Say No to TV’s Talking Heads; Support Hillary!

Democrats are on the verge of nominating Barack Obama, the younger less qualified male candidate over Hillary Clinton, the older, more experienced, better qualified female candidate. We can do better. Let’s put a stop to this travesty and turn the race around. There’s still time to nominate Hillary Clinton.

And on that note, I just received this email from Hillary. She’s really standing up to TV’s talking heads to make her case for the nomination.

Dear Virginia,

I owe our 35-point win in Kentucky yesterday to your incredible support. So let me ask you -- do you think we should let the TV talking heads have the final say in this race? Or should we do what we have always done, and fight together for what you and I believe in?

I have never for one moment forgotten what this race is about -- the millions of people who are looking to you and me for the leadership America needs. It's about getting our economy moving again. It's about bringing the war in Iraq to a responsible end. It's about fulfilling America's energy needs while protecting the planet for our children and grandchildren. It's about making sure that every man, woman, and child in America has health care.

Now we have just three races left, and your help is absolutely critical in these final two weeks. So let's do it. Let's keep fighting and winning together, as we have all along.

Contribute today and let's keep driving toward victory.

Let's talk about the state of this race.

I've won more votes than anyone running for the Democratic nomination in the history of our party. I've won states that will total 308 electoral votes in November -- more than enough to carry the general election. And it is critical that we make certain the more than 2 million voters in Florida and Michigan are heard -- I know you understand that -- the action you took this week is already making a difference.

We can let the media decide this race. We can let the pundits be the ones who determine our party's nominee. Or we can listen to the voters. Yesterday, voters in Kentucky joined you in sending a clear message -- this campaign is far from over.

Throughout it all, through the ups and downs of this race, you've been there, supporting me every step of the way. Help me send a strong message that this race isn't over yet.

Contribute now to help us in the final three races.

I'm so proud of what we accomplished yesterday in Kentucky, and of all the victories we celebrated together. We've worked too hard to stop now. Thank you for your incredible support. I don't have to tell you that I couldn't do this without you.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Clinton the Big Winner in Tuesday’s Primaries

Photo credits: Todd Heisler/NY Times

Jeralyn at TalkLeft posted numbers very early Wednesday morning that show Hillary Clinton was the big winner in last night’s primaries in Oregon and Kentucky.

Responding to the question, “Who won bigger in today's primaries? 100% of the vote is in from Kentucky, 66% is in from Oregon,” Jeralyn provides the following data:

Hillary won 51 delegates so far, Obama 35.
Hillary earned 650,000 votes, Obama has gotten 475,000.
Hillary won a lot more votes and more delegates tonight.

She's tonight's winner.

Kentucky: 100% of vote:

Hillary: 459,145 votes * 65% * 37 delegates
Obama: 209,771 votes * 30% * 14 delegates
Counties: Hillary wins all but 2
Oregon: 66% of votes in

Obama: 272,000 votes * 58% * 21 delegates
Hillary: 196,000 votes * 42% * 14 delegates
Counties: Obama wins 16; Hillary wins 13 (1 tied, 4 still out)
More....


Popular vote total nationally:Counting Michigan, Florida and the caucus states, including estimates for IA, NV, ME, WA:
Hillary:17,581,874 * 47.8%
Obama: 17,486,820 * 47.5%
Hillary up by 95,054, +0.26%

Obama Projected Winner in Oregon

CNN has projected Barack Obama the winner in Oregon without any predictions as to the possible margin of victory. With 29% of the precincts reporting, Obama is leading Clinton 60% to 40%. The numbers are coming in fast, so go here for updates.

Kentucky Says Hold Your Horses!

The Bluegrass State will always have a soft spot in my heart. My parents were originally from Magoffin County, Kentucky before they moved to northwestern Ohio where I was born and raised. But for as long as they lived, my parents referred to Kentucky as “back home” and although we lived in Ohio, my brothers and sisters and I grew up in the midst of a transplanted Appalachian family.

Listening to Hillary Clinton’s victory speech in Louisville tonight – she’s winning big - and witnessing the heartwarming exuberance of her supporters gathered there, I was reminded that both of my parents were FDR Democrats who brought their children up to believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of race, gender, religion, or ethnic origin. I’ve been a resident of Minnesota for many years, but I’ve not forgotten the values I first learned from my Kentuckian mother and father.

My ancestral roots in Kentucky may explain in part why I teared up during Hillary’s speech this evening, but there was so much more. She began with a moving tribute to Ted Kennedy, a long-time friend of the Clintons, who is now struggling with a malignant brain tumor.

Shifting her focus to the Democratic contest, she reminded listeners that had the nay sayers and skeptics had their way, she would have given up and dropped out at several critical junctures in the campaign.

