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
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Holy, moly. Thank you, Erin. I'm not sure, though, how you ever thought people would begin to see that HRC is "an effective politician
Erin, respectfully, I would ask that you and all HuffPo bloggers step down until the Democratic Convention, because it's painfully clear that your insistence on false purity within the party is misguided, self-defeating, and destructive. To suggest conceding based on the results of the past week is the height of arrogance, and an abrogation of the electoral process.
There are over 20 states that have yet to have cast a ballot, and the margin between Senators Obama and Clinton, in terms of delegates, is far from decisive. It's bad enough that Obama's supporters feel that the DNC was right in selectively disenfranchising millions of voters in Michigan and Florida, now you suggest that we must disenfranchise states that haven't even exercised their constitutional rights. It might be understood if it were mathematically improbable or impossible, but neither is yet remotely the case.
I, for one, believe that a fair, free competition of ideas is healthy for democracy. When did we become so fearful of the exercise of the people's voice? You speak of "unity," but you would have the millions of citizens who haven't voted either stand lock-step behind Obama or stand aside. Erin, this smacks of absolutism, and I, for one, do not believe in coronations in America. If the voters still have an opportunity to be heard, it is their right. You have NO RIGHT to request (or passively demand) otherwise. The long-term health of our democracy depends not on mere unity, but the extension of the opportunity of our common franchise, the peaceful determination of our leadership.
In you haste to crown a king, you risk undermining American democracy itself. The battle must go on until the people have been decisively heard.
Florida and Michigan were disenfranchised by their state party leaders... not the DNC.
If you can't get basic facts right...
I know the facts, and I have consistently and strongly disagreed with the DNC's arbitrary and unwise decision to potentially alienate two of our party's most promising voting blocs.
Please stop the condescension. If you want to knit-pick rather than address the actual point I was making, then I attribute that to your latent need to feel superior, rather than engage in an honest debate.
Beautifully worded. Could not have said it better. Go Hillary!! Sorry, but somone has to be on her side.
It is true that it may well be too early to ask Senator Clinton to bail out of the race. So, Roshi98, I'll give you that one.
That conceded, don't you dare pull Florida and Michigan out of your arse. These states (and ALL the candidates) knew ahead of time that the delegates would not be seated, that the votes would be nothing more than beauty contests. To pander to these states now, after the fact, is downright despicible and, dare I say, Roveian. At what point does fiercely competitive become beyond the pale?
Obama was reportedly meeting last night with certain members of congress and his camp to pander to the superdelegates as well. Why does this make him superior when he is engaging in the very behavior he promised he would not engage in??
When Clinton does it why is it called "pimpin"?
I sincerely am disguated with the media, not so much with Obama and his camp, but mainly the media and their unfair abuse of their liberties. If anyone understands my position, please back me up.
Re: this - "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."
Absolutely. What we have in Clinton and Obama is an embarrassment of riches. (Whodathunk THAT could ever happen?) Both are brilliant, passionate, talented, committed. My present support for Obama was a position I arrived at after lengthy consideration - it wasn't casual or flippant - and can I just say? What sweetness to finally find myself not working from my usual "lesser of two evils" calculus.
It's an interesting (and, I think, serious) proposal you make. At this point I have a hard time believing she could win the nomination. So why not cut her losses, and rise up to the all-important challenge of ensuring a Democratic party victory in the general election?
Whatever she decides - however long she hangs in there - I do hope this race won't be the last we'll hear from her. Her talent, experience, passion, and brilliance ought not go untapped. There's a level at which it feels unfair of me (to Hillary the individual - not so much Clinton the candidate) to hope she'll run again in 2016; she's older than Obama, and there's a sense here that he could better afford to wait and run again in eight years than could she.
But it's not about what's good for Hillary, however valid may be the perception that she DESERVES something for all her Herculean efforts. It's about what's good for the country. Right now, I honestly believe that means an Obama presidency. Now, not in eight years.
She's an astute politician, and a smart woman. Who knows what she'll do from here, and to what extent that choice may be governed by the warring interests of what may be "good for Hillary," "good for the Party," and/or "good for the country."
Thanks for keeping it respectful and real here, Erin.
What's good for the country is that we abandon the efforts of the Bush Administration and allow ALL the voters to be heard!
This race is still far too close to call, and there has yet been a consensus made on who the Democratic nominee should be. If we Democrats put our own ambition ahead of the Democratic process, what moral standing can we claim above the debacle of 2000? We must not allow the line of our franchise to slide any further - we must hold our ground or risk perpetuating the slow excision of our way of life.
Much admiration for your post. Brava.
