HUGE CLINTON CAMPAIGN BLUNDER: STRICKLAND SAYS IOWA CAUCUS "HUGELY UNDEMOCRATIC"!

[Dems Will Win]

Clinton Endorser and Iowa Campaigner Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio might have just doomed Hillary's bid in Iowa.

Strickland, one of Hillary's biggest endorsements, actually promised to Iowans that "this will end" (!!) and that "Iowa is not an attractive place to be in the wintertime," (!!!!)

Is Strickland a total idiot?

This is going to help Edwards and Obama, there is no doubt.

Voters in Iowa (and New Hampshire) are a defensive bunch when it comes to their "first-in-the-nation" status. It's one reason why candidates were so willing to pledge to avoid campaigning in Michigan and Florida when both states jumped ahead in the primary calendar.

So a few eyebrows were probably raised when one of Hillary Clinton's most prominent backers, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, lashed out against not only Iowa's spot on the calendar, but also its arcane caucus process – something of which the state's Democrats are very proud.

According to the Associated Press, Strickland called the caucuses "hugely undemocratic" and, because they require attendance at a certain time, intentionally exclude those who might be working or are too old or too sick to get to the caucus venue.

"I'd like to see both parties say, 'We're going to bring this to an end,'" Strickland told The Columbus Dispatch for a story Monday. His comments came only days after campaigning for Clinton in Iowa over the weekend.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/31/politics/horserace/entry3661668.shtml

This story already has big coverage:

Key Clinton Backer Slams Iowa Caucuses As "Undemocratic"
CBS News, NY - 19 hours ago
Voters in Iowa (and New Hampshire) are a defensive bunch when it comes to their "first-in-the-nation" status. It's one reason why candidates were so willing ...

Clinton Surrogate Veers Off Script
New York Times, United States - 22 hours ago
By Jeff Zeleny JEFFERSON, Iowa – Over the weekend, Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio was traveling alongside Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton here, asking voters to ...

Prominent Clinton backer criticizes Iowa caucuses
CNN International - Dec 31, 2007
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (CNN) -- Days before the Iowa caucuses, a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter criticized the state's privileged role in the presidential ...

Oh-eight (D): Channeling Howard Dean?
MSNBC - Dec 31, 2007
CLINTON: Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's critique of Iowa's role in the nominating process didn't go over well with some Iowans. "In an interview with The ...

Ohio governor and Clinton backer criticizes Iowa caucuses
Toledo Blade, OH - Dec 31, 2007
AP COLUMBUS, Ohio — The governor of Ohio, a must-win state for presidential candidates, is criticizing the Iowa caucuses. Gov. ...

Ohio governor and Clinton backer criticizes Iowa caucuses
WDTN, OH - Dec 31, 2007
AP - December 31, 2007 9:15 AM ET COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Governor Ted Strickland is criticizing the Iowa caucuses, saying the process is undemocratic because ...

Strickland gets a chilly reception in Iowa
Columbus Dispatch, OH - Dec 31, 2007

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's critique of Iowa's role in the nominating process didn't go over well with some Iowans. "In an interview with The Dispatch last week, Strickland said the Iowa caucuses make ‘no sense.’ He called the GOP and Democratic caucuses ‘hugely undemocratic,’ because the process ‘excludes so many people.’ Anyone who happens to be working or is sick or too old to get out for a few hours Thursday night won't be able to participate, Strickland said. ‘I'd like to see both parties say, “We're going to bring this to an end,”’ Strickland said, adding that he has no problem with the New Hampshire primary Jan. 8, because ‘at least it's an election.’”

“Since endorsing Clinton in September, Strickland has campaigned for her three times in Iowa, including what was to be a quick trip Dec. 9 that turned into ‘the trip to hell and back,’ Strickland said. He expected to return to Columbus via Chicago early that Sunday night but was waylaid by bad weather, getting home at 6 a.m. Monday -- via Las Vegas. ‘Iowa is not an attractive place to be in the wintertime,’ Strickland said, adding that Iowa ‘is not a representative state and the caucus is not a fair way to register public opinion, in my judgment.’”

”The Clinton campaign yesterday sought some distance from the governor's comments. ‘Sen. Clinton believes that Iowa and New Hampshire play a unique and special role in the nominating process, and that process should be protected,’ spokesman Isaac Baker said. ‘We're proud to have Gov. Strickland's support, but on this issue they disagree.’”

------------------------------

Days before the Iowa caucuses, a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter criticized the state's privileged role in the presidential nominating process, forcing her campaign to declare she did not agree.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland told The Columbus Dispatch it "makes no sense" to grant Iowa the right to hold the first presidential contest.

He called the GOP and Democratic caucuses "hugely undemocratic," because the process "excludes so many people."

