Beshear stays uncommitted, says Clinton has 'difficult' road
UPDATED THROUGHOUT AT 7:15 P.M.
By Ryan Alessi
ralessi@herald-leader.com
SHELBYVILLE — Even after watching U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s landslide 35-point victory in Tuesday’s primary, Kentucky’s three sought-after undecided Democratic superdelegates — including Gov. Steve Beshear — say they’re staying neutral in the presidential primary.
Beshear acknowledged that while Clinton’s win in the Bluegrass State was big, the New York Senator faces a “difficult” road to lock up the Democratic nomination.
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois leads Clinton in total Democratic delegates and, after Tuesday’s contest in Kentucky and win in Oregon’s primary, now holds a majority of delegates that are automatically assigned to a candidate based on election results.
“It appears very difficult for her to win in the end,” Beshear told the Herald-Leader Wednesday after speaking to a business group in Shelbyville. “But, obviously, it’s still — it’s still possible.”
Beshear, state Democratic Party Chairman Jennifer Moore and Vice Chairman Nathan Smith will serve as three of Kentucky’s nine superdelegates at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Those three have been firmly uncommitted throughout the primary and all said Wednesday that they would remain so at least through the final primaries in Puerto Rico on June 1 and South Dakota and Montana on June 3.
“I do think Sen. Clinton ran very well, of course, here in Kentucky and obviously deserves the right to run out the primary races up through June 3,” Beshear said.
Three of the state’s superdelegates are backing Clinton, while both of Kentucky’s Democratic congressmen who serve as superdelegates endorsed Obama. The ninth superdelegate will be elected at the state party’s convention June 7.
Nationally, the 797 superdelegates — who are party leaders or elected officials that can vote at the convention for the candidate of their choice regardless of their states’ primary results — have played a major role in this race. In fact, the slightly more than 200 still-undecided superdelegates could essentially decide the nomination.
“It’s a tough decision. I don’t take it lightly,” said Moore, the party chairman. “To me, every vote has to be counted. And I’m curious to see what the Democratic National Committee will do with Michigan and Florida.”
By Ryan Alessi
ralessi@herald-leader.com
SHELBYVILLE — Even after watching U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s landslide 35-point victory in Tuesday’s primary, Kentucky’s three sought-after undecided Democratic superdelegates — including Gov. Steve Beshear — say they’re staying neutral in the presidential primary.
Beshear acknowledged that while Clinton’s win in the Bluegrass State was big, the New York Senator faces a “difficult” road to lock up the Democratic nomination.
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois leads Clinton in total Democratic delegates and, after Tuesday’s contest in Kentucky and win in Oregon’s primary, now holds a majority of delegates that are automatically assigned to a candidate based on election results.
“It appears very difficult for her to win in the end,” Beshear told the Herald-Leader Wednesday after speaking to a business group in Shelbyville. “But, obviously, it’s still — it’s still possible.”
Beshear, state Democratic Party Chairman Jennifer Moore and Vice Chairman Nathan Smith will serve as three of Kentucky’s nine superdelegates at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Those three have been firmly uncommitted throughout the primary and all said Wednesday that they would remain so at least through the final primaries in Puerto Rico on June 1 and South Dakota and Montana on June 3.
“I do think Sen. Clinton ran very well, of course, here in Kentucky and obviously deserves the right to run out the primary races up through June 3,” Beshear said.
Three of the state’s superdelegates are backing Clinton, while both of Kentucky’s Democratic congressmen who serve as superdelegates endorsed Obama. The ninth superdelegate will be elected at the state party’s convention June 7.
Nationally, the 797 superdelegates — who are party leaders or elected officials that can vote at the convention for the candidate of their choice regardless of their states’ primary results — have played a major role in this race. In fact, the slightly more than 200 still-undecided superdelegates could essentially decide the nomination.
“It’s a tough decision. I don’t take it lightly,” said Moore, the party chairman. “To me, every vote has to be counted. And I’m curious to see what the Democratic National Committee will do with Michigan and Florida.”
Beshear and Smith, the party vice chairman, also said they’re waiting to see how the DNC will count the primaries in those two states, which were stripped of their delegates after violating party rules by moving their elections to January. A national party rules committee will grapple with that issue on May 31.
That could also change the already cryptic delegate math a candidate needs to achieve the nomination.
Obama now is within 70 delegates of the 2,026 threshold. So when the dust settles in early June, Beshear said he will weigh factors, such as “who has the most popular votes by that time and where the delegate count stands.”
