Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

lb078 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:57:57 GMT

howard hopes to someday have obama's children

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

mlbuie — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:55:08 GMT

Howard may just like what he sees in Obama, but I've seem media guys explore possibilities of different scenarios just to weigh outcomes.

Or maybe he, like most of the media, will bolster whatever candidate needs a "leg-up" to keep the race neck and neck.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

Taildragrrr — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:26:44 GMT

This is the start of Obama's downward tailspin. People are beginning to realize there is nothing there beyond the airy calls for hope, change, and a new direction. You need to have actual plans and have created meaningful legislation. Barack Hussein Obama has not done this. Barack Hussein Obama is never around for the vote on proposed legislation. If he is there he votes "present" to avoid making an unpopular decision. This man is not a leader. We can do much, much better.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

derwon — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:28:47 GMT

I wonder why media don't mention, what happen in general election if all Red States Obama's won will be going toward McCain. Because there is a bias that those Red States , Republicans have told their members to vote for Obama. So Obama can face McCain in general election. Republican swift boat already spent a lot of money want to through craps to Obama. Obama's ties to indicted developer Tony Rezko and former Weather Underground radical William Ayers, his church afliation with Farakhan, Obama's plan to have meeting and convention with all muslim nation, and lyed about Nafta.......etc. So, I think we have to be smart, vote for HIllary so Democrat can be in the lead the Oval office.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

honkyjesus — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:36:42 GMT

Nice endorsement by Fineman. No doubt we all know who will be voting for.

Funny how he didn't mention the endorsement of PA Governor Rendell.

Oh well, it is now expected of MSNBC to go ga-ga over Obama.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

Ellen — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:49:26 GMT

I can't believe people bought the Clinton machine rhetoric. There is nothing behind Obama's message of hope? Really? So the fact that he has the most liberal voting record, has detailed and excellent economic and healthcare plans, is willing to involve and unite as many factions as possible, clearly learns from his and others mistakes, is tough yet has integrity, and oh ya, voted against this disasterous war means nothing? Give me a break!!! This is all the result of the Clinton lie machine and Obama's newness. The Clintons are sold out in so many different directions, I don't even know where to start. Hmmmm, let's start with Kazakstan. That's a bit shady. And maybe the undetone of racism in her "three am" phone ad. The beauty of this whole thing is that it will toughen the Obama up for McCain. He is going to have to fight to win this thing and I have no doubt that he will find that balance of fighting with integrity that everyone is so ready for.

For the love of all that is holy, look closer at the Clintons. They may be Democrats, but they don't represent them!

Jeesh!

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

charliefromtexas — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:00:01 GMT

My hope for a Democrat in the WH is now gone.

Hillary attacked the Obama supporters.

Now, it is Obama's turn to alienate Hillary supporters.

Obama and Hillary, get set and go!! Fight like there is no tommorow.

Gongratulation is in order to McCain and Limbaugh.

Obama, attack Hillary.

Hillary, attack Obama.

All Democrats, don't even bother with this year's election. Let us all hunker down for another FOUR LONG YEARS.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

joannek12 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:16:27 GMT

Couple points I have to make...

From Ellen - "and oh ya, voted against this disasterous war means nothing" - please explain to me when Obama voted against the war. He wasn't a senator yet, and with that means he didn't have accountability to his constiuents. If he had been in office at that time, I could guarantee you the speech against the war wouldn't have happened.

And to all those that think the continued drama is a bad thing....think again. Yes, the back and forth will continue, but for all intensive purposes Hillary and Obama a virtually the same candidate (issue wise). Yes, there will be those that pack up their toys (or Ipods) and go home when their candidate isn't the nominee, but the rest of us will join ranks as a party. The republicans have the same problem, only worse. How many of the extreme conversative votes do you think McCain is going to get? This is a good thing. We stay in the press cycle and get to here to candidates debate the real issues while McCain gets page 3.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

RuthieM — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:47:36 GMT

Pensylvania here he comes!

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

Meridian — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:04:53 GMT

I think that even if Obama has more states and more pledged delegates, the superdelegates will bow to the establishment candidate and back Hillary for the nomination.

I don't think the campaign will stay civil; Hillary's negativity helped her win. Some voters really do think Obama is a lying Muslim now. And the Republicans are happy to join the chorus of hate against Obama because they want McCain to compete agains Hillary in the Fall. They will not be anywhere near as nice as Obama; the Republicans can't wait to bring up Cattlegate, Whitewater, failed healthcare, Hillary's taxes and the mysterious funding for the Clinton library. There is no way Hillary can fight against all those attacks.

