Clintonista Harold Ickes: Superdelegates will decide the Democrat nomination
posted at 4:56 pm on February 16, 2008 by Bryan
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Just the thought of a Dem nominee who has been selected, not elected makes me chuckle. And the thought of how power-mad the Clintons must be to float this strategy now while simultaneously calling Obama’s primary wins “irrelevant” should remind us all that Hillary’s lines about getting up every morning wanting to help people are just so much noise and nonsense. Cry us another river, Hillary.
A top Hillary Clinton adviser on Saturday boldly predicted his candidate would lock down the nomination before the August convention by definitively winning over party insiders and officials known as superdelegates, claiming the number of state elections won by rival Barack Obama would be “irrelevant” to their decision…
Harold Ickes, a 40-year party operative charged with winning over superdelegates for the Clinton campaign, made no apologies on Saturday for the campaign’s convention strategy.
“We’re going to win this nomination,” Ickes said, adding that they would do so soon after the last contest on June 7 in Puerto Rico. “You’re not going to see this go to the convention floor.”
Ickes predicted Clinton and Obama would run “neck and neck” in the remaining states and that there would be a “minuscule amount of difference” between the two in pledged delegates.
But he said superdelegates would determine the outcome and side in larger numbers for Clinton, as they “have a sense of what it takes to get elected.”
Having a sense of what it takes to get elected must mean looking at something other than current popular opinion. Current polls have Obama defeating McCain, and Clinton losing to McCain. Polls at this stage are fleeting things, true, but upon what will the superdelegates base deciding for Hillary over the Messiah if not the polls? She’s not any more experienced than Obama is. So far in the primaries she isn’t proving to be any more popular than he is. She looks tired and wasted compared to Obama looking like a man with a mission.
In essence, he argued the party’s 795 superdelegates (Connecticut Independent-Democrat Sen. Joe Lieberman recently was stripped of his superdelegate status) were in a better position to assess electability and suitability for the presidency than party regulars who will attend the national convention in late August as pledged delegates.
He also said Michigan and Florida, which voted for Clinton, should have delegates seated at the convention even though the national party stripped them for holding early primaries.
Hillary’s electability obviously doesn’t hinge on the value of her word.
Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe on Saturday blasted Clinton for the strategy.
“The Clinton campaign just said they have two options for trying to win the nomination — attempting to have superdelegates overturn the will of the Democratic voters or change the rules they agreed to at the eleventh hour in order to seat non-existent delegates from Florida and Michigan,” he said in a statement.
Time to pop some popcorn and get ready for the show.
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Ohhhh, this is going to be G O O D !!!
petefrt on February 16, 2008 at 5:02 PM
I can tell you what, the DNC is really winning some friends down here in Florida where people’s votes aren’t counting. I know all my Dem friends are thrilled with them.
amerpundit on February 16, 2008 at 5:03 PM
So when do the two groups…the count the vote/don’t count the vote….hit head on in front of DNC HQ? Both grabbed the media to state their willingness to do so. I need fair warning so I can get a good curb side seat the night before.
Limerick on February 16, 2008 at 5:08 PM
I guess Rush and Anne and their friends are doing cartwheels since “help is on the way” for their girl…
Bradky on February 16, 2008 at 5:08 PM
In MI. Hillary was the only one on the Dem. ballot. How fair is that? If I were a Dem., thank goodness I’m not, that would really tick me off.
calgrammy on February 16, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Yikes!
bnelson44 on February 16, 2008 at 5:09 PM
NYT: Unofficial Tallies in City Understated Obama Vote — Black voters are heavily represented in the 94th Election District in Harlem’s 70th Assembly District. Yet according to the unofficial results from the New York Democratic primary last week, not a single vote in the district was cast for Senator Barack Obama.
bnelson44 on February 16, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Nah…she is going to take a thumping in TX and OH so ‘Ickies’ plan is just plain ol BS.
Limerick on February 16, 2008 at 5:11 PM
It doesn’t get any better than this. The Republicans were all but counted out due to Bush hatred and fatigue, and if history is any indicator, a DEM president was all but a given. Give it to Bill and Hill to give us something else to add to his (their) legacy. A republican win (if they keep this up) and the total destruction of the DNC (and I thought I was dissatisfied with the GOP… they really have nothing on what is going on within the DNC). Who knows, there may be hope in voting some real conservatives into Congress after all (to keep McShamnesty from being tempted).
