Not Until the Fat Lady Sings

As an ardent Obama supporter, I am calling on the Senator from New York to stay in the race for as long as she can stand it. Longer even. I think the calls for her withdrawal are deeply troubling, and even hysterical. Anti-democratic even. This is how an election works. And even though this particular one seems to be poorly designed at best, we are in the midst of the process. Voting: A right, may I remind Mr. Leahy, et al -- for which people have fought hard and died.

Let me be clear: I believe that the Clinton campaign has been simply tragic. It is an object lesson in failed promise and panicked, unstable, virulent war-game tactics. It has been marked by shallowness of the first order, and by the relentlessly divisive behavior of a cynical staff. She is fatally compromised in her stature as a credible voice, even perhaps in the senate, and her husband, an ex-president of the United States, is in danger of squandering what is left of his tattered reputation. The utter absence of statesmanship from the Clintons actually is painful to watch. There are lies about being under fire, there are semi-secret conduits to Matt Drudge, there are methods worthy of the Nixon playbook, in terms of sheer cynical zero-sum brinksmanship. There is an endless contempt for Obama's brilliant oratory, his ability to speak to adults like adults, which makes the Clintons suddenly seem like Bushesque boors, frankly. The sneering at his ability to connect reeks of school yard pique. It need not have been this way. There were early signs of a different kind of race, and they evaporated a long time ago. One day, we may live to see such a race. I doubt it.

However, I utterly disagree with those who cynically are calling for her to go quietly into the good night. I think that would be deadly for the fragile unity of the party, a party that should be on the brink of reclaiming control of the White House, and all that goes with it. A huge percentage of Clinton believers would be turned off. I think any Democrat alive knows what it is like to feel disenfranchised after the chaos of the last few elections.

And as any reader of the Huffington Post knows, she has fervent and patriotic supporters. (They will be writing angry letters even before they finish reading these words.) Supporters who still see more of what's good and great about her, who see her brilliance, her stamina, her staggering capacity for survival, as purely admirable, and even vital to whomever is going to be our next chief executive. I do not disagree with the need for a powerhouse in the Oval Office, I just think we need the purging energy of Barack Obama more. Senator Clinton has people who believe in her just as passionately as I believe in Senator Obama. Those supporters deserve to see their nominee fight for as long as she can, as long as she needs to. Well past the point of reasonable hope. That is America. It's in our sports, it's in our business, it's in our blood. And frankly, there is something admirable about the indefatigable Clinton appetite for power. I find it morally vacuous, not to mention shallow as hell when Bill remarks that if you can't take the hits, you shouldn't run. Really, Bill? Did you love your ongoing and disgusting hazing at the hands of right wing zealots so much that you think those tactics are a reasonable litmus test for the presidency, rather than say, oh, profound and inspirational moral force and an utterly unifying presence? Just asking. And as stomach turning as is the new college campus mini-trend of questioning of the Clinton's daughter about Ms. Lewinsky, well, so long as the Clintons are willing to put her out there to play that particular game of tennis, well then, who are we to stop 'em? Go. Go. Go. Go to town.

Maybe there's something purging about it for them. More than anything else, for purely selfish reasons, I do not, for one, think this race should end until William Jefferson Clinton is asked, and exhaustively and comprehensively answers each and every last question pertaining to the unconscionable pardoning of the crooked financier Marc Rich. Because, he too will be in the White House again, powerful, cynical, and hungry. Who knows what favors would be traded in exchange for God only knows what?

No, Hillary should remain in the race. As Frank Rich pointed out last Sunday, she knowingly fabricated the details of her landing in Bosnia, and she did so repeatedly, shamelessly, even after she was entirely revealed as a fabulator worthy of the hoariest backlot Hollywood schlockmeister. So -- Let it go on and on and on and on. The truth, as it did in the case of her trip to the "war zone", will come out. It always does. the last aria has not been sung, and the Valkyrie has yet to exhaust her lungs. And as the race continues to the bitterest end, I hope that Senator Clinton's many supporters are entirely satisfied that she did this to herself. That she exhausted her every chance.