Sigh.

Four more years of Republicans in the White House.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

wyl5326 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:18:17 GMT

Barack have been trailing in 3 states by double digits and has managed to close the gap but run out of time when suddenly Hill's attack ads took effect on his campaign. While Hill is also enjoying double digits lead now in PA, expect it to be narrowed by Barack as more voters knows him as no phony like Hill. As scrappy as she might be, she won't be able to overcome his advantage in delegate count and what an irony now for her, to HOPE that she can swing the Supers to continue giving her campaign a lease of life ! She brought this upon herself for running her campaign incompetently by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory ! Remember she was supposedly the inevitable nominee and with the biggest campaign war chest, then managed to bankrupt her campaign and finds herself now trailing in delegate count ! With such kind of actual experience we see, why should voters chose an incompetent one even with all her establishment advantages ?

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

coll.env — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:22:35 GMT

Mr. Fineman,

I enjoy your articles and have been a fan for a long time .

I find it quite interesting that Hillary wants Sen. Obama as her Vice ???

Has anyone informed her that she is behind ?????

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

indystacey — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:32:18 GMT

TO: joannek12

please explain to me when Obama voted against the war. He wasn't a senator yet, and with that means he didn't have accountability to his constiuents. If he had been in office at that time, I could guarantee you the speech against the war wouldn't have happened.

You are right, he didn't vote against the war. But he was running for office when he made that speech so he had a lot to loose. He made that speech at at time when anyone who didn't fall in line and agree with Bush was called unpatriotic. And the speech was amazingly prescient.

Sen.Clinton has finally admitted her vote on the Iraq war was a mistake, but she recently gave Bush the same authority to use force against Iran. Both times she feared being viewed as "soft on terror". She make political decisions that she felt would benefit HER, not her country. She had a pattern of bad judgement. Another example, her vote against the ban on cluster bombs and landmines in 2006. She allows the right wing spin machine to manipulate her.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

Becky in Michigan — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:34:37 GMT

It is true that what doesn't kill us CAN make us stronger. Maybe this is the test that was needed to show that Obama is (what is quickly becoming the word of the year) substantive!

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

RiversideWarrior — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:36:32 GMT

Its time for Obama to take off the gloves and give Team Billary a dose of the "scorched earth" they talk so much about. Ethics? She wants to talk about land deals with Rezko? How about Whitewater and the unseemly departure from the White House with china and furniture in tow? How about disgraced fugitive campaign contributor Mr. Hsu? A taste/flair for sex scandals? talk about Bill and Monica being fast-forwarded into the present with her poor judgment in using LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as her Latino pitchman despite his affairs with former TV anchor Mirthala Salinas between 2005-2007. Let's see if "she stands by her man" on this one. On the economy and jobs, point out Billary's role and association with the India lobby (and related campaign $$$$ contributions) on supporting the outsourcing of jobs from the US to Calcutta and New Delhi. On the same them, point out her less than watchful role on the anti-labor Wal-Mart Corp. board of directors and the support she receives from the China lobby (also with related campaign $$$ contributions). Point out all the needless conflict and classless behavior associated with the 1st Billary Administration during 1992-2000. The next 7 weeks are going to be fun, there is a hell of a lot more material out there on Billary than there is on Obama. I advise that you buy your popcorn early, sit back and enjoy.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

joannek12 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:54:09 GMT

To indystacey:

"You are right, he didn't vote against the war. But he was running for office when he made that speech so he had a lot to loose."

He was annointed by the DNC at the 2002 convention....did he even run opposed in the primary for the senate? The best the RNC could do to muster a candidate was Alan Keyes and managed a paultry 27% of the vote. So all in all, not seeing where he put a lot on the line.

Me personally, I was opposed to the war, but I wasn't in a position in 2002 where I took an oath to protect and defend this country. Monday morning quarterbacking is easy for those of us in the cheap seats, and that would include Obama at that time.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

fog80 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:55:44 GMT

the only way obama doesnt win the nomination is if the superdelegates get behind closed doors and deny the democratic process. if they were to do that, i would no doubt give up on the democratic party.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

ThePrairiePrankster — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:59:29 GMT

It is amazing to watch the Democratic Party steal defeat from the jaws of victory. As Obama and Clinton punch away they only grow smaller. McCain could not have planned it any better.

