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

[clevelandchick]

First , the guy's name is Ralph Nader not Ralph Nadir. I don't know whether that was an attempt at a tired pun or ignorance but please, for Pete's sake...fix it.

Second. While KarateKid here is a misogynist dip-wad, I have to agree with his sentiment that this isn't "fun" for those of us worried what HIllary's cling to a losing battle means for the Democratic party in the fall. Some of us really do not want another Republican president and do not give a rat's ass if it amuses you DC Mediacracy types. It's not about you and your amusement over this process.

The Democrats have lost the last two presidential elecitons in a row to the most unpopular president in history and you're getting your rocks off over this battle between Obama and Clinton? Lady, I just spent 60 bucks filling my gas tank up and my company is looking at cutbacks. We can't afford to humor your amusement over this process a minute longer.

The rest of us just want a freaking nominee already. Hell, I was an Edwards supporter and if the Dem nominee was Donald Freaking Duck I'd have his sign in my yard, don some tail feathers without pants and sport a jaunty sailor's cap cocked to one side while spitting on everyone I talk to. Or if that pisses you off, make it Daisy Duck...I'l­l wear the bow & polka-dotted dress. I don't care.

[savethecountry]

"The main reason Clinton should continue her campaign is because WE can."

Hmmm... Hey, Peggy, would you feel the same way if Clinton were in Obama's position?

[Thunderbeach]

It may be difficult for passionate Obama supporters to understand, but the other corner doesn't get to throw in Hillary's towel. With neither candidate in possession of the KO delegate count, as long as she's still on her feet Hillary has to fight on until the final bell rings. It may not be lady like, but if the roles were reverse, I would expect the same of Obama as long as there were even a glimmer of an outside snowball's pitch in hell. As David Mamet put it so succinctly, "Never stop fighting 'til the fight is done." So fight on, HIllary! Until the final bell.

[nomobull]

yeah but you can lose with dignity or just lose.i would rather lose with dignity so i can fight another day .

[BigBen]

No need to worry Hillary will fight another day.Her constituency is broad and deep. The poor and the uneducated.

[RealistDem]

Boy that would be great bumper sticker ----Hillary 08-- because she can. Very inspiring.

[RealistDem]

Take it to the convention is a good idea? Only someone seriously deluded would argue that would be good for the party. Study your history. Ps this thing is over, you cant argue math.

[BigBen]

Tell that to Ted Kennedy. In 1980 he went to the Convention floor when 300 delegates behind.Of course the fact that he cost us the presidency was OK. He was a Liberal.

[Justtellthetruth]

Thats all fine , as long as your willing to concede that Hillary should then no longer be seen as someone who gives a Sh*t about the democratic party. It could be that one might also have the right to shoot people who come onto their property if they post signs stating that, but I would not expect their neighbors to treat them in a friendly manor after the sign goes up and the first couple of postmen are shot. Not all rights should be exercised.

[sf94127]

You read these comments from Obama supporters and you would think Hillary Clinton was behind by 1000 delegates.

Hillary Clinton is to be admired for staying the course and if the Obama people had three digit IQ's they would realize it was good for party unity and the Nov general election. But they want Hillary to quit and declare her allegiance to this false god with a glass jaw.

The most sickening thing is to hear Obama say Hillary should stay in while his surrogates go around slandering Hillary and painting her as someone who is damaging the Dem party. And these morons wonder why a lot of Hillary dems won't vote for Obama.

[WMichaelTenery]

A lot of name calling but not much in content. Obama and all of his surrogates are saying she should stay in as long as she wants. You are having Obama and media confusion. The media is now saying she has lost and should exit gracefully. Every time Obama or a Surrogate is asked they say the same thing. only Hillary gets to decide that.

I know it makes great political theater to pretend that she is being pushed out by Obama and his surrogates but it is a stubborn, inconvenient fact that she is welcome to stay in and lose. In fact it is better if she does. Then her own followers will finally see it and believe it. Because a few seem to be in complete denial of it.

[Bigeasy]

It's a shame but that is happening with both camps.

[appetite88]

According to Hillary, a lot of her supporters won't vote for Obama because they are white and he is black. Since Hillary has piled on her negative attacks on Obama, McCain has gained points in the general election. For the record, my IQ is 145 and I still am at a loss as to how this is all good for us.

[KarateKid]

Actually, the most sickening thing is how your side just can't face reality and keep trying to change the playing field, and putting words in Obama supporters' mouths.

How many times have you heard us say that she can stay in the race until the end, that is doesn't really matter? Your side accuses us of bad behavior, but you somehow feel justified in calling us morons. Then you wonder why we retaliate.

Your side is so arrogant and that's what sets us off. Your side is full of hypocrites like Terry McAuliffe (remember his threat to Carl Levin four years ago about punishing Michigan for rules violations?)

I fail to see the point of all you coming here to squawk; it's not going to change anything. The contest was won by Obama fair and square and you just can't accept it. Go to the DNC site and put your worthless two cents worth in. We're busy seeing to it that Democrats win in November. That's a hell of a lot more constructive than what all you crybabies are doing.

[S1m0n]

"Hillary Should Stay in Because She Can"

Does anyone think Hillary could identify any cause greater than the fulfillment of her desire, and if so, what would that such a cause be?

Because its clearly neither the democratic party nor any kind of 'progressive' politics.

[Kasandra]

Oh for Pete's sake.. give it UP already. I'm a little more concerned about the future of this great country than producing a reality based mini-series so political junkies can yammer and jabber about the back room deals and who's going to get voted off the continent next week.

IT'S NOT ABOUT TV RATINGS IT'S ABOUT THE WAR, AND HEALTH CARE, THE ECONOMY AND RESTORING HONOR TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

Why don't you just mainline American Idol and let the rest of the world strive to pull itself back together after 7.5 years of Bush...

[KarateKid]

God, ANOTHER Hillary article. You all are something else. Cling on for dear life, you all are out of touch with reality. Hillary was jilted and she did it to herself.

What's the matter with all you middle aged white women writers? How boring this is. The train is about to leave, and all you can talk about is prolonging it further. Maybe it's "fun" for you, but there is the general campaign to get on with. This isn't about the nomination, it's about the Presidency. Look at the big picture and do a mind check on what is at stake. Get back in touch with reality. Jesus.....­.

[Binx101]

If it is possible..­. hop off your high horse ... and actually read the article.

It is obvious you didn't.

Binx101
The Almost Daily Binx
http://binx101.wordpress.com

[KarateKid]

Well, I don't stoop to advertising my blog to anyone. It is you who needs to get off your high horse.

[Zanti]

"What's the matter with all you middle aged white women writers?"

Our favorite progressive blogger with another enlightened post!

[KarateKid]

Thank you. I want to ask you, why do you keep coming here? Why not just stay at hillaryclinton.com? At least there you would have a more sympathetic audience. You can cry on each other's shoulders and affirm the sisterhood.