Please donate and help Hillary! Just a few more weeks and we can help save our country for the next 10 to 20 years. Please everyone – even I sacrificed lunch to donate to Hillary. I know money’s tight with gas over $4, but think of it as a fast (and lose a few pounds!) to help save our country and the world!

    As Hillary’s site says:
    Over the next four days, we have the opportunity to make history in the Puerto Rico primary — and win the national primary vote by redoubling our efforts. That’s why a group of supporters has agreed to match contributions today from new donors — meaning every dollar you give is worth double. Your $50 gift is worth $100, your $25 gift is worth $50 — even a donation as small as $5 will have twice the impact.

    Site:
    hillaryclinton.com

  • AmyinSC

    HEY!

    Sorry this is O/T, but I just got this from Hillary’s Rapid Responders, and already fired off my letter:

    Action Alert! NEED RESPONDERS’ REBUTTAL

    Mark Halperin and Time Magazine continue with their rampant sexist attitude towards Senator Clinton in this photo:

    http://thepage.time.com/halperins-take-how-the-democratic-nomination-fight-could-go-beyond-next-wednesday/

    If Time Magazine would have displayed a photo with Senator Obama tied up to railroad tracks all fury would have broken loose in the media. But, apparently it is o.k. by Time Magazine’s standards to doctor an image of Senator Clinton with her hands and feet bound.

    The only way to stop this mysognist and harmful messagin is to tell Time Magazine that this is unacceptable to the American people.

    American journalism should mean something more than the degradation of women.

    Write letters to Time at letters@time.com

  • democrat1

    There is an excellent post at TalkLeft by BTD that if DNC strictly implements its rules, Hillary Clinton effectively gains 80-90 delegates. That will be enough to put her on top, I think

    http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/5/28/164638/636

  • Kinky Ogremann
  • Five Thirty

    I think something new has to “happen” otherwise it is just an inexorable march to Obama, just like GWB’s set in stone decision to go into Iraq. I say this because this is the way it feels to me, just like the runup to the war. And like Jangles said, the MSM was cheering them the whole way then too. Remember the press conference March 2003 when Dubya had them march in two by two? Gottenyu!

    I’m not entirely pessimistic though. I feel though that something new has to happen. I certainly wouldn’t count on the DNC doing anything to resolve this fairly – they waited much too long for that.

    I haven’t listened to the conference call yet – I’m not sure my BP can take it. :-)

  • no waffles

    that’s right, just suspend the campaign, don’t end it. And withold her full support until after the convention–

  • http://deleted AnninCa

    She won’t suspend. My guess is that she’ll be campaigning, with a dose of unity message, of course. *wink*

  • no waffles

    that whiney Kucinich reporter from florida on the call sounded just like an obamaphile…arguing, accusing Wolfson of “not liking what he has to say”, I found myself (almost) outloud saying STFU…but they cut the guy off. GAsp and then it was Andrea–she’s ghastly thin even on the phone!

  • Kinky Ogremann

    Wow – thanks for the article! Great stuff and they really should do those things as the Obamabots said – “Rules are rules” right? I love it when you can throw their own disgusting rhetoric back in their faces. The DNC tried to help Obama as much as they could, they even delayed deciding to this long, stripping Hillary of the momentum, and yet Obama still couldn’t win, even with the blatant cheating and media worship. His own disgusting fault. Go Hillary!

    To recapitulate, a strict interpretation of the DNC Rules that follows the reasoning of the DNC Memo circulated today would require the following results:

    A. The stripping of 50% of the delegates of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Michigan.

    B. The full seating of the Florida delegation.

    C. Should the DNC RBC reject the safe harbor provision for Florida, then Florida would have 50% of its delegations stripped, but Barack Obama would be entitled to no delegates from Florida due to his violation of Rule 20c.1.b.

  • Hmm

    How difficult would it be to place Hillary on a independent ticket even if she did not initially support the idea. I don’t want to have to vote for a republican but I feel like if she is out I have two unacceptable choices.

  • JP

    Please send this info to Lou Dobbs. He’ll talk about it on national TV.

  • http://www.hillaryclinton.com **== President & Commander-in-Chief Hillary Clinton **==

    That reporter’s point could have been easily refuted. He was saying it was the property tax thing why people came out to vote. But people did not have to express a preference for a presidential candidate but they did, and in huge numbers for Hillary. It was a huge win for Hillary no matter how you slice it.

    I just finished listening to the entire call and things are looking good for Hillary to make it to August to fight for the nomination.

  • http://Reddragon62.blogspot.com/ RedDragon62

    Rules? What rules. This whole thing smacks of Obamaphilia to me. The DNC will do whatever they have to do to ensure that Hillary Clinton does NOT get a favorable decision this Saturday! All you have to do is listen to Donna ( My Hair) Brazille. believe you me, she sits on that important committee and I suspect she will do ALL she has to do to get this AA candidate elected regardless of who she or the DNC has to trample on. The sad thing about this whole episode is that those that owe the most to the Clinton’s are doing their damnest to destroy them.