"I'd like to see both parties say, 'We're going to bring this to an end,'" Strickland said in Sunday's edition of the newspaper.

Strickland has made three trips to Iowa on behalf of Clinton, the paper reported.

Competing campaigns seized on the article and e-mailed it to reporters Sunday night to highlight Strickland's comments.

The Clinton campaign issued a statement shortly after midnight, distancing the New York senator from the governor's remarks.

"Senator Clinton has worked her heart out campaigning in Iowa because she knows it plays a unique and special role in the nominating process and that process must be protected," the statement said. "As she has said many times she is glad Iowans are entrusted with this responsibility because they take it so seriously. On this issue Hillary and Gov. Strickland strongly disagree."

----------------------

The Clinton campaign was quick to distance itself from his remarks, issuing a statement declaring “Hillary and Governor Strickland strongly disagree.”

“Senator Clinton has worked her heart out campaigning in Iowa because she knows it plays a unique and special role in the nominating process and that role must be protected,” said Mo Elleithee, a spokesman for Mrs. Clinton. “As she has said many times she is glad Iowans are entrusted with this responsibility because they take it so seriously.”

There is, of course, hardly a shortage of criticism about the outsized role that Iowa – and New Hampshire – play in the presidential nominating contest. But here in Iowa, at least in political circles, denigrating the Iowa caucuses is akin to blasphemy.

Who can forget the closing stretch of the 2004 presidential campaign when old videotapes were unearthed by a rival campaign, showing Howard Dean criticizing the traditions of the Iowa caucuses? The tapes quickly made their way to the local news here.

----------------------------------

Strickland gets a chilly reception in Iowa
Clinton, residents disagree with his caucus stance
Monday, December 31, 2007 3:08 AM
By Joe Hallett

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Gov. Ted Strickland's viewpoint that Iowa is the wrong place to begin the presidential nominating process caused some angst yesterday in the campaign of Hillary Clinton and drew the ire of some voters here.

Despite saying that Iowa does not deserve its first-in-the-nation status, Strickland has made three trips to the state on behalf of the Democratic New York senator, showing up again Saturday, with no advance notice, to join Clinton for several campaign rallies in eastern Iowa.

As governor of arguably the most important battleground state in the 2008 general election, Strickland's mission was to assure audiences that Clinton can win Ohio and help ease fears by some Democrats about the senator's electability.

In an interview with The Dispatch last week, Strickland said the Iowa caucuses make "no sense." He called the GOP and Democratic caucuses "hugely undemocratic," because the process "excludes so many people." Anyone who happens to be working or is sick or too old to get out for a few hours Thursday night won't be able to participate, Strickland said.

"I'd like to see both parties say, 'We're going to bring this to an end,' " Strickland said, adding that he has no problem with the New Hampshire primary Jan. 8, because "at least it's an election."

...

"Iowa is not an attractive place to be in the wintertime," Strickland said, adding that Iowa "is not a representative state and the caucus is not a fair way to register public opinion, in my judgment."

The Clinton campaign yesterday sought some distance from the governor's comments.

"...

A half-dozen Iowans who were asked about Strickland's comments yesterday all disagreed with him. Kent Balduchi, a Des Moines lawyer attending a rally for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, said Strickland was "sadly mistaken."

"The process here leads to a lot closer contact with the candidates and you get to put them to the test," Balduchi said. "You get to ask them questions and then judge for yourself whether they give you straight and honest answers."

Jerry Stewart, a woodworker from West Des Moines also attending the Richardson rally, said Strickland "doesn't seem to be paying attention when he's in Iowa, because in some ways it's the most democratic process you can have. We get an opportunity to really decide what the candidates are made of, and if you don't have an Iowa or New Hampshire, the national media do that for you."

If you want Hillary to lose Iowa, RECOMMEND.

[Hardrada]

1. O, I recommend this!

Kicky

[Zensea]

2. Why recomend?

Sure, I want Hillary to lose Iowa, but I seriously doubt that recommending a thread at DU will have any impact at all on that.:)

[Dems Will Win]

4. We at DU can perform telekenesis through Threads of Truth

The blogosphere starts humming here at DU...

[Zensea]

9. LOL

thanks for letting me know

[Leopolds Ghost]

17. Hummmmmmmmm...

[Harper_is_Bush]

7. It's an ego thing. n/t

[WilliamPitt]

3. Jesus.

Dumb as hell, Strickland. Bet the phone lines are burning up between Des Moines and Columbus today.

[mod mom]

not ready for prime time. nt

[mtnester]

45. Be afraid..,this is who she WOULD have asked to be her Veep

if she makes it through

Ted Strickland, although he has a D next to his name, is hardly that. He is farther to the right than Hillary EVER was or will be.

