The Fact-Checker, by Michael Dobbs

Facial expressions are 1 thing, doing the right this is another. If the Clinton (all 3 of them)family had any respect for the dem. party and our success in Nov they would put their heads together and make the right decision to end this race NOW. To continue on just leaves 1 item left undone by the Clintons, and that is very clear..drag Obama thru dirt and mud as best they can so Hillary can give the win in Nov to McCain and she will run again in 2012. The Clintons know its over for her, but if she cant have it she will make sure Obama doesnt get it either. So much for love of your party. Dont think democrats cant see thru this game of hers. upstate 4 Obama

I feel his pain (bites lip ; )

What a cute post!

Actually, I've been sickened every time I look at that smirking chimp of a president, George W. Bush. His facial expressions should have been studied long ago. The wise-guy smirk. The false smile. The arrogant chin out. The ill-fitting flight suit.

Goodbye, old Washington. Hello, new Washington.

With this nasty column you again prove how irrelevant you are and that the Post could and should save whatever they pay you and maybe donate it to charity.

I am sure the one thing the Clintons don't need are your condolensces after you have written everything in your power over the past few months to misstate so much of what they have said.

Actually for people like yourself who are so obviously Obama supporters it would make sense to try to actually be nice to the Clintons as Obama will clearly need them if he is to have any chance at all to win the Presidency.

When over 50% of Clinton voters say they will either vote for McCain or stay home the process the Democrats and biased reporters like yourself will need to get people to look at Obama differently is just the opposite of this column.

You, Colby King, Eugene Robinson and Richard Cohen, who have regulary trashed Hillary Clinton and all but turned the Post into an arm of the Obama campaign should get together and rethink your tactics for the next few months. If he is the candidate of the Democratic Party I will vote for him but have many friends who will not and they are Democrats. You all can consider some of the reporting and writing you have done as responsible for that.

You may feel good and congratulate yourselves on making Obama the candidate of the Democratic Party, but consider the way in which you have done it may cost him the election in November which would be sad for so many reasons.

To all the "I won't vote for Obama" people:

Your leader, Hillary Clinton, says you should vote for the Dem nominee, even if it is Obama. She has admitted Obama can win.

You say you won't follow her. Fair enough. But if she can't get you, her most loyal partisans, to follow her, how can you claim she is sufficiently talented at leadership to be President? If she can't get you to do what she wants, how can you say she can get others to enact universal health care, leave Iraq, or any of the other planks in her program?

Peter DC, get over it! Blame someone, but blame the right one. Hillary Clinton. Mc Auliffe set up the front loaded primary calendar so Hillary would pile up a big lead early, grab the "Supers" and the nomination. They remained stuck in the 1990's and blew it. Dumb!

Obama's a great candidate, but where he really blew them out of the water is in the organizational abilities of Axelrod, Plouffe and many others. The 50 state idea, copied from Dean, worked. The message worked. The fund raising definately worked as well.

This is the beginning of the end of the Clinton era. I concur that Bill's facial expressions spoke louder than Hillary's words which sounded like a total disconnect from reality. Shame, but when you're an adult, you take the blame as well as the glory. Exit with something you've never shown Hillary. Grace, class and dignity. Amaze us all.

Me thinks that Hillary supporters are rabid about their candidate, all candidates supporters should be rabid about their candidate.but.......when the writing is on the wall the rabidness should fade and everyone needs to come together for the good of the party. That has always been the downfall of the Democrats, and that is how the repubs got the Whitehouse. Let us move on, stop the shrill rhetoric and get to the task at hand, putting a Democrat in the whitehouse, and getting a clear majority in both houses, so we can finally get to work helping the people, which should be the plan of both parties. It is time to end the petty bickering and move on...Dems listen to your constituents for a change, that is your job #1

Wow, Geppetto marks have been so rare from the Fact Checker, and now this! Honesty in defeat, I suppose.

Or maybe it helped that Bill Clinton didn't have to open his mouth.

And I thought that a Geppetto was supposed to be a good thing. What dripping irony.

The "Greens" and their support base, Soros and the World Labor Party have Hi-Jacked the party that once was JFK's.

Good News! That Party is now called the RepubliCANS!

Welcome to the BIG TENT, where Alan Keyes, Condi Rice, Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas and SOOOOOOO many more "Americans" have BEEN trying to build a unified and strong America!

"Racism" appears to me, to be a Dimocrat Socialist sort of thingy! ;~)

I noticed the face. But I was more interested in how florid he looked. His cheeks were extremely red, forehead red and is looked extremely weary or quite drunk. His complexion and skin (sagging) was that of a man who looks quite ill and unhappy with the world. I noticed it right away. His eyes were not wide open, actually almost shut at times. Compare his facial features to that of Hillary and Chelsea and you have two different views of the Clintons. Sad.
Problem is that we really don't know who Hillary is. She was pulled in so many directions by so many advisors that she was a different person every other week.
I believe Bill saw that at the end. Look at him on the stump in N.C. 24 hours before. What a difference.

Without any doubt Obama could become the first muslim President of America if the people dont wake up.

Chelsea looks like she's going to burst into tears.

Bill and Chelsea know it's over and that Hillary is out of her mind as well as reality.

I think I would have liked to have seen a little of that 'Bill Clinton Face' when he disgraced himself. Hillary perhaps missed her Woman moment...support deceit rather than the Women she was promising to lead. What a downer.

Too tanned for have been working on behalf of the nomination in North carolina. The dream is over!!

Wow, Peter, you sure are bitter. Can't you see any discussion that doesn't agree with your preconceived notions of how the universe should be?

Mr. Dobbs isn't the only person talking about Bill's facial expression this morning. Everyone is talking about it. As for Hillary, no one forced her to do the sniper fire thing. No one forced her to lie about it, or for Bill to take it up again once it had died, or to choose to ignore economists over the gas tax holiday.

Don't shoot the messenger. I thought the postig was really good. The only reaction worth noting is Bill's face. It's honest.