    Karma is a MoFo! I truly believe they will get theirs in the end…WE have LONG memories!

  • Milly

    copy***

    Singer Ricky Martin endorses Sen Rodham, ask his fans and people in Puerto Rico to go to the primaries an vote for the senator, article in primerahora.com.

    Have faith, Hillary will win!!! She will be the President. Till now is what I keep feeling and I hardly have gone wrong with my ‘hints’ in the past! She is good, and is playing very well, you will see!

  • sandbun

    “Hillary not only DESERVES the nomination but has — in actuality — WON the nomination.”

    See, it’s statements like this that make it hard to take her and her math seriously. Can we stick to talking about who would be the better candidate, not who “deserves” something, and definitely not make the claim she has somehow WON the nomination, much less in actuality?

  • Milly

    ‘they are testing, just pinging to see everything is fine with your ip’ no worries, try again…must be done, some obamians are hacking pc’s hardrives…in case it happens just click ctrl + del and in windows task manager, start from there…
    in case you have xp or vista…if you have a mac ask susan

    run a scan, check is has not been changed to off the firewall…from remote intruders…

  • alibe4-Hillary

    It is a picture of Hillary tied to the rails, like the “Perils of Pauline”. Is this the new high tech RAPE???
    How about a picture of Obama hung from a tree? Is that appropriate?
    Oh, it’s ok to put Hillary on the tracks but anything goes if its a woman.

  • Deep Truths

    Now THAT’s what I’m talking about!

    Helmets on, the war is joined.

    The letter of the law.

    Rulz is rulz.

  • http://ladyboomernyc.wordpress.com LadyBoomerNYC

    re: Ed Rendell, I was wondering same thing. I saw first shades of his concession in doubting Hillary’s nomination about a week ago, then again tonight, as you did. I found it curious that he wouldn’t take the same strategy as Bill to promote the data that Hillary’s ahead in the popular vote, the latest polls, and based on her wins, will beat McCain in the Electoral College. That info is still a mystery to the vast majority, so why he’s just rolling over? A later commenter replied that he’s being a realist. Perhaps he already knew of the just-released DNC legal position to count 1/2? It just strikes me as odd that he’s not forging toward the finish line along with Hillary and helping her make her case. What gives? Other thoughts?

  • avwrobel

    Ha!! Thanks Milly at 18:48. I laughed out loud, and appeciate the effort. Obambi’s campaign is starting to unravel. I’ll see all you true red-white-blue democrats in D.C. this Saturday. Its supposed to be 90 degrees with possible thunderstorms, so be ready!

  • annagain

    We will see if any of the Democrats manage to locate their spines. If they do< Hillary will have the nomination. If not, we will be reminded in the Fall how the Democratic elite couldn’t choose a winning candidate to save their lives. Anyone remember Dukakis, Mondale, Kerry? And let’s not foreget that lefty darling, George McGovern.

    As a friend once advised me many years ago when I was getting out of a bad relationship, to prevent me from ever making the same mistake again: next time, try to notice the other guy (or in this case, the other gal!!)

  • TeakWoodKite

    not who “deserves” something, and definitely not make the claim she has somehow WON the nomination, much less in actuality?

    For either candidate this true. What ever metric you use, facts are stuborn things. It is not about winning at this point it is about if it will be “jacked”, like some drive by democracy.

  • Deep Truths

    some obamians are hacking pc’s hardrives

    Having trouble accessing Taylor Marsh’s site.

    Obamabots and the 4th Estate – AT&T.

    Alert to Hillary’s campaign, DNC surveys ruse to collect activists/contributors names, source of news: internet. Inquire ASAP.

  • JP

    Milly: Why do you can her Senator Rodham?

  • Deep Truths

    Angling for Obama VP perhaps. Realist or reverse psychology.

  • http://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/ Gloria

    Taylor Marsh was sounding gloomy as well this morning…..quoting a Marc Ambinder post….
    I’m still not really sure what’s up…

  • Deep Truths

    I kinda like it, in fact I LUV it.

    Its no different that the Presumptuous Nominee going GE mode already, sheesh.

    You must be unnerved or something.

  • Deep Truths

    Hillary’s supporters salute you all.

    With you in spirit!

    Wow, I just got a patriotic chill.

  • http://Reddragon62.blogspot.com/ RedDragon62

    JEEBUS! That Scrotum from Florida….Steven Goldstein from the South Florida Sun Sentinal, was a pain in the ass wasn’t he? Is this what journalism is coming to?

    My God I wanted to strangle the F***er! I could just imagine Wolfson and Ickes eyes rolling. And you know that they probably were thinking…”Oh shit, it’s the hack in the Obama sack, Mitchell!

  • Democrats Get it Together

    It’s so sad – haven’t people started to realize that BOTH Hillary supporters and Obama supporters will be needed to defeat McCain – so the up downs and insults don’t help anyone. Let’s start to REALLY think about that!!!

  • Democrats Get it Together

    I happen to be African American woman and I can’t believe your comments. How would you ever except me to be for Hillary with people making comments like this? Let’s remember the end game is to beat McCain and so somehow will we have to come together (not with comments like the ones you wrote here)!!!!

