Ready to Bowl for Day One?
Democratic U.S. presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) bowls at Pleasant Valley Bowling Center March 29, 2008 in Altoona, Pa. (Getty Images.)
By Perry Bacon Jr.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Happy April Fool's Day from Hillary Clinton.
"This has been a very hard fought race, each of us is drawing enormous support," Clinton declared to a very quiet room of more than 40 reporters here at the start of a press conference. "And we clearly need to do something so that our party and the people can make the right decision, so I have a proposal. Today I am challenging Senator Obama to a bowl-off, a bowling match, right here in Pennsylvania, winner take all, I"ll even spot him two frames. It's time for his campaign to get out of the gutter and allow all of the pins to be counted."
"And I'm prepared to play this game all the way to the 10th frame," she continued, looking serious while the reporters laughed. "And when this game is over, the American people will know when that phone rings at 3 a.m., they'll have a president whose ready to bowl on Day One, so let's a strike a deal and go bowling for delegates. We don't have a moment to spare, because it's already April Fool's. So happy April Fool's Day."
The joke was especially good because Obama was in the gutter often on Sunday, when as a part of his tour of the Keystone State he went bowling and scored a dismal 37. Clinton aides admitted she is not a bowler and may not be ready to top her Illinois rival.
Posted at 2:50 PM ET on Apr 1, 2008
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Posted by: jaszmanda | April 2, 2008 12:57 PM
As the late great ANN RICHARDS SAID, "We can perform, afterall, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did but backwards and in high heels."
Posted by: mjno | April 2, 2008 10:20 AM
A five year-0ld girl could score higher than 37! That's not even 4 pins per frame.
and this guy wants to be President? I'd like to see him throw out the first pitch on opening day!
Posted by: fstrimper | April 2, 2008 8:25 AM
Yuck! FRankly Iam sick of WAPOs Endless
Phony Obama BS,such as "Obama Bowls",
"Obama at the Pump","Obama Milks Cow!" Is
this screwy Fred Hiatt Idea of News? WE
Need To Discuss The Real Issues Facing The
USA Not This Endless Phony Fluff Crap!..
Tell Us What Exactly Qualifies Pathological
Liar Coward Barack Obama to be Commander in
Chief of our US Military,since Obama never
served a day in it? Tell Us How Cocaine
Addict Obama is going to fight the War
on Drugs,The War on Poverty and the War
on Terror will you Obama Cultists?
Posted by: SandraLong1974 | April 2, 2008 7:10 AM
GUTTER-BALL!
Posted by: rat-the | April 1, 2008 11:28 PM
CONGRATULATION WE HAVE GOTTEN THE NOMINE,SHE HAVE REALY MADE UP HER MIND,ON APRIL FOOL,LETS GO BOWLING? AND Ready to Bowl for Day One.Chelsea Clinton.LETS UNITE TOGETHER.I LOVE OBAMA.I CAN EVEN DIE FOR HIM.
Posted by: megaplazar | April 1, 2008 7:35 PM
CONGRATULATION WE HAVE GOTTEN THE NOMINE,SHE HAVE REALY MADE UP HER MIND,ON APRIL FOOL,LETS GO BOWLING? AND Ready to Bowl for Day One?
Posted by: megaplazar | April 1, 2008 7:29 PM
(OMG- a 37? Shouldn't he, like, have practiced a bit before embarrasing himself?)
Posted by: dyinglikeflies | April 1, 2008 4:25 PM
zukermand this may not count as proof but it gives one a pretty strong indication.
It sounds like FL is working around this for now.
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/03/florida-delegates-scrounging-for-denver.html
Posted by: IndependenceEveWonderlandBallroom | April 1, 2008 4:10 PM
Go Hillary!
Posted by: ichief | April 1, 2008 4:08 PM
What a phony. Barack is now traipsing around Pennsylvania, scaling back his high-flown rhetoric, talking down to working class people, and making even more of a fool of himself in the bowling alley.