It could have been different. As I have said before, character is fate, and that is what we are witnessing, as her campaign falters. Let it go on until all hope is exhausted. Those of us who look at the Clintons and see the full dimensions of the failure of their promise to America will also feel some sense of loss when she withdraws. She shied away from greatness, so as to hold on to power. Character is fate.

Comments

[kato1]

Thank you, Jon. Like you, I am an Obama supporter.

The Clinton campaign has over and over proven that they, in the best Rovian tradition, will do and say anything in order to win. This includes lying of course, as Hillary showed us once again with her epic tale of her harrowing Bosnian visit. Her defense was insulting. She lied about it - it was not a misstatement - it was a lie. If one is willing to lie about something that matters little, what will they say when something is important? The Clintons live by their own rules, always willing to change the rules when need be. Always willing to lie or bend the truth in their favor.

Chelsea's answer to the question about Monica betrays an arrogance and lack of tact. The question itself was distasteful but if you're going to send your child out as your mouthpiece, she should expect it. She seems not to know how to get her point across without flipping the bird.

I guess what I have been most struck by is their utter lack of dignity. They really don't mind if they make themselves look foolish, mean spirited or desperate. Barack Obama's honesty and dignity are a refreshing change in the face of Clintonian politics. I don't believe he would ever fall so low as they. Losing one's dignity and principles isn't worth winning any prize. But first, you have to have them and the Clintons seem to be sorely lacking in

[mgw]

I suspect you know nothing about Obama. That is, you don't know if he is honest and you don't know if he is dignified--Obama is a blank slate. I'm reminded of a governor in a state called New York. That governor was a prosecutor before he became a governor. And at the time when the governor was a prosecutor, he was high, mighty, and pure. He had dropped straight out of the sky and had not sinned at all, he was perfect. Then there came Republican attack machine, I'm told. You know, that machine that goes in, searches, and brings out dirt. Hidden dirt, disgraceful dirt, humiliating. And all of a sudden, the pure and might prosecutor turned governor, who had wiped out all the corruption and sleaze in New York, was exposed for having bought prostitutes, a crime for which he had brought New Yorkers to justice for. Needless to say, that governor had to resign in disgrace. I supposed the "good" people of New York did not know the man. The man had not been vetted so such a thing had come to pass. So please, before you get on your high horse about a man you know nothing about--at least, wait for the Republican attack machine to do it's work.

[SethBullock]

This is a totally ridiculous post--Obama as Spitzer? I would like to see how many people out there think that the Republican "attack machine" will be any less principled than the Clintons'.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

This is not a general election, it's merely a primary. Most primaries are decided well before the convention. The whole argument about denying people their votes is nonsense. The Republicans have a candidate, yet they are still holding their primaries. The primaries aren't going to be canceled just because Clinton gets real with herself about her chances of winning the nomination.

She can stay in it for as long as she wishes, obviously, but what's the point?

The outcome will still be the same. So what's she hoping to achieve? She's dragging her supporters down the garden path of inevitable disappointment by insisting somehow if she stays in the race, it's still possible she can win. I have as much chance of winning mega millions as she does of winning the nomination, and then the general election. Polls indicate that she is the weaker candidate - from Democrats and Republicans points of view, therefore it's unlikely she is going to get enough superdelegates to surpass Obama's pledged delegate lead.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/03/poll_supports_o.html

[moda31]

thank you for pointing out what so many seem to be missing. nobody is going to cancel the remaining primaries, people still can and will vote, so this whole disenfranchisement argument is nonsense. if the nomination had been wrapped up by super tuesday like so many thought, would people be arguing that everyone should stay on the ballot & keep campaigning because there are still states that haven't voted? heck what about those poor people that really want their vote to count for kucinich, put him back on the remaining ballots even though he has no chance of winning and let the democratic process play out. hillary clinton facing the reality that she can't win would not disenfranchise anybody. sure she can feel free to stay in the race, but it's the he's trying to stop you from voting lie, that i have a problem with.