Memo to Ralph Nader:

Please run for Senator or Governor or Mayor, maybe you could actually win an election and do something positive for your legacy instead of tarnishing it with a futile bid for an office you will never win.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

j1ggy — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:06:58 GMT

Why the whinning from the Obama camp about Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island. If Clinton truly believes she is the right canddate than putting out her message is the right thing to do. It is amazing how people are saying Clinton needs to get out. It takes 2025 delegates to win the nomination. The real issue is not whether Clinton can get to 2025 but can Obama get to 2025 as long as Clinton pursues the nomination. If Obama camp can't get to the magic number than it is a standoff. This is what you call real change in the Party. Real change in leadership means real change in the Party.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

mhotchkiss4 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:07:08 GMT

there is a little-known episode Clinton doesn't mention in her standard campaign speech. In 1975, a 27-year-old Hillary Rodham, acting as a court-appointed attorney, attacked the credibility of a 12-year-old girl in mounting an aggressive defense for an indigent client accused of rape in Arkansas - using her child development background to help the defendant. maybe she does have some experience after all????

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

timrogers — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:19:57 GMT

The 'Clintons' will succeed in getting Florida and Michigan delegates seated despite agreeing not to do so. They will persuade enough super-delegates to vote for Hillary and secure (not win) the nomination. As always, they will also fracture the democratic party for thier own selfish purposes, and alienate all of Obama's supporters. In the end, they will insure the election of John McCain.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

H. Aslan Aslani-Far — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:11:18 GMT

Every single pundit, analyst, statistician and political strategist points out the futility of the Clinton campaign continuing -- that they simply cannot overcome the delegate deficit to best Sen. Obama's lead going into the convention. Why then is Sen. Clinton forging ahead with a campaign that is either destined to lose or lead to a brokered convention? In the face of certain defeat, supported both by numbers and advice that she cannot win, she is marching on. That Sen. Clinton disregards these facts while beseeching the people to further fund her drive, she, more than anyone, echoes the Bush-Cheney mindset. This may well explain why she voted for the war in Iraq and why it is so difficult to take her seriously when she claims she can remedy this failing economy -- for nothing she does, as the theoretical candidate of action over words, offers any kind of "solution" to this problem. In fact, her actions prove she is concerned only with furthering her own political career...to the detriment of her party, at the expense of her supporters and in spite of the people. This is a candidate that people believe exercises sound judgment and financial restraint? You must be joking. And as far as momentum is concerned, Sen. Obama's campaign has hardly come to a crawl...as the Texas Caucuses show, Hillary Clinton made very few strides on Tuesday...just as predicted by anyone with a calculator...and as expressed by the Obama camp. The fact that Sen. Clinton has failed to beat Sen. Obama by more than 20 percentage points in any of the contests thus far is a further indication of the impossibility of her challenge. It may be worthwhile to point out that in the same period, Sen. Obama has handily beated Sen. Clinton by more than 20 percentage points in 12 of the contests he has won.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

j1ggy — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:44:24 GMT

H.AslanAslani-Far, I believe Arkansas and Oklahoma were 20% + wins for Clinton. Our system of electing a person is quite unique. The popular vote is virtually a dead. Obama slightly ahead to date. However, a big showing in PA may put Clinton ahead in terms of popular vote but not garner enough delegates. When they said it was about delegates months ago it appears the politicians know their nomination system quite well. If you thought Bush stole the election from Gore popular vote versus electorial college you really got be sick of the Democratic nomination process.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

the future — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:46:13 GMT

American economy has always been based off of cheap labor. History will repeat its self if wew don't sopt it . Sen. Obama offer america a way not to, fall in that old saying that the future repeats its self ,. So not electing Sen. Obama , will keep America in a down spin to destrustion. If you hav eaby question to what I'm talking about , check your history of all SUPER NATION in the past.

Giving up American citizen as a sacroficial lambs, so the rich can stay rich is not is not a good reciepe for success.

Sen. Obama will lose this rice because, there will be some kind of under the table deals made unkown to the America Public to knot him out of the race

The real picture here is that, Republicans are afraid of CHANGE, because they will lose the battle of being as rich as the nation that they are calling our enmeys. This is not good for the American people. It's only good for the rich and no nation as ever substain its supremacy of rule in that faction.

