Should Obama Drop Out of the Race?

What happened to the Democratic Party?

I'm a lifelong Democrat. I've volunteered in countless Democratic campaigns. I've managed campaigns for Democrats. I was a Democratic candidate for statewide office in California. For three years, I was Chair of the California Democratic Party. But I don't recognize the Democratic Party today.

The party I knew loved a good fight, loved debating the issues, recognized the value of a high-profile, hard-fought primary battle -- and believed in giving everyone a fair shot. Today, the Democratic Party's turned into a bunch of weak-willed weenies.

What's going on? The party is blessed with two of the best candidates ever to run for president. The party's making history with the first African-American and the first woman having a serious shot at the presidency. In every state, the Democratic primary is attracting record numbers of new voters and building a huge, new pool of Democrats that will benefit all Democratic candidates in November. And how do party leaders respond? By trying to shut down the primary. This is insane!

Bill Richardson endorses Barack Obama. Good for him. But he can't stop there. He calls on Hillary Clinton to get out of the race. Patrick Leahy and Chris Dodd endorse Obama. Good for them, too. But, same thing. Both feel somehow compelled to add that Clinton should quit. Why? There is no more rationale for Clinton to drop out of the race than there is for Obama to drop out of the race.

True, Clinton hasn't locked up the nomination yet. But neither has Obama. True, even if she wins every delegate in every remaining primary, Clinton can not reach the magic 2024 delegates necessary to secure the nomination. But neither can Obama. True, Obama leads in delegates, the number of states won, and popular vote. But Clinton leads in electoral votes.

Plus, and here's the most important point: It's not over yet. Until it is, we can't be sure of the outcome. And it would be a big mistake to end it prematurely. There's been many a boxing match where one fighter won 14 rounds, only to get knocked out in the 15th.

All these Obama supporters calling on Clinton to drop out aren't helping their candidate, either. They make Obama look like he's afraid of a fight. And they themselves look like a stereotypical bunch of men telling a woman she can't hack it in politics, so she might as well get back in the kitchen.

No, Hillary Clinton should not quit this race. And neither should Barack Obama. They're both great candidates. Either one of them will make a great president. So let the primaries continue and let the voters decide. If Obama ends up the nominee, I'll do handstands on the White House lawn. But only if he wins it, fair and square.

Get more thoughts and pre-order a copy of "Trainwreck: The End of the Conservative Revolution (And Not a Moment Too Soon)" at www.billpressshow.com

Comments

[Bulbul]

Saw you on Dan`s, was a loud mouth fest, and did not let you speak much...
Want to hear you point of view more..
can we have it ?

[ifreez]

"But Clinton leads in electoral votes."

This is where you lost me.

Sorry for the caps, but I hear this myth too much..

RONALD REAGAN LOST PENNSYLVANIA IN THE PRMARIES BUT WON IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

IN 2000 AL GORE WON NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE PRIMARIES, BUT LOST IT TO G.W. BUSH. THE KICKER IS THAT BUSH LOST N.H. MISERABLY IN HIS PRIMARY CONTEST.

Ted Kennedy beat Jimmy Carter in the 1980 Pennsylvania primary, but it was Carter who won the nomination.

And finally;

"And they themselves look like a stereotypical bunch of men telling a woman she can't hack it in politics, so she might as well get back in the kitchen."

I don't know where you get this from. It is more of that irrational reductive argument that if you don't want Hillary you must be sexist with no other possible explanation.

I'll give you one explanation. Bosnia...

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Well said, and I'd also add she simply doesn't have the numbers.

[allison]

Neither does Obama.

[tomcj]

Let us hope Press is a very young man, because then he would have an excuse for not-remembering those wonderful Democratic fights in the 1980 and 1968 elections. Who would but the book of a guy like Press who writes so sloppily?

Press should also correct these sentences: "True, Obama leads in delegates, the number of states won, and popular vote. But Clinton leads in electoral votes."

If Press wrote accurately, the argument would at least be honest. Here is an example of that sentence written with truth: "True, Obama leads in delegates, the number of states won, and popular vote. But Hillary leads in those states that have more Electoral College votes in the General Election (if the Democratic Candidate were to win those states)."

