The Wall Street Journal-20080205-Campaign -08 -- Washington Wire- Insight and Analysis From WashWire-com

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Campaign '08 -- Washington Wire: Insight and Analysis From WashWire.com

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Clinton, Obama Manage Expectations

Aides to Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama did some last-minute spinning on what to expect in today's 22 nominating contests.

Sen. Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, went so far as to suggest that Sen. Clinton will win more states and more delegates when the polls close.

"Sen. Clinton is certainly the favorite on Feb. 5, given the huge leads she has held in many of these contests throughout the course of the campaign and the political, historical and geographic advantages she enjoys in many of these states," wrote Mr. Plouffe in a memo. He reasoned that Sen. Obama will be within striking distance or "within 100 delegates" to carry on the fight.

Sen. Clinton's campaign echoed those sentiments. "We are looking at a fight that will go well beyond tomorrow, possibly decided in March, possibly decided in April, possibly decided at the convention," said communications director Howard Wolfson. "Many of us will be making our reservations for Texas and Ohio and many beyond that." Texas and Ohio hold their contests March 4.

Mr. Wolfson conceded that the recent endorsement for Sen. Obama by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D., Mass.) has provided him a boost. "We could spin it five different ways but that's the reality of it," he said.

However, the Clinton campaign is hoping the Democratic National Committee ultimately sides with the position voiced by two civil- rights leaders in a letter to Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean Sunday. They asked him to reverse course and seat the delegates that were stripped from Michigan and Florida after they violated party rules and expedited their primaries.

Citing fears of voter disenfranchisement and the potential for a convention fight later this year, Mary Frances Berry and Roger W. Wilkins asked for a quick resolution. Ms. Berry hasn't endorsed in the race, but was an appointee of former President Clinton. Mr. Wilkins is an Obama supporter.

"We are not suggesting any particular way of deciding the issues," they wrote. "We are suggesting that the decision be made before the convention in an effort to avoid a floor fight."

Sen. Clinton won both contests and would benefit from the addition of those delegates. A spokeswoman for the DNC said they have received the letter and will respond.

-- Susan Davis

Obama Finds

Fans in Britain

The wave of support Sen. Obama has been riding has crashed onto the other side of the Atlantic -- and the other side of the political spectrum in the United Kingdom.

David Cameron, head of Britain's Conservative Party, has talked about how Sen. Obama's optimism is inspiring people. One is Mr. Cameron himself, whose own political star rose out of nowhere to defeat much more experienced candidates for the Conservative Party leadership and to jump ahead of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a 10-year plus veteran of government, in opinion polls.

"I'm enjoying watching Barack Obama," Mr. Cameron recently told the BBC. "I think he's a brilliant speaker, I think his optimism and sense of hope for the future is inspiring a lot of people. It's great to see."

A person close to Mr. Cameron said he is watching the U.S. election "closely," and that it is Sen. Obama's meteoric rise that has most impressed him.

Sen. Obama won't be adding Mr. Cameron's name to a list of public backers that includes Oprah Winfrey and the Kennedy clan. The Tory leader has already cultivated links with John McCain, having invited the Arizona senator to speak at his party's conference two years ago. Traditionally, Conservatives have held hands with the Republican Party (think Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan).

But, like all good politicians, Mr. Cameron isn't "going to come down on either side," Republican or Democrat, the person said. He did meet with former McCain rival Rudy Giuliani, when the former New York mayor was in London fund-raising.

-- Alistair MacDonald

Clinton Gets

Emotional Again

On the eve of Super Tuesday, a hoarse Hillary Clinton got sentimental speaking to a roundtable of female voters at Yale University, where she attended law school.

"Well, I said I would not tear up . . . Already we're not exactly on that path," the New York Democrat said, making a reference to a widely publicized moment before the New Hampshire primary when she was speaking to women at a coffee shop. Mrs. Clinton's eyes started to slightly well up Monday as she discussed health care with a group of women at the Yale Child Study Center.

On Friday, the Yale Daily News endorsed her opponent, Sen. Obama. "Although Hillary Clinton might be the natural choice for Yalies, Obama -- wise, brilliant, innovative in his presidency -- is the natural choice for the nation," the student newspaper said.

-- Amy Chozick