North Carolina — The Clinton Camp’s Assessment
How does the Hillary Clinton campaign assess the race in North Carolina? Here’s what Averell “Ace” Smith, who is running Clinton’s campaign here, had to say.
Smith told Trail Mix that Barack Obama starts with a large advantage here and that if Clinton were to win on May 6, “it would probably be one of the greatest upsets, probably in the last 10 years.” But Smith also said he expects North Carolina to be competitive and said the Clinton campaign will put in place “one of the biggest, deepest grassroots organizations that this state’s ever seen.”
Does Clinton have to pull off the upset to have a chance at the presidential nomination, as some commentators have suggested? Smith said no. “There’s no question that a huge upset win in North Carolina would be great for the campaign,” he said. “Is it absolutely necessary? The answer is we’re just looking to run a strong campaign here.”
But he did seem to acknowledge that for Clinton to win the nomination, she will need some sort of race-changing development to counteract the growing perception that Obama is the nominee-to-be. “That may be how it looks to you today,” Smith said, referring to Obama’s status as the apparent front-runner. “But there’s going to be a lot of things that happen between now and the next two months that can change things immensely,” Smith said.
“But there’s going to be a lot of things that happen between now and the next two months that can change things immensely,” Smith said.
This makes me wonder whatHillary’s campaign has up their sneaky sleeve and just how low they are gonna go.
Someone with influence and reason, PLEASE stop Hillary before she ruins it for the Democrats and in November, we all have to say “President McCain”
Kathy on 03/27/2008 (2:51 pm)
What I don’t understand is how the big-time media allows a candidate for President, like Hillary, to get away with an explanation that she can’t release her income tax records because they are so complicated. Really? All it takes is a FAX machine to copy what she and Bill filed, like the rest of us, with the U.S. government each April 15 for say, the last 7 years--like Obama has done. And while they are at it, can Bill tell us who is supporting his Center? Is it the Saudi government? The media should DEMAND answers on our behalf. (I bet when Hillary finally releases tax returns--after the Pennsylvania primary--it will show Bill filing separately to keep his exhorbitant “income” secret.)
John Poswall on 03/27/2008 (9:59 am)
After Hillary told that big bold faced lie on her trip to Bosnia, I now see her as nothing more than a disturbed and evil individual. I can’t get pass how she told it with such ease over and over again. I believed her! She had a lot of people fooled. Is it just me or is the media giving her a free pass on this incredible lie?
I’m disappointed. I’m glad it opened my eyes before it’s too late. Had Obama done this, it would be front page news forever. What a double standard we have in the United States media. Oh, and Hillary brought up an old story to divert attention away from her. Guess what? The media is running with her diversion. Wow!
Hope I don’t “misspeak” here, but I really despise a liar. My grandma used to say, “if you lie you’ll steal.” Will Hillary steal the nomination? I wouldn’t put it pass her. She’s lurking around for something. I would be too shame to show my face after the Bosnia lie.
I’m very disappointed. Shame on you, Hillary!
Debmood on 03/27/2008 (7:51 am)
This is simple “expectation setting” (both sides do it). If she loses big in North Carolina, it becomes “We didn’t expect to win, anyway”. If she wins, even by the smallest of margins, it becomes “The biggest upset in 10 years”.
Actually, I find the whole “winning” a state rhetoric misleading given that delegates are awarded proportionally. It makes sense in the winner-take-all Republican primary (and general election), but not in the Democratic primary.
Gary on 03/27/2008 (6:50 am)
yes he need to bring out michael jordan in n.carolina
and bring out george clooney in kentucky.
these 2 guy as almost as powerful than oprah.
calvin on 03/27/2008 (2:47 am)
If Barack Obama wins the Dem. nomination, it will be the biggest upset ever.. after all, Clinton was.."Inevitable."
Smith claims that Clinton “won” California.
But his homebase of Northern California counties all went for Obama over Clinton.
San Francisco was 52.46% for Obama..
44.12% for Clinton.
These other Northern California counties cast a higher vote for Obama:
Alameda,Marin,Yolo,Sacramento,SantaCruz,
SanFrancisco,SONOMA, Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, Sierra,Nevada,Plumas..etc.
And on March 29th I believe we will find out that Obama won more delegates in the Texas vote...when the delegate win count is released for the “caucus” evening vote.
And.. Any talk about Clinton being chosen as a vice-presidential running mate for Mr.Obama.. would be disastrous. It is very obvious that huge numbers of Dems do not want Clinton anywhere near the White House in her lifetime.
Many of us..and many of us reg.political campaign workers..would work against the party if that is foisted upon us.
If you keep knocking on the Devil’s door, someday it is going to open..
It is looking more and more like the Clintons have some sort of deal with Lucifer..and he always comes for payup…
Hopefully the Clintons will be home, with their legs up, sitting around the fireplace..just like George Bush says he’ll be doing..
