The Daily Five: Clinton Steals A Georgia Endorsement From Obama

1. Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama remain in Iowa, John Edwards campaigns in New Hampshire, as does John McCain; Rudy Giuliani has fundraisers planned for tomorrow, and Mike Gravel apparently has come down with the flu. And Ned Lamont kind of told us so. Here are the latest Gallup numbers.

2. Hillary Clinton is endorsed by Georgia's two black statewide elected officials, Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. But in October, Obama touted Baker's endorsement....."I believe John Edwards can win," Iowa first lady Mari Culver said today.......A teary-eyed BFF of HRC's, Betsy Ebeling, introduced her in Johnston this way: "She's our friend and I'm going to have to share her with the rest of the world, but right now I'll share her with Johnston. I introduce you to my very special friend, Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton" ..... Obama's new ad in Iowa is titled "Candor" -- a response of sorts to the Des Moines Register:

And HRC touts her DMR endorsement:

3. In 1998, Mike Huckabee equated liberal environmentalism with homosexuality, and homosexuality with necrophilia...At Beverly Hills press avail, Huckabee takes questions almost entirely on events in his past......Rep. Jack Kingston formally endorses Mittt Romney for president....in South Carolina radio ad, Sen. Lindsey Graham says McCain is the only candidate who is ready to be Commander in Chief from "day one..."

4. The number of times Hillary Clinton's name appears in the earmarks section of the omnibus budget act: 50 times. The number of times Barack Obama's name appears in the earmarks section of the omnibus budget bill: 22. The number of times John McCain appears: 0.

5. McCain's manager, Rick Davis, sends out a fundraising appeal entitled "We're gonna win..." A McCain aide confirms that the campaign has secured a line of credit to fund itself through the early part of the primaries, and has put up hard assets -- and not the promise of federal matching funds -- as collateral. That means that McCain can still opt out of the federal financing system for the primaries providing he does not begin to use federal matching funds.

Comments

I wonder how hard Bill had to twist the arms in Georgia to get the endorsements? When are these public officials going to get a backbone and stand up to the Clintons? The Arkansas Mafia at work again. Whatever happened to democracy in this country?

Posted by Carolyn Grace | December 17, 2007 5:53 PM

I try not to worry about all these people going with Clinton over Obama, even as they once seemed on the verge of going with Obama (I'm looking at you, too, John Lewis). However, much of this seems to be a calculation that goes something like: Well, if I go with Clinton, Obama will forgive me if he wins. But if I go with Obama and Clinton wins, I'm out in the cold.

Posted by cms | December 17, 2007 6:30 PM

Isn't Thurbert Baker the same AG who wanted to keep the black kid in jail for having consensual oral sex with a white girl? I think so. He is known for going out of his way to agree with Repubs in GA. I don't remember Obama "touting" his endorsement, but if he's been absorbed by the Borg Queen, I'm sure it was willingly. Good riddance in any case.

Posted by Michael's Mom | December 17, 2007 6:33 PM

It's also been the Clinton's MO to try and capture endorsements from everyone it seems but the voters.

I agree with you cms: that's the calculation people are making. But given that he learned electoral politics in Chicago and that he so admired Harold Washington, I don't think forgiveness, esp. for turncoats like the closeted John Lewis, is in the works.

Posted by Michael's Mom | December 17, 2007 6:41 PM

I wonder how hard Bill had to twist the arms in Georgia to get the endorsements? When are these public officials going to get a backbone and stand up to the Clintons?

Um, maybe they, um, actually think she'd make a great president and/or has the best chance of winning in November.

Posted by Red Bowl | December 17, 2007 6:57 PM

How much black mail or bribing did the clintons have to do to get the endorsement

Posted by Cheryl | December 17, 2007 7:11 PM

My question is this:

Do Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond deal drugs?

Posted by Democrats Against Hillary | December 17, 2007 7:13 PM

I guess Bill has decided to inhale. He can get the drugs from them

Posted by Cheryl | December 17, 2007 7:15 PM

Obama is a person of real substance...substance abuse, that is.

Posted by MeThinks | December 17, 2007 7:17 PM

MeThinks - don't forget he was educated in a madrassa, which we heard today at a Clinton rally. And at the madrassa, he secretly plotted to campaign for president of the United States from kindergarten on, according to a Clinton press release.

Plus there's, as you say, the fact that he is a crack pusher. We learned that from a Clinton national co-chair.

Oh, and Bill tells us that Hillary is the most gifted person of our generation and Obama isn't ready to be president.

Wait a minute...

Should we question Bill's judgment? He doesn't say Obama can't be president because he's a Muslim extremist drug pusher... Bill says Obama isn't ready to be president.

Hmmm. Terrorist school, drug pusher. What else does Bill think Obama has to do to prepare for the presidency?

Posted by Paul | December 17, 2007 7:27 PM

Are all Obama supporters hypocritical, ignorant and scary or just those who swarm on the blogs?

Posted by veritas | December 17, 2007 7:57 PM

Experience of Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton:

- Vince Foster Suicide
- Travelgate
- Don't Ask, Don't Tell
- Healthcare Failure
- Monica Lewinsky
- Johnny Chung
- Beth Dolores and Marc Rich
- Norman Hsu

ETC, ETC.

Any questions?

Posted by eorse | December 17, 2007 8:25 PM

Again- what unique, stand out,experience, really, does she have?

Posted by bsd | December 17, 2007 8:31 PM

I see the Clintons - or I should say Bill and Mcauliff have been out threatening again.
But, concidering the racial undertones of the Clinton's recent attacks on Obama, you have to wonder if those african americans who cave to the clintons will pay a price by african american voters who are becoming angry with hrc. They are starting to see the Clintons true colors.

