Dear Senator Clinton, Please Step Down

This is a very hard letter for me to write, so please bear with me.

I'd like to ask you, with all due respect and humility, to step down as a Democratic candidate for president of the United States.

Please understand this is not because I believe you can not or should not lead this nation. Please understand that I find you qualified, capable, and worthy. Please also understand I want nothing more than to see a female as the leader of the free world. I would be pleased and honored if you were that female.

However I am finding, right or wrong, many citizens of this country seem to react to you on an emotional level. Emotional, not practical. They can't seem to see your record. They can't seem to see your policy. They just hear or read "Hillary" and venom or praise spews.

I thought that with your candidacy, would come reason. I thought that you would be able to get a fair shake by mainstream media, by voters, by sexists, and by soccer moms. I thought over time people would begin to see that you really are an effective politician.

I was wrong.

Tonight, I'm typing as I watch you speak in El Paso, Texas. I'm sad. There really is no other way to put it -- I'm sad.

I truly believed you would be the best person for the job, and I had this nagging thought in the back of my mind that is now at the forefront. The thought that drove me on Super Tuesday to Vote for Senator Obama and the thought that is the driving force as I write tonight: Senator Hillary Clinton divides this country.

It's not fair. It's not right. And under just about ANY other circumstance I would go to the mat for you. However we are a wounded and deeply divided nation. We are a nation at war. We are a nation at odds with each-other. It's ugly. I thought you could get people past it. I really did.

When I told myself it was gender that got people going, I refrained from asking and wanting you to step aside. Simply on principle, I wanted to see you run and win because they said it couldn't be done. Because it was my belief, this was all about being a girl.

It's not, and I was wrong.

I firmly believe while the gender issue has given you a handicap I hope we all one day overcome, it is NOT the reason people have a gut reaction to you or your campaign or your legacy.

Enter the Senator from Illinois, and what I think could be your true legacy. If you were to step aside now, shockingly early and shockingly un-Hillary-like, you could galvanize an entire nation behind your party. If you were to throw your weight, and your tremendous political clout behind Senator Obama you could still change the world and make your mark in a way no one would expect and everyone would admire.

I don't want to see you throw in the towel because the fight is too hard or the mountain too tall. I am asking you to throw it in because history is on the line. It is not the history either of us expected, however it is an equally important, momentous, earthshaking change in this country we sorely need.

Do something no one would ever expect. Do something extraordinary. Do something that changes politics as usual and changes history.

I could have never predicted having to chose between what my husband called "the lesser of two goods, not the lesser of two evils" when it came time to cast my vote.

It was agonizing.

But in the end, with no major policy difference and valid reasons on BOTH sides, I had to go with the candidate who I thought could best bring our nation back together. Who could cross party lines and gender lines and racial lines.

I wanted it to be you, but it's not. For some reason you still get people very riled up, and not in the good way.

There is no way around it-it sucks. But after 7 years of nothing but fighting and head shaking and feeling like we're living in two Americas, I can't do it again. Not even if my team is in office.

I really hate asking you to do this, but I want you to please step down and let this nation heal.

We've been too angry for too long and your history and your name brings a suitcase of anger to the White House front door.

With the full weight of the Clinton name, behind the scenes, your true legacy could be written. With the full weight of the Clinton know-how you could help orchestrate the next chapter in American history where an African-American leads our nation.

It is this time in history your nation needs you.

As nations go, ours has never been one to do things the way we predict. Who could have seen when we finally get our first, legitimate, female front runner we'd see our first, legitimate front runner of color?

Our nation and it's people need you to do what is best for this country. We need you to be true to what you say on the stump and bring us back together.

If you firmly believe that there is still time for you to change the hearts and minds of those rude and stubborn Americans who are voting with their gut when they see "Hillary" on the ballot-then please, prove me wrong. I'll be at the Democratic National Convention come August and I'll hold up my Hillary sign loud and proud and fall in line.