TOPV on February 16, 2008 at 5:13 PM
if this happen, mccain wins in a landslide. there are enough dems who like mccain to make it happen
jp on February 16, 2008 at 5:14 PM
While it’s tempting to imagine that Hillary’s gonna go all nuclear on Obama’s ass, the truth is, she won’t. The party leadership (and by that I mean that fat drunk Ted Kennedy) will talk to Bill. Bill will talk to Hil. Hil will royally cuss out her campaign staff, Chris Matthews, the secret service agents who still guard her, Chris Matthews, the cashier at the CVS store who asks her if she has her CVS card, Chris Matthews, and the little mariachi boy she was photographed with last week, but in the end, Hillary will step aside, and the media will report that she did it “out of patriotism.” And a prediction: When Obama gets the final nod, the major news magazines will grace their covers not with him, but with…Hillary! And they’ll write gushing articles about how graceful she was upon her exit from the race and how the democrat party is just the perfect picture of unity going into November. Come on, people. You know exactly how it’s gonna play out.
Rational Thought on February 16, 2008 at 5:17 PM
If Hillary wins by selection, you will see Obama Nation protest by either not voting or voting for someone else. I can see Nader running if Hillary gets the nod. Oh, this is awesome!
GO HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!!
Greenhorn on February 16, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Hillary has one hope if she doesn’t get the nomination. That would be for Obama to lose and leave the door ajar in 2012 for her. She may gracefully step aside as mentioned but you can bet the Clinton machine and connections will not be offered up to “young Obama”.
But if Rush and Anne get their fervent wish of never McCain, Obama gets the nomination, Clinton is done for good, and in 8 years the GOP can run on the platform of “We deserve at least two conservative SC justices to put some balance to the other 7″
Bradky on February 16, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Hillary will step aside like a shark will decline, when politely asked, to swallow the part of your leg that’s already in its mouth.
She’ll not hesitate to take her party down, if she thinks it might help her somehow.
petefrt on February 16, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Great! I am so looking forward to the riots this summer. :)
Blake on February 16, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Obama knew going in that superdelegates would have a say in the nomination process, I don’t see where he gets off complaining about it now that they’re not supporting him.
RightOFLeft on February 16, 2008 at 5:35 PM
“Just the thought of a Dem nominee who has been selected, not elected makes me chuckle.”
The Democratic Party….
As Democratic as the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
BDU-33 on February 16, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Talking about “white man speaking with fork tongue”:
He’s hoping the Democratic voters are too stupid to understand what he just said and just fall in line as usual. This is drama that only Hollywood could make up.
TOPV on February 16, 2008 at 5:38 PM
That’s really the greatest beauty in this statement. Hillary may still be able to win the nomination but now there is almost no way she can win the White House.
12thman on February 16, 2008 at 5:38 PM
I think we’re all having a group schadenfreude moment. Either way the messiah or the fembot gets it in the primary.
B. Hussein will be back next time around though. Make now mistake about it. He can be dismissed as a newbie this time but not next.
Mojave Mark on February 16, 2008 at 5:46 PM
If Hil wins by selection, it may be a good shot for McCain to pick a black VP. Black voters may be annoyed enough to finally jump ship, given half a chance. And the Dems can’t win without them.
petefrt on February 16, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Here is a picture of the actual super delegates – I couldn’t figure out how to get pic’s to post here.
DKK
LifeTrek on February 16, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Ickes is one of the most insufferable weasels in politics, on both sides.
Entelechy on February 16, 2008 at 5:56 PM
If Obama is shut out look for Cynthia McKinney to win as the Green Candidate
William Amos on February 16, 2008 at 6:01 PM
The GOP only distances itself further from the black community with a move like that. Had Steel won the senate seat it might be a good idea – the idea that an older candidate’s VP may really have to fill that duty and all. But save Condi Rice, there are few blacks in the GOP who have the national credentials to be on the ticket AND make a difference.
Better to go for that fellow in Ohio they have mentioned whose name escapes me or for someone like Hunter who forces the Dems to spend more money in Ca as well as assuage some of the “angry conservative” sentiment re McCain.
Or we can just follow Rush and Ann off the Cliff and go fishing.
Bradky on February 16, 2008 at 6:01 PM
I`ve heard Condi Rice mention for the VP slot. But still, ANY black republican will not be accept as authenticly black.
ThePrez on February 16, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Plan A failed: get voter support.
Plan B failed: The last posting of “campaign contribution” bribes given to the super delegates from the candidates showed Obama far outspending Hillary, and Obama’s campaign funds far fatter than Hillary’s.
