My wife just told me that Chelsea Clinton is calling super delegates...

[Bread and Circus]

I've been ignoring this whole story as it sounded like tabloid stuff and I try not to get mired down in that. However my wife was expressing how incredulous it was that Chelsea was calling super delegates and I found that kind of surprising.

Why would she be doing that? What's the deal?

And for the record, I'm fairly ignorant of "pimping out" gate because I refused to click on links like that but I'm glad that guy got suspended.

I just want to know what this calling super delegates thing is about.

[Saturday]

1. Hellloooo, her Mother is a Presidential candidate.

She's helping her. What's the problem with that?

[niceypoo]

71. My unkle just told me that Obama is half martian

Place Hysterical Statement Here: _________________________________________________________.

[rodeodance]

2. is this a concern because it is Chelsea? Curioous. Do not other campaigns form

both side keep in touch with them?

[asthmaticeog]

3. I have a question:

Why am I supposed to care?

[Bread and Circus]

8. I have the same question... how does any of that work? Does anyone know?

[yardwork]

17. Instead of googling and finding out how it works, why not start concern threads?

I mean, hand-wringing on GD-P is certain to (a) provide you with absolutely factual, unbiased information and (b) further the democratic debate that makes this country great. Right?

[enigmatic]

72. concur

:thumbsup:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

4. Staffers and surrogates of political campaigns call superdelegates. New to politics?

[Bread and Circus]

11. I'm not into party politics, so yes some of this is new to me.

[rox63]

5. Not a big deal - Tom Daschle is calling them for Obama

I daresay Daschle would have more pull with them than Chelsea, seeing as he's worked with them when he was in Congress.

[Nedsdag]

6. Well, she's also calling the ladies from "The View" to support her mother as well.

"Pimping out" are words I wouldn't use to describe what Chelsea is doing; however, sweet talking super delegates for her mother is really going a bit far.

[onenote]

14. why is it "going a bit far"?

[Nedsdag]

27. Stop being a Clinton supporter for a minute.

I feel uncomfortable hearing what is going on in the Clinton camp.

Yes, it's her mother and she loves her to death, but for months she wasn't involved in the campaign UNTIL Hillary's poll ratings began to sank.

[onenote]

45. actually, I'm an Obama supporter. Nice assumption though

And why does it make you uncomfortable that she's getting involved in the campaign?

[Nedsdag]

59. My bad!

But don't you find it strange after months AWOL from her mother's campaign, she pops up when mommy's poll numbers fell?

[onenote]

76. not at all.

I haven't followed Chelsea's role in the campaign that closely, but assuming that what you say is accurate, it makes sense for a campaign to look for help when it needs help. Sounds smarter than it sounds strange.

[rodeodance]

29. And Obama called on Oprah.

[angie_love]

69. I find it odd that shes calling ladies on "the view"

It just seems like shes being manipulative to me.

[yardwork]

7. Be vewy vewy afwaid. The sky is fawwing.

[NightWatcher]

9. so she can work for her mom, but is still untouchable?

the 'pimping' comment was over the line, but her parents cant have it both ways. If you bring her into the game prepare to have people talk about her and try to ask her questions.

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. BULLSHIT. If they want to talk about Chelsea, then talk about her work on the campaign and stop

with the sexist bullshit. Shuster was way out of line.

[NightWatcher]

37. I said the sexist comment was over the line

but the clintons still do not want people to be able to ask questions of her. They have always said she should be above the fray. Now she is working for her mom. I think she should be asked legit questions.

[in_cog_ni_to]

48. The Bush daughters campaigned for the psycho in the last campaign. They weren't put out as red meat

either...nor were the 5 Romney sons.

on edit:

You must consider that she is an ex First daughter. She's not just some kid whose mom is running for President. There are many factors at work here.

[hughee99]

63. Mary Cheney... n/t

[rodeodance]

43. I am you on that. I can't believe some of these posters!!

[Bluerthanblue]

10. from what I understand, she'd only have to call her Dad to reach

a 'SD'-

Something is pretty messed up with this system.

It's much worse than the "electoral college" idea.

:shrug:

[displacedtexan]

12. Hell, they probably babysat her.

She didn't grow up in a bubble.

She knows those people.

[rucky]

13. The race is likely to come down to superdelegates.

Right now they're every bit as important as the rest of the states. And to reach them, all they need to do is grab their rolodex.

It's a smart campaign move.

[Xipe Totec]

You know how the candidates call, mail, e-mail and advertise to get your vote?

