Hillary Should Stay in Because She Can

The Democratic Party is starting to wonder if Hillary Clinton is in it to win it, or doin it to ruin it.

Players and pundits are opining about motivations. Is she angling for a spot on the ticket in hopes of engineering a palace coup four years from now? Does she want Obama to refill the Clinton retirement account, which has been depleted by $12 million in loans to her campaign? Do the Clintons know something they plan to spring when it's too late for Obama to bounce back? Or is this simply health care redux -- a woman who is simply unable to admit defeat.

These are all possibilities. And they are all beside the point. The question of should she or shouldn't she comes down to a matter of rules and reality.

The rules start with the disenfranchised voters of Florida and Michigan. The governors of both states are calling on (whining to) anyone who will listen that their delegates should be seated because this is a democracy, and in a democracy all votes must count.

Sure they should count, but democracy is also about rules. Individual voters must follow them -- about registrations, about districts, about citizenship. And so should Florida and Michigan. As Democratic national committee chairman Howard Dean points out, both Florida and Michigan voted for the system they later decided to ignore.

The reality is that cash-strapped states aren't going to pay for new elections. So any solution, if one can be found, is going to involve divvying up the delegates. If they did that as the committeds now stand, Obama is still ahead, meaning Clinton still needs to sweep the rest of the primaries. Barring an Obama bombshell, that isn't going to happen.

That takes us back to the rules. The main reason Clinton should continue her campaign is because we can. Ralph Nadir probably cost Al Gore the election. But that only happened because he convinced enough people to vote for him. Congressman Bob Barr, running as a Libertarian, may take votes from John McCain -- but again, only if people decide to vote for him.

Have a problem with that? Change the system. Until then, anyone with enough energy, talent, optimism (delusional or not) and money (borrowed or not) should be allowed to do all that the system allows.

Back to reality: Clinton staying in the race will likely not lead to a debacle in Denver.

This race is more fun than anything we've seen in years. It has drawn in young voters and new voters. Thanks mainly to Obama, and in spite of media that will always choose controversy over issues, it has been remarkably civil -- especially compared to the sleaze pit strategies of Karl Rove. Why not keep the excitement going?

People talk about the prospect of a divided convention as a terminal event -- the end of political life as we know it. It might be messy. It might be rough. But it will be great politics. It will breathe life into a process that has become televised wallpaper.

It is also not the worst thing that could happen to Obama. For an untested candidate, an election is better than a coronation. If you saunter to the nomination in shiny loafers and a hand in one pocket, doubts about readiness and toughness will persist.

If you come out of the pit victorious after going a year against two pit bulls like the Clintons, it says something. Being a little chewed up in the process is good. The entire campaign -- like the candidate himself -- will be better able to stand up to the Republican attack machine.

Democracy says that it isn't over until it's over. And it's not over until somebody hits 2,025 or the superdelegates make their choice at the convention. Until then, let's let democracy do what it does best -- open the contest to all comers and let them fight it out until somebody comes out on top.

Comments

[OtayPanky]

Peggy Drexler: Hillary Should Stay in Because She Can

===

As the old joke goes, this is EXACTLY why a dog licks its testicles.

[janex]

How nice of you to take up for the Clintons. The fact is contests like this within the party do not help.

Would Bill Clinton have ever become president if other Democratic contenders had gone after him on his woman problem during the primary? Probably not.

If Mrs. Clinton had mad a gift of her money to the campaign and did not seriously expect people like the little boy who sold his toys to give to her campaign. Every day, Mrs. Clinton sinks to a new low, whether it is appealing to people's racial fears or taking money from children when she herself has millions.

[hinnis]

No one is going after Obama because of a private affair. Those who will not vote for him do so for many reasons. Many, even millions of Democrats, would rather have a centrist Republican, than an inexperienced, deceptive, ruthless, divisive, black liberation theology believing, race-card throwing Obama.

[provgrays]

It must gall Hillary no end to be off the front pages for the most part.

She definitely has some kind of Rube Goldberg end game in mind, but she is also 99 and nine tenths pure ego. That ego will not allow her to concede and help mend the party so it can take on Bushco and McCain. Obama may have to take out a restraining order against her before he raises his hand to take the oath.

[Zanti]

"It must gall Hillary no end to be off the front pages for the most part."

LOL! She's the main topic on cable news, and Hillary blog pieces abound on the Internet. One of which you just posted to!

So, from what planet are you visiting us? How's the weather?

When you fill out the "State" box on an official form, do you write "Denial"?

