Did Clinton Rig Her $3 Million by March 31 Campaign?

Earlier today I observed that Clinton was well-behind of a online fundraising goal featured on her website. An hour or so after the entry was published, I noticed that her fundraising totals had jumped roughly $300,000 in a single refresh (less than a minute). This struck me as odd because Clinton's fundraising scoreboard has a realtime counter (second-by-second). Accordingly, I thought I'd take screenshots throughout the day and see how it turned out.

12:49 PM



3:12 PM



10:40 PM



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Did Clinton rig the campaign?

Obama Opens Up 18 Point Lead in NC

A new poll of likely Democratic voters in North Carolina shows Sen. Obama with a commanding 18 point lead over Sen. Clinton. The poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling and had a large sample size (1100) and small margin of error (+- 3). When viewed in conjunction with earlier surveys, the poll reflects a formidable trend in favor of Obama.

On March 6 and 10, Rasmussen and SurveyUSA showed Obama with 7 and 8 point leads respectively. By March 26, Obama had doubled his lead according to Insider Advantage.

This obviously spells trouble for the Clinton campaign as there is widespread agreement that Clinton must win North Carolina to have any chance at the Democratic nomination. See e.g., Mark Halperin of TIME and Domenico Montanaro of MSNBC.

Clinton Well-Short of Fundraising Goal

Sen. Clinton had launched an online fundraising campaign with the aim of raising $3 million, a modest sum compared to the Obama juggernaut, by the March 31 reporting deadline for campaign donations. As of 12:45 pm on March 31, Clinton is roughly $800,000 short of her goal.

Ordinarily, campaigns set goals they can achieve in order to convince supporters and the media that the cause is still going strong. Clinton's substantial shortfall would seem to indicate that her campaign is on the ropes. Clinton's waning fundraising ability would also explain her campaign is having so much trouble paying the bills.

Richardson Answers Carville's "Judas" Attack

Gov. Bill Richardson, an Obama supporter, answered Carville's "Judas" remarks yesterday, saying that he "would not "stoop to Carville's level." Mr. Carville has come under fire for characterizing Richardson's endorsement as "an act of betrayal" and stating that "Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic."

"I haven't gotten into the gutter on this," Richardson said. "And you know, I'm not going to stoop to Carville's level. I barely know the guy in the first place."

Richardson was especially critical of Carville's conception of loyalty.

"I think loyalty to the nation, loyalty to the party is a lot more important than personal loyalty," he said. "I owe the Clintons a lot. I served in the president's cabinet. That loyalty is to President Clinton. That doesn't mean that I'm going to for the rest of my life be in lockstep with whatever they do."

Richardson also took aim at the "personal venom" and sense of entitlement the Clinton campaign has injected into the race.

"I ran against Senator Clinton. I was a presidential candidate. And what I ran against this personal venom that people like Carville and many others in the Clinton team that feel a sense of entitlement, that the presidency is theirs."

Obama Picks Up Support from Sen. Klobuchar, Entire North Carolina Delegation

Obama scored the endorsement of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar last night. The Wall Street Journal also reports that all 7 Democratic Members of Congress from North Carolina plan to endorse Obama as a group in advance of their state's May 6 primary.

Klobuchar, like Casey, had intended to remain neutral. However, Klobuchar was apparently moved by Obama's message and unimpressed by Clinton's negative campaigning. The fact that Obama routed Clinton 66% to 32 in Minnesota didn't hurt either.

"My endorsement reflects both Barack's strong support in my state and my own independent judgment about his abilities," Klobuchar said. "Barack has been a proven agent for change and advocate for middle-class Americans."

Rove's Heavy Hand in Siegelman Prosecution

Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman awoke in jail yesterday, having served 9 months, and proceeded to complete his chores while awaiting his release as ordered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Upon emerging from jail, Gov. Siegelman wasted no time identifying the individual whose actions landed him behind bars: Karl Rove.

“His fingerprints are smeared all over the case," Siegelman said.

Of course, this is hardly a new revelation. In October 2007, lifelong Republican and lawyer Dana Jill Simpson was called before the House Judiciary Committee to answer questions. Simpson testified that William Canary, a senior GOP operative and adviser to Siegelman's 2006 opponent, Bob Riley, told her "not to worry about Don Siegelman" because "'his girls' would take care of" Siegelman.

SIMPSON: Bill Canary said that in order, basically, to get this over with, that not to worry, that Don -- that his girls would get him. Let's just go ahead and get this election contest over with, I guess would be the best way, you know. Because Rob kept saying, I want Don Siegelman not to run. They were talking over each other in that particular -- I don't want to face -- we don't want to face Don in running again in the future. And Bill said -- and that part didn't exactly make it into my affidavit. But Bill said, "Rob, don't worry. My girls are getting him, will take care of him." But he said, "Let's get this election contest behind us."
. . .
COUNSEL: And did you know who Bill Canary's girls were or what he meant by that?
. . .
SIMPSON: He told me somebody -- and I believe it was Bill Canary -- identified, as I recall, saying Leura's my wife, Jill. She works for the middle district of -- and then Alice Martin works for the northern district. And I think there was some mention also of being a USA attorney. I know there was some mention of being a USA attorney, but I think there was some mention that Bill had helped Laura -- I mean Alice-- run for office before in that . . .

"His girls" was a reference to Bill Canary's wife, Laura Canary, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, and Alice Martin, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.

COUNSEL: Okay. And did Rob ask something about if they were sure that Bill Canary's girls could take care of Don Siegelman?

SIMPSON: Yes, they did.

COUNSEL: Can you describe that part of the conversation?

SIMPSON: Well, what he said -- Bill Canary told him not to worry. He had already got it taken care of with Karl. And that Karl had spoken to the Justice Department and the Justice Department was already pursuing Don Siegelman.

COUNSEL: And did you know who he meant by Karl?
. . .
SIMPSON: Karl Rove.

Simpson then informed counsel of something that was not reflected in her affidavit. "Karl had been over to the Justice Department."

COUNSEL: And as you were hearing the conversation and understanding it at the time, leaving aside the precise words that you used in your affidavit, but did you understand them to mean that Karl Rove was encouraging the prosecution?