[shart]

I read the entire article and hope Jon is proud to be in the elite 85% of the media that is condeming the Clinton's. I am middle America, we are supporting Hillary for many reasons that are never brought out in the press, because we are the working America that is trying to stay afloat in this mess. Our education may not compare with yours, but life experience is a wealth of knowledge, you will never understand. We have raised familys, supported our communitys, worked hard for everything we have , without government handouts. We are not on welfare, and have seen through the Clinton years how our voices were heard. Obama is an unknown, we choose to support Hillary , because life experience is the best teacher. She has weathered many storms, made mistakes, and has learned life lessons, Obama has never been tested. He may win the nomination, but John Mc Cain will win the White house. Middle America will not elect an untested orator.

[Aleka]

You are aware right, that BILL Clinton is not the one running?

I think you should try to actually think about this. Your last statement, "untested orator", is pure Clintonspe­ak.You are showing the ignorance and gullibility that you are objecting to being pinned with. All you are doing is repeating mindlessly after Hillary. That is exactly what she is counting on.

Think for yourself. Compare, if you will, the 2 campaigns. Who ran a better campaign? Who had a message? Who organized better? Who brings in more money and who is budgeting and handling money better?

Who had name recognition? who had a large "war chest"? Who frittered away all the money in in Feb so that they needed to loan themselves money? Who is having trouble paying bills? Who failed to organize in any state after Super Tues? Isn't that a bit short sighted?

Which set of qualities is better for a president? If hillary is so "electible" why is she losing to a guy who came out of no where? Doesn't that make you wonder if MAYBE he is more than "an untested orator"? He is certainly more competent.

[starboymikey]

You are aware right, that BILL Clinton is not the one running?
__________­__________­__________­__________­__________­______

No, I was not aware of that. He acts like he is, so I bought into it.

What a fool I've been.

[SLone08]

Since you guys are the ones that gave the election to Bush (twice) you'll have to excuse many of your fellow Americans for trying to take the lead in making sure we get a Dem in the Whitehouse. If you are willing to endure 4 more years of a terrible war, skyrocketing debt, failed economic/ foreign policy, and an economy spiraling into depression, then please- by all means, vote for McCain in the general.

Voting based on the issues doesn't require a PhD, just an open mind. If you agree with Hillary's policies, then I hope you do the right thing and vote Obama if he is the nominee.

[echo0918]

"Since you guys are the ones that gave the election to Bush (twice) you'll have to excuse many of your fellow Americans for trying to take the lead in making sure we get a Dem in the Whitehouse­." (SLone08)

****
SLone08 - You really ought to apologize for this remark. Who are the "you guys" to which you refer? Middle America is not some monolithic entity, and some supposed middle Americans were not the only ones who "gave the election to Bush (twice)." You are just feeding into the class/regional divide already being manipulated falsely much to the detriment of all Americans.

[cakelady]

I can't believe what you just said. How can you make a statement about someone putting Bush into the white house twice. How do you know who the person voted for? Believe me, if the person is a Clinton supporter as stated, there is no way that the person voted for Bush let alone doing it twice! And you should practice what you preach, we all should keep an open mind on the issues because our country is in deep trouble and we need someone who has experience to handle what has to be done. And in case you say that Obama has more experience. Read this article on the true facts on that.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/129976/page/1

[echo0918]

