In Hillary's conference call today, Ickes signals 'plan' to take the fight all the way to convention

[flpoljunkie]

The 'plan' is to get the DNC Rules Committee to accept the Florida and Michigan results, as is, and with Hillary behind less than 100 delegates on June 3rd, they will insist that they must go all the way to the convention. I believe this is their plan, no matter what Hillary says about "closing ranks" and being "totally unified." We can only hope that the DNC Rules Committee will not rule in favor of the Clintons' delegate division plan for Michigan and Florida--when they meet at the end of the month, May 31st. I do not think the Clintons are going to give up their dream to return to the White House without an ugly fight, altho I very much hope I am wrong.

Hillary top adviser Harold Ickes was on the call, too. Some noteworthy tidbits from the call:

* Ickes claimed that there was no discussion internally on the campaign of the possibility that she would angle for a veep slot. "There's no talk within the Hillary campaign about that," Ickes said in response to a questioner.

* Ickes came under questioning from a super-delegate who said he would have "a problem" if she didn't win the pledged del count or the popular vote, and declined to say what she would do. Indeed, he repeatedly maintained that she would still be ahead in the popular vote at the end of the contest, Florida and Michigan included, and predicted flatly that she would be behind by less than 100 delegates at the end of the voting.

* Hillary sought to persuade supporters to hold the line by vowing to them that she would do everything she could to make sure the party unified behind the eventual nominee. "I know this is not easy," Hillary said. She added: "We will close ranks and I know we will be totally unified going forward."

"I just want to underscore my gratitude," she concluded. "This is bigger than me...it's about standing firm the values we share."

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/ickes_on_conference_call.php

[ClassWarrior]

1. If that's true, Tonya's shooting for 2012.

Could be bluster, too.

NGU.

[SoFlaJet]

2. LOL Tonya

you made a funny CW

[ClassWarrior]

42. Check out HRC's new campaign button...

NGU.

[flpoljunkie]

4. Altho I heard Mort Zuckerman bluntly say this week the fight will go all the way to the convention

This Mort Zuckerman:

Biography


Mort Zuckerman

Mortimer Benjamin Zuckerman is a self-made American billionaire magazine editor, publisher, and real estate tycoon. He co-founded Boston Properties, Inc. in 1970; he is chairman of the board, and director. He is also the current Editor-in-Chief of "U.S. News & World Report" and the publisher/owner of the "New York Daily News" since 1993.

In 1980, Zucker acquired the literary magazine the "Atlantic Monthly", where he was Chairman from 1980 to 1999. In addition to his publishing and real-estate interests, Zuckerman is also a sought-after commentator on world affairs and an active supporter of Israeli, Zionist and international Jewish causes.

Source - Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortimer_Zuckerman

[patrice]

5. That's what I hear in it.

She underestimates how un-alterably opposed many people are to being sold into War for someone's political ambitions. It would help if she'd step up to the plate and admit that that IS what she did, but then that would put her in trouble with her real constituency.

[billyoc]

28. Looks like she's got a pretty good argument for the rules committee...

[gbrenna]

A tantrum is not an argument.

Hillary will not be allowed to do this. Look at congress's reception of Obama. He is the presumptive nominee. She should get out. They don't want to force her out unless she gives them no choice.

[PoliticalAmazon]

40. No reason to worry about them. Their plans have mostly done more harm to Hillary than anyone else.

[madfloridian]

3. FL and MI are her passports to convention.

I told you so.

[Andy823]

7. Yep, but it is also

is a path that could do a lot of damage to the party, and to Obama. As has been said already, she is going for 2012, and the only way for her to get there is to make sure Obama can't win the GE! It's all about her, not the good of the party, or of this country, and that really ticks me off!:mad:

[antigop]

10. Yes, and the WSJ talked about her "path to victory"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5884308

[Cha]

6. Then we'll see who wins..Dean or hilary.

'Cause Dean said "this primary will not be decided in Denver."

[Yael]

9. Obama is only 38 Pledged Delegates from 1,627

Which releases the Pelosi Option.

[Yael]

8. Michigan party leaders agreed to 69-59 today. No word on SDs

(as they are all SDs).

There is no more "as is" for Michigan at least...