George Shieman gshieman@aol.com
SanFrancisco/Eureka
Thank you Barack Obama for being there for so many of us Democrats who had given up on being involved in national politics.
George Shieman on 03/27/2008 (1:03 am)
HilLiar Clinton - win or lose NC, you will NEVER be in the Whitehouse!
Franca Lopez on 03/26/2008 (10:53 pm)
“Anything Hillary wins counts. Anything Barack wins means nothing.” This is the same old Clinton playbook. Yawn.
Keith on 03/26/2008 (10:21 pm)
Rublicans crossing over to vote for Clinton makes it look like Obama is getting a lot less white support in southern states. Example, 40,000 conservative republicans voted for hiliary in mississippi because rush limbaugh. this makes it look like obama is getting only 25% white support but if you take these republicans out of the numbers, then obama is getting closer to 40% white vote. so the numbers are being diluted by rush limbaugh’s operation chaos. hopefully, the superdelegates will understand this fact
DJ on 03/26/2008 (10:06 pm)
Looks like North Carolina is Obama Country. I hope he pulls out his “ace”, Michael Jordan to campaign with him.
Carolyn Grace on 03/26/2008 (8:38 pm)
I have to agree that I have seen NO Hillary supporters around here. Most people who you might assume would be for her are for McCain, and frankly ...
Honesty goes a long way down here. So, only one DNC choice really applies there
Bob in Raleigh NC on 03/26/2008 (8:33 pm)
All Americans must ask themselves seriously, how does a “couple” with no business, entrepreneurial enterprise other than a “Philanthropic” one (See: The Clinton Global Initiative) get obscenely wealthy in less than 5 years? This is a critical question. Philanthropy and Politics do not make people rich unless you are selling favors. The Clinton Global Initiative is a FRONT not unlike a Pizzeria or Cafe that would serve as a front for the MAFIA/Organized Crime. The Clintons sold the last Whitehouse on the way out and may have pre-sold the next Clinton Administration. Hence the reason why Hillary is fighting to the bitter end, the Clintons owe some powerful people who will feel royally screwed for being guaranteed that she was “inevitable” to land in the Whitehouse.
Memling Index, Bill & Hillary Clinton’s Recent Meteoric Rise in Wealth: http://www.thememlingindex.com/hillary_clinton_net_worth-wealth.html
Clinton’s ‘35 years of change’ omits most of her career: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/26377.html
Christopher London on 03/26/2008 (7:51 pm)
could Larry please explain the Rush effect? if this is the case, is there some way you could bring this to the attention of the MSM?
janie on 03/26/2008 (6:44 pm)
No the Biggest Upset in Ten Years is that the Junior Senator from Illinois beat the pants suit off the great, experienced HRC!
OBAMA 08!
Phaedra H on 03/26/2008 (6:36 pm)
I used to like Hillary then I didn’t care. Now I am emotional for Obama. I want him to win and I can’t stand Hillary’s attitude, her sense of entitlement or her arrogance. North Carolina, I HOPE, will come through for Obama. Either way, I plan to continue to read Obama’s speeches, books, etc..
Brandy on 03/26/2008 (5:49 pm)
There’s Operation Chaos that is working very, very hard, trying to help Hil win NC. Hey...they are selling Operation Chaos hats, Tshirts and bumper stickers. There’s a huge email network in NC. trying to get voters to cross over and vote for Hil.
Somehow, this is all going unreported. Why isn’t this condemed?
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_031208/content/01125108.guest.html
Larry on 03/26/2008 (5:43 pm)
Greetings from Raleigh, North Carolina! The State Capital. OBAMA COUNTRY. Sorry Billary, you had a great run in the 90’s, now you are just sad. Don’t get me wrong. We appreciate your time in the 90s ...but that was then, this is now. No, Hillary will not win North Carolina.
But hey, if Ace wants to hollar down a rain barrell...go head on!
larry on 03/26/2008 (5:15 pm)
I’m in NC and I don’t know anyone who is supporting Hillary here. There are some party elites who are working for her, but rank and file Democrats are almost universally behind Obama.
We’re all still getting used to the fact that candidates are coming here in the primary, and looking around saying “Garsh, we actually matter this year!”
RJ Cox on 03/26/2008 (5:11 pm)
Hello, I am in Raleigh NC and I can say Hillary has a uphill battle in NC. Remember, NC has more colleges per square miles than in other state in the nation. Also, NC is similar in demographics to VA & SC with a very mix diversity and income. NC is so close to a blue state because of the influx of Northerns. I predict Obama to win by 12-15%.
GO OBAMA!!
Jade on 03/26/2008 (5:07 pm)
Obama’s ahead by 20 points and beteween now and then there will be less reasons to vote for Hillary Clinton not more. If Hillary MUST win NC she’s screwed already.
Michael on 03/26/2008 (5:07 pm)