Smith and Moore, meanwhile, said they are keenly interested in hearing Obama and Clinton’s closing arguments about which one stacks up best against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, the Arizona Senator.
Clinton has pointed to primary wins in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia and now Kentucky as evidence that she can carry battleground swing states in November. Obama cites deep support among young voters and African Americans, as well as his wins in key states, such as Virginia and Colorado.
Moore said both campaigns have sent her PowerPoint presentations showing their paths to victory in the general election, including maps of states they think they can win against McCain.
Clinton’s map includes Kentucky, Moore said. For Obama, that state is in the uncertain category, she said.
But Clinton soundly trounced Obama in rural areas, particularly in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky where she garnered more than 90 percent of the vote in several counties.
“If Sen. Obama is the nominee, I would urge him to campaign in Kentucky heavily so that voters get to know him,” Moore said.
Beshear said the presidential race “will be a difficult election for us here in the state regardless of who our nominee is because it’s traditionally a red-leaning state on a national level.”
“But I think either candidate would have an opportunity to win if things happen to break right,” he added.
Superdelegates and DNC representatives Terry McBrayer, JoEtta Wickliffe and Moretta Bosley have endorsed Clinton while U.S. Reps. John Yarmuth of Louisville and Ben Chandler of Versailles backed Obama.
Obama won Yarmuth’s congressional district but lost in Central Kentucky which is represented by Chandler. Chandler’s aides failed to return six calls for comment since Tuesday.
That could also change the already cryptic delegate math a candidate needs to achieve the nomination.
Obama now is within 70 delegates of the 2,026 threshold. So when the dust settles in early June, Beshear said he will weigh factors, such as “who has the most popular votes by that time and where the delegate count stands.”
Smith and Moore, meanwhile, said they are keenly interested in hearing Obama and Clinton’s closing arguments about which one stacks up best against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, the Arizona Senator.
Clinton has pointed to primary wins in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia and now Kentucky as evidence that she can carry battleground swing states in November. Obama cites deep support among young voters and African Americans, as well as his wins in key states, such as Virginia and Colorado.
Moore said both campaigns have sent her PowerPoint presentations showing their paths to victory in the general election, including maps of states they think they can win against McCain.
Clinton’s map includes Kentucky, Moore said. For Obama, that state is in the uncertain category, she said.
But Clinton soundly trounced Obama in rural areas, particularly in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky where she garnered more than 90 percent of the vote in several counties.
“If Sen. Obama is the nominee, I would urge him to campaign in Kentucky heavily so that voters get to know him,” Moore said.
Beshear said the presidential race “will be a difficult election for us here in the state regardless of who our nominee is because it’s traditionally a red-leaning state on a national level.”
“But I think either candidate would have an opportunity to win if things happen to break right,” he added.
Superdelegates and DNC representatives Terry McBrayer, JoEtta Wickliffe and Moretta Bosley have endorsed Clinton while U.S. Reps. John Yarmuth of Louisville and Ben Chandler of Versailles backed Obama.
Obama won Yarmuth’s congressional district but lost in Central Kentucky which is represented by Chandler. Chandler’s aides failed to return six calls for comment since Tuesday.
Gov. Beshear is as indecisive about this as he is about doing something to help Kentucky taxpayers avoid disaster while trying to pay for public employees' lavish fringe benefits.
Posted by: David Adams | May 21, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Concerning Gov. Beshears trouble deciding who he is going to back....Since you are voted in by the citizens of Ky. and it is pretty obvious how Ky. is leaning, wouldn't it be wise for you to listen to the people of Ky.??? It looks to me like they have already spoken. I am a very strong Democrat
but I honestly beleive that if Obama is chosen as the Democrat nominee for President..then I am pretty sure we will be looking at another Republican president the next time around also.
Posted by: Pam | May 21, 2008 at 04:29 PM
The people of Kentucky spoke loud and clear of who they want to best represent them. Gov. Beshear had better remember this as he will be up for re-election at one point. I can guarantee that I will NOT vote for him should he go against what us Kentuckians want.
Posted by: Shawn Scott | May 21, 2008 at 05:06 PM
can't believe that Gov. Beshear is not jumping to sign on to Hillary. Kentucky
spoke loud and clear who they wanted for
president. You can take this to the bank
if Hillary is not the nominatee than Mccain
will be the next president.
on cnn they are talking that Hillary should
tell voters she will not accept racist voters. That is a joke, Ky can vote on and whom they choose to vote for.
