I Am Not a Bargaining Chip, I Am a Democrat
Senator Clinton's speech last night was a justifiably proud recitation of her accomplishments over the course of this campaign, but it did not end right. She didn't do what she should have done. As hard and as painful as it might have been, she should have conceded, congratulated, endorsed and committed to Barack Obama. Therefore the next 48 hours are now as important to the future reputation of Hillary Clinton as the last year and a half have been.
I am so disappointed that she lost. As a long time Hillary Clinton supporter and more importantly, an admirer, I am sad that this historic effort has ended with such a narrow loss for her. The issues she raised and the people she touched have not been affected this way by any recent presidential candidate. And we were counting on her victory to change so much in this country. There will be the appropriate "if onlys" for a long time to come. If only the staff shakeup happened earlier; if only the effort in the caucus states had more resources; if only Hillary had let loose with the authentic female, connecting voice she found in the last three months of the campaign. If only. If only. I have written many times on this site about the talents of Hillary Clinton and why I thought she'd make a great President.
After last night's final primary, she was only about pledged 100 delegates behind him. Ironic that after not wanting to make the decision for so long, it was in fact, the superdelegates who made the decision. But I guess they did so for another reason. It just isn't her time. It is his time. It's a new day that offers a freshness to our party that many have longed for. We felt the rush of new voices and a new energy in the Congressional sweep of 2006 and the sweep continues. It has been an organic shift.
The life's work of Bill and Hillary Clinton in partnering with so many African Americans uniting our purpose and promoting our mutual issues is as responsible for Barack Obama's success as our first African American nominee as anyone. And yet, that joy is being denied for them by themselves. It is so sad.
So, I am also so very disappointed at how she has handled this last week. I know she is exhausted and she had pledged to finish the primaries and let every state vote before any final action. But by the time she got on that podium last night, she knew it was over and that she had lost. I am sure I was not alone in privately urging the campaign over the last two weeks to use the moment to take her due, pass the torch and cement her grace. She had an opportunity to soar and unite. She had a chance to surprise her party and the nation after the day-long denials about expecting any concession and send Obama off on the campaign trail of the general election with the best possible platform. I wrote before how she had a chance for her "Al Gore moment." And if she had done so, the whole country ALL would be talking today about how great she is and give her her due.
Instead she left her supporters empty, Obama's angry, and party leaders trashing her. She said she was stepping back to think about her options. She is waiting to figure out how she would "use" her 18 million voters.
But not my vote. I will enthusiastically support Barack Obama's campaign. Because I am not a bargaining chip. I am a Democrat.
Follow Hilary Rosen on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hilaryr
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Excellent and wonderful comment. It is after all about winning the november election and putting out country on the right track. I sure hope more of Clinton's loyal supporters feel the same way.
TONY REZKO WAS CONVICTED OF FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING, BRIBERY, ETC. OBAMA'S RESPONSE,"THIS IS NOT THE TONY REZKO I KNOW." OF COURSE NOT. OBAMA DIDN'T KNOW THE REAL REV. WRIGHT, THE REAL FATHER PFLEGER, THE REAL BILL AYERS AND THE REAL, ENDLESS NUMBER OF SHADY CHARACTERS IN HIS CUNNING LIFE. OF COURSE, NO ONE IS TO QUESTION OBAMA'S CHARACTER FOR FEAR OF BEING CALLED A RACIST. HAPPILY, OBAMA SAID THAT THE REZKO CONVICTION,"SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON THE NEED TO REFORM." A RATIONAL MIND MAY CALL THIS MORE BS.
I am so glad you pointed this out, I am just hoping that more people think and realize about those facts about OBAMA!!
Sir, you're making a scene...
Worried & Grizzles..
Do you think McCain and Clinton have NO controversial relationships?
Both these comments are controversial and NOT from a Democrat.
Your comments are narrow and narrower.
DUDE! Sit down, you're blocking the TV.
Dude, you're blocking the TV!
I agree with Rosen's piece today, the thing I don't understand is that why she was surprised by Hillary Clinton's words and actions? That speech is exactly what many of us expected: detached from reality, petty, and confrontational for no reason. This is why many of us no longer supported her. Rosen makes good points, but she should not have been surprised that Clinton would try to hold her 'base' hostage in order to get something more for herself. That's exactly the way the Clintons have worked in the past, why would that change now?
The only thing I don't understand is how Rosen thinks Hillary can make up for the past several months in the next 48 hours.
Sorry. Never Hillary, ever again. She's finished in my book.
Part 1:
To all loyal feminist supporters of Hillary:
I am white, 50, and a feminist!
Growing up, I had a lot of people tell me I couldn't do certain things simply because I was a woman. But...I chose not to listen to those voices of oppression. Instead, I listened to my own voice -the voice of strength that lives within.
