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All eyes now turn to the complex state of Pennsylvania

JOHN IBBITSON

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:49 PM EST 07/03/08

Obama and Clinton campaigns prepare to pour entire resources into conflicted state ...Read the full article

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  1. No Left or Right Just Neutral from Canada writes: The Drama continues.....
  2. Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada writes: So far, Clinton has been able to count on the white trash vote in states such as Ohio, Texas and Tennessee. It's a natural fit. Since her losses in South Carolina and Louisiana, Hillary and her husband have played the race card like a fine-tuned fiddle to scare paranoid older and/or uneducated white voters to the polls. Unfortunately for Obama, there are not enough affluent, well-educated white liberals in many states to neutralize or overcome the votes cast by white knuckle draggers and troglodytes. Even if he wins the Democratic nomination, Obama will lose the November presidential election largely because Hillary's yahoo supporters will find themselves more comfortable with any Republican rather than with a black candidate, no matter how qualified he may be to lead the country.
  3. Mary Smith from United States writes:

    Beatriz Perez-Sanchez

    Get over yourself; you don't have a clue about America
  4. Jeremy McGee from Canada writes: Unfortunately, neither does John.

    For informed analysis on this topic, see http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/06/forobamaanuphillbattleinp.html?hpid=topnews
  5. John Little from Canada writes: I do watch stories regarding the U.S. election, but admit that I do not know a great deal about Obama. I watched part of a biography on Obama the other night. It said that he attended a muslim school after his mother remarried, as his stepfather was muslim. Since Islam forbids one to change religions and he appears to have a muslim middle name, is he muslim? I do not adhere to the concept that anyone can become a president as nowadays you need really deep pockets to even begin and such campaigns are not cheap. Given that he grew up poor and was literally unkown even a few years ago, no mention was made as to who is bankrolling and supporting his campaign and meteoric rise. Who is bankrolling Hillary's campaign? Does anyone know?
  6. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: John Little, was that a deliberate, drive-by smear?

    I'd probably support Mrs. Clinton, but let's be fair: Barack Obama is Christian, not Muslim. Most of his funding is from the internet, which is to say, grassroots popular support, and that's mostly small donations of $50 or less.
  7. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes:
    How may the effects of the made-in-Canada "NAFTA-gate" scenario likely to impact on th outcome of the voting here in the complex state of Pennsylvania?
  8. Mark H from Indy, United States writes: "Who is bankrolling Hillary's campaign? Does anyone know? "

    Google "United States campaign contributors" and you'll find websites, under the Freedom of Information act, that allow you to look at everyone who has donated to the presidential campaigns. One thing that strikes me is that Hillary's average donation is probably about 5 times what Obama's is. Hillary owns big business and the unions. Obama has everybody else.

    This will be a bloodbath, people - Obama and Hillary are going to rip each other's faces off until the day of the convention. McCain can sit back, strategize, divide and conquer. I think just with the time he has to play his hand, you've got to give him a serious shot at the White House.
  9. Guy Olivier from Columbus, Ohio, United States writes: I think Beatriz Perez-Sanchez is pretty accurate in her post. I hate to say it but the democrats... of which I am one, will lose in November and McCain will be the one to nominate two and possibly three justices to the supreme court. The democrats will be in the background doing their wining much as they have been doing since they took over congress.

    I can't see myself voting for the Clintons, Bill and Hillary. My vote this past week went to Obama. I might stay away in November if Obama loses. Good time to go back to Canada.
  10. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Has Hillary Clinton endorsed John McCain today . . . yet ?
  11. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Mary Smith: . . . Well, at least you aren't accusing McCain of being " a liberal" these days. You changed your attitude because Rush (et. al.) told you all to stop doing that, after he got HIS orders.

    GOOD doggies.
  12. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada . . . unfortunately, Mary Smith's attitude is typical of the attitude of most Americans towards Canadians.
  13. Andy Garrett: McCain / Powell 2008 from West Palm Beach, United States writes: Because Mary Smith is right in her observation of BPS's general hatred for anything USA. And
    her comments ARE offensive and childish, not to mention factualy flat out racist and wrong...
  14. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Andy: . . . You are imputing to (i.e., projecting onto) BFS racist feelings of your own. Sad, really; but perhaps you can get some professional help on that ?