SIMPSON: What I understood, or what I believed Mr. Canary to be saying, was that he had had this ongoing conversation with Karl Rove about Don Siegelman, and that Don Siegelman was a thorn to them and basically he was going to -- he had been talking with Rove. Rove had been talking with the Justice Department, and they were pursuing Don Siegelman as a result of Rove talking to the Justice Department at the request of Bill Canary.

Unsurprisingly, roughly 50 former Attorneys General - both Democrats and Republicans - have called for a Congressional investigation. The House Judiciary Committee has committed to take up the case.

Ohio Attorney General: No Indictment for Limbaugh Because "Being Stupid Isn't a Crime"

The Ohio Attorney General announced today that conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh will not be indicted for voter fraud. You may recall that in the days leading up to the Ohio Democratic primary, Limbaugh encouraged the GOP faithful to cross-over and vote for Hillary as part of "Operation Chaos." While this news will come as a disappointment to many, the consolation prize - a landmark quotation from the Attorney General's office - is certainly sweet.

"We have no intention of prosecuting Rush Limbaugh because lying through your teeth and being stupid isn't a crime," said Leo Jennings, a spokesman for Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann.

The GOP faithful who followed Limbaugh's advice may not be so fortunate. Under Ohio law, primary voters must sign a form attesting under penalty of prosecution (a felony) that they support the principles of the party whose ballot they are requesting.

Sen. Leahy Calls on Hillary to Concede

Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont became the first in the U.S. Senate to call on Hillary to concede the Democratic race to Obama. Leahy's call came on Vermont Public Radio this morning.

Leahy observed that Hillary continues to aid McCain at Obama's expense but ultimately has no chance of winning the nomination.

I am very concerned. John McCain, who has been making one gaffe after another, is getting a free ride on it because Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have to fight with each other. I think that her criticism is hurting him more than anything John McCain has said. I think that's unfortunate.
. . .
There is no way that Senator Clinton is going to win enough delegates to get the nomination. She ought to withdraw and she ought to be backing Senator Obama. Now, obviously that's a decision that only she can make. Frankly I feel that she would have a tremendous career in the Senate.

Sen. Casey Endorses Obama

Sen. Obama kicks off his one week tour of Pennsylvania with a huge endorsement today: Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. Casey's endorsement gives the Illinois Senator an outside chance to steal Pennsylvania as it will enable Obama to make inroads into some key constituencies. Casey, a devout Catholic, will certainly help Obama with the 53.5% of Pennsylvanians who identify themselves as Catholic.

Casey's clout in Pennsylvania should not be underestimated. His father was one of the state's most popular Governors and Casey himself has built an accomplished record of service in the state.

Hillary's Favorables Plummet While Obama Emerges Unscathed

The Wright controversy has done little to slow Sen. Obama's march towards the nomination, a new WSJ/NBC poll shows. In hypothetical general election match-ups, Obama defeats McCain 44% to 42 while McCain downs Clinton 46% to 44.

Perhaps most significant are the favorables. Hillary's "kitchen sink" campaigning has ostensibly backfired. She is viewed favorably by 37% of voters and unfavorably by 48%. Just two months ago, Hillary was viewed favorably by 46% of voters and unfavorably by 42%.

In contrast, Obama has emerged unscathed from protracted attacks by the media, McCain and Clinton. Obama is viewed favorably by 49% of voters and unfavorably by just 32%. Two months ago, Obama was viewed favorably by 47%; unfavorably by 27%.

Sen. McCain has also benefited from continuous praise by Hillary, positive media coverage and the absence of a united Democratic front. 45% of voters have a favorable opinion of McCain while only 25% expressed an unfavorable opinion.

UPDATE: Obama leads Clinton 49% to 39 in Pew Research's latest poll.

No-Name Superdelegates Fight for Status

Roughly twenty Clinton supporters and superdelegates, most of whom* you've likely never heard of, wrote Speaker Nancy Pelosi yesterday to protest her statements that superdelegates ought not overturn the will of Democratic voters, as expressed through pledged delegates.

Super-delegates, like all delegates, have an obligation to make an informed, individual decision about whom to support and who would be the party’s strongest nominee. Both campaigns agree that at the end of the primary contests neither will have enough pledged delegates to secure the nomination. In that situation, super-delegates must look to not one criterion but to the full panoply of factors that will help them assess who will be the party’s strongest nominee in the general election.

We have been strong supporters of the DCCC. We therefore urge you to clarify your position on super-delegates and reflect in your comments a more open view . . .

This letter further illustrates why the Democratic party must discard this ridiculous superdelegate system. A few party insiders, once invested with a measure of power, forget what party they belong to and dismiss the countless dedicated Democrats who knock on doors, make phone calls after work and pitch the cause and candidates to friends and neighbors.

The Obama campaign issued the following response:

This letter is inappropriate and we hope the Clinton campaign will reject the insinuation contained in it. Regardless of the outcome of the nomination fight, Senator Obama will continue to urge his supporters to assist Speaker Pelosi in her efforts to maintain and build a working majority in the House of Representatives.

Speaker Pelosi should file this letter in the cylindrical cabinet.

* Marc Aronchick, Clarence Avant, Susie Tompkins Buell, Sim Farar, Robert Johnson, Chris Korge, Marc and Cathy Lasry, Hassan Nemazee, Alan and Susan Patricoff, JB Pritzker, Amy Rao, Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Haim Saban, Bernard Schwartz, Stanley Shuman, Jay and Tracy Snyder and Maureen White and Steve Rattner.

Hillary to Unleash "Tonya Harding" Option

According to at least one official at the DNC, Sen. Clinton is preparing to execute the "Tonya Harding" option against Sen. Obama - that is, to "break his back" and leave him damaged beyond repair. Clinton offered Americans a brief taste of what she has in store for Obama yesterday when she attempted to reignite the fire surrounding the Wright controversy.

While Clinton dodged questions about Wright for more than three weeks, Clinton has recently been caught in yet another lie concerning her experience as First Lady. Expediency won the day. "[Wright] would not have been my pastor," Clinton quipped. "You don’t choose your family, but you choose what church you want to attend."

Mary Mitchell of the Chicago Sun Times describes the strategy this way:

Voters who are still trying to sort out fact from fiction with respect to Trinity and Wright are not supposed to notice that Clinton is taking the low road . . . Since Obama has already spoken out against Wright's remarks, Clinton is simply trying to milk the controversy for political advantage. But Americans are supposed to be too dumb to see that.

