What’s happening to Hillary’s campaign?

[ProSense]

“ She tried to combine change and experience, but it didn’t work.” LARRY SABATO, A POLITICAL SCIENTIST, ON THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN

What’s happening to Hillary’s campaign?

Air of ‘inevitability’ is casualty of primaries

By Jerry Zremski - NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF
Updated: 02/17/08 7:05 AM

WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is running a close second to Sen. Barack Obama in the race for delegates to pick the Democratic presidential nominee, but on three essentials of successful campaigning — message, money and manpower — she’s getting clobbered.

She’s the candidate of experience in a year when voters want change.

She’s the old-style big-money candidate in a year when Obama has proved he can get more money from the little guy.

And while Obama is dominating the airways and unleashing armies of paid staff and volunteers to help him win states from Washington to Maine, Clinton has been leaving entire states largely uncontested.

<...>

Summing up the views of several top Democrats not affiliated with either campaign, a Democratic operative in Maryland said of the Clinton organization: “They’re suffering from the arrogance of high expectations.”

<...>

“Ready for Change,” the Clinton campaign slogan said. “Ready to Lead.”

On some billboards in early primary states, that message, accompanied by a photo of Clinton, was boiled down to one word: “Ready.”

Other Clinton campaign slogans were a variation on that can-do theme: “Working for Change, Working for You” and “Big Challenges, Real Solutions.”

But more voters gravitated to the man from Illinois with a simple, consistent message: “Change We Can Believe In.”

more

Clinton looks to California to compete with Obama's fundraising

By Julia Prodis Sulek
Mercury News
Article Launched: 02/16/2008 05:25:09 PM PST

Hillary Clinton may be campaigning elsewhere Monday, but her purse is in California.

And her husband is carrying it.

Bill Clinton will try to fill it with upwards of $1 million from three private fundraisers in the Bay Area on Monday, including two at homes in Saratoga and Portola Valley, to try to keep pace with the Barack Obama money machine.

With the prolonged contest for the Democratic presidential nomination closer than ever, campaign fundraisers are facing the challenge of squeezing money from nearly tapped-out loyal donors and searching for the newly-inspired who believe their money can make a difference.

California has always been a cash cow for presidential campaigns, but until now, candidates usually have made an effort to extend a live hand. With California's Feb. 5 primary but a memory - and the campaigns long moved on to states from Louisiana to Maine and soon on to Ohio and Texas - stand-ins will be the best Californians will get. They're not looking for votes at this point, though. They want money.

more

Obama Campaign Relies on Tech Tools

Analysis: Every campaign has a site, but this presidential candidate uses technology effectively to connect with voters.
Grant Gross, IDG News Service
Sunday, February 17, 2008 5:30 AM PST

U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama has technology on his side.

No, not necessarily the technology industry as a whole, although the Democrats' tech policy agenda has won him some support. Instead, Obama's campaign has embraced innovative technologies that help him connect with voters, volunteers and supporters.
Cyber Collaboration

Obama's campaign used an online collaboration tool from 3-year-old startup Central Desktop to help organize volunteers before the California primary, and it's using an answer center from RightNow Technologies to create a dynamic FAQ on the campaign's Web site. In addition, liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org has poured its own technology resources into the Illinois senator's campaign.

In the past week, MoveOn.org and the two companies have all issued announcements about the Obama campaign's use of innovative technology. To be sure, other presidential candidates are effectively using Web technologies; Republican Representative Ron Paul has raised gobs of money online, and Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton's Web site includes detailed policy papers.

But some observers say Obama has taken the use of interactive Web tools to new heights in a national campaign.

<...>

All this use of technology may not result in an Obama victory; he's still locked in a close primary contest with Clinton. But students of campaigning may look back on the Obama campaign as the new standard for using interactive technology. Obama has been able to connect with voters, and as a result, he's raised "pretty staggering" amounts of money, much of it from donors giving $10 or $25 a month, said Central Desktop's Garcia.

