Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential primary campaign#Debate performance in Philadelphia

File:Sen. Hillary Clinton 2007.jpg for the SEIU union forum in late January 2007]]

In February 2007, The Los Angeles Times reported that several anti-Clinton organizations, including Stop Her Now and Stop Hillary PAC, were preparing "swiftboating" style attacks against her, with venues to include a documentary film, numerous books, and websites.{{cite news| url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-hillary18feb18,0,3735952,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines |title=GOP activists circling Clinton's campaign |newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=2007-02-18 | first=Stephen | last=Braun | access-date=2010-05-04 | url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007124019/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/18/nation/na-hillary18 |archive-date=2009-10-07}} A top Rudy Giuliani donor, Richard Collins, who has also supported George W. Bush for several years, was central in establishing "Stop Her Now."Mike Taibbi, "Worse Than Bush: He's [Giuliani's] Cashing in on 9/11, working with Karl Rove's henchman and in cahoots with a Swift Boat-style attack on Hillary." Rolling Stone, June 14, 2007, p. 55.

CNN reported that 320,000 users joined the Facebook group "Stop Hillary Clinton: (One Million Strong AGAINST Hillary)".Linnie Rawlinson, [http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/05/01/election.facebook/ "Will the 2008 USA election be won on Facebook?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130161624/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/05/01/election.facebook/ |date=January 30, 2013 }}, CNN.com, Accessed June 13, 2007. The news blog, Politico gave the membership number as 418,000 members.{{cite news | url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0907/5989.html | title=Anti-Hillary Facebook site tops Obama | first=Richard T. | last=Cullen | publisher=Politico | date=2007-09-25 | access-date=2008-01-06 | archive-date=September 17, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917021539/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0907/5989.html | url-status=live }} This group was the largest group for or against a presidential candidate on Facebook; The Politico argued that this happened because "Clinton has had a polarizing effect."

Former Bill Clinton fundraiser and ally David Geffen spoke out against Hillary Clinton in an interview with Maureen Dowd. Geffen stated that Clinton "was overproduced and overscripted." He also stated that, "I don't think anybody believes that in the last six years, all of a sudden Bill Clinton has become a different person [...] Everybody in politics lies, but they do it with such ease, it's troubling."{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1592614,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224022435/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1592614,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 24, 2007|magazine=Time|title=Dead Link|access-date=July 30, 2015}} The Clinton campaign responded by stating, "While Senator Obama was denouncing slash and burn politics yesterday, his campaign's finance chair was viciously and personally attacking Senator Clinton and her husband. If Senator Obama is indeed sincere about his repeated claims to change the tone of our politics, he should immediately denounce these remarks, remove Mr. Geffen from his campaign and return his money. While Democrats should engage in a vigorous debate on the issues, there is no place in our party or our politics for the kind of personal insults made by Senator Obama's principal fundraiser."{{cite press release|url=http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=1344 |title=Clinton Camp to Obama: Cut Ties & Return Cash After Top Booster's Vicious Attacks |publisher=Hillary Clinton for President |date=2007-02-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127154034/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=1344 |archive-date=November 27, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

While speaking from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church in Selma, Alabama, on March 4, 2007, as part of ceremonies honoring the anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches of 1965, Clinton used a broad Southern Drawl during parts of her talk and used speech patterns common to the Southern United States.[http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6178779 "Detractors claim Hillary Clinton mocked southern accent"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505083454/http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6178779 |date=May 5, 2008 }}, WMC-TV, March 5, 2007. Accessed March 5, 2007 A Clinton aide pointed out she lived in the Southern United States for 17 years, which could explain the southern accent,ABC: Political Punch blog: [https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2007/03/ahve_come_toooo/ Ah’ve come toooo fahhhr] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801090407/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2007/03/ahve_come_toooo/ |date=August 1, 2013 }}. March 5, 2007. and other defenders of Clinton pointed out that the most commonly circulated audio and video clips of her "Southern" speech focused on a segment in which she was reciting the lyrics of a James Cleveland hymn and trying to reproduce its original cadences.Greg Sargent, [http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/horsesmouth/2007/03/yet_another_win.php "Yet Another Wingnut Sliming Of Hillary Proven To Be Bogus"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120064523/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/horsesmouth/2007/03/yet_another_win.php |date=January 20, 2013 }}, March 5, 2007. Accessed March 6, 2007. On April 20, 2007, while speaking her own words to the annual convention of the National Action Network, she once again temporarily adopted this accent.{{cite news | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/20/america/NA-POL-US-Democrats-2008-Clinton.php | title=Hillary Clinton says Katrina aftermath was indicative of U.S. government failures | agency=Associated Press | date=2007-04-20 | access-date=2008-02-08 | archive-date=October 10, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010134021/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/20/america/NA-POL-US-Democrats-2008-Clinton.php | url-status=live }} On April 27, 2007, while speaking at a campaign event in Greenville, South Carolina, Clinton said that she had split her life among three parts of the country and that her sometimes-Southern accent was a virtue. She joked, "I think America is ready for a multilingual president."{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042701300.html | title=Clinton Says Her Southern Twang a Virtue | agency=Associated Press | date=2007-04-27 | access-date=2008-01-05 | archive-date=January 17, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117195357/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042701300.html | url-status=live }}

On April 26, 2007, she appeared with seven other Democratic candidates at the first debate of the campaign, held at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and broadcast on MSNBC. Of her initial Senate vote to approve the U.S. role in the Iraq War, she stated, "If I knew then what I know now, I would not have voted that way." She further stated, "If this president does not get us out of Iraq, when I'm president I will."Alex Johnson, [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18326264 "Democrats seek to seize initiative on Iraq: Eight candidates wrangle over who's the toughest on Bush policy"], NBC News, April 27, 2007. Accessed May 7, 2007.

On May 4, 2007, a Louisiana State University student was arrested and held on charges of planning an attack against Clinton during a Baton Rouge appearance.[http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/04/clinton.threat.ap/index.html " College student charged with threatening Hillary Clinton"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523044443/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/04/clinton.threat.ap/index.html |date=May 23, 2007 }}, Associated Press, May 4, 2007. Accessed May 5, 2007.

All opinion polls in April 2007 showed Clinton as the Democratic frontrunner, however with different margins: Obama was listed in third place nationwide with 17% and John Edwards in second place with 19% behind Clinton with 41% {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070813213918/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/15313 Angus-Reid Democrats 2008]}}, angusreid, April 6, 2007. Retrieved on April 9, 2007. according to an Angus-Reid poll, whereas Clinton was listed in first place with 34% and Obama in second place with 29%, ahead of Edwards with only 15% in a Rasmussen-Reports poll.[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Democratic%20Primaries/DemocraticPresidentialPrimary.htm RasmussenReports 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070420201623/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Democratic%20Primaries/DemocraticPresidentialPrimary.htm |date=April 20, 2007 }}, rassmussenreports.com, April 9, 2007. Retrieved on April 9, 2007. By May 2007, polls were showing the race even tighter, with Rasmussen Reports showing Obama pulling ahead of Clinton 32% to 30%.[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Democratic%20Primaries/DemocraticPresidentialPrimary.htm 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070420201623/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Democratic%20Primaries/DemocraticPresidentialPrimary.htm |date=April 20, 2007 }}, Rasmussen Reports, April 30, 2007. Accessed May 1, 2007. But on May 24, 2007, a CBS News/NY Times poll showed Clinton, with 46%, 22 points ahead of Obama, with 24%, and 32 points ahead of Edwards, with 14%. Clinton held her lead over the summer; in September a CNN poll showed her leading Obama 46% to 23%,{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/16/schneider.poll/index.html | title=Poll: As Thompson's star fades, Clinton's on the rise | publisher=CNN | first=Bill | last=Schneider | author-link=Bill Schneider (journalist) | date=2007-10-16 | access-date=2007-10-17 | archive-date=March 19, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319042442/http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/16/schneider.poll/index.html | url-status=live }} and in October the same poll showed her commanding majority Democratic support, with 51% compared to Obama's 21% and Edwards' 15%.

On May 4, 2007, a Gallup Poll report showed that since the beginning of the year, her favorable-unfavorable ratio had declined from 58% favorable, 40% unfavorable to 45% favorable, 52% unfavorable.The Gallup Poll, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070514150359/http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=27460 "Hillary's Image"], May 4, 2007. Accessed May 7, 2007.

In June 2007, Clinton spoofed the much-talked-about closing scene of "Made in America", the series finale of The Sopranos, with the subject being the voting for her campaign song. The parody shows her entering a diner to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", followed by Bill entering but not getting the onion rings he really wants, while daughter Chelsea is unable to parallel park her car. Sopranos cast member Vince Curatola also appears in the skit, mimicking "Man in Members Only" but with his signature Johnny Sack malevolent glare. The screen then goes black.[http://www.hillaryclinton.com/?splash=1 Clinton Spoof] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417075036/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/?splash=1 |date=April 17, 2013 }} Clinton Campaign video

The campaign song selected was Céline Dion's "You and I", which garnered political criticism from Republicans for being "outsourced" to a Canadian singer; the song was written initially for use in an Air Canada commercial.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6221438.stm "Dion song captures Clinton vote"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203013335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6221438.stm |date=December 3, 2012 }}, BBC News, June 20, 2007. Accessed June 23, 2007.

Besides the Sopranos spoof, other popular viral videos played a role in the campaign. In March 2007, "Hillary 1984" spliced footage of Clinton into the legendary "1984" Apple Computer television commercial, ending with a plug for Barack Obama's candidacy. In June 2007 Obama was the beneficiary of the very popular "I Got a Crush on Obama" music video, as an attractive young woman suggestively sang his praises. In July 2007 singer and actress Taryn Southern wrote and performed in an answer music video, "Hott4Hill", that earned national media attention for its sexually ambiguous declaration of support for Hillary Clinton's presidential bid.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/video-send-up-of-hillary-clinton-by-american-idol-contestant-walks-a-sexual-line|title=Video Send-Up of Hillary Clinton by 'American Idol' Contestant Walks a Sexual Line|work=Fox News|access-date=July 30, 2015|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020213643/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288974,00.html|url-status=live}} In both cases, the videos were created and produced independently of the Obama and Clinton campaigns. In December 2007 satirical site 23/6 produced two videos "against" Clinton by a purported "SwiftKids for Truth" that made fun of viral videos and negative ads in general.{{cite news | url=http://blog.nj.com/digitallife/2007/12/exposed_the_biggest_flipflop_i.html | title=Swift Kids For Truth and Cookies | first=J. Scott | last=Orr | newspaper=Newark Star-Ledger | date=2007-12-07 | access-date=2007-12-10 | archive-date=December 11, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211004303/http://blog.nj.com/digitallife/2007/12/exposed_the_biggest_flipflop_i.html | url-status=live }} In January 2008, the Clinton campaign disseminated a video targeting the 18- to 29-year-old demographic in hopes of attracting voters away from Obama.[http://www.webcastr.com/videos/politics/01-31-hillary-clinton-the-band.html Hillary Shreds] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014175903/http://www.webcastr.com/videos/politics/01-31-hillary-clinton-the-band.html |date=October 14, 2008 }} webcastr.com. Retrieved February 18, 2008 According to a Newsweek blogger, Andrew Romano, the ad was created by actual young supporters instead of high-paid media consultants.{{cite magazine |title=Ad Hawk: Hillary Shreds! |magazine=Newsweek|date=February 11, 2008 |url=http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/02/11/ad-hawk-hillary-shreds.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416162208/http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/02/11/ad-hawk-hillary-shreds.aspx |archive-date=April 16, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

In early July 2007, Bill Clinton "served as an opening act" for Hillary during a three-day tour. It was the "first joint public campaign appearance for the couple since Hillary Clinton announced her bid for the White House in January."John Whitesides, [https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0321166320070704 "Bill Clinton tries a new role -- supporting actor"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126122239/https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0321166320070704 |date=January 26, 2021 }}, Reuters, July 4, 2007. Accessed July 4, 2007.

Following the July 12, 2007, Democratic candidates debate at an NAACP convention, a live microphone caught Clinton discussing in private with third-in-the-polls fellow candidate John Edwards how to get future debates limited to fewer candidates: "We've got to cut the number . . . They're not serious."{{cite news | url=http://www.newsroomamerica.com/politics/story.php?id=382617 | title=Clinton, Edwards Heard Discussing Excluding Rivals | website=www.newsroomamerica.com | date=2007-07-13 | access-date=2007-11-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109031208/http://www.newsroomamerica.com/politics/story.php?id=382617 | archive-date=November 9, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}

In July 2007, watchdog group Judicial Watch sued the National Archives over the slow release of documents covering her career as First Lady.Peter Nicholas, [http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-clintondocs14aug14,0,1390329.story "Clinton's first-lady records locked up"], The Los Angeles Times, 2007-08-14. Accessed 2007-09-18.{{cite news | url=http://beta.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/15/hillary.papers.ap/index.html | title=Papers from Clinton years not likely out before election | publisher=Associated Press for CNN | date=2007-08-15 | access-date=2008-01-05 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Almost 2 million pages of documents held at the Clinton Library had yet to be released from those years, with less than 1 percent having been released.[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120191002786436761?mod=opinion_main_review_and_outlooks Who Was Hillary Clinton?] The Wall Street Journal,

February 2, 2008, Page A10. Federal archivists stated that the process is slow due to the need to perform redactions due to the law, and likely would extend past the 2008 presidential election. Clinton had said at the time of the library's opening in 2004 that "everything's going to be available."[https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/lkl/date/2004-11-21/segment/01 CNN Larry King Live] Transcript from November 21, 2004, interview with Hillary Clinton Political consultants said that the unreleased documents might be a rich source for opposition research against Clinton.

This issue intensified with the October 30, 2007, Democratic debate at Drexel University, where Hillary Clinton came under fire about it from MSNBC moderator Tim Russert and from Democratic opponents.{{cite news | url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec07/debate_10-31.html | title=Democrat Contenders for President Attack Front-runner Clinton in Debate | work=NewsHour | publisher=PBS | date=2007-10-31 | access-date=2007-11-01 | archive-date=January 18, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118235617/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec07/debate_10-31.html | url-status=dead }} Russert displayed a document signed by President Clinton that specifically requested that certain records and communications involving her not be made public until 2012. When Russert asked Hillary Clinton whether she would lift the presidential order, Hillary Clinton responded by saying, "That's not my decision to make." A concurrent Newsweek investigation stated that Bill Clinton had requested the archivists hold back a large variety of documents.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/57351 | title=Papers? I Don't See Any Papers. | first=Michael | last=Isikoff | author-link=Michael Isikoff | magazine=Newsweek | date=2007-10-29 | access-date=2007-10-31 | archive-date=October 3, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003231232/http://www.newsweek.com/id/57351 | url-status=live }} A few days later, Bill Clinton vigorously defended his wife's responses, saying that Russert's question was "breathtakingly misleading"{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gsy14Oyb5bobIZ1z7kR1BJQ2LyhgD8SLRB6G0 |title=Bill Clinton Says Speed Papers Release |first=Jessica |last=Mintz |agency=Associated Press |date=2007-11-02 |access-date=2007-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105193213/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gsy14Oyb5bobIZ1z7kR1BJQ2LyhgD8SLRB6G0 |archive-date=November 5, 2007 }} and that Newsweek's article was off the mark,{{cite news | url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/124945.asp | title=Clinton takes on Russert, says letter was no cover-up | first=Monica | last=Guzman | newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date=2007-11-02 | access-date=2007-11-03 | archive-date=December 3, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203230500/http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/124945.asp | url-status=live }} saying, "She was incidental to the letter, it was done five years ago, it was a letter to speed up presidential releases, not to slow them down." Factcheck.org subsequently concluded that Russert's claim was incorrect, that Bill Clinton had released White House records earlier and in greater numbers than his two immediate predecessors, and that there was not much Hillary Clinton could do to speed up the release of records involving her.{{cite web|url=http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/hillarys_high-stepping.html |title=Moderator's Misstep |work=Hillary's High-Stepping |publisher=Factcheck.org |date=2007-11-08 |access-date=2007-11-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103054630/http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/hillarys_high-stepping.html |archive-date=November 3, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}

However, on March 6, 2008, Federal archivists at the Clinton Presidential Library blocked the release of hundreds of pages of White House papers on pardons that the former president approved, including clemency for fugitive commodities trader Marc Rich, based on guidance provided by Bill Clinton.{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-03-06-clinton-library-foia_N.htm | title=Clinton-papers release blocked | work=Hillary's High-Stepping | publisher=USA Today | date=2008-03-06 | access-date=2008-03-08 | first=Peter | last=Eisler | archive-date=January 22, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122082614/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-03-06-clinton-library-foia_N.htm | url-status=live }}

An August 12, 2007, article described concerns that a Clinton candidacy could lead to a backlash due to fears that she might prove "polarizing." The article states, "A strategist with close ties to leaders in Congress said Democratic Senate candidates in competitive races would be strongly urged to distance themselves from Clinton."{{cite news | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna20237246 | title = Democrats quietly fear a backlash from Clinton | first = Ron | last = Fournier | agency = Associated Press | date = 2007-08-12 | access-date = 2007-09-11 | archive-date = February 5, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230205231654/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna20237246 | url-status = live }} According to an online poll, "half of likely voters nationwide said they would never vote for New York Sen. Hillary Clinton."

{{cite news | url = http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1376 | title = Zogby Poll: Half Say They Would Never Vote for Hillary Clinton for President | publisher = John Zogby | date = 2007-08-20 | access-date = April 18, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090925035029/http://zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1376 | archive-date = September 25, 2009 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}

An October 10, 2007, article in The Hill made the opposite argument stating that Clinton was "not polarizing and highly electable. You didn't misread that headline. It is contrary to all current conventional wisdom. It is also true – supported not only by recent national polling data but by most polls all year long.{{cite news | url = http://pundits.thehill.com/2007/10/10/hillary-clinton-not-polarizing-and-highly-electable/ | title = Hillary Clinton: Not Polarizing and Highly Electable | newspaper = The Hill | date = 2007-10-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080511233343/http://pundits.thehill.com/2007/10/10/hillary-clinton-not-polarizing-and-highly-electable/ | archive-date = May 11, 2008 | df = mdy-all }} Susan Estrich, on p.66 of her 2005 book, The Case for Hillary Clinton argues, "Hillary Clinton is not polarizing; her competence is accepted."

On September 17, 2007, Clinton revealed her new American Health Choices Plan, an "individual mandate" universal health care plan that would require health care coverage for all individuals. Clinton explained individuals can keep their current employer-based coverage, or choose an expanded version of Medicare or federal employee health plans.{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/sen-hillary-clinton-unveils-110-billion-universal-health-care-plan | title=Sen. Hillary Clinton Unveils $110 Billion Universal Health Care Plan | publisher=Fox News | date=2007-09-17 | access-date=2007-09-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102221658/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296997,00.html | archive-date=November 2, 2007 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/NATION/109180074/1001 | title=Hillary revisits health care | newspaper=The Washington Times | first=Christina | last=Bellantoni | date=2007-09-18| access-date= 2007-09-18 }} The projected cost of the plan is $110 billion annually and will require all employers to cover their employees' health insurance or contribute to the costs of their employees' health insurance coverage; tax credits will be provided to companies with fewer than 25 employees to help cover costs."[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14503634 Clinton Sees Better Chances for Health Overhaul] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114020240/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14503634 |date=January 14, 2018 }}". NPR. 2007-09-18. Retrieved on 2007-09-18. She proposed to pay for the plan by cutting government medical costs and by not extending the Bush tax cuts to those making over $250,000 a year.

Clinton emphasized that this was not a reprise of the failed 1993 Clinton health care plan, saying it reflected her experiences and now involved no new government bureaucracy, but Republican opponents disagreed and immediately dubbed it "Hillarycare 2.0". However, many of the health care industry groups that had opposed and funded attacks upon the 1993 plan, were now contributors to Clinton campaigns.{{cite news | url=http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13876 | title=US: Once an Enemy, Health Industry Warms to Clinton | first1=Raymond | last1=Hernandez | first2=Robert | last2=Pear | newspaper=The New York Times | date=2006-07-12 | access-date=2007-10-17 | archive-date=March 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316033208/http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13876 | url-status=dead }} Meanwhile, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of fellow Democratic candidate John Edwards, said it was too imitative of Edwards' plan, which had come out seven months earlier.{{cite news | title= Edwards' wife bashes Clinton health plan | agency=Associated Press | first=Jim | last=Davenport | date=2007-09-19 }}

In September 2007, Clinton suggested that every newborn baby receive $5,000 upon reaching their 18th birthday.{{cite news | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21033583 | title=Clinton: $5,000 for every U.S. baby born | publisher=Associated Press for NBC News | date=2007-09-28 | access-date=August 3, 2024 | archive-date=February 25, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225032319/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21033583 | url-status=live }} Clinton said that with this money, "they will be able to access it to go to college or maybe they will be able to make that downpayment on their first home". In October 2007, Clinton withdrew this proposal and according to USA Today stated that "it was just an idea and not a policy proposal".Pickler, Nedra. "[https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-10-09-635474775_x.htm Clinton urges 401(k)s, matching funds]". Associated Press (Published on Yahoo! News). 2007-10-09. Retrieved on 2007-10-09.

On October 4, 2007, Clinton's campaign began airing television advertisements in Iowa and New Hampshire. The advertisement dealt with Clinton's legislative efforts to address the Ground Zero illness issues of clean-up workers at "the Pile" site of the former World Trade Center. The ad, filmed in black-and-white, shows an earnest-looking Clinton wearing a paper mask. The voiceover says, "She stood by Ground Zero workers who sacrificed their health after so many sacrificed their lives, and kept standing 'til the administration took action." The ad referred to Clinton's Congressional effort to secure additional funding and medical care for workers who have suffered Ground Zero illnesses, such as cancer and sarcoidosis.Geoff Earle and Maggie Haberman, "[http://www.nypost.com/seven/10052007/news/nationalnews/hillary_in_9_11_air_strike.htm Hillary in 9/11 Air Strike] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323135102/http://www.nypost.com/seven/10052007/news/nationalnews/hillary_in_9_11_air_strike.htm |date=March 23, 2008 }}," New York Post, October 5, 2007, p. 5.

