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Clinton romps in W. Virginia, but who really cares?

JOHN IBBITSON

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:41 AM EDT 15/05/08

This campaign's narrative has already been written by both the powerful pundits of the U.S. media she railed against, and by the leadership of the Democratic Party itself ...Read the full article

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  1. Duane Freemantle from writes: Who really cares? Those that would wish that this was over. The person who only cares is Clinton, because she can spin this victory. She can continue to claim that she is more electable, but the facts are quite different. The Democratic primaries are a better indicator of who is more electable, not the super delegates. One has to hope that the super delegates understand this distinction.
  2. A J from Calgary, Canada writes: I wonder if Clinton's motivation, at this point, is to address her campaign debt.

    Her staffer Harold Wolfson recently acknowledged that the campaign is now $20 million in debt. (This according to a Washington Post article that quoted his remarks in a Fox News interview.)

    In an article here on the G&M website just yesterday, the writer explained how the American laws work on campaigns reimbursing a candidate for loans. Clinton's loan to her campaign is at least $11.4 million.

    According to that article, Clinton has to repay the loan before the national convention in August. After that date, the law limits repayment to the candidate to $250,000.

    However, there is a loophole. If Clinton can persuade the donors who gave her money for the general election to donate instead to her Senate 2012 campaign fund, that fund can pay off the other vendors whom she owes.

    If Clinton can clear up the $10 million or thereabouts that she owes other people in this way, then maybe she will be able to repay her own loan with the money that her loyal supporters contribute to her campaign between now and August.

    Still, the Clintons may end up covering some of her campaign expenses out of their own pockets, if her loan isn't repaid. Fortunately, they are wealthy enough to be able to handle that--and the money was spent in the worthy cause of seeking the presidency.
  3. Jack Mrnsie from Canada writes: I find what she is doing is just about treason. We all want Obama, sometimes the democratic has to take a back seat..
  4. snow crash from Canada writes: Why isn't Virginia and West Virginia a single state?
  5. Duane Freemantle from writes: snow crash from Canada writes: Why isn't Virginia and West Virginia a single state?

    West Virginia, one of the United States, which seceded from Virginia during the American Civil War.
  6. A J from Calgary, Canada writes: John Ibbitson ended his report by saying: "The McCain-Obama matchup, which promises to be epic, is under way, while Hillary Clinton tries to convince everyone that she's still standing."

    Yesterday's election news included not only the WV primary results, but also the results in the special election in the First Congressional District of Mississippi.

    A Republican, Roger Wicker, had held the seat. Bush/Cheney did very well in that area in 2004.

    This time, the voters elected a Democrat, Travis Childers.

    In special elections in Louisiana in May, and in Illinois in March, the voters also replaced Republican Representatives with Democratic ones. These were all elections to fill the seat until November; these were not primaries.

    Looks like it is going to be a good year for the Democrats.
  7. corrine leon from Montreal, Canada writes: I'm so tired of hearing that this race is over! If we don't care about the race between Clinton and Obama any longer then why do you continue to write about it? If the race is now between McCain and Obama some coverage of McCain should be in order.
    By continuing to write about it you give a race that no longer matters precious newspaper real estate. If you truly believe the Democratic race is over than give it a rest.
  8. Carolyn Bongiorno from Glenham,NY, United States writes: Hillary Clinton's campaign is limping forward and hemorrhaging millions of dollars that could be better spent. Her campaign has revealed some deep problems among the democratic leadership, most notably a fear of antagonizing the powerful duo that is Billary. While Democratic National Committee (DNC) head Howard Dean had been so inspirational during his presidential bid, he's clearly cowed and unable to flex his muscles. Sen. Clinton should have conceded by now and could be helping to rally support for the presumptive nominee. Her rhetoric may have toned down since South Carolina, but she's still draining resources that could go to Sen. Obama instead. The party needs unity, yet Clinton is resisting this, for now.

    West Virginia broke away from Virginia rather than support slavery and the Confederate secession. They sided with Pres. Abraham Lincoln at the time of the Civil War. My dear father was born in this beautiful state, in Logan county. It is rural and poor and underdeveloped, but it has its charms.
  9. Janis Prinkalns from Fort Myers, FL, United States writes: The article states that Mr. Obama is "retooling his strategy." That's good news. Last week he said he had already campaigned in 57 states. Then he added that he had only two more to visit. Yesterday, he said we needed more Arabic speakers for our forces in Afghanistan. This guy gets away with being so out of touch...Contrast these remarks and the reaction... the furor when Dan Quayle mis-spelled potatoes...

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