Obama's use of technology to connect with voters is "very unique," Garcia added. "We saw glimpses of it with Howard Dean in 2004," he said. "But not to this level. What you get is a perfect matching of philosophy, messaging and technology."

link

[blm]

1. The same team who undermined, sneered at and smeared both Gore and Kerry campaigns.

I think it's called....


...

.................................................Karma.

[gateley]

2. They say it comes back tenfold... nt

[grantcart]

29. They have now gone into Stage V

Stage I When you do not have the best position on the war - prevaricate

Stage II When you do not have the clear voice of leadership - triangulate

Stage III When you do not have the momentum - trivialize the election just lost

Stage IV When you do not have anywhere to go - instigate a smear on the supporters as unthinking cultists

Stage V When the supporters embrace the slur and turn it around - start backing up the dump truck and release a load
against the leader who has sparked a fire across the country.

Stage VI When this desperate tactic is reviled - step aside as the great locomotive of history barrels by you and you turn to watch history pass you by.

[backscatter712]

3. She's no longer inevitable.

And she doesn't have a coherent plan at this point.

She was betting the farm that she could blow the doors off of all her opponents on Super Tuesday with the inevitable meme. Unfortunately for her, she didn't count on the Obama rocket taking off like it did.

She didn't really have a plan B that was really compelling. Obama does. At this point, Obama's done his homework. Now all he has to do is continue to turn the crank on his campaign, and watch the momentum take him to the nomination, probably to the Presidency.

[rucky]

4. She created the "change vs. experience" narrative

Oddly right before Iowa - even when the more experienced candidates were polling in the sewer. That was the first big mistake, because she boxed herself out of "change" by making the distinction (false hope). Then she realized that change polled better than experience, and tried to put both messages into that same box. It rings hollow, even if it's true that she would bring both qualities to the table, making her a victim of her own design.

[ORDem]

5. Very very simply put ...

:nuke:

[AtomicKitten]

6. Inevitability goes poof.

[sniffa]

7. Ready to implode on day one

[terrya]

8. I'm guessing you're going to make some sort of Titanic allusion.

Hittting icebergs, etc.

[ProSense]

14. If the disaster fits...! n/t

[dailykoff]

9. Don't worry, nothing that a lilttle retooling can't fix.

[Iktomiwicasa]

17. great pic, heheheh

[hogwyld]

40. Hilldenberg One! n/t

[Mme. Defarge]

10. It ain't over 'til it's over,

lest we rest on our laurels. But I must say that I am fascinated, really mesmerized, by what appears to be a slow motion free-fall from "inevitably" to "underdog." The ongoing revelations of a Hollywood set, smoke and mirrors, campaign strategy revealing that "there's no there there" is as good as it gets for reality entertainment.


:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

So keep those cards 'n letters comin'!

[ProSense]

15. Agree, it's not over, but evidently it wasn't over in November either. n/t

[Mme. Defarge]

19. Obama campaign slogan suggestion ...

READY BEFORE DAY ONE!

[Captain Hilts]

11. They're STILL on the road to winning all the Big, Blue States. nt

[ProSense]

33. Huh? n/t

[Thepricebreaker]

12. Simply put... She is losing... n/t

[ericgtr]

13. "She’s the old-style big-money candidate"

pretty much sums it up for me. Change is not something we've already had for 8 years.

[Alexander]

16. She kept changing her message once "inevitability" didn't work.

This will be a reminder to future presidential contenders of how not to run a campaign.

[grantcart]

18. HRC = Rumsfield

Think about it.

both have been around for ever, both are smart and think that they are the sharpest person around on policy. Both are terrible listners to contrarian views. Both stress loyalty in subordinates rather than competence and a free debating atmosphere.

Rumsfield put all of his planning into a quick military victory and nothing into the occupation.

Hillary put all of her eggs into Feb 5th. Afterwards she was flat broke.

Not ready for a full campaign

Not ready with a coherent winning message

Not ready with a plan on what to do with Bill

Not ready on the IWR

Not ready on how to explain your mistake on the IWR

Not ready to be competitive in caucuses.