Still, the media continues to act like a flock of swooning Obama groupies. Watch CNN's Lou Dobbs and a panel call the blatantly pro-Obama media to account:
http://katalusis.blogspot.com/2008/04/cnns-lou-dobbs-lets-media-have-it-for.html
Posted by: ichief | April 1, 2008 4:05 PM
I think Obama better stipulate:
Electronic scoring only.
The game really does end at the 10th frame.
If everyone agrees before the game not to have a beer frame, no adding one mid-game.
Saying you will win next weeks game doesn't count for anything.
No arguing who won in the bar after the game in order to try and change the results.
Posted by: IndependenceEveWonderlandBallroom | April 1, 2008 3:58 PM
justin, this is a difficult issue to research. You seem very sure. I wonder if you would point us to contemporaneous reporting of a decision not to seat the delegates of the unsanctioned contests in FL and MI. All I can find are assumptions the pledges not to campaign would not preclude the seating of those delegates. Thanks for your help.
Posted by: zukermand | April 1, 2008 3:58 PM
I loved Hilary's April Fool's speech. Shows a sense of humor. And it's time democrats on both sides "lightened up." Things are way out of hand. Both would make a better choice for America than John McCain. I know he has served his country well for decades, but how long can you ride that pony? It's not all about being a POW. You have to bring something else to the table. Let's be happy that whoever wins the democratic nomination, we'll have a good choice. BTW - I love Obama.
Posted by: pstimus | April 1, 2008 3:55 PM
Quite amusing from the likable HRC.
Welcome Pres Mac.
Posted by: mul | April 1, 2008 3:52 PM
Very well played. I may not support Clinton, but I appreciate her campaign easing the tension with a bit of levity. The remaining contests may actually be good for the party if both sides stick with the positive campaigning that has begun resurfacing this week. Of course, that means stopping the misrepresentation of the FL and MI situation. If seating their delegates was more important than fundraising in the state, then Harold Ickes and the rest of the rules committee should have made a stand last summer. Spinning it as Obama or Dean's fault is extremely disingenuous.
Posted by: justin | April 1, 2008 3:47 PM
A 37? Do we need any more proof that Obama is a loser? I've never seen anyone bowl in a tie before either. Maybe Rev Wright could give him some pointers about how to knock down those typical white pins with that big black ball?
Posted by: brigittepj | April 1, 2008 3:36 PM
A 37? Do we need anymore proof that Obama is a loser? I've never seen anyone bowl in a tie before either.
Posted by: brigittepj | April 1, 2008 3:34 PM
The fact that Obama bowled a 37 is clear evidence that he is unfit for the presidnecy and will lose to John McCain. Why o why can't the mainstream media see this? The Republicans will be all over his poor bowling skills in November!!!!
Posted by: j_cristof | April 1, 2008 3:25 PM
Love it!
Posted by: jcmdstep1 | April 1, 2008 3:23 PM
OBAMA'S RESPONSE:
I HAVE PASSED THE BOWLER IN CHIEF THRESHOLD OF 35 AND YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK SENATOR CLINTON IF SHE HAS PASSED. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TALK Vs ACTION. WHEN IT COMES TO BOWLING I HAVE CLEARLY SHOWN THAT I HAVE CROSSED THE THRESHOLD AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO ASKED SEN.CLINTON IF SHE HAS PASSED. ALL SHE HAS IS THE SPEECH SHE GAVE TODAY MORNING.SHAME ON YOU HILLARY CLINTON! MEET ME IN THE BOWLING ALLEY!
Posted by: chatwithsillyboy | April 1, 2008 3:18 PM
My goodness- Obama bowled a "37"!
That must be an April fools joke.
Posted by: davidmwe | April 1, 2008 2:56 PM
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If bowling and pitching ability are a measure of our candidate's apptitude for the office of Commander and Chief, I'm really concerned. Mr/Ms fstrimper, your statement is an insult to our intelligence.