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Clinton And Obama To Rein In Supporters

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:18:03 PM EST
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By Big Tent Democrat

Good news:

On this presidential rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton can agree: They sometimes disagree with their trash-talking supporters and will try to cool it. Advisers to the Democratic candidates shed some light Friday on the private chat the two candidates had Thursday on the Senate floor. The talk lasted three or four minutes in full view of reporters watching on the balcony above who could see them talking, but not hear what they said.

More...

"They approached one another and spoke about how supporters for both campaigns have said things they reject," said Clinton spokesman Phil Singer. "They agreed that the contrasts between their respective records, qualifications and issues should be what drives this campaign, and nothing else."

Excellent. We will insist on the same here at Talk Left.

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    Clinton And Obama To Rein In Supporters | 66 comments (66 topical)

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    This would've been useful... (5.00 / 10) (#1)
    by kredwyn on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:25:15 PM EST
    a few months ago over at dkos. ::sigh::

    So far ... (5.00 / 6) (#31)
    by Cassius Chaerea on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:16:23 PM EST
    no mention whatsoever of this story over there.

    [ Parent ]
    Having just come from there, (none / 0) (#61)
    by inclusiveheart on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 09:20:21 PM EST
    I assure you it would really upset some people to be told that they are doing everything their candidate says he is trying to transcend.  Even just asking them to cool it is going to be an interesting short course in sociological phenomena for everyone.

    [ Parent ]
    Really GOOD News (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by PlayInPeoria on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:25:43 PM EST
    Let's all think first.

    It is like they are feeding the media. I would like to see them not only stick to the issues but pushback the media on bringing up this stuff.

    I am so tired of the media playing the devils advocate.

    In the mean time... let's get those issues out there for the voters. Knowing what we are voting for is much more important than these distractions.

    Finally.... (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Key on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:25:55 PM EST
    Wonder if it will last through the Texas Delegate selection process.  I'm a precinct delegate for Clinton and on March 29th we all get together and select delegates to the state convention, who then select delegates to the national convention.

    I've been worried that the 29th will be filled with hostility.  Will be an interesting meeting.

    Key (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Pacific John on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:25:12 PM EST
    I just have one piece of advice: network with other delegates like crazy, and understand the convention rules and processes. Include Obama people in agreements. Our side benefits from order.

    [ Parent ]
    Sigh (5.00 / 9) (#4)
    by Steve M on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:26:01 PM EST
    Look, of course we'd all like the primary to be more civil.

    Perhaps some people remember the debate in Las Vegas, back in January, where the candidates declared a "truce" and took responsibility for reining in their overzealous supporters.

    Two days later - two days! - an Obama-supporting union started running ads on Spanish-language radio in Nevada claiming: "Hillary Clinton doesn't respect our people."  Virtually the definition of an overzealous supporter, I assume all would agree.  So the Obama campaign distanced themselves, I assume?

    "The fact is their camp clearly would like to have worker's voices silenced and they need to live with that unfortunate position," came the reply from an Obama spokesman.

    I'm not opposed to a "truce."  Who would be?  I just hope they mean it this time.

    They have to mend (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by PlayInPeoria on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:38:04 PM EST
    the party. Neither candidate can afford for this to keep going on.

    I'm just taking both of them at their word.

    [ Parent ]

    I doubt it will happen (none / 0) (#20)
    by Korha on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:53:09 PM EST
    Sort of a prisoner's dilemma kind of thing--they'd both be better off if they reach an agreement to keep things civil, but it's in the interest of both to also break that agreement because negative politics works. But if both go negative both will be badly hurt.

    [ Parent ]
    Erm (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by manys on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:02:10 PM EST
    Actually, "negative politics" does not change the terms of a Prisoner's Dilemma. It's always better to cooperate, though now that the negativity has thinned the herd ("defections" in PD-speak, and an attractive option for the candidates up 'til now) I guess they figure they can become the polite 'n classy aristocrats their subjects desire them to be. They were flirting with the mud and pulled back from the brink.

    [ Parent ]
    no tiene vergüenza is a lot stronger in Spanish (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by lambert on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 08:03:41 PM EST
    The kind of thing that really would start a fight if you said it about somebody's mother, for example.

    [ Parent ]
    once the cow s have left the barn, you know (none / 0) (#79)
    by hellothere on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:29:31 AM EST
    it is hard to get them back in. i think it is a little late to do this but i hope it works.

    [ Parent ]
    Does this mean (5.00 / 13) (#7)
    by Warren Terrer on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:32:25 PM EST
    I can go back to DailyKos?

    Somehow I doubt it :(

    I wouldn't be the first one to run (5.00 / 6) (#23)
    by litigatormom on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:02:36 PM EST
    toward the Maginot line, if you know what I mean!

