February 7, 2008
Posted: February 7th, 2008 02:00 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Barack Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, engaged in some serious expectations-lowering heading into next Tuesday’s "Potomac Primary," made up of contests in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

“You’re not going to see any of these states go 70-30 to anybody,” he said on a Thursday conference call with reporters.

Obama is expected to do well in those contests, all of which feature sizeable Obama-friendly demographics: African-American voters and well-educated, higher-income Democrats.

Still, several Hillary Clinton advisers told the Washington Post today that they will contest Virginia in particular, targeting women as well as working class white voters in the southwestern part of the state.

Plouffe said the Clinton campaign was “telegraphing” their Virginia strategy in the article and declared Virginia a “must-win” for Hillary Clinton, although many observers might say the same thing for Obama.

A campaign spreadsheet “inadvertently” leaked to the media yesterday showed the Obama campaign predicted a 50-48 victory over Clinton in the state on Tuesday.

Obama has several prominent endorsements in Virginia, including Gov. Tim Kaine and two Democratic congressmen. Virginia is also a purple-trending state – the kind of contest Obama hopes to win to prove he can re-shuffle the electoral map in November.

Plouffe said next Tuesday will be a “very big delegate day” (there are 168 pledged delegates at stake, divided proportionally) and that he expects Obama to add on to what he said was currently a 28-delegate lead over Clinton.

– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton


Roy M   February 8th, 2008 11:27 am ET

Chris N, its obvious Charolette doesn't understand grammar, she can't even spell, look at the plural of Democrats. Now we know about the Intelligent Obama voters, HUH?

Chris N   February 8th, 2008 10:38 am ET

Intelligent Charlotte: It is "I consider myself AN intelligent....." not " I consider myself A intelligent......"

Anson Ang   February 8th, 2008 10:33 am ET

CONSIDER THESE FACTS

1. Barack Obama is 46 and NOT a kid. Bill Clinton took office in his
40's hence those of you who say he is too young to run for office
should SHUT UP!!!

2. Barack Obama will not give in to Hilary Clinton by being a VP and
thats A FACT. Those of you who hope that Barack Obama will be Hilary
Clinton's running mate, all I got to say is DREAM ON......

3. Many people are getting very tired with all that Clinton-Bush Dynasty,
hence they want a change and trust me, THEY WILL CHANGE

4. Asian voters may not vote for Barack Obama, but why worry? Over the
course of next 6 months, the fight will be in locations where Asians
are not many. Hence, Barack Obama will get a good chance

5. 4 months ago before the Primaries kick start, CNN projected that the
winner will be Hilary Clinton (Democrats) taking on Rudy Guiliani
(Republican) Within the Democrats, Hilary Clinton was leading Barack
Obama by almost 20% Today, Barack Obama has equalized with Hilary
Clinton. The Primaries wont end till the next 6 months and judging
from STATISTIC, Barack Obama will overtake Hilary Clinton.

6. Barack Obama overtaking Hilary Clinton is inevitable and eminent.
There is NO WAY on earth the progress of Barack Obama CAN BE STOP.
He will continue winning until he becomes the next nominee

By the way, I m an Asian too and I SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA!!!

Hope is not Dream   February 7th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

Hope is not a dream or false. I beliebe that Obama will unite the country and has the ability to put wind under the wings of MANY who need it. I voted for Bill-TWICE-last time, and he did not do either of these things. I want to keep dreaming.

Helen   February 7th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

Poor or not Hillary is getting contributions from me.

Helen   February 7th, 2008 7:49 pm ET

God Forbid BO gets the nomination. I am a working senior so I guess what I think will not matter. Not only that but I am poor and WHITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James   February 7th, 2008 7:39 pm ET

Public Citizen released a report detailing ten bundlers for Sen. Obama who have registered as federal lobbyists.

Sen. Obama has also taken money from former lobbyists, partners of lobbyists, people who hire lobbyists, lobbyists' spouses, and state lobbyists.

Until he started running for president, Sen. Obama took money from federal lobbyists and, as a state senator, directly from corporations.

rr   February 7th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

I think Obama will win these States. He's gaining momentum. He's a Politician with a great plan for Health care, the war and boosting our Economy! Also, he will support those who want to go to college with funding.

cc   February 7th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

well of course he would lower expectations. if he didn't, you would have clinton crowing about how she is the NY Giants – and that analogy was very weak the first time around. whether she wins or loses, the clinton machine will be able to spin this into a huge victory for her, so the obama camp might as well make it a little harder for them.

B   February 7th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

As Virginian Republicans, my wife and I can't wait to cast our votes for Obama in Virginia's OPEN Primary next week!!!!!! In fact all our friends and relatives are doing the same. Let Obama and McCain duke it out in November....at least both are conciliatory and capable of reaching across the aisle. Something Hillary Clinton cannot and will not do.

kay   February 7th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Just more lies and gangster ways from the Obama camp... Clinton has 1033 delegates Obama has 937.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   February 7th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

Go Obama, you're simply the best. Your wise judgement of the problems we as a nation face is more than money can buy. Obama, you are simply the best.

Proud Californian   February 7th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

28-delegate lead over Clinton???? The last time I saw, Hillary is ahead by 96 delegates!!! CNN, start telling the truth !!!