That only leaves Plan C: junta.
maverick muse on February 16, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Until the percentage of black citizens who identify with the GOP approaches 30 percent this will probably hold true. The demographic groups tend to do better when there is a little bit of parity between the parties as it reduces the chance of being taken for granted.
Bradky on February 16, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Ickes also said they weren’t super delegates, they were automatic delegates. Henceforth, he would call them automatic delegates.
Typical Clintonian bullcrap. If you can’t win with the package you’re stuck with, change the name of it and work another angle.
What a bunch of crapweasles. It’s gonna be great fun to watch the Dem party completely self destruct in the Clinton’s quest for power.
Pass the popcorn.
BacaDog on February 16, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Give it up Obama, Ickes says you’re history and that you’re popular support and delegate lead is irrelevant.
Get ready for the revolution.
rplat on February 16, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Be careful what you ask for. If Obama gets the nom and the conservatives continue to torpedo McCain… you could live another two hundred years and never see Roe V Wade make it to the docket at the SC.
If McCain pulls off a win due in part to the Dems self-immolating he will get the thing that conservatives fear the most “a mandate”. The Dems will realign to a more centrist position for future elections.
And whatever fallout drops on the conservatives will have been self-inflicted since they are advocating “better Hill than John”.
Bradky on February 16, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Who mentioned ? I pushed for John Kasich who has economic credentuals and could give McCain a good chance to win Ohio. The South wont vote for Hillary or Obama.
William Amos on February 16, 2008 at 6:19 PM
The greeeeaaaatest show on earth…
The best thing to happen? Clinton picked, the Dems go berserk and teach them a lesson…ala McCain’s foes…two “third” parties…the anti-McCain conservative nuts, and the anti-Hillary liberal nuts, fight it out.
*
Actually, huge numbers of Dems would sit out, and many fence sitters at this inane strategy of winning by being a loser…wait, maybe it is right for the Dems to do this.
right2bright on February 16, 2008 at 6:21 PM
I don’t recall the name – he is a congressman, very conservative and not older than 55. The pundits were mentioning him at the realclearpolitics site. Ohio is a must win state for the GOP and it is a good strategic move. It might be Kasich – I just don’t recall.
Bradky on February 16, 2008 at 6:22 PM
And to add to this, it is only fitting that the Dems, with super-delegates, are now basically saying the Black vote is only worth a fraction of the white vote…oh, the IRONY…
right2bright on February 16, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Sounds like Kasich as he fits all those. Will check it out thanks
William Amos on February 16, 2008 at 6:25 PM
BTW, here is a picture of three super delegates.
right2bright on February 16, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Oh that is a good observation. Whether true or not, the comparison can definitely be made.
TOPV on February 16, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Cross over for Hillary, Texans! Keep the Dem nomination race as close as possible.
aero on February 16, 2008 at 6:31 PM
BTW read something that does make me a bit happer. was a Jack Kemp fan for his economic veiws and his talk about McCain is making me feel better
Jack Kemp on Hanity and Colmes
William Amos on February 16, 2008 at 6:36 PM
All I can say is, Chelsea better watch her back…they’ll eat her too if she gets in their way.
TOPV on February 16, 2008 at 6:42 PM
I was just reading the DNC rule book for their convention. There are no secret ballots at the convention so these super delegates, these include the Democrat governors, senators, etc., will all end up pissing off half of their constituents whichever way they vote.
They will stop the voting after one of the candidates wins enough delegates so some of the super delegates will be off the hook, I guess.
It’s just a perfect storm of Democrat Party destruction brewing and there ain’t no way to stop it short of a tragic Carnahan/Wellstone type “accident” befalling Clinton or Obama before the convention.
Buddahpundit on February 16, 2008 at 7:03 PM
I’ve never had a problem with McCain on most fiscal matters, other than his trying to mumble his way through his reasons for opposing the original Bush tax cuts, and that isn’t really a biggy. He needs to deal with the immigration issue in a more detailed, committed fashion, and honestly come to grips with the damage CFR has done, which I doubt he’ll do. He’s never gonna be a conservative favorite, but nevertheless, our best scenario is for Hillary to get the nomination using superdelegates and delegates from Michigan and Florida. The backlash might give him a shot, and if enough disgruntled Obama groupies sit on their hands, we might gain some seats back in Congress.
a capella on February 16, 2008 at 7:22 PM
I hope Obama has plenty of body guards and wears a bullet-proof vest 24/7. A food tester might not be a bad idea, either.
aero on February 16, 2008 at 7:25 PM
I’m not convinced that Steel and J.C. Watts wouldn’t be good choices, if Hil takes it from Obama.