It is depressing that this slip-shod thinker has no editorial guidance but continues to write (type) articles and books.

[Mariel]

Bill Press, my husband and I used to never miss "The Spin Room" on MSNBC. You and Tucker, a great funny pair. And now he's gone too. That was the last time I really liked politics. Well, I've been supporting Huckabee as the only viable and also intelligent candidate (and he's also funny), my first Republican support in a life as long as yours. I too was a Precinct Committeewoman and my husband was a District Chair. We want REAL change and that's why we supported Huckabee. We'd back him in a minute if he resurfaced, but we'd also back Edwards (another populist) and maybe Biden too. Or Lou Dobbs. Anyway, no handstands on the White House lawn for me, not with this crew.

Mariel

[gjklbc]

Bill, Bill, Bill....That was then...this is now. So many things that used to be just aren't so anymore. With the internet, cable news and moved up primaries, we can't wait for a nominee while we're "fighting it out".
There was time, when few paid attention, at the national level, during the primary process. No longer true. Now that McCain is the nominee for his party, all the right ring 527's are gearing up to smear whoever our nominee is going to be. Not a good situation to not be countering that now.
I also take issue with you saying that Hillary is one of two of the best candidates we've ever had. Get real. Hillary is far from being a top notch candidate. Name one other democrat, that has thrown their hat in the ring, who has had a fifty percent negative rating by the American people at the start of the nomination process?
She is never going to reverse those numbers. We can't afford to nominate a wounded candidate.
I know you're old school. But I should remind you of all the elections we've lost over the years with your "old school" ways. Isn't it time for a new method of winning?
If we stick with ideas and methods of how it was done in the past we'll end up losing.
It's time to turn the page.

[garnetwood]

That is the problem with Obama supporters. They are weak. They are the losers of the Democratic party. Just look at them. Kerry-loser, Dashile-loser, Kennedy-loser, Hart-loser. Not one of them could win the big one. Losers all.

[tpagy]

Thanks could not have said it better!

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Obama wasn't my first choice either but to call supporters of the presumed nominee as being weak is ridiculous. I assume you are implying that Hillary is tough. Unfortunately she can't catch Obama so has basically lost the nomination. Even if she were the nominee, she would stand little chance of winning. She polls with a 50% negative and I doubt she would be able to Rove her way out of that. And frankly Obama is no Kerry, Daschle, Kennedy or Hart. But their endorsements can't hurt.

[valleygent]

Bill...her staying in the race demands that she put a halt to what many in the party are gravely concerned about...that is her tendancy to go savagely nuclear with the NEGATIVE campaign. That is what party members are concerned about, not the duration of the race. Do you honestly think that your emotional outpouring here is not seeing for what it is? Hillary campaigning pure and simple.

[Barca]

There's no question Senator Barack Obama should drop out of the race for the nomination as the Democratic Party's candidate for president. How else can the Democratic Party ensure that America's government of the Clintons, by the Clintons and definitely for the Clintons shall not perish from this Earth?

[photochick]

I would agree whole-heartedly if they were arguing the issues; if they were debating the problems and possible solutions -- but they're not. They are fighting each other. And that, frankly, is dumb and destructive and getting very, very boring.

[Spesabsquemetu]

No one questioned a race run on issues: Iraq, economy, jobs and wages, health care, environment, refugees, human rights.
Many said Clinton's staying in the race would be fine IF she conducted a RACE ON THE ISSUES, not a RACE ON RACE or DISINFORMATION and DISTORTIONS OF TRUTH.

Divisive remarks, lies and misrepresentations of the truth inflicted by democrats on Sen. Obama have became the reason for calling for an end to democratic hacks, Grendels, and Clinton’s candidacy.

Bill Clinton: "Don't let anyone tell you we're weakening the Democratic party by telling ( all the states that have not yet voted) they count too."

Who ever said all the other states didn't count?
Not Sen. Obama, nor his campaign.