I did not cry victim, I did not whine about unfairness. I laughed in the face of fear and created what I wanted my life to be!
I don’t deny that sexism is a real and dangerous issue that we must contend with -even still in this day and age. And this is sad to me. Just as racism, ageism, class-ism, gay-prejudice, fat-prejudice, or any other prejudice and 'ism' is, that is rooted in hate.
But, does that mean that whoever strongly disagrees with, dislikes, and/or is completely outraged by Hillary, is necessarily a sexist? What about those who legitimately reject Hillary (the actual person and not the symbolic cause) simply because of her anti-feminist actions?
When we no longer look at others through the lens of prejudice, don't we then ultimately judge them by their actions?
Part 2:
I used to like Hillary. I liked her because of her strength, & her seemingly fearless & unwavering ability to speak her mind. I believed her to be a strong woman.
But over these long months, I question where that strength has gone -at least the strength that truly comes from within. Instead, I’ve seen a woman who is desperate -one who has schemed & manipulated to accumulate strength from 'without'. I've seen a person who cheats, slanders & controls. And I've witnessed the lowest form of desperation, as she radically shifts her positions, 'truths' & beliefs, simply to win the approval of others.
I ask, are these the actions of a strong, feminist woman?
In Hillary, I do not see a woman of integrity or ethics. I see someone who'll quickly abandon all morals simply to serve her own ego-agenda. I see someone who’ll do anything to discredit her opponent -conjuring up horribly deceptive accusations, smears & unthinkable insinuatio
When it comes to voting for someone, I’ll always vote for the person who represents the core values & beliefs which are most important to me. Whether it be, "man, woman, black or white," what matters most is the person...& the true quality & ethical foundation of their character.
When comparing the actions of Barack and Hillary, Obama soars high above Hillary as the true feminist!
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? DO YOU EVEN KNOW, OR ARE YOU STILL HIGH ON YOUR KOOLAID? If you want to see the real monster, go to www.dontvo
Shhhh... It's ok man. Shhhh. It's over.
CHARLIESBABI: But! He's Awful!!
ME: Uh-huh. Ok. Ok. Shhhh (Hugs CHARLIESBABI)
CHARLIESBABI: NO!!! NO!!!!!
ME: Let it out. It's ok to cry. OK. Ok. take a nap.
(CHARLIESBABI curls up in fetal position and dozes off. I tuck him/her in)
End Scene.;
Charliesbabi, you speak as though your head's been polluted by a lifetime of racist propaganda and refueled during this campaign by FoxNews lies - and you are shamelessly perpetuating them. Your precious Hillary and her husband Bill have enough dirt on them to make Obama look like an angel. Google the phrase, "Clinton Body Count" - IF you aren't afraid of learning new information. Then ponder on that shit and get back to us. We're far more forgiving that you.
Exactly, I am so agreed with you, please see my comments above!!
I read this link months ago. I've tried to get others to read it because it's so much information that;s being held back. I wanted everyone to read it & duscuss it so they'd be ready for it in the General election. I do not see many posts who heave explored this side of their camdidate.
I cheered when Clinton didn'r concede that nite. She is awesome & capable. What the media did to her & Dennis Kucinich is a shame. I've left the Democratic party & will not vote for Barack because of the things I learned in that link, & because Obama & Michelle's actions & words coincide with the facts that are shown in detail with video on that site.
Face it, Clinton is not squeaky clean. I would air her dirt but it's not productive. The bottom line is this : if we walk down the mudslinging path, we'd both be muddy and the issues will be ignored.
I have to agree, you have watched to much Keith Oberman. Women were soundly whipped in this campaign and told to shut up, be quiet and vote for the chosen one. Think about what you are saying, other than voting your core convictions (bravo for that). But to say the Obama campaign cares one iota about women is a falsehood. The Obama camp cares about being elected president, sure the ideallic image of America they hold would be fabulous if it could come to pass, but it cant and wont happen in my or your lifetime. You are free to voice your support for Sen. Obama, but please think about what you are saying in regards to sexism. You sell yourself short by supporting the likes of Oberman and the rah rah boys, and worse yet you sell my daughters short.
Obama lives in a household of nothing but females and he cares nothing about women. When his father left, it was all women. You really sound ignorant with that comment, sorry.
Honestly - All Obamas policies are pro women's rights and he has more female advisors than Clinton. I'm not sure what you are basing your opinion on - sounds like BS to me
Now is the time for all good men (& women) to come to the aid of the party...
We will now have months of e-mailed accusations, invented or distorted stories, and quotes taken out of context by the fanatic wing of the Republican Party.
During the 2004 campaign, I was frustrated that so many lies were circulated about Kerry... and that so many people accepted those lies as gospel.
Examples:
"Kerry dishonored his fellow soldiers by speaking out to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971".
Kerry did no such thing, he in fact attacked the government for not honoring their commitments to soldiers returning from Vietnam...
