Obama Camp Credits ‘Operation Chaos’ for Clinton Lead in Indiana
Barack Obama’s campaign issued an e-mail on Tuesday night that appeared to relegate Hillary Clinton’s lead in Indiana to efforts by Rush Limbaugh to wreak havoc in the Democratic presidential primary contest.
In an e-mail entitled “The Limbaugh Effect in Indiana = 7 percent,” Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton wrote: “According to the latest exit polling data, 17 percent of voters in the Indiana primary today said they would vote for John McCain in a Clinton/McCain match-up. Forty-one percent of that number is constituted by people who voted Clinton in the primary but also indicated they will vote for McCain in the general election. That comes out to just under 7 percent of the primary electorate the number that may be attributed to a Limbaugh Effect.”
“The Limbaugh Effect” referred to “Operation Chaos,” which the conservative radio talk show host launched early in the primary season to create “balance” in the 2008 primary contest after he said liberal influences helped John McCain emerge as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Limbaugh has said his scheme to tilt the Democratic primary exceeded his expectations.
“I see the Obama campaign is saying Operation Chaos accounted for a 7-point bump for Hillary in Indiana. I think they are just jealous that I out-organized them,” Limbaugh told FOX News Tuesday night. “I am extremely proud of Operation Chaos volunteers. I never doubted they would triumph and it is a delight to see.”
Clinton was leading in Indiana by 4 percentage points with a few counties outstanding. Speaking from North Carolina Tuesday night, Obama credited Clinton for “what appears to be her victory in the state of Indiana.”
The impact of “Operation Chaos” is difficult to measure. Indiana holds an open primary, and according to FOX News exit polls, 11 percent of voters in the Democratic contest were Republicans. Fifty-three percent of them said they chose Clinton, while 47 percent voted for Obama.
Twenty-three percent of Indiana voters called themselves independents or non-affiliated, and 47 percent said they supported Clinton compared to 53 percent for Obama. Democrats made up 66 percent of voters, and 53 percent voted for Clinton compared to 47 percent for Obama, the exit poll respondents said.
The exit polls showed that in a hypothetical Clinton-McCain matchup, 73 percent of those who voted in the Democratic race said they’d vote for Clinton, compared to 69 percent who said they would choose Obama if he is McCain’s opponent.
However, of the 19 percent of voters who said they would choose McCain against Obama if that were the general election matchup, only 12 percent voted for Obama in the primary.
Some of you are missing the point of “Operation Chaos”. It was designed to keep the Democratic race going for the longest period of time possible, which makes both Democrats look weaker.
Damon - I can’t believe how much you sound like Obama. “Small, bitter, people” (You probably take that as a compliment, though.) Rush was not “desperate” in his attempt to sway the Democratic vote. If it hadn’t been for Liberals voting in the Republican primaries, McCain would not be the nominee. So, with the Republican vote swung left, why not swing the Democratic vote right? And even with Clinton failing to get the nomination, Operation Chaos was a success because it dragged out the primaries months longer than they would have been.
Oh well, Rush Limbaugh ultimately failed in his bid to make Clinton the nominee, and the whole process has probably made Obama a stronger candidate for the Fall - so if I were Rush I wouldn’t exactly call it a triumph.
Sarra,it doesn’t matter if Michigan and Florida are included she is done.Do the math, more people wants Barack Obama for president I am one of them, McCain is a joke next to him.
GO OBAMA!!!!!!
Rush must hate the American electoral process more than any person in America. His followers have become small, bitter people. You were always mean and angry, but now you’re pathetic and desperate.
Just what we need, another example of what is wrong with our political system - Rush Limbaugh asking his sheeple to blindly follow his lead. What will he say to persuade people to vote for McCain, whom he’s against. The best he can do is throw garbage at his listeners and watch them lap it up.
Congrats on a job well done Rush! Ditto!
I can’t believe the OBAMA Campaign people! Placing blame on Rush L. is ridiculous. Nobody pulled the levers for the voters in Idiana…they weren’t forced to do so. Maybe it should give the Superdelegates more to think about - the fact that there were people who were trying NOT to have Obama win the state of Indiana - went as far as to vote Hillary….
…Obama, in essence, lost the state of Indiana - not Rush L.
I am voting for Hillary, if she is not the nom, I’m supporting a true hero; McCain.
Not that Obama used car salesman. Have America heard his minister for 20 years? What change? give us the details!
Undecided Voter’s Opinion
Here’s how I see this years election unfolding. Hillary was defeated last night although she won’t admit to it. Hillary will utilize the rest of her campaign to severely sabotage Barack Obama’s chances of getting elected in November 2008. John McCain will win the election with the Democratic Party controlling congress, but not enough votes to overturn a presidential veto. Noting gets done for another four years of which John McCain will be blamed for a bankrupted Nation. Hillary will resurrect herself to run again in 2012 boasting the words, “Had she been elected in 2008 America would be better today”. We would be hearing more of her rhetoric for another 18 months of campaigning of which the Democratic Party will be split yet again. It is time “We The People” vote in a new brain trust in congress, if you’re an incumbent you don’t have my vote.