    SO glad you dropped -- as directed -- your attacks on McCain as being "a liberal". Too bad your genuine favorite candidate -- Rudy the Transvestite -- lost, huh ?
  15. L Wong from Canada writes: Tick Tock Tick Tock, I feel like there are too many sides to Obama and his campaign is similar to Kerry’s run in 2004. He needs to stop appealing to all sides of society and actually make a solid platform. I think that his backing of Oprah may back fire especially if it gets dirty in Pen State.
  16. Samuel Hearne from Philadelphia, United States writes: I am a centrist Canadian living in Pennsylvania, and I vigourously agree that Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto is clueless about the U.S. It is mind-boggling that Hillary Clinton supporters should be characterized as "white trash," "knuckle draggers," and "troglodytes." Not only that, it is offensive, and it would be just as offensive if those terms were hurled at Mike Huckabee supporters. John Ibbitson doesn't seem to be very well informed either. What's he talking about when he says that "so much of the Civil War was fought on [Pennsyvlania's] soil" ? Yes, Gettysburg was a big and bloody battle, but it was only one battle and it was fought just inside the state's southern boundary. See the map at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Civil_War_battles to get a true picture of how much of the civil war was fought in Pennsylvania. As for Ibbitson's thesis that voters in "the T" might shy away from Obama, consider the fact that the vast majority of the conservatives in "the T" do not vote in the Democratic primary, but the Republican primary. And consider the fact that Obama has done so well in the parts of the US where Democrats are outnumbered by Republicans. Witness Utah, Iowa, North Dakota...
  17. Andy Garrett: McCain / Powell 2008 from West Palm Beach, United States writes: M. J. Again, you are wrong on all your points regarding me.
  18. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: AG: . . . WOW. Everyone's fooled by your cleverness. Very impressive.

    But work on getting some professional help with your "projection problem". Maybe ask your mommy and daddy for some money for this ?
  19. Just Sayin' from Canada writes: I'm pretty sure that the Pennsylvania primaries are closed primaries, meaning that in order to vote in the Democratic primary you have to be a registered Democrat. This could dramatically impact the effectiveness of Hillary's campaign because, from my years living in PA, it was obvious that rural voters in the state were much more likely to vote Republican (and hence, I assume, be registered as Republican) and therefore wouldn't be eligible to participate as a Democrat.
  20. Thomas D'Arcy McGee from Canada writes: Obama won't stand a chance against the Clinton slime machine. They got a taste of the damage that the NAFTA fiasco can do in Ohio (thank you Canadian Tories and CTV!) and you will see them utilize similar tactics in PA. Obama is just too nice a guy. The high road doesn't work in politics when there's a Clinto nvolved.
    Andy McGarrett: McCain/Powell in 2008? Dream on. Bush's lap dog as a VP candidate? All the Democrats will have to is re-run that footage of naive old General Colin at the UN parrotting the Bush/Cheney WMD fiction and he'll be done. He looked like a fool left twisting in the wind. Other than his race, what would Colin Powell add to a ticket that already has the military angle (McCain) covered? Give your head a shake.
  21. Mark H from Indy, United States writes: "Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada . . . unfortunately, Mary Smith's attitude is typical of the attitude of most Americans towards Canadians."

    Not true.....