Impartial   February 7th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Barack Obama can't win without Oprah Winfrey. Just get her on the campaign trail with him.

Impartial   February 7th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Obama can't win the campaign without getting Oprah Winfrey. That's sad.

Karen   February 7th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

An accidental release? They are trying to play down expectations again. What a phony.

Go for the Win!   February 7th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

I hope people in these states understand that a vote for Senator Obama may well loose the White House. For the states that he took on Super Tuesday, there were red states that are 'not' on the road to the White House. The states that Senator Clinton won are the states on the road to the White House. Big difference and a very important one.

Carl   February 7th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

This is just stupid. Of course he isn't going to win them 70/30. The polls show Virginia 55/43. Maryland 60/40. DC 65/34. What are they talking about? There isn't one single poll that is expecting him to go 70/30. So why do they say something so stupid.

gerry   February 7th, 2008 6:52 pm ET

The Potomac voters must send a strong message to Hillary Clinton that they are moving into the future with Obama.

This man will show the world how to run a truly consultative democracy in the 21st century.We must not deprive him and ourselves of this glorious oppportunity.

And remember, if Hillary Clinton is the candidate, Mc Cain and the Republicans get a bounce.The Democratic Party faithful would be foolsih to risk losing the White House for another four years.

Gerry

Charlotte   February 7th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

For Obama supporters are African-American voters,well-educated, upper income democrates. I consider myself a intelligent, upper income democrat and I am voting for Hillary. Sorry can't claim black.

shirley   February 7th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

Well -educated for for obama??????????? Who are you trying to kid??

joe   February 7th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

28 delegate lead....duh?

right now clinton is still leading

john   February 7th, 2008 6:39 pm ET

I wonder if Senator Obama will be wearing his American flag lapel pin while campaigning in our nation's capital and with so many historical sites in Maryland and Virginia, all of them representing the struggle for freedom and democracy. Oh that's right, he won't wear one out of protest because he didn't agree with something that our government did. And this is our future commander-in-chief?

Don, Rochester, NY   February 7th, 2008 6:25 pm ET

Getting more realistic now. I was starting to wonder how he'd handle the eventual let down having gotten his hopes so high.

And what lead? CNN: Clinton-1,033; Obama-937 Hmmm...she's nearly 100 ahead.

SecondSage   February 7th, 2008 6:19 pm ET

Virginia is a toss but Maryland and D.C. is an Obama Rout.

Clinton should take Quantico and Alexandria will go 50-50. Richmond and Petersburg is Obama's. Gonna be a good race.

Obama08   February 7th, 2008 6:12 pm ET

"Obama to add on to what he said was currently a 28-delegate lead over Clinton." Someone tell me where he has the lead?????

hooho   February 7th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

CNN estimated Ms. Clinton have got more delegates from Super Tuesday. That seems slap Plouffe's so called 28-delegate lead.

CNN also reported she got enough money for her campaign. Congradulation!

Ray - NJ   February 7th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

28 Delegates Lead? How? Oh Ya, the ones in your head!!

Sukie   February 7th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

Voting for Obama?

What you will get:

A speaker qualified to be a preacher–maybe as famous as Billy Graham

A good man who, some years from now, could finally qualify from his experience gained as a senator in Congress to be a presidential candidate

A financial whiz who can come up with money overnight when it is needed; he would make a great financial advisor or accountant

A possible running mate for the future President of the United States -

HILLARY CLINTON!

Linda   February 7th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

How are they getting away with not including Michigan and Florida??? This is cheating Floridians and Michigan of their right to vote. Don't let them get away with this Florida and Michigan. I urge to to fight for your rights!

Barb   February 7th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

You say that several Hillary advisers told the Washington Post-targeting women. Every time I hear that all I can think of is the Pide Piper-he toots his horn and the kids line up behind him. They do not know why they just do. Also reminds me of the lemings following the leader and falling off the cliffs in Ireland–they do not know why they just do.

What a disrepectful insuation to make-women must line up behind a woman. They do not know why they just do. We do have a brain and most of us are capable of thinking for ourselves. Will admit that there are a few of us that you can put a ring in our nose, just pull on it and we will fall into line like meek little sheep.

Karen   February 7th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

I urge Hilary's campaigne not to sleep on Maryland, you have a great deal of supporters, don't listen to the polls. I work with a cross section of individuals and there are 180 employees in my division and out of all of those employees, blacks, whites, middle income, VP's your support is somewhere around 130, there are Hilary signs up in my neighborhood of Bowie, MD, which is in PG County, so Hilary is very competitive in these areas. Please put some effort into Maryland, we are working hard on your behalf.

Ethel P Lewis   February 7th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

I support Hillary Clinton.

However: I have a question for anyone: The bumb on McCain's face has gotten bigger doesn't he have to confront this. It could make a big difference depending what it is. Waiting to hear.

Truth   February 7th, 2008 4:09 pm ET

That right no Latino's or Asian to save you in VA, NC, MD or DC Hillary

Anon   February 7th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

Just do you thing David. They always want to raise the expectations, that way if Obama wins by 2, they say they spin it into a victory. Keep counting delegates and let them spin. How about super Tuesday being designed Mcauliffe then DNC chairman and now Clinton campaign manager to deliver a knock out blow. Guess what we are still standing.
Go Obama

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