But your point about Ohio’s an important one, too.
petefrt on February 16, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Harold Ickes is a very well known Clinton toady from back in the “glory days” of the Clinton White House, when they were pretty much stinking up the place. He was a slimeball then and he is still a slimeball. Even just saying his name is enough to make you feel like you seriously need a hot shower, not to mention a delousing.
He is also a rather stupid toady slimeball because if Obama should win the popular vote for the nomination and these so-called superdelegates just go right ahead and give the nomination over to Shillary on a silver platter regardless, anyone want to take a guess as to what is going to happen next? You are going to see a split in the Democratic party that will make the splitting of the San Andreas Fault look like a non-event. The Democrats would literally prove to all the nation that as far as what the people want, it doesn’t mean squat to the party leadership. The funny thing is that should that happen, the Democrats can pretty much kiss the black vote they have relied on for so many years goodbye.
In other words, you would see the Democratic Party literally implode on itself before your very eyes.
Not saying that this would be a bad thing, of course.
So go right ahead, Ickes, make your smug little predictions here with that equally smug look on your face.
Then prepare to face the consequences should these superdelegates of yours try to pull something really really really stupid in August.
pilamaye on February 16, 2008 at 7:26 PM
The Clintonista hit machine is no joke. There are dead bodies and ruined lives from sea to shining sea that dared mess with this family. Obama ain’t seen nothing yet.
DrW on February 16, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Harold & Hillary are currently residing in a fantasy world.
This plan simply isn’t going to work.
Pelosi has already come out publicly against this. Hillary cannot count the delegates from Michigan without another vote…she was the only person on the ballot.
Furthermore, announcing to the world that you could care less about anyone’s votes, before the people that hold your fate in their hands actually vote (Texas, Ohio) is, well, retarded.
The Clinton Era is Over, They are in Denial.
Dorvillian on February 16, 2008 at 7:41 PM
If Hillary gets the nomination I think you see a significant number of black voters sit it out. For most people changing political party affiliation is much like changing religion – that is why I don’t see a mass migration to the GOP if Hill takes it from Obama. Putting a black republican as the VP just doesn’t gain much.
Bradky on February 16, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Yup, sitting it out is more likely, now that you mention it. I think you’ve convinced me.
petefrt on February 16, 2008 at 8:45 PM
What Ickes said in effect is that the Billary will not accept a decision arrived at by a democratic process. And that everyone that came out to vote in the Donk primaries that voted for someone other than the Billary were wasting their time. Damn frightening. I can only assume that as POTUS the Billary will no longer accept the will of the Congress and the Courts ?
JonRoss on February 16, 2008 at 8:45 PM
The Politburo is the people, comrades.
CP on February 16, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Scary. And once again, Hillary making it obvious that she knows what’s good for us more than we do. And she and her ilk are willing to do literally anything it takes to get what she wants.
4shoes on February 16, 2008 at 10:30 PM
In Hillaryland party crashes you.
Selected, not elected.
That’s all I got.
BTW Rush predicted something like this last week.
29Victor on February 17, 2008 at 5:20 AM
BTW, Rush makes about 127 predictions a week, and every week one of them is correct.
right2bright on February 17, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Hmmm. Wasn’t Michigan an open primary?
Deety on February 17, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Exactly.
What do you think the voters or Texas and Ohio will think about this? The Hillary camp is all over the place talking about their plans to ignore the voters.
Dorvillian on February 17, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Yes, that’s all he does is make 25 predicitions a day…
I really haven’t noticed that he predicts that much, and when he does he’s usually right.
29Victor on February 17, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Another Clintonista slime ball speaks out. These people are just unbelievable.
Screw the rules that the party agreed to !
Screw the rules that the two contenders agreed to !
Screw what the people voted for !
Screw anybody who wants to abide by the rules – we will just change them to suit the witch !
Screw Obama !
Screw everybody !
Well Dems – keep it up and you will most assuredly screw yourselves. Have a good time !
OBX Pete on February 17, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Why would that matter? My point was that the two other Dem candidates were not on the ballot.
Hillary ended up winning with 55% of the vote. She was running against “uncommitted”.
How would the DNC proportionally allocate the delegates? Who gets the “uncommitted” votes? Does Hillary expect to take them all?
Unbelievable arrogance…undoubtedly leading an epic fall from grace.
Dorvillian on February 17, 2008 at 1:46 PM
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