Dear Tellmethetruth,
I understand and sympathize with your concerns for an often-neglected, rarely championed, group. Many studies support your argument that older women are, sadly, a huge segment of the poor and disenfranchised. But you have asked to be "told the truth" and so, the truth is that Hillary Clinton has done nothing to help this deserving group. During eight years as First Lady-- with all the prestige and resources that position confers-- no one can point to a single instance in which she actively brought about any relief for low income women(elderly, or otherwise). In fact, her drive has been to cultivate the wealthy and the powerful to advance her own personal and political amibitions. If you disagree, I will respect any evidence to the contrary that you can provide.
Erin = you are cruel and vicous. You don't care about poor women, elderly women, women who are going to retire on only social security, the 95% of women who make less than $50,000 a year, whether they are college educated or not.
Thank God in Heaven Hillary Clinton is not as selfish and mean as you are Erin.
Please step down and don't bother to ever write another article on this post again.
We don't want to hear from you. Please do us all that favor. Step down Erin!!!!
Now!!!!
We want change, and you are it. Please go away now!
I respect Erin's opinion ... because if Senator Clinton has other ambitions like becoming the senate majority leader someday it would be politically wiser to leave now
As for TELLmethetruth --- It was the Clinton administration who did away with AFDC that is not kind to poor women ... there is nothing in the Clinton's history to suggest that they would do anything for poor women more than they did for poor families ...
FWIW, I was homeless at the time I first voted for Bill Clinton (I registered to vote from a shelter in downtown Seattle), and a few years later I was a struggling young mom, simultaneously working to take care of my baby girl and my girlfriend at the time who was disabled, and whose SSI application took, I am not kidding, FOUR YEARS to make it through the system. (Having full-time adult- as well as child-caregiving duties, otherwise uncompensated, was the reason I couldn't be employed at the time; my partner needed a personal caregiver and I had the option of leaving her to die or sticking with her until she got the help she needed independently of me.)
And to say that when Bill Clinton turned on welfare moms hurt me, and shook my trust in the Clinton brand name for the rest of my life is an extreme understatement. I haven't been on welfare in more than a decade, and it's not likely that I will need that specific kind of help again, but I can NEVER forget.
RE: "I respect Erin's opinion ... because if Senator Clinton has other ambitions like becoming the senate majority leader someday it would be politically wiser to leave now"
I totally agree. For me, the operative word here is "wiser", since wisdom is a gift that keeps on giving far beyond the moment in question. Aside from the suprise and admiration HRC would inspire by conceding sooner as opposed to later, his decision would demonstrate genuine leadership. Moreover, it could do wonders for redeeming the Clinton legacy from the sloughs of expediency.
I love your spirit. GO HILLARY!!!
Tellmethetruth: I love your moniker. Strange, but the name invites me to "tellthetruth". So hear is some truth:
To suggest "Erin=you are cruel and vicous(sp)", or that Erin doesn't "care about poor women, elderly women...et
I read nothing in Erin's post to suggest she is "mean". You might be angry that a Hillary fan is throwing in the towel, but, to suggest she is mean is the sign of a sad, undereducated, woman.
WWJD? He wouldn't use his anger and frustration to lambaste a woman who wrote her post from the heart.
1st of all, if a miracle happened and CLinton won the Presidency, she woulnd't be able to get anything done.
Repugs would filibuster any bill she would be proposing.
Democrat congressment in Red States would lose re-election if they sided w/her on anything.
Clinton supporters need to acknowledge that Hillary is poison to the Democratic party.
This is the most whiny letter ever posted on Huff. Erin, get yourself a life and better writing style because your tone and disrespect is offensive. Also, grow a backbone instead of being the typical weasily weak divisive Democratic "let me follow the crowd instead of thinking for myself" person. Can't wait for when Obama goes down in flames.
You can complain to your neighbor about the mayor, but if you're writing to the mayor, doing it in a response to your neighbor makes no sense.
Perhaps teahead will pass along your comment.
Why would a Democrat/P
enoughalready: you really "can't wait for when Obama goes down in flames?" Really.
I suggest you hedge your bets, as last night's Potomac Primaries showed an apparent momentum shift, not in your candidate's favor. Erin's post might be disagreeable to you and other Hillary supporters, but to level insults against Erin is nothing but a sign of frustration from you. It makes you look weak.
Both teahead and Erin make excellent points.
Of course the same might be said for Mr. Obama.
Would he consider stepping down and letting Hillary win the nomination? Would she then be wise enough to ask him to join her in her efforts to heal this country? Would he accept?
All of these scenarios run thru my mind.
Unfortunately I think that it would be asking
the impossible of either Hillary or Barack to step down...it takes an incredible amount of belief in oneself to be able to get as far as each of them has..and to step back would be the same as giving up...to their credit..I think neither is a quitter.
Why can we not have the best of both?
I wonder what would happen if Hillary and Barack sat down to a one on one discussion
PRIVATELY.
To my mind..the answer is Hillary for the next 8 years with Barack working closely with her to bring balance to America...
Sigh, the impossible dream...or is it?
