Where Is Hillary On The Campaign Trail?

Hillary Clinton needs to start making some campaign appearances for Barack Obama. She needs to give a speech to voters which clearly lays out why they should vote for Obama over the Republican candidate. And she needs to start giving this speech soon. Because there is still a division in the Democratic Party, and we only have a few months to rally the base. And Hillary Clinton's strong endorsement of Barack Obama in front of crowds of people is the best way to heal this division.

A lot has happened in the last two weeks. Obama wrapped up the Democratic nomination for president two Tuesdays ago. Hillary Clinton did not give a concession speech that night. Four days later, on one of the slowest news days of the week, she did deliver a great concession speech. Not exactly "ready on Day One," but everyone cut her slack because of the length and intensity of the campaign. And because it really was a good speech. Her endorsement of Obama was sweeping and wholehearted. To quote just some of her praise for Barack Obama:

The way to continue our fight now -- to accomplish the goals for which we stand -- is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States.

Today, as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. I endorse him, and throw my full support behind him. And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.

. . .

I understand that we all know this has been a tough fight. The Democratic Party is a family, and it's now time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share, the values we cherish, and the country we love.

We may have started on separate journeys -- but today, our paths have merged. And we are all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around because so much is at stake.

. . .

Together Senator Obama and I achieved milestones essential to our progress as a nation, part of our perpetual duty to form a more perfect union.

Now, on a personal note -- when I was asked what it means to be a woman running for President, I always gave the same answer: that I was proud to be running as a woman but I was running because I thought I'd be the best President. But I am a woman, and like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious.

I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.

I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of. I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter's future and a mother who wants to lead all children to brighter tomorrows. To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect. Let us resolve and work toward achieving some very simple propositions: There are no acceptable limits and there are no acceptable prejudices in the twenty-first century.

. . .

So I want to say to my supporters, when you hear people saying -- or think to yourself -- "if only" or "what if," I say, "please don't go there." Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.

Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been. We have to work together for what still can be. And that is why I will work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next President and I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort.

Since she gave this speech, two things of note have happened. The first is the Obama campaign hired Patti Solis-Doyle, who used to be Hillary Clinton's campaign manager. The second story broke today, about Clinton calling her big donors together for a meeting to enlist their help in supporting Obama for president.

Those are the facts. Now, the perceptions -- from hardcore Obama supporters, and from hardcore Clinton supporters.

The Solis-Doyle hiring was seen by the Clinton camp as a serious slap in the face, and a serious impediment to Hillary's chances of being named running mate on an "Obama/Clinton 08" ticket. Solis-Doyle used to be Clinton's campaign manager, it's true, but then she was fired from that position back in February. There may be lingering animosity between the two. But what really annoyed the Clinton camp is that Solis-Doyle was hired to be the chief of staff to the vice-presidential nominee (whomever that turns out to be). The Clinton supporters put it succinctly: either Hillary is the VP choice and Obama will have to fire Solis-Doyle, or Hillary's not going to be VP. Like I said, a slap in the face, as they see it.

This is really a bad move on the Clinton supporters' part, even if Obama did provoke it. Obama explained Solis-Doyle's new position by stating that the campaign already was a tightly-run ship and there just weren't that many executive positions left to offer Solis-Doyle. Sounds reasonable enough, but it's also provocative that Obama, by this choice, is broadcasting loud and clear: "This is my campaign, and I will make my own personnel choices." Especially when it has anything to do with the vice-presidential spot on the ticket. Hillary supporters, perhaps rightly, see this as an indication that she's not going to get that spot.

But they are mistaken if they think that the "she's inevitable" argument is going to work to get her on the ticket. That didn't work out so well for her before in this campaign, and a sense of entitlement and a chip on the shoulder is just not the way to convince Obama that she's the one for the job. There's a better way to do that, and the path to it lies out there on the campaign trail. Because at this point, the only way Hillary is going to be considered as running mate is if she proves to her voters and the world that she is Obama's number one supporter. Who clearly spells out such support is selfless and unconditional -- that she will support him no matter whom he picks for VP.