Whether Democrats stand for it - and Americans fall for it - remains to be seen.

Speaking of Fairy Tales

On Friday, Jim Vandehei and Mike Allen of the Politico said what many of us have known all along - and it's about time it came from the media.

One big fact has largely been lost in the recent coverage of the Democratic presidential race: Hillary Rodham Clinton has virtually no chance of winning.

Her own campaign acknowledges there is no way that she will finish ahead in pledged delegates. That means the only way she wins is if Democratic superdelegates are ready to risk a backlash of historic proportions from the party’s most reliable constituency.

Unless Clinton is able to at least win the primary popular vote — which also would take nothing less than an electoral miracle — and use that achievement to pressure superdelegates, she has only one scenario for victory. An African-American opponent and his backers would be told that, even though he won the contest with voters, the prize is going to someone else.

People who think that scenario is even remotely likely are living on another planet. As it happens, many people inside Clinton’s campaign live right here on Earth. One important Clinton adviser estimated to Politico privately that she has no more than a 10 percent chance of winning her race against Barack Obama, an appraisal that was echoed by other operatives.

In other words: The notion of the Democratic contest being a dramatic cliffhanger is a game of make-believe.

With revotes in Florida and Michigan out of the equation, that 10 percent chance probably fell to about 5. Revelations that Clinton lied about the circumstances surrounding a trip to Bosnia may well have reduced her chances to 1 or 2 percent. The latter came during a speech last Monday, where Clinton recounted her courage under sniper fire in Bosnia.

"I remember landing under sniper fire," Clinton said. “There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base."

Unfortunately for Clinton, the landing was caught on tape. No snipers were on hand.


Had Clinton come "under sniper fire," the Washington Post and other news organizations would have been among the first to learn of it.

Numerous reporters, including the Washington Post's John Pomfret, covered her trip. A review of nearly 100 news accounts of her visit shows that not a single newspaper or television station reported any security threat to the first lady. "As a former AP wire-service hack, I can safely say that it would have been in my lead had anything like that happened," Pomfret said.

Democratic Enrollment Soars in Pennsylvania

Yesterday was the last day for Pennsylvanians to register to vote in the Democratic primary. Since Pennsylvania holds a closed primary, Independents and Republicans must change their party registration to participate. As the numbers show, a great many did.

Democratic registration soared past the 4 million mark for an increase of more than 4 percent and a new record in Pennsylvania. GOP registration sunk a percentage point. Democrats now outnumber Republicans in Pennsylvania by nearly 1 million.

While these numbers bode well for Democrats as a whole, developments on the ground indicate that Sen. Obama is the principal beneficiary. According to Marcel Groen, Chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Party and a Clinton supporter, the Obama camp is doing a much better job registering voters.

McCain's Lobbyist Ties Plague Campaign

Sen. McCain's struggle to ward off allegations of lobbyist ties has taken another turn for the worse. According to USA Today, 23 of 66 current or former lobbyists working for McCain have lobbied for telecommunications companies over the past decade. McCain has received at least $765,000 in political donations from the same telecom lobbyists, their spouses, firms and clients.

Since 18 of the 23 aforementioned lobbyists are "bundlers" - not disclosing exactly how much they've raised - McCain's receipts are presumably much higher. McCain's lobbyist ties came under intense scrutiny a few weeks ago (earlier by Drudge) when former McCain advisers revealed an improper political and/or romantic relationship between the Senator and 40 year-old lobbyist Vicki Iseman.

"I would very much like to think that I have never been a man whose favor can be bought," McCain wrote in Worth Fighting For. While McCain's goal is laudable, his record shows that he is a ways away from achieving it.

Clinton Invited Rev. Wright to White House

According to the New York Times, Bill Clinton invited Rev. Jeremiah Wright to the annual prayer breakfast at the White House in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Hillary Clinton was on hand according to her schedule, as was James Bennet, a former White House correspondent for the Times, to report on the event:

With tears in his eyes, President Clinton told a roomful of clerics this morning that he had sinned, speaking just hours before the world was presented a painstaking account by prosecutors of when, where and how.

The following month, Rev. Wright received a thank you note from President Clinton dated Oct. 28, 1998.

Dear Pastor Wright:

Thank you so much for your kind message. I am touched by your prayers and by the many expressions of encouragement and support I have received from friends across our country.

You have my best wishes.

Sincerely,
Bill Clinton

When the New York Times asked Howard Wolfson, Sen. Clinton's Communications Director, for a comment, Wolfson reportedly said, "oooooooo!" Then Phil Singer, Sen. Clinton's second string spokesman, came off the bench to deliver a coherent response. "In the course of his two terms in office, Bill Clinton met with, corresponded with and took pictures with literally tens of thousands of people," Singer said.

Obama Gains a Superduperdelegate

A critical blow to the Clinton campaign this morning. Former Presidential candidate and Governor Bill Richardson announced that he will endorse Sen. Obama today in Oregon.

Richardson's endorsement comes with tremendous clout and credibility. His service includes terms as Governor of New Mexico, U.S. Secretary of Energy, a Member of Congress, Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the 2004 Democratic Convention and Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. He is the country's first Latino Governor, a five-time nominee for the Nobel Prize and has negotiated the release of hostages, American servicemen, and political prisoners in North Korea, Cuba and Iraq.

While praising Clinton as a "distinguished leader with vast experience," Richardson said Obama "will be a historic and great president, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad."

Richardson cited Obama's speech on race as a particular source of inspiration.

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.

As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words . . .

Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race.

Richardson's endorsement is also revealing given his long history with the Clintons. He worked closely with President Clinton as a Congressman and in the Clinton administration as Ambassador to the United Nations and Energy Secretary. Oh, and they watched the Super Bowl together . . . Asked a while back whether he felt a sense of obligation to President Clinton, Richardson responded, "I paid him back. Because I served well."

How Obama Transforms the Electoral Map

In the aftermath of a split in Texas and losses in Vermont, Wyoming and Mississippi, Sen. Clinton has achieved an improbable feat: persuading most uncommitted Democratic superdelegates that she remains a viable candidate. However, her chief argument - that only she can win the big states in the general - is not only erroneous, but founded on a failed strategy and outdated electoral map.

