How Much Longer Can This Continue?

     For more than a month I have called a moratorium on the Democratic race only blogging on the hype of the contests as presented by the media. After the two primaries in Indiana and North Carolina, it is apparent that Hillary Clinton can not win the nomination. Even if she were to win the remaining contests she would still not be able to catch Obama. So what is the point of continuing? Hillary Clinton has waged a strong campaign and is deserving of praise for being able to recover when most had pronounced her campaign dead. The time has now come for Hillary to set aside her personal belief that the nomination was inevitably hers and to do what is best for the Party. What is best for the Party is for Hillary to gracefully suspend her campaign and allow the Party to coalesce behind the presumptive nominee Barack Obama.

I sent a message to one of her most loyal supporters early Wednesday morning asking what are her realistic options? "She has only one option," he replied. "Gracefully exit and help unify the party to beat [John] McCain." How quickly, he was asked. "I would advise them to figure out how to do it as soon as this weekend," he replied.

Another veteran Democrat who has backed Clinton was equally pessimistic in his private assessment.

"It's hard to see a path toward the twin goals of Hillary winning and the party uniting," he wrote. "Her strategy cannot be to destroy the village in order to save it. The superdelegate dam is about to break.

Hillary losing [George] McGovern is like LBJ losing [former CBS News anchor Walter] Cronkite." Washington Post

    Even Hillary's most ardent supporters have got to realize that the only way for her to win at this point would be at the expense of the Party and its opportunity to win in November. In spite of his flaws and inexperience Barack Obama has done what many thought was impossible, he was able to upset the candidate who began this campaign with money, name recognition, and history. I understand the difficulty of what Hillary and her supporters must do, it will be difficult to acknowledge that they will not be the campaign of history. But lets be honest its over. If anyone can explain to me how Hillary can win and not destroy the Party I am all ears. The time for emotionalism is past, the numbers in all categories are against her and now the superdelegates are deserting her. The lost of George McGovern is huge and cannot be underestimated.

    It has been stated that with only 3 weeks to go we should allow Hillary to finish out the primary process. My question is why? The campaign can only get more contentious and it will only serve to strengthen John McCain. If we were not talking about Hillary would we even be having this conversation. I think not. Hillary has nothing left to prove, she has demonstrated her toughness, her tenacity, and her ability to survive. Hillary has vowed to continue fighting, my question is fighting for what? If you can't win mathematically then your only purpose can be to damage Obama so much prior to the convention that his candidacy  is unviable. If that is the case then she loses even if she wins and not only her but the Democrats as well. It is time for the Party leaders to put an end to this. They have been reluctant to rein in the Clinton's but this has to end. The so-called Party leaders had better grow a pair of balls and put an end to this lesson in futility, before the Party splits along lines that cannot be repaired.

    I am so tired of listening to the Hillary apologists who say not to worry, the Party will be unified by the fall. I think this is being unrealistic and not looking at or listening to the voters. What Hillary supporters don't understand is that it was the Party powerbrokers that allowed Obama in the race in the first place. Are we to believe that the Democrats are so disordered that a freshman Senator from Illinois and black at that could get into this race without their allowing it at best and requesting it at worse? Hillary was always considered damaged goods by the insiders and the ease at which Obama was able to raise money and support is proof of that. Obama has been able to raise enormous amounts of money from small contributors but also from the establishment types as well. Hillary thinks that if she can make it to the convention she can engineer a coup, the truth is that those delegates she is counting on were the ones who engineer the Obama uprising in the first place.

    I fully expect for Hillary to suspend her campaign by this weekend. If she doesn't then she will have lost whatever dignity this campaign has afforded her. The fall-out will plague the Democrats well beyond this election cycle and into the future. If the Democrats lose the youth that Obama has been able to motivate due to backroom deals it will plague them for a generation. Is the ego of any candidate worth that?

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

The Disputed Truth



Display:


Hillary can stay in as long as she wants (2.00 / 1)

What is BO afraid of?


by observer5 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 07:57:21 AM EST

Re: Hillary can stay in as long as she wants (none / 0)

He's not asking her to quit.

But former supporters are asking her to reconsider fo the sake of the party. The only way to win is to hope for a backroom fix or convention fight. Both solutions will end in defeat for the dems in the fall. Hence the shift of support...

Sorry. It's just politics. This is not Rocky or any other mythic comeback movie.


Pointing to the inadequacies of John McCain
by duende on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:03:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary can stay in as long as she wants (none / 0)

Well I, for one, am afraid of a long, bloody fight that will leave the party divided through November and an easy McCain victory.


