MyDD :: Hillary recognizes that the party has its nominee

Hillary recognizes that the party has its nominee

by TL, Fri May 16, 2008 at 09:59:37 AM EST

I agree with what many of Hillary's supporters are saying - there's no quit in Hillary. But knowing that the game is over isn't "quitting." You don't stand at home plate after the last out in the ninth inning, waiting for someone to throw you the ball. You start getting ready for the next game.

And there are ever more signs that Clinton has decided that the game is, in fact, over. She's stopped attacking Obama and yesterday went out of her way to defend him against Bush and McCain. She freed one of her top foreign policy advisers, Jamie Rubin, to write a piece defending Obama in the WaPo this morning

These aren't the moves of someone who believes Obama is unfit to be President or would be a disaster as the nominee of our party. Nor are they the moves of someone preparing for a floor fight into August. Good for her!

Tags: election 2008 (all tags)

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if you think she is conceeding defeat (2.00 / 0)

you are nuts.

For Obama it now becomes: Faith, hope and CHANGE! And the greatest of these is Change!

by TeresaInPa on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:01:09 AM EST

Re: if you think she is conceeding defeat (none / 0)

I think what is nuts is still thinking Hillary is going to fight it all the way to the convention.

She has her supporters..like you..who don't want her to quit. But she also wants the Democratic Party to win in November, and she also understands that Obama is ahead in the delegates..and superdelegates now.

So..um..yes. It's over. And she's even gone on record saying she'll support Obama if he's the nominee.

AnnMarie

by wiscogirl101 on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:08:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: if you think she is conceeding defeat (2.00 / 1)

there are some supporters you can reason with, she is not one of them, at least not yet.

maybe after hillary drops out ya can try again, but for now, its best to just let her go about her business and deal with the reality how she sees fit.

I have said before I have no problem with people believing that Hillary will still win, or that she will fight it to the convention, as long as they don't expect the rest of the world to play along.

Dream for tomorrow but fight for it today.

by TruthMatters on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:13:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: if you think she is conceeding defeat (2.00 / 1)

I understand those who still want to believe Hillary can win. When you've invested so much into a candidate, its hard sometimes to realize its over.

I think the source of frustration for me, is those who support Hillary saying they will support McCain or stay home on election day. I know its a minority, but still. The goal ought to be electing a Democrat in 2008..and after 8 years of Bush, I honestly think anyone who threatens to vote McCain or stays home hasn't learned a thing the past 8 years.

AnnMarie

by wiscogirl101 on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:17:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama is only 100,000 votes ahead. (none / 0)

And he is blocking revotes in two crucial states.

Why are the Obama people so desperate to have Hillary pull out?

If they are so confident they can win on their own-

That bothers me.

Health Care: WHY do we pay MORE and GET LESS?
http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/con tent/full/hlthaff.28.1.w1/DC1

by architek on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:27:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama is only 100,000 votes ahead. (2.00 / 1)

Didn't you get the memo? Hillary is now winning the popular vote!! Email the SD's.

And how is Obama blocking (<- present tense) revotes in two crucial states?

Lost rate and rec for issuing a '1' to a trollish comment. The troll, not so much.

by map on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:31:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

as a florida voter... (2.00 / 1)

we voted. we had no, absolutely no, interest in a revote. yes, we get it. you want to blame florida for hillary's loss.

but it was not obama, it was not hillary, it was not the man on the moon, who is responsible for the fact that florida voters won't participate in this charade. we voted, it counted, we're done. we'll see everybody at the polls in september.

LEAVE US ALONE!

"I can't change things overnight, but I think I can get us on the right track." -- Barack Obama

by bored now on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:34:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama is only 100,000 votes ahead. (2.00 / 1)

What does that have to do with some people who support Hillary threatening to vote McCain?

1. MI and FL are being seated. And no one had to waste time and money on revotes.

2. Again, what does the above have to do with some threatening to vote McCain?

AnnMarie

by wiscogirl101 on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:35:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: if you think she is conceeding defeat (none / 0)

while i dont necessarily disagree with you with what HRC may do - with due respect - it is over when she says so, not me or you, BO or the media. no one has cinched and until they do she has vowed to continue. if this means going to denver (which i doubt will happen) she has every right and responsibility i daresay to do so.

"Democracy! Bah! When I hear that I reach for my feather Boa!" Allen Ginsberg

by canadian gal on Fri May 16, 2008 at 04:00:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: if you think she is conceeding defeat (2.00 / 1)

I don't expect a gigantic concession speech, but the author is correct in his analysis. The attacks have stopped and there's a more unified front.