While I have no use for Bill, let's give the guy a break. He has a bad heart and has been on the stump endlessly for HRC. Yes, he knows its over, but he just looked physically exhausted. The true sign that it's over was HRC's speech - it was totally flat and devoid of any emotion at all.

jamesatkinson1:

Don't be so stupid.

There is a time to fight, and a time to consolidate. Leadership is not just about fighting. In fact, its easier to put forth your own agenda then exercise humility for the good of humanity. Sure we can nuke Iran, and destroy the planet. We can fight and we can die. There is a time to admit defeat, regroup and move forward. Perhaps Bill and her daughter realize the fight is over. And of course it would be draining. The idea is to fight to win. To fight for the fights sake is a defeatist and draining strategy. Of course he must be tired of this. Bill is no fool.

Does this woman not know that she has lost all credibility as well as the respect of her peers and the DNC? I don't get it. Her state of mind has clearly come into question as well as her ignorance of her already determined defeat. The whole "stay the course" bull is really hurting her and will continue to do so as long as she continues her pointless quest.

Here's a thought: if she really wants a democrat to win the White House battle, then why is she doing anything she can to delay the nomination? Is this a right-wing conspiracy or what?

This is going to completely destroy Chelsea's chances in 2025.

I have an alternative POV. Bill Clinton worked his ass off in North Carolina for Hillary. And he took her defeat there personally, and maybe he's a good enough guy that he feels he let his wife down when she really needed him. He said she needed to win big in Indiana, and now they're going to have to spin that comment too.

Hillary reminds me of the "Black Knight" in Monty Python.

All this pontificating about superdelegates is kind of pointless. She's looks to be running out of money which will probably end her campaign. She hasn't got the organization to go grass-roots. The real question is whether she cares enough about the American people to spare them another 4 years of Republican kleptocracy.

If she stops now, and works hard to unify Democrats, they'll absolutely crush John McCain. The guy's health care proposal is the biggest ripoff since GWB tried to steal Social Security. His position on Iraq demonstrates he just doesn't get that 80% of Americans want us out of Iraq: not there for 100 years peacefully or otherwise. (Can anyone actually imagine a peaceful Middle East, btw? If you can, based on WHAT?!).

And to top it all off, this time we get to paint the Republicant as a flip-flopper. 2000 will come back to haunt the guy who'll say anything to become President.

Hillary's chances of success:

http://www.slate.com/id/2190778/

Enough said.

jamesatkinson1: hahaha...you got me cracking up.....so does this mean that the whole one month of Rev. Wright and Obama being a Christian and sitting in a church for 20 years was made up?! Did I just miss something....Didn't Obama just have the worst 3 weeks of his campaign EVER...Stop hating on Obama, like he said its not about him, Hillary, or McCain it's about America and the American people...You see, that's your problem, you're so stuck on your particuarl candidate (Billary or McBush) that you don't understand that is't not about either of them, it's about us......and guess what....we, the People o the U.S. have spoken and have chosen their democaratic nominee. The oonly way gets the nomination shed have steal the election or break Obama's knee caps! (hahahaha)

I thought the same thing. There were moments when I though Chelsea might be on the verge of tears.

Non verbal expressions don't lie, especially in unguarded moments. Bill knows the truth. It's over for the Clintons. I agree with the FactChecker call on this one!

Facial expresions are important. I will never vote for Senator Barack Obama. In the last debate his body language was petulant and defensive. His remarks about the gas holiday tax look close to derison. Senator Obama facial lines intensifies under pressure. His look is very disdainful. Arrogant. Ofensive. In the other hand, Senator Hillary Clinton has more control. She is a more wise and diplomatic. Vote for a better
option. Vote for Senator Hillary Clinton.

Correct read of all the faces, Factchecker. Given his political acumen, Bill has to know the game is up. He drove himself relentlessly in NC to gin up votes for her and the effort failed thunderously. I wonder if his health is compromised in some way. At any rate, I think that in his own scampish way, Bill loves Hillary with all his heart. This last campaign was his valentine to her.

What you will be hearing later: Capital Hill types refusing to meet with Clinton today.....

the guy was sun-burned and probably didn't sleep the night before...probably needed to just lie down....dumb decision by her handlers to even have him standing there

good point repeated by others here questioning the source of the $10 million she allegedly raised immediately after PA primary. Also, no doubt Wolfson was lying when he said he hadn't checked on the latest contribution numbers this morning.

Stay tuned for further disassembling by the Clinton campaign. If enough superdelegates declare for Obama by Friday, you may hear rumblings over the weekend about an announcement from Hillary come Monday.

Bill was more upset with the fact that all of his charm didn't amount to a 'Hill' of beans.

I think your approach is very useful. But it is an opportunity for more "spin."

What if they're just a family standing up there: sharing a kind of moment that no one but they understand?

The do clap after the crowd claps, but maybe they're following something different. Chelsea looks "va-klept" I'm not sure that anyone but those close to her could read anything into that.

Also, Bill isn't used to the back seat - his reactions may be to his own ego taking second place.

Yep. Lots of opportunity for spin.

To The Clintonistas,

So 50% of you will stay home or vote for McCain. If that is true and McCain wins, then be prepared for the following:
**The right to choose - GONE
**Civil rights/liberties - RESTRAINED
**WAR - MORE OF IT, PROBABLY WITH A DRAFT so that more of our soldiers can loose their lives for nothing
**Economy - Well, what more can you say when gas is 4.50 and we are rationing corn and rice (IN AMERICA)
**Elitism - Get prepared to witness what REAL elitism is all about
***DEATH OF THE MIDDLE CLASS AS YOU HAVE KNOWN IT

You do have a choice however and that choice is to support OBAMA. Otherwise, if McCain gets in, you will definately get what you deserve!

Hilary is already passe'. I now agree with NY Times columnist Maureen Dowd, that Bill's involvement with this charade of a campaign has been pay-back for the ML-thing since day-one. ("Day One" -- does that sound familiar?) How far can she take the punishment of a spouse for a little infidelity?

