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Hillary Didn't Plan for Long Haul

Spending calls might reflect poorly on Clinton's management skills

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 23, 2008 5:26 AM CST

(Newser) – Hillary Clinton invested heavily to try to lock up the Democratic presidential nomination on Super Tuesday—but that didn't happen, and her failure to plan for the long haul let Barack Obama rack up 10 straight wins since and left some doubting her management skills. Clinton's dwindling war chest also helped Obama gain momentum to raise funds: $37 million last month vs. Clinton's $15 million.

"It’s possible to be very smart and experienced and still be caught short," William Galston, a top Clinton backer, told the Christian Science Monitor. Meanwhile Obama has tapped unexpectedly into voters' desire for hope and run a flexible campaign that will be studied “as a textbook of how to take advantage of changing circumstances," Galston said.

Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. applaud before a Democratic debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., stands on the stage before a Democratic debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Myrtle Beach, S.C.... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopefull Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., makes remarks during a fund raiser following his Democratic presidential debate with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY., Thursday, Feb. 21,... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., makes remarks during a rally on the campus of University of Texas-Pan American, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, in Edinburg, Texas. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Associated Press)

Sen. Hillary Clinton inspects one of her own campaign signs in this undated file photo from thr Associated Press. (AP)

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Hillary Didn't Plan for Long Haul

Spending calls might reflect poorly on Clinton's management skills

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Media Can't Agree on Superdelegate Count

Tally varies as superdelegates hedge their bets

Blue-Collar Voters Not Sold on Obama

College grads prefer him by 20%; working class goes for Clinton

Edwards' New Plan: Outlast 'Celebrity Candidates'

Hopeful lays out new strategy and boasts of January funding increase

Dems Do Their Math on Feb. 5 Primary States

Candidates pay heed to delegates, not just overall state wins

Clinton Rejects Staffs' Attacks on Obama

She denounces, seeks to distance herself from drug slam

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Hillary Didn't Plan for Long Haul

Spending calls might reflect poorly on Clinton's management skills

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Super Tuesday • Democratic presidential candidates • Democratic presidential primaries • Election 2008 • flexibility

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Media Can't Agree on Superdelegate Count

Tally varies as superdelegates hedge their bets

Blue-Collar Voters Not Sold on Obama

College grads prefer him by 20%; working class goes for Clinton

Edwards' New Plan: Outlast 'Celebrity Candidates'

Hopeful lays out new strategy and boasts of January funding increase

Dems Do Their Math on Feb. 5 Primary States

Candidates pay heed to delegates, not just overall state wins

Clinton Rejects Staffs' Attacks on Obama

She denounces, seeks to distance herself from drug slam

About Us

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?