But I think you've tried. You tried with everything you had to overcome that Clinton-emotional reaction. Here we are, moving into Texas and Ohio and Pennsylvania-and it's not you winning over hearts and minds, it's the Senator from Illinois.

Let's end the division in this country now. Right now. Let's start with the Democratic Party early and provide a united front against the GOP months ahead of schedule.

Let's take back this country for the people, with you playing a much different role than you envisioned.

Make history. Make us one. Step down now.

Sincerely,

Erin Kotecki Vest

voter, mother, woman, feminist, writer, dreamer, and Hillary fan

Erin also blogs at Queen of Spain blog

Comments

[lilyfern]

Yesterday I voted for Obama. Then I cried.

I believe Hillary Clinton is the most qualified person. But I also believe that given the current climate where right-wing ideologues stymie progress by grinding anyone who disagrees into the dirt over petty or personal issues (while ignoring crimes perpetrated by their own) Clinton would spend her presidency defending herself over trivialities and technicalities. She'd be unable to accomplish much because thoughsmall in number and outside the mainstream of American society, right wing extremists are tenacious, so Congress and the media pander to them.

Since the Right hates John McCain, they will stay home if he's pitted against Obama. But a McCain vs Clinton contest would bring them out in droves to vote against her, adversely effecting propositions in many states.

We have much work ahead to undo the disastrous Bush legacy. The only hope we have of forwarding a liberal agenda lies with Obama who is not carrying all the baggage Clinton is carrying.

I have taught Women's Studies for over 25 years. The opportunity to elect the first woman president is beyond historic to me...it's personal. I know one little vote in a primary doesn't count for much, but it meant the world to me. But circumstances didn't allow me to vote for Hillary, for the good of our country. And I offer Senator Clinton an apology for that.

Should she bow out? On the one hand, it's a ridiculous thought. Imagine if John Kerry and John Edwards were battling it out this closely...no one would even think to suggest that one of them bow out. But on the other hand..yes. Please bow out, get back to work in the Senate, and lead us from there where you are less vulnerable to the Right wing's venomous conspiracy against you.

I will be much more forgiving of our foremothers who faced tough choices during the battle for suffrage, like whether or not to support the 15 Amendment! It's easy to see how things should have been done, with 20-20 hindsight.

[ErinG]

The sudden swell of Hillary haters is her fault. There are at least two groups of Hillary haters. There is the group that has long despised her (mainly Republicans), and there is the group that has emerged over the past four weeks as a result of her sleazy tactics.

[mikeinvail]

Obama is drawing across demographics. The enormous turnout in the primaries is among Democrats. Three to four times the amount of Republicans. It is not Hillary that is exciting the base.If Barack gets the nomination the coatails will be huge , especially in red states and in all the congressional and local races.
Repubs are lethargic and aren't showing up. The only thing that could possibly fire them up is a chance to cast a vote against the hated Clinton woman.Unfortunately.
She is going to find out that the VA primary will be repeated in WI , and I suspect,Ohio and possibly TX.

[kdavisme]

These are my thoughts exactly. I do not understand the need for Obama supporters (like myself) to trash Clinton. Unity--that is what is needed.

[detriangulation]

I think it's still premature for Senator Clinton to drop out. It's still not over, (even though the mathmatical probabilities are quickly becoming stacked in Obama's favor, esp. in terms of pledged delegates). Let's go ahead with the next 2 scheduled presidential debates and contested primaries through to TX, Ohio, VT, and RI. As long as the candidates refrain from devolving once again into unfair negativity and avoid the low road, (which started with Clinton attacks in New Hampshire and escalated to a back-and-forth in South Carolina), then I don't think it hurts Senator Clinton's place in history, or her ability to wield her considerable political resources behind Obama should he prevail.
And I think it helps Obama to maintain a sense of competition for a while longer. He needs to continue to sharpen his debate performances and he deserves the opportunity to prove he can sway more working-class and Latino voters as he did in Virginia and Maryland. The competition won't diminish Obama or the Party; it will make us stronger. But if Obama even comes close to winning TX and OH, and esp. if he outright wins even one of them, then it's essentially over (becoming almost impossible for Clinton to overtake his delegate lead or popular vote lead), and this should not continue for a month thereafter, all the way to Pennsylvania, much less to Puerto Rico or the convention!
I respect Senator Clinton's mastery of policy, her strength, and her ability to overcome sexism, and I feel (non-gender-based) sympathy for her too when she's ganged-up on UNFAIRLY, but she also bears some of the onus for her candidacy's shortcomings to date. She made some very egregious errors during the campaign that made it impossible for me to support her, namely the continuing claims before VA/MD that Obama's wins were attributable to the caucus system or, more irresponsibly, to the "proud African American vote."

