Clinton aides may not stick with her if its going to destroy Obama; some have admiration for Obama

[TeamJordan23]

Heilemann, Like Noonan, Suggests That Clinton Camp May Be Fracturing
March 23, 2008

On today's Meet The Press, Peggy Noonan got ears burning when she suggested that there was some matter of dissension in the ranks of the Clinton campaign, saying that Clinton is "surrounded by people who would adore the chance to be for Obama." She added, mysteriously, "One of her top aides, who kind of privately makes it clear that he knows that he himself is an insurgent character and that it would be wonderful to be a part of Obama's insurgency but that he is backing Ms. Clinton."

Noonan otherwise made her animus for the Clinton's fairly readily apparent, which was just one of the factors that made me think she was worth dismissing. Others included the fact that last week, Clinton's surrogates weren't working the Reverend Wright angle particularly hard - Charles Schumer and Nita Lowey both backed off of hammering Obama on his association with Wright. Additionally, Clinton's position in the race for the nomination - while obviously hampered by the math - is nevertheless very strong where perceptions are concerned: she's had a pretty good couple of weeks (outside of perhaps the whole Bosnia matter) and is well-poised for a win in Pennsylvania, which is sure to give her some momentum. Additionally, and perhaps critically, the superdelegate flood to Obama has, in the past fortnight, subsided.

On Chris Matthews' show, panelists Norah O'Donnell, Clarence Page, and Elisabeth Bumiller all basically agreed that Clinton was nowhere near the point where she'd be thinking about leaving the race. But there was one outlier: New York Magazine's John Heilemann, who echoed some of the things Noonan would say on Meet The Press:

HEILEMANN: I think that one thing that's happening internally is that some of her top people are starting to say to her, "We won't stick with you. We won't keep working for this campaign if it's going to destroy Barack Obama." She's starting to hear that from her people and she's starting to kind of see it.

MATTHEWS: How do you know that?

HEILEMANN: How do I know that? Reporting.

Article and Video: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/23/heilemann-like-noonan-s_n_92964.html

[BuyingThyme]

1. Does anybody know if Chelsea has formally endorsed anybody?

[ecstatic]

4. omg... that would be CRAZY if she endorsed Obama

I know she probably wants to though.

[babylonsister]

2. Can't say that I blame them.

:evilgrin:

[QC]

3. This story was already on the front page when you posted a dupe. n/t

[Skwmom]

5. Maybe, but then again it could be that they want to "help" Obama

like Carville "helped" Kerry in 04. Since I'm sure Clinton has a 2012 back-up plan I'd just be careful accepting any help from Clinton's camp.

[grantcart]

6. lol Reporting lol nice dig at Matthews

I also the MTP and thought uh oh.

Here is the guy I think everyone needs to watch the closest; Sen Schumer. He has already indicated he doesn't want to see any suicide charges and that its impossible to catch up on delegates.

http://www.observer.com/2008/schumer-avoiding-self-destructive-end-clinton-vs-obama

I interviewed Chuck Schumer for a story in this week’s paper about the state of the Clinton campaign, and he told me a couple of things that may turn out to be important as her aides reportedly weigh some potentially “incendiary” end-game strategies.

When I asked if he would definitely stay committed to Clinton, Schumer said, "Definitely. She won my state. I know how good she is. I was the first Senator to support her."

But he also said he doubted that one candidate would stay on long after it became clear he or she could not win the nomination.

"The number one thing that people worry about is that the candidates will cut each other up and make it harder to win the general," he said. "But I think that is not going to happen. Because everyone cares about winning so much. Not only the candidates, but the electorate. So if one candidate is doing something that is regarded as really self-destructive, of the ability to win, that's really going to hurt them."

"It would widely be regarded negatively in the electorate," he said.

[blonndee]

7. Interesting since it's very same point was made by

John Heilemann with Tweety today, apparently.

[polpilot]

8. EVERYBODY is for Obama. That's why Repubs are so scared.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

9. they want to escape the poisonous cloud surrounding her

The Clintons are conducting a nasty campaign that hurts everyone that is a part of it.

[catgirl]

12. Yup. Richardson made a good move...

Hopefully other big SDs will soon follow.

[stop the bleeding]

10. Clinton aides are "Dead to me Now"

:beer:

[high density]

11. Bit late for that, ain't it?

Can't have it both ways.

[angie_love]

13. CRAZY! First McCains advisor said he'll quit if Obama is the nom,

then FOX feels guilty about Obama, now Hillarys camp is starting to dissent. WOW!

[WinkyDink]

14. I would always take the word of Peggy Noonan. NOT.

[Tatiana]

15. Clinton aides have political futures to look out for, too. n/t

[Stephanie]

16. Not only that - some might have ethics & ideals that don't square with the way HRC is operating

I wouldn't want to be associated with that kind of campaign if I were in their shoes. I think many if not most Democratic operatives got into politics to make the world a better place. It must be very painful for them to see what's become of the campaign they signed onto.

[Quixote1818]

17. Even Chris Wallace from Fox seems to be impacted by the treatment of Obama

I think a lot of people are saddened by what is starting to happen to Obama. Even people we hate have can have a conscience and be disturbed by what is going on. If Republicans take down a black man by using race, many of them will hate themselves for doing it and the negative impacts on this country and people of color. I think a lot of Hillary's people are starting to feel the same way. Winning isn't everything if it means fucking up this country and hurting a whole race of people.

[blm]

18. IN YouKnowWho's case, I think he just signed on too early to Clinton believing

he would be with the inevitable nominee and that he could help maintain a progressive voice on the campaign.

I am so, so sorry that he is where he is, and I hope it is not too late for him.

I hope the Obama camp recognizes that this person was just doing the job he was INSTRUCTED to do by people at the top of a campaign who have no morals.

[Tatiana]

19. I don't know who?

:shrug:

[tishaLA]

20. Me either

[me b zola]

21. I tend to think that most Dem political insiders

are disgusted with Clinton's campaign and what it is doing to the party & our presumptive nominee.