During the course of the 2007 Democratic debates Clinton had established a reputation, even amongst her ideological opponents such as Rich Lowry, as a very solid debater who never made mistakes.{{cite magazine | url=http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZTY1MGQ2ZmNlODAxMWQwMTdhY2ZjOTNmOGMxZTIxNTQ= | title=Why I'm Not in Post-Debate Focus Groups | first=Rich| last=Lowry| author-link=Rich Lowry | magazine=National Review Online | date=2007-07-24 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116213831/http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZTY1MGQ2ZmNlODAxMWQwMTdhY2ZjOTNmOGMxZTIxNTQ= | archive-date=November 16, 2007 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/31/AR2007103103093.html | title=Clinton Regroups As Rivals Pounce | first1=Anne E. | last1=Kornblut | author1-link=Anne E. Kornblut | first2=Dan | last2=Balz | author2-link=Dan Balz | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=2007-11-01 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-date=May 29, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529002947/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/31/AR2007103103093.html | url-status=live }}

However, at the October 30, 2007, MSNBC Democratic debate at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Clinton was the subject of two hours of near-continuous attacks from her Democratic rivals as well as pointed questioning from moderator Tim Russert.

This was not unexpected, as leading up to the debate, Clinton had assumed a wide lead in many polls, rival Barack Obama had indicated that he was now going to be more aggressive in pointing out differences between himself and Clinton, and another leading rival John Edwards had also been increasing his statements against Clinton.{{cite news | url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/debate-preview-all-eyes-on-obama/ | title=Debate Preview: All Eyes on Obama | first=Adam | last=Nagourney | author-link=Adam Nagourney | newspaper=The New York Times | date=2007-10-30 | access-date=2007-11-01 | archive-date=October 31, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031185642/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/debate-preview-all-eyes-on-obama/ | url-status=live }} Adam Nagourney of The New York Times called it "the most eagerly anticipated forum of this year."

In the debate, Clinton suffered her possible first major campaign setback when she engaged in what reporters for The Washington Post termed "a rare night of fumbles," including statements that Jake Tapper of ABC News termed "obfuscatory and less than forthright,"{{cite news | url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2007/10/hillary-gets-po.html | title=Hillary Gets Poor Grades at Drexel Debate | first=Jake| last=Tapper| author-link=Jake Tapper | work=Political Punch | publisher=ABC News | date=2007-10-31 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102024445/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2007/10/hillary-gets-po.html | archive-date=November 2, 2007 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }} making for what Roger Simon of Politico called "the worst performance of her entire campaign" in which "for two hours she dodged and weaved, parsed and stonewalled."{{cite news | url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6634.html | title=Obama, Edwards attack; Clinton bombs debate | first=Roger | last=Simon | publisher=Politico | date=2007-10-31 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-date=November 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102060304/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6634.html | url-status=live }}

Clinton refused to commit to a position on Social Security, Illegal Immigration, the war in Iraq and the New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's bill to deliver driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. Her response on the last issue brought the most criticism, with opponent Senator Christopher Dodd and Edwards immediately saying she had contradicted herself, an assessment echoed by Margaret Carlson of Bloomberg News, who wrote that "In the course of two minutes, she gave two different answers while trying to give none at all."{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_carlson&sid=aUyd08Mpt5kE | title=Democratic Debate Proves You Can Hit a Girl | first=Margaret | last=Carlson | author-link=Margaret Carlson | publisher=Bloomberg News | date=2007-11-01 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-date=November 6, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106091029/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_carlson&sid=aUyd08Mpt5kE | url-status=live }}

Clinton's own supporters conceded that her performance had not been very good.{{cite news | url=http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-ushill015440941nov01,0,2819307.story | title=Clinton foes pounce on her support of license plan | first=Glenn | last=Thrush | newspaper=Newsday | date=2007-11-01 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-date=November 7, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107094843/http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-ushill015440941nov01,0,2819307.story | url-status=dead }} The following day, however, the Clinton campaign assembled and released a short video entitled "The Politics of Pile On", which showed her debate opponents mentioning her by name over and over.{{cite AV media | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk16oxb4Ck4 | title=The Politics of Pile On | medium=YouTube | publisher=Hillary Clinton campaign | access-date=2007-11-02}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} Furthermore, during a November 1 speech at her alma mater Wellesley College, she said that "In so many ways, this all-women's college prepared me to compete in the all-boys' club of presidential politics."{{cite news | url=http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-ushill1102,0,6959743.story | title=After gaffe, Clinton decries 'all-boys' club' | first=Glenn | last=Thrush | newspaper=Newsday | date=2007-11-01 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-date=November 4, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104133154/http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-ushill1102,0,6959743.story | url-status=dead }} This, combined with comments made by some supporters, including remarks by Clinton campaign manager Mark Penn against moderator Russert, led pundits to believe she was playing the "gender card". This in turn led to another round of criticism of Clinton, who had previously stressed her toughness as being one of her strengths as a potential president; Obama pointed out that he had never complained that attacks on him were due to his being African-American. On November 2, Clinton issued a clarification, stating "I don't think they're picking on me because I'm a woman, I think they're picking on me because I'm winning.".{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/us/politics/02cnd-clinton.html | title=Clinton and Obama Clash Over 'Piling On' Remarks | first=Elisabeth | last=Bumiller | author-link=Elisabeth Bumiller | newspaper=The New York Times | date=2007-11-02 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-date=January 13, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150613/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/us/politics/02cnd-clinton.html | url-status=live }} Meanwhile, the Edwards campaign assembled and released a video of Clinton's contradictory debate remarks entitled "The Politics of Parsing", which Daily Kos termed "devastating".{{cite news | url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/2/12255/5332 | title=The politics of parsing | first=Markos | last=Moulitsas | author-link=Markos Moulitsas | publisher=Daily Kos | date=2007-11-02 | access-date=2007-11-02 | archive-date=January 24, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124152806/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/2/12255/5332 | url-status=live }} A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation national poll in the wake of the debate and its attendant publicity found Clinton with a reduced but still substantial lead over Obama and Edwards,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/05/poll.presidential.08/|title=Poll: While still dominant, Clinton's support slips|publisher=CNN|date=2007-11-05|access-date=2007-11-05|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104151205/http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/05/poll.presidential.08/|url-status=live}} while an NBC/Wall Street Journal national poll found her lead to be unaffected;{{cite news | url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21676399 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124152807/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21676399/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 24, 2016 | title=Clinton holds 20-point lead over rival Dems | work=NBC News | first=Mark | last=Murray |author-link=Mark Murray (journalist) | date=2007-11-07 | access-date=2007-11-11}} a WNBC-TV/Marist poll found her lead slipping in first primary state New Hampshire.{{cite news | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/11/america/NA-POL-US-Poll-2008-New-Hampshire.php | title=Clinton, Romney lead in New Hampshire in latest Marist poll | agency=Associated Press| date=2007-11-11 | access-date=2007-11-11 | archive-date=February 17, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217053138/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/11/america/NA-POL-US-Poll-2008-New-Hampshire.php | url-status=live }}

A week after the debate, Clinton said, "I wasn't at my best the other night. We've had a bunch of debates and I wouldn't rank that up in my very top list,"{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/06/clinton.iowa/index.html | title=Clinton on debate: 'I wasn't my best' | first=Alexander | last=Mooney | publisher=CNN | date=2007-11-06 | access-date=2007-11-07 | archive-date=February 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220170406/http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/06/clinton.iowa/index.html | url-status=live }} but defended her desire to give nuanced responses to questions and reiterated that gender was not an issue in terms of being subjected to political attacks.

On November 12, 2007, the New York Times reported that "At two campaign events in Iowa this year, aides to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton encouraged audience members to ask her specific questions, a tactic that drew criticism from an opponent for the Democratic presidential nomination and led her yesterday to promise that it would not happen again." In response, Clinton remarked, 'It was news to me [...] and neither I nor my campaign approve of that, and it will certainly not be tolerated.'"[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/us/politics/12clinton.html?ex=1352523600&en=5c224a8a4d0e4daa&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss "Clinton Aides Prompted Queries at Campaign Events"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150628/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/us/politics/12clinton.html?ex=1352523600&en=5c224a8a4d0e4daa&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |date=January 13, 2018 }}, The New York Times, November 12, 2007.

At the next Democratic debate at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on November 15, Clinton rebounded to previous form, aggressively combating Obama's and Edwards' attacks.{{cite news | url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311890,00.html | title=Clinton Goes After 'The Boys' In Desefrt Showdown | publisher=Associated Press for Fox News | date=2007-11-16 | access-date=2007-11-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116215506/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311890,00.html | archive-date=November 16, 2007 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }} Democratic strategist Garry South said, "To the degree she might have been stumbling in the last debate, she regained her footing tonight," while ABC News said, "After her roughest two weeks on the presidential campaign trail, [Clinton] showed up on a debate stage in Las Vegas ... with a new aggressive game plan and appeared to successfully get her campaign ship back on course."{{cite news | title=Targeting Rivals, Clinton Gets Back on Track | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3873230 | first=David | last=Chalian | work=ABC News | date=2007-11-15 | access-date=2007-11-16 | archive-date=June 13, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613012801/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3873230 | url-status=live }} Her answer to the previously troublesome question of supporting driver's licenses for illegal immigrants was now given in one word: "No."

{{Wikinews|Hostage taker surrenders peacefully at Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire campaign office}}

On November 30, 2007, a man identified as 47-year-old Leeland Eisenberg,{{cite news|url=http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_334132330.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071213000637/http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_334132330.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-12-13 |title=Clinton Office Hostage Situation Ends Peacefully |publisher=WBZ-TV |date=2007-11-30 |access-date=2007-11-30 }} armed with road flares strapped to his chest which he claimed were a bomb, entered a Clinton presidential campaign office in Rochester, New Hampshire.{{cite news | url=http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14737959/detail.html | title=Hostages Held By Armed Man at Clinton Office | publisher=WCVB-TV | date=2007-11-30 | access-date=2007-11-30 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201155503/http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14737959/detail.html | archive-date=December 1, 2007 | df=mdy-all }} He took hostage the six people in it, and requested to speak to Clinton, believing she could assist him in gaining psychiatric help.{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/03/clinton.office/index.html | title=Clinton hostage suspect charged with 6 felony counts | publisher=CNN| date=2007-11-30 | access-date=2007-12-03 | archive-date=April 12, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412232133/http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/03/clinton.office/index.html | url-status=live }} Two hostages were released early on, a woman and her infant. Two subsequent hostages were released by Eisenberg during the first 90 minutes of the crisis and the final two Clinton staffers managed to escape the building on their own accord after more than five hours of being held against their will. The standoff ended with Eisenberg's surrender about six hours after the incident began.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22043358|title=Hostages standoff ends at Clinton N.H. office|agency=Associated Press|date=November 30, 2007|access-date=2007-11-30|archive-date=August 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815174834/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22043358|url-status=live}}

At the time of the event, Clinton was in the Washington D.C. area, scheduled to speak at a Democratic National Committee meeting in Vienna, Virginia; she canceled her appearances at public events for the remainder of the day.{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iyFzZ-0fXmPDB4so7Bc_ledKfdIQD8T895R01 |title=Man Takes Hostages at Clinton Office |agency=Associated Press |first=Beverley |last=Wang |date=November 30, 2007 |access-date=2007-11-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203082301/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iyFzZ-0fXmPDB4so7Bc_ledKfdIQD8T895R01 |archive-date=December 3, 2007 }} That evening she flew to Rochester in order to meet with and comfort the hostages,{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/clinton_rushes_to_comfort_sieg.html|title=Clinton rushes to comfort sieged campaign workers|first=Jill|last=Zuckman|date=2007-11-30|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|access-date=2007-12-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202124512/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/clinton_rushes_to_comfort_sieg.html|archive-date=December 2, 2007|df=mdy-all}}and praised the law enforcement officials who handled the situation, and vow not to change her campaign style due to the incident.{{cite news|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5isUjR2dH6vcFiMwdZFJu6HYZ-Oeg|title=Clinton vows no let up in campaign after hostage-taking|publisher=Agence France-Presse|date=2007-12-01|access-date=2007-12-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202212640/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5isUjR2dH6vcFiMwdZFJu6HYZ-Oeg|archive-date=December 2, 2007|df=mdy-all}}

By early December 2007, the race between her and Obama had tightened up, especially in the early caucus and primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.{{cite news|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/09/506446.aspx |title=Clinton shouldn't worry just about IA |publisher=MSNBC |date=2007-12-09 |access-date=2007-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210120356/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/09/506446.aspx |archive-date=December 10, 2007 |df=mdy-all }} With real voting less than a month away, Clinton brought into Iowa her daughter Chelsea and a very rare campaign appearance from her 88-year-old mother Dorothy Rodham.{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2007/12/08/2007-12-08_chelsea_clinton_and_hillarys_mom_join_th.html | title=Chelsea Clinton and Hillary's mom join the campaign in Iowa | first=Michael | last=McAuliff | date=2007-12-09 | access-date=2007-12-09 | location=New York | work=New York Daily News | archive-date=June 29, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629172527/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2007/12/08/2007-12-08_chelsea_clinton_and_hillarys_mom_join_th.html | url-status=dead }} Veteran political observers such as Bloomberg News' Al Hunt reported that "things are tense in Hillaryland these days,"{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=anRcoLyfN0VM | title=Tension in Hillaryland Grows as Plan Goes Awry | first=Al | last=Hunt | author-link=Al Hunt | publisher=Bloomberg News | date=2007-12-10 | access-date=2007-12-10 | archive-date=October 1, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001222725/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=anRcoLyfN0VM | url-status=live }} that the camps of Clinton and her husband were at odds, and that the campaign's "plan A" of being the dominating, inevitable, establishment candidate was at risk of failing.

On December 13, 2007, Bill Shaheen, co-chairman of the Clinton campaign in New Hampshire, resigned his position after saying that Obama's admission of past drug use would hurt his chances in a general election matchup: "The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight ... and one of the things they're certainly going to jump on is his drug use ... It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?' There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome."{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/12/13/clinton_apologizes_to_obama_fo_1.html?hpid=topnews |title=Clinton N.H. Official Resigns After Comments on Obama |first=Alec |last=MacGillis |date=2007-12-13 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2007-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523115846/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/12/13/clinton_apologizes_to_obama_fo_1.html?hpid=topnews |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} Shaheen, husband of former Governor of New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen, apologized for his comments. In addition he indicated that "they were not authorized by the campaign in any way."{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/12/13/in_tame_democratic_debate_resp.html |title=In Tame Democratic Debate, Respite From Political Wars |first1=Dan |last1=Balz |author1-link=Dan Balz |first2=Anne E. |last2=Kornblut |author2-link=Anne E. Kornblut |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2007-12-13 |access-date=2007-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523115609/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/12/13/in_tame_democratic_debate_resp.html |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} The final Democratic debate before the caucuses was held the same day by the Des Moines Register; it was peaceful and polite among all candidates there.

The two most influential newspaper endorsements for the early states were split: Clinton gain the endorsement of The Des Moines Register,{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSN1535686420071216?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 | title=Clinton and McCain win big newspaper endorsements | work=Reuters| date=2007-12-16 | access-date=2007-12-16 | archive-date=January 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125212508/https://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSN1535686420071216?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 | url-status=live }} which had endorsed Edwards in 2004, while Obama gained the endorsement of the circulated-in-New Hampshire Boston Globe. Bill Clinton assumed a more central role in his wife's campaign, trying to focus the day-to-day message on her being a "change" agent, while sometimes getting her campaign into further difficulties with his public statements.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/17/us/politics/17bill.html | title=In '08 Race, the Other Clinton Steps Up Publicly | first=Patrick | last=Healy | newspaper=The New York Times | date=2007-12-17 | access-date=2007-12-17 | archive-date=January 13, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150519/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/17/us/politics/17bill.html | url-status=live }}

By mid-month, prompted by continued high negative ratings in polls, Clinton staged an explicit "likability" drive, using testimonials from friends and constituents on the campaign trail{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-16-clinton-likability_N.htm | title=New Clinton campaign out to show her likability | first=Jill | last=Lawrence | newspaper=USA Today | date=2007-12-16 | access-date=2007-12-19 | archive-date=March 17, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317191841/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-16-clinton-likability_N.htm | url-status=live }} and on a new "The Hillary I Know" website.{{cite web | url=http://www.thehillaryiknow.com/ | title=The Hillary I Know | publisher=Hillary Clinton for President | access-date=2007-12-19 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218183733/http://thehillaryiknow.com/ | archive-date=December 18, 2007 | df=mdy-all }} When the close proximity of the first contests to the holidays led to many candidates putting out Christmas videos – allowing them to keep presenting their message but in a more appropriate setting{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/politics-now-wrapped-in-holiday-cheer/ | title=Politics, Now Wrapped in Holiday Cheer | first=Brian | last=Montopoli | work=CBS News | date=2007-12-21 | access-date=2007-12-26 | archive-date=December 29, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229064258/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/20/politics/main3636407.shtml | url-status=live }} — Clinton chose one that showed her wrapping various "gifts" she would give the country, such as "universal health care" and "bring troops home", with a bit of humor added when she momentarily could not locate "universal pre-K". It was one of the most issue-oriented of the candidate holiday videos.

In the initial delegate selection event of 2008, she placed third with 29.45 percent of the state delegate selections in the January 3, Iowa Democratic caucus to Obama's 37.58 percent and Edwards' 29.75 percent.{{cite web|url=http://www.iowacaucusresults.com/|title=Iowa Democratic Party Caucus Results|access-date=January 23, 2008|archive-date=December 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229055041/http://www.iowacaucusresults.com/|url-status=live}} In terms of the actual number of delegates that would later be selected to the national convention, the difference between the top three candidates was minor, with Clinton possibly ahead of Edwards.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#IA|title=Election Center 2008: Primaries and Caucuses: Iowa|publisher=CNN|date=January 4, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2008|archive-date=May 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507001932/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#IA|url-status=live}} Nevertheless, in terms of damaging her image as the "inevitable" leader in the race and in giving Obama considerable momentum, this was a major blow to Clinton's campaign. She remained upbeat in her remarks that night, saying that "This race begins tonight and ends when Democrats throughout America have their say. Our campaign was built for a marathon, and we have the resources to run a national race in the weeks ahead."{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7695.html|title=Obama and Huckabee win big in Iowa|work=Politico|first=Bill|last=Nichols|date=January 3, 2008|access-date=January 3, 2008|archive-date=January 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104191003/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7695.html|url-status=live}} The following day, reports described "panic" among some Clinton donors;{{cite magazine|first=Karen|last=Tumulty|url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1700705,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106233924/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1700705,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2008|title=Clinton Machine Shaken By Setback|magazine=Time|date=January 5, 2008|access-date=January 5, 2008}} some Clinton supporters began questioning the soundness of her strategy and the ability of her top campaign advisors,{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/04/AR2008010404002.html |title=Clinton's Supporters Question Her Strategy |first1=Anne E. |last1=Kornblut |first2=Jonathan |last2=Weisman |first3=Paul |last3=Kane |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 5, 2008 |access-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-date=January 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115223656/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/04/AR2008010404002.html |url-status=live }} with chief strategist Mark Penn the focus of particular criticism.

File:Clinton New Hampshire Victory.jpg

Polling showed a tight race in the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary. While some polls showed a dead heat between Clinton and Obama, January 6 polls conducted by CNN/WMUR-TV and USA Today/Gallup showed Obama jumping ahead by 10 and 13 points respectively after winning Iowa.[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/06/poll-obama-jumps-ahead-of-clinton-in-new-hampshire/ Poll: Obama jumps ahead of Clinton in New Hampshire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305092314/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/06/poll-obama-jumps-ahead-of-clinton-in-new-hampshire/ |date=March 5, 2009 }} CNNPolitics.comm, January 6, 2008[https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-06-poll-newhampshire_N.htm Poll: Obama, McCain lead ahead in N.H.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115101236/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-06-poll-newhampshire_N.htm |date=January 15, 2012 }} USA Today, January 6, 2008 All of the candidates campaigned in New Hampshire during the four days after the Iowa caucuses, targeting undecided and independent voters in the state.Scott Helman and Michael Levenson, [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/06/clock_ticking_in_nh_candidates_target_undecided/?page=2 Clock ticking in N.H., candidates target undecided] Boston Globe, January 6, 2008

At the ABC News/WMUR-TV Democratic debate in Manchester on January 5, Clinton, Obama, and Edwards all battled over who best exemplified the buzzword of the campaign, "change",{{cite news|url=http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/NEWS08/501981878/-1/news08|title=Change is hot topic at feisty Democratic debate|first=Kevin|last=Landrigan|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=January 6, 2008|access-date=January 6, 2008|archive-date=January 9, 2008|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080109193549/http%3A//www%2Enashuatelegraph%2Ecom/apps/pbcs%2Edll/article?AID%3D/20080106/NEWS08/501981878/%2D1/news08|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/01/edwards-he-obam.html |title=Edwards: He & Obama share a 'conviction alliance' |work=USA Today |date=January 6, 2008 |first1=Mark |last1=Memmott |first2=Jill |last2=Lawrence |access-date=January 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117032103/http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/01/edwards-he-obam.html |archive-date=January 17, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} with Obama and Edwards teaming up against Clinton.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/us/politics/06dems.html|title=At Debate, Two Rivals Go After Defiant Clinton|first1=Patrick|last1=Healy|first2=Jeff|last2=Zelaney|work=The New York Times|date=January 6, 2008|access-date=January 7, 2008|archive-date=December 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209224810/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/us/politics/06dems.html|url-status=live}} In one noted exchange, Edwards said that Clinton could not bring change, while he and Obama can. "Any time you speak out powerfully for change, the forces for status quo attack." He made clear that he was referring to Clinton, adding, "I didn't hear these kind of attacks from Senator Clinton while she was ahead. Now that she's not we hear them." Clinton passionately retorted: "Making change is not about what you believe; it's not about a speech you make. It's about working hard. I'm not just running on a promise for change. I'm running on 35 years of change. What we need is somebody who can deliver change. We don't need to be raising false hopes." At another point, when one moderator asked Clinton why polls showed she was less "likeable" than other candidates, particularly Obama, she joked tongue-in-cheek, "Well that hurts my feelings ... but I'll try to go on."