[jaky]

What amazes me about the Obama followers is that they think those of us for Hillary will just fall in line and blindly follow them. I am from a family of strong democratic women and the 4 of us have already agreed that after watching his followers on t.v. and reading the things they write on Huffington, we will never support him. If the behavior of his followers is what he brings out in people, we don't want any!!

[pajewood]

good idea. vote for mccain who promises more of the same. there's no accounting for some people's rationalizations. some people shouldn't be granted the franchise and if your reason for not voting for obama is because of how some of his supporters act, your voting rights should be repealed.

[jaky]

Couldn't agree with you more. Makes about as much sense as voting for someone because they are a good public speaker, wouldn't you say?

[disgusted48]

jaky,

So you'll be voting for McCain in november?

[jaky]

To be perfectly honest, I just don't know. I had and still do hope to vote for Senator Clinton, but it looks like I may not have that opportunity.

I know that most of the people on here feel inspired by Senator Obama, but I just don't. (I have checked out his website.)

[Nofoolhere]

Amen sister, but after Texas. Let the trifecta states speak: Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

[Bagger]

Hillary step down? Please...she didn't stay with Bill all these years for nothing. Everything she has done in her life all the way from sticking by Bill and her actions in as a Senator was a lead up to this point. This is what her life has revovled around. She's made too many sacrifices just to give it all up.

[eaglecapri]

Bagger,

I agree. She's not going down without a fight...a nasty dirty one. It reminds me of that saying -

Don't wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it.

In her own words, 'this is the fun part'.

[AgathaX]

As a long time Obama supporter, I think its a premature for Hillary to bow out. The two are still neck and neck in the primaries. While there are valid reasons for thinking that Sen. Clinton will not be able to overcome Obama's, as yet, slight lead, that's no reason to avoid the contest.

Hillary herself has argued that she can come back with Texas and Ohio. While its not likely, she should at least have a chance to try.

What would very much benefit the party is for people to stop talking about a fight hurting the party and start talking about how wonderful it is to have two great candidates. I don't especially believe that the candidates are both great, but I wholeheartedly believe that healthy competition is an asset. This is, after all, democracy.

[skepticalindenver]

Are you smokin' crack? Try looking at the exit polls from last night. Fully 80% of all voters in the democratic primary in Virginia would be happy with Obama as the candidate (as opposed to 60% for Hillary).....and he siphoned so many people from the Republican primary that it is obvious Obama has drawn together the "working majority" he has been speaking about. WHile Bush promised a "uniter instead of divider" he gave us the opposite. Obama is showing early on he can offer what the country yearns for...a united people for a common cause.

Don't get me wrong, I like Gore a lot. If he had run it would be a tough choice, but in the end, I know that although he is not as polarizing as Billary, he certainly does not draw from the center and right as much as Obama does and will continue to do so.

[skepticalindenver]

the above post was a reply to Jake easy....sorry for the misplacement

[JakeEasy]

I have an even better plan.

Hillary and Barack should unite to draft Al Gore for the nomination. Both have become extremely divisive. Either one of them will only receive a tainted nomination and, if elected president, serve without the support of the whole base leading to a crippled presidency.

