Clinton campaign discusses economic red phone ad, Cleaver’s remarks, PA primary and more

Mark Penn, chief pollster for the Clinton campaign, and Howard Wolfson, communications director for Clinton’s campaign, held a conference call to discuss developments in the race for the democratic presidential nomination. They were joined by Phil Singer.

A caller mentioned Clinton’s new 3 a.m. economic phone call advertisement and asked for a specific example of who would be on the other line and what crisis would be at hand. Penn answered that the world is a fast moving global economy that requires real-time decisions that can affect the US economy.

When asked to respond to Clinton supporter Congressman Cleaver’s (D-MO) remarks that Obama would win the nomination, Wolfson said that while they are grateful for Cleaver’s support, they obviously disagree with that analysis and believe that Sen. Clinton will be the next president of the United States.

In response to questions about Obama’s high March fundraising figures, Wolfson said that the Clinton campaign knew Obama would raise more money than them and that nevertheless the Clinton campaign has the resources it needs to be successful. Wolfson also referenced past wins in Ohio and Texas despite being outspent, and cited Obama’s outspending in Pennsylvania by 4-1 where Clinton still prevails in the polls.

Wolfson said the Clinton campaign would release March fundraising figures by April 20. He also said that late last week Sen. Clinton herself promised that her tax returns would be available within a week, and will follow through with that commitment.

Wolfson also said that the road to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. goes through Pennsylvania, and claimed it should be a fair fight between Clinton and Obama for the state. He said that if Obama fails to win PA—regardless of the margin of the vote—that would raise serious questions about his ability to win in the general election.

Wolfson reinforced his belief that Clinton is more likely to be elected in the general election by citing an NBC morning email that displayed two hypothetical maps of Clinton versus McCain and Obama versus McCain in the general election, and said that Clinton has won all but one of what were allegedly her “toss up states” in the primaries while Obama has lost six of his.