But superdelegets better think on this one.
Kathy from Kentucky
Posted by: kathy | May 21, 2008 at 05:29 PM
At this point in the race, it is SMART for Steve Beshear to wait until AFTER June 3rd to make a decision.
And the Governor is right about BILLARY Clinton's next-to-nil chances of being the party's nominee.
Posted by: KYJurisDoctor | May 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM
KYJD, it doesn't matter what Clinton's chances are of being the party's nominee. The PEOPLE of KY spoke very loudly on Tuesday and the Governor should go with the people who elected him, win or lose. Beshear still thinks it's 1985 and he is some type of king or dictator instead of Governor. Henceforth the terrible legislative session. He'll do what he wants to and so will we when his time comes for re-election.
Posted by: Taxypayer | May 22, 2008 at 07:04 AM
How can you say that Nathan Smith has "...been firmly uncommitted..." when he held a high-dollar fundraiser for Clinton at his house, which the Senator attended?
Posted by: KyDem | May 22, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Beshear is hedging his bet. It won't matter the Governor played his Clinton clan card several weeks ago.
When you look at the demographics of the primary, in Kentucky, it clearly shows those under educated and a lesser economic base were the votes for Hilary Clinton.
She can not win. She was not going to win this nomination from the start. And, now with a debt of 30 million, in her campaign funding, it will be difficult to raise more money.
Our SUPER DELEGATES are part of the GOOD OLD BOY CLUB . . . and the more things allude to change . . . the more they stay the same.
THE KDP was a big supporter of Senator Clinton. Isn't the state party supposed to be non committal until the primary is over.
Well, not in this case.
When will anything ever change at the KDP?
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | May 22, 2008 at 08:23 AM
I cannot fathom why any intelligent person would prefer Barack Hussein Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Yes, Hillary has her faults, and they are many.
But did she embrace a faith and a pastor who spewed anti-American hate from the pulpit for two decades?
Did she maintain a "friendly relationship" with a domestic terrorist who says not only does he not regret what he did, but he wishes he did more?
Did she uphold a spouse's comments that they had never been proud of America in their adult lifetime until now?
Obama is young and handsome and articulate. He's also inexperienced, vapid and without substance. He is pandering to the black half of his heritage, all the while claiming to be the candidate of unity and not division. He makes empty promises that sound good but don't hold up on close examination.
I wouldn't give you a plug nickel for either Hillary or Obama, or McCain for that matter. There were no truly outstanding candidates on either side this time.
But in a head-to-head comparison, Obama doesn't even come close to Hillary. It's hard to believe that so many people have been mesmerized by that empty suit.
Posted by: Lesser of two evils | May 22, 2008 at 09:43 AM
To: Lesser of 2:
I'll answer your questions ... in order.
1. YES, Hillary Clinton & President Bill Clinton DID embrace Rev. Wright. In fact, President Clinton, vetted Rev. Wright and after vetting Rev. Wright invited Rev. Wright, along with other Rev. Jessie Jackson to be Clinton's spiritual advisor during his IMPEACHMENT hearings.
2. YES, Hillary Clinton is friends with Linda Evans who was sent to prison for her domestic terrorist activities. Linda Evans was sentenced for conspiracy and malicious destruction in connection with eight bombings between 1983 and 1985, including the bombing of The Capitol Building. She was sentenced to 40 years in prison ... President Bill Clinton pardoned her on his last day in office.
.... then there is Hillary's other friend, Susan Rosenberg who was a member of the Weather Underground group ... Susan Lisa Rosenberg is an American radical who drove the getaway car in the 1981 Brinks robbery in which two police officers and an armored-car guard were killed. After living as a fugitive for two years, Rosenberg was arrested with an accomplice in 1984 while unloading 740 pounds of dynamite and weapons from a car into a New Jersey storage locker. She had also been sought as an accomplice in the 1979 prison escape of Joanne Chesimard. Rosenberg was sentenced to 58 years in prison on the weapons and explosives charges, but was not tried for the Brinks robbery and deaths. She was pardoned by President Bill Clinton on January 20, 2001, his final day in office.
.... Hillary has a lot of friends who were convicted of federal crimes ... but don't worry, Bill pardoned them all.