In the wake of the Iowa defeat, the campaign hoped that Bill Clinton could help salvage a win in New Hampshire, where he had achieved a political comeback in his 1992 presidential campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/07/us/politics/07bill.html|title=In New Hampshire, Bill Clinton Finds Less Spark|first=Mark|last=Leibovich|work=The New York Times|date=January 7, 2008|access-date=January 7, 2008|archive-date=December 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209224732/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/07/us/politics/07bill.html|url-status=live}} As he had in Iowa, the former president campaigned intensively, but his New Hampshire appearances failed to draw large or enthusiastic crowds. On the day before the primary, press reports indicated that Hillary Clinton advisers were pessimistic about the immediate future, thinking it was unlikely she would be able to win either New Hampshire or South Carolina.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003692273|title=Pundits Judge Obama 'Phenomenon' and Growing Lead|magazine=Editor & Publisher|date=January 6, 2008|access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222161347/http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003692273 |archive-date=2008-02-22}}

That same morning, Clinton became "visibly emotional"{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/07/clinton.emotional/index.html#cnnSTCText|title=Clinton chokes up, is applauded, at campaign stop|publisher=CNN|date=January 7, 2008|access-date=January 7, 2008|archive-date=January 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109082132/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/07/clinton.emotional/index.html#cnnSTCText|url-status=live}} at a stop in Portsmouth, when after a friendly question from a voter about how she kept going on the campaign trail, she said, "It's not easy, and I couldn't do it if I just didn't, you know, passionately believe it was the right thing to do."

On election day, January 8, 2008, seven different polls led to a win for Obama, by margins from 5 points to 13 points, with an average of 8.3 points.{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/nh/new_hampshire_democratic_primary-194.html|title=New Hampshire Democratic Primary|publisher=RealClearPolitics|date=January 8, 2008|access-date=January 9, 2008|archive-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306051727/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/nh/new_hampshire_democratic_primary-194.html|url-status=live}} Elegies were published on the Clinton campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/07/AR2008010702263.html|title=A Candidacy's Prose and Cons|first=E. J. Jr.|last=Dionne|author-link=E. J. Dionne Jr.|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 8, 2008|access-date=January 9, 2008|archive-date=November 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107053344/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/07/AR2008010702263.html|url-status=live}} Weather was good and voter turnout was reported as heavy all day long, with election officials worried they might run out of ballots;{{cite news|url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/01/huge-turnout-re.html|title=Huge turnout reported in N.H. presidential primaries|work=USA Today|date=January 8, 2008|access-date=January 9, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803171132/http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/01/huge-turnout-re.html |archive-date=2009-08-03}} the large turnout was expected to favor Obama. During the day and into the evening there were reports of a major shakeup in Clinton's campaign staff scheduled for the next day, in the wake of an expected loss.{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/08/a_clinton_campaign_shakeup.html |title=A Clinton Campaign Shakeup? |first=Anne E. |last=Kornblut |author-link=Anne E. Kornblut |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 8, 2008 |access-date=January 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523160441/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/08/a_clinton_campaign_shakeup.html |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}

In contrast to expectations, Clinton won New HampshireAlan Fram, [http://www.newsweek.com/id/89032 Late NH polls missed Clinton upswing] Newsweek.com, January 9, 2008 gaining about 39 percent of the vote compared to Obama's 36 percent.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/08/nh.main/index.html|title=Clinton and McCain the comeback kids|publisher=CNN|date=January 8, 2008|access-date=January 8, 2008|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912000610/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/08/nh.main/index.html|url-status=live}} In her victory remarks to supporters that evening, Clinton said, "I come tonight with a full heart. Over the last week, I listened to you, and in the process I found my own voice."{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4103339&page=1|title=Clinton Wins in N.H.: I 'Found My Voice'|first=Jennifer|last=Parker|work=ABC News|date=January 9, 2008|access-date=January 12, 2008|archive-date=January 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112083017/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4103339&page=1|url-status=live}} Clinton's win was the first time a woman had ever won a major American party's presidential primary for the purposes of delegate selection.{{cite web|url=http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/fast_facts/elections/preswatch_clinton.php |title=Fast Facts - Elections - Election Watch| Center for American Women and Politics |access-date=2015-05-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430130147/http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/fast_facts/elections/preswatch_clinton.php |archive-date=April 30, 2009 |df=mdy-all }} (Shirley Chisholm's prior "win" in New Jersey in 1972 was in a no-delegate-awarding, presidential preference ballot that the major candidates were not listed in and that the only other candidate who was listed had already withdrawn from; the actual delegate selection vote went to George McGovern.{{cite news | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/06/07/83446893.pdf | title=Dakotan Beats Humphrey By a Big Margin in Jersey | first=Ronald | last=Sullivan | newspaper=The New York Times | date=June 7, 1972 | page=1 | access-date=June 15, 2018 | archive-date=November 9, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109011016/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/06/07/83446893.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19720515&id=UmlPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7133,1487123 | title=Sanford Is Withdrawing From N.J. | agency=Associated Press| newspaper=The Times-News | location=Hendersonville, North Carolina | date=May 13, 1972 | page=12 | access-date=October 22, 2020 | archive-date=October 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010021753/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19720515&id=UmlPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7133%2C1487123 | url-status=live }})

The day after her win New Hampshire, Chris Matthews appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe said of Clinton: "I'll be brutal, the reason she's a U.S. senator, the reason she's a candidate for president, the reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around. That's how she got to be senator from New York. We keep forgetting it. She didn't win there on her merit."{{cite web |author=SteveK |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/msnbc/matthews_credits_hillarys_success_to_fact_that_bill_messed_around_74705.asp |title=Matthews Credits Hillary's Success to Fact That Bill "Messed Around" - TVNewser |publisher=Mediabistro.com |date=2008-01-10 |access-date=2011-04-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725064651/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/msnbc/matthews_credits_hillarys_success_to_fact_that_bill_messed_around_74705.asp |archive-date=July 25, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Calderone |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7961.html |title=Chris Matthews sorry for 'sexist' comments |work=Politico |date=January 17, 2008 |access-date=2011-04-05 |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509164240/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7961.html |url-status=live }} The comments were criticized as unfair and harsh by diverse media figures as Bill O'Reilly, Joy BeharABC: The View, January 10, 2008. and Gloria Steinem,{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/17/AR2008011702828.html |title=Chris Matthews Backs Off 'Nasty' Remark on Clinton |work=The Washington Post |date=2008-01-18 |access-date=2011-04-05 |first=Howard |last=Kurtz |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930151104/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/17/AR2008011702828.html |url-status=live }} and led to protests outside NBC's Washington, D.C. studios, as well as a joint letter of complaint to NBC from the National Organization for Women, Feminist Majority and the National Women's Political Caucus. Matthews apologized for the comments on the January 17, 2008 edition of his own MSNBC program, Hardball.

In the following days, media outlets engaged in self-examinatory listing of the many faults of their coverage,{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7822.html|title=Why reporters get it wrong|first1=John F. |last1=Harris |first2=Jim |last2=VandeHei |work=Politico|date=January 9, 2008|access-date=January 11, 2008}} while pundits advanced dozens of theories to explain the unexpected result.{{cite magazine|url=http://thepage.time.com/theories-to-explain-clintons-nh-polling-behind-obama/|title=How the world will explain Clinton's win despite final polling showing her way behind Obama|first=Mark|last=Halperin|author-link=Mark Halperin|magazine=Time|date=January 9, 2008|access-date=January 12, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111122331/http://thepage.time.com/theories-to-explain-clintons-nh-polling-behind-obama/|archive-date=January 11, 2008}} The reason for the comeback that most captured the public imagination was her humanization in the last days of the campaign, in particular the "likeability" issue being raised in the debate and her moment becoming became "visibly emotional" the day before which resonated with female voters.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-newhamp10jan10,1,3225221.story |title=Clinton had voters' sympathy – and a message they liked |first1=Cathleen |last1=Decker |first2=Mark Z. |last2=Barabak |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 10, 2008 |access-date=January 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111130703/http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-newhamp10jan10%2C1%2C3225221.story |archive-date=January 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Meanwhile, Internet theories sprung questioning the voting and arguing that there were discrepancies between machine-counted votes (which supported Clinton overall) and hand-counted votes (which supported Obama overall).{{cite web|url=http://www.electiondefensealliance.org/new_hampshire_2008_primary_analysis|title=UPDATED New Hampshire 2008 Primary Analysis|publisher=Election Defense Alliance|date=January 15, 2008|access-date=January 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116083757/http://www.electiondefensealliance.org/new_hampshire_2008_primary_analysis|archive-date=January 16, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Fifth-place finisher Dennis Kucinich's campaign paid $25,000 to have a recount done of all Democratic ballots cast in the primary,{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/01/16/kucinich_pays_25000_for_nh_recount/6673/ |title=Kucinich pays $25,000 for N.H. recount |publisher=United Press International |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=January 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121004708/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/01/16/kucinich_pays_25000_for_nh_recount/6673/ |archive-date=January 21, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} saying "It is imperative that these questions be addressed in the interest of public confidence in the integrity of the election process and the election machinery."{{cite press release|url=http://www.dennis4president.com/go/homepage-items/kucinich-asks-for-new-hampshire-recount-in-the-interest-of-election-integrity/ |title=Kucinich asks for New Hampshire recount in the interest of election integrity |publisher=Kucinich for President 2008 |access-date=January 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116210249/http://www.dennis4president.com/go/homepage-items/kucinich-asks-for-new-hampshire-recount-in-the-interest-of-election-integrity/ |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} On January 16 the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office began the recount. After recounting 23 percent of the state's Democratic primary votes, the Secretary of State announced that no significant difference was found in any candidate's total, and that the oft-discussed discrepancy between hand-counted and machine-counted ballots was solely due to demographic factors.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/24/democratic_recount_shows_little_change_in_nh_vote_tally/|title=Democratic recount shows little change in N.H. vote tally|work=The Boston Globe|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=January 28, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007210951/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/24/democratic_recount_shows_little_change_in_nh_vote_tally/ |archive-date=2013-10-07}}

American poet, author, and actress, Maya Angelou recited her poem, "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993, the first poet to do so since Robert Frost at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961.{{cite news|last=Manegold|first=Catherine S.|title=An afternoon with Maya Angelou; A wordsmith at her inaugural anvil|work=The New York Times|date=January 20, 1993|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/20/style/an-afternoon-with-maya-angelou-a-wordsmith-at-her-inaugural-anvil.html|access-date=October 2, 2007|archive-date=April 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424070708/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE5D81E30F933A15752C0A965958260&n=Top/Reference/Times|url-status=live}} In January 2008, Angelou announced that she wrote a poem for Hillary entitled State Package for Hillary Clinton for The Observer.{{cite news|last=Thorpe|first=Vanessa|title=Maya Angelou's poem in praise of Hillary|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=January 20, 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jan/20/usa.poetry|access-date=February 13, 2008}} On the subject of writing the poem, The Guardian stated that, "Angelou is steadfast in her loyalty to Clinton. She said recently: 'I made up my mind 15 years ago that if she ever ran for office I'd be on her wagon' [...] Angelou says that she has had many long telephone conversations with [Oprah] Winfrey on the subject of Obama versus Clinton. 'She thinks he's the best, and I think my woman is the best,' she has explained. 'Oprah is a daughter to me, but she is not my clone.'" On April 30, 2008, Angelou made a public endorsement of Clinton.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/30/new-clinton-ad-stars-maya-angelou/|title=Maya Angelou: Clinton Testimonial|publisher=Politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com|date=April 30, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=January 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107203214/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/30/new-clinton-ad-stars-maya-angelou/|url-status=dead}}

Issues of race came to the forefront as campaigning began for the January 26 South Carolina primary, the first to feature large African American participation in the Democratic electorate. First, in the closing stages of the New Hampshire campaign, Bill Clinton had referred to Obama's claim that he has been a staunch opponent of the Iraq War from the beginning as a "fairy tale," which some subsequently thought was a characterization of Obama's entire campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/13/clinton.obama/|title=Clinton: Obama camp is 'distorting' her remarks|first=Josh|last=Levs|author-link=Josh Levs|publisher=CNN|date=January 13, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2008|archive-date=January 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116143749/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/13/clinton.obama/|url-status=live}} The former president called into Al Sharpton's radio show to personally clarify that he respected Obama and believed in his viability.

Around the same time, Hillary Clinton discussed Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lyndon Johnson in an interview for Fox News. She stated that, "I would point to the fact that that Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when he was able to get through Congress something that President Kennedy was hopeful to do, the President before had not even tried, but it took a president to get it done. That dream became a reality, the power of that dream became a real in people's lives because we had a president who said we are going to do it, and actually got it accomplished."{{cite web |url=http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/01/07/clinton-talks-tears-with-fox-news/ |title=Clinton Talks Tears with Fox News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104002719/http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/01/07/clinton-talks-tears-with-fox-news/ |archive-date=2009-01-04}} Some African-American leaders took this statement as a denigration of the accomplishments of King and the larger Civil Rights Movement. Hillary Clinton blamed Obama for the controversy, claiming his campaign had fanned the flames, a charge which Obama dismissed as "ludicrous". Shortly before, and during, a January 15 Democratic debate in Nevada, Clinton and Obama declared a truce on the matter, with both making reconciliatory statements about race, gender, and each other.{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e706e626-c49e-11dc-a474-0000779fd2ac.html|title='Truce' has little impact on black vote|first=Edward|last=Luce|work=Financial Times|date=January 17, 2008|access-date=January 18, 2008|archive-date=September 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919024729/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e706e626-c49e-11dc-a474-0000779fd2ac.html|url-status=live}} However, there was concern that Clinton's support among some African Americans may have been damaged, with SUNY Albany's Debra Dickerson stating "The Clintons have to do something dramatic and symbolic to win back the trust of many African-Americans."

In part the tension resulted from the historical coincidence of the first viable female presidential candidate, and the first viable African American candidate, running against each other in the same nomination race.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/weekinreview/13leibovich.html|title=Rights vs. Rights: An Improbable Collision Course|first=Mark|last=Leibovich|work=The New York Times|date=January 13, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2008|archive-date=December 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211111335/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/weekinreview/13leibovich.html|url-status=live}} One South Carolina pastor lamented that he had been waiting all his life for either "first" to happen, and said, "I really hate that they had to run at the same time in the same election. It just makes what should be a wonderful situation very stressful for folk like me. I never imagined you could have too much of a good thing."{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/91795|title=Letting Hillary Be Hillary|first=Jon|last=Meacham|author-link=Jon Meacham|work=Newsweek|date=January 21, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2008|archive-date=January 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114113551/http://www.newsweek.com/id/91795|url-status=live}} Clinton acknowledged that she understood the situation: "I wish it didn't have to be a choice. I think a lot of people who are torn between us feel that way. But it is a contest ..." Feminism and the civil rights movement had a long intertwined history in the United States, often working in concert but sometimes opposed; while the bitter 19th century split between Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass illustrated the latter, the unified opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas had exemplified the former. After the Clinton-Obama tension on this matter, one Democrat interviewed by the Financial Times said, "After Iowa, Obama was the post-racial candidate who appealed to all of our better natures. Now he's a black politician and she's a woman. And it is back to politics as usual."

Because of a party dispute over scheduling, the January 15 Michigan primary lost its delegates to the national convention, and all major candidates signed a pledge "not to campaign or participate" in Michigan's primary. The majority of candidates, including Richardson, Edwards and Obama, interpreted the pledge as requiring the removal of their names from the Michigan ballot. Clinton, however, decided to keep her name on the ballot, only agreeing to the "campaign" part of the pledge. Thus, little or no campaigning was done there (in the actual vote, Clinton would win nothing with 55 percent of the vote against 40 percent for an uncommitted slate{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#MI|title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for Michigan|publisher=CNN|date=January 16, 2008|access-date=January 16, 2008|archive-date=May 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507001932/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#MI|url-status=live}}) and attention instead moved to the January 19 Nevada caucuses.

Later, in the month, Clinton announced that she wanted a Michigan delegation (and Florida's, in the same circumstance) seated at the convention,{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2008/clinton-wants-florida-and-michigan-delegates-seated-convention |title=Clinton Wants Florida and Michigan Delegates Seated at Convention |first=Katherine |last=Jose |work=The New York Observer |date=January 25, 2008 |access-date=January 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128063555/http://www.observer.com/2008/clinton-wants-florida-and-michigan-delegates-seated-convention |archive-date=January 28, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} saying "I hear all the time from people in Florida and Michigan that they want their voices heard in selecting the Democratic nominee. I believe our nominee will need the enthusiastic support of Democrats in these states to win the general election, and so I will ask my Democratic convention delegates to support seating the delegations from Florida and Michigan." This seemed to contradict her previous statement on NH public radio where she said, "Well, you know, it's clear, this election they're having is not going to count for anything."[https://archive.today/20071218112422/http://www.nhpr.org/node/13858 New York Senator and Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton|New Hampshire Public Radio] The Obama campaign responded that it was clear these contests were for no delegates and that "it seems like Hillary Clinton will do or say anything to win an election."

The Clinton campaign benefited from a surge in fundraising after its New Hampshire win, garnering $6 million in new funds.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gopmoney13jan13,1,7362218.story|title=Belt-tightening times for GOP campaigns|first=Janet|last=Hook|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 13, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014104045/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/13/nation/na-gopmoney13 |archive-date=2009-10-14}} Robby Mook served as Clinton's state director in Nevada.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/us/politics/virginia-campaign-could-lift-strategist-to-stardom.html?pagewanted=all | work=The New York Times| first=Albert R. | last=Hunt | title=Virginia Campaign Could Lift Strategist to Stardom | date=July 14, 2013 | access-date=February 16, 2017 | archive-date=February 13, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213135401/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/us/politics/virginia-campaign-could-lift-strategist-to-stardom.html?pagewanted=all | url-status=live }}

In Nevada, Obama gained the valuable endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union, whose 60,000 members staff the casinos and resorts of Las Vegas and elsewhere.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/us/politics/13vegas.html|title=Lawsuit Over Precincts in Nevada|first=Steve|last=Friess|work=The New York Times|date=January 13, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2008|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614043920/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/us/politics/13vegas.html|url-status=live}} Clinton countered by appealing to the Hispanic vote in the state, emphasizing that they were at special risk from the fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-dems_jan13,0,6538694.story|title=Clinton makes push for Hispanics' support in Nevada|first=Michael|last=Martinez|work=Chicago Tribune|date=January 13, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Meanwhile, a proxy legal battle between Clinton and Obama broke out over the creation of special at-large precincts within nine Las Vegas resorts, which were approved in 2007 to allow casino employees a chance to participate in the caucuses, as many employees could not leave the casinos during voting hours. Clinton supporters said they violated equal protection and one-person-one-vote requirements, and the Nevada State Education Association filed a lawsuit seeking to eliminate the casino caucus sites. The organization did not officially endorse Clinton, but many of its top officials have done so. This led Obama to allege that the suit was filed in order to hurt his chances at the caucuses. "Some of the people who set up the rules apparently didn't think we'd be as competitive as we were and are trying to change them last minute," he said.

On January 17, a federal judge ruled that the casino at-large caucus plan could go ahead. This was seen as a win for Obama because of the Culinary Workers Union endorsement.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/17/casino.caucuses/|title=Judge allows casino caucuses to proceed|publisher=CNN|date=January 17, 2008|access-date=January 17, 2008|archive-date=January 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120192903/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/17/casino.caucuses/|url-status=live}}

To further complicate matters, the major news and polling organizations decided to not do any polls before the Nevada caucuses, fearing the newness of the caucus, the transient nature of Nevada's population, and more fallout from their bad experience in New Hampshire.{{cite news|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jan/11/pollsters-have-plan-nevada-skip-it/|title=Pollsters have a plan for Nevada: Skip it|first1=Brian|last1=Eckhouse|first2=Michael|last2=Mishak|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=January 11, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2008|archive-date=January 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113041603/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jan/11/pollsters-have-plan-nevada-skip-it/|url-status=live}} In one of the few polls that was conducted, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Clinton was ahead by 9 points.{{cite news|url=http://www.lvrj.com/breaking_news/13871382.html|title=Romney, Clinton Lead in R-J Poll|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=January 17, 2008|access-date=January 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119105732/http://www.lvrj.com/breaking_news/13871382.html |archive-date=January 19, 2008}}

Clinton finished first in the caucuses on January 19, winning 51% of delegates to the state convention compared to 45% for Obama.[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22739349 Clinton, Romney win in Nevada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808081901/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22739349 |date=August 8, 2024 }} NBC News, January 19, 2008 After the caucuses, there was dispute over which candidate would send more delegates to the national convention. It appeared that Obama won 13 to Clinton's 12, because the apportionment of delegates is based on county totals. Delegates to the national convention will be determined officially at the April 19 state convention,[http://cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002657958 Clinton Cashes In Nevada Win With High Roll in Vegas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120201807/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002657958 |date=January 20, 2008 }} CQ Politics, January 19, 2008 and the Nevada Democratic Party said that it was not necessarily true that state delegate preferences would remain the same by that time.[http://www.rgj.com/blogs/inside-nevada-politics/2008/01/clinton-campaign-says-obama-is-wrong.html Clinton campaign says Obama is wrong] Reno Gazette Journal, January 19, 2008.