By the way...peop
Yeah, this is a point few people bring up. The Democrats controlled Congress in 1993, too, when her health-care plan was presented to them. We all know what happened with that.
For various reasons, the Clintons are extremely polarizing. If she became president, the forecast would call for gridlock.
Unfortunately, if you knew Hillary like we know Hillary, you wouldn't even bother asking her to sacrifice herself for the good of the party.
And if you knew her supporters like we know her supporters, that would be the biggest shitstorm this side of the "Hillary Firewall." She'll go down kicking, screaming, and scheming because that's who she is.
I say that as a Liberal and a former Hillary Clinton supporter. One day Erin you'll examine Hillary Clinton's ACTUAL record and feel much better about turning your back on her.
Clinton would sacrifice her 1st born (and only) before she would quit the ultimate prize for supreme power!
First of all, have some standards. She would not sacrifice her first born. Her bio shows she sacrificed part of her career path to uniter herself with her husband. This is just and insane commentary. If you know the facts, then report them factually.
Isn't this a bit premature? Do you think that the people who hate the Clintons will suddenly turn to Obama? Many of them are the same people who keep pushing the "Obama is a Muslim" urban legend.
German President Angela Merckel's a woman and, if you read the news, the closest thing to the leader of the Free World we've got.
An ultra conservative; like Margaret Thatcher.
Hmm...like Hillary.
Look, how about this as a compromise. Let's see both Clinton and Obama step aside for the good of the party and America and release their delegates to Al Gore. That's pretty much who most of us originally wanted to see running anyway.
No Clinton. No Obama, but a Nobel prize winner with a fire in his belly, as much "experience" as anyone could want, and one of the sharpest minds in the country.
until you decide to fight for the rights of African American voters in Florida, you don't deserve Gore.
We all need to fight our own battles. If voters in Florida want to be heard they need to unite, boycott, do what ever it takes to get heard. But blaming Gore for your issues is unfair. Don't you think he wanted to win to do good for all of his constituency-I did. It is unfortunate that you did not see this.
I wish you were right, but Gore clearly does NOT have the requisite fire in the belly, or he would have jumped into the race. I wanted him to run, believe me, but, alas, I'm past convinced that he's moved on. As should we all. Like it or not, our choices are Hillary or Barack. I think it's a mark of how strong the Democratic Party is that 2 candidates of such high quality are being thought of as some kinds of second-tier choices. We're gonna be just fine. Go Dems!!!
She will never step aside! That Presidency is HERS! HERS! There was to be a coronation! This can't be!
Seriously! This lady would never be where she is if she hadn't been married to Bill. Yet women make her their "empty vessel," into which they pour all their hopes and dreams, long-ago thwarted by this patriarchal world. What an inspiring figure! rode the coat-tails of man all the way to the top.
:
Dear Erin,
Yours is the most courageous and thoughtful post I have read re this entire campaign.
Pity the same combatative urges you describe will make it impossible for Mrs. Clinton to understand - or follow - your sage and selfless counsel.
Peace will prevail.
:
I agree with your bottom line--your plea to Senator Clinton to do the country a big favor and step down. Of course no one would expect this to happen, but it is a wonderful fantasy. It would be a total win-win! The country would have the benefit of a true leader in Obama--one who unites and inspires and Hillary could go down in history as something of a heroine. I don't think that fits her game plan, though. :-)
I disagree with much of what you have written, however. I don't see Ms. Clinton as the victim of some kind of irrational hatred. I don't think it is because of her sex. I think that many, many people just see through the woman. She is not genuine, she lies, she uses people to further her own interests.
She may squeak by because she certainly knows how to play politics.
Yes, how wonderful to appeal to the higher self in Hillary Clinton...
Holy crap, is this really Erin Kotecki Vest? Nobody hijacked your computer or something?
Come to think of it, I never thought of Sen.Clinto
I doubt she'd ever do it, but still... intriguing.
Senator Clinton started with the highest negatives in either party. Now after a year long campaign to label anyone who wasn't passionately in favor of her winning as a hate filled misogynistic nut job she's still got the highest negatives.
MAYBE someone should have spent the last year coming up with a reason why anyone would WANT HER TO BE PRESIDENT!!!
If it makes you feel any better at least she hung around until there were no more good candidates for the office.
The Right Wing Echo Machine sure has a grip on you...high
Comeon! She has half of the nation, and this contest is a close one, whoever wins, will be winning by a very small margin.
Please, don't be silly and expect Senator Clinton to read your small article, and suddenly realize, "Oh, Gosh, I'd better step down because this Erin person on the Huff Page thinks I should, and she is so sad to tell me so."
Silly---she isn't going to go awy unless she loses the contest, and it ain't over 'til it's over.
And do yourself and the democrats a favor, drop the far right wing spin: that she is so divisive. They have brainwashed you into thinking this is true.
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Posted February 12, 2008 | 10:19 PM (EST)