    [ Parent ]
    not a very good analogy, since (none / 0) (#74)
    by cpinva on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 11:48:57 PM EST
    it was useless for the purpose built. the germans had no problems by-passing it. how about, "i'd rather not be part of the lead unit in pickett's charge." instead?

    that's nice to hear, hope it sticks, won't be at all surprised if some overzealous supporter runs their mouth to the press.

    [ Parent ]

    DKos front pagers should be the test (5.00 / 5) (#30)
    by DaleA on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:14:39 PM EST
    If they rein it in, then the truce is holding. If they keep up with the attacks, then it is not working. Who is brave enough to check this out?

    [ Parent ]
    Wow (none / 0) (#40)
    by Edgar08 on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:42:10 PM EST
    The Clinton hate is tepid today.

    Underpinnings of the usual derision, but not one "I'll never vote for that...." diary in site.

    Almost impressed.

    Not deluded for a second either.


    [ Parent ]

    well (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by Nasarius on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:51:12 PM EST
    There's a pretty darn funny diary from a self-proclaimed Clinton supporter, scolding her for not dropping out.

    [ Parent ]
    I know (none / 0) (#45)
    by Edgar08 on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:52:18 PM EST
    They are theatrical.


    [ Parent ]
    The other day (5.00 / 5) (#47)
    by Steve M on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:55:00 PM EST
    there were SIX diaries on the Rec List simultaneously about the Ferraro flap.

    I cannot recall ever, in history, seeing six Rec diaries about the same topic.

    Perhaps Ferraro is WORSE than David Duke.

    [ Parent ]

    I know right.... (none / 0) (#52)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 07:18:19 PM EST
    ...in the old days they would have been all over those diaries with "this has already been diaried" posts.

    [ Parent ]
    Looks like there (5.00 / 3) (#60)
    by PlayInPeoria on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 09:10:27 PM EST
    was a shake up over at Kos... writers strike

    Writers Strike at DailyKos
    by Alegre
    Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:13:21 PM PDT
    This is an open letter to the progressive blogosphere...

    I've been posting at DailyKos for nearly 4 years now and started writing diaries in support of Hillary Clinton back in June of last year.  Over the past few months I've noticed that things have become progressively more abusive toward my candidate and her supporters.




    [ Parent ]
    I checked that out (none / 0) (#68)
    by anniethena on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 10:08:54 PM EST
    I logged in to recommend it and then checked out the surprisingly large list of rec'ers - I'm impressed.

    [ Parent ]
    Certainly (none / 0) (#77)
    by sas on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:21:25 AM EST
    you do not expect Hillary supporters, who have heard all this "hate" to forgive and foeget in November?

    That's naive.

    [ Parent ]

    i don't want to go back. (none / 0) (#80)
    by hellothere on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:31:08 AM EST
    trust issues! once that is gone i just can't buy anything that is said or written. i won't go back to countdown either. i don' fault them for backing different candidates at all. just the level of "duh" and meaness is just too much.

    [ Parent ]
    Clinton has always been for this (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by Edgar08 on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:34:02 PM EST
    Even in the earliest days of the campaign her supporters were being asked to apologize for making crappy comments and they did.

    It's nice to see Obama finally come around on this, and he is still free to retroactively make a statement about what Geffen said to kick off this campaign.

    It would go a long way towards making me feel better about supporting him if and when he wins the nomination.

    Yes.  I hold grudges.  The grudges can be resolved though with straight answers.

    Hey Barack Obama.  Are the Clintons liars?

    if they could only extend it to the shrillosphere (5.00 / 6) (#9)
    by Turkana on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:34:39 PM EST
    a couple of popular blogs would grow very quiet.

    Better - they could turn their fire (5.00 / 3) (#15)
    by scribe on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:39:36 PM EST
    onto the real adversary - the Republicans.

    [ Parent ]
    i'm not so certain (5.00 / 9) (#19)
    by Turkana on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:52:09 PM EST
    that a good number of the newer arrivals at certain blogs consider the republicans adversaries...

    [ Parent ]
    A frightening number of "old" arrivals (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by inclusiveheart on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 09:25:14 PM EST
    have convinced themselves that McCain would be better than Clinton.  The place is a mess.

    [ Parent ]
    It's never appeared to me that (5.00 / 2) (#75)
    by Joelarama on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:14:05 AM EST
    the "new" people are primarily responsible for the atmosphere.  Not at all.

    [ Parent ]
    The new arrivals (5.00 / 3) (#72)
    by cal1942 on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 11:23:20 PM EST
    aren't hostile to Republicans.