Please don't presume to speak for "middle" Americans. I myself am a former Midwesterner and the product of a factory line assembly worker and an auto mechanic. Can't get more "middle" (or blue collar technically) than that. I started as an avowed Clinton supporter but am now an Obama supporter for precisely the reasons laid out by JRB's post. While I agree life experience is the best teacher, I respectfully disagree that she has learned the lessons life has dealt her if her conduct throughout this campaign is any indication. I also respectfully disagree your assessment, nay regurgitation of the Clinton campaign rhetoric, of Obama as merely an untested orator. Just because he hasn't made as many enemies as the Clintons have in their rise to power doesn't mean that he hasn't faced challenges. He's just won over his would have been enemies rather than disappointed, disgusted, and alienated his supporters as the Clintons plural have. And, let me preempt any suggestions that I myself am regurgitating some party rhetoric by saying that I myself wrote a post similar to JRB's more than a month ago to a smaller community of friends. I'd even sent a request pleading to HRC to behave with more integrity and dignity prior to then, only to witness her campaign devolve even further. While I do not doubt HRC's good intentions, her poor execution of them has been incredibly appalling.

[neoprimordial]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, particularly when the accompanying acts are as contrary to those intentions as Hillary's have been. So Hillary's supporters won't be convinced until the shark comes up and bites a bigger chunk out of their butts. It's not like they haven't been warned not to swim in that water.

[echo0918]

Lastly, I am appalled that you have allowed yourself to be manipulated into thinking HRC to be a champion of middle America and Obama a candidate of the elite. If anything, Obama comes from a less privileged background than HRC (leaving WJC's personal history aside), with equal amount of education, and with a history demonstrating a far greater degree of commitment to everyday people and their communities as a community organizer (after having given up voluntarily a well-paying position at a corporate law firm) than HRC does with her career in corporate law (defending white collar clients).

The argument you and the Clinton campaign lay out is a ruse.

[Amminadab]

Have you ever heard of:

Children's Defense Fund?

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families?

The United States Legal Services Corporation?

Arkansas Children's Hospital?

The Child Care Actiion Campaign?

The Children's Television Workshop?

The American Bar Associations Commision on Women in the Profession?

If you don't know these, and Hillary's association with them, you just might be missing a piece of the puzzle.

[NURREDIN]

Isn't that the same thing that was said about Abraham Lincoln?

[patsynow]

You miss the whole point of what is a competition. Anyone worth their "salt" would fight on to the end.
Your degregation of hillary by saying her fighting on would be some proof that she "did this to herself" is petty and I suspect as interesting a chap as you may be, you harbor underlying chauvinistic tendencies. I wonder if you and others calling for her premature departure from a contest would dare call for Biden, Dodd, Kukunich, Edwards, et all to leave the race at the time YOU THINK SO. Your suggesting that she stay in to prove herself wrong is unckind and wrong! Yes, I am a hillary supporter and very proud of her and myself for sticking twith a woman who has the smarts, the background, the skills and the tenacity to run this country in it's upcoming obvious "recovery mode" after the Bush dismantling of our country, our tradiation, economy, military, healthcare et al. We need a really smart person to deal with all this mess. Obama is good, but Hillary is better.

[Aleka]

How very like hillary to call in the sexist card when faced with criticism! I can see why you support her. Clearly, this is just another evil boy picking on poor hillary!

/eyeroll.

Face reality please. She is being judged on her character, words, and behavior, not her gender. You set back the way women are percieved 200 years by crying sexism every time someone points out she behabed badly.

By the way, I am female. I am ashamed of both of you.

[Serena67]

"We need a really smart person to deal with all this mess."

Yes. And I performed my own kidney transplant without anesthesia. Wait... what's that? My surgery was recorded and it was actually my doctor who performed the surgery? I misspoke.
/end sarcasm

[C65]

patsynow,
DREAM ON,AND PLEASE DON'T WAKEUP,YOU KNOW DREAMS ARE WISHFUL
THINKINGS.

[Calylily]

I hope she stays in - even though I am not voting for her! This is our American voting system - this is why we are here - and why we are paying these pathetic taxes on the 15th - and why we are always so proud to call ourselves Americans! If she is forced to pull out, won't you feel a bit uneasy that the system doesn't work afterall? She's not going to win, but let her execise her rights as an American. Don't look now, but the whole World is watching!