But the day before she puts her hand on the bible she is going to get it all together and be ready for day one - now that is a fairly tale.

What went wrong = hubris goes before the fall.

[gateley]

20. I have heard the not being receptive to contrarian views charge against Hillary.

That's not good.

I don't know how Obama rates in that department, though.

[blm]

22. Look who he surrounds himself with - all thoughtful debaters themselves.

.

[rodeodance]

36. Hillary Clinton is America's best hope.....

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Hillary Clinton is America's best hope.....
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4697992#4697992
4697992, Hillary Clinton is America's best hope.....
Posted by BooScout on Thu Feb-21-08 01:19 PM

...for winning against the GOP......and you can rant and rave at me all you want about how wonderful Obama is and how he's going to change things.

But the facts are he is unproven, he's all talk and very little action. He's been handled with kid gloves for almost the entire primary season. If he's criticized on any level then the naysayer, whoever it may be is charged with alienating the youth vote, race baiting, not being for hope and change, etc.

America loves a hero......and after 8 years of Bush people are desperate to put their faith in someone who promises them hope and change.......regardless of the fact that someone has no plans of substance on how he will accomplish much less what he will accomplish. I honestly think Americans can't see past the glow of their tv screens and the Oprah glitz that has surrounded Obama this campaign season. I hear mothers gush that their 12 year old daughter is fired up over Obama........what the hell? Since when do adults take advice from 12 year old children on who to vote for? I doubt seriously any 12 year old understands Economic Policy, Foreign Policy or the debate on National Health Care for everyone......I suppose a 12 year olds' advice is ok though when even the candidate's most ardent fans can't hold a discussion on exactly what their candidate's policy and position is on much of any issue.

This campaign season I have witnessed supposed Democrats lambaste how horrible it all was under Bill Clinton's presidency in their attempts at re-writing history....... Well ya know what? They are wrong.......damned wrong and they should be ashamed at their pathetic attempts to smear a fellow Democrat with the lies and bullshit they spout. Over and over again, a rational person will talk and post of all Bill Clinton's accomplishments whilst President and it has all fallen on deaf ears, because to believe Clinton was a good President for America might put a niggling doubt in the back of an Obamamaniac's mind concerning their own candidate.

This campaign season I have seen the race card played left and right......but it was played and used by Obama, not the Clintons.......and if Obama was accused of playing the race card, he and his supporters then became the victims of 'those horrible racists'. Just total bullshit people. Bill and Hillary Clinton are not now and never have been racist and in fact have been highly supported by the African American community all across America until this campaign season.

Race has been tiptoed around and around this entire campaign season. When a candidate is getting 80 to 90 percent of the black vote then that fact means people are voting due to race. Yes I said it. Flame me, but it's an ugly secret that we all know is happening but we can't mention it because it wouldn't be politically correct.......we can however, bring up the fact over and over again that some women support Hillary in part because she is a woman........and it's perfectly acceptable to attack them for such thinking.

All campaign season I have seen an extraordinary woman slandered, slammed, mauled and verbally spit on by 'fellow' Democrats, the press, political hacks, etc....and through it all she has kept her head high, spoken on her knowledge of the issues that face us and this country and done it all while under fire from people so afraid she will do a damn good job that for whatever reason it enrages them beyond rational thought.

Let me just close with a some advice.......if you thought the campaign season up until now has been ugly then you had better fasten your seat belts, because the GOP Supreme Ugly Machine is starting to set it's sights on Obama and they will not handle him with the kid gloves we Democrats have. They are damned good at what they do best and what they do best is to cut Democrats off at the knees and through salt on their wounds while the bleed to death. We know this because we have been seeing it happen for 8 long years.

There's only one Democrat I know who is brave enough, savvy enough and has the chutzpah to take on the GOP and win and that Democrat is Hillary. Your choice......and if you chose wrong.......then I freely expect to tell you "I told you so and you wouldn't listen".

