Team Hillary's 5 Big Mistakes

How mood, rules, caucuses, money, and pacing laid her campaign low

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted May 8, 2008 2:04 PM CDT

(Newser) – With the Clinton campaign in death throes, Karen Tumulty runs down its five crucial mistakes in Time:

Mood. In a season when Democrats were desperate for change, Hillary “completely misread the mood” and went with incumbency.
Rules. Clinton's inner circle wasn't up on them. Mark Penn thought California's primary was winner-take-all—an early flub that forced them into a big-state strategy.

Caucuses. The campaign overlooked them, leaving Obama to build his lead in little states like Minnesota, Nebraska, and Kansas.
Money. Hillary was so confident in her old networks that she ignored the Internet—and hit a wall when her donors maxed out.
Pacing. Camp Clinton expected a decisive victory in Iowa and then again on Super Tuesday, even as their rivals looked months ahead.

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Team Hillary's 5 Big Mistakes

How mood, rules, caucuses, money, and pacing laid her campaign low

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Team Hillary's 5 Big Mistakes

How mood, rules, caucuses, money, and pacing laid her campaign low

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Hillary Clinton • Internet • campaign fundraising • Democratic nomination • California primary • Mark Penn • caucuses

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Clinton Spending Vexes Donors

Supporters ask why consultants are paid so much for failing campaign

No, She Isn’t Winning the Popular Vote

Claim divisive at best, untrue at worst, so let's just call it a tie

Clinton Aides Start to Believe Own Spin

Wright controversy a godsend for Clinton

$14M Penn Tab Underscores Consultants' Fleecing Spree

Ex-strategist made up 9% of Clinton spending

Obama Rakes in $50M, Clinton $35M in February

Democrats flush with cash heading into crucial primaries

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Newser By Users

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