by Mark Silva
The path to Pennsylvania Avenue runs through Pennyslvania, maintains Sen. Hillary Clinton, who claims that her expected win in the Keystone State today will serve as further proof that she is the electable one of the two Democrats running.
But Sen. Barack Obama, asked about losing big states to Clinton in the party's primaries, warns that no one should read these as predictors of the contest in November with Republican Sen. John McCain.
"I am not going to make any predictions about how I am going to do in Pennsylvania,'' Clinton said in an interview aired by NBC's Today Show today. (See the video player above, for a run of Clinton and Obama back-to-back confronting some of the harshest criticism about their campaigns.) But "Sen. Obama is outspending me three, four to one,'' Clinton said. "If he doesn't win, what does that say about his ability to win the big statess that a Democrat has to win in order to win the White House?
"It doesn't say much,'' replied Obama, in his own interview with Ann Curry of Today aired today. "We do better among independents than Sen. Clinton does. What it says is that she started off here with a 20 point lead.''
Asked about losing to Clinton in California, New York and Ohio, Obama said, "Well, hold on a second... If anybody thinks that I'll lose California or New York in the general election, there is no chance of that happening.''
In the battle for Pennsylvania's voters, which has taken on an epic air with the debate over the bitterness or optimism of the working class in this campaign, Clinton was asked what she understands about the working-class people there.
"Having spent so much of my life here, with my father's family, I know to the core of my being that people here are hard-working, they have great values.... What they are looking for is answers, solutions to the problems,'' she said. "They just want somebody to get in charge again that makes the economy work... It's very common sense...It's very practical: 'Just tell me what you're going to do for me.''







Comments
When you are fighting for your political life nothing is off limits in the American system of politics. It is rotten to the core and makes most people not like politicians! They pander, lie, and bend the rules to accomplish their objectives!
Posted by: William Dollar | April 22, 2008 11:15 AM
I do believe with all my heart that Barak Obama is the best choice for President. His new insights into dealing with the people of the United States during this campaign are to me a preview of coming attractions. He is using today's technology of on-line communication to talk to us, inform us, and allow us to feel important in decisions about the economy, health care, the war, etc. As far as I'm concerned, Hilary and Bill have had their share of the White House. It's time for them to take a break and to give us a break. It's time for Obama's leadership in our country. Thanks for asking.
Edna
Posted by: Edna Maier | April 22, 2008 11:40 AM
hillary decided in Feb to look to position herself for 2012. She and Bill didn't help Kerry at all because she was looking at 2008. If she can get McCain in the whitehouse this cycle and the economy continues to tumble she can try and 'prance' in in 2012. Maybe at that time she won't take things for granted and will actually work from start to finish instead of this horrible 'catch up' tactic that is costing her the nomination
Posted by: Everybody Knows | April 22, 2008 12:07 PM
Either of the front-running candidates would be purely foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity to run together on this ticket. I support Hillary- but would be definitely for a Barack/Hillary ticket- or a Hillary/Barack ticket. One thing which has never happened in our history is the setting aside of political differences by two very able candidates in order to show the American people that campaigns do not have to devolve further into mud-slinging. A show of unity in the interest of positive change after we've all been "Bushed"- would hold a hundredfold the value of either candidate's win and present the country with a FIRST of unimaginable proprtions.
Posted by: Anna Hamilton | April 22, 2008 12:08 PM
Hillary is so disingenuous it is making me ill. Pennsylvania please end this now and put her out of MY misery.
Posted by: Tim | April 22, 2008 12:11 PM
It is that kind of arrogance about there being "no way" he will lose California or New York in the general election that troubles many of us Democrats. Are we to trust him that he will win in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania in the general election where he got hammered by Clinton? Using Sen. Obama's own measuring stick we have to be equally troubled that most of his victories over Senator Clinton came in states that quite frankly the Republicans have a strangle hold on in the past general elections--i.e. Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota and Utah. There is "no way" either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama or both of them on the same ticket will win those states against Sen. McCain. The Obama math in the general election looks worse than the Clinton math in the pre-convention run up. We got Trouble fellow Democrats with a capital "T."
Posted by: Mark Jastrzembski | April 22, 2008 12:20 PM
Well, let's see. Obama has a whopping two years of federal experience, most of which he has simply spent posturing and campaigning for the presidenty. Obama's foreign relations experience consists solely of a trip to Kenya to visit relatives (that's "foreign relations," right?). Obama has a close, 25-year relationship with Jeremiah Wright and the hateful Black Nationalist movement. Then Obama pretends he didn't know Wright is a bad guy. Obama has a 17-year relationship with Chicago's preeminant slum lord and scum bag Antoni Rezko, who helps Obama buy his house. Then Obama pretends he didn't know Rezko is a bad guy. Obama promised us "change" in Illinois too, but has done nothing but cut deals to enrich himself and his wife while cashing our paychecks. Obama cleverly flips off Clinton during a speech last week and smirks while the crowd cheers. And the list goes on and on. Gee, what's not to like about Obama? Sure, he has the experience and character to be the most powerful leader in the world during these especially challenging times. How tough can it be? LOL
Posted by: Kyle Roget | April 22, 2008 12:21 PM
I am planning on not voting for either of these candidates. For if they feel it is necessary to lie to us while running for president, how many more lies will we hear once they are president. Even bending the truth is still a lie.