[Aleka]

Aye, this is true.

I don't think anyone would have a problem at all, if she behaved with grace. But she is doing long term damage to ALL dems by her behavior.

I myself am going to fervently hope she focuses on McCain and stops outright lying about Obama. I think that all the remaining contests have a lot of people very excited and I would love to see them have their voices heard.

[Themadigan]

Agreed. Hillary should run 'til the bitter end, whatever her misdeeds, alleged or real.
My question is this: Does this courtesy extend only to corporate candidates?
The Democrats and their supporters were they loudest and most shrill in wishing Ralph Nader's exclusion from running as President, blaming him for getting Bush elected, and the ensuing 7 year disaster. What they neglected to mention that the majority of Capitol Hill Democrats (including the two candidates slugging it out for the Democrat nomination) have been enablers to the illegal invasion and occupation, and the accompanying suffering inflcited upon a noble people!!) Hillary voted to authorize force, and Obama, for all his wonderful, respectful, dignified behavior during the campaign, has undone himself in my eyes by voting "YES" to appropriations to perpetuate hell upon a nation that never threatened us.
If this isn't an argument for choice beyond McCain, Clinton or Obama, then what is?
Please. This is the Age of the Internet. Ralph Nader is running as an Independent. Cynthia McKinney, who is most likely to be nominated by the Greens, is running. There may be a Libertarian Candidate for President in the works. The same courtesy being called for on behalf of a corporate clone should be extended to those candidates running beyond the reach of war-profiteers, price-gougers, corporate polluters and union-busters, and fighting for "wee folks" like you and me!
Confuse the Pundits!! Hit the alternative campaign websites!! Good platforms come from the least expected places!!

[richardsgirl]

I agree! I think anyone calling for Hillary to drop out is doing a disservice to this democratic process, and I would hate to see this fall on the Democratic Party in this way. I do not support Senator Clinton, but I believe that she not only has the right to run, but it's our right as Americans to see this election through to the end. And although Senator Obama has now become "the inevitable nominee" (to Hillary's chagrin), his nomination has not yet become a reality, and in all honesty, Hillary still has a SLIM chance of pulling this off! Well ... maybe not! But as long as she THINKS she has a chance, she should stay in the race! However, I do hope, for the sake of the Party, that this will be resolved BEFORE the August convention.

[alamantra]

How about what I just found out today?... That at the age of 27 Hillary was fired from her role during the Watergate investigation by Jerry Zeifman. Why?

“Because she was a liar,” Zeifman said in an interview last week. “She was an unethical, dishonest lawyer. She conspired to violate the Constitution, the rules of the House, the rules of the committee and the rules of confidenti­ality.” http://www.northstarwriters.com/dc163.htm

[MoMule]

Trash talk!

[C65]

Doesn't Surprise me,ONLY the dummies that think EVERY BODY IS PERFECT,WITH
A PERFECT OPINION,AND LOOKING THROUGH ROSE COLORED BRAINS WOULD. SO
ALL THE PERFECT,SPOTLESS CANDIDATES STANDUP AND QUALIFY -I'LL VOTE 4 YA ?

[MariaHopeful]

I think that Obama needs to travel or more to the point, Americans need to see what the world thinks of Obama. I think that Obama will be receiving rock-star like treatment by ordinary people and America needs to see that the restoration of America's name abroad will have started and all because of Obama. That is one of the reasons I would like the race to end now. Otherwise I have no problem with the race going on.

[SethBullock]

You said it Maria--if he had the time to go to Europe now--let alone Africa--it would look like the Beatles coming to America. Pandemonium! (Europe would be better for the optics of it, I suppose)

[Truthteller2000]

Contrary to Obama’s claims in speeches in January at American University and in Selma last year, the Kennedy's did not provide the funding for a September 1959 airlift of 81 Kenyan students to the US that included Obama’s father. According to historical records and interviews with participants, the Kennedys were first approached for support for the program nearly a year later, in July 1960.