    I got in tangle over there about two months ago when a reply to my comment urging support for whoever got the nomination was attacked repeatedly.

    I'm through with KOS for good. I began getting fed up with him in December and felt before that he was really too much into himself.  

    I'll listen to what others say about the site but I won't bump up his site meter numbers.

    The same goes for Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo and Matthew Yglesias.

    [ Parent ]

    DKos (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by FlatusTheElder on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:34:44 AM EST
    As Yogi would say, "Nobody goes there anymore cause its too crowded. Flatus The Elder

    [ Parent ]
    are you saying they might be republicans? (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by hellothere on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:32:11 AM EST
    i have often wondered about that myself.

    [ Parent ]
    Are they Republicans? (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by FlatusTheElder on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:39:31 AM EST
    If we are what we say, I keep hearing words like hate, fear, spite, and can you imagine what the world would be like if (fill in the blank) was president? Sounds like Repubspeak to me. Flatus The Elder

    [ Parent ]
    sounds right to me! (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by hellothere on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:48:27 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Flatus (none / 0) (#89)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 03:50:33 PM EST
    welcome to the site. Please read the comment rules. Also, your name appears above your comment, there's no need to restate it at the end. Thanks.

    [ Parent ]
    This seems funnier than (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by dissenter on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:35:33 PM EST
    Chris' Samantha Powers statements.

    Like that is gonna happen at this point.

    It has about as much chance of succeeding as herding cats. Pissed off cats at that:)

    why can't they use their powers (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Kathy on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:38:17 PM EST
    for fixing FL?  

    BBC news on NPR station (none / 0) (#54)
    by oculus on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 08:11:02 PM EST
    sd. Obama put his arm lightly on HRC's shoulder as they walked to their brief, sit down mtg. on the Senate floor.  It this true?  Should this irritate me?  (It does!)

    [ Parent ]
    It's about frickin' time (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by scribe on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:38:56 PM EST
    and already past the time they should have taken my suggestion for the topic of the next of their debates - goin' all Lincoln-Douglas, all the time, all summer - i.e.:  "The flip-flops and outright lies of John McCain".

    Since they've agreed to two (or is it one and a half, still) more debates, they also have plenty of time to add a new topic:  "Why the CPAC Conservatives' cheer of 'four more years' means you should vote Democratic this fall.

    And, while they're in the discipline-dealing department, maybe they can talk to Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida, who's with the DCCC in a "leadership" position.  She says she's going to "recuse" herself, i.e., she's not going to be helping Dem candidates in Florida trying to unseat some real wingnuts - starting with her BFF Ileana Ross-Lehtinen.

    Someone needs to make clear to the Rep. Wasserman-Schultz that, BFF or not, there's a very simple rule we need to remember and be guided by:  "Republicans are not your friends.  You always work to get Republicans out of office, and Democrats into office."  

    I don't see it (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by waldenpond on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:45:54 PM EST
    An Obama adviser, speaking on a condition of anonymity about the private conversation, gave a similar account, while stressing that it was Obama who approached Clinton on the subject.

    Was it just me, or was an Obama supporter trying to give credit for this effort to Obama?  One last dig before peace reigns?

    I'd like to know... how?  and what will it look like?

    Sidenote... (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by DudeE on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:47:50 PM EST
    ...Obama on Olbermann tonight... guess he scored some points with the 'special comment' ... wondering when Clinton will be invited...

    [ Parent ]
    Great (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Edgar08 on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:03:06 PM EST
    McCain on the Factor would be more insightful.


    [ Parent ]
    Comfort (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by waldenpond on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:09:22 PM EST
    Do you think he'll offer him a pillow?  I can see O putting his hand over Obama's and patting it... and O saying...it'll be ok. I know the media's giving you a tough time lately.  Why do you think Clinton is making them do that?

    [ Parent ]
    Yes, I was going to ask (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:14:37 PM EST
    If Olbermann is one of the supporters who will be told to STFU.

    [ Parent ]
    He does not take sides (none / 0) (#36)
    by waldenpond on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:25:43 PM EST
    O is completely unbiased.  He merely provides impartial analysis of the candidates.  If it looks like he thinks Clinton is (insert any ugly word you choose here) it's because she is.  I couldn't watch his schpiel on Clinton withe volume on, I'm sure I won't listen to this either.

    [ Parent ]
    I can't believe (none / 0) (#78)
    by sas on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:26:26 AM EST
    that you wrote that Olberman is unbiased.  You have got to be kidding.

    He's for Obama hook, line, and sinker just like the others at MSNBC/Obama TV.

