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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Is Hillary Clinton abandoning South Carolina?

Roland S. Martin
360 Contributor

During last night's CNN-Congressional Black Caucus Institute debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Sen. Barack Obama took a shot at Sen. Hillary Clinton, saying he wasn't sure if he was running against her or former president Bill Clinton.

"I'm here. He's not," she shot back.

But is that really the case?

While Obama continues to canvas the Palmetto State today, Clinton has decided to head to Washington, D.C., then California and Arizona.

According to an email from her camp, Clinton "will hold a press availability at the Westin Hotel on Embassy Row in Washington D.C. later this morning.

"She will then travel to California where she participates in a "Solutions for America" town hall in Salinas, Calif., followed by a town hall in Laveen, Ariz.

"On Wednesday, January 23, Hillary attends events in New Jersey. She travels through South Carolina on Thursday, January 24 through Saturday, January 26."

So who is holding down the fort in South Carolina? Bill and their daughter, Chelsea.

No one minds spouses and children campaigning. But don't you think that if Sen. Clinton wants to make the case that she's the one, she needs to be the one going door-to-door? Or does this add more fuel to the fire that it's Bill who is running against Obama?

Posted By CNN: 10:49 AM ET
13 Comments

Roland,
What's the deal man!? Hillary's schedule shows she will be in South Carolina from Jan. 23 to the 26. So what's the big deal that she isn't there now? They do have to stump in other states ya know! S.C. isn't the only one! I have no problem with that! So lay off!

As far as Bill goes....Obama's wife goes out for him too! So are we going to call her out next!? My bet NO! Bill gets the attention because he is an ex prez and draws more press and attention to what he says. So what if he calls Obama out! Somebody needs too since the media won't!!

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Posted By

Cindy : 11:06 AM ET

I think if all three Democratic front-runners want to make the case that they're the "unifying force" for our country, they should stop fighting.

Posted By

Laura - Tulsa, OK : 11:37 AM ET

Hi Rolaned,
I don't think Hillary has abandoned South Carolina. She can't be everywhere, can she?
I want to bring up something that I have not heard anyone point out.
In the debate last night Senator Obama was asked if he thought Bill Clinton was first black President.
He answered that he needed to see him dance to see if he was a brother.
Isn't that racist?
If John Edwards or Hillary Clinton had answered that question the same way, would everyone be talking today?
Just wondering. . . .

Posted By

Betty Ann : 11:43 AM ET

I think Hillary is going to the States she thinks she needs the most.
She's using Bill to shore up South Carolina. Some would say that's smart, others would say it's a sign of just what we're in for.
A co-President or a true leader?
Polarized? Some things never change.

Lorie Ann
Buellton, Calif.

Posted By

Lorie Ann : 11:43 AM ET

I dont know what Hillary and Bill are doing, but it seems we're getting further and further away from talking about solving problems and more and more into egos and political games.

Posted By

Diane, Providence, R.I. : 11:44 AM ET

If Barack, Hillary and Edwards can't get along with those of their own persuasion, how in the the world will they get along with the opposition?

Posted By

nick d, denton, tx. : 11:46 AM ET

"Sen. Barack Obama took a shot at Sen. Hillary Clinton, saying he wasn't sure if he was running against her or former president Bill Clinton."

I've been thinking the same thing since the beginning of this race and beyond. I just don't trust Hillary to follow through in the way she's making us believe she will. Not that that's something you can really rely on in politics, good ol trust. Still.

Posted By

Anonymous : 11:47 AM ET

Well I wouldn't just single out Hillary as far as strategy goes. Mitt Romney didn't spend too much time in So. Carolina and Hillary didn't campaign in Michigan. I think they each try to minimize their losses and work the states where they'll make the most gain. But you have to be a genius (like Karl Rove or James Carville) to figure out that strategy.

Posted By

Bill, Lousiville, Ky. : 11:50 AM ET

who cares about hilary clinton and a bunch of candidates that are going to do nothing for the middle class anyways... what about the financial state of USA!!!!

Posted By

Anonymous : 11:50 AM ET

Roland -

Thanks for the info, looks like HRC can see the writing on the wall and will lose SC by 10 points, so she is on to bigger stakes, California. She won the Latino vote in Nevada, and there are even more Latinos in California.

Oh yeah, saw you on AC360 last night, you need to learn some Spanish brother, it's pronounced Via-Rye-Go-Sah, practice a few times you'll get the hang of it.

Peace,
James

Posted By

Anonymous : 12:00 PM ET

Roland:
Because of Giuliani's mistake of skipping states during caucuses and primaries, I believe Hillary Clinton would not miss an opportunity to make an appearance whether it was on CNN or a diner.

She is not abandoning South Carolina; she is just not investing time in the state.

Posted By

Sharon from Indy : 3:38 PM ET

I think Obama's comment was a cheap shot.

Honestly, if Bill were running, I don't think Obama would stand a chance, he should be counting his lucky stars.

Mindy
Surprise, AZ

Posted By

Mindy : 3:50 PM ET

I live in Arizona and just came back from a Clinton townhall meeting and there were 10,000 people there and they had to turn people away, because it was held in a high school gym. It was a very diverse crowd and they loved Hillary. So why not go to places that appreciate you and have over 60 delegate votes?

Posted By

Phantom Joel : 2:52 AM ET

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