[Eddy333]

To see whether race trumps gender and who will be the most viable candidate against McCain, look no further than the TeeVee, gossip rags and other and other popular yet vapid media culture outlets. Race has declined as a divisive issue in the minds of many people, but women are still belittled and made to look like idiots (often times through their own active participation). Here is what the two potential political front lines look like:

Obama goes up against McCain - McCain is going to look like a regressive old fossil towing the Bush Admin. line on key issues that a majority of Americans don't agree with. The drive-by media and 24 hour nooz cable channels will make it Kennedy Vs. Nixon all over again.

Clinton goes up against McCain - The drive-by media will portray it as a match up between a grandfatherly, elder statesman and war hero against a focus group scripted woman who is hated by 47% of the country. She has voted in a similar fashion to McCain on a number of issues that a majority of Americans don't agree with, which will eliminate her ability to properly distinguish herself.

Rightly or wrongly, it will end up looking like status quo vs. status quo

Hillary is an extremely intelligent and capable woman, but it would be a much more difficult contest to win for the Dems. I for one am not prepared to sit around and watch the Dems once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

In addition, if she tries to seat the Fla and Mich. delegates as is, it is going to tear this party in half. A Clinton will once again be responsible for an embarrassing and damaging stunt, and the Repugs will come out smelling like a rose.

[eaglecapri]

What a mature and intellectual post/letter.

Unfortunately, Hillary and Bill are not even close to conceding this race. One thing is for sure - we as educated americans know The Clintons. They're going to drag this race - which they feel is rightfully theirs - and try to suck all the life, joy and hope out of it and us. Get ready, Erin, for part deux. I don't think we've seen nothing yet!

Good post, though!

[pbarba1969]

Another Obama supporter who wants the Clinton's to give up. I want her to stay in the race and if she wins Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas great. But if she not only wins those istates and the delegates from Florida which she won fair and square are seated, maybe Senator Obama should step aside for the good of the party instead of the ultra left wing of the party taking us once again down the road to defeat in November...

[musselmanm]

Fair and square the two states were punished and the primaries in both do not mean what they could have, no matter the outcome.
Lets go upon the agreed upon rules. Quit trying to steal an election. Only a Bush would do that.
That is what many are saying anyhow, you are Bush light.
Are they correct?

[eaglecapri]

pbarba1969,

You're wrong. Even if conceding may be the right thing to do, I prefer for the Clintons to stay in the race. I have no doubt Hillary and Bill, but specifically Hillary, will leave no stone unturned regarding questions about their/her character. As crazy as it sounds, the Clintons need an ending to their twisted and sick story and this election will be it. And, when it's all over, they can ride into the sunset and never return for all we care. THAT'S how bad I think it will get.

[samweb]

Thank you for your article. It would be the right thing to do; but selfless. I don't think this candidate understands this concept. She wants to win at ANY cost.

[pbarba1969]

And senator Obama doesn't?If you believe that your really kidding yourself...

[Micaanab]

I think Clinton should at least wait until the March 4th primaries. If she ties or looses then she should consider to step down. There is still a good number of voters still waiting for their chance to express who they want as a nominee. But if she doesn't retake the lead by then, it would be in the best interest of the party for her to step down (and visa versa). If she were to step down in this situation, and back Obama 100%, I think it would show much class and in 8 years she could easily take the nomination and win in the general election.

[cegrubbs]

Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in chess (and in other boardgames of the chaturanga family in which one player's king is threatened with capture in check and there is no way to meet that threat. Delivering checkmate is the ultimate goal in chess: a player who is checkmated loses the game (the king is never actually captured " the game ends as soon as the king is checkmated). In practice, most players resign an inevitably lost game before being checkmated.

There is no way for HRC to win the nomination by winning primaries at this point and any other method would split the Democratic Party.

[pbarba1969]

Its certainly not checkmate. If she wins Ohio, Florida and Texas that changes the race. In addition lets not forget she won Florida by a big margin, and if those delegates are seated than she has a big advantage.

Also lets not forget that it looks like Edwards and Governor Rendell of PA will endorse Hillary...