First Read reports on dissatisfaction from some superdelegates that are telling the Clintons, both directly and through the media, to chill out. This is hardly surprising, considering the Math.
And they say they are not buying some of the Clinton campaign’s explanations as to why they should support her, whether it is her victories in large states, primary states or those likely to go Democratic in the November election.
“Periodically, over the last couple of weeks, you will see a news story or get something from the campaign, and you’ll go, ‘How stupid do you think I am?” one uncommitted superdelegate said. “All of us watch television all the time, read the newspapers. We all play with the little charts online too. We know it is virtually impossible.”
They’re unimpressed with her lying.
Others said they were frustrated by recent reports that Clinton embellished her description of landing in Bosnia as First Lady, and said it suggested she would do anything to win. “I don’t remember what movie I saw two weeks ago; I don’t necessarily remember what I had for dinner last night,” one superdelegate said. “But I would remember having to duck and run from sniper fire.”
They’re upset with how the Clintons treated Gov. Bill Richardson.
Several said they were angered by comments from James Carville, who called Bill Richardson “Judas” for backing Obama after serving in the Clinton White House. One delegate said Richardson’s rationale for supporting Obama, and his implicit frustration at the Clintons’ heavy-handed approach to garnering his support, was echoed among superdelegates.
And, they really don’t like how Hillary used Obama’s pastor and church against him.
The final straw, though, were Clinton’s comments Tuesday, when she said the Rev. Jeremiah Wright “would not have been my pastor.” Several superdelegates saw it as a direct, personal attack on Obama.
“I think it’s very dangerous for any candidate to constantly thrum on what they perceive as sensational criticisms of their opponent,” said Debra Kozikowski, an uncommitted superdelegate from Massachusetts. “I would be more likely to respond positively to discussions of issues that effect Americans versus what might be perceived as character flaws.”
A further example of the Clintons unsavory tactics has been unveiled in the letter Democratic fundraisers sent to Nancy Pelosi, threatening to withhold their big money donations to the DCCC if Pelosi doesn’t stop insisting the will of the voters be respected. The list of donors includes not only the disgraced creator of Black Entertainment Television, Bob Johnson, but six Lieberman supporters and (for the conspiracy nuts) Lynn de Rothschild.
One thing is not conspiracy. These donors can give $28,000 checks to the DSCC, DCCC, and DNC. How many of us have that kind of disposable income? And it’s not enough for them to have an outsized voice in who will represent us and how they will represent us, but they want to be able to subvert the process once all the voting is over. When you go into a voting booth and cast a vote for Barack Obama, you should be able to expect that your vote will count for Obama. You don’t expect the delegate you just elected to listen to Bob Johnson and Lynn de Rothschild and cast her vote for Hillary Clinton. But that is exactly what Clinton is arguing they should do.
If you want to know why it sometimes seems like there is little difference between the two parties, this is why. But, maybe for the first time in American history, we have enough people-power in politics to match up, or at least blunt, the power of the bigwigs. This episode also demonstrates just how huge and significant our victory over Joe Lieberman was. Small donors and massive activism have the potential to offset the need for large donors that treat politics like theater, where the outcome is determined beforehand.
Most Democrats will not see Clinton’s nomination as legitimate. And it won’t be legitimate. But the superdelegates know that. And they are finally telling the Clintons to chill.
The delegates said there is little the party or its leaders can do to prevent the current back and forth. But some said they were increasingly in touch with Clinton campaign officials to say their support is in jeopardy.
“Uncommitted delegates can come out and say, ‘If you don’t stop this now, we won’t vote for you,'” one uncommitted superdelegate said.
Will Clinton win Pennsylvania? I don’t know. But with the election not occurring until April 22nd, it’s a long time for her to maintain both the myth she has a chance and the tolerance of her superdelegates for her negative campaigning.