When President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he reportedly confessed to an aide, "We have lost the South for a generation." Of course, the Democratic party's subsequent shift in strategy made matters worse, relegating its electoral prospects to the northeast corridor and coasts. As a result, Democratic Presidential nominees have been thrust into general election contests at a serious - at times insurmountable - disadvantage. Simplicity, predictability and cowardice have defined the Democratic campaign for the Presidency. Are Democrats really surprised by the GOP's ability to persuade voters to compromise their constitutional rights and economic self-interest? At least the GOP showed up.

The fundamental problem with Sen. Clinton's argument is that it comes from same failed playbook and outdated map at a time when the country stands at a crossroads. For the first time in decades, voters in the South and Heartland are listening. Obama leads Clinton in the Democratic contest, not because he's worked miracles or parted the Mississippi river, but rather because he's showed up. While Clinton likes to emphasize the "big," "important" and "significant" states, Obama has campaigned everywhere. He's gone from the bluest of Blue States to the most crimson corridors of America, fighting for each and every vote and not once conceding a contest. Whereas the Gore and Kerry campaigns were defined by the electoral map. Obama intends to transform it.

To illustrate my point, I compiled available polling data on head-to-head, state-by-state general election matchups for Obama v. McCain and Clinton v. McCain. In the interest of full disclosure, I have made a couple of minor calls that conflict with the data. For example, the latest polls have Clinton 6 to 8 points behind McCain in New Hampshire and Obama trailing by 2 in New Jersey. It is highly unlikely McCain will win either state. We've seen a dramatic blueward shift in New Hampshire's most recent state elections and the current political climate suggests that McCain's chances are slim. New Jersey is famous for its peculiar practice of showing a Republican lead until the 11th hour and then handing an overwhelming victory to the Democratic candidate. Look no further than the 2004 Senate contest between Robert Menendez and Tom Kean Jr.

With these minor adjustments, I proceeded with general election maps for both Obama and Clinton with deep blue for strong Obama/Clinton, deep red for strong McCain and cyan/light blue for states where the margin is less than or equal to 5 (except for Ohio, which I included despite the fact that Obama and Clinton both trail McCain by 6 points). The difference is striking.

For our feed and email readers, the first map shows McCain leading Clinton 255-187 in the electoral college. The second shows Obama with a 219-119 lead and a lot more swing states.

If Clinton became the nominee today, she would enter the general election contest like many Democrats before her - with a lot of ground to make up and a limited time to do it. In contrast, Obama would enter the general election contest in an unfamiliar position - winning. Admittedly, states like Texas will be uphill battles for Obama. He may not win them, but you can be sure he'll force McCain to spend time and money there at the expense of classic swing states like Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

When was the last time you've seen GOP candidate scurry south to defend Texas? North Carolina? Virginia? I can't remember either.

Sources: Rasmussen, SurveyUSA.

Obama's Passport Files Illegally Accessed by State Department Officials

A security breach concerning Sen. Obama's password files at the State Department has just been uncovered. The State Department confirmed that at least three officials at the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs have been fired or suspended and that the known breaches occurred on January 9, February 21 and March 14. While the State Department is required by law to notify affected persons if and when his passport file is compromised, Sen. Obama's Senate Office was notified for the first time this evening by a low-level State Department employee.

Under the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, passport records may only be released without the consent of the affected individual if one of few exceptions set forth under applies. None do. Accordingly, the three employees and other responsible persons are subject to criminal prosecution under 5 U.S.C. 552a(i). See also 7 FAM 060 ("The Privacy Act and Americans Citizen Services").

In light of the foregoing, it should come as no surprise that Obama spokesman Bill Burton has just released a statement blasting the administration.

"This is an outrageous breach of security and privacy, even from an administration that has shown little regard for either over the last eight years. Our government's duty is to protect the private information of the American people, not use it for political purposes. This is a serious matter that merits a complete investigation, and we demand to know who looked at Senator Obama's passport file, for what purpose, and why it took so long for them to reveal this security breach."

This is not the first time a Presidential candidate's passport records have been compromised. Under President George H. W. Bush, administration employees accessed the passport records of then Governor Bill Clinton, triggering the appointment of a special prosceutor to investigate.

UPDATE: The passport records of Senators McCain and Clinton have also been breached. Apparently, McCain's records were accessed earlier this year while Clinton's records were accessed last summer as part of a training exercise.

In Iraq, McCain Confuses Insurgents and al-Qaeda, Shia and Sunni

While in Iraq, Sen. John McCain told reporters that it is "common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known." Moments later, Sen. Joe Lieberman whispered into McCain's ear, at which time McCain corrected himself. "I’m sorry, the Iranians are training extremists, not al-Qaeda.”

Also "common knowledge" (to all but McCain) is the fact that Iran is a Shia stronghold while al-Qaeda is commanded by Sunnis. One would think that someone who claims to have "been involved in nearly every foreign policy crisis to face our country since the Cuban Missile Crisis" might consider this to be an important piece of information. Incredibly, the media has thus far ignored McCain's statement, parroting his assertion that it a simple mistake. As ThinkProgress points out, one might be inclined to believe it had McCain not said the same thing a day earlier on the Hugh Hewitt Show.

HEWITT: What's the -- what's the concern you have about Iran and about, in particular, Ahmadinejad? Some people want to meet with him. He's not on your agenda this trip.

McCAIN: The day I meet with the president of Iran will be the day after he announces his country no longer is dedicated to the extinction of the state of Israel, he day after they stop exporting these most explosive -- most lethal explosives into Iraq. Just yesterday, up in the Mosul area, they uncovered a cache of weapons, and a lot of it was these Iranian copper, high -- most lethal explosives. As you know, there are Al Qaeda operatives that are taken back into Iran, given training as leaders, and they're moving back into Iraq. I think Americans should be very angry when we now that Iran is exporting weapons into Iraq that kill Americans. And so all I can say is that I think they continue to be a threat.

If you like what you're seeing from John McCain on foreign policy, just wait until he attempts to implement his economic plan.

Obama: Not This Time.

For weeks, the media has recycled the same video compilation of incidenary statements by Sen. Obama's former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Of course, they've been fiending for a fight over race since Obama made known his intention to move beyond the divisive group politics of the past and unify the country behind a campaign of new hope and possibility.

At the very moment Sen. Obama's campaign looked as if it might be consumed by the media's insatiable hunger for controversy, Obama answered with courage, conviction and clarity. "Not this time."

