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.
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The trouble is, Hillary CAN'T! The superdelegates will head her off at the pass in early June at the latest. How can she "go on" if Obama's won many more delegates, super and pledged, than he needs for the nomination? Obama's had more than enough rounds with these pit bulls to have established his capacity to survive with his cajones in tact. He's even completely neutered the Republicans on the issue of Wright, as the stupid, failed ads in the Mississippi race have shown to the whole world now. Obama has completely outsmarted both Clintons put together, and outtoughed them too. It's over.
Peggy: This isn't about having "fun" or even just "politics" any longer, as if Denver were mainly going to be more entertainment brought to us by MSNBC and CNN. It's about how a Democrat can win this election, because if John McCain becomes president, the nation is headed for another four years of military bravado in the Middle East and incompetent economic management at home. We are nearing the end of the worst presidency in American history. Whatever would damage our opportunity to recover from this and give our country and our people the opportunity for a new beginning, should not be tolerated.
The reality is that Obama is going to be nominated, whether Hillary stays in or pulls out. If she continues her campaign of questioning Obama's fitness for office and continues to delay the moment when Obama can start preparing for November, she hands advantages and ammunition to McCain. And that, given the enormous stakes for this country, should not be risked. Your cavalier attitude about a chaotic convention is, I am sorry to say, naive. None of us has ever before faced such a fateful election. Your future, and the future of every one of us, is on the line. It is time for Democrats to unite -- now, not later.
Cont'd...
And Obama supporters need to get over the “all of the new voters are only for Senator Obama.” This is a historic election with or without him and people are just as excited about her candidacy as they are about his; hence the virtual tie between them and the continuation of this race. I personally have been hoping and waiting for her to run since she left the White House and I’ve loved every minute of my volunteering for her starting back in October. I’ve been so proud of her and the strength that she’s shown every step of the way. I’ve waited this long, I figure what’s another 4 more years if she doesn’t get the nomination now or run as the independent?
Your comment, "I figure what"s another 4 more years if she doesn"t get the nomination now or run as the independent?," perfectly reflects the narcissism of the Clinton campaign -- which is all about Hillary, and not really about the crisis of our country. You care less about winning this election that revering Hillary -- and so you are not really serious about fixing what ails this country. That attitude, which has reeked from every pore of her rhetoric all year long so far, is why she is losing.
It seems to me that Hillary Clinton is not the one that insists this race go on, but the voters who have decided to exercise their constitutional right to vote. It's a pesky thing called democracy, which has now become a foreign concept to the “democratic” party. Even if she dropped out, they still would have voted by a huge margin for her in WV, so the least Senator Obama could do is be thankful for her help in diminishing an unbelievably embarrassing loss this late in the game. She’s asking tough questions of him because it’s the toughest job in case no one noticed. Her questioning his fitness is just stating the obvious. If he had a record or background to prove his fitness, then there would be no room for doubt. But because he is new to the scene, that’s all people can do is question him and as a citizen, your job is to question him vigorously before you hand over the presidency to him. A cute smile and hypnotizing rhetoric isn’t going to cut it.
I don't see the logic. Does somebody else it? So it is to keep Nader at bay? Or because she can? Or because it's fun? Or because its better for Obama? And the party? Which one is it? All of the above? Why not pick one and develop a well structured argument. Just pick one. Tell us why that's the reason.
Hillary should get out because she should.
Really, are people still writing articles about whether and why Hillary should stay in the race?
That's so two weeks ago.
Who cares? In 5 days, he'll win big in Oregon, she'll win bigger in Kentucky, leaving two states and Puerto Rico. Most superdelegates will break for him, as they've been doing for over 3 months. She can finish the race with the tone she's taken for the last two days, campaigning while making a point of defending Obama. Florida and Michigan delegates will be seated, probably the pledgies with half votes, and then both her and BIll endorse and campaign for him.
I've read a lot of blogs of Hillary woman supporters who will campaign against Obama, they are that upset. Men will lose and walk away problem with woman they take it personal and won't walk away, they fight back. This will be a big mistake cause then we will be stuck with McCain and all the rights these woman fought so hard for will be thrown out the window.