Posted by vwcat | December 17, 2007 8:45 PM

This is fairly foolish commentary:
4. The number of times Hillary Clinton's name appears in the earmarks section of the omnibus budget act: 50 times. The number of times Barack Obama's name appears in the earmarks section of the omnibus budget bill: 22. The number of times John McCain appears: 0.

--> Clinton represents NY, inc. NYC where 9/11 occurred. Obama's from IL, and I haven't heard of any terrorist attacks lately in Chicago. And Arizona? How many earmarks do you need for the friggin' desert????

The word "earmark" is not the dirty word, just like the word "lobbyist" is not the dirty word.
The people who abuse the system are the dirty words.

These are the important FACTS to be learned before one goes off the deep end over Clinton's earmarks:
~ Did any of the earmarks go for a zillion dollar Bridge to Nowhere?
~ Did any of them come from a representative in ALASKA, to pay for a road in FLORIDA, to go out to his undeveloped property a few miles away?

You're a good journalist.
Don't blow out your brains out by becoming a Clinton Hater.
Thanks.

Posted by Jan | December 17, 2007 10:06 PM

Al Frankin got ink Washington Post. Seems he's running for elected office. Hillary got next to no mention. Here I thought the Hill-o-copter was stuck in a snowdrift outside Des Moines. That Iowans had chased Hillary clean back to New York. But, she's come back to life again on Fox. (Isn't Fox's studio in NY.?) Well, I have faith in the people of Iowa. The Post says, John Kerry endorsed Hillary. They say John used to be a US Navy SEAL. I didn't know that. In endorsing Hillary, Kerry made mention of Obama's middle name, and Muslim Grandmother, etc. Cheap shots. Did you know the powers that be, and, the free press, are really under no obligation to report a great deal of stuff to us? Technology. It's catching people flatfooted. My favorite "underreported" story, is the incredibly lucrative West Coast Finishing School for Thugs. Founded by Bill & Hillary Clinton in 1995, the rest is history: http://theseedsof9-11.com

Posted by Peggy McGilligan | December 18, 2007 12:07 AM

Isn't Thurbert Baker the same AG who wanted to keep the black kid in jail for having consensual oral sex with a white girl? I think so.

Yes -- he's the Handkerchief Head who wanted to keep Genarlow Wilson in jail.

Posted by rikyrah | December 18, 2007 1:39 AM

if hillary wants the most experienced candidate, why hasnt she endorsed joe biden yet?

Posted by hihi | December 18, 2007 2:36 AM

Marc Ambinder, it seems that "Candor" is as much a response to Edwards' debate performance as Clinton's DMR endorsement.

You know Obama's campaign watches the Luntz focus groups; the points in "Candor" seem to blur the distinctions Edwards is trying to make to differentiate himself.

Posted by Jeff Morgan | December 18, 2007 3:21 AM

Marvin is a paramedic who worked with Hillary to ensure first responders got the medical care they needed after 9/11.

Ira and Cecille are an elderly couple who have a moving story about how Hillary helped them get married.

Betsy is Hillary's childhood friend.

Their stories are about a Hillary you might not know, the Hillary whose heart and tireless spirit changed their lives. There are a lot of stories like theirs, and we wanted to share some with you.

We've compiled over 30 videos from those who know Hillary best: her close friends, those who have worked alongside her, and people who have found in Hillary a source of strength and compassion when they needed help the most.

Take a look at their stories on our new website.
http://www.TheHillaryIKnow.com

I want to make sure that you see one of the most powerful videos on the site, when Shannon Mallozzi talks about how she turned to Hillary for help.

Shannon tells her story best in her own words. Watch it here:
http://www.TheHillaryIKnow.com

I'm so lucky to have known Hillary for 16 years. I've seen Hillary in action helping people like Shannon. I've enjoyed the friendship of one of the warmest people I've ever met.

If you want to know Hillary like I know her, there's no better way than to listen to the people who know her best tell their stories. I hope you enjoy them.

Posted by Orikinla Osinachi | December 18, 2007 8:24 AM

How about --: 'The Hilary l knew'

'The Hilary l wish l had known'

'The Hilary l have to know '

'The Hilary l have come to know but still not impressed'

'The hilary l wish will go away'

No more Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton

America need something new!!!

Posted by Alyssa | December 18, 2007 1:31 PM

"Hillary Clinton is endorsed by Georgia's two black statewide elected officials, Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. But in October, Obama touted Baker's endorsement....."

Go Hillary! Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond obviously are very smart men who saw Obama's lack of experience and Hillary's service to the country as a means to making their decision!

Posted by Eric | December 18, 2007 5:09 PM

So hitler was popular also, beware of the popular candidates they are not substance just power. Mike Gravel has served this country as a unprecedented hero. Mike wants healthcare for all not subsidise healthcare at the people's cost. HE wants education for all. This is not what your other candidates want, not close, why do you pay attention to them when the only prooven good guy is Gravel, he is smart, tough as nails, and insightful with scientific approach to solving problems, and all the academics endorse him. He also leads all the blind polls. Why is the public so blind. Poor America will only get poorer with your top tier while Gravel will be sidelined and Americas real solution marginalized even when today Gravels insistance on cutting neclear devices inspired Bush to cut them so as to have a better legacy. Once again Gravel is Americas superhero and without the public even recognizing him as such. Shame.

Posted by paul | December 19, 2007 10:15 AM

Tonight at 8pm EST on Third Rail check out our live exclusive interview with democratic presidential candidate Senator Mike Gravel. We will discuss his current campaign as well as his recent exclusion from the Des Moines Register debate. Call in and check it out at thirdrailradio.com

Posted by Chuck | December 19, 2007 4:56 PM