We saw the same thing with Edwards in 2004. After it appeared he was mathematically unlikely, he stayed in for a little while. There was also a "debate" where he and Kerry basically beat up on Bush for a while.

I think it was a wise move on Hillary's part. Had she dropped out last week, the story wouldn't be about how Obama couldn't win WV as the presumptive nominee, it would've been about how he couldn't win WV as the actual nominee, which would've been completely dominating the media spin. As it is, the Edwards endorsement (which wouldn't have gotten any coverage if he was the actual nominee) allowed for minimal bleeding from WV.

She also gets a chance to set up Democratic machinery in future states, continue receiving funding to pay off debt and establish herself as an uniter of the Democrats. A concession speech is still a bit away in the future, but that's OK for everyone involved as long as the fight's not overtly hostile.

by TCQuad on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:14:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: if you think she is conceeding defeat (2.00 / 1)

Ahhh from Teresa, the voice of reason. What a surprise. NOT!

Can't even read your own candidate, can you?

I'm riding the Low Road Express. Join me at www.lowroadexpress.com

by LtWorf on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:43:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

NUTS - What has Hillary won (none / 0)

Here are some cold hard facts.

Going into Super Tuesday, Hillary was up nearly 100 Super Delegates but down in Pledged delegates. The WSJ writes yesterday that the Clinton campaign was expecting to win by 58, and lost by 14. It was over then.

Obama won all the next 11 contests racking up an additional 122 PDs. It was really over then.

On March 5th, Clinton netted just 2 PDs from OH/TX (4 if you count VT and RI). It was really, really over then.

Since then, her wins in PA, IN and WV have netted her 28. And Obama's wins in WY, MS and NC have netted him 28 as well. A tie. So after WV, it was really, really, really over.

And along the way, Obama picked up 9 additional IA PDs in mid-March, plus 7 of Edwards PDs yesterday, for a total of 16.

Last week he finally went ahead of her in SDs. It was really, really, really, really over then.

Supers are flooding to Obama, many from Clinton states, while she has received barely a trickle. Just since the 7th, he has gained endorsements from 4 CA DNC members and 3 CA reps. In that period, he also nabbed two Indiana reps, and a PA rep defection from Clinton to Obama. He also netted three additional Clinton defections (VA, VI SDs and a MD PD.)

In just a week, he went from being down in supers to being up by 21. And now, even Clinton is no longer is discussing MI and FL. That's because even if they were seated in full, with Obama getting no PDs from MI, he still would be up by 77 delegates. Expect 25 more supers by Tuesday. And Wednesday, expect a big, big rally in Florida, with some major league endorsements. Then it will be really, really, really, really, really over.

This is not going to the convention. Obama's lead after the last add-on supers are selected on June 21st, will be well over 250. With MI and FL, it will be over 150. There's nothing left to fight over. The goal posts are next to a cliff. Move them back any more and they're gone.

The fat lady is warming up in her dressing room. She'll be out shortly.

by PatrickBradish on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:40:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

And you don't start preparing... (none / 0)

...For the next game until that 27th out is recorded.

We have primaries until June 3rd, let's wait until all the states and territories have voted before declaring game over.

by andrewalker08 on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:02:18 AM EST

Re: And you don't start preparing... (2.00 / 3)

If HRC does what she's done the last 24 hours - come to Obama's defense personally vis-a-vis McCain, and free up Jamie Rubin to eviscerate McCain today - then she will be a vital asset to Obama for the rest of the primary (June 3) and up to November.

There's no chance that Rubin writes that op-ed without making sure that Hillary was okay with it. Big thanks to HRC for her approval.

by Pat Flatley on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:05:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

only amateurs do that... (2.00 / 1)

professionals have scouts and planners working on the next game before this one even started. while i guess you could argue that hillary was an amateur, no one is going to believe that barack (or his campaign) is...

"I can't change things overnight, but I think I can get us on the right track." -- Barack Obama

by bored now on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:14:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And you don't start preparing... (2.00 / 2)

Actually if you have a large lead late in the game, you do, in fact, rest your starters and start getting ready for the next game.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

by thezzyzx on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:46:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary recognizes that the party has its nomi (2.00 / 6)

I agree that the Rubin op-ed is a very important sign. HRC deserves a ton of respect for allowing him to defend Obama so vigorously.