That from a native Ohioan...thank GOD Lee Fisher is watching over things.

[Harper_is_Bush]

5. He's right, it is undemocratic to exclude those who might be working or sick

Big deal.

Hardly a "HUGE BLUNDER". More like "IT'S HUGH!"

[mod mom]

8. Maybe it's a way to say doesn't mean anything when she loses.

[Harper_is_Bush]

13. Oh yeah, it's a secret code.

:eyes:

Maybe it's just a Clinton supporter putting his foot in his mouth.

[Richard Steele]

16. That's just what I was thinking.

That's the vibe I got- he's floating a preemptive
excuse for a Clinton loss there.

[Leopolds Ghost]

18. Strickland is the fall guy told to say something stupid so as to intentionally play on expectations?

I.e. Clinton camp expects to lose Iowa anyway and wants to get a leg up
in New Hampshire by telling New Hampshire Iowans are losers? Devious!

"He had no problem with the New Hampshire primary, because 'at least it's an election.'"

"Say what you want about the tenets of the New Hampshire Primary, at least it's an ETHOS!"

[Kucinich4America]

6. Can't say Ted's entirely wrong.

But my question for him is... "Have you kicked DIEBOLD out of your state, Governor?" And if you haven't, maybe you should deal with the lack of democracy on your own turf first?

Now having said that, I certainly won't shed any tears if this comes back to bite Hillary in the ass. :evilgrin:

[Scriptor Ignotus]

10. you couldn't have waited a few days to say this?

not that I'm complaining...

Also, Iowa's weather is pretty similar to Ohio's weather. What the hell is he talking about?

[Dems Will Win]

11. Yeah - I think the unattractive remark is going to really smart with Iowans

even more than the caucus remarks. Means they are DUMB for living there!

Remember Gary Hart saying he couldn;t wait to get out of New Jersey?

He did not do too well in that state after that!

I think Hillary should bring Strickland in for one more swing tomorrow to seal the deal!

[msongs]

12. Strickland's analysis is CORRECT - Iowa is all about social status peer pressure NOT democracy -

vote buying is illegal in most states. Bullying and status of the dominant males/females is what Iowa is about. A secret ballot is real democracy - freedom to vote your beliefs without harrasment from campaign coordinators.

Msongs

[wellstone dem]

14. Have you been through the process?

Why do you say this?

[Leopolds Ghost]

21. When did public debate between common citizens become bullying?

Most American's "Self-Government" Glands have atrophied.

They (especially west coasters) regard public debate
and argumentation as impolite and "patriarchal bullying".

Many Americans associate consensus with paternal rule
by elected officials, not with common citizens deciding
for themselves (thru necessary public debate which
requires defending ones opinion and excludes people
who are simply uninformed.)

Just because one is rich or poor doesn't mean one has
class, or is educated on the issues.

Clinton and other "mainstream" politicians appeal to the
"our leaders know more about the deep workings of world
politics than we will ever hope to understand -- or care --
about" crowd -- who believe that the highest responsibility
of a voter is to cast a ballot for whomever will "take on
the big issues that we don't understand and keep us safe."

[msongs]

22. debate is fine - voting under pressure is not - actual vote should be secret IMO nt

[Leopolds Ghost]

27. well, I can understand that. nt

[Blue Gardener]

28. I have never been bullied, harassed or intimidated

At my caucus. Give Iowans a little more credit, we're not as easily intimidated as you may believe.

[bvar22]

29. Caucus system MORE Democratic than election.

In Minnesota (a Caucus state), we voted in our caucus by secret ballot.
The thing I REALLY like about The Caucus is that there are usually several ballots with the candidate recieving the least number of votes eliminated for the NEXT ballot.

For Instance, If Kucinich gets the least number of votes on the 1st ballot, it allows his supporters to unify their support behind the next more progressive candidate.

In Primary Votes, usually the candidate with the MOST MONEY/Most Powerful "Incumbent Protection" Machine wins with a plurality.

By their nature, Caucuses are much more Democratic (and more fun too!)


The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[durrrty libby]

15. He speaks the truth and the same thing that has been said thousands

of times. :boring:

[Dems Will Win]

19. Whether or not it's true doesn's matter. Saying this is BLASPHEMY in Iowa

and any campaign that utters this BLASPHEMY is punished on Caucus Day.

Think you should write a letter to the Des Moines Register and say you are a Hillary supporter and that Strickland is right about the caucuses and Iowa in general...

[cali]

24. You're a riot, in a hysterical over the top way.

but you must think Iowans are remarkably stupid. Odds are that this won't make a difference in who Iowans caucus for. But you and idiot MSM are hyperventilating over it. Silly you.