On January 23, the Obama campaign filed an official letter of complaint with the Nevada Democratic Party charging the Clinton campaign with many violations of party rules during the caucuses, based upon 1,600 complaints they had received.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uslatest/story/0,,-7250890,00.html |first=Jim |last=Kuhnhenn |title=Obama Camp Complains to Nevada Dems |work=The Guardian |location=London |agency=Associated Press |date=January 23, 2008 |access-date=January 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130142425/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0%2C%2C-7250890%2C00.html |archive-date=January 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The Clinton camp said the Obama operation was "grasping at straws" and that they had their own complaints about Obama campaign actions during the caucuses.

The issues of race that came to the forefront had no greater effect than where campaigning began for the January 26 South Carolina primary, the first to feature large African American participation in the Democratic electorate. The January 22 CNN/Congressional Black Caucus debate in Myrtle Beach was according to CNN a "debate punctuated by sharp exchanges."[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/22/sc.debate.anlysis/ Sparks fly in most contentious debate to date] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007012010/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/22/sc.debate.anlysis/ |date=October 7, 2012 }} CNN.com, January 22, 2008 Clinton criticized Obama for voting "present" on many occasions while in the Illinois Senate. "It's hard to have a straight up debate with you because you never take responsibility for any vote," she said. Obama said that he was working to help unemployed workers in Chicago while Clinton was "a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart."[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iySWjciIrjB8hbu450lIABfnYcjwD8UAM6V82 Clinton, Obama Engage in Bitter Debate] Associated Press, January 22, 2008 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He also took issue with statements made on the campaign trail by Bill Clinton, saying "I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes."[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hv2KcsUaRi-qaHaiXv1EKOsHIGkQD8UAMMB80 Quotes From Monday's Democratic Debate] Associated Press, January 22, 2008 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} It was the most-watched primary season debate in cable television news history.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/22/cnncbc-debate-breaks-ratings-record/|title=CNN/CBC debate breaks ratings record|publisher=CNN|date=January 22, 2008|access-date=January 23, 2008|archive-date=January 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124163707/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/22/cnncbc-debate-breaks-ratings-record/|url-status=dead}} In the days after the debate, Hillary Clinton left to campaign in some Super Duper Tuesday states,{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/hillary-clinton-bill-clinton-south-carolina|title=Hillary Clinton Bill Clinton South Carolina|work=HuffPost|date=May 25, 2011|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=October 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023144142/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/hillary-clinton-bill-clinton-south-carolina|url-status=live}} while Bill Clinton stayed in South Carolina and engaged in a series of exchanges with Obama.{{cite web |url=http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/report_hillary_largely_skipping_south_carolina_leaving_the_state_to_bill.php |title=Report: Hillary Largely Skipping South Carolina, Leaving The State To Bill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123053326/http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/report_hillary_largely_skipping_south_carolina_leaving_the_state_to_bill.php |archive-date=2008-01-23 |first=Greg |last=Sargent |date=January 21, 2008}} Clinton's decision to leave the state was subject to criticism.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-24-sc-bill-clinton_N.htm|title=Bill Clinton Says Race, Gender to Decide S.C. vote|work=USA Today|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=October 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021055927/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-24-sc-bill-clinton_N.htm|url-status=live}} Hillary aides responded by stating that criticism directed towards Clinton was created in order to "undermine the former president".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/26/AR2008012601018.html?hpid=topnews|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Obama Is Big Winner in S.C. Primary|first1=Dan|last1=Balz|first2=Anne E.|last2=Kornblut|first3=Shailagh|last3=Murray|date=January 27, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2010}} Edwards stayed clear of the fray in the debate and later said that he represented the "grown-up wing" of the party.{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/edwards_makes_his_last_stand.html|title=Articles – Running Third, Edwards Still Dazzles|publisher=RealClearPolitics|date=January 26, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=January 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105063051/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/edwards_makes_his_last_stand.html|url-status=live}}

Bill Clinton attracted controversy for his participation in his wife's campaign after a series of attacks made on his part against Obama, which many former Clinton supporters felt to be unfair.{{cite news|url=http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/michael_tomasky/2008/01/winning_ugly.html|work=The Guardian|location=London|title=Winning ugly|first=Michael|last=Tomasky|date=January 19, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2010|archive-date=September 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906164118/http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/michael_tomasky/2008/01/winning_ugly.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/analysis-bill-clintons-lost-legacy/|work=CBS News|title=Analysis: Bill Clinton's Lost Legacy|date=January 26, 2008|access-date=July 24, 2008|archive-date=June 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605092907/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/analysis-bill-clintons-lost-legacy/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/bill_clinton_credited_reagan_i.html|title=Articles – Clinton's Depressing Assault on Obama|publisher=RealClearPolitics|date=January 25, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=May 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508194246/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/bill_clinton_credited_reagan_i.html|url-status=live}} While some felt the attacks against Obama may eventually pay off,{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/how_clinton_will_win_the_nomin.html|title=Articles – How Clinton Will Win the Nomination by Losing S.C|publisher=RealClearPolitics|date=January 23, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=January 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107185407/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/how_clinton_will_win_the_nomin.html|url-status=live}} others felt it would damage Hillary Clinton's presidential prospects and alienate Democratic voters in the general election if she won the nomination.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/23/AR2008012303325.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=There You Go Again|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2010|archive-date=December 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206230331/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/23/AR2008012303325.html|url-status=live}} There was also concern that the former president was overshadowing the candidate on the campaign trail.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-assess_tackett_sunjan27,0,5782634.story|work=Chicago Tribune|title=For better or worse, Bill Clinton in race - chicagotribune.com|access-date=July 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302051422/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-assess_tackett_sunjan27,0,5782634.story|archive-date=March 2, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/ontheweb/blogs/daily/2008/01/bruce-feirste-1.html |title=Bruce Feirstein: Bill Clinton, Nasty Man |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525202544/http://www.vanityfair.com/ontheweb/blogs/daily/2008/01/bruce-feirste-1.html |archive-date=2008-05-25 |magazine=Vanity Fair |first=Bruce |last=Feirstein |date=January 25, 2008}}{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-brooks24jan24,0,1569475.column|work=Los Angeles Times|title=A Clinton twofer's high price|first=Rosa|last=Brooks|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2010}} According to CBS, "By injecting himself into the Democratic primary campaign with a series of inflammatory and negative statements, Bill Clinton may have helped his wife's presidential hopes in the long term but at the cost of his reputation with a group of voters that have long been one of his strongest bases of political support."{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/26/politics/main3755521.shtml|title=Analysis: Bill Clinton's Lost Legacy, CBSNews.com's Vaughn Ververs: Inflammatory Remarks Tarnish Ex-President's Reputation|work=CBS News|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=June 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605092907/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/analysis-bill-clintons-lost-legacy/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Dowd|first=Maureen|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/opinion/23dowd.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin|title=Two Against One – New York Times|work=The New York Times|date=January 23, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614055251/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/opinion/23dowd.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin|url-status=live}} Some critics accused Clinton of "pulling the race card"{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=a86pY4CBoF0U|title=News|publisher=Bloomberg|date=January 17, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024022123/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=a86pY4CBoF0U|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Kaus|first=Mickey|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2182569#obamaescape|title=Obama beats... Jesse Jackson?|magazine=Slate Magazine|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=August 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830065024/http://www.slate.com/id/2182569/#obamaescape|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/627lchzc.asp|title=The Bubba Factor|publisher=Weeklystandard.com|date=January 20, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=January 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110055259/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/627lchzc.asp|url-status=dead}} against Barack Obama.

On January 26, Obama won by a more than two-to-one margin over Clinton, gaining 55 percent of the vote to her 27 percent and Edwards' 18 percent.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/26/sc.primary/index.html|title=Obama claims big win in South Carolina|publisher=CNN|date=January 26, 2008|access-date=January 26, 2008|archive-date=January 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128162242/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/26/sc.primary/index.html|url-status=live}} Bill Clinton had compared Obama's victory to Jesse Jackson's victory in the 1988 South Carolina primary, in which he said "Jackson ran a good campaign. And Obama ran a good campaign here." He would be criticized for these comments because they were widely seen as implying that Obama was "the black candidate.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/01/bubba-obama-is.html|title=Bubba: Obama is like Jesse Jackson|publisher=ABC News|date=January 26, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=March 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309083420/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/01/bubba-obama-is.html|url-status=live}} " Hillary Clinton would later apologize for her husband's remarks in front of the State of the Black Union conference.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/24/clinton-offers-regrets-for-husbands-remarks/|title=Clinton offers regrets for husband's remarks|publisher=CNN|date=February 22, 2008|access-date=March 1, 2008|archive-date=February 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229011556/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/24/clinton-offers-regrets-for-husbands-remarks/|url-status=dead}} Clinton had already left the state and gave her concession speech from Tennessee State University, where she said she was looking forward to the February 5 Super Duper Tuesday contests.

In late 2007, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/29/robert-f-kennedy-jr-endorses-hillary-clinton/|title=Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. endorses Hillary Clinton|publisher=Politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com|access-date=January 4, 2012|date=November 29, 2007|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183140/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/29/robert-f-kennedy-jr-endorses-hillary-clinton/|url-status=dead}} and his sisters Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Kerry Kennedy{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kennedy-family-split-on-endorsements-16-12-2007/|title=Kennedy Family Split on Endorsements|publisher=CBS News|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=May 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513220955/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/16/politics/main3623528.shtml|url-status=live}} (children of the late Senator and United States Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy) announced that they would be endorsing Hillary Clinton.

On January 27, 2008, their cousin Caroline Kennedy (President John F. Kennedy's daughter) announced in a New York Times op-ed piece entitled, "A President Like My Father", that she would endorse Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.{{cite news|first=Caroline|last=Kennedy|title=A President Like My Father|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/opinion/27kennedy.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 27, 2008|access-date=January 27, 2008|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217191915/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/opinion/27kennedy.html|url-status=live}} On the same day, her uncle Senator Ted Kennedy announced that he would endorse Obama{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/27/politics/politico/thecrypt/main3756412.shtmlTed|title=Kennedy Embraces Obama|publisher=CBS News|date=June 26, 2009|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=May 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524224726/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/27/politics/politico/thecrypt/main3756412.shtmlTed|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/us/politics/28kennedy.html|title=Kennedy Chooses Obama, Spurning Plea by Clintons|first1=Jeff|last1=Zeleny|first2=Carl|last2=Hulse|work=The New York Times|date=January 28, 2008|access-date=January 28, 2008|archive-date=December 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210221628/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/us/politics/28kennedy.html|url-status=live}} despite appeals by both Clintons not to do so. Senator Kennedy's endorsement was considered among the most influential that any Democrat could get.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/us/politics/27cnd-campaign.html|title=Kennedy Plans to Back Obama Over Clinton|first1=Jeff|last1=Zeleny|first2=Brian|last2=Knowlton|work=The New York Times|date=January 27, 2008|access-date=January 27, 2008|archive-date=April 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425033157/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/us/politics/27cnd-campaign.html|url-status=live}} In particular, it raised the possibility of improving Obama's vote-getting among unions, Hispanics, and traditional base Democrats. It was later followed by an announcement that his son Congressman Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island's 1st District would also endorse Obama.[http://www.wpri.com/Global/story.asp?S=7788172 Patrick Kennedy says Obama can galvanize nation to change]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmY_8TWtY5H8uNRYWky_QFzs9p3wD8UF9QVG2 Kennedy Endorses Obama – "Change in Air"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201110122/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmY_8TWtY5H8uNRYWky_QFzs9p3wD8UF9QVG2 |date=February 1, 2008 }} Obama was also subsequently endorsed by Robert F. Kennedy's widow, Ethel Kennedy, and two of their children, Max Kennedy{{cite news|first=Jeff |last=Parrott |title=Kennedys liken Obama to RFK during South Bend visit |date=2008-04-05 |url=http://www.wsbt.com/news/election/2008/17324074.html |work=South Bend Tribune |access-date=2008-12-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828044334/http://www.wsbt.com/news/election/2008/17324074.html |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} and Rory Kennedy{{cite news|first=Rory|last=Kennedy|title=Rory Kennedy: Two fine choices, one clear decision – Obama|date=2008-02-02|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/02/ED39UQKTS.DTL|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=2008-11-03|archive-date=September 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910022007/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/02/ED39UQKTS.DTL|url-status=live}}

In response to these endorsements, Robert, Kathleen, and Kerry wrote in a January 29, 2008, editorial, "By now you may have read or heard that our cousin, Caroline Kennedy, and our uncle, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, have come out in favor of Sen. Barack Obama. We, however, are supporting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton because we believe that she is the strongest candidate for our party and our country."{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-kennedy29jan29,0,1618955.story|title=Kennedys for Clinton|author=Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kerry Kennedy|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 29, 2008|access-date=January 29, 2008|archive-date=January 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131213653/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-kennedy29jan29,0,1618955.story|url-status=live}} California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a member of the Kennedy family through his marriage to Maria Shriver, an Obama supporter, commented, "What is surprising is that I think for the first time, the family is not in sync [...] three of them have endorsed Barack Obama and three of them have endorsed Hillary Clinton. I think that's the interesting story there."{{cite web|url=http://www.my58.com/news/15169868/detail.html|title=Governor: Kennedy's Endorsement 'Interesting'|publisher=My58.com|access-date=January 4, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Shriver's brother, Anthony Shriver, supported Clinton as well.{{cite web |url=http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/01/28/clinton-campaign-talking-points/ |title=Clinton Campaign Talking Points |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121044853/http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/01/28/clinton-campaign-talking-points/ |archive-date=2008-11-21 |first=Aaron |last=Bruns |date=January 28, 2008}}

File:Bill Clinton campaigning at Virginia Tech february 2008.jpg campaigning for Hillary Clinton at Virginia Tech. February 9, 2008.]]

After South Carolina, the Clinton campaign sought to find a "gentler" role for Bill Clinton,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/us/politics/28dems.html?hp|title=Clinton's Camp Seeks Gentler Role for Ex-President|first=Patrick|last=Healy|work=The New York Times|date=January 28, 2008|access-date=January 28, 2008|archive-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524171042/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/us/politics/28dems.html?hp|url-status=live}} whose actions during the South Carolina campaign and earlier was suspected of having polarized the Democratic electorate and harming Hillary Clinton's standing among women, in addition to having contributed to Ted Kennedy's decision to endorse Obama. Congressman Charles Rangel, an outspoken Hillary Clinton supporter, said of Bill Clinton, "He's got to [pull back]. The focus has got to get back on Hillary. For all that he cares about his wife, this has to be her election to win, and it's become too much about his role." By two days after South Carolina, CNN's Candy Crowley reported that there was "a huge wave" of sentiment inside and outside the Clinton campaign that the former President "needs to stop."{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/28/clinton-campaign-advisers-bill-clinton-needs-to-stop/#more-4808|title=Clinton campaign advisers: Bill Clinton 'needs to stop'|first=Candy|last=Crowley|author-link=Candy Crowley|publisher=CNN|date=January 28, 2008|access-date=January 28, 2008|archive-date=January 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130201618/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/28/clinton-campaign-advisers-bill-clinton-needs-to-stop/#more-4808|url-status=dead}}

Bill Clinton did subsequently maintain a lower profile on the campaign, relying on standard talking points and rarely mentioning Obama by name,{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/08/bill-clinton-reflects-on-south-carolina-dustup/|title=Bill Clinton reflects on South Carolina dustup|first=Alexander|last=Mooney|publisher=CNN|date=February 8, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221164250/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/08/bill-clinton-reflects-on-south-carolina-dustup/|url-status=dead}} or if he did, praising him: "I'm not against anybody. I'm for Hillary ... If you disagree, you have another very attractive choice."{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/021508dnpolclinton.c39e4e82.html|title=Bill Clinton avoids attacks on Obama in East Texas|first=Bruce|last=Tomaso|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=February 16, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218112717/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/021508dnpolclinton.c39e4e82.html|url-status=live}} Bill Clinton said that in retrospect, "Everything I have said has been factually accurate, but I think the mistake I made was to think I was a spouse just like any other spouse who could defend his candidate. I think I can promote Hillary but not defend her because I was president."

By late February, with Hillary Clinton trailing further behind Obama, one unnamed senior adviser to her campaign said that in hindsight it had been unwise to use Bill Clinton as much as they had, as "his presence, aura and legacy caused national fatigue with the Clintons."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/us/politics/24mood.html|title=Somber Clinton Soldiers on as the Horizon Darkens|first=Patrick|last=Healy|work=The New York Times|date=February 24, 2008|access-date=February 16, 2017|archive-date=June 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628091841/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/us/politics/24mood.html|url-status=live}}

The Florida Primary on January 29, like the earlier Michigan one, had had its delegates stripped from it due to its jumping too early in the primary season. The Democratic candidates agreed not to campaign in the state, although unlike Michigan all were on the ballot here. Several days before the primary, Clinton announced that she believed Florida delegates should get seated at the national convention.

Despite no delegates apparently being at stake, over 1.5 million Democrats voted in the primary. Clinton won with 50 percent of the vote, compared to 33 percent for Obama and 14 percent for Edwards.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#FL|work=CNN|title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results - Elections & Politics news from CNN.com|access-date=May 4, 2010|archive-date=May 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507001932/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#FL|url-status=live}} Clinton was in Florida that evening and gave a brief victory speech, saying, "You know, I could not come here to ask in person for your votes. But I am here to thank you for your votes today. This has been a record turnout because Floridians wanted their voices to be heard on the great issues that affect our country and the world."{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/29/620419.aspx |title=Hillary declares victory – The Body Odd |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331234127/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/29/620419.aspx |archive-date=March 31, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

File:Hillary Clinton Feb 3 2008.jpg in Minneapolis, Minnesota, two days before the twenty-two state vote.]]

Super Tuesday took place on February 5, 2008, with twenty-two states holding Democratic caucuses or primary elections on this date.{{cite web|title=Presidential primary and caucus dates |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=August 30, 2007 |work=Stateline.org |page=1 |url=http://archive.stateline.org/flash-data/Primary/2008_presidential_primaries.pdf |access-date=August 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911154423/http://archive.stateline.org/flash-data/Primary/2008_presidential_primaries.pdf |archive-date=September 11, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} It was preceded by two events for Clinton. The first was a debate held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on January 31 which was notable for its civil tone.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013104068.html?hpid=topnews|title=Head to Head, Clinton, Obama Shelve Rancor|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 4, 2012|first1=Dan|last1=Balz|first2=Anne E.|last2=Kornblut|date=February 1, 2008|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107135025/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013104068.html?hpid=topnews|url-status=live}} The second was Voices Across America: A National Town Hall which was broadcast on the Hallmark Channel at 9 pm on February 4.{{cite web|title=Hillary's Voices Across America: A National Town Hall |publisher=Hallmark Channel |date=February 4, 2008 |url=http://townhall.hillaryclinton.com/ |access-date=February 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208051805/http://townhall.hillaryclinton.com/ |archive-date=February 8, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}[http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/cabletv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003705031 Clinton Buys Block on Hallmark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205162345/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/cabletv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003705031 |date=February 5, 2008 }} Mediaweek January 31, 2008 During this time, Clinton also announced that she had loaned her campaign $5 million. Of this loan Clinton commented, "I loaned it because I believe very strongly in this campaign. We had a great month fund-raising in January, broke all records. But my opponent was able to raise more money."{{cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iTwkvkh94yu8LRe5po81AN8aSang |title=Hillary Clinton loans 5 million dollars to her campaign |date=February 6, 2008 |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002110912/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iTwkvkh94yu8LRe5po81AN8aSang |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

There were a number of issues at stake going into Super Tuesday, with no clear winner assured in the race.{{Cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1303806,00.html |title=Economy Crucial On 'Super Tuesday |access-date=July 24, 2008 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082411/https://news.sky.com/ |url-status=live }} One critical factor was the California primary which was deemed the "biggest prize in the Super Tuesday contest: the state delivers 370 delegates for the Democratic candidates." In the California contest, Clinton had gained three important endorsements: Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.{{cite magazine|title=San Francisco Mayor, A Clinton Backer, Says They're Going To Go After MoveOn Members|magazine=Wired|date=February 1, 2008|url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/02/san-francisco-m.html|access-date=February 12, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226015846/http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/02/san-francisco-m.html |archive-date=2008-02-26}}

Clinton won nine states on Super Tuesday including important delegate rich ones: the California Primary, 52% to 42%, with 204 delegates for Clinton and 160 for Obama; the New York Primary 57% to 40% with 139 delegates for Clinton and 93 for Obama; the New Jersey Primary 54% to 44% with 59 delegates for Clinton and 48 for Obama;

the Arizona Primary 51% to 42% with 31 delegates for Clinton and 25 for Obama; the Arkansas Primary 70% to 20% with 27 delegates for Clinton and 8 for Obama; Oklahoma Primary, 61% to 37%, of which Clinton gained 24 delegates and Obama 14; and Tennessee Primary, 54% to 41%, of which Clinton gained 40 delegates and Obama 28.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080205|title=RESULTS: February 5 – SUPER TUESDAY|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=January 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102190232/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080205|url-status=live}} She also won the Massachusetts Primary 56% to 41%, of which Clinton gained 55 delegates and Obama 38. The Massachusetts Primary was described by The Guardian as a "symbolically important triumph" for Clinton.{{cite news|first=Suzanne|last=Goldenberg|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uselections08/hillaryclinton/story/0,,2253199,00.html|title=Clinton's win in Kennedy country rattles Obama surge|work=The Guardian|location=UK|access-date=January 4, 2012|date=February 6, 2008|archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082344/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/06/barackobama.usa|url-status=live}} New Mexico had to postpone declaring a winner in order to conduct a recount.{{cite web|last=Robbins|first=Ted|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18785663|title=New Mexico's Feb. 5 Voting Still Inconclusive|website=NPR|date=February 7, 2008|publisher=NPR|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=May 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503231412/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18785663|url-status=live}} Clinton was announced the winner of New Mexico on February 14.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1449398220080214|title=UPDATE 1-Clinton wins N.Mexico Democratic presidential vote|work=Reuters|date=February 14, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|first=David|last=Alexander|archive-date=February 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217155016/http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1449398220080214|url-status=live}} Obama won the primaries in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Missouri and Utah. He also won all of the states which held caucuses – Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota and North Dakota; among the reasons for this were his campaign's fundraising advantage, which allowed him to procure the costly ground operations crucial to success in caucuses.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8613.html|title=January yields debt for HRC, cash for Obama|first1=Kenneth P.|last1=Vogel|author-link1=Kenneth P. Vogel|first2=Jeanne|last2=Cummings|author-link2=Jeanne Cummings|publisher=Politico|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 21, 2008|archive-date=February 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225145053/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8613.html|url-status=live}} According to CBS News estimates, Obama won 803 pledged delegates on Super Tuesday and Clinton took 799.[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dems-fight-to-a-draw-on-super-tuesday/ Dems Fight to a Draw On Super Tuesday] CBSNews.com, February 6, 2008.