Which brings us to the second story. Clinton has been conspicuously absent from the public eye ever since her concession speech. Think about it -- it's been a week and a half, and she has not given a single speech or appeared at a single campaign event. Now, I do not blame Clinton for this, for two reasons. First, it may not be her fault. It is now Obama's decision where to send her (and her husband) to campaign events. Obama may have decided that a pause was necessary, not her. He may be drawing up plans for where exactly (which states and districts) Hillary and Bill would be best received, to compliment his own campaign schedule. Fair enough. Secondly, she may have spent the entire time lining up the donors' meeting. This is entirely reasonable, since getting the Clinton donors on board is a good thing for Obama, and will help his campaign.

But this timing is seen as contentious as well, within the two supporters' camps. By not campaigning at all before this donor's conference, Hillary (as the Barack hardcore supporters see it) is using extortion on Obama by saying (in essence): "once you pay off my campaign debts, then I'll go campaign for you." Once again, this is perception, which may indeed be wildly unfounded. Obama may have personally agreed to do this before Hillary even gave her concession speech -- only the two of them know this for sure. But again, the way the story was received merely added fuel to the fire of division in the party.

Obama, it should be noted, is doing pretty well right now in the polls, even without Clinton's personal voice. Right-wing commentary has tried to spin how well he's doing by saying "his bump isn't as big as it should have been." But Obama continues to climb in the polls, and a new poll out today puts him up in the key "battleground" states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and (gasp!) even Florida. Watch for Obama's Florida numbers to go even higher as McCain's new "let's drill off Florida's coast" philosophy is absorbed by Floridians.

But Hillary Clinton needs to get on board the Barack Obama bandwagon, and help this process along. She needs to start pointing out the stark differences between the parties, and between the candidates, every chance she gets. As an example, just from the past week, here is the sort of thing it would be refreshing to hear her say in public:

"The news media was sexist towards my campaign, but they're now being both sexist and racist at the same time towards Michelle Obama. Fox News recently called her 'Obama's Baby Mama.' That is insulting and disrespectful on so many levels, as well as proving that they don't even know the definition of the term 'baby mama.' And John McCain recently canceled a fundraiser from a supporter who is a mainstream Republican and ran for the governorship of Texas. While campaigning, he compared the bad weather at a campaign event to rape. His exact words were, and I quote, 'If it's inevitable, just relax and enjoy it.' He later said that he was just joking. John McCain canceled his appearance at this misogynist's house, but you know what? McCain now says he's going to keep the money raised anyway. That is who Barack Obama is running against. If you don't think rape is a joke, how can any woman -- or man, for that matter -- vote for John McCain? I call on all my supporters who have a little more respect for women than that, to stand with me in supporting Barack Obama for president."

Because, since Hillary Clinton's concession speech, her voice has been muted. Her website has been virtually silent (with the exception of a letter praising Tim Russert) since her speech. There is one blog entry on her site since then, which (two days ago) posted a fundraising letter to her supporters. This letter, in full (although I did cut the big "Donate" button), reads:

Dear Friend,

Together, you and I changed America forever. We touched so many lives over the course of this campaign, and I can't thank you enough for the support you showed me. I met so many wonderful people out on the trail, and I wanted to share some of those memories with you.

I hope you'll take a moment to view our online album with some favorite photos from the campaign.

Thank you so much -- I'll be in touch soon.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Notice the omission of any mention of Barack Obama. This is just not enough. Now, I take Hillary at her word -- that she is going to "work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next President." But she needs to start doing this work out in public, soon. She needs to show she can be Obama's biggest voice on the campaign trail, and that she is doing everything possible to bring those 18 million votes she talks about over to his side in November. Now, it's true that some of these voters just will not support Obama -- no matter what. But a much larger percentage of them are open to the idea, and waiting to be convinced. By Hillary. Herself. And soon.

Party unity demands it. Because (again, in her words), "Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high."

 

Chris Weigant blogs at: ChrisWeigant.com

 

Comments

[vsign]

For Obama to solidify his base, he used a strategy of attacking both Hillary and Bill Clinton. It was never the right strategy for the long run. Did he not have the judgement to know he would need us?

This has happened before.