You recall, the pundits ganged up on Clinton in earnest the day after the West Virginia primary, which she won by 41%. Perhaps in response to the incessant drumbeat to prematurely anoint Obama, someone in Louisville was seen carrying a sign that read: “Kentucky says hold your horses!”

Clinton reached out to her middle class supporters tonight: the nurses, the truck drivers, the teachers, and the police officers, among others. Perhaps acknowledging the rising rebellion lately by many of her female supporters against the rampant sexism in the Democratic campaign, she made a special effort to reach out to women.

Clinton affirmed the huge vote of confidence Kentucky gave her today, noting that she’s participating in the closest nominating race in recent history, and that she has won more votes than anyone who’s ever run for the Democratic nomination.

Clinton’s supporters roared their approval when she repeated the words, “You’ve never given up on me, and I’ll never give up on you.”

She summarized her take on the race against Obama as it stands: “We’ll go to toe to toe in the contest, but we’ll see eye to eye in November and unite around the candidate whoever “she” is.

Clinton made it clear she’s in the race until the finish line; she’s going to campaign in Montana, South Dakota, and Puerto Rico. She added that she will continue to stand up for Florida and Michigan, insisting that their 2.3 million votes should be counted.

For tonight, though, Clinton can celebrate with her family and friends another blowout victory on the heels of her win in West Virginia. With 100% of precincts reporting in Kentucky, she has defeated Obama by 35 points, 65% to 30%. Here are the raw numbers: Clinton received 458,955votes, and Obama received 209,763. Looks as if she thumped him about 2 to 1, even though he out spent her by about 5 to 1.

P.S. I’ll do my best to hang in there until we get some results from Oregon where the polls won’t close until 10 p.m. CST.

For a complete transcript of Clinton’s victory speech in Kentucky, go here.

Hillary Projected to Win Big in Kentucky

CNN has projected that Hillary Clinton will win Kentucky by a wide margin. With 34% of the precincts reporting, she’s currently leading Obama 54 – 34%. CNN’s map of the Bluegrass state so far shows Clinton sweeping the rural counties with Obama picking up a few votes in urban centers.

I’ll be blogging the results in Kentucky as they come in; the bigger the win for Clinton, the better! The Oregon votes will be coming in later as the polls won’t close there until 10 p.m. CT and 11p.m. ET.

Mass. Superdelegate Endorses Clinton

According to Political Intelligence (Boston Globe), Mass. Attorney General Martha Coakley, who was elected a superdelegate on May 10, is adding her vote to Hillary Clinton's column.

Political Intelligence reported:

‘“I am determined to see a successful Democratic campaign for President in November. I believe that the Democratic primary has demonstrated to the American people that there are two able and hard working candidates, either of whom can win the presidency. Either will be a huge improvement for America over what the Republicans have offered for the last eight years and what they offer now for the next four. I will support whoever is the nominee of the party,’ Coakley said in a statement provided by the Clinton campaign.

‘“Regardless of the outcome of the primary, Mrs. Clinton’s energy, stamina, and resolve have changed the course of history for women seeking office, including the presidency, and I dare say, have changed the course of history of Presidential politics in the United States. It is for these reasons that I will vote for Hillary Clinton in August at the Nominating Convention.’”

Letter to Howard Dean: Count All the Votes!

One of my readers, Sara Mabry, has asked Katalusis to post a letter she faxed to Howard Dean, Chair of the Democratic Party, on behalf of disenfranchised Florida and Michigan Democrats. Below is Sara’s letter:

Chairman Howard Dean:

Since my posted request was so completely ignored, I am going to try again and possibly I will not be spammed with solicitations in its place. It is one thing to take the time to compose a message, but another when it is discarded, but worst of all when my information is used to channel your opinion.

Right now that opinion is very low in my eyes. When you are making or influencing the decision for so many to not count votes, and therefore turning loyal Democrats to independent selections because they will be ashamed to show dedication to this party, one that is not respecting them. If you remember what happened to the FL voters in 2002 and Ohio in 2004, we are sorely tired of those who claim to serve the people.

I have not forgotten and it is something that those in your position seem to forget, and I think you need to consider this. If you want Obama in the White House, remember you may need our votes, and I am speaking of those who passionately support Hillary Clinton. If you think all will honor the Democratic Party after what you decide and not count the votes of the two states in question, then you will lose loyalty over your arrogance.

Choose the rights of the people over the rule that will punish the people not those who made this decision, and it will happen. You, Chairman Dean, will be the one who will influence those who will divide the people. Who do you think will win then? The Republicans love this, and if you don't think you need our votes, then do the math!

I am requesting that you become aware of the pending consequences and that the Super Delegates who have recently filed complaints to the Democratic Party Rule's Committee be honored in their petition and complaint that has been presented or filed before this committee.

Sincerely Wavering Democrat,

S R Mabry, Registered Democrat and Educated

PS I am faxing, as I have learned not to send anything through email to your office.