BY TAYLOR MARSH
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With Howard Wolfson, Terry McAuliffe and Phil Singer…
McAuliffe: Spectacular night last night. 41% win by Clinton, with a huge turn
out, biggest in WV primary history. Kentucky and Puerto Rico will be equally.
$7-figure plus day on grass roots online efforts. In “very good shape”
financial. 45-50 financial supporters will meet with the campaign today to energize
everyone. “Online has been great.” “Full-fledged campaign.”
“Hillary Clinton has now moved ahead in the popular vote.” – Terry
McAuliffe.
Who is it that best can win the general election? If Gore had won WV he’d have
been president. She’s got momentum for the next 3 weeks. Hillary will be the
nominee. Terry’s now going to do TV with Andrea Mitchell.
Wolfson: The puditocracy wanted her to get out last week. We said it would
begin in West Virginia. It was bigger than we thought. Bill Clinton won WV twice.
Hillary can win WV against John McCain. We were out spent in WV. Obama had more
offices and more advertising. The “presumptive nominee” argument didn’t
work. WV came out in huge numbers. Focus on the economy going forward. Florida
and Michigan must be seated 100%. 2.5 million people came out to vote. Those
votes should be honored as they were cast. The Dems won’t go into a national
convention not seating these delegates. It’s the right thing to do and the political
smart thing to do. We will continue to make the case that Clinton is the strongest candidate to beat John McCain. She is best positioned to win swing states against John McCain. Dems want to pick the nominee who can beat John McCain. The results in WV is going to cause people pause. Sen. Clinton is “connecting.” … ..
Reporter: Is Clinton really angling for V.P. or Senate majority leader, since the math is tough.
Wolfson: A 40-point win isn’t angling. The only reason someone runs or stays in the race is because she/he believes she’s the best candidate. She believes she’s the best person to take on John McCain, and will be the best president. The results last night present a good case. She is “absolutely not” angling for the veep spot.
Reporter: 2210 number?
Wolfson: The political world was shocked by the turnout in MI, even against the news their votes wouldn’t count. Record turn out in FL, largest in history occurred in this cycle.
Reporter: 2025 was the number you were stating in Feb.
Wolfson: We now have a challenge. We are on the side of maximum participation. We are on the side of 100% counting. Obama can argue something else if they want.
Reporter: Why did you argue 2025 so long?
Wolfson: Not after the challenge. We were stating that MI and FL should be seated. I can provide you with quotes.
Reporter: The line should have moved.
Wolfson: The reason why the number has changed I’ve explained, giving 3 examples. …
Reporter: Staffing and what have you raised exactly?
Wolfson: 7 figures is the answer. Last time I gave a number we spent the next few days explaining it, so it’s 7 figures. We are fully staffed. We’vt proven we can beat Sen. Obama even after being out spent.
Reporter: Anyone deferring salaries?
Wolfson: Not that I’m aware of. .. …
Reporter: On the Senate floor yesterday, what did they talk about; did they discuss her debt? How are donors feeling, especially since she’ll likely get out after June 3rd.
Wolfson: No discussion of the debt. … Clinton will be the best candidate against John McCain. Our efforts are successful, especially if you look at WV. Donors remain enthusiastic and engaged. WV was a pretty good return on their money. Donors are being asked to fund our efforts. They recognize Clinton has a shot at this. My sense is that they’ll continue to be supportive and generous, which is also true of our online supporters. They’re in many ways sustaining this campaign. … ..
Reporter: What about Wisconsin, where Obama won? Since 1912, no nominee has lost that state and not won the presidency.
Wolfson: … Look at what happened in Nebraska, where the results from the primary was MUCH CLOSER than the caucus. If Clinton lost by 30 points in a primary that would be different. Reporter: Special election run off in MI. Will Obama be a “drag in House races in the fall?” Wolfson: Shout out to everyone in that campaign and the DCCC. Tremendous effort. A lot of praise due. I do think you have a problem when the candidate feels compelled to run an ad distancing himself from the nominee of the party. Sen. Clinton can do better in the key districts and to help these candidate to win. When our candidate runs an ad distancing himself from the supposed nominee is a bad sign. He distanced himself “explicitly” from Obama, on air. Dems running for House offices won’t want to be in that position. Obviously, they felt Obama would be damaging or they wouldn’t have run the ad. … ..
Reporter: Didn’t the outcome last night damage Obama? In a loss with a margin of 3 to 1, it’s got to damage him, especially with you asserting it’s such an important state. What are superdelegates saying after that huge loss?
Wolfson: (a bit taken aback by the question/comment) We’re having enough challenge taking care of our own candidate. We didn’t run negative ads. People should consider who is the stronger candidate. No word on superdelegate comments, after also asking Phil Singer about it. …
Open thread.
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