ONCE UPON A TIME: A people elected a leader because they thought they could win with him. He seemed more powerful than he was because of new technologies. The microphone, radio and film made his voice seem more powerful than he was. Today there are new technologies that are influencing this election to propel an unprepared and untested candidate to the world stage in much the same way. These new technologies of the internet, 24 hour media sources, and the entertainment/advertising industries have intersected with our culture to create this moment in time.

This has all happened before.

[closetodemfection]

Until Obama announces his VP pick, how can Clinton possibly stump for him any time soon?

Its not like Clinton can independently go out and schedule a rally to address "her" supporters. The primary is over. They are supposed to be his supporters now.

If Clinton suddenly started making speeches on Obama's behalf, it would only make her supporters yearn deeply for her to be on the ticket.

Which is why I believe Clinton is NOT speaking up is because she is deferring to Obama... and he wants her out of the spotlight.

Clinton appearing would completely solidify the base behind them both. Any future VP would be like a third wheel by August.

This makes me think he's not going to pick her for VP. Otherwise he WOULD have her out on the trail today. Why would he wait?

My sad theory is that he'll keep Hillary locked away, limping along with half the party still fighting the other half. Then in late July he'll pick some boring, anti-climatic and relatively unknown Washington Dem so he's not overshadowed.

We'll have to watch that person debate McCain's VP pick - rather than Hillary who would would have wiped the floor with any Republican VP easily.

I think he is making a huge mistake. He will have a guaranteed win with her on the ticket. The enthusiasm would be unmatched on the Republican side. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

[Chris Weigant - Huffpost Blogger]

closetodemfection -

This is a very interesting viewpoint. I mentioned in passing in the article that Hillary might be scarce in public because Obama wanted it that way, but I must admit I didn't follow the thought through, as you have.

I think the Dream Ticket has its good points and its bad points, personally. Which would outweigh the other is an open question, in my opinion. But I do agree that it is totally up to Obama as to who he picks for VP. And I think that while politics will play a role in it, that in the end it will be a very personal decision he's got to make. Traditionally, this pick is made about a week before the convention, to hype things up in the news media as an appetizer for the convention itself.

So my question to you is, do you think it's a good idea for Obama to wait until then, or should he pick someone sooner (no matter who he picks)?

-CW

[AlwaysforHillary]

OH, PULEEZE!!!! The media both in print and on TV treated Hillary brutally. The whole nomination was fixed by the DNC. Hillary was robbed of delegates and votes from Florida and Michigan. HILLARY DOES NOT OWE ANYTHING TO OBAMA!!! Since you all love to blame the Clintons for everything, whether Hillary campaigns or not for Obama, she will be blamed if he loses and not given any credit if he wins!!!

As someone who is part of the millions of people who REFUSE TO VOTE FOR OBAMA, it pains me she is even planning on meeting with him and her donors!! Obama is an arrogant, condescending fraud!! He is not even making any attempt to get the votes of Clinton supporters; but rather is saying he can win WITHOUT US!! Well, this will be fun to watch for sure! I personally wish Hillary and Bill do not campaign for this thief who stole the nomination!!

[LindyK]

Keep your pants on, big fella. I'm a major Obama supporter and I don't see the need for her to say anything right now. Obama is doing fine, in fact he's doing GREAT, and perhaps her laying low is actually helping him.... There are still 4-1/2 months to go. We've got plenty of time.

[AuntSam]

I would like to ask of you what I asked of others on this post: This is a genuine query of interest:

I do not understand Hillary supporters in this category because:
1. Her platform was the polar opposite of McCain's (except for gas tax holiday) and yet aligned closely with Obama's (end war, economy, environment, healthcare, etc.) Therefore, if it wasn't her platform you were endorsing, what was the premise of your support?
2. You obviously trusted her judgment enough to vote for her for POTUS, yet are quick to discard her judgment regarding which of the two General Election (presumed) nominees she says will be the best for our country. Please explain.
I have only been able to obtain two replies from Hillary Supporter who now assert they are voting for McCain to respond. I hope you will.
Thank you.