Within a few days after Super Tuesday, Clinton raised $10 million from 100,000 donors.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/09/clinton-raises-10-million-since-super-tuesday/|title=Clinton raises $10 million since Super Tuesday|publisher=Politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com|date=February 9, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=January 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108004125/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/09/clinton-raises-10-million-since-super-tuesday/|url-status=dead}}

Clinton competed in Washington, with advertising and personal appearances, as well as in Maine, with Bill Clinton going to Louisiana.{{cite magazine|last=Newton|first=Jay|url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1711585,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210072801/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1711585,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 10, 2008|title=Obama's weekend to win|magazine=Time|date=February 8, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012}} In Washington, which had the most delegates at stake, Clinton had the endorsements of Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, but lost Governor Chris Gregoire to Obama.{{cite news|url=http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/02/08/washington-state-3-others-become-unlikely-battlegrounds-for-dems/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123225926/http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/02/08/washington-state-3-others-become-unlikely-battlegrounds-for-dems/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 23, 2013|title=Sleepless in Seattle: Washington State, 3 Others Become Unlikely Battlegrounds for Dems|publisher=Fox News|date=February 8, 2008|access-date=February 8, 2008}} Nebraska was visited by daughter Chelsea Clinton, who talked to students at Creighton University.{{cite news|url=http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=7841018&nav=menu606_24_12_1 |title=Upcoming Nebraska Democratic Caucus Attracts Top Contenders |publisher=KPTM |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=February 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217055619/http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=7841018&nav=menu606_24_12_1 |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

On February 9, Clinton lost the Louisiana primary 57% to 36%, the Nebraska caucuses 68% to 32%, and the Washington caucuses 68% to 31%.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#20080209|title=Results: February 9: Multi-state events|publisher=CNN|date=February 10, 2008|access-date=February 10, 2009|archive-date=February 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225043816/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#20080209|url-status=live}} Across the three states, Obama gaining 84 delegates to Clinton's 45. On February 10, Clinton lost the Maine caucus 59% to 40%. Obama gained 15 delegates to Clinton's 9.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080210|title=Results: February 10: Maine|publisher=CNN|date=February 11, 2008|access-date=February 11, 2009|archive-date=February 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225043816/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080210|url-status=live}}

The "Potomac primary", with votes cast in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, was held on February 12.

Clinton made personal appearances in the District,{{cite news|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/11/654975.aspx |title=CLINTON: TAXATION WITH REPRESENTATION |first=Athena |last=Jones |publisher=MSNBC|date=February 11, 2008 |access-date=February 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212133850/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/11/654975.aspx |archive-date=February 12, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} Maryland,{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/02/11/clinton-pushes-green-collar-jobs-in-md-factory-tour/?mod=googlenews_wsj|title=Clinton Pushes 'Green Collar' Jobs in Md. Factory Tour|first=Amy|last=Chozick|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|date=February 11, 2008|access-date=February 13, 2008|archive-date=September 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924133939/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/02/11/clinton-pushes-green-collar-jobs-in-md-factory-tour/?mod=googlenews_wsj|url-status=live}} and Virginia.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/nationworld/dp-news_campaign_0208feb08,0,157843.story|title=Campaign trails run through Virginia|date=February 11, 2008|access-date=February 13, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Obama was able to begin his television advertising in the states earlier than Clinton, due to his campaign's fundraising advantage. Clinton lost the D.C. primary 75% to 24%, the Maryland primary 61% to 36%, and the Virginia Primary 64% to 35%.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080212|title=February 12 -MULTI-STATE EVENTS|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=January 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102190232/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080212|url-status=live}}

Clinton herself responded to the loss by stating, "I think everybody knew that he was favored there. My husband lost Maryland when he was running in the primary. We go on. We're ready for the contests that are upcoming. There are hundreds of delegates that will be in play on March 4. We are well organized and well positioned."{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/02/13/politics/fromtheroad/entry3826233.shtml|title=Clinton Challenges Obama to Texas Showdown|first=Fernando|last=Suarez|work=CBS News|date=February 13, 2008|access-date=February 13, 2008|archive-date=February 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218202633/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/02/13/politics/fromtheroad/entry3826233.shtml|url-status=live}} Regarding a response to Obama's win CNN argued, "for the second election night in a row, Hillary Clinton failed to acknowledge or congratulate Barack Obama after he won the day in dominating fashion."{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/12/clinton-still-no-congratulations-for-obama/|title=CNN Political Ticker:Clinton: Still no congratulations for Obama|publisher=CNN|date=February 12, 2008|access-date=February 12, 2008|archive-date=February 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214191401/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/12/clinton-still-no-congratulations-for-obama/|url-status=dead}} CBS, however, quoted Clinton as telling reporters, 'I want to congratulate Senator Obama on his recent victories and tell him to meet me in Texas, we're ready.'"

On February 14, a national poll by Ipsos-Public Affairs placed Clinton at 46% and Obama at 41%.{{cite web |url=http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29881/democrats_2008_hillary_46_obama_41 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730231325/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29881/democrats_2008_hillary_46_obama_41 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |title=Democrats 2008: Hillary 46%, Obama 41% |publisher=Angus-reid.com |date=February 14, 2008 |access-date=January 4, 2012 }} National polls from Rasmussen and Gallup were released the same day. Rasmussen showed Obama ahead 49–37, and Gallup had the race virtually even, with Obama holding a one-point lead.[http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll Daily Presidential Tracking Poll] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321083219/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll |date=March 21, 2008 }} Rasmussen Reports, February 14, 2008[http://www.gallup.com/poll/104341/Gallup-Daily-Tracking-Election-2008.aspx Tracking Election 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080904034650/http://www.gallup.com/poll/104341/Gallup-Daily-Tracking-Election-2008.aspx |date=September 4, 2008 }} Gallup Poll, February 14, 2008 The same day, Obama passed Clinton in the overall Pollster.com aggregate national poll for the first time during the campaign.{{cite news|url=http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/pollstercom_obama_leading_hill.php|title=Pollster.com: For First Time, Obama Leading Hillary In National Polling Average|publisher=TPM Election Central|date=February 15, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219031759/http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/pollstercom_obama_leading_hill.php|archive-date=February 19, 2008|df=mdy-all}} NBC News noted that even if Florida and Michigan were included in the tally, Obama led in the total popular vote after the Potomac primary.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080214105550/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/13/661146.aspx First Thoughts: Mr. Front-runner], MSNBC.com, February 13, 2008

Following the Potomac primary, the potential role of superdelegates in deciding the Democratic nomination was heavily discussed. In particular, the possibility of one candidate gaining more pledged delegates from primary and caucus wins, but losing the nomination to the other due to the decisions of superdelegates, made some Democratic leaders uncomfortable. The Clinton camp, behind in pledged delegates, advocated that superdelegates exercise their own judgment in deciding which candidate to back; Clinton campaign worker Geraldine Ferraro argued for this option,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/opinion/25ferraro.html|title=Got a Problem? Ask the Super|first=Geraldine|last=Ferraro|author-link=Geraldine Ferraro|work=The New York Times|date=February 25, 2008|access-date=February 16, 2017|archive-date=May 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501043018/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/opinion/25ferraro.html|url-status=live}} with Ferraro stating, "The superdelegates were created to lead, not to follow." The Obama camp, ahead in pledged delegates, advocated that superdelegates follow the will of the voters and back whichever candidate had the most pledged delegates.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/16/AR2308021602657.html?hpid=topnews |title=Clinton, Obama Dispute Roles of Superdelegates|first1=Peter |last1=Slevin |author2=Jose Antonio Vargas |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 17, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2008}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Some party leaders, such as U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, argued for the latter interpretation,{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/hillary_clinton_campaign_defen.html |title=Hillary Clinton camp defends superdelegate clout |first=Rick |last=Pearson |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 16, 2008 |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218050900/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/hillary_clinton_campaign_defen.html |archive-date=February 18, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} while others such as Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean argued for the former interpretation.{{cite news|url=http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/howard_dean_speaks_out_about_r.php |title=Howard Dean on Super-Delegates: "Their role is to exercise their best judgment." |first=Greg |last=Sargent |publisher=TPM Election Central |date=February 16, 2008 |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219100915/http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/howard_dean_speaks_out_about_r.php |archive-date=February 19, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

African American superdelegates previously pledged to Clinton, found themselves under pressure to switch to supporting Obama's historic candidacy; Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. suggested that those staying with Clinton might face Democratic primary challenges in the future.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1713596,00.html|title=Black Lawmakers Rethink Clinton Support|first=David|last=Espo|agency=Associated Press|date=February 14, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2008|magazine=Time}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} MoveOn.org started an Internet petition to urge superdelegates to "let the voters decide between Clinton and Obama, then support the people's choice."{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/moveon-to-superdelegates-wait/|title=MoveOn to Superdelegates: Wait!|first=Sarah|last=Wheaton|work=The New York Times|date=February 14, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-date=February 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218055527/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/moveon-to-superdelegates-wait/|url-status=live}}

Clinton was viewed as having an institutional advantage in amassing superdelegates by virtue of her fifteen years of national prominence in party politics.{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/17/MN99V44MH.DTL&type=politics|title=Many superdelegates delay deciding on a candidate|author=Adam Nagourney, Farhana Hossain|work=The New York Times for San Francisco Chronicle|date=February 17, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2008}} However, Obama had heavily outspent Clinton in previous contributions to superdelegates through their political action committees.{{cite news |url=http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=336 |title=Seeking Superdelegates |first=Lindsay Renick |last=Mayer |work=Capital Eye |publisher=OpenSecrets |date=February 14, 2008 |access-date=February 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218114010/http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=336 |archive-date=February 18, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

Whether or not Clinton actually could prevail with the help of party-appointed superdelegates was also an increasingly debated question, as Obama gained 47 new superdelegates between Super Tuesday and mid-March, while Clinton lost 7.{{cite news|first1=Chuck |last1=Todd |first2=Mark |last2=Murray |title=First thoughts: Iraq is back |date=March 17, 2008 |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/17/774959.aspx |work=MSNBC |access-date=March 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320024455/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/17/774959.aspx |archive-date=March 20, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

The Wisconsin primary and the Hawaii caucuses were next on the campaign schedule. Chelsea Clinton made appearances at four Wisconsin universities: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin–Madison,{{cite web|url=http://www.madison.com/tct/news/271997|title=Chelsea Clinton stumps for Hillary at Memorial Union|first=Judith|last=Davidoff|date=February 12, 2008|access-date=February 14, 2008|archive-date=May 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515194920/http://www.madison.com/tct/news/271997|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wisn.com/politics/15293484/detail.html |title=Chelsea Stumps For Mom at UW–Milwaukee |work=WISH.com |date=February 13, 2008 |access-date=February 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212215453/http://www.wisn.com/politics/15293484/detail.html |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} University of Wisconsin–La Crosse,{{cite web|url=http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/02/13/news/00lead.txt|title=Former first daughter holds low-key forum|first=Reid|last=Magney|work=La Crosse Tribune|date=February 13, 2008|access-date=February 14, 2008|archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082343/http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/02/13/news/00lead.txt|url-status=live}} and University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.[http://media.www.spectatornews.com/media/storage/paper218/news/2008/02/14/News/Chelsea.Wows.Davies.Crowd-3210378.shtml Chelsea wows Davies crowd]{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=http://www.dane101.com/current/2008/02/12/what_they_are_saying_about_chelsea_clinton|title=What They Are Saying About: Chelsea Clinton|publisher=Dane101.com|date=December 21, 2011|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928204057/http://www.dane101.com/current/2008/02/12/what_they_are_saying_about_chelsea_clinton|archive-date=September 28, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|first=Nathan J.|last=Comp|date=February 12, 2008|url=http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=21559|title=Chelsea Clinton delivers at UW–Madison in second Wisconsin appearance|publisher=Thedailypage.com|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=February 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213230118/http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=21559|url-status=dead}} WISN-TV noted Chelsea's statement at UW–Milwaukee that, "On the war in Iraq, '[her mother] would end it the first day (in office) if she could,' but acknowledges that it would take about 60 days to come up with a plan to withdraw our troops and set up a workable plan to leave."{{cite web|url=http://www.wisn.com/politics/15293484/detail.html |title=Chelsea Stumps For Mom at UW–Milwaukee |publisher=Wisn.com |date=February 13, 2008 |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212215453/http://www.wisn.com/politics/15293484/detail.html |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} Chelsea also planned to appear for her mother in Honolulu and in Maui.{{cite web|url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/BREAKING01/80213078/1001/BREAKING01|title=Chelsea Clinton to visit Hawaii this week|publisher=Honoluluadvertiser.com|access-date=January 4, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Hillary Clinton reduced her already limited scheduled appearances in Wisconsin,{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=719026|title=Democrats take subtle jabs as Clinton comes to state|first1=Greg J.|last1=Borowski|first2=Craig|last2=Gilbert|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=February 16, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506103258/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=719026|archive-date=May 6, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} with her campaign feeling disadvantaged by Governor of Wisconsin Jim Doyle's endorsement of Obama and the fact that independent voters are able to vote in the state's Democratic primary. Clinton made Obama's refusals to add any additional debates to the campaign schedule a primary focus of her messaging in Wisconsin, saying, "I will meet Senator Obama any place in the state. There's only been one debate between the two of us. This has only been a two person race for a little over two weeks. And I think it's a real disservice to the people of Wisconsin that you haven't had a chance to see the tough questions asked and answered."{{cite news|url=http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/02/16/the-debate-on-debates/|title=The Debate on Debates|first=Aaron|last=Bruns|publisher=Fox News|date=February 16, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719142357/http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/02/16/the-debate-on-debates/ |archive-date=2008-07-19}} Obama responded by saying, "We've had 18 debates. Eighteen debates!" Obama outspent Clinton 4–1 in television advertising in the state,{{cite news|url=http://blogs.wispolitics.com/election/2008/02/obama-outspending-clinton-4-to-1-in.html |title=Obama outspending Clinton 4-to-1 in Madison, Milwaukee on TV ads |first=JR |last=Ross |publisher=Wispolitics.com |date=February 16, 2008 |access-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218044659/http://blogs.wispolitics.com/election/2008/02/obama-outspending-clinton-4-to-1-in.html |archive-date=February 18, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} and was able to get on the air earlier than Clinton due to his campaign's greater financial strength. Clinton did air a large number of negative ads against Obama in the final days of the campaign.

The most publicized charge which Clinton used against Obama preceding the Wisconsin primary were accusations that he plagiarized portions of his campaign's national co-chair Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts. The lines Obama used were in response to charges by Clinton that his campaign offered "speeches but not solutions." The lines Obama used were almost verbatim from portions of a speech made by Patrick in 2006, stating "Don't tell me words don't matter.'I have a dream.' Just words? 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' Just words! 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself.' Just words – just speeches!" Obama stated that he borrowed the lines after being recommend to do so by Patrick who had faced similar attacks that he was only offering talk but not action.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3392913.ece|title=Hillary Clinton hits Barack Obama with plagiarism allegation|work=The Times|location=London|date=February 14, 2008|access-date=March 11, 2008|first=Tim|last=Reid|archive-date=February 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219041759/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3392913.ece|url-status=dead}}

On February 19, Clinton's losing streak to Obama stretched to ten in a row.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html|title=Obama, McCain extend winning streaks|publisher=CNN|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323195945/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html|url-status=live}} Obama won the Wisconsin primary 58 percent to 41 percent,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#WI|title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for Wisconsin|publisher=CNN|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=May 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507001932/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#WI|url-status=live}} with a trend continuing of Clinton losing support in demographics that had previously been most favorable to her,{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/803274,CST-NWS-wisc20.article|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070814032746/http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/803274,CST-NWS-wisc20.article|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 14, 2007|title=Obama badgers Hillary in Wisconsin|first=Abdon M.|last=Pallasch|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008}} such as women, lower-income families, and people who belong to labor unions.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/02/20/wis_win_extends_obama_streak/|title=Wis. win extends Obama streak|first=Sasha|last=Issenberg|work=The Boston Globe|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=October 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024001706/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/02/20/wis_win_extends_obama_streak/|url-status=live}} That evening, when Clinton's televised remarks did not include acknowledgment of Obama's victory, he started his own victory remarks before she finished, causing the cable news channels' to switch their live coverage to Obama.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/us/politics/20elect.html|title=Wisconsin and Hawaii Add to Obama's String of Victories|first1=Patrick|last1=Healy|first2=Jeff|last2=Zeleny|work=The New York Times|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=September 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906205935/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/us/politics/20elect.html|url-status=live}} Obama also won the Hawaii caucuses overwhelmingly, 76 percent to 24 percent,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#HI|title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results for Wisconsin|publisher=CNN|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=May 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507001932/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#HI|url-status=live}} in the state where he was born, spent much of his childhood, and still has family. The New York Times termed the night's results and demographic trends "grim tidings for Mrs. Clinton," while the Los Angeles Times headlined, "Wisconsin: Beginning of the end for Clinton?" and the Associated Press described her campaign as "fading".{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-analysis20feb20,0,5566117.story|title=Wisconsin: Beginning of the end for Clinton?|first=Michael|last=Finnegan|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082346/https://www.latimes.com/world/la-na-analysis20feb20-story.html|url-status=live}}[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jld3VILFDbEY6uciu_lp_YgBnGqwD8UTP0LG1 Obama and McCain Win Wisconsin Primaries] Associated Press, February 19, 2008 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Two days later, the results of the worldwide Democrats Abroad primary were announced, with Obama winning by a wide margin and stretching Clinton's losing streak to eleven.{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_delegates|title=Obama wins Democrats Abroad primary|first=Stephen|last=Ohlemacher|publisher=Associated Press for Yahoo! News|date=February 21, 2008|access-date=February 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225221312/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_delegates |archive-date=February 25, 2008}}

The Ohio primary, Rhode Island primary, Texas primary and Texas caucus, and Vermont primary took place on March 4. The delegate-rich Ohio and Texas primaries were considered to be top prizes for both candidates: Ohio offers 141 pledged delegates and Texas 193. A number of news organizations, most notably cable television network Fox News named the March 4 primaries and caucuses "Super Tuesday II."{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/karl-rove-on-super-tuesday-ii-mccain-vs-obama|title=Karl Rove on Super Tuesday II; McCain vs. Obama|publisher=Fox News|date=February 22, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=March 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307145146/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,333570,00.html|url-status=live}}

In Texas, a Houston rally was held on February 10 in support of Clinton.{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5530104.html|title=Clinton backers rally for March 4|work=Houston Chronicle|date=February 11, 2008|access-date=February 12, 2008|archive-date=February 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214182254/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5530104.html|url-status=live}} On February 12, according to CBS, Hillary received a "rock star welcome" when she spoke before a crowd of 12,000 at the University of Texas at El Paso.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/02/12/politics/fromtheroad/entry3824090.shtml|title=Clinton gets Rock Star Welcome in Texas|work=CBS|access-date=February 12, 2008|first=Fernando|last=Suarez|date=February 12, 2008|archive-date=February 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215022712/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/02/12/politics/fromtheroad/entry3824090.shtml|url-status=live}}

In Ohio, polls released on February 13 indicated that Clinton had a 17-point lead.{{cite web|url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010026580 |title=Clinton, McCain Ahead of Rivals in Ohio |publisher=Allheadlinenews.com |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525121820/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010026580 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all}} She gained the endorsement of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio First Lady Frances Strickland, of astronaut and former Senator John Glenn, and of Akron mayor Don Plusquellic.{{cite web|url=http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/15613132.html |title=Ohio.com - Plusquellic endorses Clinton; Healy waiting for primary results |access-date=2009-02-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220075510/http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/15613132.html |archive-date=February 20, 2008 |df=mdy-all}} She also gained the endorsement of the Columbus Dispatch. In mid February Chelsea Clinton's campaigning for her mother included visits to Cleveland State University, the University of Akron{{cite web|url=http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=83326|title=Chelsea Clinton: First Daughter for the second time?|publisher=WKYC|access-date=February 14, 2008|archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082943/https://www.wkyc.com/error/404?storyid=83326|url-status=live}} Ohio State, and Ohio Wesleyan.{{cite web|url=http://www.10tv.com/?sec=news&story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200802/2067996882.html|title=Democratic Presidential Campaigns Arrive in Columbus|publisher=WBNS|access-date=February 14, 2008|archive-date=September 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927092931/http://www.10tv.com/?sec=news&story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200802/2067996882.html|url-status=live}}

In Rhode Island, a February 13 Brown University poll for the state indicated Clinton was the choice of 36 percent of voters surveyed while Obama was supported by 28 percent.{{cite web|url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010026418 |title=Clinton Ahead of Obama in Rhode Island |publisher=Allheadlinenews.com |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525121829/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010026418 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}

