The Political Machine: Would you care to comment on the AG rumor?
Joe Trippi: What rumor?
TPM: Robert Novak is floating a rumor that Barack Obama is guaranteeing John an AG spot in his administration.
JT: Robert Novak? He's not exactly the best source. I wouldn't listen to anything Novak had to say about this.
TPM: He cited "several Illinois Democrats" as his source.
JT: (laughs) "Several Illinois Democrats." Great sourcing. No, there's nothing to that.
(continued after the jump)
TPM: Do you think Hillary came back to South Carolina because of John's bounce in the polls after the debate?
JT: Well, don't you? Of course that's why she came back. She's worried that we're gonna streak by her.
I reached him on the media bus amid a cacophony of reporters, so that was all he had time for. Actually, more than he had time for.
This is pretty much what I expected, but it begs the question, who's pushing the ball here? Why would Obama want to float this? Could it be the opening offer on an eventual VP nod? Time will tell, but for now, it looks like the Edwards campaign is full steam ahead.
Interesting, too, that there was no attempt to soften the impact of Hillary's return to South Carolina, which seems to suggest that the "secret meeting" after the debate was not about any alliance.
Update: Sandy Clark correctly notes that Clinton was scheduled to return to South Carolina before the primary, but according to reports, was not to do so until Friday. My question to Joe Trippi should have been "Do you think Hillary came back early..."
Also, according to the latest Zogby poll, Edwards is now half a point off the margin of error behind Hillary, at 21% to Senator Clinton's 25%. Although Edwards is pulling support from both candidates, the rate of erosion for Clinton is nearly double that of Obama.
Rumors, rumors, this what normally get started and get spin. Let's face it, Hillary will win the nominee, who else is prepared but her. She will forgive african americans for deserting her in SC, for picking black over wisdom, she will probably ask Obama to join her. Why? Because HE NEEDS A SLAP ON HIS FACE TO BRING HIS LITTLE EGO BACK TO REALTY!!!
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JOHN
6:16PM Jan 25th 2008
EDWARDS HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS.HE IS A LOSER AND A CON MAN,JUST LIKE OBAMA.DO NOT FALL INTO EDWARDS OR OBAMAS TRAP MY FRIENDS.
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rndmorris
6:18PM Jan 25th 2008
Hit the nail on the head Jaki!!
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Francisco
6:37PM Jan 25th 2008
I just hope that the democrat's don't get so caught up in getting elected, that the splinter the party and we lose to the republicans. It sure seems to be working out this way. Let's not try to win the battle and then lose the war. FOCUS
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Ken
7:21PM Jan 25th 2008
It is time for the leaders of the Democratic Party to tell Bill Clinton that he need to stop acting like the "Bully on the Block". If Hillary can't control him now, will she be able to control him if she would be elected as our next president. Many voters are starting to ask the question - "Who will be the real president"? Is Bill just using his wife as a way to get around the constitutional amendment that limits the number of terms one individual can serve as president. Some commentators have suggested that Rahm Emanuel and Ted Kennedy are two people who might be able to convince Bill that he is making his wife look weak by his behavior. For the sake of the Democratic Party, will someone please try to put a halt to Bill's destructive behavior.
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NAN
7:26PM Jan 25th 2008
JAKI........FROM YOUR LIPS TO GODS
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Karen
7:34PM Jan 25th 2008
One day a real woman will come along who will be fit to be this nations first female president. That day has not come yet my friends. Hillary is not the woman to set an example for women or to represent women.
She has no class and her win at all costs mentality shows that her morality and ethics of humanity are just not there. She and Bill do not care about you and your silly problems of healthcare, education or the war. What her and Bill want the most is power, the power to control and the power to rule. Remember the nineties and their attitude of being above the law and above anyone. The frammers were always worried about this type of power getting a hold of this fragile democracy. Bill and Hillary are blinded by their unsatiable need for power that they cannot see beyond or care about what the American people want.
As I woman and as an American I will vote for change.
Karen
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Karen
7:35PM Jan 25th 2008
One day a real woman will come along who will be fit to be this nations first female president. That day has not come yet my friends. Hillary is not the woman to set an example for women or to represent women.
She has no class and her win at all costs mentality shows that her morality and ethics of humanity are just not there. She and Bill do not care about you and your silly problems of healthcare, education or the war. What her and Bill want the most is power, the power to control and the power to rule. Remember the nineties and their attitude of being above the law and above anyone. The frammers were always worried about this type of power getting a hold of this fragile democracy. Bill and Hillary are blinded by their unsatiable need for power that they cannot see beyond or care about what the American people want.
As I woman and as an American I will vote for change.
Karen
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farwy
8:03PM Jan 25th 2008
If Obama cannot handle the supposed attacks from the other canidates; what is he going to do if/when the third world countries attack or threaten the USA? He will be the one sayng oh I was a bonehead for not doing something! I do not blame any of you DEMS for voting republican..in light of the media's crowned prince's whining.
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RMLGIRL
8:27PM Jan 25th 2008
I think it's a good idea to have Bill in the White house because two heads are better than one. If this happens, it will also set the president for future First lady's to be more active, and this will filter down to the general population that it takes two heads in the house rather than one. The idea of working together will pervade throughout. Besides, Hillary has shown that leading is her forte and that she's aggressive enough to get the ball moving in the right direction in the US.