Obama has repeatedly and unambiguously condemned the statements at issue, but to no avail. Under similar circumstances, candidates have seized the opportunity to sacrifice the man for the mission. Before those who embrace this routine form of political cowardice lies the safer path. But Obama chose the difficult road - he told the truth, insisting that the ties which bind us together cannot be severed lest it be done by our own hands. At a moment where cold calculation is the only play in the book, Obama bet instead on the American people.

I have asserted a firm conviction — a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people — that, working together, we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.

For the African-American community, that path means embracing the burdens of our past without becoming victims of our past . . . In the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people . . . It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper.

In the end, then, what is called for is nothing more and nothing less than what all the world's great religions demand — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us be our brother's keeper, scripture tells us. Let us be our sister's eeper. Let us find that common stake we all have in one another, and let our politics reflect that spirit as well.

In tomorrow's edition of the New York Times, "Mr. Obama's Profile in Courage," the Editorial Board identifies Obama's statement on race as one of those increasingly rare moments where an individual transcends politics and shows the nation what's possible.

He did not hide from the often-unspoken reality that people on both sides of the color line are angry. “For the men and women of Reverend Wright’s generation,” he said, “the memories of humiliation and fear have not gone away, nor the anger and the bitterness of those years.”

At the same time, many white Americans, Mr. Obama noted, do not feel privileged by their race. “In an era of stagnant wages and global competition, opportunity comes to be seen as a zero-sum game,” he said, adding that both sides must acknowledge that the other’s grievances are not imaginary.

He made the powerful point that while these feelings are not always voiced publicly, they are used in politics. “Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan coalition,” he said.

Against this backdrop, he said, he could not repudiate his pastor. “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community,” he said. “I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother.” That woman whom he loves deeply, he said, “once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street” and more than once “uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.”

There have been times when we wondered what Mr. Obama meant when he talked about rising above traditional divides. This was not such a moment.

The moment now belongs to Americans - white, black, latino and asian, male and female, young and old - to leave the politics we know behind and show ourselves, each other and the world that out of many, we are one.

UPDATE: OTHER REACTIONS TO OBAMA'S SPEECH (Mar. 21, 2008)

Charlotte Observer
But Sen. Obama had a larger purpose in mind: not merely to handle a political problem, but to talk about race and the future of America. In a quiet, insightful, at times powerful speech he examined the reasons for both anger and hope. It was a message our nation sorely needs to hear, and one he is uncommonly qualified to deliver.

Philadelphia Inquirer
With his brilliant speech on race relations yesterday at the National Constitution Center, Barack Obama showed why his campaign for president has the aura of a mission . . . Speaking to the concerns of whites and blacks had a powerful effect. Obama was masterful in arguing that overcoming racial divisions will make it easier for this nation to work on solutions to health care, the economy, and the war in Iraq.

Obama helped his campaign for president. And he showed the leadership necessary to take this country on a more productive path.

Dallas Morning News
Has any major U.S. politician in modern times ever given a speech about race in America as unflinching, human and ultimately hopeful as the one Barack Obama delivered yesterday? . . . It was possibly the most important major speech on race in America since Dr. King died . . .

Los Angeles Times
No single speech will recalibrate America's consideration of race and politics, but we are closer today, thanks to this remarkable address, to facing our history and perfecting our nation.

Chicago Sun-Times
So Obama, in that exceptional way he has of brushing aside polemics, stepped up to a podium in Philadelphia and challenged us to see all the shades of gray, to embrace our greater and shared humanity.

It was a moving moment in American history to hear a man who could be president dissect the rancorous matter of race with such candor, and it called to mind other piercing addresses by the likes of FDR, Kennedy and King.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
On Tuesday morning, at a moment of maximum peril to his own ambitions, Sen. Barack Obama delivered not just a speech, but an extraordinary gift to America: A way to transcend racial divisions and political cynicism and set about the task of forming a more perfect union.

The New York Times
Inaugural addresses by Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt come to mind, as does John F. Kennedy’s 1960 speech on religion, with its enduring vision of the separation between church and state. Senator Barack Obama, who has not faced such tests of character this year, faced one on Tuesday. It is hard to imagine how he could have handled it better.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
When we think of words in politics or governance that had to be said, we think of the Gettysburg Address or Franklin Delano Roosevelt's admonition that all we had to fear was "fear itself." And now we think of Obama's speech on race - words that sorely needed saying.

The Oregonian
[E]very American, young and old, should hear this speech. Obama certainly isn't a post-racial candidate, if there is such a thing, and he didn't claim to be one Tuesday. But he did offer an inspiring vision of a nation where unity eclipses division, and where the identity we cherish most is the one we all share:

American.

Vague Space
Politics as theater has for a long time not served this country well. This was not politics. And it says nothing about what he may or may not be able to accomplish as president. But to doubt that he has the ability to succeed after watching this speech would be beyond me. This is a once in a generation opportunity to change our nation. Let's not miss it.

PrawfsBlawg
I thought it was pretty amazing: intelligent, eloquent, persuasive, and yeah, inspirational. It was, to me, an actual example of explaining some complex and difficult real and perceived differences, and then trying to build bridges, stressing commonalities and not divisiveness.

Wonkette
Ha ha, Barry has a crazy old racist grandma too! He IS America.

Carpetbagger's Report
Generally, speeches are a bit like art — their quality is in the eye of the beholder. From where I sat, I found Obama’s speech rather extraordinary. Indeed, it’s the kind of speech politicians just don’t give anymore — a brilliant address with context and nuance. It answered key questions, while challenging his audience with new ones.
. . .
But if Obama’s address is judged on its merits, it’ll be considered one of the high points of the campaign. In this sense, the Wright controversy may ultimately prove to be a blessing in disguise — it prompted Obama to deliver one of the great modern speeches on race in America.

Josh Marshall of the Talking Points Memo
[M]y sense was that the tempo and tenor was suited to the occasion. The kind of stirring delivery he's made a trademark of in his victory celebrations would not have been appropriate for the moment.

James Fallows of Atlantic
It was a moment that Obama made great through the seriousness, intelligence, eloquence, and courage of what he said. I don't recall another speech about race with as little pandering or posturing or shying from awkward points, and as much honest attempt to explain and connect, as this one.