[Perry Logan]

21. People want change--and Hillary is a familiar face. Not much deeper than that, methinks.

[rodeodance]

23. Hey Hillary folks: RE-scheduled events for MONDAY-& Chelsea to come back to WI:-)

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Hey Hillary folks: RE-scheduled events for MONDAY-& Chelsea to come back to WI:-)
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4630937#4630937
4630937, Hey Hillary folks: RE-scheduled events for MONDAY-& Chelsea to come back to WI:-)
Posted by rodeodance on Sun Feb-17-08 01:34 PM

Hey Hillary folks: RE-scheduled events for MONDAY-& Chelsea to come back to WI:-)

Snow, sleet and wind Southern and most of Western WI were events were planned.
The good news is that she has rescheduled for MONDAY-day before Primary—in an area with lots of here potential voters are—the Fox River Valley (Green Bay area). –

**AND her wonderful daughter Chelsea is coming back**—which is news to me.(see below)

Bill is here—I have not found his schedule yet.
SHE has NOT given up on WISCONSIN-

* Please update as needed and keep K & R please.


*** UDATE from old Crusoe--thanks:

The Madison event is now cancelled for tonight and they're trying to

set it for Monday evening. Updated at 3:39 AM

http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/breaking_news/272923

Plenty of parking—YEAH.



http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_WISCONSIN_PRIMARY_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME

Feb 17, 12:30 PM EST

Weather slows Hillary, Obama campaigns


MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A snow and ice storm has slowed Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as they campaign in Wisconsin.

Clinton was scheduled to appear at a town hall meeting in DePere at 1 p.m. But her Wisconsin campaign spokeswoman, Carly Lindauer, says the event has been postponed until Monday morning.

Lindauer says it's too risky to travel to DePere and the campaign doesn't want people going out in the storm to get to campus.

Obama was scheduled to appear his own town hall meeting in Kaukauna at 3 p.m. That's been canceled due to weather.
……………

Work the phones for Hillary—see here:

http://www.hillaryclinton.com /



http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080217/pl_nm/usa_politics_dc ;_ylt=Avg2YONypmk15TZ48QbwM8th24cA


Obama and Clinton take battle to Wisconsin

By John Whitesides and Caren Bohan Sat Feb 16, 10:47 PM ET

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton traded fresh attacks and touted their economic leadership on Saturday as they took their Democratic presidential duel to Wisconsin.
………

Clinton made her first campaign appearance in Wisconsin and promptly announced she would cut her state campaign schedule by a full day and leave on Monday, raising questions about her confidence in her chances in Tuesday's primary.

Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, has been in the state and her daughter, Chelsea, will stay on to campaign.

"We're going to be here through Monday, and given the press of all the events that are going on -- Chelsea will be back in the state, Bill obviously was here. We have great surrogates," Clinton


Yes, We Will!

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Here is the latest from Wisconsin
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4630173#4630342
4630342, Here is the latest from Wisconsin
Posted by MoJoWorkin on Sun Feb-17-08 12:53 PM

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=2/17/2008&id=35742

Obama event in Kaukauna canceled

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has cancelled a planned appearance at Kaukauna High School this afternoon, his campaign announced. Severe weather in the Fox Valley area led the State Patrol to advise motorists to stay off the roads in the area and it was uncertain whether Obama's plane could fly in for the event. Kaukauna is between Appleton and Green Bay.

Plans remain in place for Monday, when Obama is scheduled to attend a rally in Beloit and his wife, Michelle, is planning to campaign in Milwaukee, Madison and LaCrosse.


Clinton Green Bay event postponed

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton was forced to postpone her first stop today outside Green Bay due the winter storm that was causing havoc with campaign schedules two days before the Wisconsin Primary.

Clinton planned to re-schedule the event for tomorrow morning.

The revised schedule calls for the same location - Schuldes Sports Center at St. Norbert's College in De Pere - but tomorrow morning instead of today. Doors will open at 8 a.m., the campaign said.

Clinton aides said the change was made due to safety concerns involving both the campaign flying into the Green Bay area and people in the area getting to the event.

Clinton, who held a fundraiser this morning at the Pfister Hotel, still has events scheduled for later today in Wausau and Madison.