Then there was all of the "Swiftboat" crap...
The Press failed to point out that John O'Neill, founder of the "Swiftboat Vets" was recruited by Nixon in 1971 to discredit Kerry... and Kerry made O'Neill look like a fool on nationwide TV in a debate on David Frost's show that Summer.
O'Neill was law partner to Bush's former Lt. Governor, and law partner to one of Bush's top appointees to the Commerce Commission!
Already people are claiming that Obama is a closet Muslim... his wife is a Radical... his minister has an anti-white agenda... Obama doesn't believe in the flag or Pledge of Allegiance
> I know she is exhausted and she had pledged to finish the primaries
> and let every state vote before any final action.
And, finally, this fading talking point must also be put to rest. Hillary's "pledge" only came after she lost the veneer of inevitability and had fallen behind in delegates, and her plan to end the race by February 5th had failed miserably. Back in December 2007, on Meet the Press, Hillary showed no concern for every state having a say before the race being ended. She explicitly declared that the race would be over after February 5th -- when she thought that she would be the victor.
And Hillary's "championing" the rights of Florida voters began only after the risks of doing so had diminished -- with all 4 of the early contests having ended -- and facing the necessity to pump-up her victory margin in Florida. Her declarations that the Florida vote should count and their delegates seated began only 3 days prior to the Florida primary, knowing that local media would carry her words where a "no campaigning" agreement would otherwise prohibit them.
I appreciate Ms. Rosen's article, but feel that the rewriting of history in the piece is both unnecessary and unproductive.
Welcome back, glad to have you in the fight against John McCain.
> After last night's final primary, she was only about pledged 100 delegates
> behind him. Ironic that after not wanting to make the decision for so long,
> it was in fact, the superdelegates who made the decision.
This phrasing by Ms. Rosen is irresponsible and perpetuates candidate Clinton's meme of Obama's nomination as illegitimate.
The superdelegates haven't "decided" anything in merely *confirming* Obama's pledged delegate majority, now that all the votes have been cast. And it must be noted that the final surge of superdelegates confirming Obama's nomination was far smaller than the number of superdelegates who'd pledged their support to candidate Clinton before a single vote was ever cast in January.
Again, I appreciate Ms. Rosen's piece, but it appears it may take some time for her to cleanse herself of the misleading talking points that have held sway over her for the last 4 months.
If only.... Hillary had shown any degree of the same tenacity fighting for the American people prior to October 2002, and after, in her role as Senator, rather than triangulating for a GE Presidential campaign.
I appreciate Ms Rosen's commentary, but it must be noted that Sen. Clinton's campaign did not fail merely because of imperfect campaign execution. It failed because of a deeply-flawed approach to politics, prioritizing triangulation over core values.
I agree with plooger but your article is nevertheless a good commentary. We need more voices of unity in the democratic party if we are going to win.
Although there are diehard Hillary supporters who feel crushed, we should all focus on principle and not on person. If we do, we will realize that Obama is a very similar democrat to Hillary in most areas and I don't think there will be a problem unifying against McCain....
Great article Hilary!
Perhaps you could contact the Clinton campaign and tell them that it's time to change their website.
They should take off the divisive statement "18 MILLION STAND WITH HILLARY" and replace it with something like "36 MILLION DEMOCRATS STAND WITH OBAMA!"
"They should take off the divisive statement '18 MILLION STAND WITH HILLARY'"
Hillary's always been divisive. That's what she does. And that's why she could never become President.
Thanks for doing this powerful tough love "intervention" with Hill. I know it must not have been easy. BTW after reading your bio, are you available for the VP slot or perhaps a cabinet position as Secretary of the new Department of LGBT Affairs?
"What does Hillary want, want does she want"
Ask not what your country can do for you Hillary, ask what you can do for your country.
Nice piece Hilary hope all her supporters see the bigger picture too.
The primaries are over and democrats need to STOP bashing each other!!!! There is too much at stake!!
Nothing matters now. The damage has been done. John McCain will be the next president. Even one day before Obama's victory, they said Obama was trying to "slime Hillary as a white racist." After comments like that, I don't see how there's any way Obama can win now.
what damage? I'm glad "they" tell you everything
Yep, the Clintons have given many a person license to hate in the last 5 months, and it will be no simple matter for them, or anyone, to correct the record. (And I certainly don't see Hillary going around telling all her supporters that she was basically lying to them.)
Well, I don't think that's what their intention was. I think they wanted to win and put a lot of hard work into it and were frustrated when they got so close but weren't able to clinch, so I think it was emotional for them and that's understandable. I think it's just regrettable that this primary has gone on too long, and too many people are angry, and there were regrettable things said on both sides. The milk's spilled now, and it's not anyone's faul, that's just the reality of things now.
Hillary is a white racist....
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