[XME]

Denial? Do you even watch the news? Since Edwards' endorsement and Bush's idiotic statements in Israel, there's barely been a mention of Clinton, except for them to comment about how she's no longer mentioned. And the only ones who are really going on and on about her in blogs are the Hillary cultists who think they can hijack an election by threaten to vote for the opposition and who are just making themselves look like a joke and who are an embarrasment to the rest of the women across this country who actually care more about issues and making sure a Republican can't continue Bush's debacle than doing anything to make sure that a woman gets the nomination even if that have to threaten the country to try and get what they want. They're turning an election into a women's lib issue and acting like the woman has been treated "unfairly". Trust me, any news for Hillary right now is bad news...her cultist-level supports are just helping the image she has that she doesn't care about what's best for the country and about party unity, only about getting elected. All they're doing is hurting her credibility that she wants an even playing field and that and that she can take a loss "like a man" for lack of a better term.

[provgrays]

I'm talki ng about actual newspapers, the ones made of paper.

[provgrays]

Zanti,

I think it's safe to say that I'm better informed than you are. My comment about Hillary referred to newspaper coverage, not those breathless Hillary blogs.

[BlueAsh]

The title of your essay gave me the impression that this was going to be another one of those defending-Hillary-against-reality type of irrational diatribes, but I am pleasantly surprised to find a very rational and clear-headed argument.

And I have to say I see your point and I actually agree with you-on most of the points. I don't think we should kick Hillary out because we like Obama better. Democracy is what it is and running opponents out of a political contest is no democracy at all.

The thing is: Hillary's staying in the race is not the problem for me; it is what she says and does that bothers me. And I am not referring to her attacks on Obama.

When she said she was proud of how she did in Indiana "coming up from behind," that's when I said, get lost, Hillary!

When she said she had more popular votes (including those in Michigan that had not been settled), that's when I said, you must have lost your mind, Hillary!

It's the non-stop white lies and shameless spin that totally turned me off to Hillary. Accepting her lies is an insult to my intelligence and to my pride as a woman. The sooner she leaves the scene, the sooner other women can step in and the less they will have to deal with the negative image Hillary leaves behind in the name of women.

[XME]

Exactly!

[Charles TW]

Hillary would most likely stay in the race for the reasons that you stated, but hardly at a cost of an additional 12 million dollars. Only the scent of victory would keep her from folding up her tent and conceding the nomination to Obama. Thanks largely to the voters of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and, now, West Virginia, Hillary has one last arrow in her quiver that is more potent than most of us may realize.
Going into the convention, she will have more than enough popular votes to cause even the most comitted delegates to Obama (especially from the caucus states) to rethink their pledges. They, coupled with those superdelegates, and a few renegade delegates, who have serious doubts about Obama's appeal to "hardworking white Americans", could easily withhold a first ballot nomination from Obama, no matter how the math appears in his favor.
With a second ballot, the delegates will be released from their pledges and all of the delegates from both Michigan and Florida become full participants in the convention. Advantage, and nomination, Hillary Clinton..

[tyrdofwaitin]

"Say goodnight Gracie"

[OtayPanky]

Goodnight Gracie

[Zanti]

THAT was original. Can I use it?

No, wait--I'll patent it before you do. Race you to the office.

[OtayPanky]

Zanti: THAT was original.

===

You want original, Zanti? Try this: IT'S THE MAP, NOT THE MATH.

No need to thank me. I'm here to help.

[fraziersview]

Hillary may know the odds are not in her favor, but she may feel obligated to continue for all those who supported her. In spite of the fact that Obama looks like the likely nominee, it should not be forgotten that half the party voted for Clinton and Obama will need those votes if he hopes to win in Nov. He cannot win the GE without the other half of the party...So in a way, neither one of them has the math to win and this is exactly the scenario the GOP hoped for. Besides, Obama cannot very well run on a platform of Unity and civility and still discount half the party. Because that would be like writing the GOP playbook for them...

[Gmoney1]

Obama never discounted anyone - he brought in tens of thousands of new voters of all categories - Obama never lost his civility and he continues to try to unify despite hits from all sides - he continues to run a debt free campaign and has never made any comments about Hillary Clinton that were not issue related - half of the party is always going to be for one or the other candidate - that's democracy - and may the best person win - - many have threatened to not vote, write in a vote for someone else or vote for the opposing party - in the end, those who do those things may feel better but when the policies come into play in the following four years, they will know if what they did was in their best interests -

[fraziersview]

I think Obama has run his campaign with much integrity and my comment was not meant to insinuate otherwise; nor was my comment meant to infer that Obama would intentionally disreagrd or ignore the other half of the Dem Party. My comment was to point out that half of the party supports Clinton and close races are not the usual case. Most primaries are decided well before the convention and by far greater margins. From a strategic and statistical standpoint Obama needs Clinton supporters to vote for him if he hopes to win in the GE, just as Clinton would have to woo most of Obamas supporters if she wins the nomination. The only sure way I see this happening is a dream ticket.

