INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) - Looking to capitalize on the momentum out of her Pennsylvania primary victory, Hillary Clinton made a quick trip here to energize supporters and plant the flag as her campaign looks to what could be a tight primary contest on May 6.
"The voters of Pennsylvania decided by an overwhelming majority they could count on me to deliver for them. They could count on me to make the tough decisions that will be presented to the next president," Clinton told an outdoor rally in downtown Indianapolis. "We can do it, we can do it."
Clinton told assembled supporters and onlookers that after her Pennsylvania win she now leads in the popular vote tally, something the Obama campaign disputes because Clinton's assertion assumes the vote tallies from Florida and Michigan are included. The Democratic National Committee continues to grapple with the dilemma of whether or not the delegates from those two states will be seated at the party's summer convention.
"It's a very close race but if you count as i count the 2.3 million people who voted in Michigan and Florida then we are going to build on that," she said.
Clinton said her visit marked the 50th time a member of the Clinton family had visited Indiana during this campaign. Both President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton are expected to tour the state in the coming days.
"There will be very few days that a Clinton isn't in Indiana," said Jonathan Swain, the campaign's state communications director.
"This campaign for me here in Indiana is about jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs. That is what I believe the central issue is. The economy is not working for hard working Americans," Clinton said.
Indiana is losing manufacturing jobs and the states' home foreclosure rate is on the rise. Voters concerned about the economy helped carry Clinton to victory in Pennsylvania, and her campaign hopes a continued emphasis on that issue will give her a boost here.
The fact that Indiana neighbors Illinois, the Clinton campaign says, gives Sen. Barack Obama a bit of an edge here. There are 28 Clinton offices around Indiana, four of which are in the northwestern part of the state, which is part of the Chicago television market - making Obama a very familiar face.
"It's been a hard fought contest that's been good for the Democratic Party," Clinton said. "What's important is how we engage with all of you over the next two weeks."
Clinton spends Thursday in North Carolina, and returns to Indiana Friday for a two-day campaign swing.
From CNN Politics
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Give it up, Hillary. You knew, and agreed, from the beginning that Florida and Michigan weren't going to count. You aren't entitled to the presidency and nobody owes you anything.
I see Hillary has a learning curve disability. Let us spell it out clearly.
According to the rules agreed upon by all candidates (including Hillary, who seems to have a memory problem here), MI and FL were NOT going to count (in any way shape of form) if they moved up their elections.
AND...even if they were going to count (but they aren't), it would be in the form of delegates, not popular vote.
So, Hillary, read and mouth the words carefully:
1. MI and FL do not count and I will never receive credit for winning in them.
2. I will never catch up on the pledged delegates, no matter how the popular votes go, because I agreed to the rule that the candidate with the most PLEDGED DELEGATES wins.
3. I agreed to follow the rules before this Campaign Season and will vow to do so the remainder of the campaign...which means I will quit brining up MI, FL and popular vote.
For Hillary Clinton to claim that she leads in the popular vote is astonishing–and is another example of her pathetic character. She agreed with all other candidates that Florida and Michigan would NOT count. Now to spin things her way–for her own good with no consideration for anyone else, she wants to be the hero for voters in Florida and Michigan–unbelieveable pathetic that anyone would fall for such a ploy.
Her "bully" politics are not fooling me–nor Obama supporters. She has been and will always be totally ineffective at obtaining bipartisian support. She enjoys the fight–and will always pick a fight. Her plans require Congressional approval. For those that think she is capable of obtaining bipartisian support are kidding themselves.
Pennsylvania was disappointing, but Obama still got 45% of the vote–over 1 million votes. To say that he wouldn't carry the state in the national election is misleading - typical Hillary comments and politics.
She will NEVER get my vote–nor any potential Republican swing voters. A Hillary nomination insures a McCain win in November.
In American fear tactics work because at our core we are rotten. The hope I see is the younger votes. Not as spoiled by the past and more open-minded. If we keep warming over hate, we will be the losers. Senator Clinton cannot bring our country together and 10% is not an overwhelming majority.
Hillary,
The Michigan and Florida votes will not be counted. Remember, you agreed to this last fall or has your memory failed you again (just like the Bosnia thing?) Only way you can win is if you somehow steel the election. WAKE UP and GET OUT before you completely destroy the party!!!
Florida counting and MI counting is not fair.......
No dem got to campaign in these states, and Hillary was the only real familiar name on the ballot...........
