So Much For Democracy! Clinton Camp: 'All The Rules Will Be Going Out The Window'

Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior National Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.

February 19, 2008 10:05 AM

Our friend Roger Simon has a juicy little column in this morning's Politico where he reports on the Clinton campaign's push not just for superdelegates but regular, pledged delegates.

Whether or not they know it, those delegates purportedly elected to represent the will of the voters of their home states and districts can actually vote any way they want. And according to Simon, "Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign intends to go after delegates whom Barack Obama has already won in the caucuses and primaries if she needs them to win the nomination.

“I swear it is not happening now, but as we get closer to the convention, if it is a stalemate, everybody will be going after everybody’s delegates,” a senior Clinton official told Simon yesterday. “All the rules will be going out the window.”

The Obama campaign responded harshly this morning.

“As it becomes increasingly clear that Senator Clinton may not be able to secure the nomination by winning the support of actual voters, the Clinton campaign has once again floated a strategy that would essentially say that the preference of Democratic voters is a mere obstacle to their win-at-all-costs strategy," said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. "First, they said they’ll try to seat the non-existent delegates in Florida and Michigan, something that neutral party leaders have roundly criticized. Then, they suggested that superdelegates should consider subverting the will of the voters and the pledged delegates, which has also been strongly objected to.

“Their new strategy will be to convince delegates that were pledged by actual Democratic voters to switch sides. In their own words, ‘all the rules will be going out the window.’ Voters are already rejecting the Clinton campaign’s say-or-do-anything-to-win tactics, and this is the latest example that it’s time to turn the page on this type of politics that could severely harm our party’s chances to win the general election."

This thing reminds me more and more of the Florida recount. And just as with that contest, the point is not to "count every vote" -- but to win.

- jpt

Editorial: The Trib endorses Barack Obama in Tuesday's N.M. Democratic presidential caucus

We have a dream.

In it, a new, young president inspires all Americans to rise above partisan politics, gender, race, religion, region, money, ideology and economic philosophy to make this nation all that it can be.

That young president of vision and promise is the charismatic Barack Obama, the first-term Democratic Illinois senator whose presidential campaign has caught fire. We add fuel to his blaze by endorsing him in Tuesday's New Mexico caucus to be the Democratic nominee for president.

The Tribune believes Obama has reawakened the imagination, work ethic and hope of Americans coast to coast and across the political spectrum — particularly among the nation's youngest voters who finally seem engaged in their country and their future.

In this dream, he wins the nomination of his party, prevails in November and leads America back to the progressive promised land.

There, a united America walks its democratic talk.

There, its Constitution — in particular its Bill of Rights — once again reigns supreme.

There, Americans stand shoulder to shoulder against any and all foes, not as conservatives or liberals, Republicans or Democrats, not as men or women, black, white, Hispanic or American Indian, but as Americans.

It's not that Obama's resilient rival, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, would not be a good president. She could be. Indeed, she has been tested and has dedicated virtually her entire adult life to American public service. But in the tumultuous life that is competitive politics, Obama offers true change — a different and unique vision with purpose, determination and outstretched hands.

From Iraq to health care, both candidates hold similar positions on major issues. But Obama has a far better chance of unifying the country by refusing to play the standard political game. Pick your metaphor, but he rises above ordinary politics, does an end run around the old guard and challenges every American to step up and make a difference.

In spite of his relative youth and inexperience — which have drawn barbs from Clinton and her husband, Bill, the former president — Obama's candidacy most recently gained impressive traction among all categories of voters — women, men, black, white, brown, rich, poor, red, blue.

Yet there also have been incredible endorsements from some of the most potent and legendary Democratic voices of our time, including the brother and daughter of President Kennedy.

Like John F. Kennedy, who asked his "fellow Americans" to come to the aid of their country, Obama makes it plain that each of us can do something to make America great — together. In doing so, we can achieve America's global destiny as the mother of all democracies.

It has been a very long time since America had the leadership of someone who could disarm us of our pessimism, remind us of our roots and heritage and insist that we can solve America's enormous problems together. Instead of an impassable American mountain, Obama sees a team of American mountaineers plodding toward the summit.

There, law rules, not men.

There, every citizen is equally free and accountable.

There, opportunity, ability and hard work determine our individual and collective dreams.

Not since the 1960s have we been so touched by someone who espouses the hopes and strengths of a nation.

Some will find a reason not to vote for Obama. He is too young, too inexperienced. Too liberal. Too conservative. Too black. Too white. Too soft. Too religious. Too secular. Too naive. Too full of himself.

But we see in him a vibrant American leader who understands that leadership begins first and foremost with the people and a respect for — not manipulation of — them.

Obama seeks to leapfrog Washington's harsh political rhetoric and gridlock for all the right reasons. While some might ask why him, why now, we ask: Why not?

We enthusiastically endorse the presidential aspirations of Obama as the candidate in the New Mexico Democratic caucus most capable and willing to lead this country by challenging each and every one of its citizens to do what needs doing — achieve the American dream, rooted in those famous words: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

La Opinión, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the country, backs Obama

The Democratic choice is Barack Obama

The Democratic Party arrives at the California primary with a historic choice between two extraordinary candidates. We believe that of the two, Senator Barack Obama represents fundamental change in a campaign in which "change" has become a central theme. Obama’s approach to immigration and his inspiring vision are what the country need to break through the current feeling of political malaise.

There is no doubt that Senator Hillary Clinton would be an excellent president if elected. She is capable, competent, disciplined, and hard working. She has shown herself to be a talented legislator and is on the right side of the major issues. Her plan for universal health care is one example of the courageous initiatives she has proposed as a candidate. And it would be wonderful to elect the country&*#39;s first woman president.

She has garnered significant Latino support from such influential and high profile national leaders as Raúl Yzaguirre, Henry Cisneros and Antonio Villaraigosa. She has worked tirelessly over many years to represent the best interests of Latinos and her personal commitment has been well-documented throughout this campaign.

Yet, this is a historic moment and tremendous skills and experience are not enough to inspire a feeling of renewal in our country after eight long years of George W. Bush.

As well, we were disappointed with her calculated opposition to driver’s licenses for the undocumented, which contrasts markedly from the forceful argument in support made by Obama. We understand that this is an extremely controversial issue but we believe there is only one right position and it is that of the senator from Illinois. And, while both senators support comprehensive immigration reform, only Obama has committed to bringing forward new legislation during his first year in office.

It is this commitment to the immigration issue which drove Obama to condemn the malicious lies made during the immigration debate, to understand the need for driver’s licenses, and to defend the rights of undocumented students by co-authoring the DREAM Act. The senator has demonstrated character by maintaining his position despite the hostile political climate.

At the same time, there are not huge differences between the two Democractic candidates on most of the major issues. Thus, vision makes the difference! Obama offers an inclusive message of hope that addresses our country&*#39;s historic moment. He has a conciliatory style that can reverse the vicious cycle of rancor which has dominated Washington over these past decades and has paralyzed its ability to come together on major decisións.

We need a leader today that can inspire and unite America again around its greatest possibilities. Barack Obama is the right leader for the time. We know that he is not as well known among our community and while he has the support of Maria Elena Durazo, Senator Gil Cedillo and others he comes to the Latino community with less name recognition. Nevertheless, it is Obama who deserves our support.

By deciding between a woman or an African American as their presidencial nominee, the Democrats are making history. Barack Obama has the sensibilities of a man from humble beginnings raised in a multicultural home. He is the best option for a truly visionary change.