Here's what got left out of Bill Clinton’s distortions of truth:

Clinton is the candidate who continues to insist that Big states matter more than Little states. Some voices count more.

Clinton is the candidate who claims primaries are more important than caucuses.
Some votes count less.

Clinton is the candidate whose surrogates sought to eliminate culinary workers in Nevada from the voting process. Some votes don’t count at all.

Clinton never objected to the conditions she signed in the pledge she took concerning the rules for the party which led to the de-certification of Michigan and Florida PRIOR to votes taking place EARLY in those states. She agreed the votes would be de-certified IF those states violated the RULES.

[elion10]

Uh.. excuse me.. in the general election.. the big states DO matter more..
I know the reality of the electoral college has yet to seep into the brain of the Obama supporter..

But Al Gore won the popular vote.. remember?

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Uh, excuse me but it is very likely that Obama will also win the big states that traditionally vote Democrat. And frankly the Clinton stance that big states are more important is yet another turn off.

[8LostYears]

Oh My God, Bill. An even-handed blog on Huffington Post that doesn't bash Hillary with personal attacks, or praise Obama for walking and chewing gum simultaneously. How did your blog get past the Huffington anti-Hillary filter? I beg you to talk to Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews for they too suffer from Hillary-hatred.

[ChrisS13]

8lostyears, LOL, that was a good one. Now begin reading as the Obama drones come out in droves to attack Bill and call him a shill for HRC. the predicability of Obama supporters is too funny...

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Are you familiar with Bill Press? If you consider people calling him a shill for Hillary predictable it might just be because it's true. You might also read why this piece by him is full of holes, these accusations may be predictable too, but they are also accurate.

[Squirtapotamus]

When Clinton shills spread distortions and falsehoods it is our duty as Obama supporters to call them on it. You seem to have a problem with that. You'd rather the lies persist without a challenge?

[FrankBlackFrancis]

And yet it is devoid of any reason and even accuses those who can do math and want her to drop out as being just sexist. His electoral argument is ridiculous as it implies Obama won't win traditionally blue states. He's leading, she can't catch him, it's over, she lost, get over it.

[mengwise36]

It might be devoid of any reason that you want to see. Those who can do math will tell you that without MI and FL, no one wins. Can you repeat after me and say it slowly? NO ONE WINS. So, for those who claim that they know math to tell her to drop out is condescending at best, being sexist at worst.

His electoral argument does not imply anything. It merely points out that most of the states Obama won has been traditionally red states so the win means nothing. If you look at the "swing states" from 2004, those that neither party won by more than 5%, namely CO, FL, IW, MI, MN, NV, NH, NM, OH, OR, PA and WS. Out of those, PA and OR has yet to vote and PA is a biggie. MI and FL were disqualified which is totally stupid. Obama won CO, IW, and MN, all in caucus format. Hillary won NV caucus and primaries in NH, NM and OH which is another big one.

If the Dems loose the general election, they will come to regret what they did to MI and FL. MI was only decided by 3% in 2004 so it is not a sure thing. FL was in favor of Rep by only 5% so it should be a huge battleground. Now? Dems will be hard pressed to catch up.

[tpagy]

He won't win Florida if he's the nominie!

[Cubancoffee]

I second this post. The "Hillary should drop out now" folks should remember one thing: Nobody likes a whiner. When we have a nominee, all Democrats should rally behind him/her. Until then, let the fur fly and the chips fall where they may.

[FrankBlackFrancis]

By whining do you mean,
Golly gee whiz we can't ignore Florida and Michigan even though I signed a pledge that would do just that? Or, MSNBC you should fire David Schuster for saying we're pimping our daughter, or the media just isn't vetting Obama enough, or you're just picking on a girl? How about gee, I'm only human and simply mis-spoke when I lied and said I was under sniper fire in Bosnia.
Math doesn't whine. Hillary can't catch Obama without seriously screwing up the party in the process. The whining is coming from the Clinton camp. That being said, if the whiny and insufferable jerk gets the nomination I'll still vote for her.

[Jackyldo]

Electoral Votes ? They count in the General and only if you win those states in the General.
In some cases neither candidate will win the states (because they are red) that they have led the other in during the primary.