[flpoljunkie]

12. Howard Wolfson said they would not accept this 69-59 delegate split earlier this week.

[4themind]

15. Yeah although

It;s all up to the rules committee(which clinton also has in the tank pretty much), they can either push the plan seperate of the clinton campaign (which I think is unlikely) or they can retract it(which may hurt them among their constituents if things don't go hillary's way)

[Cha]

20. I can't wait until Dean starts

callin' the shots.

[Kittycat]

24. It's going ot the committee on the 31st, if they rule in favor - it won't

matter what Clinton thinks. The fact is, the deal still stinks for Obama who is at no fault. But it's a compromise to put this issue to bed.

[Yael]

29. "They" don't have a say. It is up to the committees.

[hokies4ever]

33. Wolfson said he wants +58 delegates from FL+MI

on a conference call on Thursday. FL and MI have 366 total delegates, and he's asking for a net of 58. For those not math whizzes out there, that's a 66-34 split of the delegates. That is just insane! No way does Hillary get 66% of the delegates from FL and MI. She definitely didn't get 66% of the vote.

[Diane R]

41. It amazes me that the Clinton camp still believes they have the power to make demands.

[BattyDem]

11. So let me get this straight ...

Fl and MI broke the rules and yet those two states are going to be the deciding factor and/or be the reason HRC can take it to the convention?

BULLSHIT! :grr:


On edit: Since when is the nomination going to be decided by the popular vote? I thought a candidate needed 2025 DELEGATES to get the nomination. How many more rules should we change to accommodate Hillary? :eyes:

[4themind]

17. It's not, only if

the superdelegates decide to use it ...you know the same ones that hillary said can use their "independent judgment" should consider popular vote most important.

[sandnsea]

26. When there was no campaign in those states

This is insane. I am so ashamed of the people who are letting this go on. We will never be able to say anything about voting rights after this fiasco.

[flpoljunkie]

35. The Clinton camp has been pushing hard this week for new "magic number" of delegates needed--2209--

This "magic number," of course, includes the Florida and Michigan delegates.

[4themind]

13. IMO as long as..

Obama leads in popular vote and delegates (even if it's only by a "little" bit if FLorida/MI are seated as is) he will not be denied the nomination. He would have won in every metic that the primary process determine, that should determine the winner of the primary process in my view, and I'd reckon by vitrtually all of the people who have voted for obama. Where as supporters on the other side who have their own sense of fair play, will coalesce around the nominee (or the superdelegates may be more willing to risk that this would be the case). She'd look silly trying to run ads, after the voters have already voted and especially if obama is pushed to the "magic number". I'd also bet money that the media would declare the race over ,which they did now even though it's not "technically over" imagine once he does reach that number (although that has to be ratified at the convention)

Also the superdelegates know that if experience is any guide, if clinton takes this to the convention, we all lose, regardless of who ultimately wins the nomination, well except for McCain that is. I think a risk analysis will push them to the person that won the primary metrics(assuming they're not split). She can continue to "go to the convention" but people like her campaign Chair Mcauffile (who said it'd be over by June 15th) will be getting off the bus, and her cash flow will fall down even further, also I imagine Obama will offer to help her raise the funds to pay off these debts, but threaten that if she "takes it to the convention" he won't help her raise a dime (again if it goes that far, he'll need to spend every waking hour trying to raise funds for HIS campaign anyway, let alone her own debts/penn/personal wealth)

[Catherina]

14. Live at the Apollo, it's Hillary Clinton!

When C.P. Lacey, the Apollo Executioner, taps her on the shoulder to push her offstage after the crowd booes, I hope she'll walk off on her own.

I can hear the wailing siren already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXBC_DLiIE4

[BeyondGeography]

16. This type of talk will only intensify after WV

As Bob Herbert said in the NYT today, the Clintons have never known how to exit gracefully.

[RainDog]

18. I thought her campaign advisors were seeking book deals?

how can this be serious if her campaign managers do not think they'll have work in the very near future?

I swear that I now detest this woman. She doesn't represent me as a female. She's not my candidate. I don't want her in the white house or in the vp house. I want her and the whole Clinton machine put out of biz - or at least out to pasture.

and wft??? She is the FIRST CANDIDATE EVER to tout a republicans' credentials over her democratic primary opponent? Why should I vote for someone like that? She tries to make up the rules as she goes along to suit her - why should I vote for that? She's such a feminist icon b/c she was a first lady? who knew her husband couldn't keep his dick in his pants, and yet political ambition is the great uniter? whose husband will STILL not keep his dick in his pants - let's get real here.

