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No sleep till Denver: Hillary, the unlikely underdog, takes it to the wire

James Forsyth

Wednesday, 5th March 2008

Once the shoo-in candidate, Senator Clinton has re-invented herself and forced Obama to bear the heavy burden of frontrunner. This race could go all the way to the convention, says James Forsyth — which will keep a smile on the face of John McCain

So how worried should Obama be? Well, it is still unlikely that Hillary will arrive in Denver able to make this case, but her adroit campaigning over the past few days and Obama’s mistakes have left her with a real chance. Up to now Obama has benefited from far more favourable press coverage, but there are signs that this may be changing. The media are beginning to feel unappreciated by Obama and a little resentful of his treatment of them. For instance, this week, the Obama team denied outright reports that Austin Goolsbee, Obama’s senior economic adviser, had told the Canadian ambassador not to pay attention to Obama’s anti-Nafta rhetoric. Well, it turned out that the story was substantially true — wrong in only one particular: Goolsbee had met a Canadian diplomat, not the ambassador.

This feeling of indignation was magnified by Obama’s atrocious encounter with the media on Monday. With the Goolsbee issue needing to be cleared up, Obama appeared for a rare press conference after an event at a veterans’ home in San Antonio. However, when the questions turned to a tricky subject — the start of the trial of Tony Rezko, a former donor who sold Obama some land — the Senator grew testy. He called on a local reporter to change the subject and then wrapped things up quickly. It was an unappealing performance and one that suggested that Obama thinks that he is above scrutiny. To compound the damage, Obama turned to the angry press corps as he left, admonishing them: ‘Guys, I mean, come on. I just answered like eight questions.’ If Obama has had a honeymoon with the press, it ended with that comment.

Obama is still doing well, but he is making mistakes under pressure. In stark contrast to New Hampshire, where he delivered a brilliant speech after an unexpected loss, on Tuesday night Obama turned in one of his worst performances. Not only was his delivery flat, but the content was off-putting to the kind of lower-income voters whom Obama needs to win over if he is to secure the nomination. He told a story about an old man in Uganda who stayed up late to watch Obama win in Iowa, before urging voters to think about how the world will react. This is not the best way to appeal to a regular American voter. Worryingly for Obama, the crowd was also more subdued than at any other Obama event. The chant of ‘yes we can’ sounded more plaintive than affirmative. One wonders how many of his supporters will decide that change is too hard.

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jacksmith

March 6th, 2008 10:13am

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama: Dear Madam, and Sir, A Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama ticket is what we want. And that is what we need to take back the Whitehouse. We want a smart, tough, idealistic, seasoned veteran of many battles fighting for the American people (Hillary Clinton). With a young, passionate, smart, open-minded, hard-working idealist fighting for the American people (Barrack Obama). The DREAM TEAM! You are both fabulous candidates. And we, the American people are very fortunate to have each of you. Taking back the Whitehouse is critical for the American people, and the world at this time. And I think the American people have been saying loudly, and clearly that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket is the best way to do this. I think the American people have made it very clear that they feel Hillary Clinton is the one best able to lead the ticket against John McCain at this critical, and desperate time in America, and around the world. These dramatic comebacks are testament to Hillary Clinton's skill, and experience as a fighter for the American people. They are also a testament to the strong desire of the American people to have both of you fighting for the American people at this time of midnight in America. Typical of the Clinton's is an uncanny ability to see and understand what the American people want. And then to try and get it for them. Even if they have to go through three political near death experiences to try and get it for the American people. This is classic Clinton's. They are the best I have ever seen. We are desperate out here. Millions of us are suffering greatly. And tens of thousands of us are dying needlessly every year. Men, women, children, and babies. We need help! As Hillary Clinton said "It's not a game". We need the two of you together on our side fighting for us, and for the American dream for all. Not fighting against each other anymore. It's time for you Senator Obama to join forces with Hillary Clinton as her running mate so that we can all focus our energies, and resources on taking back America for the American people. Don't make me hurt you. :-) Sincerely Jacksmith...

Johanna

March 6th, 2008 1:43pm

Very difficult for Clinton to win the nomination, if not mathematically impossible. You can check out the different scenarios at http://www.slate.com/features/delegatecounter/ Obama is expected to win in at least Wyoming and Mississippi... Personally I think the world has had enough of the Clintons and Bushes -time for a real change and not Bill II.

PresidentD

March 7th, 2008 1:17am

For Obama to get down in the mud with Clinton would be as stupid as getting into a knife fight with Jim Bowie. But that's what he's going to have to do. It would appear that these developments will spare us from both an Obama presidency and a second Clinton presidency. Once again, America will luck out.

Thank goodness we can have a run on the pound when we need one

Martin Vander Weyer

Martin Vander Weyer looks ahead to next week’s Pre-Budget Report and reflects on George Osborne’s contentious remarks about the devaluation of sterling. It looks like Gordon Brown is getting away with his borrowing binge — leaving the Tories isolated

I loved Oliver Stone’s Bush film — and I know why the critics hated it

Rod Liddle

The movie W. did not provide the crude anti-Bush agitprop that the reviewers craved, says Rod Liddle. This was precisely its strength: we need to get inside the minds even of those we most deplore

The great Tory tax and spend battle: seconds out...

Fraser Nelson and Daniel Finkelstein

In the wake of Cameron’s decision to drop his pledge to match Labour spending, Fraser Nelson and Daniel Fin kelstein of the Times trade rhetorical blows over the issue that is gripping and troubling the Conservative party as it adjusts to the transformed economic context

Where is our inspiration when we most need it?

Bryan Forbes

Bryan Forbes remembers listening to Churchill as a 14-year-old evacuee and now looks with envy at Obama’s capacity to galvanise hope. Where are his UK counterparts?

For a bit of perspective, try thinking Jurassic

Christopher Lloyd

The first takeaways originated about 150 million years ago, says Christopher Lloyd; global travel is pretty ancient, too. And as for democracy...

The Republicans are where the Tories were in 1997

James Forsyth

This is bad news for the Conservatives, who have always feasted on US right-of-centre ideas, says James Forsyth. But the GOP can learn from the Cameroons

Chicago Notebook

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In the end, it really was a fairytale.

Meet the real Joe Biden: Vice-President Plonker

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The scrutiny of Sarah Palin diverted attention from Obama’s running mate, says Freddy Gray. Biden is not that popular, a ‘gaffe machine’, and he eats Snickers bars in one mouthful

Obama’s America will be more equal but less mighty

Reihan Salam

Reihan Salam says that the President-elect is no socialist and it was desperate of McCain to claim as much. Obama’s policies more closely resemble European social democracy — with the attendant risk of economic sclerosis in the face of Asian competition

Obama has changed the world just by being elected

James Forsyth

James Forsyth looks back on an extraordinary contest and the victory of a man who, even before his inauguration, has had a transformative effect upon American politics