    [ Parent ]

    the answer and a cigar! the 12th of never! (none / 0) (#82)
    by hellothere on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:33:25 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    It's gonna get weirder than that... (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by kredwyn on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:04:44 PM EST
    was in the grocery store line scanning the tabloid headlines. Nat'l Enquirer had a pretty salacious header for him.

    yup and he is now on entertainment tonight! (none / 0) (#87)
    by hellothere on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:46:33 AM EST
    being a media darling has its drawbacks i guess.

    [ Parent ]
    Go public. (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by QuakerInABasement on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:08:14 PM EST
    It would be helpful for both candidates to go public--very soon--with this newfound commitment to civility.

    I don't believe the offending supporters on either side have been acting on orders from the candidates. That's why they both need to step up and give the order: no more of this.

    Related topic (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by smott on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:18:19 PM EST
    ...I live in Pgh and just got through watching Hillary's speech tonight. She was introduced by the County CEO and the Mayor both of whom endorsed her.

    I thought her speech was very good, not as scripted-sounding as in the debates.

    She barely mentioned Obama at all. She was clearly running against McCain.  The main mention of BO was to group him with McCain in voting for the energy bill (Cheney's thing) which HRC did not support.

    Anyway I've not heard her stump speech in full so I don't know if it was markedly different that she stayed away from mentioning BO.

    But she was a lot better than I was expecting.

    I sent a LTE and it was published today; (5.00 / 3) (#37)
    by hairspray on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:26:12 PM EST
    Dear Editor:
    Almost everyday you publish a letter from someone, usually an outraged Obama supporter, about what a mean person Hillary Clinton is.  There is rarely much real substance to these letters, except the outrage, yes outrage because Hillary said something not kindly toward Obama. Lets be clear.  California voted for Hillary overwhelmingly.  The game here is over.  What these letters do is make me angry at the foolishness of these letter writers and I am having a hard time believing that I will vote for Obama if he gets the nomination.  Publishing these whinny diatribes serves no purpose at this point except to poison the well.  Get over it.
    What I really want to know is (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by Warren Terrer on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:45:55 PM EST
    will there be an exchange of prisoners?

    No, they'll (none / 0) (#57)
    by Marvin42 on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 08:41:11 PM EST
    Just return the insults they threw each other across the bridge... :)

    [ Parent ]
    I don't like the rule either (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by Manuel on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:54:23 PM EST
    but I understand it.  We are guests here.  Things start out reasonable but degenerate quickly creating extra work for the moderators.  I do wish we had some opportunity to have a serious discussion about some hot topics but I don't want to see the place burn down.  The Orange web Site is an example of place having gone out of control.

    What's the definition of civility? (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by lambert on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 08:13:23 PM EST
    Not mentioning Obama's self-admitted poor judgment on Rezko? Just for starters.

    Civility means deference to authorities, none of whom are especially innocent bystanders; it's fundamentally an aristocratic value, so the Village wants to enforce it.

    Since this election isn't especially uncivil by historic norms, I don't know what the fuss is about. And I can only think that if Obama wants it all to die down, it's because the pushback he's been getting is hurting his candidacy. As well it should.

    This, however, is interesting. Good luck to them.

    thanks for the diary reference. (none / 0) (#85)
    by hellothere on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:41:43 AM EST
    it makes me grateful for the civility here. i hope that civility returns to the campaigns.

    [ Parent ]
    Hear Hear (none / 0) (#5)
    by squeaky on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:27:01 PM EST
    Well said. Nice show of unity.

    WAY too late. (none / 0) (#11)
    by MarkL on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:37:19 PM EST
    All that's left now is for one of them to crash and burn.

    TSHAS: That Ship Has Already Sailed. (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 08:14:37 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I don't believe Obama (none / 0) (#41)
    by Foxx on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:42:43 PM EST
    he's said this before and betrayed it himself very shortly after.

    Of course he approached her. There's a lot of stuff he doesn't want her to bring up!

    Greg Craig (none / 0) (#76)
    by sleepingdogs on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:18:16 AM EST
    made comments to the press Friday questioning Hillary's claim to experience.
    Check out story on CNN.  (sorry don't know how to do your fancy-link thing...)
    Funny how Craig was making these comments about the same time Obama was promising to rein in his supporters.
    That didn't last long.

    [ Parent ]
    i don't think obama can stop "things" (none / 0) (#86)
    by hellothere on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:44:21 AM EST
    from being brought up. the media will do what they will. though i have to admit i had the same though about he might now find "peace" or the appearance to be to his advantage. i have found that once you find that you can't trust someone on a major level, it usually holds true that you just can't trust them period.

    [ Parent ]
    It would be nice (none / 0) (#43)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:47:28 PM EST
    Making no wagers though.

    Clinton And Obama To Rein In Supporters | 66 comments (66 topical)

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