To the Obaminators - if Mr. O wins the nomination and IF he can beat McCain which is currently doesn't look like he will, just don't shove your pride down my throat while I nurse my wounds thinking about how America voted in a novice while turning it's back on someone who has served this country for over 30 years! Additionally don't whine when the GOP uses their trash political dogs to beat Obama up with lies and half truths.

I hate all this analysation of every single expression and word and glance. So the man is tired, the kid is proud, big whoop. As for negativity - hey! That's politics. What do y'all think the General election'll be like; lies'll be told about everybody by everybody, of both parties. If the Repubs could get away with calling Max Cleland a traitor, & that Kerry wasn't wounded enough, what will they do to this year's Dem prez candidate? I say, let it go to the convention. Wasn't that their purpose--to be the party's wheeling and dealing period? So the media didn't see what went on behind the scenes - somehow we made it through & elected some pretty great presidents.

thorn:

How, exactly, could her handlers have dealt with his ABSENSE? By saying he had to go take a nap instead of be there?

It is appalling how nasty politics have become in the US. Hillary and Obama are both good people, both good candidates, but I believe Obama would make the better president and I fear that Hillary has lobbed so much mud at him that he might not recover. It is not, however, a foregone conclusion that Obama will be the nominee. Don't count Hillary out until the fat man sings. I would certainly vote for her even though she is my second choice.

His facial expressions made me think that he had helped to write her speach. And it was almost as if he were about to mouth the words along with here. He definitely look worried, as he listened closely to her every words.

Hillary is a fighter and I admire her for that, and for so many other things. For one thing, she brought up the recent devastating storm in Myanmar/Burma in her speech, whereas her opponent did not. She has so much compassion! Hillary will make a much better president than her opponent. I believe she will make it. I'm rooting for her. I'm offended by media--like you-- that are prejudiced against her and using their prejudice to try to help her opponent.

Go, Hillary!

I think the rural voters Bill tried to sway were not fooled. They may be seen as usophisticated compared to urban yuppies by some, but they can be shrewd judges of character.

So, despite your words and actions being misleading, if your lack of a poker face betrays your lie, then you receive accolades for being truthful? An novel and Orwellian definition of truth which only the "Fact Checker" could love.

We started with 3 good candidates, one of which I voted for; Barack Obama. Please ,Hillary I even donated money for your senate run. Do the patriotic thing this time. Accept defeat and solidify our party for goodness sake. Stop being so selfish for a change!

I too watched Bill and Chelsea's faces last night. It looked as if they were looking at something in the distance that said that she was losing and they didn't know how to tell her. I thought maybe they were seeing some results that hadn't yet been published. It's clear that they know the party's over. Someone should tell her!

BTW - I think gbooksdc hit the nail on the head! So much for leadership!!

The only campaign sign missing at the rally was the one most befitting America's feeling about HRC (and Bill) becoming President....

HILL No!

Chelsea, for most of the speech, appears to have the look of someone who was just told they lost a loved one. Bill's expression just scream frustration.

Yes, she is struggling for the White House. Yes, she is spending tons of money. And yes, she is probably not going to win the race for the White House. But what she does have going for her is her family. Her family has stood by her the whole way of this political race for over two years now. The only think I see in this video is support and three tired individuals. All I can say is the Clinton's don't quiet win the going gets tough. They keep charging.

I keep reading that the Republican Party is losing more and more seats in the Congress. It appears to me that the Democrats may have enough seats to block any taken by McCain, should he win, and at the same time continue to hurt the American people with their inaction on a host of issues. I am no visionary but it not rocket science to conclude that as oil and gas prices skyrocket, the cost of what we need on a daily basis is also going to rise. Food shortages, and long lines await us in the months to come. Food hording and blackmarketing will thrive. As this happens our citizens are going to feel a worse squeeze than they are currently feeling. As those making minimum wage or working two and three jobs realize the trouble they are in, they will be selling their homes, to get the cash they need or vacating them which will cause even bigger problems, etc We will all also see crime rise everywhere.

This blog is called "The Fact Checker," not the Face Checker. When you are reduced to ascribing your own thoughts to a still photo, you have truly abandoned any pretense of objectivity or relevance. I understand that opinion pieces and columns are not neutral reporting, but this blog's title suggests otherwise. And if you would simply be an equal-opportunity fabulist, let's rename this "The Nit-Picker." For shame.

Actually, I got that Bill Clinton was almost angry. He seemed to be scowling at voters, because they didn't do better by the Clintons. That was only at a few points, but it was in there, too.

jamesatkinson, bigots like you are so much of what is wrong with America. Fear the Muslim, you say, while your fellow white man is robbing you blind from behind. Idiot is as idiot does, you are proof of that.

It is apparent that she's the only one on stage that believes that she is winning.

After the the IN nd NC primaries, she is even farther behind Obama than she was the day before. When I heard her speech stating that she had "broken the tie", I had to wonder what she was talking about. Those extra 2 delegates from Indiana were shadowed by the gains Obama made in NC.

Also, It isn't called Burma, it's Myanmar. Burma is offensive to them, as it is the English name given to them when they were occupied by the British. They chaged the name to Myanmar while the Clintons were still in office. How can she claim to be experienced in foreign relations? Go back to your home state of New Amsterdam!!!

Judy above, when you speak of Hillary's "opponent", would that be Obama or McCain? If she had gone for the GOPster with a quarter the nastiness and enthusiasm with which she and her media machine went after Obama, I might still have an iota of respect for her. As it is, she is content to wreck the Democrat party just to get the party nomination if that is what it takes. She campaigns too much like a Rovian Republican for me ever to reward her dirty tactics with my vote. I know many agree with me, regardless how the Clinton camp tries to spin reality.

This is a funny (i.e. ironic) fact checker. I watched part of Hillary's speech and noticed Bill's and Chelsea's expressions at times. Bill's expression was that of pain when Hillary stated:

"Tonight we've come from behind, we've broken the tie, and thanks to you it's full speed on to the White House."