3. Hillary Clinton DID uphold her spouses lies under oath. President Bill Clinton was impeached for LYING under oath - his spouse, Hillary never, ever said that Bill's LIES under oath were wrong ... I guess Hillary Clinton sees no problem with a person, including the President, who lies under oath.
From the lies Hillary & Bill have told it's become clear that neither Clinton can separate the truth from a lie.
Posted by: To: Lesser of 2 | May 22, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Oh I don't disagree with you about Hillary. Like I said, she has her faults and they are many.
I am a Republican and I cannot stand McCain, did not vote for him Tuesday and will not vote for him this fall because he's a RINO liberal.
But if the choice is between Hillary and Obama, I'd pick Hillary in an instant. Better to deal with the devil you know than the devil you don't. I'm fearful for our country no matter which party's nominee is elected, but I'm much less fearful of Hillary than Obama.
Posted by: To: To: Lesser of 2 | May 22, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Jennifer Moore you wrote, “To me, every vote has to be counted." - Do you NOT know the DNC Rules on timing, or do YOU just want to ignore and aide Hillary in violating DNC Rule 11A: rule on timing.
Are you condoning Hillary Clinton's desire to breach the DNC Rules and breach her own signed pledge?
DNC rules are clear - if Fl. & Mi. hold primaries BEFORE February 5, 2008 both states would lose 100% of both pledged & unpledged (super) delegates:
* August 31, 2007 Letter from Howard Dean to all Presidential Candidates:
"As leader of the Democratic party, I strongly urge you to adhere to the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules.
The 2008 Delegate Selection Rules adopted by the FULL DNC at its August 2006 meeting in Chicago clearly provide that only 4 states - Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire & South Carolina - may hold their respective contests prior to February 5, 2008. The Rules and Bi-Laws Committee's finding of Non-Compliance include 100% loss of pledged and unpledged (super) delegates, if Florida and Michigan Democratic Parties do not submit a corrected and compliant Plan within 30 days of their receipt of the official notice that their plan is not in compliance.
Again, as candidates seeking the nomination, I strongly urge you to do your part and support the actions of the Rules and Bylaws Committee. The Rules and Bilaws Committee did one thing on Saturday: enforced the Party rules."
* September 1, 2007 - Hillary issues a statement agreeing with the DNC Rules - "we believe the DNC’s rules and its calendar provide the necessary structure to respect and honor that role. Thus we will sign the Pledge to adhere to the DNC approved nominating calendar."
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmUVr_Qt2Wg
* October 11, 2007 - Hillary Clinton interview with New Hampshire Public Radio,
-- NHPR's Laura Knoy: "So, if you value the DNC calendar, why not just pull out of Michigan? Why not just say, Hey Michigan, I'm off the ballot?"
-- Hillary Clinton, "you know, it's clear this election their having is not going to count for anything."
Hmmm..... There Hillary said it - Michigan's vote will not count for anything ...
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULxxBz-PAjg
http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=zydzt
Jennifer, here's the bottom line. Hillary knew the DNC rules in advance, Hillary agreed to the DNC rules in advance, Hillary signed a pledge agreeing to the DNC rules IN ADVANCE ....
Now, and because she is "losing by the rules" - she wants to VIOLATE and BREAK the DNC rules ... typical Hillary Clinton CON!
So, lets see if you, Lawyer Jennifer Moore, are women of integrity who FOLLOWS PARTY RULES ... Do you agree that Hillary Clinton should STOP violating and STOP breaking the DNC rules by her recent chant to demand that DNC SHOULD seat Fl. & Mi. their pledged & unpledged delegates 100% - which is clearly in violation of DNC rules?
... Or ... Do you think, DNC Rules should be followed by ALL candidates including Hillary Clinton?
Posted by: TO: JENNIFER MOORE | May 22, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Ya'll can pee and moan all you want, but here's the deal - if these superdelegates offically jump on the Clinton bandwagon, it is like buying a ticket to get on the Titanic after it hit the iceberg; if they hold out and act neutral, Obama may be forced to cut some sort of deal with them. That deal may be brokered by the Gov for something that benefits our state - highway funds, etc. - or they could individually make deals to feather any one of their own political nests. The pollyanna in me hopes it is the former, but the latter is probably more likely.
All this other hooey about "the people have spoken" and such is all fine and dandy, but it wouldn't do anyone or the state any good to come (any further) out for Hillary at this point and they know it.
Either way, practice saying "President McCain".
Posted by: Doralee | May 22, 2008 at 04:59 PM