The Curious Case Of The Democratic Nomination

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | 9:13 PM

By Sarah Scully

The Clinton Campaign sent out the below memo yesterday, effectively throwing a bucket of ice water on Obama's plans to declare virtual victory tonight after reaching a majority of delegates. Holding fast to her argument that she is more electable in certain states and with certain demographics, Clinton has been building her case like a trial lawyer, adding to it this week with documentation from none other than Karl Rove (there is a reason you hear the phrase "politics makes for strange bedfellows" uttered so often), she is determined to convince party leaders and other superdelegates that she actually has the lead in popular votes after her landslide win in Kentucky tonight (though this requires including Michigan and Florida totals and not including caucus states). Some of her pricklier claims this past month, particularly her assertion that only she can win with white working class voters, have caused some Democrats to fear this battle is doing serious damage to the "presumed" nominee and the party's base. Do not panic yet though, Democrats. With all that said, an alliance is already being forged between the two camps at the hest of the DNC and its financial backers (who have considerable influence on the process, as I blogged last month). Furthermore, Clinton is an astute politico who does not intend to go down in flames. Your party's ongoing battle may seem baffling, even bitter, but hold on just a bit longer... I have a feeling all will be revealed as part of a larger plan.
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Hillary for President

To: Interested Parties

From: Howard Wolfson, Communications Director

Date: Monday, May 19, 2008

Re: Mission Accomplished? Not so fast.

Senator Obama's plan to declare himself the Democratic nominee tomorrow night in Iowa (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10184.html) is a slap in the face to the millions of voters in the remaining primary states and to Senator Clinton's 17 million supporters.

There is no scenario under the rules of the Democratic National Committee by which Senator Obama will be able to claim the nomination tomorrow night. He will not have 2210 delegates, the number needed with Florida and Michigan included in the process, nor will he have 2025 delegates, the number needed to secure the nomination without Florida and Michigan.

Premature victory laps and false declarations of victory are unwarranted. Declaring mission accomplished does not make it so.

While Senator Obama inaccurately declares himself the nominee, Senator Clinton will continue to work hard, campaigning for every vote in the upcoming states and making the case that she will be the best nominee to take on John McCain and be our next President.

Paid for by Hillary Clinton for President