The pain came from the unconvincing lie that Hillary told. Words of wisdom for Hillary, leave the lying and story-telling to Bill Clinton, he is much better at it.

Either Bill has high blood pressure, or an alcohol problem, I think. He has had that red face as he stood behind Hillary, before. She would drive anyone to drink, so I don't blame him, if it is alcohol. She spends his money like water, and is so arrogant that she thinks the rules of life don't apply to her. She thinks sheer stubborness will get her anything she wants..she is getting ready to have one huge surprise, when she is forced to quit this campaign.

e-zod - although Clinton has many issues that we can criticize, Burma isn't one. 'Burma' was changed to 'Myanmar' by the military junta that so oppressively rules there. The name is not universally recognized as official and many people still call it Burma.

I like the post, but I don't think this belongs in the fact-checker.

On the contrary, it shows Bill Clinton's honesty.

Isn't it obvious? Bill is worried he'll never get his $11.4 million back.

How will they persuade the rubes to donate now, when it's obvious the Clintons will be pocketing their DONATIONS to pay back their own LOANS?

So you get a Gepetto for honesty. Finally, your system makes sense. I'm an Obama supporter, but this post is terrible. Shouldn't the portion of the media who acts like this is still a race get the Gepettos for making a story out of nothing?

Don't feel so bad, Bill. I'm sure Kazakh dictator Nursultan Nazarbayev and your Saudi pals can come up with another $11 million in exchange for a bit more influence-peddling.

I almost feel sorry for the Clinton Three. Almost. Then I am reminded of their unbound level of cold-bloodedness in their single-minded pursuit to gain the nomination by whatever means necessary, and I feel a whole lot better that their familial brand of mendacity will not fly in 21st century Washington.

Since Hillary brought up Evan Bayh, can't we give him some kind of Pinnochio-type award for the most saccharine, insincere politician's comment ever, made to Washington Post journalist Anne Kornblut earlier this year?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/24/AR2008032402359.html

Recalling a recent conversation (with Hillary) on the Senate floor, Bayh said: "I told her, I said, 'Many of our families are facing challenges.' . . . You know what she said to me? She said, 'Those are the people I want to fight for. And if you will stand with me, I will stand with you to build a better America.'"

Sure, that sounds just like a real spontaneous conversation between two actual human beings. Not at all made-up, phoney, or focus-group-tested. I talk to my friends like that all the time.

Why, just the other day I said to my wife: "if you will stand with me, I will accompany you every step of the way to Home Depot. I firmly believe that, working together as Americans, we can make our kitchen a better place."

Spare me. Bayh, you fraud. What a crock.

The most plastic politician in the United States, and that's really saying something.

PS Bayh is also hot for war with Iran. Go GOP, Bayh, you phoney. You're perfect for them. And take your "values" with you, you carboard cutout.

I tried to watch the video but halfway I had to turn the volume off. I just can't listen to her. It the fingernails on the blackboard effect.

But what I did manage to listen to sounded like the makings of a good concession speech.

Het, it just occurred to me that Bayh lost his place on the Democratic ticket as VP today. Now that calls for a drink!

You may be right about Bill's expression, or he may have had indigestion. Who cares?These are all just guesses. Let's focus on what is done and said, not how people look and what it could mean.

http://www.slate.com/id/2190876/

She should have dropped out after she went 0-for-February. Even then it was obvious that there was no way for her to win the presidency; the only path to the nomination would leave the party in tatters. She's done her best to do just that. Let's hope the damage is repairable.

Peter DC - you look silly when you claim the Fact Checker is irrelevant. Hello? Bosnia? It was dogged

Although this column does stray a bit from the column's mission, I think it was generated by Bill letting the mask slip. I expect that the Clinton campaign will retool for hammering McCain and an eventual, dignified exit. This was a hard fought campaign. The smears are coming from blogs and right wing-nut radio hosts.

Obama's got a few scars and has learned how to punch back. Necessary to beat McCain in the fall. He'll take the high road and the 529's will take the low road.

BB

She adds the devastation in Burma as a footnote.

It may well be that this post isn't all that news-worthy, but it was entertaining - and rather kind, actually.

As I tuned in to Hillary's victory speech - a bit late, several minutes into it, where she was thanking every single voter and politician in Indiana and North Caroline who voted for her or supported her, only belatedly acknowledging "the support of my family" - I thought I was watching a concession speech.

Did anyone else notice that Hillary couldn't even bring herself to look at "her family" as she thanked them, as if she had embarrassed them by not succeeding or mad at them for not doing enough to help her?

I'm a 65-year-old Vietnam vet and an ardent backer of Barack, but I actually felt sorry for Hillary at that moment.

For about 15 seconds.

As possibly the only conservative who will post to this blog, I must thank you all (and Hill and the B-man) for redefining Schadenfreude for me. (Google it if you don't know what it means.)

My favored result is divided government, which means McCain as President and continued Democratic control of Congress. The government does marginally less damage that way.

Thank you for your efforts to ensure that, and for the sheer entertainment value. As the bumper sticker says, "Run Hillary Run" (affixed to the rear bumper for (some) Democrats, front bumper for Republicans).

And now you can unite to attack me, so you can all feel good about yourselves again. (You're welcome.)

kenonwenu, How do you really feel? (You're blocking again.)

CNN Quick Vote

Is it time for Hillary Clinton to withdraw from the race to be the Democractic party's presidential nominee?

Yes 67% (113054 votes)

No 33% (56773 votes)

No loneconservativehere, most of us do not revel in someone else's misfortune (we'll make an exception for Shotgun Dick's impeachment). The truth of the matter is that the Democratic Party will get on with the important work of retaking the White House and increasing the majorities in both house of Congress. And as for John McCain, may he always be the Senator from Arizona!

Wow. With the sound off, I would have bet it was a concession speech.

Thank you.