Bloggers pointed out that the Selma bridge protest occurred four years after Obama’s birth. Around these parts we call these kinds of mistakes - “lies”. I hate to break it to Obama, but this kind of crap is not “a new kind of politics.”

[MariaHopeful]

Keeping digging. See where it gets you. Obama is not perfect. We know that and he doesn't claim to be. Nothing you can dig up whilst frothing at mouth is going to convince us that Hillary or McCain will make a better Leader or President than Obama. Maybe next time you can instead tell us some of what make you admire Hillary rather than trying dissuade of from believing in Obama.

[Aleka]

Yes. Because romanticzing an event that happened long before oyu were born, is right up there with making up sniper fire for an event you were actually at!

Come on, that is just silly. Apples and oranges.

Why do you people do this? Is it a childish "tit for tat" thing?

Honestly we don't think he is perfect. We don't need a "perfect" candidate. We are ok with our politicians having a wee bit of "spin" on stuff like this - we just resent having our politicians fling great wads of CRAP and whopper lies to us day after day as though we were stupid, ala Bush and now Clinton.

[PTTY]

http://www.northstarwriters.com/dc163.htm
March 31, 2008
Watergate-Era Judiciary Chief of Staff: Hillary Clinton Fired For Lies, Unethical
Behavior

As Hillary Clinton came under increasing scrutiny for her story,facing sniper fire in Bosnia, one question arose was whether she has engaged in a patter n of lying.

The now-retired general counsel and chief of staff of the House Judiciary Committee, who supervised Hillary when she worked on the Watergate investigation, says Hillary’s history of lies and unethical behavior goes back farther – goes much deeper – than anyone realizes.

Jerry Zeifman, a lifelong Democrat, supervised the work of 27-year-old Hillary Rodham on the committee. Hillary got a job working on the investigation at the behest of her former law professor, Burke Marshall, who was also Sen. Ted Kennedy’s chief counsel in the Chappaquiddick affair.

When the investigation was over, Zeifman fired Hillary from the committee staff and refused to give her a letter of recommendation – one of only three people who earned that dubious distinction in Zeifman’s 17-year career.

Why?

“Because she was a liar,” Zeifman said in an interview last week. “She was an unethical, dishonest lawyer. She conspired to violate the Constitution, the rules of the House, the rules of the committee and the rules of confidenti­ality.”

Obama is not dodging sniper fire. McCain and the Repugs want Hillary.

Why do you think FOX News, Morning Joe and Racist Pat want Hillary to be the Democratic Nominee?

[Yasmine]

HIS family told him the story.....­......and they are dead now.
get over this trivial meaningless mistake.

[Lap48]

No, it's not. Especially, if he relied upon his parents...­he wasn't around to verify that info and whatever your parents tell you, you pretty much rely on in your youth and it congeals into holy writ as you get older.

Lying about being under hostile fire while trying to justify your and your Republican opponent's commander-in-chief capabilities at the expense of a fellow democrat's lack of same is the big enchilada in terms of a political gotcha moment.

And, I'm anxious to find out all about this Watergate/Jerry Zeifman controversy, by the way, because if THAT pans out, we're nor just dealing with a person with crucial complications from chronic sleep deprivation but one with a deep pyschological problem which goes right to the heart of what it takes to be President.

[Truthteller2000]

Will Obama get the same media treatment with his lies? Don’t hold your breath. In a speech to a Selma, Alabama crowd meant to pump up his civil-rights movement authenticity and his Kennedy Camelot image, Obama claimed that the Kennedys paid for his Kenyan father to travel to America on a student scholarship and therefore was responsible for his “very existence”. However, the first march on Selma took place on March 7, 1965. Obama would have been about three and half years old at that time. For some reason the media never did the math on this.

The Wash Post delves deeper.