I love the" We will be stuck" where did the "We" come from?
I think he means Americans, given that McCain is running in the U.S.
My best guess. Maybe someone else has some input to add.
peggy? do you remember why they tell you it's a bad idea to eat something bigger than your own head? hold that thought. now think of hillary.
Actually I long ago tired of the primary race. In the absense of much real policy difference, the race turned into a nightmare of political silliness.
I am much more energized to go up against John McCain and the republicans. The media had a field day for sure. It was really dumbing down the conversation. I for one am glad to move on. Its time we get to the real issues. Bring it on!
Hillary can stay in if she wants to. She just can't get mad when Barack moves past her and gets on with the business at hand.
Uh, no, Peggy - she should concede. She's only making herself look like a desperate fool.
Yes, fighting against the odds is so out of keeping with the spirit of being an American. All of country's victories, especially independence from England, were shoo-ins.
Those who fight hard for a cause are kidding themselves. There's no room for their type in our land. We only back winners.
" It might be rough. But it will be great politics. It will breathe life into a process that has become televised wallpaper.
It seems that you have missed the central point of politics. A divided convention will make great theater. A divided convention will be exciting and raucus. Politics is not theater, nor is it about excitement and media coverage. Politics is the process by which civil nations govern themselves. Once it became obvious that Hillary Clinton would not be involved in the choice for governmental leadership in November 2008, her political usefulness as a candidate evaporated. A divided convention will make for contentious, confrontational, losing politics. If that is the length to which you are willing to go, join NARAL in supporting Hillary Clinton as that support were its own cause.
I am a liberal because I want to see liberal policies enacted. I want a Democrat to be the next president to enact those policies. I could notcare less whether Senator Clinton still has the right to run.
NARAL endorsed Obama.
"If you come out of the pit victorious after going a year against two pit bulls like the Clintons, it says something.
Yes, indeed. It says that you've had the media wiping your nose for you. Fighting your battles and spinning your scandals. Obama couldn't have steered his own course, and he hasn't. I suspect that, in time, the media will regret shilling for this guy. Such as, when and if he gets in the White House.
No one can be this bitter. Seriously how is spending two weeks talking about Wright every day and night be the news media "shilling for Obama". That's outright lunacy. It is simply baloney. No one but people contemplating the loss of their candidate can believe this tripe anymore.
Two bad weeks in a year and a half of constant campaigning? Sounds like a pretty easy ride to me.
The (non-Fox branch of the) media covered Wright by way of damage control. Otherwise, they'd have been handing the issue, unprotected and unspun, to the right. They had to deal with it. I don't suppose that ever occurred to you.
Something comes up with the potential to hurt Obama badly come the general election. The media is going to do what? A) Let it go. B) Try to spin it to Barack's advantage by portraying B.O. as America's internal Race Relations Ambassador, simultaneously turning up the volume on "Hillary and Bill are bigots."
Let me know how you do on the quiz. And skip the personality crack next time.
We are in the worst times since WWII and you think it's "fun". You're the one that needs a dose of reality. Hillary has crossed the aisle and now is a neoconservative. A NEOCON. Her racebaiting is criminal.
You obviously care NOTHING about a Democrat winning in November. I'd rather skip the "great politics" you suggest and BEAT McCain, thank you...Afte
Yeah, don't you HATE the way some women refuse to submit? The nerve.
Looks folks, feast your eyes. There is a show to be had here. Cast your eyes to stage one where we have *with great flourish* The Sexist.
Why is this person a sexist? Simple use showmanship as you just did to turn any criticism of a candidate who happens to be a women into an attack on ALL women.
Nice try but we are more mature than that. I was raised by a feminist and she taught me that these kind of false attacks are nothing but political theater.
I think it is time to close the show and move the carney wagons out.
Wow Zanti! You're right, what was I thinking..
No, I actually love it. I even love it when they are all bitter and find sexism where it doesn't exist. Stop, stop-yer turnin' me on.
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