Thursday
Apr032008
Clinton campaign discusses economic red phone ad, Cleaver's remarks, PA primary and more
Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 12:39PM
Mark Penn, chief pollster for the Clinton campaign, and Howard Wolfson, communications director for Clinton’s campaign, held a conference call to discuss developments in the race for the democratic presidential nomination. They were joined by Phil Singer.
A caller mentioned Clinton’s new 3 a.m. economic phone call advertisement and asked for a specific example of who would be on the other line and what crisis would be at hand. Penn answered that the world is a fast moving global economy that requires real-time decisions that can affect the US economy.
When asked to respond to Clinton supporter Congressman Cleaver’s (D-MO) remarks that Obama would win the nomination, Wolfson said that while they are grateful for Cleaver’s support, they obviously disagree with that analysis and believe that Sen. Clinton will be the next president of the United States.
In response to questions about Obama’s high March fundraising figures, Wolfson said that the Clinton campaign knew Obama would raise more money than them and that nevertheless the Clinton campaign has the resources it needs to be successful. Wolfson also referenced past wins in Ohio and Texas despite being outspent, and cited Obama’s outspending in Pennsylvania by 4-1 where Clinton still prevails in the polls.
Wolfson said the Clinton campaign would release March fundraising figures by April 20. He also said that late last week Sen. Clinton herself promised that her tax returns would be available within a week, and will follow through with that commitment.
Wolfson also said that the road to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. goes through Pennsylvania, and claimed it should be a fair fight between Clinton and Obama for the state. He said that if Obama fails to win PA—regardless of the margin of the vote—that would raise serious questions about his ability to win in the general election.
Wolfson reinforced his belief that Clinton is more likely to be elected in the general election by citing an NBC morning email that displayed two hypothetical maps of Clinton versus McCain and Obama versus McCain in the general election, and said that Clinton has won all but one of what were allegedly her “toss up states” in the primaries while Obama has lost six of his.
A caller mentioned Clinton’s new 3 a.m. economic phone call advertisement and asked for a specific example of who would be on the other line and what crisis would be at hand. Penn answered that the world is a fast moving global economy that requires real-time decisions that can affect the US economy.
When asked to respond to Clinton supporter Congressman Cleaver’s (D-MO) remarks that Obama would win the nomination, Wolfson said that while they are grateful for Cleaver’s support, they obviously disagree with that analysis and believe that Sen. Clinton will be the next president of the United States.
In response to questions about Obama’s high March fundraising figures, Wolfson said that the Clinton campaign knew Obama would raise more money than them and that nevertheless the Clinton campaign has the resources it needs to be successful. Wolfson also referenced past wins in Ohio and Texas despite being outspent, and cited Obama’s outspending in Pennsylvania by 4-1 where Clinton still prevails in the polls.
Wolfson said the Clinton campaign would release March fundraising figures by April 20. He also said that late last week Sen. Clinton herself promised that her tax returns would be available within a week, and will follow through with that commitment.
Wolfson also said that the road to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. goes through Pennsylvania, and claimed it should be a fair fight between Clinton and Obama for the state. He said that if Obama fails to win PA—regardless of the margin of the vote—that would raise serious questions about his ability to win in the general election.
Wolfson reinforced his belief that Clinton is more likely to be elected in the general election by citing an NBC morning email that displayed two hypothetical maps of Clinton versus McCain and Obama versus McCain in the general election, and said that Clinton has won all but one of what were allegedly her “toss up states” in the primaries while Obama has lost six of his.
Clinton campaign holds conference call on the state of the race, primarily in Pennsylvania
Wolfson said that Clinton understands that it is unwise and inappropriate to “talk down to voters about their values and beliefs” which he said is what many believe Obama did. They said during the call that this has become an important issue in the race, and is of “tremendous importance” to voters in Pennsylvania.
Wolfson also said Obama is outspending Clinton two to one in Pennsylvania this week. He said if Obama fails to win the Pennsylvania primary it will be another sign that he is unable to win in the large states that a candidate on the Democratic ticket would need to win in November. He said the Clinton campaign believes “the road to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue runs through Pennsylvania.”
Singer discussed Obama’s refusal to release tax returns from 1997, 1998, and 1999, and said Clinton has over 20 years of tax returns in the public domain. He also said that the campaign remains confidant that there will be a resolution so that votes from the Florida and Michigan primaries will be counted.
Tandan said the economic plan that presidential candidate Sen. McCain is presenting today is a plan that American’s can not afford, and that Clinton’s economic vision is to restore the American middle class, and focuses on the middle class rather than corporate interest. She also said Clinton is laying out an agenda to ensure that a manufacturing base is maintained in the United States.
The conference call participants said they are hopeful that Clinton will get the party nomination for president, but Howard said regardless of the outcome he believes voters will unite to support the party’s candidate against McCain.