Obama Rockets , Clintons Should Keep the Lid On, And Rendell Will Be On Short List
There are those who tell me that former President Bill Clinton knew exactly what he was doing when he bashed Barack Obama all week. He was driving black voters to Obama in droves. Clinton aides say that Obama is now branded as a “black candidate” because of his extraordinary black support in South Carolina. Can you believe they said that? With his actions, and that comment, the Clintons may have ruptured a fabulous relationship with America’s black community. It’s early but there are warning signs.
Looking at the numbers, the Obama victory was across-the-board,
Obama won 25 percent of the white vote in Deep Dixie South Carolina. It IS the deep south. He beat Senator Clinton among Democratic women. He beat her over 2 to 1 in head-to-head numbers.
So, President Clinton has to be really careful in what he has wrought. His uncharacteristic behavior this past week bewildered many. There are even those who feel that he may be sabotaging his wife’s campaign. That’s hard for me to believe. But the voter turnout and energy of the vote in South Carolina shows me that his actions may have provoked, more than just a backlash, a general anger among voters. Did any pollster count on Obama beating Clinton by such a wide margin? Can anyone accurately forecast where voters are headed this year?
There is one common thread in this campaign – surprise in almost every primary or caucus. That’s a good thing.
I can now say, with reasonable comfort, that no Democrat will be able to wrap it up on February 5th. This is going to be a much longer battle.
Now on to hopeful Rudy and the gang in the Sunshine State. The sense is that it will come down to McCain and Romney in Florida. But what about Rudy? A third place or worse finish would put him in a rough spot. Florida on Tuesday is a major Republican battle, as was South Carolina for the Democrats.
A word on endorsements. The Inky endorsing Obama was a surprise, but then again, there is a new wind blowing, as they say. The McCain endorsement was expected.
The NY Times endorsing Clinton is no surprise since the paper is partial to New Yorkers. But the endorsement of John McCain was a surprise for its complete dissing of Mayor Rudy.
Caroline Kennedy endorsing Barack Obama is a plus for the Senator. But endorsements rarely impact elections.
Finally: Ed Rendell will be on the short list for VEEP candidates. That is, unless the Democratic race is still being fought at the Denver convention. And then, anything can happen.
Comments(9)
I always voted for Rendell, but I have an alternative Veep suggestion, Bill Richardson. As an effective governor of New Mexico (how ultimately effective Rendell turns out to be remains to be seen),BR’s diplomatic expertise would also backstop Obama’s lack of international experience.And he would draw many Hispanic votes.Patrick D.Hazard, Weimar, Germany.
hello Larry,that was a great victory by obama,but feb 5 will see if he’s the real deal,after all jesse jackson took south carolina with basically the same message, but not as slick.
the Clinton/Rendell ticket in november is still looking very good.
also larry,i donot know how some of your readers can compare obama to JFK it is just insane,they must be smoking some of that funny stuff.
thanks Larry, good luck and god bless
The Inquirer endorsement of Obama was a bit of a suprise, but the NY Times endorsement of Clinton was not. Both papers have proven that they are lapdogs for the Clintons, so the stInquirer suprised a little.
It’s no suprise that the NY Times did not endorse Rudy Guiliani – they hate him and fought him at every turn. But if it were up to them, NY would be the same rathole it was when Rudy took office. Except you’d have 4 times as many squeegy guys accosting you. Rudy was right and they were wrong, and there’s no way those arrogant liberals like Pinch Sulzburger will admit it.
But what is suprising is that the Inquirer and the NY Times (and the rest of the Democrat-Media Complex) didn’t endorse “None” for the GOP race. That’s what they were really thinking, so why not be honest?
I guess McCain was the next best thing for them – he goes against the GOP almost as much as their editorial boards, so I suppose it was a natural choice.
Prediction: I’m going out on a limb here… the Inquirer and NY Times will endorse the Democrat nominiee for November. OK, call me crazy….
dunno.. a black guy or a woman and a Jewish northerner? I think that’s a guaranteed way to have another republican president
well,JFK is certainly turning over in his grave,How his daughter can compare obama with her father is next to scareglious.JFK was my hero and to this day I mourn his lost. He was a war hero,and he came from a political family,his grandfather was mayor of boston,his father ambassador to the court of st james,years spent in the congress and senate,but lets be real here,historians don’t think much of the Kennedy years,yes he fostered the space program but mostpeople remember the bay of pigs. The Kennedys should keep their opinions to themselves.I fear for the democratic party,and this much is certain it will be split,black and white.How sad for america .I will never vote for obama and I have been a democratic my whole adult life,I have never voted for a republician but if the dems nominate obama I’ll vote for whomever the republicans nominate.
Yepper, I remember the first political rally I ever attended was in Sep 1960 at the old Rayburn Plaza, where the MSB is now. I was a freshman at a CC high school and it was on the way home from school. I remember seeing JFK up close and really was surprised at his shock of red hair! Keep in mind that all I ever saw of him before that was on black & white TV!
And now, nearly 50 years later, this old school redneck, former conservative Democrat turned Republican (in 1992) is endorsing Obama!
Yes, we need a fresh start. The Clintons (not sure which of them would actually be President, if elected!) are old hat. I have wondered why Hillary didn’t name 3$Bill her Veep choice from the jump…would have actually made the bashing issues moot, no?
In any case, they say a new broom sweeps clean…give Obama a chance…and BTW, Obama is NOT a black African-American as much as he is NOT a White American-African…you see…labels are merely labels…doesn’t matter if he is white, black, or in-between, he is the right man at the right time!
IN order to be the VP for Hillary/Bill you have to: 1) not mind taking on the albatross of the Clinton past and scandals, look how long it took Gore to get passed it, 2) not mind the potential that you will share blame for any future Clinton scandals, 3) Not mind being the 3rd party in the Clinton threesome, with Bill and Hillary making all the decisions, it’s always all about them, 4) be a trusted old friend as they are so paranoid about conspiracies, 5) stay out of the limelight, they don’t like sharing, 6) keep your mouth shut unless you are willing to just repeat exactly what they tell you to say, 7) have no political career outside of the Clinton sphere, 8) not be female or in the least bit attractive (Hillary won’t make it easy for him this time). To me, Fast Eddie doesn’t meet those criteria. I’d put my money on Wesley Clark (strong military leader to balance the woman on the ticket, one who owes his career to Bill, and whose political future went nowhere), Tom Vilsak (long time friend of Bill and Hillary who has some Midwestern appeal, can stay in the background and has no other political future), Dick Gephardt (bland as you can get, no political future, Midwestern appeal in battle ground states).
HI Larry, from a long time Chester county person now living in S.C. If you take all the votes against H.C. you will see she has more NO votes than any other. Yet no one talks about that fact
Thank You
Larry, the deep Dixie is Alabama and Mississippi. I know more people in Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head than I know up here. SC has a lot of northern transplants.
Joe: I agree with you. The NY Times would never endorse a Rep. Prez and their Rudy bashing is indicative of the type of people that work for that paper.
Jersey Joe: Your experience has made you a wise man. I respect your decision to vote foe Obama.
pat: Your infatuation with JFK is misplaced. JFK was a very flawed human being that was cultivated by his father to become prez.
atp2007: Fast Eddie belongs on the beach in Margate chomping on a cheesesteak. Maybe he can work for the preservation of Lucy the Elephant.
Patrick: Bill Richardson is a nice guy, you know what happens to nice guys….
chrismari: The Dems want someone that will actually help them win the election.
Larry’s short list scenario is just that a scenario.