Do I want another 4 years of hearing about this b.s? NONONONONONO!!!!!

I will not make any threats, as far as voting issues go because I've already stated my opinion about voting for Clinton here. I guess one of those hard working people, white people, people with no college education that would not vote for a democrat anyway will have to make up for this white egghead latte-drinking, effete mother of two sons who will ALSO not vote for her. They voted for the first time ever - for Obama. So, I guess that three of those rural Hillary-lovers will have to vote for her rather than McLame.

If she had won this fairly, that's one thing. But yes, Tonya Harding, GET OFF THE FREAKING ICE.

Why should I vote for a low down cheater?

[spindrifter]

19. I see his ending up in the Supreme Court, as a result

of HRC filing a lawsuit if she doesn't get what she wants. That would be ironic.

[SoFlaJet]

22. I've thought of that one too spindrifter

damn I hope she doesn't go full out republican on us-I still have hope that she turns back into a loyal democrat and if she DOES go that route watch her get LIEberman'ed-which she is inching ever closer to now already...

[DogPoundPup]

21. Bill's out in S.D. trying to bribe their superdelegates to switch

http://www.kotatv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8305215&nav=menu411_2

[Hansel]

23. At least one of her supporters on the rules committee is saying...

that she will not go along with seating Michigan as is. I didn't catch her name, but she was on an NPR radio news segment on Wed saying that she might consider an argument for FL, but that there is no way that Michigan is going to be seated as is because Obama was not on the ballot. She says that the Clintons might not be very happy to hear this, but she'll just have to live with that.

It sounds like she believes that the majority of the rules committee is more loyal to the party than the Clintons and that they are not there to fulfill Hillary's ambitions. They are there to do what's best for the Democratic party. The Clintons might have a few of the members in their pockets, but it doesn't sound like they have enough.

This thing is over.

[Tropics_Dude83]

39. Even if they did, Obama could take this to the credentials committee and then to the convention

And he`ll have a majority on the convention floor to overturn any FL and MI chichanery.

[FrenchieCat]

25. They have a real problem.....

The Hillary campaign, I mean.

[NC_Nurse]

27. "This is bigger than me...it's about standing firm the values we share."

So what is so different about Hillary and her supporters values? I'm constantly hearing how the two
campaigns policy stances are very similar - what is she referring to?

[ladywnch]

30. I thought there had already been a resolution on the MI delegates

with Hillary getting 10 more than Obama.....69 to 59 respectively. Was that not true or did it fall through?

[dansolo]

31. Ickes voted to take away the FL and MI delegates

Has anyone in the media asked him to explain why he voted to take away the delegates from FL and MI, and now wants them to count?

[flpoljunkie]

32. Ickes voted to take away the delegates to placate Iowa, NH, thinking it would be over Super Tuesday.

Hillary agreed at the time, when she did not need these delegates. She has, of course, changed her tune.

[4themind]

34. From what I heard he said he was wearing "two different hats"

One as a literal rule enforcer , and the other as a hillary cliton campaign member, who is doing it out of "principle" The interesting thing is that now he has to put BACK on the old hat, and he changes his stance to have the delegates seated as is, I'd REALLY look forward to someone asking him about his rationale there. "I was FOR the stripping of delegates..before I was against it"

[dansolo]

36. She will not be less than 100 pledged delegates behind

Even with the most conservative estimates, assuming 30 point blowouts in WV and KY, she will still most likely be over 140 pledged delegates behind Obama. And even if they split both FL and MI 60/40 AND include the supers, she will still only net about 80 delegates at best. Even with FL and MI, the math doesn't work. They know this, so you must really begin to question their motives.

[dansolo]

37. deleted

dupe

[Tatiana]

38. I have always said she will take this to the convention. Is anyone surprised?

There is an element of fear, of recklessness, of desperation in the Hillary camp right now. They MUST win. No one else will do. Why they feel this way, I do not know. But I have maintained that http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Tatiana/23">Hillary will go to the convention. The key is making sure that the superdelegates and those on the rules committee hear from all of us.

When you step back from the lunacy that is the Clinton campaign, you will realize that Team Obama will not let the Clintons steal the nomination. Do you think they don't know who is on the rules committee? Do you think they haven't already made their case convincingly to the committee?

Hillary is in for a surprise. Obama will control the rules committee and that is where she will be dealt her fatal comeuppance.