Go Hillary! CA
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kim
8:43PM Jan 25th 2008
Tommy, Tommy, Tommy: still trying to hype this false story. ONCE SOUTH CAROLINA IS OVER, HILLARY WILL SWEEP THE FEB 5 AND MARCH PRIMARIES AND BE A LOCK FOR THE DEMOCRAT NOMINATION. (no matter what place she finishes in South Carolina.) Edwards is finished...and Obama will not get the nomination. After the last debate, Americans can see that he creates feuds and personal bickering...because he cannot compete with Hillary's brilliant grasp of policy and issues..and so, doesn't want to compete on real policy issues at the debates. HILLARY WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT, and, perhaps, if Senator Obama keeps his seat and ideals intact in the Senate, eight years after Hillary, he might be ready to make a run.
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Mike Havenar
8:50PM Jan 25th 2008
I like Edwards because he is an anti-corporation lawyer. Lincoln was a corporation lawyer, and cunning he was. I hope John gets in the White House and continues kicking corporate butt. He is definitely closer to the working class than the others, including Obama.
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Turner
9:06PM Jan 25th 2008
Hillary has a real problem if she wins the nomination. She will not get the Black vote unless she puts Obama on the ticket. Many African Americans will abandon the party by not voting or voting Republican. I am 40 years old and could care less about experience...it's time for new ideas, new friends, new enemies, new leadership. Like it or not the US is becoming more and more diverse. The time is NOW!
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tigerathome
10:15PM Jan 25th 2008
The Clintons for decades worked at bettering civil rights.Obama did miminal at best for civil rights. Now if you were the Clintons and the people you fought for backed Obama becaouse of the color of his skin wouldn't you be hurt and angry.
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Mr. Clark
11:11PM Jan 25th 2008
Tommy Christopher,
All week long it was reported where Sen. Clinton was going to be and that she would return to South Carolina on Thursday. She returned to South Carolina on Thursday as scheduled. ABC World News reported tonight she was still safely in second place. Although, both Clinton and Obama lost some ground to Edwards. I guess we'll both know more tomorrow. Of note: Obama is losing ground on the "white vote" and Clinton is losing ground on the "black vote". If this is true, I find this aspect disturbing.
My understanding is her camp does not plan on winning tomorrow, but I think it a little premature (even though it is tomorrow) to put John Edwards in second place. In polls, I favor ABC only because that is the evening news I have watched my whole life; not to minimize Zogby.
"We have enjoyed hearing Mr. Edwards’s fiery oratory, but we cannot support his candidacy. The former senator from North Carolina has repudiated so many of his earlier positions, so many of his Senate votes, that we’re not sure where he stands. We certainly don’t buy the notion that he can hold back the tide of globalization."
Food for thought.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Mr. Clark
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Cecil Jones
2:57AM Jan 26th 2008
Let's review 2008? Iowa didn't want to vote for anyone ready to fight and Oprah is big in Iowa. Score one for Obama with Edwards second. New Hampshire was placed in the Obama column too soon and Hillary cried. Obama got "Cocky" and we don't know if the machine vote was counted. Score one for Hillary and "Dirty Tricks." Nevada should have had a Primary and it looked like a fixed fight after nobody could lay a glove on Hillary while taking a standing 8 count. The house was packed with Hillary supporters and you couldn't buy a ticket to either debate. This is Democracy in action? Score one more for Hillary? Nevada lost credibility in my eyes. Now it comes to the first real "Black Vote" and the Clintons are playing "The Dozens." They have used every racial low blow they can think up. All they managed to do is "Stink Up" the place. Now Obama leaks an offer through "The Prince of Darkness?" Edwards can win this race if Hillary recognizes she's not electable. That comment about "No Woman is Illegal" is too incredible to believe. Bin Laden doesn't give a damn if she cries forever. What's good for America? Edwards-Obama so we can transition into race. Would MLK roll the dice on the first Black man to come along? He's from Harvard and he's Dick Cheney's cousin! What more do I need to say? Equal opportunity doesn't begin at Harvard!
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REEN
7:32AM Jan 26th 2008
EDWARDS ALL THE WAY...THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
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Rosa Nunez
11:08AM Jan 26th 2008
Finally is out Edward and Obama secret deal except is the vice president position that is being deal. All along you can see during the debate the interaction between both of them. During the New Hampshire before a commecial it was Edward congratulating Obama about tge good job he did in attacking Ms. Clinton. He did not see the camera was still on him. I believe Edward is a little sneaky snake. With Ms. Clinton joining the race he saw himself loosing this white boy advantage.
I hope everyone see this as it is. Backroom politic by Saint Obama. He who can not do wrong. Ha, ha...
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Terri Patanus
11:19AM Jan 26th 2008
Get real folks it is politics if you can handle the heat in the kitchen get out.
Edwards is irrevelent.
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ruthe
12:30PM Jan 26th 2008
i only have a few words to say if the clintons and i mean the clintons get the nomination i wil for the first time in my life vote republican....and not only me but all my friends and family they make me ill