The bottom line is, the Rich Amercians that actually control the Country, in tring to keep up with other rich nations at the cost of American People will be the fall of the U.S. State. History has proven this in the pass and will prove it again in the future for USA.

In saying this I don't fill that you are the candidates are saying what really needs to be said.

I (HOPE) that this will be disscused on your show, but if it's not I will assume that, what I'm saying is true and you're afraid to bring this topic up beacuse it will hurt Repulicaians, but don't I'll be sending this message out over the e-mail, all can see the U.S. State for what it really is.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

"Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:01:53 GMT

Will Hillary kill hope as she enjoys her reinvigorated spoiler role?

Here she is, a tool of the lobbyists, claiming she is the "people's" choice.

Hillary even refuses to release her tax returns for the past two years, which would reveal the source of her sudden wealth.

If Hillary claims experience in foreign affairs, then let her share responsibility for her husband's immoral inaction on Rwanda, when hundreds of thousands of black Africans were slaughtered while the Clinton White House refused to act.

(According to the British Guardian newspaper: "President Bill Clinton's administration knew Rwanda was being engulfed by genocide in April 1994 but buried the information to justify its inaction, according to classified documents made available for the first time. ...

"It took Hutu death squads three months from April 6 to murder an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus and at each stage accurate, detailed reports were reaching Washington's top policymakers." [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/mar/31/usa.rwanda])

For every comment the Clinton trained seals make about Hillary's favorite target--Rezko--it is important that people remember the reason Jimmy Carter's chief of staff, Hamilton Jordan, called the Clintons our "First Grifters."

Remember their ties to disgraced fugitive financier Norman Hsu?

Remember Bill’s supping at the trough of the emir of Dubai?

Speaking of the Middle East, remember Hillary's silence when Yassir Arafat's wife libeled the state of Israel?

Of course, the media bends over trying to accommodate Hillary; today the MSNBC talking heads explained that they have to tread softly because it is hard to criticise a woman.

National security and the fate of the country are apparently tied to some moronic political correctness from a media that did not exactly cover itself with glory when America was about to go to war.

Of course, today's media establishment cares as much about access to the red carpet as anyone else.

The legendary journalist Edward Murrow would have liked Barack Obama, because he also believed, like Obama himself has said, that cynicism is a sorry kind of wisdom.

Fight back America!

Believe in yourself!

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

trailing — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:15:32 GMT

I am afraid Howard Fineman is missing a couple of things about Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. They are staunchly Democratic. They are NOT largely minority or white by their voting in the last few elections. Blacks and whites both vote heavily Democratic. Hillary and Barack will probably split these big cities. Upstate is where the election will be decided. The Clinton's have a huge amount of goodwill there. Governor Ed Rendell and Mayor Nutter will be valuable additions for Hillary.

Barack said today he may go negative to counter Hillary's negative attacks. This is a very high risk strategy for him. The whole essence of his campaign is a new type of campaign stressing a positive message. Going negative creates two problems for Barack.

In one scenario, he goes negative and beats Hillary, wins the nomination but then has to live with that reputation as just another politician.

In the other case, he goes negative - it backfires and he loses Pennsylvania by a huge landslide. Where does that leave him ? In politics, if you lose your credibility you might as well fold your tent and go home.

I still think that in a race this close, that Florida and Michigan will have to vote over. I think, as an even better suggestion, that they should make these states winner - take - all. That should then put one of them over the top.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

singlemom-dem — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:17:01 GMT

In response to H.Aslan Aslani-Far: it's quite easy to win 12 contests when you can out spend your opponent by 2 to 3 times over and buy your votes. You, me and most smart Americans know how Obama won the caucuses. The question is can he ever win an actual primary where everyone gets to vote not just a few?

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

VAChris@FC — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:42:23 GMT

Mr. Fineman, your piece, good as it is, left out a key component of the contests: the powerful Clinton political machine. Yes, Obama leads a movement , better than anything any of us ever saw. And, Mr.Fineman, a movement stalled is NOT a movement denied! You, of all people should know a little something about the Clintons and how entrenched in the political mainstream they are. So, to have someone of Obama's standing in politics push back that dynasty much as he had is a true testament of the power of this movement. It's sort of like a caravan that's trudging along, howbeit slowly, regardless of setbacks it encounters along the way. The morale: The Clintons are no ordinary politicians.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

high_dimension — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:58:04 GMT

In response to singlemom-dem, he has won more primaries than Hillary Clinton has. What about Missouri, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, Wisconsin (primarily caucasion BTW), DC, Virginia, Louisiana, among others? He even won in all the big cities of Ohio and Texas where the population is educated and informed. Hillary won in the boondock states where the Hispanics and Whites are voting for Hillary because of 3 reasons:

1) They are more familiar with Hillary Clinton because her husband was a past president.