[navalvet]

I see that there is rather more than four months to the general election, plenty of time for Senator Clinton to recuperate from arduous toils and assist Sen. Obama. Such appearances will give many of her former supporters reason to support Sen. Obama.
It took Sen. Clinton a while to understand that she was not going to be the presidential nominee. By now, she probably realizes that the VP spot will do neither her nor Sen. Obama much good. The vice president's job is famous for not being worth a "warm bucket of spit," and "the worst damn fool mistake I ever made", according to FDR's first VP, John Nance Garner, while her power in the Senate should increase with seniority and a continuing Democratic majority.

[vsign]

Why would Hillary need to do anything for Obama? It really is time for him to stand on his own two feet. Let us see what he can really DO other than hate Hillary and steal all her policies.

Obama took over the party. Shouldn't the entire Democratic Party label be enough for him? He has all the D leaders promising to help. Why aren't they enough?

Is it just possible that he needs Hillary to be out in the public so he can encourage his followers to send more money and hate Hillary some more? The hate seemed to be the real thing that motivated his support.

I don't expect you to understand this Chris because you were not the object of so much hate. Hillary is.

[brizzle]

It's not about "doing anything for Obama", it's about Senator Clinton joining the party and supporting the common goals of the POLITICAL PARTY. The point of politics is to work together to get things done. If Senator Clinton isn't working to help Senator Obama, then he is not as strong as he would be. This is about coalition-building, not a single voice laying down the law.

That said, this article seems about two weeks premature. Give the Clintons a rest. They will all come together soon.

[hsm121]

Part 2, due to HuffPost Comment limits

Examples...
1. The fundraiser who said that if a rape is going to happen anyway, a woman should just lay back and enjoy it...
2. McCain calling his own wife a c*nt, trollop
3. McCain ditching his first wife after she waited for him, raised his children and was disabled in an accident by running around with a rich, blond girl (almost immediately!)
4. McCain supports: bills in which, if passed, state that health care will no longer pay for contraception
5. McCain will appoint judges to the Supreme Court who will overturn Roe v Wade, and therefore a woman's right to choose
6. McCain has repeatedly voted against a bill that would bring equal pay to women
7. McCain made an ugly joke about Chelsea Clinton being the daughter of Hillary and Janet Reno
8. McCain laughed and played along when reporters asked how he would "Beat the Bitch"

[andrew2009]

Hey Chris:

She's on a month-long vacation. They are going to appear together next week - give the lady a chance. She just finished a 17month grueling campaign... everyone needs time to breathe and relax...

[JimR]

Yeah, Obama is coming off a 17-month grueling campaign, too. But he hit the ground running.

Apparently that "ready to lead on Day One" stuff was all B.S.

[hsm121]

(Part 1, due to HuffPost comment limits)

I had given up commenting for awhile because the threads are full of incoherency and insults, so it was great to see such a well-thought out article, as well as calm discussion on the boards.

I understand that there was blatant sexism from the media. I'm a woman, so I got angry at it too. I do believe there was equal racism as well. And while I think that the Clintons weren't perhaps as careful with their words as they should have been (nor the Obama camp, as insults were so easily felt during this election), I don't think that the bulk of it came from either camp.

That being said, I cannot comprehend- on ANY level- why (especially a woman!) a Hillary supporter would support McCain. If they were supporting Hillary based on her issues whatsoever, then the path should (eventually) lead to Obama. McCain and the Republicans have been EXPLICITLY sexist, misogynstic and have no respect for women.

[hsm121]

Part 3, due to comment limits

I can understand being furious at the DNC, at the rules that governed the process. I think the system needs to be revamped. But the fact is that ALL the candidates knew the rules and agreed to them before the primaries started. So as wretched as the may have played out for Hillary and her supporters, and as ugly as the sexism (and racism) is, a vote for John McCain means a vote for someone who has no respect for Hillary Clinton and is against everything that she believes in. That's not a good way to honor your candidate. Even if you cannot bring yourself to vote for Obama, there are other qualified candidates in the race that have not been nearly as misogynistic and horrid as McCain.

[MichaIe32086]

Fox News recently called Michelle Obama "Obama's Baby Mama." What's wrong with that?

Michale.....

