Philly Grill: Daily Pennsylvanian Editor David Lei on Endorsing Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama’s overwhelming support among young Americans has been a media truism throughout the entire primary season. So we couldn’t help but let out a perplexed “Say whaa?” when we opened today’s Daily Pennsylvanian — the student newspaper at the University of Pennsylvania — and saw an official endorsement of Hillary Clinton. Philly Grill grabbed the DP’s executive editor, David Lei, for a quick chat to find out what he and his staff were thinking. — Stephanie Twining
We have to say we’re pretty surprised by your pick.
We’ve gotten quite a bit of that reaction. I’d offer two sets of comments on our website as an example. All week we’ve run a series on our editorial page that solicited each of the three major candidates for guest columns, and Senator Obama’s was yesterday. Someone actually remarked, “I’m pretty concerned that the opinion board’s just going to jump on the Obama bandwagon.” And that same person posted a comment today saying, “I’m shocked that you guys have not.”
How was the decision made?
We invited representatives from each of the three campaigns to come in and speak with us about why we should endorse their candidate. A number of Penn for Hillary and Penn for Obama people came — we didn’t have anyone from Penn for McCain come — and each got about 30 minutes to make their pitch and for us to ask questions. Afterwards we had a discussion, and anyone on staff was invited to come participate in that discussion. But after the discussion we had a closed-door deliberation and vote. And I can tell you that it was tough. It was quite tough.
How so?
It was a tough discussion, and it was close. As we indicated in the editorial, we’re kind of torn in some ways between our hearts and our minds. A lot of us felt that we would love to be involved in Senator Obama’s movement, and there’s a great feeling attached to what he offers and the message of his campaign. But college students also care about policy issues, and whether or not policies can actually be carried out. We felt that Senator Clinton was by far the better candidate in that regard.
Obama has had overwhelming support from younger voters. Are you going to lose some Facebook friends over this?
[Laughs] Right. I certainly hope I don’t lose any Facebook friends. It’s true, and that is something we took into consideration. We think the way he’s inspired youths to turn out and participate in the political process is really impressive, actually. So that is another reason why this was such a tough decision. On campus, you’re probably right. We’ve done an opinion research survey — though that was a couple of months ago — and many more students do support Obama.
What response have you gotten from fellow students?
We’re still waiting to gauge exactly the response from students specifically, because obviously the comments on the website aren’t necessarily a great indication of that. But I think a lot of students respect our decision, because we’re basically taking what seems to be the unpopular position. We’re not the New York Times or the Philadelphia Inquirer, but I think maybe we have changed a handful of people’s minds.
There’s general consensus that Clinton came out as the winner in last night’s debate. Are you guys just fair-weather fans?
We actually made a decision before the debate, so we came out of that meeting and as the debate was going on, we were kind of nervously wondering whether or not it would completely invalidate what we would say. But it didn’t actually.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
The first hour of the debate was a total joke. Clearly, the moderators were against our next president. Perhaps they are angry that he is doing so well, I just don’t know. But one thing is for certain; last night’s so-called “debate” will not affect the outcome of this race - and neither will your endorsement.
April 17th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
full transcript and video of the unwatchable debate : http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=1br7z7
April 17th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
This is the kind of smart endorsement I expect from an Ivy League school and its students. Thanks for not disappointing me.
April 18th, 2008 at 12:28 am
As a senior at Penn, I can honestly tell you that no one on campus really takes the DP seriously. I assure you, they didn’t even change a handful on minds.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:46 am
MY FELLOW “BITTER”, STUPID, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE
If you think like Barack Obama, that WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are just a bunch of “BITTER”!, STUPID, PEASANTS, Cash COWS!, and CANNON FODDER.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary’s than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton.
Best regards
jacksmith… Working Class
p.s. You Might Be An Idiot!
If you don’t know that the huge amounts of money funding the Obama campaign to try and defeat Hillary Clinton is coming in from the insurance, and medical industry, that has been ripping you off, and killing you and your children. And denying you, and your loved ones the life saving medical care you needed. All just so they can make more huge immoral profits for them-selves off of your suffering…
You see, back in 1993 Hillary Clinton had the audacity, and nerve to try and get quality, affordable universal health care for everyone to prevent the suffering and needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of you each year.
Approx. 100,000 of you die each year from medical accidents from a rush to profit by the insurance, and medical industry. Another 120,000 of you die each year from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. And I could go on, and on…
April 18th, 2008 at 4:01 am
DON’T BE DUPED !!!
Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. With Hillary Clinton you are almost 100% certain to get quality, affordable universal health care very soon.
But first, all of you have to make certain that Hillary Clinton takes the democratic nomination and then the Whitehouse. NOW! is the time. THIS! is the moment you have all been working, and waiting for. You can do this America. “Carpe diem” (harvest the day).
I think Hillary Clinton see’s a beautiful world of plenty for all. She’s a woman, and a mother. And it’s time America. Do this for your-selves, and your children’s future. You will have to work together on this and be aggressive, relentless, and creative. Americans face an even worse catastrophe ahead than the one you are living through now.
