February 20th, 2008
07:43 AM ET
12 years ago
Analysis: Obama continues to chip away at Clinton's base
Sen. Barack Obama is swaying away the core parts of Sen. Hillary Clinton's voter base.
(CNN) - If Ohio and Texas weren't already must-win states for Sen. Hillary Clinton, they certainly are now.Sen. Barack Obama continued his winning streak since Super Tuesday two weeks ago, picking up his ninth state in a row.But as significant as Obama's accelerating momentum is how he is increasingly swaying voters that Clinton could count on at the beginning of February.While Obama has been solidifying his base of younger, college-educated, higher-paid voters, he has steadily been chipping away Clinton's base of blue-collar, older, working-class voters.
- CNN's John Helton
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Obama is chipping away at Clinton's base because of news organizations like CNN and Fox News who have done everything they can to piss on Hillary Clinton and elevate Obama to hero status. These male-owned and dominated "news" organizations, have tremondous influence on the way people respond. American's need to listen and look with critical eyes and ears. We've been railroaded. Let's hope Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania can tilt the scales back to an even playing field.
While I initially was for Hillary Clinton, I am now, and have been for some time, for Barack Obama. He is a brilliant intellectual. He is such an improvement over what we have had sitting within the White House for the past eight years. There is absolutely NO comparison! Obama is sweeping the country with his multiple victories, which is very pleasing to see!
Kathryn Irby
Metairie, LA
Is the Democratic Party finally waking up? Are we no longer falling for the trite Clintonesque speeches, the lies, the fence-sitting political correctness, the unbridled arrogance, the lack of character, etc...?
If we want, this primary can represent a sea-change for the better in American politics.
Please, please, please: NO MORE CLINTONS; NO MORE BUSHES!
I can't wait for tomorrow's debate. I'm sure Hillary is going to start sounding like something that rhymes with "rich". Obama is going to keep his composure, and look better by comparison. He doesn't have to win the debate. All he has to do is show up, and not implode.
If Hillary loses Texas, or even if she wins with a small margin, then she is in something that rhymes with "deep voodoo".
DOWN GOES CLINTON! DOWN GOES CLINTON!!
Marty, I know that Barack Obama stays awake nights worrying about what you think of him or whether or not you will vote for him!!! You're funny!!
Kathryn Irby
Metairie, LA
If Clinton has so much experience, why did she not plan properly for her campaign past super Tuesday? Anybody knows , you have to have a plan A and a plan B at the very least! And one who claims to have experience knows that all too well. People, don't get suckered into the lies. Just because I watch tennis doesn't mean I am US Open material.
It is truly amazing how people can be taken in by rheoteric and glib talk. Mr. Obama talks for one hour with no substance. He talks about change without ever spelling out what change he is going to make. If Mr. Obama is elected there will be change: change for the worse! If Mr. Obama turns out to be a presidential nominee the alternate McCaine is no better. I will write in Mrs Clinton as my candidate.
This is exactly what's bothering her. She's arrogant. She felt she had this nomination in the bag. And here comes this kid, and he's gaining momentum, and went right past her, so much that her superdelegates are starting to go the other way.
But she doesn't know what to do. The momentum keeps going, and what she's doing isn't stopping it. She needs to change. He doesn't, as whatever he's doing is working.
Hillary Clinton was repeatedly stating "We Will...." last night. As a voter in PA, I made an interesting observation. The Pittsburgh Pirates had the "We Will" slogan for the '05-'07 seasons. During those seasons, the Pirates won only about 41% of their games and, subsequently, lost about 59%. In this time the Pirates suffered multiple losing streaks of 10 games.
Ironically, Clinton received 41% of the democratic vote to Obama's 58%. This gave Clinton a losing streak of 10 jurisdictions. They say those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. It now appears that Senator Clinton has become the Pittsburgh Pirates of the Democratic Party.
Obama rocket has officially left the stratosphere!!!!!! Let's support our great leader these next 8 years and beyond. I am proud to be an AMERICAN.
