CAMPAIGN 2008

Convention Wisdom

A veteran GOP operative on what's ahead in an uncertain race.

By Katie Paul | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Feb 7, 2008 | Updated: 7:00  p.m. ET Feb 7, 2008

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  • Posted By: Radicalgranny @ 02/10/2008 11:40:06 AM

    I as a registered Republican will not be voting this election. McCain is nothing but a Liberal in Republicans clothing., I don't care what he says. As far as I am concerned now the Nation can go down the Socialist path if that is what the people want. Who am I to stand in their way. I am not alone in this feeling.

  • Posted By: eddiebtc @ 02/09/2008 8:33:57 PM

    Like I said earlier, I'm a democrat. I find it hilarious, the way Rush and Hannity are practically conceding the election to the democrats.
    There is one thing I don't get though. They are very fond of invoking the name of their god, Ronald Regan, when dissing McCain. Especially when they talk about his team-up with Ted Kennedy on immigration.
    Wasn't Regan's solution to the problem in the "80's a real amnesty?
    If your ancestors came from anywhere but North America (and there are only a relative few of them left) then who are you to talk? My great grandfather came through Ellis Island in 1899. Thank God Americans weren't as prejudiced against Italians then as they are against Mexicans now.

  • Posted By: eddiebtc @ 02/09/2008 8:21:26 PM

    I'm about as conservative as a democrat gets. When will the candidates talk about the capital gains tax?
    Why is income from investments put classified differently than wages?
    I don't care where it comes from. Whether you get it from investments, wages, or inherit it from your family. Income is income.
    That's the real difference between the Republicans and Democrats.

  • Posted By: MChieco @ 02/09/2008 11:33:39 AM

    The Republicans are pushing Obama and dissing Hillary , because Obama is new , and it will be more difficult for him to curb the greed of Big Oil and the Health Care industry. Hillary will go right for thier throat and they dont like anyone messing with this nice little scam they have going on the American people.

  • Posted By: OBWan @ 02/09/2008 1:14:48 AM

    The "threat from within" is not Muslim, Christian, Jewish, or any other religion. It is fear - fear of the unknown, of idividuals that have experiences other than your own. It is a not fair to characterize a persons patriotism, citizenship, or service based on anything other than their record.

    Should we question those who would lead this nation? Absolutely, yes. It is our duty as free citizens - Citizenship is not easy nor is it free.

  • Posted By: OBWan @ 02/09/2008 12:55:36 AM

    The "threat from within" is not Muslim, Christian, Jewish or any other religion or sect. It is fear - fear of someone that is different, that did not have same experiences as you. It would be a shame to lose our freedoms because of this or to discount someone's patriotism, citizenship, or service because of it.

  • Posted By: Rinnovato @ 02/08/2008 10:29:24 AM

    Florida and Michigan are upsetting situations. OVER a Year ago, the state Democratic Leaders in Florida and Michigan moved their Primaries up from Super Tuesday. As a result, they were penalized because in accordance with the Democratic National Rules, if they moved their Primary up before February 5th, they would be stripped of their Delegate seats. This is something that has been known that will happen over one year. The Party Leaders at the State level sacrificed the delegates in order to have an early say in the election and gain some politicial clout. None of the Candidates, citizens or any other party contested the decision on behalf of the state level party leaders. This was because they believed that Senator Clinton would have locked up the nomination by Super Tuesday. This did not happen. Now, The Democratic National Party has asked the Candidates to removed their name from the Michigan Ballots in accordance with the Rules. All Candidates complied with the request of the DNC but Clinton. She knew by breaking the rules, she would unofficially win the state. The Candidates also signed an agreement confirming their understanding that the Florida delegates would NOT count and they were not able to campaign in Florida. As a result, the election in Florida was NOT a valid election because there was no fair campaign or contest in the State. No Candidates were heard on their positions or policies. Again, Clinton is now pushing to seat delegates from a unfair election because she has failed to obtain the finanical support, delegate count and winning the number of states she had anticipated. RULES are RULES! The time for gaining the seats for Florida and Michigan should have been before they moved forward on an Unauthorized Primary, However, the Clintons have always abated the rules in order to make things swing their way. It is my belief that the Clintons will pull a BUSH and steal the Democratic Nomination from Obama... who is winning the American Vote.