You see, the medical and insurance industry mostly support the republicans with the money they ripped off from you. And they don’t want you to have quality, affordable universal health care. They want to be able to continue to rip you off, and kill you and your children by continuing to deny you life saving medical care that you have already paid for. So they can continue to make more immoral profits for them-selves.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama’s. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
As much as 30% of Obama’s primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.
Hillary Clinton has been OUT MANNED! OUT GUNNED! and OUT SPENT! 4 and 5 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is. YOUNG PEOPLE. DON’T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.
Fortunately the Clinton’s have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton’s. Only the Clinton’s are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.
“This is not a game” (Hillary Clinton)
Sincerely
jacksmith… Working Class
April 18th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Glad to know I’m not the only 20-something voting for Clinton in the PA primaries.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I like her iraq exit plan, it includes Bush’s contractors and his no-bid contracts and evacuating Iraqi’s who’ve helped us, as well as our troops. Obama’s just troops, and I guess he thinks he’ll have to leave 60 to 80K. Her diplomacy plans will work because she’s not keeping spoils of war, we won’t be ‘a little bit’ occupying. Now, if we could just get bush to return Saddam’s pistol? (who else thinks he sleeps with it under his pillow?)
April 20th, 2008 at 3:26 am
I don’t think a paper should endorse anyone. Too many people might not keep up with all the truth of the candidates and just believe what the paper says. So, where are the reports on the good that Hillary Clinton has done. The many hours of pro bono work she did for children, women, and other issues before Senator Obama was even born. Her experience, good or bad, official or unofficial gives her the strength to lead the country and to beat McCain in Nov. If Obama could not take the heat from one debate after Senator Clinton has had it for over a year, then how is he going to hold up against McCain?
And what is it with him running ads that have Barack Obama. President. Is that even legal? Or is it just arrogance?
And, what about the info he is putting out about her healthcare? More false info he is tossing at the good people who want to believe in him.
Sen. Obama is attacking Hillary Clinton about health care in a television advertisement with claims that have been widely discredited by experts.
1. The Obama ad claims that Hillary’s “plan forces everyone to buy insurance even if you can’t afford it.” Health policy expert Ken Thorpe reviewed this claim and found it to be false. Under Hillary’s plan, everyone will be able to afford coverage.
“Ken Thorpe, a health-policy expert at Emory University who has advised all three major Democrats, said he ran cost estimates for the Clinton plan at the Clinton campaign’s request, and found there should be enough money to make insurance affordable for all.” [Wall Street Journal, 12/5/07]
2. The advertisement also claims that that Hillary’s plan would make people who fail to enroll “pay a penalty.” Sen. Obama’s own plan would fine parents who fail to enroll their children and he has said he will consider imposing penalties on people who don’t enroll.
Hillary would consider a range of ideas, including automatic enrollment, to ensure everyone is covered. Sen. Obama’s plan, would, experts agree, leave 15 million people out.
Concord Monitor: ‘Gruber estimated that 15 million people would remain uninsured under Obama’s plan.’ “Jonathan Gruber, a health economist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology who worked on the Massachusetts plan, said a mandate means “the difference between universal or near-universal coverage. Obama would have a large expansion, better than anything the Republicans have, but not universal coverage,” Gruber said. “You can’t get it without a mandate; it’s just not possible.” Gruber estimated that 15 million people would remain uninsured under Obama’s plan.” [Concord Monitor, 12/26/07]
Len Nichols, Jonathan Gruber and Mark Pauly: ‘even with other cost saving measures and a child mandate, we think that it is very likely that a least 15 million American would remain uninsured.’ “Recent estimates suggest that a plan with uniform generous subsidies but without a mandate would cover no more than one-half of the uninsured in the U.S. Even with other cost-saving measures and a child mandate, we think that it is very likely that at least 15 million Americans would remain uninsured.” [New America Foundation Policy Brief, 12/06/07]
Jonathan Holohan of the Urban Institute: ‘Obama would still leave about 22 million, 23 million, but he has a mandate for children, about 9 million uninsured kids, so assuming you get most of them, you get pretty close to 15 million.’ [New Republic, 12/03/07]
Wall Street Journal: ‘Mrs. Clinton charges that Mr. Obama’s plan would leave 15 million people without insurance. Outside experts agree that number is in the ballpark.’ [Wall Street Journal, 12/04/07]
Washington Post: ‘The Obama plan could leave a third of those currently uninsured lacking coverage.’ [Washington Post, 6/9/07]
3. The ad also claims that Sen. Obama’s plan reduces costs more than Hillary’s plan.
There is no citation for this claim because it is false. Hillary’s plan has more aggressive cost cutting measures and has more generous subsides. Because Sen. Obama’s plan leaves 15 million people out, it would drive costs up, because everyone would have to subsidize emergency care for the uninsured.
PBS has a special on healthcare around the world. It says for it to work it has to be universal. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/
April 20th, 2008 at 3:32 am
IT was the first fair debate I have seen. The big complaint is not enough issue was covered. Well, guess what the things that were discussed will be an issue in Nov so they do count.
There is too much unknown about Senator Obama. Hillary might be a wolf in wolf’s clothing but we know it, is Obama a sheep in wolf’s clothing and we find out too late?