[ProSense]

24. New Clinton economic message has echoes of Edwards

New Clinton economic message has echoes of Edwards

By Caren Bohan Sun Feb 17, 2:05 PM ET

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (Reuters) - White House hopeful Hillary Clinton has a message for hairdressers in Wisconsin, postal workers in Ohio and autoworkers across the United States who are struggling financially: She cares.

The former first lady and New York senator is hoping blue collar workers will provide her with a crucial base of support as she tries to erode the lead her rival Barack Obama has opened in the tight race to become the Democratic nominee in the November presidential election.

Clinton is courting working-class voters with a new message of economic populism similar to the theme of John Edwards, the former North Carolina senator who dropped out of the Democratic race in January.

Edwards never gained enough momentum to be competitive with Obama and Clinton, but the New York and Illinois senators are trying to woo his followers, many of whom were passionate about his pledge to take on "corporate greed" and bring change to a government he said had sold out the middle class.

more

Time to tinker with the tired message!

[rodeodance]

35. She is smart to have have the 'echoes"

[doni_georgia]

39. If this were truly her message, she would have been on it before now

That's the problem. She tries on new messages daily like clean underwear. I think the main problem is (and yes, this was what was said from the beginning) no one knows who she is. What does she REALLY believe in - in her core? I don't doubt she has strong beliefs and hopes for this country. But unfortunately, the way she has run her campaign, none of this shows through. It has appeared, from the beginning, that she is for whatever will win her the nomination. I guess her thought is win the nomination, win the presidency, then worry about getting things done she believes in. This has been my problem with her from the beginning. I really believe she wants to do what is right for America, but I just can't get that nagging thought out of my mine that what she has always wanted most is to be president, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal - even if whatever it takes is not best for the party or the country.

[adabfree]

25. TWO WORDS:

crash/burn!!

[TexasObserver]

26. Hilllary's campaign was fatally flawed because Hillary ran it and picked the people.

And she's the product, a so-so politician without any sizzle.

[AlinPA]

27. Bill Clinton is taking over.

[blm]

28. Well, some of us have re-assessed Mr. I love George Bush and found he hasn't helped Dem party

as much as they pretend they have.


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/06/19/clinton.iraq/


http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/oct/07/did_carville_tip_bush_off_to_kerry_strategy_woodward

[ProSense]

31. I don't think they'd want to admit that now. n/t

[Scurrilous]

30. Kick

:kick:

[ProSense]

32. Pennsylvania organization

February 19, 2008

Pennsylvania organization

The Philadelphia Daily News reports that Hillary didn't file a full slate of delegates in the state.

Filing those slates has no practical consequence, apparently, but it's a way to flex local organizational muscle and honor local supporters. A shortfall can be an organizational red flag, though Clinton does have the support of the Democratic organization that, when engaged, is thought to be pretty formidable.

[rodeodance]

34. Clinton perhaps regaining frontrunner mantle??-now leads Gallup tracking poll

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Clinton perhaps regaining frontrunner mantle??-now leads Gallup tracking poll
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4697666#4697666
4697666, Clinton perhaps regaining frontrunner mantle??-now leads Gallup tracking poll
Posted by Tropics_Dude83 on Thu Feb-21-08 12:50 PM

PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are now tied in national Democratic presidential preferences, based on Feb. 18-20 Gallup Poll Daily tracking.

The latest three-day average finds Clinton favored by 45% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters and Obama by 44%. Gallup interviews from Feb. 19, the first day following Obama's strong win in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary, do not show an increase in Obama's support that some might have expected as a result.


The former first lady has still got to be considered the dominant frontrunner and as Senator Obama stated, she is favored to win "every single contest".

[ProSense]

37. Here's a chart

[doni_georgia]

38. What's wrong? Two words: Short Sighted

The campaign is a disorganized mess on the ground from all accounts. They planned for a sprint and ended up with a marathon. They are lacking someone to bring the warring factions together. Too many people calling the shots and not enough people following through with the directives. They keep floating new balloons, new slogans, new packages - but nothing sticks. The message is all over the place.