Well, it's the same thing with the SDs; the candidates are trying to get the SDs to vote for them at the party convention.

[Bread and Circus]

19. I'm catching on now. So Chelsea is acting as part of her campaign team here?

[yardwork]

21. So that makes it ok to call her a prostitute on TV?

I see where you're going with this.

[Xipe Totec]

35. Yes, she's working for Hillary's campaign.

Plain and simple.

Nothing nefarious, underhanded, or even unusual in this campaign.

It was a lame attempt by a media hack to give a sordid twist to a normal campaign process.

[Bread and Circus]

44. That seems reasonable. "pimping out" is a pretty egregious way to put it.

What do you think about what some in this thread are saying about how Chelsea doesn't talk to the press?

[Xipe Totec]

49. I haven't paid attention to that

but it seems a reasonable policy.

Don't you think?

[Bread and Circus]

52. Don't know. It seems like she would be a good spokesperson.

[Xipe Totec]

54. That's up to the candidates to decide

I'm beginning to be troubled by your feigned naivete.

The leading nature of you questions is not lost on me.

So I'm off to find a more productive use of my time.

Have a good night.

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. She's calling to make sure they're sticking with her mom. ALL candidates do this.

It's nothing new.

[Bread and Circus]

38. That's cool by me. I was just trying to get this clarified. I thought Chelsea

was more of a "goodwill" ambassador to the public given that she is generally likeable.

I didn't realize she had an official capacity in the campaign.

[in_cog_ni_to]

67. I don't know if she does have an "official" capacity, but she's campaigning and speaking

now, so I guess she could be considered as working for the campaign...officially. She has just started speaking at rallies at colleges and shaking hands on the streets.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

16. C'mon, Do You Really Think The Obama Camp Isn't Calling?

Are you really surprised that this occurs?

Wow. :wow:

[bigtree]

41. they are

"Not taking any chances, the Obama and Clinton campaigns have been actively wooing super delegates."

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4261986

[Big Blue Marble]

18. That was reported the other night on TV.

They are using Chelsea to appeal to Super Delegates.

[Bread and Circus]

24. I would assume Chelsea would be proud to do that. But does it make her fair game for political mud?

:shrug:

[rodeodance]

39. and i am thinking the OP is pretty close to that.

[Big Blue Marble]

65. I do not think it does at all.

I am sure she knows many of the Super Delegates and is contacting them on that basis.

I think it is totally appropriate and I think Schuster's comment was totally inappropriate.

I do not think she should be pulling out of a debate or it.

[VolcanoJen]

20. I have no problem with Chelsea being an official member of the campaign staff.

But if she's calling up The View ladies, and phoning superdelegates left and right, and appearing at caucuses, and in primary precinct polling locations, she really ought to be capable of speaking with members of the press, as well.

Which was David Schuster's beef to begin with... and he unfortunately framed a perfectly legitimate question using a profoundly offensive turn of phrase.

But the question remains... why won't Chelsea speak with the press?

[Bread and Circus]

30. That is a good question... she seems involved in a official capacity...

I'm just not sure how these things work.

[tishaLA]

32. 100% correct

[Mags]

64. I don't think all that are working in any campaign are speaking to the press.

Why do you have such a problem with her not speaking to the press?

[VolcanoJen]

68. Because I believe in accountability

If you're a mouthpiece for the organization, you should be able to answer questions about it.

How low does this bar reach? How different do we want the next adminstration to be?

[ShortnFiery]

22. Yes, but no one DARE criticize Princess Chelsea. Any sexual embarrassments come only from her dad's

behavior with a woman who was FIVE YEARS younger (22 y.o.) than Princess Chelsea is now (27 y.o.).

Let's go back and ask The Lewinsky Family what they THINK of how President Bill Clinton used their daughter? :evilgrin:

[incapsulated]

25. You belong in freeperville.

This place has officially jumped the fucking shark.

[in_cog_ni_to]

31. I agree. What crap. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

42. No, OBJECTIVE people acknowledge the weaknesses of their party.

Unless you wish for "a democratic version of freeperville"?

Over there, no BUSH can do wrong ... Over here, no CLINTON can do wrong?

Oh yes, that's very healthy. :eyes:

[onenote]

51. actually, over here we try to stay rational. You aren't winning that battle however.

An Obama supporter who is embarassed by some of the things on this thread.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

60. WTF would you know about OBJECTIVE people??

That's hysterical!! :rofl: :rofl: Your seeting, festering hatred of anything Clinton has been apparent, to anyone watching, for months!!