    • Posted By: Daitis @ 02/08/2008 11:28:26 PM

      Rinovato,

      It looks like you did do some homework on the delegates stripping in FL & MI. However, you have to be fair when addressing the issue, and do not get emotional. The first fact is Clinton did not campaign at all in Florida, all she asked the Dem party was to seat delegates in those states at the convention coming in August. You're just so panic to over react. NOW let's say if Obama won the nomination, would he want to upset voters in those states? By stripping the delegate count is fine, but by not allowing the delegates to sit at the convention is to disregard, disfranchise people of those state to come out to express their opinions. Second fact, If you were in Hillary's shoe, would you do the same to come out and say thank to her supporters when they came out voting for her to win with a big margin? My point is use your common sense before you post your message. Be responsible!

  • Posted By: budmeister @ 02/08/2008 8:07:42 PM

    Obama is more electible. He will get the young new voters, the independents, some republicans, and all solid democrats the would have voted for Clinton. Clinton can only count on the the solid democrats. Obama will also bring new voters to the polls that will vote straight democrat ticketsm increasing the chances of electing more democrat congress people.

  • Posted By: WakeUp08 @ 02/08/2008 8:03:39 PM

    Obama is Not a Mulsim??? Better look up his background. Just hope he's not a sealth Muslim tricking USA

  • Posted By: WakeUp08 @ 02/08/2008 8:02:02 PM

    Wake up USA anddd look at Obamas Church United Trinty that he belongs too; it's a Black Progressive Movement and don't forget Obama's father reaise him as Muslim.

  • Posted By: robsmith12 @ 02/08/2008 7:02:32 PM

    Don't be stupid.....Obama is NOT a Muslim. I cannot imagine the senario of having "Monica's ex-boyfriend back in White House of better yet the Oval Office......What might he be doing now....
    Vote Obama, and send the Clintons back to Arkansaw.

  • Posted By: arklady9 @ 02/08/2008 6:21:49 PM

    I take offense that you think Obama supporters are smarter than Hillary's supporters. I am a huge supporter of Hillary and have been for many years, and I happen to have a very high IQ. I have a problem electing a president who was raised by a Muslim step-father and attended Muslim schools, as the threat to the US will be "from within". I have no quarrel with Muslims as long as they're not terrorists or running for president..

  • Posted By: hillaryforpresident!!! @ 02/08/2008 4:33:03 PM

    and I guess you are god, right iyat???

    In my opinion, if Obama gets the nomination it will be an easy win for McCain because I know that the vast majority of people will never vote for a candidate that won't even salute the American flag (liberals and conservatives alike). Also, moderates will never go for his plan for Iraq: It was a mistake to go there and I am so high and mighty because I did not vote for it so let's just irresponsibly pull all of the troops out at once.

    Obama and his supporters are a bunch of babies, grow up!

    • Posted By: Time for Change @ 02/08/2008 6:10:02 PM

      If the American people won't vote for Obama then why is he giving Hillary a run for her money? Obama is a patriot and does salute the flag. This is just another lie from the Clinton camp. I guess of guys learned how to lie form the best. Obama supporters are much smarter than Hillary's.

  • Posted By: hydroponicrose @ 02/08/2008 4:36:04 PM

    Romney was the best candidate possibly ever! Sad that republicans were so stupid not to nom him. McCain will get spanked against Obama. Romney showed me how a republican should act, the rest of them showed me that lying can get you nominated. How pathetic! I'd like to see what lies McCain tries to preach during the general...

  • Posted By: 15R8 @ 02/08/2008 9:59:06 AM

    When you ad up the math there just is not enougn "uppies " & blacks to carry Obama to a victory over the republican McCAin Huckabee dream ticket.No matter how the democratic party insiders. Package the Kerry Kennedy 'O'he is just not up to Senator Clintons ability. His tefflon coating will be shreared under a justified republican attack and the fact that party insiders carry on this "Obamanation"speaks very loudly of same old same old kennedy /kerry (looser)the looser being the democratic party .the looser being CHANGE being ground down to bumpersticker status on the bumpers on the bumpers of cars driven by illegal aliens to to what use to be middle class jobs now occupied by the Kennedy/Kerry/Bushies/Obama illegal alien replacement workers army as our veterans cry for mercy !