I think a lot of commenters on this site and elsewhere need to be more mature. Obama is being blamed for dividing the Democrats? Why? He is currently winning the race for the nomination. Wouldn't that make Hillary the divider? People that support Hillary and Obama have said they will not vote for the other, but would go Republican if the other wins. Really? People are really that willing to throw away their principles and vote for a candidate that doesn't align with their view on the issues because their candidate doesn't get nominated? I don't believe it. I think it is all a lot of posturing. Finally, supporters of the candidates need to quit taking a holier than thou attitude and need to stop belitting each other. Nobody here has the infinite wisdom to decree their support is superior and that their candidate is superior. Lets have an honest discussion about honest issues.
Obama is chipping away at Hillary's base while Hillary is "nit picking" away at Obama, not very smart of Hillary. Hillary doesn't understand that Obama is not looking for her approval rating because he knows it is negative. Obama gets positive approval ratings from the voters and that's all that matters. Go Obama.
The real battle begins, the more I look into this campaign, the more I realize who is the better candidate, Obama has nothing to offer but empty promises. He is self centered and will not admit his fault, he obviously copied someone else's speech, he could have just said, I did and it was a mistake, but he continues attacking HILLARY with nonesense remarks.
Obama's cards have been played up and it is now HILLARY's turn! We believe in her policies and platform as a candidate. The young voters will see this and they will realize that their Idol has nothing to offer, even his supporters does not know what he had accomplished. It will be a big mistake to elect Obama, we will loose on the November election. We need a stronger candidate-- GO HILLARY!!!!
Lets make sure we get a cleaned out Congress and Obama can get more done in two years than we got done in the last twenty.
All I can say to those of you who support Obama is "the lights are on but NOBODY is home". You are all under the influence of media hype and haven't done your research. Do you think the Universal Health Care is an easy item to implement? It takes years of planning and studing and trying....which Hillary has done. She knows the ropes and with the power of being president, she can accomplish. She has built her foundation of experience and leadership needed to step into the White House and get things done. Read her Economic proposal of 2007. What has Obama done???NOTHING!
I cannot believe the media is so unfair to Hillary and most of all unfair to us who will suffer the consequences of CNN, MSNBC irresponsible actions. Like many of my fellow democrats, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA. I'd rather see a republican with experience than a hot air balloon Obama in office.
Shame on CNN, MSNBC and FOX for trying to boost their ratings at the expense of the USA and Hillary's Presidential race. MOST TRUSTED NAME IN NEWS YOU ARE NOT!!!!
A lot of New Hampshire voters are Changing their position from Clinton to Obama.
Unfortunately, the Hillary camp just doesn't get it. America is tired on the politics of divisiveness and fear that has dominated American politics over the last 7 years, but yet are very hesitant about going back to the 1990s. Yes the economy was great, but how much of that is truely attributed to Bill Clinton policies, how much is attributed to the Republican Congress, or both? I have heard numbers that range from 10% to 30% about the impact of Bill Clinton policies on economic growth. The other major thing we remember about the presidential politics of 1990s were the scandals and a president that was the only other president in American history to be impeached.
I see other comments in – Why not mine? Will not even take? What gives.
I think it's Clinton's dividing the Dems not Obama. she should quit vast majority of voters are against her and her devisive nature is going to hurt democrat party for years. Mr. Clinton is so eager to go to the white house so he can have some more interns
"Cat- fight tactics or smugness" aren't what we are interested in. We want Change!
GO OBAMA !
Katie, let me answer the question you posed "If Clinton has so much experience, why did she not plan properly for her campaign past super Tuesday?"
Because she did not realize that people like you can be so stupid and goes blah blah and blah for someone who just says blah blah blah!
The Texas polls now show an even race where just a couple of weeks ago it was Clinton up by double digits. We have just began early voting. The movement for Obama is growing fast and after this vote on March 4th Clinton should realize SHE CAN'T LAST.
Bill