If they were to count the popular vote for Hillary the country would be outraged, and FL and MI vote happened way before Bosnia and NAFTA and CAFTA and all her other lies......
Is it just me who gets the sense that the Hillary campaign has moles here offering responses and opinions, how pathetic! Go Hillary the Obliterator!
Does she forget that her name was on the ballot in Michigan, but Obama's wasn't? Does he forget that she had agreed before the Primary, that the states should be penalized and their votes should not count? Now that she needs the votes, she changes her mind. Very convenient.
Wise up America, Hillary is a liar and the Republicans can't wait to expose her.
.
It amazes me that she really thinks people like her...
I will never vote for her, I do not want a fighting , crying, demeaning liar as my president. Image what foreign leaders will do to her behind
Popular Vote? She really needs a reality check . Let's hope she doesnt get it in the General Election.
Zoe – Racism was here long before Obama I do not understand why people did not see that its plan as day were I am.
This country is not meant for two families alone, they should give others the chance to bring a different percption. Two families cannot rule America for more that twenty years. America is not a monarchy... I would vote for Clinton if she changes her name to Hilary Edwards .... Obama or McCdaddy.
The only way that the elections in Florida and Michigan can count is if they split the delagates down the middle. The media outlets (LIKE CNN) need to keep displaying the document (THAT EACH CANDIDATE SIGNED, INCLUDING YOU, HILLARY) that says that the election would not count.
The Clintonistas want to change the rules of the game after the game has started.
How can you explain your overwhelming support from the republican party in the media when your public policy and proported position on so many issues and concerns of the american people is and supposedly has been democratic in nature for so long. Does it at all concern you that this unfounded support is only an attempt to aide you in the destruction of the democratic party and in the general election not one of them would ever consider voting for you. If your concern for this country and the american people truely shadows your own personal desire to be president. Why not do as so many before you have chosen to do and SUPPORT the candidate that is attempting to unite this country and party as oppossed to dividing it , which is what your continued pursuit of the nomination is undeniably doing.
Divide FLA and Michigan in half and call it a day,
she flip flops and spins this so that it is in her favor.
the sad part is she has people thinking obama is behind fla and mi not counting,,,,
no hillary...another liar
OBAMA '08
And bring Edwards back!
Watch Out Indiana
She will probably go there and say her mom delivered her right there in Indiana when they were on Vacation so she can play another hometown girl story, I swear this woman has lived everywhere!!!
she flip flops and spins this so that it is in her favor.
the sad part is she has people thinking obama is behind fla and mi not counting,,,,
no hillary...another liar
OBAMA '08
And bring Edwards back!
You know what Hillary is the best candidate, lets look at her campaign for example. She is 10 million in debt and had to fire more of her staff than any other candidate. I think her campaign should be an example of how she would run the country, and since her campaign has been run with amazing integrity, leadership, and great money management, I deem Hillary the best candidate...NOT! LOL!
Angus Mcdungan,
I am begining to agree with you. The Demos are becoming ridiculous. This is why I have so much respect for the New Mexican called Richardson...
To GG: I'm with Dee in Florida. I can't stand this woman either and what has she done? Lying, cheating, fearmongering, should I go on? What else does she need to do for anyone not to like her. I wish she'd just go away.. .......quietly now, we've heard enough! And I don't need to be careful, she does and so do you if you vote for her!
I wouldn't give her money if she were mugging me at knifepoint.
boomshackalacka
I'm so sick of Hillary... she twists the truth like it's nothing. Obama needs to knock her out of this race already. Can we really let go of all the fraudulent lies she's told? NAFTA? Bosnia? It goes on and on...
I also love how she initially opposed counting Florida and Michigan in this race but now that she's in the hole, she just changes her mind and clings to any little thing she has...desperate...just desperate.
Why couldn't a better, more likeable woman have run for president?? What a shame!
Obama has no one to blame but himself. He need to knock her out in N.C and Indiana and stop this MADNESS.
I know it hard for a black man to hit hard at a white woman, but we are giving you permission to knock her out.
The tide is turning for Hillary … Oh no it’s a Tsunami to wash her away.
Go away Hillary!!! You will not have Rendell and Strickland in N.C and Indiana. What will you do?
Barack Obama 08
Senator Obama won several states by more than 20 points, I didn't hear Hillary calling his wins a 'great victory'. In fact she said those states don't count.