Addressing civil rights activists in Selma, Ala., a year ago, Obama traced his “very existence” to the generosity of the Kennedy family, which he said paid for his Kenyan father to travel to America on a student scholarship and thus meet his Kansan mother. It is a touching story — but the key details are untrue or grossly oversimplified.

[kato1]

Not the same thing at all - Obama might actually have believed this to be a true event in his father's life. I think every family might find the same sort of thing in their past. Sometimes, a childhood story becomes more interesting with the telling.

What is different here is that Hillary made up the details around a recent event in which she was directly involved. I mean, it was a whopper! It seems to suggest a pattern of deceit - and everyone has to ask themselves this simple question "if one lies about something so unimportant, what will that person say when faced with something distasteful and important?"

Hillary has a problem and it might be a serious one. She seems to be a pathological liar - maybe she even believes what she says. She's been caught in her lies too many times. That's why she gets such low marks for truthfulness and her negatives are so high.

[Amminadab]

Yes, we get it. Every Hillary lie demonstrates her slimy character.

Every Obama lie is justified and dismissed.

[rosal]

Thank you Mr. Baitz. Her supporters will answer to your column using the talking points of Mrs. Clinton's campaign. After eight years of lies, Rambo, and the "My way of the Highway" policies of the current administration, I am not ready for another eight. This country had enough drama. Now, we need to start solving the tremendous problems this country faces. We do need a change, we do need Obama.

[deb813]

Great comment and obvious to anyone who is not rallying by the side of this she woman on the brink of greatness(or failure). But I do have one comment in the negative. Instead of character is fate. I think in this case character is fake. Just a t where a k should be. I would have loved to see Hillary Rodham run without the Clinton, perhaps I would have liked her more. Thanks for putting words to my thoughts.

[twinkerbell]

Me too. If she had divorced Bill and ran for office on her own merits as Hillary Rodham, she might have been a much better candidate. And, if she had even one percent of Bill Clinton's charismatic personality, Obama wouldn't even be in the race. Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton's problems are of her own making.

[wwsword]

"Brilliant oratory" is arguably the top myth surrounding the Obama cult of personality.

[seakiev]

Why is it that Clinton supportors always disparage Obama's oratory of hope.....h­ave they forgotten Bill's 'a place called hope'??? Was that not brilliant oratory???

[Yasmine]

I never see OBAMA , I see his SUPPORTERS who HOPE for a better FUTURE for AMERICA.
I also see the DNC the DEMOCRATIC party that has given America good programs..­..........­..without which AMERICA would now look like A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.
please PLEASE THINK SIEKIEV

[jmundstuk]

And during the coda, John McCain steps to the stage to acknowledge his victory.

[jll2008]

I guess people have short memories because Bosnia is not the first big 'misspokenism'. How about the one about "Hillary Makes Up Chelsea's Whereabouts on 9/11"? I am so flummoxed by this pathological need to make up stories about real events. Ok, lie. Would world leaders believe a President who's word could not be counted on? And what is just as disconcerting is how Hillary supporters somehow think pointing out these 'misspokes' is an attack and so unfair. It would be totally okay if they admitted, "Ok, she's a liar, but I don't care." At least that would be honest, but I guess 'like minds think alike' and that's their comfort zone...unt­ruthiness.

[rh654]

If Hillary stays in this to the convention - and Obama is the nominee and he loses to McCain - unless there is a complete blow-up by Obama - Hillary will be blamed for Obama's losing and she can kiss away any chance she has in the future to be President - the Democrats will never forgive her.

[Amminadab]

So Hillary is to blame even if Obama loses to McCain?

How can every Obama fault be blamed on Hillary? Is this man not capable? Is he responsible for nothing that happens in his own sphere?

[SethBullock]

He's responsible for beating Hillary like a rented mule--but if she mangles him so badly that he loses, she will be held responsible. Not that it matters--she would have been exactly as unelectable in 2012 as she is this year.