Kate Shepard of the American Prospect
Obama's much-anticipated speech on race today hit the appropriate tone not just for addressing the Jeremiah Wright flap, but for framing the relevance of his candidacy in general. It was best in the way it framed the discomfort and resentment in the discussion of race in America that has lead to a "racial stalemate" for so many years, and made race "a part of our union that we have not yet made perfect."

Michael Crowley of The New Republic
Those who actually heard or read Obama's entire speech will be reminded that he is a true intellectual - a talented writer and lyrical speaker. Is there another person in American politics capable of giving a speech so organic, so devoid of cant and cliche? Certainly not that pedestrian orator, Hillary Clinton. (The lone exception, ironically, might be Bill Clinton.)

Charles Murray of the American Enterprise Institute
Has any other major American politician ever made a speech on race that comes even close to this one? As far as I'm concerned, it is just plain flat out brilliant—rhetorically, but also in capturing a lot of nuance about race in America. It is so far above the standard we're used to from our pols.... But you know me. Starry-eyed Obama groupie.

Sen. Hillary Clinton
I'm very glad that he gave [the speech]. It's an important topic.

Obama Wins Another 15 Pledged Delegates

The Iowa Democratic Party announced last night that Sen. Obama picked up 10 additional pledged delegates from its county conventions. California also finalized the results of its primary on Saturday, awarding Obama another 5 pledged delegates; Clinton, 2.

Obama's haul at the Iowa county conventions came from 9 of the 14 delegates pledged to Senator John Edwards as well as 1 delegate previously pledged to Sen. Clinton. 5 of Edwards's delegates remain so committed.

On Earmarks and Campaign Contributions, Hillary is Top Hawk

On Monday, Sen. Obama released all of his earmark requests as a U.S. Senator and called on Sen. Clinton to do the same. Clinton's staff said she'll only release earmarks that she's requested and received this year.

Clinton has good reason to drag her feet. After all, she voted against requiring public disclosure of earmark sponsors and recipients when the Senate took up ethics and lobbying reform in January 2007. (See The Nation, "Queen of Earmarks.") Among members of Congress, she ranks #9 of 535 in earmark reciepts. In FY2008 alone, she's amassed 261 earmarks - over five times the number of any other Presidential candidate - for a grand total of more than $342 million. Perhaps most staggering is the fact that $150 million or 44% of Clinton's earmarks went to military defense projects; that is, to some of the world's largest military defense corporations. According to the Hill:

Clinton’s beneficiaries include defense giant Northrop Grumman, which secured $6 million for the AN/SPQ-9B radar; New York-based Telephonics, which won $5 million for a standardized aircraft wireless intercom system for the National Guard Black Hawk helicopter fleet; Plug Power Inc., another New York state company, which got $3 million for fuel cell power technology; and Alliant Tech Systems (ATK), which won $3.5 million for the X-51 B robust scramjet research.

In fact, Sen. Clinton ranks #2 of 535 in military earmarks, behind only Sen. Carl Levin, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Those who doubt Clinton's stature as a top military hawk need look no further than the defense industry's campaign contributions. The industry has abandoned the GOP this election cycle, pouring its financial contributions instead into Clinton's campaign coffers. Some might have thought it impossible, but as Mark Halperin points out, "Those who get earmarks usually donate to election campaigns."

FBI Misuse of National Security Letters Continues, Field Investigation Botched

A report issued today by the Justice Department's Inspector General Glenn A. Fine reveals that the FBI continues to misuse national security letters ("NSLs") and violate Americans' privacy rights. Through numerous privacy breaches, the FBI has illegally obtained personal information on tens of thousands of Americans and foreigners in 2006 alone.

Inspector General Fine attributes these breaches to poor recordkeeping, oversight and other problematic practices. Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, points out that the report comes at a time when the White House is attempting to bully Congress into expanding the President's spying powers.

Moreover, Inspector General Fine indicates that the FBI botched their 2007 investigation of NSL-misuse by FBI field offices (report at 16); an investigation that the FBI promised to avoid a three-pronged beatdown by Congress, the media and public. The year before, the FBI employees reported 84 possible violations of laws or guidelines associated with the FBI's [mis]use of NSLs.

Obama Picks Up Key Military Endorsements

Sen. Obama picked up endorsements from 10 admirals and generals with distinguished records of service collectively under 9 Commanders in Chief. The admirals and generals cited Sen. Obama's judgment, respect for the Constitution and commitment to our men and women in uniform as reasons for their endorsements.

"Those of us who have served, worn the cloth of our nation, and gone into harm's way know that to be successful we must have the strongest sense of trust in our Commander in Chief..." said Admiral (Ret.) Robert “William” Williamson (USN). “Of this I am certain: Senator Obama will do all of those things and much more to ensure the safety and f reedom of our citizens, our allies, and coalition partners. He has all he great qualities and attributes required to carry out the most difficult duties of the Presidency."

These endorsements will undoubtedly help Sen. Obama turn back the Clinton campaign's "red phone" offensive. You can read the full remarks of Sen. Obama, Admiral Williamson and the other admirals and generals here.

Potomac Superdelegates Dismiss Voters

On February 12, Democratic voters in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia turned out in record numbers to choose a Democratic nominee for President of the United States. Their choice was clear. Senator Obama defeated Sen. Clinton 60%-37 in Maryland, 64%-35 in Virginia and 75%-24 in the District of Columbia. However, the will of Potomac voters has been frustrated by their so-called superdelegates. In no other region of the country is there such a disconnect between Democratic voters and their superdelegates - and unelected DNC members are primarily responsible. Consider the following...

In Maryland, 11 superdelegates support Sen. Clinton; just 5 have committed to Sen. Obama. 8 of 11 superdelegates supporting Clinton are unelected DNC members. 12 remain uncommitted. Although Obama won 60% of the Maryland vote, 69% of Maryland superdelegates support Clinton.

In Virginia, 6 superdelegates support Sen. Clinton; just 4 have committed to Sen. Obama. 6 of 6 superdelegates supporting Clinton are unelected DNC members. 6 remain uncommitted. Although Obama won 65% of the Virginia vote, 60% of Virginia superdelegates support Clinton.

In the District of Columbia, 10 superdelegates support Sen. Clinton; only 8 have committed to Sen. Obama. 10 of 10 superdelegates supporting Clinton are unelected DNC members. 4 remain uncommitted. Although Obama won a staggering 75% of the D.C. vote, 56% of D.C. superdelegates are supporting Clinton.