I agree w/the above writer about the "fingernails on the blackboard" effect - I just can't stand Hillary Clinton and hate being lectured by her - it's all about her. I agree with the factchecker on this - adding what I saw was an unhappy family. She has morphed so many times - it's all about her. Life at the breakfast table - if they actually spend time together - must be pretty tough. I still can't believe she carpetbagged her way into being a NY senator and feel a lot of her goals were more about saving face. It is a shame today so much talk is on the Clintons when what is hopeful is that we have Sen. Obama who represents so much thoughtful change: from the past 8 years of shaming ourselves in the world, and from the ego-centric Clintons. I hope for better for the U.S.

Does anyone else notice that Hillary looks like a clown when she does that big open mouth fake smile? I'm actually a little scared of her now!

People:

(1) Do you not see the MEDIA is all pro-Obama and the honeymoon will be over soon if he gets elected. Does Obama know where Iraq is? Has he done anything worthwhile in foreign or domestic areas? Can you name one thing - what is it?

(2) Give respect to Mrs. Clinton for what she stands for and what she has done. It takes a village to raise a child and it sure will take a village to elect a child called Obama!

Without any doubt Obama could become the first muslim President of America if the people dont wake up.

Posted by: jamesatkinson1 | May 7, 2008 11:47 AM

**********************************
go back to sleep, then...

And now you can unite to attack me, so you can all feel good about yourselves again. (You're welcome.)

Posted by: LoneConservativeHere | May 7, 2008 6:20 PM

**********************
and we care because

You people are so fing rude. This family and these people could be corporate lawers. They have lived their entire lives helping others.

The press in this country has baby wiped someone who wants to be the leader of the free world with no credentials. A man who would be puppeted and begging for help from white establishment DC - and it's never pointed out that he doesn't have a single credential to be applying for this job.

Mr. Obama has ruined the Democratic party with his selfish pursuit of something he doesn't deserve and is not qualified for. It is an ego maniac quest by him and David Axelrod. Like the Presidency of this great country at this incredibly serious time is a freaking GAME to them.

The boys club is playing games.

And I'll tell you what. So many people I know will never vote for Obama and will never condone this behavior.

Hillary hasn't damaged this party. The Democrats were on their way to the white house. Then they found a half black kid the could puppet and claim the black vote for eternity through. Even if he was unqualified.

That's despicable. That's what we've seen of the back room Democrats. We've seen enough to make us forget about politics for a long long time.

Hopefully the Democratic leadership will be happy with kids and black folks voting. Because the rest of us are staying home - disgusted with your trumping - going out the eve of Super Tuesday, playing GAMES with OUR GOVERNMENT.

Democrats and DC are totally despicable - and they are all supporters of Obama.

They can got to hell in November. This is a hijacking of my government process. Just the same as Gingrich and Delay.

Leahy, Kerry, Dodd, Kennedy, Rockafeller, Richardson

All set out to put THEIR candidate in the White House.

If it happens. I hope they fall on their faces with this know nothing.

If it doesn't. I'll have a nice glass of expensive cabernet and sing God Bless America.

Obama is a member of the WHITE BOYS CLUB.

Boy, is he gonna need them, is he gonna owe them.

Hillary has so much more class.

I couldn't take my eyes off Bill's face. He looked so worn down, so terribly sad and lost. Hilliary was very game in spite of what must have been one of the worst nights of her life. It was Greek Tragedy 101. Their loss was born of their lust for office and their chameleon natures.

Thank you Mr. Obama, for stopping this woman from being president, but please make good use of her intelligence and enormous capabilities in your administration. Ambassador...Secretary of Health and Human Services.... She'd be a great asset to you and to the country.

It was an interesting gesture made by Bill at 2.31 into the video.

"I will never vote for Obama, if Hillary isn't nominated I'll vote for McCain in November yada yada."

Hey, Clinton dynasts and loyal family retainers, how many of you remember who said this?

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? It's because Hillary is her mother and Janet Reno is her father."
Sen John McCain, Republican fundraiser, 1998.

Don't believe me? Google it. McCain had to apologize to the Clintons over it.

Go ahead and vote for a man who attacks other candidates' children.

And who shows once again his poor judgement, because Chelsea Clinton is pretty cute.

I think ol' Bill's upset because his chance to run the White House interm program is now kaput.

Dear "Mrs. Clinton supporter." I am sorry your candidate has lost, but that's democracy. I hope you would really like an answer to your questions, because I am eager to win your support and enthusiasm for my candidate, Senator Obama.

To answer your questions:

"Does Obama know where Iraq is? Has he done anything worthwhile in foreign or domestic areas? Can you name one thing - what is it?"

"Does Obama know where Iraq is?"
Yes. He was generally considered the most insightful of the three candidates when David Petraeus recently testified before the Senate and all three, as Senators, had a chance to question him in detail. Obama is obviously actually planning what he will need to do as Commander in Chief on this matter. (As a side note, of course he was also the only one of the three who saw ahead of time why the invasion was a disastrous distraction from pursuing Al Qaeda. He was against the war when that was not the popular position. Hillary took the politically "safe" vote and supported it.) So I think we can agree he does know where Iraq is.

"Has he done anything worthwhile in foreign or domestic areas?"
Yes. He co-sponsored the Lugar-Obama Bill dealing with "loose nukes" in Europe following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Almost all serious foreign policy observers believe that un-secured nuclear weapons, which might fall into the hands of terrorists if not secured soon, are the single biggest security threat at the present time. On domestic matters, he sponsored the bill, now law, that provides online information about spending and contributions, so that deals that were once done quietly are now exposed to the light of day. He was part of the quick response to the Walter Reed veterans care scandal and has been a tireless advocate for better and more humane treatment of Iraq (and other) veterans. He also sponsored a lot of legislation in Illinois that became law, including insurance plans for poor children and a major improvement to the investigation of capital (death-penalty) crimes that had both the pro- and anti-death penalty forces in agreement. I could go on, but you get my point, I hope.

"Can you name one thing - what is it?"
See above.