[campgranata]

Hillary may know the odds are not in her favor, but she may feel obligated to continue for all those who supported her.

Look at MRS Clinton's record and explain to me when she every feel obligated to do anything for anyone else? it is obsession that drives her not obligation to anyone else.

and soon this crap about how neither can reach the magic number will end as Obama keeps racking up the superdelegates.

[army193]

Hillary has lost this primary and doesn't understand it...She thinks the fighting makes her strong. The vote on Iraq proves it.

[Zanti]

Yes, I know. According to TIME, MSNBC, et al., Hillary lost the election around late February.

We've been hearing this again and again. Hang it up. Please. Thanks.

[fraziersview]

I think our candidates deserve to be judged by the voters' opinions, not the media.

[campgranata]

she has to get her money back. heaven forbid she should have an out of pocket expense when she can have kids selling their bikes and video games and women brown bagging to send her cash.

[AxelDC]

Isn't that her narcissistic, plagiarized campaign theme that she shamelessly stole from Obama?

His empowering battle cry "Yes We Can" turns into her daily affirmation mantra "Yes She Can'.

As usual, it's ALL ABOUT HER.

[ruscle]

Because she can?!?! That's your reason?

The fat kid that lives across the street from me can beat up that little crippled kid down the block and take his lunch money.

Should he do it just because he can?

What a dumb and morally bankrupt argument.

[k6007]

Not to mention that every divided convention has led to the party's defeat in the GE.

[Zanti]

Oh, well. I guess the freaking dividers should have considered that before they decided to promote the Great and Powerful OzBama over the wishes of nearly half the party.

[CraigMM]

Let's be clear and honest about the race-baiting. It was all started Donna Brazile and James Clyburn making false accusations in South Carolina when HRC won NH and NV and started gaing on Obama in SC. Then Obama went around SC giving speeches where he warned African Americans against being "hoodwinked" and "bamboozled" which is blatant code for "watch out for the white politicians trying to cheat you". This is undeniably true. Where was the outarge at Obama and his campaign? Where was the Special Comment from Olaberman? The MSM and blogosphere were silent on this and they allowed Obama to continue with this throughout the campaign.

Obama's campaign has consistently thrown the mud first and then sat back as the MSM and blogs pointed the finger at HRC for reacting to what he said or did.

[KarateKid]

Honestly, does this recrimination even matter anymore? No one is going to change the other's mind, and the results are the results. Everything else is irrelevant. If your side cannot accept defeat, that is your problem, both collectively and individually.

If the contest went the other way, we all would have had that decision to make, to remain loyal Democrats or to go over to McCain and cut off our noses to spite our faces. It's a free country, and there are more Obama supporters who would take the "party is larger than the individual" line than your side, the exit polls show that.

So, if you want to paint yourselves as the "victims" go ahead. All the mudslinging aside, just look objectively at how Hillary ran her campaign compared to Obama. Look at the money raised, compare the numbers, compare how the money was spent, look at who is in debt and who is flush with cash, look at who had the Democratic contacts and machinery behind them, look at who had a plan after Super Tuesday.

[CraigMM]

I am confused. Did Obama somehow get to 2024 in the last 5 minutes? I didn't think so. That is a myth being forced out there by the media as well. Obama cannot get to 2024 on his own. The SD's will choose the nominee. How many states he's won, how many pledged delegates he's won and how many popular votes he's won are all meaningless. Because neither candidate can get to 2024 on their own the SD's will choose the nominee.

And as far as FL and MI go, they will need to be seated. yes, I know that they broke the riles and that all of the candidates agreed they wouldn't count, but we do not live in a vacuum and the reality of the situation is that both MI and FL are important states in the GE and they will have to be dealt with or the Dems will lose in November. They are also both states where HRC does well which adds to her case as the best candidate for the GE....whcih is the ONLY criteria the SD's are to consider when choosing the nominee.

[wiseapple]

I agree. There is nothing wrong with finishing the primaries with two candidates to choose from. Many people for both candidates have worked hard in the states that haven't voted yet, and they should get to see the fruits of their labor. It may even show where strategic changes are needed for the November election. All will come together at the end.