[durrrty libby]

25. After many months of campaigning and millions of dollars

spent, very few people even bother to show up, so it seems 95% of

Iowans don't give a rat's ass about the caucuses either. But do go ahead and enjoy your

hyperventilating and getting your panties in a wad

[Kurovski]

46. Listen to Cali!

She's the generously vocal, certified expert on who's "stupid" or an "idiot", and has been since the second grade.

[davsand]

20. I thought the idea was to HELP the candidate.

Oh man, talk abut a campaign nightmare! You are in what sounds like a pretty tight race and one of "your people" (meaning associated with the candidate) goes out front and maybe pisses off some of the voters you need to win.

I shudder at the thought. I also am kind of surprised because you'd THINK that anybody that has managed to be elected a Governor would have more savvy than that. Wow.



Laura

[indimuse]

23. desperate and LAME!

Strickland IS NOT HILLARY! Let me build you a cross to crucify him on...my lord.

[Lucinda]

26. So an Ohio Gov tells an Ohio paper that Iowa has too much clout?

Whatcha expect him to say? :D

[Gman]

30. BFD

[paulk]

31. It's hugh! Hugh, I tell you!!1111

your threads get more absurd by the hour...

[OzarkDem]

32. He's right

the caucus process is unfair to many and IMHO easily manipulated by outsiders.

[IndyOp]

33. I am rooting for Edwards, but I agree with Strickland.

I want primaries nationwide on the same day.

[Dems Will Win]

34. That's a terrible idea!

[MyNameGoesHere]

35. Sounds about right to me

the caucuses are totally stupid. I have always said it is just about Iowa feeling the need for some major ass kissing because, after all Iowa is a major player when it comes to the pulse of the country?

[IronLionZion]

36. The caucus does leave out a lot of good people, including soldiers

the sick, elderly, evening workers (minimum wage earners, not 9-5 types), students, people with transportation problems, anyone who prefers privacy, etc. Caucuses can be intimidating as hell sometimes.

I want Hillary to lose Iowa as much as anyone but I'm seriously doubting the power of my DU recommendations. Giants that we are, our power is largely confined within our own idle minds.

[Dems Will Win]

38. DU is an attractor point in the blogosphere.

An atttractor point is where the forces for change gather and then shoot out into the spheres of thought and make dents and dings in the Establishment.

[JBoy]

37. "Iowa is not an attractive place to be in the wintertime"?

Yeah, Ohio is much nicer in wintertime. :eyes:

[Dems Will Win]

39. Obama more electable

Dec. 12–14, 2007 Zogby telephone poll found that Obama beat all five of the leading Republican candidates in head-to-head matchups, while Clinton and Edwards lose to McCain and Giuliani (and Clinton also loses to Huckabee). On average, Obama outperformed Clinton nationwide by an average of 12 percentage points against the Republican contenders (Edwards did better than her by an average of 5 points). This was confirmed by a Dec. 14-16 USA Today/Gallup poll that showed Obama outperforming Clinton by an average of 6 points against three Republican candidates. These poll results are even more astonishing because Clinton has better name recognition than Obama (98% vs. 87%), which usually translates to higher poll numbers.

These polls understate the intensity of hatred against the Clintons that will activate the Republican base in 2008. A Reuters poll that asked which candidates "would you most want to prevent from becoming president" found that Clinton was by far the most hated candidate with a 40% response (compared to 11% for Obama). Conservative columnist Robert Novak reported in December, "While there was some enthusiasm about some Republican candidates, the closest thing to a real motivation was the prospect of stopping another President Clinton. If she is not the nominee, the GOP ennui on display in Iowa this month could very likely persist through to November."

[ShaneGR]

40. the thing is, HE'S FUCKING RIGH!!!!

It is hugely undemocratic, and it should change, I'm sick of some lilly white state in the middle of nowhere having such a huge say in the overall process. It isn't a fair system.

[557188]

41. Fuck Iowa

I am glad my Gov had the guts to speak out against the undemocratic stupid system.

Hopefully this is the last election cycle we use this system. I honestly think that people have finally had enough with it.

[fujiyama]

42. I don't want Hillary to win at all

but he's right.

The IA caucus is not very democratic and disenfranchises large segments of the population. The NY Times article today echoes what Strickland says.

[KansDem]

43. I smell Karl Rove!!!

x(
peeeeeeuuuuuuwwwwwww....

[Kurovski]

44. "Iowa is not an attractive place to be in the wintertime."

He sounds like Mrs. Drysdale.

[suston96]

47. What's the problem? Strickland is right. He is the Governor of Ohio.

He should know all about "undemocratic elections".

BTW, is there a paper trail to the Iowa precinct caucuses selections?

Don't bother. There isn't a paper trail. In fact, there is no trail at all.

Undemocratic? You betcha!