Also, he has brought out millions of new volunteers, created the first effective nationwide (50 states, plus territories) grassroots campaign through his skills from the community organizer days, and revolutionized campaign finance, receiving small donations from more than 1.5 million donors so that he doesn't have to depend as much on big donors and doesn't "owe" them as much as other politicians do. He has gone up against the absolute toughest, most battle-tested politicians in the Democratic Party, outnumbered two Clintons to one Obama (Michelle is great but she doesn't have the standing of an ex-President)--and he has won.

Please give this some thought. We'd love to have you with us. You obviously care about the party and the country.

I saw a ruthless woman in denial, a very sad daughter and a former President totally wiped out, exhausted and with his legacy and political capital expended. I was recently in PA the same day as Obama (later in the day) and, I think, a day after Bill Clinton. I heard at the airport that Bill looked so bad they couldn't believe it. Apparently, he had not had any sleep in 4 or 5 days, at least that is what one of his service agents mentioned to the guy at the airport. His schedule is beyond belief and he has made more appearances than Hillary. I could care less about Hillary, but I really do feel for Bill Clinton.

Hillary has absolutely zero class; if she had any, she would graciously end the primary so that we can have a unified Party. We need a candidate NOW!

* Sits quietly, listening to the wind going out of the Clinton sails *

Obama is a very weak candidate with full of air and no substance and I am a democrat. His liberal views will be exploited by the Republican Party and hope this will teach the party a lesson you do not win elections with elite, arrogant candidates like Dukakis, Kerry, and Obama. There is a reason Bill Clinton was the only Democrat since FDR to win two elections and the KEY: he spoke to everyone (liberals, centrists, conservatives) whereas the rest of the party appeals to the liberal base too much who are out of touch. No wonder the party is on its way to losing another election at the rate it is going. I will most likely sit out of this election as I am not impress with Barack Obama as he appears out of touch and very phony. And by the way, I am an African-American voter who believes this so please do not say all black people support Barack Obama because he DOES NOT CONNECT with all of us at all.

The man's crushed because he didn't get to give a victory speech in NC. The Clintons seriously thought they'd win both states. If she had won NC, Bill was going to give the victory speech. Guess who would have received all the press - not the real candidate winning in IN.

It's time for all Bill and Hillary to leave the stage and get a life away from the cameras. Poor Chelsea needs an intervention - that lovely young woman needs to live a life that has zero to do with her parents.

jamesatkinson1, as Abraham Lincoln once said
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Or in your case, please hold your posts....they are embarassing.

Let's face it, there is no way Sen. Clinton can win the nomination. SEn. Obama is too far ahead of Sen. Clinton. She cannot even hope to catch up. Those 11 percent who say they would never vote for Obama if he is on the ballot in November 4, are the Republicans who crossed oer to vote for Sen. Clinton. Can't she see the damage that has been done. it is time to save face and come out a stronger person by relinquishing what she knows she can't get. Sen. Clinton needs to stop dragging the Democratic Party through the mud.

All I saw was a man who was tired from all the campaigning and could use a couple of days off. You really shouldn't make things up just to back up your own opinions.

obama supporters, please take the high ground. this is what our candidate is doing and that is why he is winning. sinking into the gutter and lobbing insults does nothing but alienate sen. clinton's supporters. i know that you are better than that and in the end, we are all on the same team. so, please clean it up. thanks. and by the way, i am an obama donor and hard-core campaigner; please don't sink to this level.

Wow, I guess I should not be surprised since I've seen so much of this over the past several months, but still I am saddened to see how much hatefulness still remains in the Obama camp. Vicious, snide, ungracious, and just plain ugly. You've done a superb job of permanently alienating the very same folks you would need to support your candidate should he get the nomination. Best of luck living with yourselves when John McCain is sworn in to office on 1/20/09.

Imagine the sigh of relief when Hillary finally accepts that the Democratic party has rejected her bid for the presidency. It simply would be good for her and her family.

Why can't she accept that this is just not her time? Why is she continuing to spend money her campaign does not have? What are they waiting for to get out of the race?

Hillary is exhibiting George Dubya-type stubborn/foolishness and it looks worse on her. At least George Dubya has the U.S. Treasury at his disposal.

Realitycheck, your plea for decency comes entirely too late. This level of vitriol coming from the Obama supporters has been going on for months now. Sad, but true...this is damage that cannot be undone.

jamesatkinson1 if you have proof of your acusation reveal it! Please! Because lies and conjecture, while interesting at times, are in every instance dishonest.

BTW there is something called the seperation of church and state and being a Muslim does not preclude any native born American from running for president. You might want to look in the mirror your prejudice is showing!

Obama's fragility as a candidate is strictly his own. Whether Hillary points out his lack of experience or not, it's certainly true and pretending otherwise won't make him any more qualified.

His biggest (and likely, only) political asset is his speech-giving talent. If he actually served a full term in the Senate, we would all see there is nothing extraordinary about how he puts his ideas into practice. He's "old politics" as much as anyone. It's just that he hasn't been around long enough to have any kind of record. Other than delivering rousing speeches, really, WHAT does he offer?

He's managed to brand his inexperience as "change", thereby pointing his (arrogant) finger at everyone with experience (regardless of party) and lumping them together.

"Clinton-Bush" years?! Anyone old enough to remember the Clinton years knows very well they were better for middle class people, and absolutely nothing like the Bush years.

Obama is, himself, tremendously divisive. For all his talk about "coming together" he hasn't displayed any real evidence of being able to work with people who don't agree with him. Washington is not populated with dazzled college students, and to assume that everyone will just roll over and do whatever Obama wants them to is fantasy. It would be a disasterous presidency, and would ensure an entire generation of Republican strangle-hold on the White House in 2012. (Better to let McCain go down in flames from 2008-2012. At least that's only 4 years.)

Change is the single most inevitable trait of the known universe. How completely ridiculous, narcissistic, and naive for Obama to claim he is the sole purveyor of change.

Hillary Clinton deserves high praise for her tenacity. If either Gore or Kerry had that kind of tenacity and enough character to stand up and fight in the face of significant public and political derision, the 2000 and 2004 elections-- both stolen elections marred by various species of voter fraud-- would have ended differently, and the world would be a vastly different place.