[NorVaGal]

HuffPost's Pick

Hi, Chris. I was conflicted while reading your post. At first, I was somewhat irritated as I thought this was another Hillary-bashing post, which would do nothing but reignite the flames between Clinton and Obama supporters. I'm sooooooo tired of that! Then, I began agreeing with some of your points, as I believe that a VP must be the president's most trusted and reliable cheerleader. There must be harmony between the two offices.

I have not thought that Hillary should be offered the VP slot because I felt that Obama could never trust her (and Bill) to not undermine him at every turn. Your post (eventually) helped me see how Hillary could begin to prove that she can be worthy of Obama's trust. If that were truly possible, I do think they would make a good team. However, her absence thus far leaves a jittery void for all Dems.

You're right. Obama can and is doing well on his own. However, I have the feeling that this is only an uneasy temporary cease-fire between the two warring sides. Only Hillary and her actions can douse the smoldering cinders of discontent. So far, she has chosen not to do so. So far, she has chosen not to be Obama's most trustworthy and reliable cheerleader. Those signs, IMO, are not good.

[Chris Weigant - Huffpost Blogger]

[...continued]
Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed, as I truly did take her at her word that she was going to campaign her heart out for Obama.

My position now is that Hillary Clinton should not AUTOMATICALLY be offered the VP slot, and that her supporters who are advocating just that are actually hurting her chances of being offered it. Sure, she should be on the short list, but it's HIS CHOICE, and Hillary supporters need to acknowledge this.

But I am ever hopeful. I truly do take Hillary at her word that she'll work hard to get Obama elected. Remember, Obama himself may be holding her back, for tactical reasons. So as far as I'm concerned, the jury's still out, but time is running out...

Thanks for commenting.

-CW

[frustratedinohio]

As a Hillary supporter, I have to say I am more pissed off by the way she's being treated now than I was by the way she was treated during the primary. No matter what this woman does it doesn't satisfy Obama supporters. I HOPE SHE DOES NOTHING!!! I know she said she would, but Obama said he would accept public campaign finance too. If it's okay for him to say one thing and do another, then it should be okay for her to do the same.

[Chris Weigant - Huffpost Blogger]

NorVaGal [post in two parts due to HuffPost word limits] -

I pride myself on having stayed neutral throughout the primary campaign, rather than being a partisan for one side or the other. I think a quick look at just about anything I wrote during the primary season will confirm this for you, if you have doubts. But that didn't stop me from taking shots at both Clinton and Obama, when I thought they deserved them. Having said that, I have to admit that I got a little testy writing this (and, possibly, during the last month of the primaries). I used to be a big fan of Hillary Clinton. Her image is now tarnished in my view, but not irreparably so. What got me a little edgy writing this was visiting her website, and realizing that there is absolutely nothing there in support of Obama, with the exception of her concession speech text. That, I must admit, annoyed me. Her supporters need more than this. Sure, she's had a few weeks off to rest up and all of that, but come on -- there's a minimum level of support needed, and (much less "'working her heart out") I just didn't see it on her site. And it's been two weeks. OK, she may be resting up, but how much time does a one-paragraph blog post take?
[continued...]

[ckemp]

After Al Gore's, whose is the last big superdelegate endorsement still out there?

That, I think, is the main issue here, and it's really conspicuous..

[Ravoon]

Yes, let's leave that poor victimized woman alone. How dare we expect her to be anything but a resentful foot-dragger at best, and a real albatross at worst?
It would take too much effort to make a team player out of her. Let's move on.

[Desiderata]

If Hillary can have a big contribution button on the website, surely a little sentence reaffirming her support for Obama could have been done.

Thank God that this spiteful woman never realized her dreams at the cost of our's.

[KillTheMessenger]

I don't see a single good reason why Hillary Clinton could help Senator Obama. Her message is nothing like his, she is not a good public speaker, not disciplined enough to follow somebody else's lead and will, at worst, invite attacks on her tainted persona from Republicans. Leave her out of the picture and we all will be the better for it.

[XME]

I've been wondering this myself.

As is typical when it comes to Hillary Clinton...I'll believe she'll "work her heart out" for the nominee and the party, when I see it. All to often she proven to disappoint, so I don't put much stock in anything she says.