Potomac superdelegates' utter disregard of Democratic voters is appalling. As such, I have listed the Potomac superdelegates below and will be updating this entry with relevant contact information. If you do decide contact your superdelegates, be polite. All effective legislators and lobbyists are.

MARYLAND

Clinton (11)
Ldr. Joe Andrew
DNC Alvaro Cifuentes
DNC Maria Cordone
DNC Nancy Kopp
DNC Richard Michalski
DNC Glenard Middleton
Sen. Barbara Mikulski
Gov. Martin O'Malley
DNC Carol Pensky
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger
DNC Michael Steed

Obama (5)
Rep. Elijah Cummings
DNC Janice Griffin
DNC Mary Jo Neville
DNC Karren Pope-Onwukwe
Rep. Albert Wynn

Uncommitted (12)
Sen. Ben Cardin
DNC Michael Cryor
DNC John Gage
DNC Lauren Glover
Rep. Steny Hoyer
DNC Belkis Leong-Hong
DNC Heather Mizeur
DNC Gregory Pecoraro
Rep. John Sarbanes
DNC John Sweeney
DNC Susan Turnbull
Rep. Chris Van Hollen

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Clinton (10)
DNC Marilyn Tyler Brown
DNC Mary Eva Candon
DNC Yolanda Caraway
DNC Hartina Flournoy
DNC Harold Ickes
DNC Ben Johnson
DNC Eric Kleinfeld
DNC Mona Mohib
DNC Minyon Moore
DNC Elizabeth Smith

Obama (8)
DNC Michael Brown
DNC Arrington Dixon
Myr. Adrian Fenty
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton
DNC Jeffery Richardson
DNC Paul Strauss
DNC James Zogby
DNC Anna Burger

Uncommitted (4)
DNC Anita Bonds
DNC Donna Brazile
DNC Larry Cohen
DNC Christine Warnker

VIRGINIA

Clinton (6)
Ldr. Terry McAuliffe
DNC Barbara Easterling
DNC Jennifer McClellan
DNC Mame Reiley
DNC Lionel Spruill Sr.
DNC Susan Swecker

Obama (4)
Rep. Rick Boucher
Gov. Tim Kaine
Rep. Jim Moran
Rep. Bobby Scott

Uncommitted (6)
DNC Richard Cranwell
DNC Alexis Herman
DNC Joe Johnson
DNC Jim Leaman
DNC Jerome Wiley Segovia
Sen. Jim Webb

Obama Routs Clinton 61%-37 in Mississippi

Sen. Obama routed Sen. Clinton 61%-37 in Mississippi en route to his 30th win in 45 contests. According to the exit polls, Sen. Obama won both men and women, all education levels and nearly all income levels. Obama captured 55% of voters citing the economy as the most important issue, 63% of voters citing Iraq as the most important issue and 63% of voters who said health care was most important.

Republicans robbed Obama of an even larger victory. A staggering 13% of Democratic primary voters were Republicans and 78% of them voted for Clinton. Apparently, the Mississippi GOP took Rush Limbaugh's suggestion to heart.

Clinton's Response to Ferraro's Racist Remarks Unacceptable

Geraldine Ferraro, a former Democratic nominee for Vice President and current member of Sen. Clinton's campaign finance committee, launched a racist verbal assault on Sen. Obama yesterday.

"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," she said. "And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

Asked for a response, the Clinton campaign said, "We disagree with her."

This response is wholly unacceptable. One cannot "disagree" without accepting the premise that reasonable minds could differ on the subject. A racist mind is inherently unreasonable. Whether Ms. Ferraro's remarks were an isolated incident or a well-cemented worldview is of no consequence. The Clinton campaign was given the opportunity to reject the message. They did not.

An appropriate response would have gone something like this: "We categorically and completely reject Ms. Ferraro's statements about Senator Obama. They do not represent the America we believe in and have no place in the future we intend to build. I have asked for, received and accepted Ms. Ferraro's resignation effective immediately."

That's how you reject the message.

Congress Fights Back in U.S. Attorneys Dispute

Yesterday, Nathan Irvin, General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the House Judiciary Committee to enforce subpoenas issued to White House chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former Counsel Harriet Miers in conjunction with the Committee's investigation of the U.S. Attorney firings.

President Bush has refused to allow Mr. Bolten and Ms. Miers to testify on grounds of executive privilege, a defense that is tenuous at best. Of course, to legal scholars executive overreach is an assault on the Constitution; to this White House, its been a winning strategy. Bruce Fein, Former Assistant Attorney General in the Reagan administration, has repeatedly slammed the Bush administration's misuse of executive privilege.

Executive privilege is a concoction, then, to protect secrecy for the sake of secret government, while transparency is the rule of enlightened democracies to insure political accountability and to deter folly or wrongdoing.

If Congress lacks the power to compel essential testimony from Bolten and Miers, Fein warns, "[a] second edition of Watergate could go undetected." With this lawsuit, Democrats in Congress intend to break that mindset and drive the President back to his own constitutional turf.

"We will not allow the administration to steamroll Congress," Judiciary Chairman John Conyers Jr. said. "Under our system of checks and balances, Congress provides oversight of the executive branch to make sure that government power is not abused. The administration’s extreme claims to be immune from the oversight process are at odds with our constitutional principles on which this country was founded, and I am confident the federal courts will agree."

Read the House's four-count complaint here.

New York Times Article Reveals That There is Nothing to Report

If you've been reading about the Obama-Clinton contest in New York Times lately, I need not tell you that the Times has a dog in the hunt and has no qualms about showing it. If Howard Wolfson is Hillary's Communications Czar, Times Managing Editor Jill Abramson is Opposition Researcher in Chief. Unable to dig up any real dirt on Obama, the Times has apparently resigned itself to tortured (albeit humorous) implications. In today's edition of the Times, Catrin Einhorn lowers the bar further with "In Developer’s Trial, E-Mail Note Cites an Obama Role."

Ms. Einhorn reports that Senator Obama's name appears in an email concerning a state health planning board that Mr. Rezko is accused of improperly influencing.

"The vaguely worded message also seemed to raise the possibility that Mr. Obama, who at the time was chairman of the Illinois Senate’s health committee, had been involved in recommending candidates for the board."