Beat McCain!
by thezzyzx on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:53:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (2.00 / 1)

One would think this would have to end soon, but I'm of two minds. One is that Hillary takes a couple of days to think, gauging superdelegate opinion, fundraising ability, and the reaction of both the media and the electorate, and then bows out within a week.

The other though, more the Rachel Maddow line, is that Hillary will never bow out. This would seem to be supported by her rhetoric yesterday, and that the supers will have to take her out. This would be both detrimental to the party and sad. I hope it doesn't go there.

This blog this morning is filled with Clinton supporters soldiering on, much to their credit, and even a diary saying that the path to victory begins in West Virginia. Huh? West Virginia? The path to victory began in Iowa and we are down to the final 6 contests.

What path? I'm asking repeatedly in various threads. Show me the path. I don't see one. The only hope Hillary has is some Eliot Spitzer moment by Obama, and she gets the advantage of that even if she suspends her campaign today, so show me the path. The numbers now are virtually impossible for her, by any of her own metrics. Where's the path?


John McCain supports privatizing Social Security.
by Travis Stark on Thu May 08, 2008 at 07:58:02 AM EST

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

That's what I want to see too.  The path is pretty unclear.

Under two weeks until OR.  Just keep reminding myself of that.


Beat McCain!
by thezzyzx on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:55:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

I fully expect for Hillary to suspend her campaign by this weekend. If she doesn't then she will have lost whatever dignity this campaign has afforded her.

Worried about what the voting results from WV will say about Obama's electability aren't you?


by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 07:58:19 AM EST

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

The results from WV are totally irrelevant to Obama's campaign.  Nobody expects him to win - although I have a sneaking suspicion he will do better than expected as the news sinks in that he will be the nominee.  The idea that anyone wants Hillary to withdraw to save face in WV is laughable.


by interestedbystander on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:04:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

The results from WV are totally irrelevant to Obama's campaign.

Well, I don't really think the Obama campaign wants the truth; the Democratic Party/DNC might want to analyze the stats.
by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:13:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

WTF does that mean?


by interestedbystander on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:41:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

It means exactly what I said. I'll make it clear for you...Clinton is a much more appealing candidate to WV than Obama is.


by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:46:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Of course she is, that's why everyone expects her to win.  So?


by interestedbystander on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:03:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Clinton appeals to the working class "Reagan Democrats" unlike Obama....especially after his "clinging to Gods and guns" comment Obama made in San Francisco. McCain is considered a moderate republican. He also appeals to the working class; Clinton would do much better against McCain than Obama in WV.


by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:14:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

You keep saying that as if we don't know - of course Clinton will do better than Obama against McCain in WV.  Again, so?


by interestedbystander on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:23:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Ah, West Virginia.*  Bastion of the Democratic party.  Rich with electoral votes.  Demographically, a perfect reflection of the rest of the country.  Trend-setter for the world, West Virginia.

* note: WV is a beautiful place.  But perhaps we shouldn't trust them to pick our nominee over the choice of dozens of equally fine states.


by reenactor on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:10:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Wow...How elitist of you.


by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:19:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Yes, because I suggested that the dozens of states that already chose a candidate might overbalance a single state.

By all means, continue the process.  But WV ain't going to make much of a difference at this point.


by reenactor on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:50:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

"Trend-setter for the world"

This is as good as the "clinging to guns and god" comment. It's obvious to many Democrats that some in the party are out of touch with rural America...exception; those that make sarcastic comments like the one above.
by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:21:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Hey, I was serious.  You seem to think West Virginia's not good enough to be a trend-setter.  Why do you hate America, soyousay?


by reenactor on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:27:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

I have family from WV, they pride themselves in being traditionalist.


by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:33:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

So do you want WV to be a trend-setter, or a bastion  of tradition? I can't keep up.


by reenactor on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:53:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

You can't because you think WV is irrelevant in the first place.


by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:57:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

It's irrelevant in deciding the winner of the primary.


by interestedbystander on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:25:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Who's trusting WVA to pick our nominee? We just want them to have their right to vote in a meaningful primary like other states have.


by Mayor McCheese on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:47:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Hey, they can vote, it's all good.  Sadly, the primary may not be too meaningful at this point - one candidate is in too deep a hole.  The previous poster seemed to put an undue emphasis on WV's importance in this stage of the process.


by reenactor on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:53:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Meaningful in the sense that there are at least two candidates in the race with active, legitimate campaigns (Gravel doesn't count) actually trying to win this thing. That's what I mean by meaningful. Whether Hillary can't ulitmately win the nomination is another question.


by Mayor McCheese on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:02:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (2.00 / 1)

Should we add the remaining states along with MI/FL to the don`t matter category.