[in_cog_ni_to]

28. Bill's sex life is none of your fucking business. Mind your own bedroom

and your own sex life.

[citizen snips]

33. WTF?

Chealsea is not bound to Bill Clinton's sex life.

[rodeodance]

36. Idiot talk. You should be ashamed of yourself!

es, but no one DARE criticize Princess Chelsea. Any sexual embarrassments come only from her dad's
Posted by ShortnFiery


behavior with a woman who was FIVE YEARS younger (22 y.o.) than Princess Chelsea is now (27 y.o.).

Let's go back and ask The Lewinsky Family what they THINK of how President Bill Clinton used their daughter? :evilgrin:

[ShortnFiery]

50. Of Course, no one admit the "inexcusable" behavior of what may be The First Gentleman.

No, we dare not say anything negative about The Royalty known as *THE CLINTONS.* :crazy:

[in_cog_ni_to]

55. That's because it's none of your fucking business. How about we send the thought police over to your

home for a few years? What bullshit. Mind your own business.

[rodeodance]

58. another idiotic post--as you know this is NOT about the potential first gentleman!

. Of Course, no one admit the "inexcusable" behavior of what may be The First Gentleman.

No, we dare not say anything negative about The Royalty known as *THE CLINTONS.* :crazy:
Fight Like a Girl !

[Dogmudgeon]

26. She's asking people to vote for her mother

If I recall, a lot of rock stars are doing that for Obama, too.

Plus both sides' volunteers.

It's an election!

--p!
And a damn fine one at that!

[bigtree]

34. you can call a superdelegate

[phantom power]

40. As usual... "what digby said:"

There are endless examples of grown kids working on their parents' campaigns in much more official capacities than that:

Mary Cheney:
She was one of her father's top campaign aides and closest confidantes. In July 2003 she became the director of vice presidential operations for the Bush-Cheney 2004 Presidential re-election campaign.


Liz Cheney:
In 2002 she was appointed to the newly created position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs...She left that post in 2003 to serve in her father's re-election campaign.


Cate Edwards:
She actively campaigned with her father on his unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2003 and 2004.
She started attending Harvard Law School in the fall of 2006.
On September 30, 2007, during a campaign stop with actor James Denton, Edwards stated that she sides with her mother in support of gay marriage. She is quoted as saying: "I'm on my mom's side with this, not my dad's. It's the word 'marriage' that he is hung up on."


What about the five strapping Romney boys who traveled all over Iowa in a bus serving their country? Here's an article about 23 year old Meghan McCain stumping for her Dad.

It is simply bizarre to call it "unseemly" when every candidate's family helps him or her out on the trail. Why in the world should Chelsea Clinton be singled out?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/here-we-go-again-by-digby-i-have-taken.html

[rodeodance]

46. Thanks,

[anniebelle]

47. OMG! A political campaign doing something political!

What next? I guess her mother will say something nice about her -- the nerve.:rofl:

[MaineDem]

53. So is Bill

I was told he was calling superdelegates in Maine last night.

[pampango]

56. Obama had better get his kids on the phone right now. n/t

[Thrill]

57. Their going to try to steal the nomination

with Super Delegates. Its actually pathetic

[IndianaGreen]

61. Well, I suppose the Democratic establishment is as willing to steal elections

as the Republicans.

Woe to us if the nominee is selected rather than elected.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

62. Pathetic ... you need help.

[rodeodance]

66. NO---you are what is PATHETIC!

Their going to try to steal the nomination
Posted by BrentTaylor


with Super Delegates. Its actually pathetic

[angie_love]

70. you are pathetic actually.

[Political Heretic]

75. NO YOU ARE!!!

Just kidding :)

I just got a kick out of the back and forth. :hi:

[Political Heretic]

74. I think superdelgates are pathetic, but since that's the system, I don't blame the Clinton campaign

...for campaigning.

Obama should be doing it to. He may not be in as strong of a position to be successful doing it, but what can I say.... I don't think anyone has done anything wrong. It's the system itself that is broken.

[Political Heretic]

73. Why is this a problem? I don't understand.

Superdelegates are people too. :) They get "campaigned" for their vote. What is the big deal?

If Michelle Obama has any good relations with any superdelegates, she should be all means call them and try to convince them to back Obama. Why is this a problem?

[mmonk]

77. In the undemocratic practice of super delegates, the candidates

and their friends, family and allies as well as politicians calling in their "debts owed", contact these designated "super delegates" to sway elections in their favor.