    Remember broad brush strokes usually make a mess.....
  22. Thomas D'Arcy McGee from Canada writes: Just Sayin - You're right that PA's primaries are closed and only Dems can vote and yes the hinterlands are very conservative so Hilary won't draw flies there but neither will Obama. And since Republicans and Indies can't vote in the Dem primary, the indies and liberal Republicans that Obama has been utilizing to win will not be available unless they go to the trouble of changing their registration, a major impediment. Edge to Hilary, unfortunately.
  23. Jim Saxon from Canada writes: Clintons never shied away from a mud-fest. It's tricky for Obama as his campaign depends on a message of being different. But that should not stop his surrogates to launch a counter-offensive. In the enthusiasm to sling mud, the Clinton camp has obviously overlooked the possibility that someone could re-open what all the investigations of nineties about; especially the former First Consorts who were intimidated into silence by Ms. Clinton and the real estate deals and pardons that were accorded as quid-pro-quo. There are so many skeletons in the cupboard - this cupboard is as big as White House. The Clinton machinery is counting on Obama continuing to play nice - and that will be a big mistake on his part.
  24. S. Bluecat from Netherlands writes: This primary will ultimately come down to an issue of voter turnout. Further, Pennsylvania has more than its fair share of swing voters in the suburbs who vote impulsively based on minor issues without seeing the whole picture. The solid Democratic base areas of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie may have many registered democrats but getting them to the polls is a challenge. Unfortunately racism will also be a factor for many; in a few cities surrounding Pittsburgh still comprising mainly 1930's-era immigrants will vote for Hillary if they vote at all. In central PA it's anyone's guess, as many union-leaning Democrats sold out to the Republican terrorism fear factor in 2004 and will likely support McCain this fall for the same reason.
  25. Duh Work Farce Virtually Alive from Canada writes: To paraphrase James Carville, It's the war, stupid. And the war against the poor, idiot. McCain can't win this election, but, given the negative scapegoating nature of what passes for democracy in our corporate-run world, the Democrats sure can lose it. And 250 million workers would not miss a heartbeat marching off to their jobs because their god is the "Work Ethic". If they really believed in God, there might appear a Moses to lead them out of bondage to the Promised Land.
  26. Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada writes: Samuel Hearne, I was trying to be polite by calling them 'knuckle draggers' and 'troglodytes'. I should have cut to the chase and just called them 'idiots'. Many of Hillary's supporters are also racists and bigots. I am very well informed about American politics. The problem for some people is that I say things they don't like to hear. Get over it. By the way, I probably know more about the U.S. than many of your compatriots. Most Canadians know much more about your country than vice versa but that has never stopped many 'Americans' from commenting on Canadian affairs.
  27. Samuel Hearne from Philadelphia, United States writes: Beatriz Perez-Sanchez: Your knowledge of American politics seems to be on par with your ability to read simple declarative sentences. After all, I clearly identify myself as a Canadian at the outset of my comment. You justify your bigoted blast by saying that lack of knowledge has never stopped many Americans from commenting on Canadian affairs. Yes, that is true, but you seem to be placing your comments on the same level as those of some good ol' boy telling Canadians how they should decorate their igloos.
  28. L Wong from Canada writes: It’s interesting that the race card is being played but Obama’s main supporters are the African American company and Hillary is primarily White and Hispanic. This was clearly defined in the Texas primary where the Hispanic and White voters went to Hillary and the Black to Obama. It’s only Obama’s camp that brings up the race card. Get over it and talk about politics.
  29. Kathleen Degelder from Tacomawashington, Canada writes: I get tired of hearing race versus gender in the media!---
  30. Thaddius Stevens from Pittsburgh, United States writes: I can't wait for the next memo to get leaked from the Prime Minister's office. Hopefully, Harper will balance things with this one aimed at Hillary instead.
  31. Paul Aparycki from st. jean sur richelieu, Canada writes: The last week has seen an upsurge surrounding the "who do you want to answer that phone". All of the dolts who are posturing say they are the obvious choice. Good. I am glad to see that we have ascertained that McCain, Clinton, and Obama are more than capable of getting a job at a "call centre". So, send them off to India, and maybe next time you call in the middle of the night to fix your toaster, or blender, or computer, maybe you too can get a chance to talk with one of the greats! In the interim, why isn't Barney the Dinosaur, or one of the Teletubbies running for a job they are far more suited for?
  32. Jack Robertson from Toronto, Canada writes: Beatriz Perez-Sanchez, don't let the troglodytes, the knuckle draggers, Hillary's white trash brigades or the centrist Canadians get you down. The patronizing manner in which many of your detractors respond to your comments is proof of what you have said on a few occasions - that they are lacking in the cojones department.

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