Hillary Clinton's bellwether win that wasn't

[bijou]

Hillary Clinton was embarrassed yesterday after boasting of winning Missouri, America's bellwether state, only to see Barack Obama win.

In scenes reminiscent of the 2000 election farce in Florida between George W Bush and Al Gore, news agencies and radio stations declared Mrs Clinton the victor and were then forced to retract.

But by then the former First Lady's campaign in New York had issued a boastful press release emblazoned Hillary's Big Night. In Kansas City, where her supporters gathered in a pizza restaurant to watch returns, they loudly proclaimed the symbolic importance of their "win".

Missouri is seen as the ultimate arbiter of American political fortunes, having backed the winner in 25 of the past 26 presidential elections over more than a century.

The confusion occurred because Mrs Clinton swept the early-reporting rural areas but lost to Mr Obama in Kansas City and St Louis, where vote tallies were slower.

When the Associated Press and National Public Radio proclaimed Mrs Clinton the victor at 10.15pm local time the Clinton camp were quick to cash in. "In Missouri, Barack Obama outspent Hillary by $300,000 in TV ads," said an email sent to reporters. "He also benefited from the endorsements of high-profile surrogates across the state, all of whom actively campaigned for him and appeared in ads on his behalf. Despite these challenges Hillary Clinton won this important toss-up state."

In the Waldo pizza restaurant in north Kansas City, her supporters cheered. Danny Rotert, 31, a Clinton volunteer and communications director for the black Kansas City Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, who backed her, said: "She has just edged it. We're very happy and excited. Missouri is the bellwether state, a microcosm of America.

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Nothing like the smell of schadenfreude in the morning

[Lauri]

well, maybe Hilary can go absolutely broke trying to buy her way into the White House... and then lose.

and then maybe the country wont have to ever hear from those two criminals again. 

[bijou]

well, maybe Hilary can go absolutely broke trying to buy her way into the White House... and then lose.

and then maybe the country wont have to ever hear from those two criminals again. 

That would be too funny. 

[Lauri]

well, maybe Hilary can go absolutely broke trying to buy her way into the White House... and then lose.

and then maybe the country wont have to ever hear from those two criminals again. 

That would be too funny. 

its a small dream... but its mine..