Wisdom Is The Reward For Listening Over A Lifetime
by gunner on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:43:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

So I assume that had Clinton clinched on Super Tuesday (as you and she assumed she would) you would have been fighting to let the other states be heard, right? "Don't drop out, Senator Obama," you would have cried, "it's important to give all the voters a chance to be heard even though it's mathematically impossible for you to win!"

True?


John McCain
by Mandoliniment on Thu May 08, 2008 at 11:20:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Because West Virginia is the best indicator of electability...


by Skaje on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:05:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

It's say a lot.


by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:10:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

It says they prefer Clinton, so?


by interestedbystander on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:04:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (2.00 / 2)

Guys, it'll be over when it's over.  Stop bellyaching and keep working.  If nothing else, I want Barack Obama put through as many paces as possible, because he's got some work to do in the GE if he's the nominee.  He'll need to have the tactical experience to run a winning GE campaign.


No candidacy is more important than the right to vote.
by hornplayer on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:01:12 AM EST

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

He's got the tactical experience - he needs to get started.


by interestedbystander on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:05:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Shockingly, I disagree. (none / 0)


No candidacy is more important than the right to vote.
by hornplayer on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:08:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shockingly, I disagree. (none / 0)

Wow - pleasant surprise!  Kudos to you.


by interestedbystander on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:40:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

My biggest concern (none / 0)

Is really time.  I think if this goes to the convention unsettled its not necessarily too late, but it leaves zero wiggle room for the general.

So while Id love for it to be done today, as I have no patience, if it goes to mid June but we get a definitive answer, then that should be cool time-wise.

And by definitive I mean a full concession by the loser (whomever that may be).  Not a suspension, but complete concession.


by pattonbt on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:13:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (2.00 / 1)

HRCs campaign is indisputably historic, but how it will be viewed historically is diminishing with each passing day.  I don't think she's seeing clearly.
She needs a sweet vacation and some straight, sympathetic input from her supporters.
If the race baiting continues, and it looks to continue, that will be the lesson noted in history classes.
Even now, a classy withdrawal and sincere effort to unify instead of divide would save her legacy.
She is a talented woman. She could do a lot of good.
by barnowl on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:03:11 AM EST

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (2.00 / 1)

"The loss of George McGovern is huge and cannot be underestimated"

GEORGE McGOVERN !!! Come on, losing the endorsement of the man who suffered the most humiliating defeat in history is bad? I remember the election in '72 - you don't want to be drawing any parallels that that...


by Lacy Davenport on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:15:00 AM EST

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

I also remember that. I wonder if this new coalition can withstand a drubbing like that


Wisdom Is The Reward For Listening Over A Lifetime
by gunner on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:56:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Luckily, we'll never know. Nixon's not in the Whitehouse, Eagleton isn't anybody's VP, and we have the internet nowadays.

I don't think this election is going to be the mirror past one. The campaign against McCain will have surprises on both sides I'm sure.


McCainuire, The Wrath Of Not Enough Naps.
by catilinus on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:43:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

You know what an interesting parallel with the candidacy of George McGovern is? A messy nominating convention.  You want that to happen again? There were many other issues, including Eagleton, and "Democrats for Nixon" (reminds me of a particular candidate who postulates some sort of "commander-in-chief" test and excludes the frontrunner of the democratic party).

If you want to avoid this, help your candidate exit gracefully soon.


by reenactor on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:47:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Avoid it? Hell, I'm looking forward to it !


by Lacy Davenport on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:02:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Yeah, I love the media. This is the same media that marched us off to war.


by soyousay on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:15:33 AM EST

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

They had allies.


McCainuire, The Wrath Of Not Enough Naps.
by catilinus on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:34:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

A month (none / 0)

Seriously, what's the harm in letting the process play itself out? There are just six contests left. The candidates are not tearing each other part. Democrats WANT To register and vote. Obama is having no trouble raising funds and attracting supporters.  


by Mayor McCheese on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:42:15 AM EST

Re: How Much Longer Can This Continue? (none / 0)

Here is my problem with this continuing....Hillary has no chance of catching Obama. Her only hope is to make Obama appear unelectable. How can she do this without tripping him. It is one thing to say he may slip, but know this Obama has been preparing for this since high school there will be no slip. You can't trip a person and then claim they slipped. Show me how Hillary can win legitimately and I will listen, but stop the emotionalism. Both campaigns knew this day would come, how she responds now will speak volumes about who she really is.


by Forgiven on Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:49:08 AM EST


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