Hillary has not divided the party, she's only pointed out the patently obvious. The democratic party is on the brink of nominating a doomed candidate. That he can't get elected has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton. He doesn't have the experience. Period.

It's not over until it's over. Thank you, Hillary Clinton, for staying in the race until the end. It has been a very very long time since this country was a democracy. Everyone should be able to vote. Even people in "inconsequential" late-voting states, and even people in Florida* and Michigan. I'm hoping for a miracle that makes the party come to it's senses before it's too late.

*[Hey, why doesn't the fact that the primary date in Florida was moved by Republicans get any press?]

You do not win a nomination without proper organisation and without appointing the right people. Obama inspires but the organisation and stratgy of his campaign indicates his ability to build a team and hit the target.

About facial expressions, divide Hillary's face into left and right. There is definitely a sad reality there.

Won't be disparaged by me. Her husband's face says it all. And I can't help but feel a little sad for Hilary. I did not like her gutter politics nor her shameless pandering but she gave this things all she could give, and she is to be admired for that. Now she needs to lay down her ego and vanity and do the right thing.

The fat lady sang on May 6 and then she went home. Hillary will soon follow.

HRC's bid will be winding down the next few weeks. The looks say it all.

Why is truth so often vilified by some people?

Perhaps. they are so blindedly by left-wing dogma that they cant face reality.therefore
is it any wonder they are becoming addicted to melancholy....... hence the rant and rave one sees in their comments.

It's over and they did not fight the good fight and even considering the slime politics attracts they are an anomaly. She got much further than she should have thanks to Bill's popularity, experience, and brightness yet her biggest flaw politically was that she ran on his reputation. She has little political acumen; look at how stupidly the Smartest Woman in the World ran her campaign. Hillary is that terrible combination of arrogance and incompetence.

'Guess who would have received all the press - not the real candidate winning in IN.'

But Bill IS, what ever the meaning of is, is, the REAL candidate, as I've stated previously she has run on his reputation and still couldn't pull it off.

$109 MM IN LESS THAN TEN YEARS. COME ON, YOU LITTLE PEOPLE, YOU DONT HAVE TO FEEL SORRY FOR ME, OR US, ALL THREE OF US. I AM, AND ALWAYS WILL BE YOUR QUEEN. DONT YOU EVER DARE TO FORGET.

I see a beautiful young lady, that should not be exposed to ridicule supporting a mother who is ready to nuke anyone, anytime. Chelsea has not had to fight for her Country and never will. If all hell breaks loose she will be underground a mile and survive the out come.
Now, if Senator Clinton was the runner up against the Republicans and the race was on, then of course she should stand by her mother. It' not fair to Chelsea now, nor fair to the young women fighting in a unnecessary war in Iraq.

When George Stephenapoulis said Tuesday evening that Obama was the nominee, people should start taking note. This is someone who was a Clinton adviser and is still on their side. It is over. It is time for the Obama people to be gracious and humble and welcome all Democrats to join in an effort to get a nominee elected who has political views almost identical to Hillary Clinton's.There is word of an agreement to seat the Michigan delegation and word that an agreement on seating Florida may be forthcoming within 48 hours. I know that we can't stay apart and let a war go on that is costing us $5000 a second, $300,000 a minute and $18 million an hour. We must elect a Democratic president.

If having your expression reveal your feelings is truth-telling,
Then there are more honest people than I had thought.

I think Bill's actually thinking back to what he had with Monica -- and rueing his decision to stick with this one.

I notice the same thing,while i was
watching Hillary on her victory speech.
But,one thing that i truly never forget
was Bill,me and my husband was Obama's
supporters,although,Hillary was doing
lots of mudslinging on Obama,the pain
for both side was what i feel,because
their goal is to win this race.

Bill worked so hard for his wife to get
the vote of North Carolinians,but the
pain doesn't subside among Black voters
because of the racial divides that the
Clintons invokes starting here in my
State of SC.I told my beloved husband,
if he can forgive the Clintons for the
insulting remarks on the Blacks,and he
said No!,then i told him again,i will
forgive the Clintons,because did a great
job during his 8 years term in the WH,
and for this nothing wins on this very
historical campaign,but the poor people,
who suffered from the hands of greedy
politicians and Bush Jr.

My hope is for everyone to search their
soul and elect the true leader,that
listen to the voice of the masses.

"VOX POPULI,VOX DEUS".

An action speaks louder than words,while
our eyes is the window of our soul.

Bill Clinton feeling this pain deep down
his soul,because of the payback from the
black voters,that put him on top of the
world,now,the stars were slowly fading
away from the Clintons and my hope is
for both sides to forgive and Forget,
Face the oncoming Challenge from our
tough opponent,The Republicans.

Unite this Party one more time and let's
continue our fight,for the good of this
country and for the future of the next
generations of Lincolns,Roosevelt's,
Kennedy's,and other wonderful leaders
that truly fought for this country.

GOD BLESS ALL OF US,AND TO OUR COUNTRY.

Hillary got so much pride and never give
up,because the history is for her,if she
win in the WH.Now,if Obama is the next
President,this will be a history also,
and that is why for both it's just like
the first time.First woman as US Pres.,
and First Black man after 250 years since
the United States was founded.

I guess the dream team,is the only way
in order for this game to get over.

Coming into this campaign everyone said the Democratic nomination was Hillary's to lose. Well, she lost it. She ran a bad campaign. It lacked focus and changed its central message several times. Her organization was poor and her staff had to be reshuffled more than once. She lost all those caucus states that she should have won, because she had the support of all the state Democratic establishments. Her campaign had no game plan after Super Tuesday because everyone assumed the race would be over.

Obama made none of those mistakes. Unlike Clinton, his campaign planned for a nomination battle rather than a coronation. Will he do better against McCain, or make a better president than Hillary? I have to think yes, based on the ability each has demonstrated to this point on how to lead an organization.