As Obama solidified his lead, Clinton shook things up with a revamped message and sharper digs at her party's front man on February 20, 2008.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/20/clinton.strategy/index.html|title=Clinton looks to stop Obama in aftermath of 10 losses|publisher=CNN|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=February 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225205718/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/20/clinton.strategy/index.html|url-status=live}}

However, in the February 21 Democratic debate at the University of Texas at Austin, the next-to-last one of the campaign, Clinton generally refrained from attacking Obama.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/22/debate.schneider/index.html|title=Analysis: Clinton likely didn't slow Obama's momentum|author=Bill Schneider|publisher=CNN|date=February 22, 2008|access-date=February 22, 2008|archive-date=February 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225204030/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/22/debate.schneider/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN22536300|title=Clinton's debate moment: turning point or end game?|first=Jeff|last=Mason|work=Reuters|date=February 22, 2008|access-date=February 22, 2008|archive-date=February 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225172955/http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN22536300|url-status=live}} Clinton's closing statement in the debate drew praise from political analysts and a standing ovation from the audience. A police officer was killed February 22, 2008, in a motorcycle accident as Clinton's motorcade made its way through downtown Dallas.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/22/clinton.motorcade/index.html|title=Officer in Clinton motorcade killed in accident|publisher=CNN|access-date=February 22, 2008|date=February 22, 2008|archive-date=February 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225205910/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/22/clinton.motorcade/index.html|url-status=live}} A visibly angry Clinton lashed out February 22 at Obama over campaign literature that she said he knows is "blatantly false".{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/23/clinton.mailings/index.html|title=Clinton tells Obama: 'Shame on you'; Obama fires back|publisher=CNN|access-date=February 24, 2008|date=February 23, 2008|archive-date=February 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226065327/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/23/clinton.mailings/index.html|url-status=live}} At the same time, a New York Times report portrayed her as still fighting, but philosophical and realistic about the possibility that she would lose the race. With only a week left in the race a February 26 New York Times report by political correspondent Patrick Healy stated that Clinton had developed a new "kitchen sink strategy" to confronting Obama which involved a slew of negative campaign attacks on Obama's experience and especially his readiness to be commander in chief. This began with a February 25 speech at George Washington University on foreign policy with Clinton comparing Obama's foreign policy inexperience to President George W. Bush.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/us/politics/26clinton.html|title=Clinton Campaign Starts 5-Point Attack on Obama|work=The New York Times|date=February 26, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|first1=Patrick|last1=Healy|first2=Julie|last2=Bosman|archive-date=April 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425033201/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/us/politics/26clinton.html|url-status=live}}

With a week and a half to go, both Ohio and Texas tightened: An ABC News/Washington Post poll taken February 16–20 indicated that Clinton's lead over Obama in Ohio had shrunk to 7 percentage points.{{cite news|last=Chipman|first=Kim|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a7uQqWHrwPek&refer=home|title=Obama, Clinton Wrangle Over Trade Before Ohio Contest|publisher=Bloomberg|date=February 23, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082858/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics?pid=20601087&refer=home&sid=a7uQqWHrwPek|url-status=live}} Another poll, released February 25, projected also a statistical dead heat in Texas between the two.{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Steinhauser|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/25/texas.poll/index.html|title=Poll: It's all tied up for Dems in Texas|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 4, 2012|date=February 25, 2008|archive-date=February 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226180236/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/25/texas.poll/index.html|url-status=live}} On February 25 USA Today/Gallup poll showed that Obama had a double-digit lead for the first time,[https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-02-25-poll-prez_N.htm "Poll: Obama now seen as most electable"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516090617/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-02-25-poll-prez_N.htm |date=May 16, 2011 }}, USA Today, February 26, 2008. and a CBS News/New York Times poll showed an even larger Obama lead.

In the last scheduled debate of the campaign, at Cleveland State University on February 26, Clinton and Obama argued with each other over negative campaigning, health care and free trade.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/26/dems.debate/index.html|title=Clinton, Obama clash over campaign tactics in debate|publisher=CNN|date=February 27, 2008|access-date=February 27, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303002219/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/26/dems.debate/index.html|url-status=live}} Clinton personally echoed a theme her campaign had emphasized over the past days, that media coverage on her was much tougher than that on Obama, by making reference to a Saturday Night Live skit on the same point from the weekend before.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/us/politics/27watch.html|title=20th Debate: Reality Show or a Spinoff?|first=Alessandra|last=Stanley|author-link=Alessandra Stanley|work=The New York Times|date=February 27, 2008|access-date=February 16, 2017|archive-date=January 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105184650/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/us/politics/27watch.html|url-status=live}} New York Times writer Alessandra Stanley said that the debate, hosted by MSNBC and featuring grillings from Tim Russert, "did look a bit like the 'S.N.L.' parody." Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama battled for votes over the airwaves and on the ground in Texas on February 29.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/29/democrats/index.html|title=Obama, Clinton battle in Texas just days before key primary|publisher=CNN|date=February 29, 2008|access-date=March 1, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303191250/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/29/democrats/index.html|url-status=live}} Hillary Clinton met her match while appearing on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" to deliver the show's trademark opening line and provide an "editorial response" to a mock presidential debate.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/01/clinton.snl/index.html|title=Live from New York, it's Hillary Clinton|publisher=CNN|date=March 1, 2008|access-date=March 2, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303191301/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/01/clinton.snl/index.html|url-status=live}} On March 2, 2008, Hillary Clinton tried to convince Ohio voters they have what it takes to fix the economy as they campaigned before contests that could decide the Democratic presidential nomination.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/29/democrats/index.html|title=Clinton, Obama vie for votes in Ohio|publisher=CNN|date=March 2, 2008|access-date=March 3, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303191250/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/29/democrats/index.html|url-status=live}} The state's 3.6 million eligible Hispanic voters could tip the balance in delegate-rich Texas toward Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. But they're deeply divided. Clinton relied on a loyal grass-roots network of community leaders.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/03/texas.hispanics/index.html|title=Hispanics a key to Texas Democratic deadlock|publisher=CNN|date=March 3, 2008|access-date=March 3, 2008|archive-date=March 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305021743/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/03/texas.hispanics/index.html|url-status=live}}

One of the most controversial and upfront moves of the so-called "kitchen sink" strategy against Obama had been an ad entitled "Children" which Clinton aired in Texas concerning a 3 am phone call at the White House during a world crisis and touting Clinton's national security credentials. Many political commentators compared the Clinton ad to one used in the 1984 Democratic primary by Walter Mondale against Gary Hart. Obama responded with a similar ad on the same day claiming that Clinton lacked the judgment to deal with a world crisis because of her vote for the Iraq War. Clinton gave her harshest rebuke of Obama yet on March 3 when she repeatedly stated that she and Senator McCain had foreign policy experience while Obama only had a speech. The Obama campaign responded asking what foreign policy experience Clinton truly had.{{Cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/obama-aides-tout-his-commander-credentials/|title=Obama Aides Tout His Credentials to Be Commander in Chief|work=The New York Times|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|first=Ariel|last=Alexovich|archive-date=March 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311183633/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/obama-aides-tout-his-commander-credentials/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/02/clinton_obama_aides_tangle_ove.html |title=Clinton, Obama Aides Tangle Over '3 A.M.' Ad |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 2, 2008 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015113852/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/02/clinton_obama_aides_tangle_ove.html |archive-date=October 15, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} Hillary Clinton said March 17, 2008, she is the only candidate who would exercise the leadership needed to end the Iraq War. Sen. Barack Obama holds up his original opposition to the war on the campaign trail, but he didn't start working aggressively to end the war.{{Cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/17/clinton.war/index.html|title=Clinton says she's only candidate who can end war|publisher=CNN|date=March 17, 2008|access-date=March 17, 2008|archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082850/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/17/clinton.war/index.html|url-status=live}}

Clinton broke the 12-state winning streak for Obama with her victory in Rhode Island 58%/40%. The state had Clinton leading in the polls, though her lead had been narrowing in the days leading up to the primary. Clinton also won the Ohio primary 54%/44% and the Texas primary 51%/47%. She lost Vermont 59%/39% and the Texas Caucus 56%/44% with 41% reporting. Overall, Obama secured 99 Texas delegates, while Clinton earned 94.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080304|title=RESULTS: March 4 – MULTI-STATE EVENTS|publisher=CNN|date=March 4, 2008|access-date=March 4, 2008|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030170458/http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/dates/index.html#val=20080304|url-status=live}} Clinton's wins in Ohio and Texas resulted in large part from her gaining back her core demographic areas of support, such as women and lower-income groups.{{cite news|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2008/03/how_clinton_won_tx_and_oh.html|title=How Clinton Won TX and OH|first=Jay|last=Cost|publisher=Real Clear Politics|date=March 5, 2008|access-date=March 6, 2008|archive-date=March 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306025943/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2008/03/how_clinton_won_tx_and_oh.html|url-status=live}}

The day after, on March 5, Clinton raised the possibility on several morning news programs of a joint ticket with Obama, saying: "That may be where this is headed. But, of course, we have to decide who is on the top of ticket. I think the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me."{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/03/breaking-news-h.html|title=Breaking News: Hillary Clinton hints at joint ticket with Obama|publisher=CNN|date=March 5, 2008|access-date=March 5, 2008|archive-date=March 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306100025/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/03/breaking-news-h.html|url-status=live}} Soon after, in Wyoming, Obama explicitly rejected the notion, saying "You won't see me as a Vice Presidential candidate."

The Wyoming caucus was held on March 8, 2008, with Senator Obama winning by 61% of the vote compared to Clinton's 38%.{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/03/obama_wins_wyoming_caucuses.html?hpid=topnews |title=Obama Wins Wyoming Caucuses |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 8, 2008 |access-date=March 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523160515/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/03/obama_wins_wyoming_caucuses.html?hpid=topnews |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea had campaigned in the state, and Hillary Clinton made a Wyoming appearance the day before the caucuses.[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/politics/09wyoming.html?bl&ex=1205211600&en=c658ee387d0be4f6&ei=5087%0A Obama Wins Wyoming Caucuses] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524153045/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/politics/09wyoming.html?bl&ex=1205211600&en=c658ee387d0be4f6&ei=5087%0A |date=May 24, 2020 }}, NY Times, March 9, 2008 The Clinton campaign had continued to criticize Senator Obama's inexperience with what one Clinton aide called the "kitchen sink" strategy – throwing everything at Obama in the days leading up to the March 4 primaries in Ohio and Texas.[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/26/america/26clinton.php Clinton campaign starts 5-point attack on Obama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516024759/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/26/america/26clinton.php |date=May 16, 2008 }} International Herald Tribune, February 26, 2008 The Obama campaign was seen as "off balance" by former John Edwards campaign manager Joe Trippi in an interview with New York Magazine because many problems mired the Obama campaign after its Ohio and Texas losses, Trippi expressed concern that Obama's negative counter-attack strategy could backfire.{{cite magazine|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/03/john_heilemann_and_joe_trippi.html|title=John Heilemann and Joe Trippi Discuss the Democratic Primary Race Over Instant Messenger|magazine=New York Magazine|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=March 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311233401/http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/03/john_heilemann_and_joe_trippi.html|url-status=live}} Earlier in the week the campaign of Republican nominee John McCain attacked a gaffe by Obama's foreign policy advisor Susan Rice on MSNBC's "Tucker," wherein she said that neither Obama nor Clinton was "ready to receive that 3 am call," referring to Clinton's Texas attack ad.{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/obama-aide-neither-candidate-ready-for-3-am-call/|title=Obama Aide: Neither Candidate Ready for 3 am Call|work=The New York Times|date=March 7, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|first=Kate|last=Phillips|archive-date=March 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309180748/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/obama-aide-neither-candidate-ready-for-3-am-call/|url-status=live}} Obama was also hurt by news that foreign policy advisor Samantha Power had called Clinton a "monster" in an interview with Scottish newspaper The Scotsman. Power subsequently resigned from the campaign.{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080308/ts_alt_afp/usvote |title=Clinton, Obama face off in Wyoming |agency=AFP |date=March 8, 2008 |access-date=March 8, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Obama responded to the re-vamped Clinton "kitchen sink" strategy by raising Senator Clinton's reluctance to release her tax returns, with campaign manager David Plouffe calling Clinton "one of the most secretive politicians in America today".{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10497045|title=Obama targets 'secretive' Clinton's tax records|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=March 9, 2008|access-date=March 8, 2008|first=David|last=Usborne}} Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson responded to the attacks by comparing Obama to former special prosecutor Kenneth Starr.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-usstar075604577mar07,0,1953553.story|title=Clinton camp shoots Starr smear at Obama|work=Newsday|date=March 7, 2008|access-date=March 8, 2008|archive-date=March 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310173921/http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-usstar075604577mar07,0,1953553.story|url-status=dead}}

The Clinton campaign continued to hint that a Clinton victory would entail Obama being chosen as vice Presidential running mate, and on March 8, former President Bill Clinton made known his support of this as a "dream ticket" which would be an "almost unstoppable force"{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/03/bill-clinton-ca.html|title=Bill Clinton Calls A Hillary/Obama Ticket An 'Almost Unstoppable Force'|publisher=ABC News|date=March 8, 2008|access-date=March 8, 2008|archive-date=March 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309141630/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/03/bill-clinton-ca.html|url-status=live}} However, the day before, in Casper, Wyoming, Senator Obama had explicitly rejected this notion.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/03/obama-you-wont.html|title=Obama:"You Won't See Me as VP|publisher=ABC News|date=March 7, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=March 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309141708/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/03/obama-you-wont.html|url-status=live}} On March 10, Obama noted that he, not Senator Clinton, held the lead in delegates won. "I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to somebody who is in first place," he said.[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aGAN6X7YzdXc&refer=home Obama Rejects Clinton Suggestion of Vice Presidency] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082852/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics?pid=20601070&refer=home&sid=aGAN6X7YzdXc |date=August 8, 2024 }} Bloomberg.com, March 10, 2008 He further stated that Clinton's VP suggestion was an example of what he called "the old okey-doke", telling a Columbus, MS crowd that the Clinton camp was trying to "bamboozle" or "hoodwink" voters.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/03/obama_clinton_t.html|title=Obama: Clinton trying to 'hoodwink' voters with VP talk|work=The Boston Globe|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|first=Foon|last=Rhee|archive-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516060747/http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/03/obama_clinton_t.html|url-status=live}}[http://www.sunherald.com/306/story/423341.html Obama: VP spot is not for me]{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Biloxi Sun Herald March 10, 2008 Obama inquired why the Clinton campaign believed him competent for vice president, but not as president.{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jQLfFGt4BeOSjlAhGny8qaGNU3RgD8VAR0MG0 |title=Obama Ridicules Notion of VP Slot |agency=Associated Press |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313212016/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jQLfFGt4BeOSjlAhGny8qaGNU3RgD8VAR0MG0 |archive-date=March 13, 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/11/does-clinton-benefit-from-so-called-dream-ticket-talk/|title=Does Clinton benefit from so-called 'dream ticket' talk?|publisher=CNN|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=March 11, 2008|archive-date=March 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315004843/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/11/does-clinton-benefit-from-so-called-dream-ticket-talk/|url-status=dead}}

The Mississippi Primary was held on March 11, 2008, with Obama winning 61% of the vote to Clinton's 37%.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign12mar12,1,3341551.story|title=Obama cruises to easy win in Mississippi primary|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 11, 2008|access-date=March 12, 2008|first=Mark Z.|last=Barabak|archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082851/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-campaign12mar12-story.html|url-status=live}} It was notable that the Mississippi results were largely divided by racial lines with exit polls by CNN showing Obama winning 91% of the black vote while 72% of the white vote went to Clinton.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/11/exit-polls-mississippi-democrats-divide-on-racial-lines/ |title=Exit polls: Mississippi Democrats divide on racial lines |publisher=CNN|date=March 11, 2008 |access-date=March 12, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

On March 7, 2008, the 1984 Democratic vice-presidential nominee and Clinton finance committee member Geraldine Ferraro, gave an interview to the small California newspaper Daily Breeze in which she said, "I think what America feels about a woman becoming president takes a very secondary place to Obama's campaign – to a kind of campaign that it would be hard for anyone to run against. For one thing, you have the press, which has been uniquely hard on her. It's been a very sexist media. Some just don't like her. The others have gotten caught up in the Obama campaign. If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."{{cite news|last=Farber |first=Jim |title=Geraldine Ferraro lets her emotions do the talking |newspaper=The Daily Breeze |date=March 7, 2008 |url=http://www.dailybreeze.com/lifeandculture/ci_8489268 |access-date=March 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311190901/http://www.dailybreeze.com/lifeandculture/ci_8489268 |archive-date=March 11, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} Ferraro justified her statements by referring to her own run for vice president saying that she "was talking about historic candidacies and what I started off by saying (was that) if you go back to 1984 and look at my historic candidacy, which I had just talked about all these things, in 1984 if my name was Gerard Ferraro instead of Geraldine Ferraro, I would have never been chosen as a vice presidential candidate. It had nothing to do with my qualification."{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23590166|title=Clinton supporter quits over Obama remarks|work=NBC News|date=December 3, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029214406/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23590166|url-status=live}}

By the day of the March 11 Mississippi primary, the comments had achieved wider circulation and she was accused of being racially insensitive. Hillary Clinton rejected Ferraro's comments – saying, "It is regrettable that any of our supporters on both sides, because we've both had that experience, say things that kind of veer off into the personal. We ought to keep this on the issues" – but did not call for Ferraro's resignation from the Clinton campaign.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/11/ferraro.comments/|title=Ferraro: 'They're attacking me because I'm white'|publisher=CNN|date=March 11, 2008|access-date=March 12, 2008|archive-date=March 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315020753/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/11/ferraro.comments/|url-status=live}} Ferraro rejected apologizing or repudiating her comments once they came under fire from the Obama campaign, and spoke to the Daily Breeze again, where she said, "I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?"Gene Maddaus, [http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8533832 "Ferraro defends controversial comments on Barack Obama"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513094635/http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8533832 |date=May 13, 2008 }}, The Daily Breeze, March 11, 2008.

On March 12, MSNBC commentator Keith Olbermann launched an unusually vehement critique of the Clinton campaign, accusing the campaign of using Ferraro as a surrogate to imply that Obama (who was president of Harvard Law Review at Harvard Law School during his time there and is a magna cum laude graduate of its law school) was the beneficiary of social and media affirmative action.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23601041|title=Clinton's tepid response to Ferraro is shameful – Countdown with Keith Olbermann|work=NBC News|date=December 3, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025015743/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23601041|url-status=live}} Some commentators saw these comments by Ferraro as a coded attempt by the campaign to appeal to race-conscious white voters in the upcoming Pennsylvania primary.{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/840277,CST-NWS-mitch13.article|title=Ferraro fails to grasp why she's so wrong|first=Mary|last=Mitchell|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=March 13, 2008|access-date=March 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417084956/http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/840277,CST-NWS-mitch13.article|archive-date=April 17, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Later on March 12, Ferraro resigned from the Clinton campaign, saying "The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you. I won't let that happen."{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/12/ferraro.comments/?iref=mpstoryview|title=Ferraro steps down from Clinton campaign|first=Rebecca|last=Sinderbrand|publisher=CNN|date=March 14, 2008|access-date=July 24, 2008|archive-date=May 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514201221/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/12/ferraro.comments/?iref=mpstoryview|url-status=live}} At a campaign stop with the National Newspaper Publishers Association which represents over 200 African American newspapers, Clinton was asked to apologize for Ferraro's remarks and said, "I said yesterday that I rejected what she said, and I certainly do repudiate it."{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/clinton-addresses-ferraro-backlash/#more-4507|title=Clinton Addresses Ferraro Backlash|work=The New York Times|date=March 12, 2008|access-date=March 13, 2008|first=Ariel|last=Alexovich|archive-date=March 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316231704/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/clinton-addresses-ferraro-backlash/#more-4507|url-status=live}}

During her presidential campaign, Clinton had made several references to her March 1996 trip to visit U.S. troops enforcing the Dayton Agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina,{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE3D61139F935A15750C0A960958260|title=Response by G.I.'s Mixed As Hillary Clinton Visits|first=Mike|last=O'Connor|work=The New York Times|date=March 26, 1996|access-date=March 26, 2008|archive-date=March 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323111714/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE3D61139F935A15750C0A960958260|url-status=live}} detailing a harrowing experience. At a February 29, 2008, event in Waco, Texas, with retired Gen. Wesley Clark and remarks at a December 29, 2007, event in Dubuque, Iowa,{{cite web|last=Thrush|first=Glenn|title=Hillary says she risked life on White House trips|work=Newsday|location=New York|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-usside315521015dec31,0,5515440.story|access-date=March 27, 2008|archive-date=April 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408061951/http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-usside315521015dec31,0,5515440.story|url-status=dead}} Clinton detailed how she had to make a run for it on the tarmac at Tuzla Air Base to avoid sniper fire. On March 17, 2008, during her Saint Patrick's Day speech at The George Washington University, Clinton described her trip to Bosnia:

{{blockquote|I certainly do remember that trip to Bosnia... I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.{{cite web|title=IRAQ: Hillary's Remarks at The George Washington University |date=March 17, 2008 |url=http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/speech/view/?id=6553 |access-date=March 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326084043/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/speech/view/?id=6553 |archive-date=March 26, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}}}