[CommittedDem]

Again, I'll ask the people on this board a very simple question.

Do Obama supporters even want Hillary supporters to support Obama? Honestly, do you want our support? Why do trash every chance you get? I've worked tirelessly for Democrats all my life, and I've been attacked more here than I ever have even by Republicans. So I ask you, honestly, why do you hate me and fellow Hillary supporters? Plus, do you even want us to support Obama? If possible, please be respectful and honest.

[KarateKid]

If you want the trashing to stop, then quit whining. Simple. Almost every Obama supporter has NOT told her to get out of the race but to face reality and stop the negative campaigning. I know I've said that and I'm one of the more voiciferous ones.

For once in our lives, all the primaries count; it's not over after Iowa and New Hampshire. A heated contest is a good thing; it toughens the participants for what is coming from the cretins on the other side in the fall.

What is annoying, and what causes the recriminations are the constant whining from your side. I don't see very many conciliatory messages from your side, only bitterness. Get over it and see what kind of response you get in kind.

[KarateKid]

What is it you are asking....for us to kiss you where the sun don't shine? It's this kind of arrogance that gets under our skin. Which side won? I don't see any of us asking you the same thing.

[CommittedDem]

You misunderstand me. I'm a Clinton support, and I want to know if you guys even want our support? You trash us with more hate than the other side even. Why do you hate me and fellow Clinton supporters and do you even want us to support Obama in the Fall?

[Zanti]

Hey, KK, I forgot to ask what your gender is. You assumed mine was female, and it occurs to me I don't know what yours is.

[savethecountry]

Here's what I want, "CommittedDem" (I use quotation marks because I'm not sure that you are). You wonder if Obama supporters (not "Obamatons," "Obamabots," or worse) will let off of Clinton supporters. Well, CommittedDem, I wonder the same thing, given some of the posts I see here (and far worse ones elsewhere denigrating Obama, sometimes in the most repugnant, putrid ways). I don't hate you, CommittedDem. Do you hate me? I need to ask. I'm not going to give you the benefit of the doubt, especially when you're not giving it to me.

About being attacked, didn't you notice this year's Dem primary campaign? No democratic nominee has EVER been attacked from someone within his or her own party than Obama. And you cry now that you have to lie in the bed that your candidate created?

[Zanti]

Are you well?

[jkminwa]

CommittedDem - I'll be as honest as possible. Of course Obama supporters want the support of Clinton supporters. But I have no idea what hate you are referring to, or why a post here at HuffPost would have any bearing on your vote. Sure, I've seen some offensive posts, but the worst of these are the work of trolls (check out the profile). You protest so much, but I'm afraid I just don't see it. But, maybe you didn't realize that calling me an "Obamabot" or referring to Obama as the "messiah" or an "empty suit" would be offensive to me? Help me understand what has made you so angry. No matter what Clinton supporters have spit out on this site, I can assure you I will vote for Hillary if she wins the nomination, even though I have reservations about her, because she is unquestionably better than another four years of (Mc)Bush. TIA.

[londongal]

To all you supposed Democrats blogging about Ms. Drexler's comments. Whether you agree with them or not is irrelevant at this stage.

STOP bashing Hillary, STOP bashing Obama, STOP berrating each other. This is beyond childish!

The issue of Michigan and Florida will be resolved. Period.

Either Dem candidate will declare victory when one has reached the agreed upon magic number of 2025. Until then, refocus your collective energy on McCain or keep the venom to yourselves.

All this animosity is unhelpful, unproductive, and downright maddening.

[Powderhound522]

Well spoken, londongal. As an Obama supporter, I don't have any problem with Hillary staying in the race. I'm pretty sure she can't win, but as long as she's focused on McCain, then we can have two candidates attacking him instead of one.

The problems I have had with her staying in the race are her divisive statements and attacks against Obama, particularly attacks which seem to increase the racial divide. If she focuses on McCain, then she's welcome to stay in as long as she sees fit.

[chitown]

I agree, she should stay in the race. But Hillary needs to pay her bills. If she used her personal wealth to pay all of the small business people who have been burned by her campaign, she would gain a lot more respect. But paying ineffective "experts" like Mark Penn millions, while stiffing small vendors across the country, is no way to run a campaign. It's not over for those left holding the bag, either.

[AC500]

Hillary who?

[Zanti]

If you really felt "Hillary who?" you wouldn't be on the board, now, would you?

Mental giants in this thread, Marge. Pure mental giants.