Hillary lost her bid but I got to give it to her for her fighting spirit and her never say die attitude. I think Obama is a wonderful man with an honest heart and is an example of the realization of the Dream that is the American Dream. John McCain is a war hero who put country and should never be forgotten for what he did so many years ago. It is time for the rest of us to take these qualities of never quitting until our country is back on top. Be honest with ourselves and each other so we ALL can live the American Dream and put country before our own selfish interest so America can be great not only to itself but to the world again. I support Obama. You may support McCain but let's all support America. We really can do this right. The world is watching us now more than ever.

The reason this is *not* over is the supreme irony of the "count-every-vote" party's installation, 30 years ago, of a remarkably undemocratic mechanism for choosing its nominee. A full 20% of the convention's votes are cast by party bosses and "activists" (why doesn't anyone want to be a passivist?) of one stripe or another. Each wields the power of tens of thousands or ordinary schmoes in the primaries.

It is also ironic that Florida, site of the previous electoral unpleasantness, has been totally disenfranchised this time around -- by the Democrats.

The purpose of the superdelegates is precisely to prevent a victory by a charismatic candidate who sweeps the youth and activist vote, exemplified by the same George McGovern who became the first presidential candidate in history to lose 49 out of 50 states -- and who just endorsed Obama. I'm not sure you should thank him.

My preference is McCain, Clinton and Obama in that order. To understand why, read this book:

"The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11", by Lawrence Wright

It won a Pulitzer, and the selection committee is hardly a bastion of fascists, so it's not a right-wing screed. It's well worth the time and effort to read this before the election. Please.
While you're at it, send a copy to the senator from Illinois.

Kudos. Any trained clinician/psychologist would suggest cross-checking facial expressions against verbiage.

The press rightly took Gary Hart up on his challenge to "catch me, if you can" - before boarding the ironically-named
"Monkey Business" with his girlfriend.

To their lasting discredit, they completely ignored George H.W. Bush's blatant & reckless challenge to "read my lips".

The Michigan delegation has offered a plan to give Clinton 69 delegates and Obama 59 delegates. She rejected it flatly. So, I guess it means count the votes, but only the ones that I won.

I watched the video without the sound and wow . . . it seems so sad.

Clintonistas, come and join the Obama camp. We either will win with Obama or we will all say, President McCain."

She's in it for the money! She admitted to loaning her own campaign $11.5 MILLION. If she folds her tent now, with her campaign in debt, she will not be paid back. It is worth $11.5 mil to her to keep her campaign going, to keep conning suckers into giving her campaign money, by conning them into thinking she still has a chance. If she folds now, she is out millions. Get a clue.

This is the most misleading conclusion. Human feelings have their ups and downs. The Clintons may be disappointed but your conclusion leads to reasons rather than facts. The chances are your supposition is totally unfounded and your guess is just speculation.

Nomination has to be won and not to be given. Pushing out contestants before the finish line is incredibly unfair. There are legitimate means to end the election. For example, OBAMA gets the required number of pledged delegates. Then he automatically win the nomination.

If not, it should be up to the superdelegates to decide in the August Convention. There are too many superdelegates trying to fix the election which makes them not that super after all.
They are supposed to be fair and objective tie-breakers who vote according to their conscience for the candidate who may have a better chance to win in November.

Most of the party officials like Dean, Pelosi, and OBAMA campaign are misleading the voters about their constituational rights to decide on the nomination.

Slogans such as:
For the party, of the party and by the party
are common in communist party.
I don't expect to see it in USA, specially in the DNCC

This column is generally an unreliable joke, but I must say this particular entry may very well take the cake.

"Here is what I saw. A candidate with a mask of upbeat determination on her face, who knows deep down that the game is lost but is still on auto-pilot, unwilling to accept defeat. A proud and loving daughter who will support her mother to the very end. An exhausted spouse who is sick at heart because he knows, from his vast political experience, that the fight is over. He dutifully applauds at the right moments and occasionally punches his fist in the air, but his face reveals his true feelings.

Even as the hope of a miraculous upset faded away, Hillary still came across as the energizer bunny, running on batteries that never seem to wind down. After giving it his all, in dozens of small town meetings across North Carolina and Indiana, Bill looked as if all the energy had suddenly been drained out of him."

That the above can appear in a column called "The Fact Checker" at the Washington Post speaks volumes about the depths to which our political discourse has descended. The lack of shame on Dobbs' part is also telling. I imagine the Roman Empire must have sounded like this toward the end.

Hillary has to come to terms with the fact that it's over and think of her future in the Dem Party. She still has to work in the Senate where her campaign has bruised relations with some of her colleagues.

She needs to forget about future runs for President. For all her claims of owning the blue collar white vote which is highly questionable, she will never win the Presidency in the future because she's irreparably damaged ties to the African American electorate.

It is not angry bloggers that the Obama campaign has to worry about for November, they will come around as bloggers are people with some degree of free time and resources. It is those in the working class and Latin communities, that the campaign has not shown it can win. McCain, on the other hand has done well with these voters. Better figure out something soon. I don't want more years of conservative rule, even if we have to have a blowhard who has more rhetoric than policies to keep him out.

Leon

I watched this clip live and thought the exact same thing as I looked over Hillary's shoulder. Even Chelsea's slow, rhythmic clapping had the solemnity of a funeral. Tough times -- I don't envy these people no matter how much I support Sen. Obama. Hopefully Mrs. Clinton and her family can find some grace and dignity as this thing winds down.

Unless you have also mastered mind reading, expression-reading is really just a cheap shot.

I was once undecided with regard to whom I would vote for (Clinton or Obama). Their views are essentially the same. Both candidates have their positives and negatives . When it comes time to vote in November, I will vote for whomever the democratic nominee is. I just simply cant afford another 4-8 years of a republican at the helm. Please people we have to unite. Attacking each other and vowing to vote for McCain if your particular candidate doesnt win, is just not smart. You have to suck up your pride and dissappointment and vote your pocketbooks and wallets.

Democratic President '08