2) They are racist and will not vote for an African American

3) They were Republicans voting for Hillary because they know if she wins, John McCain will definitely win the general election.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

jpbless — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:38:14 GMT

"the two of them must have talked about how they want to keep the next couple of months civil. But I can't imagine that their campaigns will be able to honor whatever agreement they made"

Obama will be naive and stupid to make any "civil campaign" deal with Clinton. So far Clinton has proved she could go negative and at the same time put Obama on defense and slow him down to a crawl.

Clinton has been playing dirty politics so Obama should return the “gesture.” Obama needs to hit hard on Hillary. She claims to have 35 years experience... some of that apparently obtained as first lady to ex-president Clinton. Of course the same Bill mandate that pardoned mobsters and shady crooks at the last minute; gave us Lincoln bedroom-gate; Whitewater; Arkansas Law firm; impeachment; Intern-gate AKA Lewinski; Linda Tripp; Paula Jones; Kenneth Starr... and soft porn testimony… depends what is is…, presidential perjury; constant bickering in the congress. In fact Bill’s standing was so bad that Al Gore declined to use him in 2000 campaign..

Republicans do not hate Clintons for nothing. Clinton will crush Obama if Obama continues to be childishly civil. Yes be civil but be ready to punch back if punched! And why is Hillary refusing to release her tax papers. She obviously got some thing to hide.

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

FREE AND THE BRAVE — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:28:49 GMT

I want to start out by saying I'm republican for the most part, but do not, and did not like George Bush. I have been watching, reading and listening to everything about this election like most of you. I for the life of me can't understand how "Billary" is even allowed to run for the highest office in the country! The words Clinton and Scandal, are pretty much the same! Now if Hillary had divorced Bill ten years ago, maybe I could believe half of what she says! The whole Obama "movement" escapes me also. I am a lifelong resident of Il. And am old enough to know that you don't get anywhere in politics in Chicago without owing someone, something! The Daily machine still holds the power. The freshman senator is if nothing else a great speaker, mostly if scripted. The biased media is now finally taking a closer look at Obama, and more will be revealed about him in the coming months. The thing that really gets me is his church. Out of all the churches in Chicago, why did he choose an all black church that endorses Farrakhan, denounces whites and Jews alike? If the white candidates had an affiliation with the Aryan brotherhood for example, don't you think they would be vilified in the press to say the least? Obama calls himself a "unifier", but to me, actions speak louder than words! The fact he doesn't acknowledge the flag of our country gives me pause for concern, as it should you all also. It makes me wonder what his agenda really is! The fact he is still in his first term and already making a bid for the White House without accomplishing much in the Senate is also a concern. A "present" vote is basically a safe move politically if nothing else. Our great country is in dire straights, and two Tax and Spend LIBERAL Democrats will only serve to bring our country down even more! People, make no mistake, John McCain is NOT George Bush! He is actually more moderate than conservative, and that is not necessarily a bad thing! He has the proven leadership, and has shown he can "cross the aisle” to get the job done. I truly believe that if he had been elected in 2000, the country wouldn't be in the mess we're in now! Vote for a PROVEN LEADER, vote McCain!

re: Yes, We Can. Can’t We?

honestysiempre — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:32:29 GMT

How dare some of the comments say that voters for Hillary are uneducated Americans who are racists?

What do you call 90% of Black Americans voting for BO? what is that? favoritism?

How about professional women, Latino, black, Asian, blue collar, white collar workers, agricultural workers, nurses, young educated college students (female>>>males).

What is BO coalition???? He is now even loosing the white men vote (finally some of you guys are waking up?).

Pitty on you Howard, you can not resist your biased observations......"my hometown of Pittsburgh has changed....it is a big college town, and a hospital and health care" It sounds like NYC, Boston, ha? guess what check out how HRC did there.

Again, I am sick and tired of your sexism, blacks reverse racism, and the perception that those who follow Hillary are a bunch of ignorant broads who follow blindly. This woman, no matter how you slice it, has more experience, more guts, more intelligence, determination and wants the JOB MORE!!!!!!! and I want to hire her!!!!