The Associated Press could find no evidence that Clinton had been under extraordinary risk during her landing at Tuzla Air Base. A video of her arrival, released by CBS News, shows Clinton and her daughter Chelsea smiling and waving as they walked at a leisurely pace across the tarmac from a cargo plane, stopping to shake hands with Bosnia's acting president and listen while an 8-year-old girl read a poem. Clinton shook hands with American troops and posed for pictures with a group of 7th graders who were also on the tarmac.{{cite news|title=Hillary Clinton backtracks over 'misleading' Bosnia sniper story|publisher=The Times on Line|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3617816.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509205517/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3617816.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2008|access-date=March 27, 2008|location=London|first=Hannah|last=Strange|date=March 25, 2008}} Comedian Sinbad, who accompanied Clinton on the trip, said, "I never felt that I was in a dangerous position. I never felt being in a sense of peril, or 'Oh, God, I hope I'm going to be OK when I get out of this helicopter or when I get out of his tank.'"{{cite news|date=March 25, 2008|work=Fox News|url=http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/25/clinton-admits-rare-error-when-she-misspoke-about-bosnia-sniper-threat/|title=Clinton: I Made a Rare Error When I 'Misspoke' About Bosnia Sniper Threat|access-date=March 26, 2008|quote=So I made a mistake. That happens. It proves I'm human, which, you know, for some people, is a revelation.}}{{cite magazine|title=Sinbad on His and Hillary's "Red Phone Moments" In Bosnia|magazine=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2008/03/11/sinbad-on-his-and-hillarys-red-phone-moments-in-bosnia/|access-date=March 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316121134/http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2008/03/11/sinbad-on-his-and-hillarys-red-phone-moments-in-bosnia/ |archive-date=March 16, 2008}}{{cite news|first=Mary Ann |last=Akers |title=Sinbad Unloads on Hillary Clinton |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/03/sinbad_unloads_on_hillary_clin.html |date=March 11, 2008 |access-date=March 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404042149/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/03/sinbad_unloads_on_hillary_clin.html |archive-date=April 4, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} When spokesman Howard Wolfson was asked about her remarks, he said that she "misspoke".{{cite news|date=March 24, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNxTApa2sQRu0Xx99P3jt2bEXw7gD8VK1S181 |title=Clinton 'misspoke' on Bosnia trip |access-date=March 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329010845/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNxTApa2sQRu0Xx99P3jt2bEXw7gD8VK1S181 |archive-date=March 29, 2008 }}{{cite news|date=March 24, 2008|work=Fox News|url=http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/24/clinton-campaign-says-she-misspoke-did-not-land-under-sniper-fire/|title=Clinton Campaign Says She &"Misspoke," Did Not Land "Under Sniper Fire"|access-date=March 24, 2008}} CBS News reported that hundreds of thousands of viewers had by then seen video of the 1996 event that offers evidence of Clinton's exaggeration, with Clinton aide Lissa Muscatine saying the event "was not quite as dramatic as Clinton put it."{{cite news|work=CBS News|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/24/eveningnews/main3964921.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328062051/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/24/eveningnews/main3964921.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 28, 2008|date=March 24, 2008|title=CBS Video Contradicts Clinton's Story|access-date=March 24, 2008}} Clinton acknowledged her mistake, saying "I made a mistake. That happens. It proves I'm human, which you know, for some people, is a revelation."{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080325.wclinton0325/BNStory/International/home|title=Clinton: I made a mistake|first=Charles|last=Babington|agency=Associated Press|date=March 25, 2008|access-date=March 26, 2008|location=Toronto|work=The Globe and Mail}} The Obama campaign responded by releasing documentation of three other instances in the past in which Clinton had repeated the same sniper fire claim.Earle, Geoff, "Now Bunko Hill Is Under Fire: Insulted Military Blasts Her Serial 'Sniper' Lies", New York Post, March 26, 2008.

The Clinton campaign had $33 million on hand at the end of February 2008, but due to federal election laws, would only be able to spend $11 million of that on the Democratic primary. As of the end of February, the campaign owed $8.7 million in unpaid debts. The campaign has also been slow paying vendors, drawing criticism from small business owners who have provided services to the campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9259.html|title=Cash-strapped Clinton fails to pay bills|work=Politico|access-date=March 31, 2008|date=March 30, 2008|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.}}

A February 8, 2008, article in the Portsmouth Herald stated, "Rochester physician Terry Bennett said he rented a city building to people who worked for Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign – and skipped town without paying the bill. Making matters worse, Bennett said, the {{convert|3000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} building at 236 Union St. was left trashed...Realtor Michael Whitney... said he has been trying to collect rent for four weeks. 'I sent about 20 e-mails,' said Whitney. '...I called, but they will not return any of my calls.'"[http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/NEWS/802080448 Landlord: Clinton staff stiffed me on rent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724030446/http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/NEWS/802080448 |date=July 24, 2008 }} Portsmouth Herald, February 8, 2008

A February 23, 2008, article in The New York Times reported that a caterer, a hotel, and a cleaning service all had trouble collecting money from Clinton's campaign for services that they had provided.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/23/nyregion/23owe.html|title=Small Vendors Feel Pinch of Clinton's Money Troubles|work=The New York Times|date=February 23, 2008|access-date=March 31, 2008|first=Michael|last=Luo}}

A March 31, 2008, article in Politico titled "Clinton didn't pay health insurance bills" stated, "Among the debts reported this month by Hillary Clinton's struggling presidential campaign, the $292,000 in unpaid health insurance premiums for her campaign staff stands out... the unpaid bills to Aetna were at least two months old, according to FEC filings."{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9274.html|title=Clinton didn't pay health insurance bills|work=Politico|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=March 31, 2008|first=Kenneth P.|last=Vogel}}

After Clinton's April win in the Pennsylvania primary by 9.4%, her campaign released to the media that it had received a renewed national boost, as evidenced by 60,000 donors who contributed a total of $10 million, more than 80 percent of whom the campaign said were first-time donors. An investigation from Politico, however, concluded that the claim was only "successful campaign spin," and "a case of shaping favorable media coverage by crafting a narrative too compelling to overlook." Politico concluded this because the campaign's claims, it said, were "impossible to independently verify."Kenneth P. Vogel, "The story behind Clinton's record haul", Politico, April 26, 2008.[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9889.html Available online.] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080501105702/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9889.html Archived.] Data released by the Federal Election Commission revealed that the real figure was approximately $4.3 million.{{cite web|url=http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2008/M5/C00431569/A_DATE_C00431569.html|title=Contributions for Hillary Clinton for President|publisher=Federal Election Commission|access-date=May 29, 2008|date=May 20, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529222314/http://query.nictusa.com///pres///2008///M5///C00431569///A_DATE_C00431569.html|archive-date=May 29, 2008|df=mdy-all}}

A May 12, 2008, Bloomberg News article states that Clinton has "more than $10 million in unpaid bills to vendors and consultants."[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as5a58KS7ky8&refer=home Clinton Deadline Looms for Recouping $11 Million Personal Loan] Bloomberg News, May 12, 2008

An August 22, 2008, CNN blog entry by CNN reporters Alexander Mooney and Robert Yoon stated, "According to an FEC report filed Wednesday, Clinton's debt as of the end of July stood at just under $24 million – a decrease of only $1.2 million since the end of June. More than $13 million of that total is owed to the New York senator herself, while close to $11 million is owed to individual vendors."[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/22/disclosure-reports-show-clinton-still-deeply-in-debt/ Disclosure reports show Clinton still deeply in debt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825002844/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/22/disclosure-reports-show-clinton-still-deeply-in-debt/ |date=August 25, 2008 }}, CNN blog from CNN writers Alexander Mooney and Robert Yoon, August 22, 2008

During her campaign, Clinton repeatedly criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement, despite it having been one of the major achievements of her husband's administration, and said that as First Lady she had been against the agreement.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/21/obama_camp_says_records_prove_clinton_supported_nafta/|title=Obama camp says records prove Clinton supported NAFTA|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=March 21, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724212632/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/21/obama_camp_says_records_prove_clinton_supported_nafta/ |archive-date=2008-07-24}}{{cite news|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/15/668610.aspx |title=Here Comes NAFTA |author=Murray, Mark |author2=Dann, Carrie |publisher=MSNBC |date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401033104/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/15/668610.aspx |archive-date=April 1, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news|title=Clinton Says She Raised 'Yellow Caution Flag' on Nafta|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/clinton-says-she-raised-yellow-caution-flag-on-nafta/|work=The New York Times|date=April 1, 2008|access-date=April 2, 2008|first=Katharine|last=Seelye}} Her opposition to NAFTA had been a key issue in the Ohio primary.{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/03/20/obama_campaign_harshly_critica.html |title=Obama Campaign Harshly Critical of Clinton's NAFTA Role |author=Weisman, Jonathan |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728022809/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/03/20/obama_campaign_harshly_critica.html |archive-date=July 28, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}

The mid-March release of Clinton administration White House calendar documents that suggested that Hillary Clinton had participated in several meetings during 1993 to promote NAFTA's passage within Congress led to the Obama campaign accusing her of mendacity. Obama advisor David Axelrod said the documents provided "direct, incontrovertible evidence" that the First Lady worked for NAFTA's passage and that "This is the political equivalent of consumer fraud." The NAFTA matter thus became one of several where Clinton's credibility was being called into question.{{cite news|first=Indira|last=Lakshmanan|title=Clinton Risks Credibility Gap Over 'Fudged' Claims, Stances|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aN1m3Y9LByD4|date=March 28, 2008|access-date=April 2, 2008|work=Bloomberg}}

Thereupon followed a range of remembrances from Clinton administration officials involved at the time. David Gergen and Robert J. Shapiro said she had opposed NAFTA on the merits, as well as for getting too high political priority compared to the Clinton health care reform plan, an assessment that was echoed by biographers Sally Bedell Smith and Carl Bernstein.{{cite book|title=For Love of Politics: Inside the Clinton White House|first=Sally Bedell|last=Smith|author-link=Sally Bedell Smith|publisher=Random House|year=2007|isbn=978-1-4000-6324-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/forloveofpolitic00smit_0/page/117 117]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/forloveofpolitic00smit_0/page/117}}{{cite book|title=Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership Nixon to Clinton|url=https://archive.org/details/eyewitnesstopowe00davi|url-access=limited|first=David|last=Gergen|author-link=David Gergen|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/eyewitnesstopowe00davi/page/280 280]}}{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/gergen-hillary.html|title=Gergen: Hillary a 'Good Soldier' on NAFTA|author=Tapper, Jake|work=ABC News|date=March 21, 2008|author-link=Jake Tapper|access-date=February 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817193807/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/gergen-hillary.html|archive-date=August 17, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/14/did-hillary-clinton-reall_n_86674.html|title=Did Hillary Clinton Really Support NAFTA? Aides, Biographers Say No|author=Stein, Sam|newspaper=HuffPost|date=February 14, 2008}} Others such as Robert Reich recalled only her opposition to the priority and not to the agreement herself.{{cite web|url=http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2008/02/hillary-and-barack-afta-nafta.html|title=Hillary and Barack, Afta Nafta|date=February 29, 2008|access-date=April 2, 2008|first=Robert|last=Reich}} In any case, once her husband had made the decision to support NAFTA, she did publicly support that.

On April 4, the Clintons released their tax returns for the past eight years.{{cite news|first=Mike|last=McIntyre|title=Clintons Made $109 Million in Last 8 Years|work=The New York Times|date=April 5, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/us/politics/05clintons.html|access-date=April 7, 2008}} The total reported income for the time period was $109 million, most of which came from Bill Clinton's books, speaking engagements, and other enterprises. The Clintons paid $34 million in federal taxes over the period.

In early April, the Clinton campaign had problems arising from Clinton's use of a story of health insurance coverage, an Ohio hospital, and a patient's death. Based upon a story Clinton had heard from a Meigs County sheriff's deputy in Pomeroy, Ohio, in February, but had not had fact-checked,{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/the-nuanced-tru.html|title=The Nuanced Truth About Hillary Clinton's Hospital Story|first=Jake|last=Tapper|author-link=Jake Tapper|work=ABC News|date=April 8, 2008|access-date=April 10, 2008}} Clinton described a woman from rural Ohio who was making minimum wage at a local pizza shop, was uninsured, and became pregnant. As told, there were complications with the pregnancy and the woman was denied treatment at a local hospital because she couldn't afford a $100 payment; she later was taken to the hospital by ambulance and lost the baby; she was then taken by helicopter to a Columbus hospital where she died of complications.{{cite news|last=Brusk|first=Steve|title=Clinton drops hospital story from stump speech|publisher=CNN|date=April 6, 2008|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/06/clinton.hospital/?iref=hpmostpop|access-date=April 7, 2008}} Clinton used the story through April 4 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Officials at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens, Ohio, said the woman did have insurance and had not been turned away; they expressed frustration that Clinton's campaign never called to verify the story, and asked that Clinton stop telling it.{{cite news|last=Shively|first=Carolyn|title=Clinton Drops Health Insurance Nightmare Story After Facts Are Disputed|work=Fox News|date=April 6, 2008|url=http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/06/clinton-drops-health-insurance-nightmare-story-after-facts-are-disputed/|access-date=April 7, 2008|archive-date=April 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407151946/http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/06/clinton-drops-health-insurance-nightmare-story-after-facts-are-disputed/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/us/politics/05woman.html|date=April 5, 2008|title=Ohio Hospital Contests a Story Clinton Tells|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 7, 2008|last=Sontag|first=Deborah}} In fact, the woman had been earlier denied treatment at a private clinic because she owed them several thousand dollars from unpaid previous visits, and so thought she could not go to the clinic again once she became pregnant, even though she now had insurance. Thus she did not seek medical care until she was already in an emergency situation. On April 6, the Clinton campaign indicated it would drop use of the story. On April 11, Paul Krugman wrote a column in the New York Times saying the essential point about the poor state of health care in the United States was lost in the media storm about this episode and that Clinton's point about a pregnant woman who died after being turned away was essentially correct.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/opinion/11krugman.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin|title=Health Care Horror Stories|first=Paul|last=Krugman|work=The New York Times|date=April 11, 2008|access-date=April 11, 2008}}

File:BillClintonatW&J2008.jpg at a "Solutions for America" rally at the Henry Memorial Center at Washington & Jefferson College on March 11, 2008{{cite web|title=Former President Bill Clinton to Speak at W&J on Tuesday |work=Current Press Releases |publisher=Washington & Jefferson College |date=March 10, 2008 |url=http://www.washjeff.edu/content.aspx?section=2210&menu_id=517&crumb=518&page_title=Current%20Press%20Releases&id=11289 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602170649/http://www.washjeff.edu/content.aspx?section=2210&menu_id=517&crumb=518&page_title=Current%20Press%20Releases&id=11289 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=February 12, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}]]

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would both statistically tie Republican John McCain in a general election matchup, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released March 18, 2008. At the same time, daily tracking polls from Rasmussen Reports showed McCain with a lead over both Democratic candidates.{{cite news|first=Alexander|last=Mooney|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/18/candidate.poll/index.html|title=Primary Poll: McCain, Obama, Clinton in dead heat in election matchup|publisher=CNN|date=March 18, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012}}[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll Daily Presidential Tracking Poll] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016052006/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll |date=October 16, 2008 }} Rasmussen Reports, March 23, 2008 The National Archives on March 19, 2008, released more than 11,000 pages of Sen. Hillary Clinton's schedule when she was first lady. Sen. Barack Obama's campaign has pushed for the documents' release, arguing that their review is necessary to make a full evaluation of Clinton's experience as first lady.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/19/clinton.documents/index.html|title=Archives releases Hillary Clinton's White House schedule|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 4, 2012|date=March 19, 2008}}

File:ClintonHarrisburgRally2008.jpg, Catherine Baker Knoll, and Stephen Reed rally for Clinton in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on March 11, 2008{{cite news|url=http://blog.pennlive.com/pennsyltucky/2008/03/clinton_solution_takes_on_chen.html|title=Clinton 'solution' to Cheney, Obama in Harrisburg|publisher=pennlive.com|first=Brett|last=Lieberman|date=March 11, 2008|access-date=April 23, 2008}}]]

The Pennsylvania Primary will be held on April 22. With 188 delegates, one Pennsylvania newspaper said that the state is "poised to become decisive in the Democratic presidential nomination."{{cite web|first1=G. Terry|last1=Madonna|first2=Michael|last2=Young|url=http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/PRIMARY/802130302/-1/NEWS04|title=Primary election in Pennsylvania: The deciders|work=Pocono Record|date=February 13, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124152806/http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/PRIMARY/802130302/-1/NEWS04|url-status=dead}}

President Bill Clinton highlighted the importance of the state for the Clinton campaign saying on March 11 at an event in Western Pennsylvania that "If she wins a big, big victory in Pennsylvania, I think it'll give her a real big boost going into the next primaries... I think she's got to win a big victory in Pennsylvania. I think if she does, she can be nominated, but it's up to you."{{cite news|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/11/757889.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314103338/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/11/757889.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 14, 2008|title=Bill: Hill needs 'big, big victory' in PA|publisher=MSNBC|date=March 11, 2008|access-date=March 12, 2008}} This was a repetition of his tactic before March 4, warning supporters that his wife might not be able to continue if she did not win Ohio and Texas.{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/bill-clinton-texas-and-ohio-or-bust/|title=Bill Clinton: Texas and Ohio or Bust|work=The New York Times|date=February 21, 2008|access-date=March 12, 2008|first=Sarah|last=Wheaton}} Hillary Clinton emphasized that Pennsylvania was something of a home state for her, as her father came from Scranton, Pennsylvania, she and her brothers were christened there and had vacationed near there each summer, and her brothers still maintained the family cottage near there.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/us/politics/10scranton.html|title=Pennsylvania Ties Could Help Clinton|first=Katherine Q.|last=Seelye|work=The New York Times|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=March 14, 2008}}

A February 14 Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll placed Clinton ahead of Obama 52% to 36%.{{cite news|last=Leigh|first=Karen|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a5LJt7I95yIU&refer=home|title=Clinton Holds Lead Over Obama in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Poll Finds|publisher=Bloomberg|date=February 14, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012}} Another poll, released two weeks later, saw that margin decreasing, with Clinton leading Obama by 6 points, at 49% to 43%.{{cite web|author=Quinnipiac University – Office of Public Affairs |url=http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1327.xml?ReleaseID=1148 |title=February 27, 2008 – Young Voters Help Obama Narrow Gap in Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds |publisher=Quinnipiac.edu |date=February 27, 2008 |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808093929/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1327.xml?ReleaseID=1148 |archive-date=August 8, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} As April began, Clinton's lead had been virtually wiped out in the state. A poll from Public Policy Polling had Obama two points ahead, while an Insider Advantage poll showed Clinton hanging on to a two-point advantage. Both results were within the margins of error, making the state a virtual dead heat. Another late-March poll from Quinnipiac University had Clinton nine points ahead.[http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_43_318.aspx Pennsylvania poll shows Clinton campaign on life support] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107031632/http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_43_318.aspx |date=January 7, 2009 }} Southern Political Report, April 3, 2008{{cite web|url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010519499 |title=Clinton? Obama? Polls Mixed in Pennsylvania |publisher=www.allheadlinenews.com |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525122015/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010519499 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}

On March 27, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont called for Clinton to withdraw from the presidential campaign and support opponent Barack Obama. The six-term senator, and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee made the statements during an interview on Vermont Public Radio. Leahy stated: "Senator Clinton has every right, but not a very good reason, to remain a candidate for as long as she wants to. As far as the delegate count and the interests of a Democratic victory in November go, there is not a very good reason for drawing this out."{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080328/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_leahy|title=Leahy says Clinton should withdraw|agency=Associated Press|access-date=March 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331233603/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080328/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_leahy |archive-date=March 31, 2008}} Clinton rejected calls to withdraw, saying "The more people get a chance to vote, the better it is for our democracy...we of all people [know] how important it [is] to give everyone a chance to have their voices heard and their votes counted." Campaigning in the week of April 14, 2008, included a tough debate between Obama and Clinton, who pounded her rival for his recent remark that decades of economic decline had left some rural voters "bitter" and clinging to religion and guns.