  • ginaswo

    yes if they show up protesting counting the votes
    Flineo can splice them with the goons from FL 2000
    we know thats how they learned the way they roll….

  • Clinton Fan

    I’d like to STRANGLE that prissy little jerk going ON and ON and ON–the “And EYEEEE voh-tid for Kew-CIN-itch” little fucker.

    Jesus, what a fucking jerk!

  • ginaswo

    some people are on the party unity line

    not I said the Hillraiser

    I AM WITH THE LADY IN THE PANTS SUIT ALL THE WAY TO DENVER AND THE WHITE HOUSE

    if she drops I go McCain

  • ginaswo

    I sent in $80.26 thru the website about 2 hours ago and didnt get the email thank you yet so I am hoping it is a good sign and the site is really busy!!!!!

  • Clinton Fan

    I contributed. I ask others to do the same!!

    Go on, now, folks–double your money!!!!!

  • ginaswo

    yes Susan did a post on it when Halperin out it up
    it is a disgrace!

    I just learned Barnes n Noble was selling a Hillary voodoo doll, stick it to her, WTF?? ask us again where the misogyny is…

    And AMZN is selling it and the nutcracker too

    well I will rant to AMZN manyana, I am a shareholder, a Kindle user (400 bucks!) and I told B/N to say goodbye to my 200 a month book habit

    these people need to hear from us..

  • ginaswo

    right on!!!
    BOOYAH!!!

    HILLYEAH!!!

    We are with you in spirit, give them Hill for us!!!

  • Nettie

    My friend and fellow TM member is going to D.C. on a bus that leaves Layfayette, IN this Friday night. She said there is room and wants to know if anyone from IN, OH, or WV would like to help fill the bus. Please email me and I will put you in contact. annavedo at aol dot com.
    Reno Annie

  • Clinton Fan

    Hey, that makes more sense than the bullshit your crew is shopping, that being ahead in the race, courtesy of a load of unrepresentative caucus states, while being unable to compete effectively in battlegrounds, means that you somehow “win.”

    Fuck counting votes–a coronations of a weak, prissy, effete jerk who won’t win the general is so much more fun.

    Ain’t that right, Sweetie?

    See, we “low information” Democrats are “count the votes” types. That matters to us, bitter old gun hugging Jesus freaks that we are.

    Did you take a wrong turn? Or …. something?

  • Linda C.

    Senator Clinton is messing up their script for the protege nominee. That is the problem.They waited until the Republicans were so damaged that a turnip could run and take the white house. Obama is the turnip and the SD’s are going to go with that. They have wanted this bright shiny new party for the past 12 years? Now is the time to put it forward for the general election and Senator Clinton is saying wait a minute. Your candidate is a turnip.

    The SD’s area saying we know he is a turnip, but we are going to vote for him anyway and it will be Senator Clinton’s fault for exposing the turnip and losing the election in November.

  • Linda C.

    I wanted all of you to know that I was going through some old boxes and found my Dukakis Benston button. I thought to myself…Deja vu all over again.

  • http://deleted AnninCa

    No, I think most of us are convinced Obama is the one to be defeated. You’ll not enjoy us here. Back to HuffPo you go.

  • http://deleted AnninCa

    He said she should be VP on the ticket.

    That was the agenda.

    This surprises me, frankly. I wouldn’t have thought she would want that.

  • http://deleted AnninCa

    This is academic thinking, in my opinion. It’s never going to happen that way.

  • AC-n-NC

    Obama is unacceptable, unqualified and a hate monger. Not to mention corrupt.

  • Democrats Get it Together

    Responding to AnninCa and AC-n-NC. You just assumed I’m an Obama supporter and/or read HuffPo – I’m actually undecided and both your comments did not persuade me to vote for Hillary (that is if you are actually trying to help her out)!! I don’t think it’s wise what both Hillary and Obama supporters are doing. I’m thinking about not voting at all. Love to hear you comments on that.

  • Deep Truths

    Many African Americans were FOR Hillary prior to the faux racism argument in SC. The DNC and Donna B. will find out the true math which is = AA voting population range is 9 to 11%, since AA pop.votes 90% Democratic, they play no significant part in victory if they choose to stay home. Hillary proved she can win without 90% of the AA vote, and the win over Independents and Republicans.

    I some cruel turn of circumstances, Obama’s campaign has painted AAs in a corner, while at the same time solidifying centrists, latino, blue collar and Asian voters.

    Hillary in a landslide, McCain in a landslide.

  • sandbun

    See, you appear to be implying that I’m an Obama fan. I am not. In fact, in general I’m sick of both parties and will be voting third party whenever possible. None of the big three represent my views, so I don’t have a horse in this race. But I do like to get both sides to every story, so I come here for my pro-Clinton biased articles to counter all the pro-Obama articles I see almost everywhere else. I’m just pointing out that when you’re behind in both the pledged and superdelegates (yes I know they can change their minds, but for the moment) claiming that in actuality you have won makes it hard to take the Clinton campaign seriously.

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