Ms. Einhorn notes that Governor Blagojevich had asked that the email be written and that the Governor had never discussed the appointment process with Senator Obama. Oh, and "Mr. Obama has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and his name is expected to come up only tangentially during the trial," Einhorn adds.

So let me get this straight . . . While Chairman of the Illinois Senate Health Committee, Senator Obama's name was mentioned in an email that involved a state health planning board and was written and dispatched at the Governor's direction. Gasp!

To her credit, Ms. Einhorn's concludes her article with some succinct and appropriate analysis by David Wilhelm, former adviser to Governor Blagojevic. The email message is "a nonstory," Mr. Wilhem said.

A Defining Moment for Democrats

Should the Clinton campaign succeed in its attempt to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations, its achievement will surely rank among the greatest election frauds in American political history. It is well-known that Florida and Michigan moved up their primary dates while giving the proverbial middle finger to well-established DNC rules and 48 sister states. It is not well-known that the primary calendar and applicable DNC rules were crafted by Clinton Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe and members of the DNC Commission on Presidential Timing and Scheduling - all of whom were appointed by McAuliffe.

McAuliffe tailored the primary calendar to Clinton's strengths - name recognition and inevitability - expecting that it would enable Clinton to secure the nomination before an upstart candidate could introduce himself - that is, present an alternative - to the Democratic electorate. The coronation was scheduled for February 5 or "Super-Duper Tuesday." McAuliffe and the Clinton camp were so confident their stacked deck would yield an ace, they didn't even bother to prepare a Plan B.

On January 15, Clinton was asked on NPR about the decisions of Michigan and Florida to move up their primaries in violation of party rules. "It's clear, this election they're having is not going to count for anything," she remarked. Then came South Carolina and February 5.

Clinton readily aides admitted that they had no plan beyond February 5. It certainly showed. Senator Clinton cut a check for $5 million to buy time and a drawing board. Meanwhile, adviser Harold Ickes blamed Chief Strategist Mark Penn. Mark Penn blamed Campaign Manager Patti Solis Doyle and everyone else on staff. Campaign Chairman Terry McAulliffe told Penn to shut the f#$! up.

While the Michigan and Florida contests didn't "count for anything" in January, Clinton has since hatched a plan whereby Michigan and Florida could mean everything. So what if she promised New Hampshire that she would defend its time-honored status against the likes of Michigan and Florida? The media is no longer paying attention to New Hampshire. Otherwise, we surely would have heard about the scathing editorials coming out of that state. The Union Leader's January 29 editorial is illustrative:

Courting voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, last August Sen. Hillary Clinton signed a pledge not to "campaign or participate" in the Michigan or Florida Democratic primaries. She participated in both primaries and is campaigning in Florida. Which proves, again, that Hillary Clinton is a liar.

. . .

Clinton coldly and knowingly lied to New Hampshire and Iowa. Her promise was not a vague statement. It was a signed pledge with a clear and unequivocal meaning.

She signed it thinking that keeping the other candidates out of Michigan and Florida was to her advantage, but knowing she would break it if that proved beneficial later on. It did, and she did.

New Hampshire voters, you were played for suckers.

Bill Clinton proceeded down south to work some magic of his own (e.g. pulling Jesse Jackson out of thin air). South Carolina was unimpressed and handed his wife a crippling defeat. At that point, Senator Clinton desperately needed a win - even a fake one would do. Enter Florida.

While Clinton had signed a pledge not to campaign in Florida, Clinton campaigned in Florida anyway. As John Nichols of The Nation reported:

The Clinton campaign claims that the senator from New York is abiding by the no-campaigning pledge because Sunday's two Florida events were technically closed to the public. But the stops were treated as major news events in a state where many Democrats have expressed anger over the absence of the party's presidential candidates during a period when Florida is overrun by Republican contenders.

Clinton's Communications Director Howard Wolfson prepared an internal campaign memo (for general distribution), declaring that the voices of Florida voters would be heard "[d]espite efforts by the Obama campaign to ignore Florida." Nichols aptly described Senator Clinton's approach as, "You may follow the rules if you please, but I write the rules as I please. "

With a ratings-hungry media at their heels, the Clinton camp may well succeed in rigging the election for a second time. Will Democrats see through it? The future of the party and country hangs in the balance.

More Experienced: Laura Bush or Hillary Clinton?

Senator Clinton has routinely claimed the mantle of experience, arguing that her experience in the White House makes her "ready to lead on day one" and the candidate who is most qualified to answer the "red phone" at 3 am. Among the questions the media has failed to ask, let alone explore, is what specific experiences support Senator Clinton's purported strengths on national security, foreign policy and domestic issues. No one disputes that her service on the Armed Services Committee is relevant. However, does she otherwise have any more "Presidential" experience than Laura Bush? Compare their resumes.

LAURA BUSH

Education

• BA, Southern Methodist
• MA, University of Texas at Austin

Years in White House: 8

• Formerly First Lady of Texas

Defense and Foreign Policy Experience

• Married to Commander in Chief during 2 Wars: Afghanistan and Iraq
• Represented U.S. in Afghanistan, meeting with President Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan to promote equal rights for women
• First spouse of a President to deliver President's weekly radio address, using the opportunity to highlight the suffering of women under Taliban rule.

Domestic Policy Experience

• Led President's "Helping America's Youth initiative"
• Convened White House Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development
• Partner with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in publicizing The Heart Truth (that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in America.) Mrs. Bush educates women about their risks and emphasizes the importance of healthy lifestyles and screenings.
• Co-founder of Preserve America, a national initiative to protect our cultural and natural heritage

HILLARY CLINTON

Education

• BA, Wellesley College
• JD, Yale

Years in White House: 8

• Formerly First Lady of Arkansas

Defense and Foreign Policy Experience

• Married to Commander in Chief during Kosovo conflict
• Made a speech about women's rights before the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China

Domestic Policy Experience

• Chaired President's Task Force on Health Care Reform, but failed to achieve Health Care Reform. Helped to win passage of State Children's Health Insurance Program.
• Wrote a weekly newspaper column entitled "Talking It Over" to discuss her experiences as First Lady and her thoughts on women, children, and families she has met around the world
• Served on organizations concerned with children's welfare and on the board of Wal-Mart and several other corporate boards.

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia / Cross-posted on DailyKos