On April 22, she won the Pennsylvania primary by 9.2 percentage points, keeping her campaign alive and bringing in a much-needed $4.3 million in new funds over the next 24 hours, although the campaign claimed the figure was $10 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2008-04-25-voa1.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430015358/http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2008-04-25-voa1.cfm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 30, 2008|title=Pennsylvania Win Helps Clinton Raise Millions, Adds to Obama Questions|publisher=Voice of America|date=April 25, 2008|access-date=April 25, 2008}} Weekly churchgoers made up almost 36 percent of the electorate, who went to Clinton by a 56–44 margin. More than a third were gun owners, and they preferred Clinton by an almost-identical margin—60 percent to 40 percent, exit polls found out. The victory showed she had the better shot at winning on November 4, 2008, than he, she stated. A total of 158 delegates to the convention were at stake.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/22/us.primary.intl/index.html|title=Clinton beats Obama in Pennsylvania|work=CNN|access-date=April 14, 2008}}

In a series of political ads and speeches while campaigning in Indiana, Clinton blamed the closing and move of Magnequench in Valparaiso, Indiana, a company that manufactures military-grade magnets used in smart weapons on the Bush administration. However, the company's sale to a Chinese company was approved under the administration of her husband Bill Clinton in 1995 despite national security concerns.{{cite news|url=http://vodpod.com/watch/689199-hillary-clinton-on-magnequench|title=Hillary Clinton on Magnequench Video|author=ABC News/VodPod|work=ABC News|date=May 2, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507052737/http://vodpod.com/watch/689199-hillary-clinton-on-magnequench|archive-date=May 7, 2008|df=mdy-all}} A memo from the office of Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, who is also a supporter of Clinton, revealed that Bayh blamed the Clintons for the closing of the Magnequench plant.{{cite news|url=http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/05/evan-bayh-memo-blames-clintons.php |title=Evan Bayh Memo Blames Clintons For Indiana Plant Closing |work=TPM |date=May 2, 2008 |access-date=May 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709000953/http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/05/evan-bayh-memo-blames-clintons.php |archive-date=July 9, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

Clinton was heavily outspent by Obama in both states.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/us/politics/09clinton.html|title=Short of Cash, Clinton Is Forced to Cut Spending|first1=Patrick |last1=Healy |first2=Michael |last2=Luo |work=The New York Times|date=May 9, 2008|access-date=May 9, 2008}}

Clinton made her proposal of a summer gas tax holiday a central part of her campaigning. Obama opposed the notion, and it became a major issue between them.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/03/obama.gas.ap/index.html|title=Obama rips Clinton's gas tax plan|publisher=Associated Press for CNN|date=May 3, 2008|access-date=May 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506121640/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/03/obama.gas.ap/index.html |archive-date=May 6, 2008}} When most economists came out against the proposal, Clinton denounced "elite opinion" and said, "I'm not going to put my lot in with economists."{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN3055017520080504|title=Clinton dismisses "elite" economists on gas tax plan|first=Andy|last=Sullivan|work=Reuters|date=May 4, 2008|access-date=May 8, 2008}}

On May 6, a narrow win in the Indiana primary coupled with a large loss in the North Carolina primary, damaged Clinton's campaign's chances and led to speculation about whether she could or would remain in the race.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/us/politics/07cnd-clinton.html|title=Uncertainties Mark Clinton's Itinerary|author=Healy, Patrick|work=The New York Times|date=May 7, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2008}} Clinton had hoped to score a solid win in Indiana and finish a close second in North Carolina,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/07/political.analysis/index.html|title=Analysis: As Obama nears finish line, can Clinton rebound in time?|first1=Alan |last1=Silverleib |first2=Mark |last2=Preston |publisher=CNN|date=May 7, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2008}} especially after Obama had endured a difficult period in his campaign due to continuing effects from the Jeremiah Wright controversy.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/us/politics/07assess.html|title=Options Dwindling for Clinton|first=Adam|last=Nagourney|work=The New York Times|date=May 7, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2008}} As the results came in from these two states, ABC political analyst and former top Bill Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos declared the Democratic race "over", and NBC Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert said, "We now know who the Democratic nominee will be."[https://web.archive.org/web/20080514164503/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/1936435/Hillary-Clinton-refuses-to-quit%2C-but-battle-%27is-over%27.html Hillary Clinton refuses to quit, but battle is 'over'] Daily Telegraph, May 7, 2008 The day after the North Carolina and Indiana votes, it appeared that superdelegates and party leaders were beginning to coalesce around Obama. He added four superdelegate endorsements to Clinton's one, and former Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern switched his support from Clinton to Obama.[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/07/democrats.race/ Clinton fights on as focus turns to superdelegates] CNN.com, May 7, 2008 Regardless, Clinton vowed that her campaign would continue{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4804168&page=1|title=Clinton Fights on After Stinging Defeat in N.C., Narrow Win in Ind.|first=Jennifer|last=Parker|work=ABC News|date=May 7, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2008}} through the remaining primary states,{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0728376020080508|title=Hillary Clinton hoping for late comeback|author=Mason, Jeff|work=Reuters|date=May 8, 2008|access-date=May 8, 2008}} and she loaned it an additional $6.4 million from her own funds.

Clinton expressed her rationale for staying in the race by saying, "I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on ... [there is an Associated Press article] that found how Sen. Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me. There's a pattern emerging here."{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-05-07-clintoninterview_N.htm|title=Clinton makes case for wide appeal|first1=Kathy |last1=Kiely |first2=Jill |last2=Lawrence |work=USA Today|date=May 8, 2008|access-date=May 9, 2008}} The bluntness of her demographic analysis garnered some attention, and Clinton aides later said she regretted the remarks.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/us/politics/10clinton.html|title=For First Time, More Superdelegates Favor Obama|first=John M.|last=Broder|work=The New York Times|date=May 10, 2008|access-date=May 10, 2008}} When Congressman Charles Rangel, a strong Clinton supporter, said "that was the dumbest thing she could have said," Clinton acknowledged that "he's probably right."

Campaigning for the coming primaries, the Clinton campaign was forced to economize in its presentation values. While Internet and conventional fundraising continued, it fell far short of the burst she had received after her Pennsylvania win.

Ahead of the West Virginia vote, Obama took the lead in committed superdelegates on May 9. Obama had picked up seven endorsements from superdelegates since the May 6 primaries.[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4818637&page=1 Obama Takes Lead in Superdelegate Tally] ABCNews.com, May 9, 2008 Recognizing that the nature of the contest had changed, Clinton largely eliminated mention or criticism of Obama from her stump speeches and advertisements.

Clinton won the state by a 41-percentage-point margin,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/14/clinton/index.html?iref=mpstoryview|title=Clinton: It'd be 'terrible mistake' to pick McCain over Obama|publisher=CNN|date=May 14, 2008|access-date=May 15, 2008}} and told supporters that she was "more determined than ever to carry on in this campaign".[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/13/wv.primary/index.html After big win, Clinton vows to push forward] CNN.com, May 13, 2008 After exit polls revealed that large numbers of Clinton supporters were planning to vote for John McCain rather than Obama should she lose the nomination, Clinton said it would be a "terrible mistake" for those voters to do so: "I'm going to work my heart out for whoever our nominee is. Obviously, I'm still hoping to be that nominee, but I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that anyone who supported me ... understands what a grave error it would be not to vote for Sen. Obama."

After winning West Virginia, the Clinton campaign claimed a lead in the popular vote. The math behind this claim required (1) excluding the caucus states of Iowa, Nevada, Maine, and Washington; (2) including the disputed Florida totals; (3) including the disputed Michigan totals; (4) allotting 0 votes to Obama in Michigan. By that calculation, Clinton was ahead by roughly 27,000 votes of 33.4 million cast, or 0.08%.{{cite news|last1=Zeleny|first1=Jeff|first2=Patrick|last2=Healy|title=Obama Expected to Hit Milestone in Tuesday's Vote|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/us/politics/20obama.html|work=The New York Times|date=May 20, 2008|access-date=May 20, 2008}}{{cite web|title=2008 Democratic Popular Vote|publisher=RealClearPolitics|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_vote_count.html}} CNN noted that "Four different scenarios of the total popular vote have been kicked around," and that Obama led under all four scenarios. Clinton was ahead only under a fifth scenario excluding caucus states.{{cite news|last=Political Ticker|publisher=CNN|title=Clinton campaign: We're ahead in the popular vote|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/14/clinton-campaign-were-ahead-in-the-popular-vote/|date=May 14, 2008|access-date=May 20, 2008|archive-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517165832/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/14/clinton-campaign-were-ahead-in-the-popular-vote/|url-status=dead}}

Obama continued to add to his superdelegate lead in the week before the May 20 Kentucky and Oregon primaries, and former Democratic candidate John Edwards endorsed Obama on May 14.[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iJhSowPhssEAjdaqWDYv-cK6erJgD90M9VT80 Edwards endorsement pays off for Obama] Associated Press, May 15, 2008 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/us/politics/15obama.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin Ex-Rival Edwards Throws His Support Behind Obama] NY Times, May 15, 2008

On May 20, Clinton won the Kentucky primary by a 35-point margin,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#KY|work=CNN|title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results - Elections & Politics news from CNN.com|access-date=May 4, 2010}} while losing the Oregon primary by 18 points.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#OR|work=CNN|title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results - Elections & Politics news from CNN.com|access-date=May 4, 2010}} With the results, Obama gained a majority of all the pledged delegates to the convention.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/21/may.20.analysis/index.html|work=CNN|title=Analysis: Clinton scores a win, Obama nears finish line|date=May 21, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2010}}

With Obama approaching victory in the nomination process, Clinton continued to avoid attacking him.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1808470,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525063846/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1808470,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 25, 2008|title=What Does Hillary Want?|first=Karen|last=Tumulty|magazine=Time|date=May 22, 2008|access-date=June 4, 2008}} The campaigns had not yet begun discussing what Clinton might want in any concession negotiation. Bill Clinton began strongly pushing for Obama to take Hillary Clinton as his vice presidential running mate.

While campaigning in South Dakota on May 23, Clinton responded to questions about why there was pressure on her to leave the race:{{cite news|url=http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/UPDATES/80523037|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080919043825/http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/UPDATES/80523037|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2008|title=Clinton apologizes for Bobby Kennedy remark; Read a transcript of the discussion|work=Argus Leader|date=May 23, 2008|access-date=May 24, 2008}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/24/us/politics/24clinton.html?hp|title=Clinton's Reference to Slaying of Robert Kennedy Stirs Uproar|last=Seelye|first=Katharine Q.|date=May 24, 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 24, 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/23/1058940.aspx |title=HILLARY INVOKES RFK ASSASSINATION |last=Murray |first=Mark |date=May 24, 2008 |publisher=MSNBC|access-date=May 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524152919/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/23/1058940.aspx |archive-date=May 24, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/23/clinton-kennedy-assassina_n_103319.html|title=Clinton Kennedy Assassination Reference: Raises Bobby's Death To Explain Why She Stays In Race|date=May 23, 2008|publisher=HuffPost|access-date=May 24, 2008|first=Will|last=Thomas}}

{{blockquote|... people have been trying to push me out of this ever since Iowa and ... I find it curious because it is unprecedented in history. I don't understand it and between my opponent and his camp and some in the media, there has been this urgency to end this and you know historically that makes no sense, so I find it a bit of a mystery. ... I've been around long enough. You know my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere around the middle of June ... We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. Um, you know I just I don't understand it. There's lots of speculation about why it is.}}

Clinton's mention of the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in the context of her rationale for staying in the race drew a quick storm of national attention, as well as strong criticism from the Obama campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/05/24/ST2008052400166.html|title=Clinton Sorry For Remark About RFK Assassination|author=Anne E. Kornblut|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 24, 2008|access-date=May 24, 2008}} By the end of the day, Clinton issued an apology, saying that the Kennedys were on her mind due to the recent medical condition of Ted Kennedy and that she only used the example because of the June timeline, not, as speculated, to imply an Obama assassination. She had made a similar remark to Time magazine in March.{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080523/ap_on_el_pr/clinton|title=Clinton regrets RFK assassination remark|first=Devlin|last=Barrett|agency=Associated Press|date=May 23, 2008}}

The following day Obama said he would give Clinton the benefit of the doubt, adding, "I have learned that when you are campaigning for as many months as Senator Clinton and I have been campaigning, sometimes you get careless in terms of the statements that you make. And I think that is what happened here."{{cite news|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=4925145&page=1|title='You Get Careless': Obama Blames Clinton RFK Quip on Stress of Long Campaign|work=ABC News|date=May 24, 2008|access-date=May 24, 2008}} Throughout the Memorial Day weekend, the Clinton campaign sought to do damage control over the remarks, arguing more strongly that her remarks had been deliberately taken out of context by the news media and the Obama campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/us/politics/26campaign.html|title=Kennedy Comment Sends Clinton into Damage Control|first=Katharine Q.|last=Seelye|work=The New York Times|date=May 26, 2008|access-date=May 26, 2008}} Campaign spokesperson Howard Wolfson said, "It was unfortunate and unnecessary, and in my opinion, inflammatory, for the Obama campaign to attack Senator Clinton on Friday for these remarks, without obviously knowing the full facts or context."

Clinton was also criticized for exaggerating the meaningful duration of her husband's 1992 campaign; while he did not clinch the nomination until June of that year, he had effectively won it by mid-March.{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hNFiDjYQV_U2yaGth4Qn674nTK9QD90U81300 |title=Fact Check: Clinton and the 1992 campaign |agency=Associated Press |date=May 28, 2008 |access-date=May 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529212951/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hNFiDjYQV_U2yaGth4Qn674nTK9QD90U81300 |archive-date=May 29, 2008 }}

At a meeting of the Democratic National Committee Rules & Bylaws Committee held in Washington, D.C., on May 31, 2008, decisions were made regarding seating delegates from the Michigan primary and Florida primary.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/dems.delegates/index.html|title=Florida, Michigan get all delegates, but each gets half vote|publisher=CNN|date=June 1, 2008|access-date=June 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531160733/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/dems.delegates/index.html |archive-date=May 31, 2008}}

The Florida delegation was seated by following the results of the primary, but with each delegate having one-half vote in consequence of the penalty for holding the primary too early. This gave Clinton 105 pledged delegates (52.5 votes), Obama 67 delegates (33.5 votes), and Edwards 13 delegates (6.5 votes). The Florida resolution was acceptable to all sides and approved by a committee vote of 27 to 0.

The Michigan resolution was less obvious, since only Clinton of the major candidates had been on the ballot. The same half-vote penalty was employed, then a formulation was devised wherein the Michigan delegation was seated with 69 delegates (34.5 votes) pledged to Clinton and 59 delegates (29.5 votes) for Obama. This gave Obama four more delegates than the primary results would have warranted, assuming that all "uncommitted" votes were for Obama. The Michigan resolution was approved by a vote of 19 to 8. Harold M. Ickes, a strong supporter and representative of Clinton, objected strongly to the resolution, saying: "This motion will hijack – hijack – remove four delegates won by Hillary Clinton. This body of 30 individuals has decided that they're going to substitute their judgment for 600,000 voters."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/31/AR2008053102355_pf.html|title="Fla., Mich. Delegates Each Get Half a Vote" The Washington Post, p. A01, June 1, 2008|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 31, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012}} He then announced that Clinton reserved the right to appeal the Michigan resolution to the DNC Credentials Committee and thus possibly to the Democratic National Convention.

The meeting was conducted before a boisterous audience of candidate supporters, mostly pro-Clinton.

The final three primaries took place in early June. The Clinton campaign knew the end was near, but enjoyed the time spent at events in Puerto Rico, and Clinton spoke of the virtue of "finishing the job."Mark Leibovich, "Far From Her Party's Bitter Feuding, a Breezy Island Weekend for Clinton", The New York Times, June 2, 2008.

On June 1, Clinton won the Puerto Rico primary by more than a 2-to-1 margin.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/01/puerto.rico/index.html|title=Clinton wins in Puerto Rico, CNN projects|publisher=CNN|date=June 1, 2008}} Later on June 3, Clinton won the South Dakota primary and Obama won the Montana primary. This was the final primary of the season.

A flurry of superdelegates declared for Obama on June 3, and that combined with the day's winning of new pledged delegates in the two primaries, meant Obama had gained enough delegates to become the presumptive presidential nominee.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/03/election.democrats/index.html|title=CNN projects Obama clinches nomination|publisher=CNN|date=June 3, 2008|access-date=June 3, 2008}}

Following the result, after rumors fueled by a misunderstanding of an Associated Press report, the campaign dismissed suggestions that Clinton was going to concede in the speech following the primaries.{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/clinton-campaign-confronts-ap-report/|work=The New York Times|title=Clinton Campaign Confronts A.P. Report|first=Jim|last=Rutenberg|date=June 3, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2010}} In her speech after the closing of the Montana polls, Clinton said "I will be making no decisions tonight." She invited Americans to write to her on her website to provide input into what her next steps should be.

Meanwhile, while not officially confirming interest in the vice presidential slot, Clinton hinted at the possibility earlier on June 3. When asked for clarification, her campaign released the statement "Today on a conference call with New York legislators, Sen. Clinton was asked whether she was open to the idea of running as vice president and repeated what she has said before: She would do whatever she could to ensure that Democrats take the White House back and defeat John McCain."{{cite news|title=Obama: I will be the Democratic nominee|date=June 3, 2008|work=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/03/election.democrats/index.html|access-date=June 3, 2008}} The vice presidential possibility had been raised by Bill Clinton in the previous month, but this fueled speculation that Hillary Clinton was definitively interested in the possibility.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24953561|title=Clinton hails Obama but doesn't concede: Earlier, she said she would consider VP role to help Democrats win|work=NBC News|date=June 3, 2008|access-date=June 3, 2008}}

The New York Times described the relationship between Obama and Clinton during the campaign as having "veered between strained and strange", and suggested that the manner in which Obama reacted to Clinton and her supporters would be a major test of the post-primaries period.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/us/politics/04assess.html|title=Next on Agenda Is Clinton's Role|first=Adam|last=Nagourney|author-link=Adam Nagourney|work=The New York Times|date=June 4, 2008}}

By June 4, several media networks and top Clinton aides confirmed that she had been planning to concede the race for the Democratic nomination and endorse Obama.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/04cnd-campaign.html|work=The New York Times|title=Clinton to End Bid and Endorse Obama|first1=Adam|last1=Nagourney|first2=Jeff|last2=Zeleny|date=June 5, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24974674|title=Clinton to suspend campaign Saturday – Decision '08|work=NBC News|date=June 4, 2008 |access-date=January 4, 2012}} By June 5, the Clinton camp backed away from any suggestion about the vice presidential slot, with Clinton's spokesperson saying "[she] is not seeking the vice presidency, and no one speaks for her but her. The choice here is Senator Obama's and his alone."{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080606/pl_bloomberg/atgujbe3_ah4_1 |title=Clinton Says She's Not Seeking Vice Presidency |publisher=Bloomberg News for Yahoo! News |date=June 5, 2008 |first1=Lorraine |last1=Woellert |first2=Kristin |last2=Jensen |access-date=June 7, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

On June 7, 2008, in a speech before her gathered supporters at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.,{{cite web|url=http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7904 |title=Hillary Clinton Delivers Remarks in Washington, D.C. |access-date=June 9, 2008 |date=June 7, 2008 |publisher=hillaryclinton.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609202817/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7904 |archive-date=June 9, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24993082|title=Clinton ends historic bid, endorses Obama|publisher=Associated Press for NBC News|date=June 7, 2008|access-date=June 7, 2008}} Clinton officially announced that she was suspending her campaign and was fully endorsing Barack Obama. Clinton said:

{{blockquote|The way to continue our fight now – to accomplish the goals for which we stand – is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States. Today, as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. I endorse him, and throw my full support behind him. And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.}}

Clinton also adopted Obama's signature slogan, "Yes We Can", in her concession speech.

Obama responded to the speech in a number of venues. Shortly after she gave it, Obama stated that he was "thrilled and honored" to be supported by Clinton. In North Carolina on June 9, 2008, Obama began his speech by praising Clinton. He stated:

{{blockquote|Before we begin, I just want to take a minute to thank Senator Clinton for the kind and generous support she offered on Saturday [...] She ran an historic race, a historic campaign that shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere who know now that there are no limits to their dreams. What's more, she inspired millions of women and men with her strength, her courage, and her unyielding commitment to the causes that brought us here today – the hopes and aspirations of working Americans. Our party and our country are stronger because of the work that Hillary Rodham Clinton has done throughout her life, and I look forward to working with her ... to make sure we lay out the case for change and set a new course for this country.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/06/obama_praises_c.html|title=Obama praises Clinton|access-date=June 9, 2008|last=Rhee|first=Foon|date=June 9, 2008|work=The Boston Globe}}}}

Obama also thanked Clinton on his website and asked his supporters to do so as well via a special page designated for that task.{{cite web|url=http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/thankyouHRC?source=feature_thankyou?source=feature_thankyou|title=Thank you, Hillary|access-date=June 7, 2008|last=Obama|first=Barack|publisher=barackobama.com|archive-date=June 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609035945/http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/thankyouHRC?source=feature_thankyou%3Fsource%3Dfeature_thankyou|url-status=dead}} In addition, at a rally in Michigan on June 16, Obama defended Clinton as she was being heckled by some members of the audience, stating that "she is worthy of our respect, she is worthy of our honor."{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/17/obama-defends-clinton-at-michigan-rally/|title=Obama defends Clinton at Michigan rally|access-date=June 17, 2008|date=June 17, 2008|publisher=CNN|archive-date=June 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618012018/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/17/obama-defends-clinton-at-michigan-rally/|url-status=dead}}

The 2014 book HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton says that as the campaign wound down, a handful of staffers were tasked with compiling a list of Democrats based on their perceived loyalty or disloyalty during the campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/01/hillary-clinton-hit-list-102067.html#.U5U-2_ldVa0|title=Hillary's Hit List|first1=Jonathan |last1=Allen |first2=Amie |last2=Parnes |work=Politico|access-date=July 30, 2015}}

File:Hillary Rodham Clinton DNC 2008.jpg in Denver, Colorado, while delegates and audience members hold signs reading "Hillary".]]

After conceding defeat to Obama, Clinton's name was mentioned exhaustively by speculators and party officials as a possible running mate for the Illinois senator; the potential ticket was dubbed "the Dream Team",{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-politics-predictions-idUSN0112976020080701|work=Reuters|title=Traders more skeptical of Obama-Clinton dream team|date=July 1, 2008}} "the Dream Ticket",{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/WN/Vote2008/story?id=4230183|title=Obama and Clinton: A Democratic Dream Ticket? – ABC News|publisher=ABC News|date=February 1, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2012}} and "the Unity Ticket"{{cite web|url=http://clinton-and-obama.blogspot.com/|title=Democratic Unity Ticket '08 :: Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton, Dream Ticket '08|publisher=Clinton-and-obama.blogspot.com|access-date=January 4, 2012}} in some quarters. However, she was never seriously considered or vetted by Obama for the position.{{cite news|url=http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=EB0D720F-18FE-70B2-A89836AC470A50AD |title=Hillary gets stiffed |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=August 23, 2008 |publisher=Politico |access-date=December 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080904210814/http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=EB0D720F-18FE-70B2-A89836AC470A50AD |archive-date=September 4, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} Ultimately, Obama selected Delaware Senator Joe Biden over Clinton and a number of other rumored candidates, including Texas Rep. Chet Edwards, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh (an early and prominent Clinton supporter), and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine; the announcement was reported by CNN after midnight (U.S. Eastern Time) on August 22.{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/23/biden.democrat.vp.candidate/index.html|work=CNN|title=Obama introduces Biden as running mate|date=August 23, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2010}}

During the Democratic National Convention, Clinton released her delegates and urged them to vote for Barack Obama. On August 27, 2008, she motioned that Sen. Obama be officially nominated by acclamation.

• Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential campaign
• 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries
• Results of the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries

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