    • Posted By: apolemic @ 02/08/2008 2:15:32 PM

      McCain-Huckabee "dream ticket???"

      A dream for the Democrats, maybe. A screaming night terror for the conservatives. Huckabee's only virtue with the Republican core constituency is that they revile him a micron less than McCain.

      McCain will be the Republican nominee. The cons have to swallow that horse pill without water. However, as an unavoidable compromise, Mac will have to have to swallow something unpleasant as well: a hard right running mate.

  • Posted By: NOMORETAR @ 02/08/2008 1:52:08 PM

    The presumptive nomination of John McCain is a clear victrory for America. It's time a majority of Republicans said enough is enough to the Terrorist Arm of the Right (TAR). Lets have NO MORE TAR!!!

  • Posted By: iyat @ 02/08/2008 11:11:46 AM

    I agree with u Rinnovato, if clinton wins, the demacrats will loose the election in November. The remaining voters need to put their trust in Obama and vote for him because he is the only one who can rise above Mc Cain; or we will have another Republican in office Is that what they really want?

  • Posted By: scuba902 @ 02/08/2008 9:05:23 AM

    THE DNC NEEDS TO ALLOCATE THE FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN DELEGATES ASAP. OK SO EVERYONE AGREED BEFOREHAND>>>THE NEW REALITY FOR THE DNC IS THE REMAINING CANDIDATES ARE BASICALLY EVEN AND FL AND MI ARE 2 CRTICAL STATES FOR THE DEMS TO WIN IN NOVEMBER. ALLOW THESE DELEGATES TO BE SEATED AND ANNOUNCE IT NOW & TAKE THE CRITICISM NOW AND GET IT OVER WITH QUICK AND MOVE ON TO REAL ISSUES AND WHO IS BEST TO RUN AGAINST MCCAIN.

    • Posted By: Rinnovato @ 02/08/2008 10:58:13 AM

      The problem here is that OBAMA is the only one who can Beat McCain because Obama draws in disaffected Republicans and Independents. All facets of the Republican Party hates Hillary Clinton. A Hillary nomination will unite the Republican Party. Additionally, if the DNC steals the nomination from OBAMA who is winning the delegate counnt 861-855 (without superdelegates included), the young voters, African Americans and newly cross-over democrats will not support the party in November. Howard Dean needs to put his little foot down and stand by the established rule. All the backroom deals will destroy the democratic base.

  • Posted By: coll.env @ 02/07/2008 9:26:00 PM

    Why is everyone so worried ?
    After Super Tuesday's vote manipulation in California and New York I can tell you the Clinton's will SLIME their way into the Whitehouse through CNN and MSNBC and pure Slick Willy and Hillary vote manipulation !!!!

    • Posted By: Rinnovato @ 02/08/2008 10:50:36 AM

      You are so right. The Clintons are attempting to steal the election. New Hampshire was in question, and there was some strong-arming in Nevada as well. I don't understand why Americans are not capable of getting a fair election from our government? Rules need to respected and followed. That's the bottom line.

    • Posted By: scuba902 @ 02/08/2008 9:07:50 AM

      BUSH SLIMED FLORIDA WITH HIS BROTHER and the SUPREMES HELP. AMERICA GOT THE BIGGEST FAILE DPRESIDENCY AND MESS OUR COUNTRY HAS EVER FACED. HOW SLICK IS BUSH???

  • Posted By: ericrsiny @ 02/08/2008 10:49:40 AM

    http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/the-super-deleg.html

    Based on this article Obama is implying that the super delgates should vote for whoever wins that state. It seems to me then he is saying that Ted Kennedy and John Kerry should cast their votes as super delegates for Hillary and not for Obama.

    Also, did anyone else catch David Schuster last night on MSNBC? He asked if Hillary and Bill were "pimping out" Chelsea on the campaign trail. That seems a pretty poor choice of words but heck should I have expected any different from the sexists at MSNBC (Olbermann and Abrams excluded).

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