I want our commander in chief to be someone who is above those types of politics. I would rather have someone forthcoming of their mistakes, and then correct their mistakes. Someone who will just do the best thing, the right thing and worry about the outcome of their choices. Then the best choice will always be searched and hopefully chosen.
I want a person will always try to think of our country, our citizens, and our service men and women first. Not their own personal pride, or personal outcome.
I do not feel that either one of these candidates possess the qualities that I am looking for in our next United States president.
Posted by: HOLLY | April 22, 2008 12:44 PM
Say no to Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton presidential dynasties. Sen. Clinton is the past and is getting a free ride based on her husband’s accomplishments, just like George W. Bush gained the US presidency as the spoiled son of a rich and politically powerful father. Sen. Clinton is a closet Republican, voted for the war, believes strongly in doing the bidding of her large corporate donors and if she becomes president will spend it redoing Bill Clinton’s presidency, the same way George W. Bush upstaged his father, e.g., by deposing Saddam Hussein in the invasion of Iraq under false pretenses. Sen. Obama is the future and will beat Sen. McCain in November, vote for Barack Obama now.
Posted by: Eric L. Prentis | April 22, 2008 12:49 PM
HILLARY! HILLARY! HILLARY!
Posted by: brigitte | April 22, 2008 12:58 PM
Barack as a VP would be another Dan Quale - - - always an embarrassment and always puting his own foot in his mouth.
Posted by: channelling DAN QUALE? | April 22, 2008 1:16 PM
I am a 40 yr old dem. Who strongly support Bill. However, Hillary want to be president so bad that she has lost all her intergrity. I will support McCain if Hillary wins the party nomination
Posted by: Darren | April 22, 2008 1:44 PM
Obama seems to be on a real ego trip. In politics 6 months is eternity. On the Today Show Obama said the following:
Asked about losing to Clinton in California, New York and Ohio, Obama said, "Well, hold on a second... If anybody thinks that I'll lose California or New York in the general election, there is no chance of that happening.''
Obama may be in for a big surprise when it comes to the general election against John McCain. California and New York are not guaranteed to him. And no Republican has ever won the White House without carrying Ohio. Bush carried Ohio twice. The Democratic nomination has not been decided yet and both conventions have not been held, but Obama is already saying he is going to carry states that he lost in the primaries against Hillary Clinton. I wonder he he can pick some Lotto tickets out for me.
Posted by: Depot Jim | April 22, 2008 2:40 PM
Full disclosure: I'm a white Obama supporter.
I have a cousin in Pittsburgh.
He makes no bones about being a racist. In fact, he almost brags about it, especially when he's had too much to drink.
After talking about Obama like a dog ever since he entered the race, he just phoned to tell me he voted for him in the Pennsylvania primary.
He planned to vote to Clinton all along, but while standing in line waiting to vote, he said he realized the only reason he was voting for her is because she's white.
He suddenly decided that, even though he doesn't like Obama at all, his personal disdain for Hillary is stronger.
Lest I think he's changed overall, he reminded me he will be voting for McCain in November.
He also asked me not to tell any family members or our relatives here in Chicago that he voted for Obama. I gave him my word.
Posted by: Kevin | April 22, 2008 2:42 PM
I love the whole "Obama can't carry states in the General election that he lost in the Primary"
Does that mean if Hillary gets the nomination she can't carry Illinois?
Posted by: JT | April 22, 2008 4:15 PM
Let's see if obama still takes this state after all the YEARS heck DECADES late reporting about:
REZKO
Racist wealthy Rev. Wright
Michelle's boss letting patients die like something out of Sicko
Jinxy endorsement from Michael (Nader Jello Biafra) Moore
Running from Reporters about Rezko
Caribbean trip in middle of election
Flunking the MSNBC election and dodging the CBS election
MSNBC editing the flip off to cover up his flip off
Word that the 'fix' in Illinois was faxed in from: THE CARIBBEAN
HILLARY WOULD WIN ILLINOIS RIGHT NOW IF IT WERE REVOTED. BET ON IT.
Posted by: REVOTE ILLINOIS! | April 22, 2008 7:07 PM
She still sucks.
Posted by: Jim Griffin | April 22, 2008 8:56 PM
This just in NBC, MSNBC &
CNN have Declared The PA
Primary Winner To Be
Sen Hillary Clinton! Obama is
Toast so Stick a Fork in
Obama as he is done!
Go Hillary 2008!
Posted by: Sandy5274 | April 22, 2008 9:27 PM
Hillary 2008!
Jeb Bush 2016!
Chelsea 2024!
Posted by: Steve Ahn | April 22, 2008 10:27 PM
Um, I fail to see how Hillary can actually win pledged delegates and total vote count.
If Hillary states that a "win is a win", then if Obama comes out ahead overall after Puerto Rico finishes voting, then Obama should say "a win is a win". What's good for the gander is good for the goose.
Posted by: Pilsen Dave | April 22, 2008 11:13 PM
This has been a very good campaign. It has raised the political consciousness of Democrats well over the levels of 2004. Obama and Clinton have galvanized opinion. HC's campaign has been flawed by insufficient cohesion; the candidate and her husband cannot do the whole thing themselves, I think their campaign execs did considerable harm. I'm behind the designated candidate for the general election.
Posted by: MIke Benltey | April 23, 2008 12:01 AM