Come on Bill your not that wet behind the ears..

[UsStupidWhiteMan]

Bill Press is who he is. A Clintonite. Sorry Bill guilt by assoication. As a white man I'm not going to make a comment about why Hillary lies. This is a challange to the women to explain to me why Hillary lies and you continue to support her. Those with open eyes and ears know by now Hillary has been caught lying. As a white man I know why men lie. Ego, Ego ,Ego. I have a rule. Lie to me three times, your history. I don't surroud myself with liars. Ok women here's is your chance to explain why Hillarys lies don't matter. I want your answers to address Hillarys lies, no one else.

[BoredAtWork16]

But Obama is not guility by association in Pastor-Gate. Is that a double standard?

[FrankBlackFrancis]

I think usstupidwhiteman was referring to Bill Press' freindly relation to the Clintons over the years clouding his vision. I tend to agree.

[LOL123]

Uh....there is no Pastor-Gate he never uttered those words. Hillary on the other hand stood before America and lied, lied, lied without remorse ( I misspoke) which is even worse..ever watch the prison documentary. A pathological liar never feels guilt or shame so what else are they capable of? A double standard of what? What's your point?

[LarBear]

IMHO the Old Guard Democrats do NOT really give a damn if the Democrats WIN this Election, or NOT... Their goal, Campaign, is to knock Clinton's and supporters out, so the Old Guard stays in Control of Party and $$$$$... Hence, endorse Barack... Call for Hillary to drop out... Essentially why House and Senate has caved to the Bush Administration, over and over? Why the Invasion/ Occupation keeps rolling tragically along... Impeachment is off the Table... Keep Old Guard $careers$... Keep Control second... Voters third, or is that to high?

I suspect Barack will NOT WIN the Election, if he is Nominee... The Party is split, 50/50, or even if 55/45, Obama/Clinton... ALL those Clinton supporters VOTES are absolutely NEEDED, if Barack becomes Nominee... Yet Barack supporters continually trash the Clinton's and their supporters(?) Not simply disagree, instead, personally trash the Clinton's, as well as Clinton supporters... Clinton supporters tend to think Barack is NOT ready to be President, generally speaking... Barack supporters, generally call Clinton's, Billaries, Shrillaries, Liars, vile, Neo Cons, racists and much more... Republicans love this!

G W Bush ran, Playing the Role of Positive Change, cleaning up Washington DC, and ethical Government... People projected their Hope's onto G W Bush, TWICE... Barack runs as Hope and Change Candidate... Barack stands on his Pedestal of Positive Campaigning, while, like Bush's Campaign, others, including his Campaign people, do accusations of Racism, and personal attacks, for him... Barack never owns the Negative Campaign, he runs...

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Huh? The Clintons are the old Democratic Party. There are legitimate reason to trash her campaign and the call for her to drop out as she is hurting Obama's chances in November with her negative and petty attacks. Give me an example of a negative attack from Barack on Hillary. I can give you half a dozen going the other way. Yours is a conspiracy theory. Listen to Prog radio at all? If anything if Hilalry steals the nomination through back room super delegate deals she'll dis-enfranchise many Obama supporters. She isn't bringing new blood to the party, she can't woo Republicans like Obama has, Independents hate her just as much and she can't win the nom without the perception of cheating.

[JJI]

Add Bill Press to the list of people that has bought the B.S. that "electoral votes" have any bearing at all in this primary season.

Saying "But Clinton leads in electoral votes" has as much importance as saying "But Obama leads in height."

[fullkelly]

Should Obama drop out[of the democratic race?}. What makes anyone think Obama is a democrat to begin with? Hillary Clinton is running in the democratic party. I have no idea what Obama is running in. Maybe the Mr Wright party . Obviously Michelle Obama knew something about Obama's party, because she said she was proud of this country for the first time in her adult life, essentially saying she was never proud ony democratic candidate.

[bugsbonzai]

All fullkelly does is go from post to post writing inflammatory anti-Obama nonsense. Discard.

[abuttah]

you have been propagandized by the right wing. come back to us.