That's called being a Democrat.

by Pat Flatley on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:03:00 AM EST

the party has its nominee (2.00 / 4)

Hillary is a lot classier than a lot of her most vocal supporters here. I really can't wait for this "to the convention!" crap to end in about three weeks.

Lost rate and rec for issuing a '1' to a trollish comment. The troll, not so much.

by map on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:05:21 AM EST

Re: the party has its nominee (2.00 / 1)

She's shown a heck of a lot in the last 24 hours, I'll tell you that.

by Pat Flatley on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:06:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

That is true of both (2.00 / 8)

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Some supporters want cartoon characters -- their candidate is a saint and the opponent is a sinner.

It's a childish view, and one easily manipulated. You see it on both sides.

Both Obama and Clinton are decent people and good Democrats.

by TomP on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:09:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: That is true of both (2.00 / 2)

I am hoping what she is doing now will warm her a bit with Obama supporters so that we can get a joint ticket if necessary.

Dream for tomorrow but fight for it today.

by TruthMatters on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:14:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: That is true of both (none / 0)

I agree with most of what you say, Mr. P, but I think a lot of the back and forth around here is about arguing with the supporters of each candidate rather than the candidate themselves. It is the natural consequence of a hotly contested election, I think.

by the mollusk on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:58:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Unity is very important. (2.00 / 3)

Hillary Clinton is a good Democrat.

Good unity diary.

by TomP on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:07:46 AM EST

She's uniting the party.... (2.00 / 1)

but she is not quitting....

by nikkid on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:07:49 AM EST

Re: She's uniting the party.... (none / 0)

She is quitting.

Don't pretend otherwise.

Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius

by Blue Neponset on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:10:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's uniting the party.... (none / 0)

Nor should she. My guess is that she'll spend most of the next few weeks talking policy and whaling on John McCain. She'll probably give a great endorsement speech around the 4th of June (the rally will be massive) and you'll see an extraordinary scene of Bill, Hillary, and Barack embracing one another. Then all three will break out the heavy artillery and pound the daylights out of McSame.

by Pat Flatley on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:12:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's uniting the party.... (none / 0)

KUDOS . . . we WILL KUMBAYA in Denver!

by FOB92 on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:22:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama's turn now (none / 0)

Hillary has now apparently taken the first, small steps towards unity. The ball is now in Obama's court. Unity, in this case, is a two way street. I am very interested to see what Obama does now.

The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations. -- David Friedman

by pollbuster on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:28:07 AM EST

the first?? wow (none / 0)

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:29:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Are you still here? (none / 0)

"Mom, baseball, apple pie, and a unified Democratic juggernaut."

by Purplepeople on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:30:12 AM EST

Whoops! (2.00 / 1)

That was aimed at Engels; not sure how that went awry...

"Mom, baseball, apple pie, and a unified Democratic juggernaut."

by Purplepeople on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:31:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The problem is (2.00 / 1)

It's not after the ninth inning. It's very late and Clinton's behind. But it isn't over yet.

by Mayor McCheese on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:37:12 AM EST

Re: Hillary recognizes that the party has its nomi (none / 0)

I went to a small private fundraiser with Hillary last night in California. Her entire speech was dedicated to the fact that this was NOT over, that she was ahead in the popular vote, that this would be decided by super delegates one way or the other, and that she is more electable and would take that argument to the super delegates. There was not the slightest hint of concession in her talk--rather, she was vigorously rallying her supporters to push forward.

Jim Martin for Senate!

by markjay on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:06:50 AM EST

Re: Hillary recognizes that the party has its nomi (2.00 / 1)

She'd be nuts to say anything otherwise at a fundraiser. "You and I know this is over...but please donate money anyway!"

by Pat Flatley on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:12:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary recognizes that the party has its nomi (none / 0)

There were no funds being raised at the event. People had donated weeks ago.

Jim Martin for Senate!

by markjay on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:51:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

so what was the path to victory she outlined? (none / 0)

i know when she had her event in chicago many moons ago, terry mcauliffe gave a summary of their expectations for the next few months and told us how she would win the nomination. obviously, things went awry, but i'd love to her their plan for winning now...

"I can't change things overnight, but I think I can get us on the right track." -- Barack Obama

by bored now on Fri May 16, 2008 at 12:10:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: so what was the path to victory she outlined? (none / 0)

Here's their plan, as I understand it:

(1) Finish with a popular vote lead

(2) Reduce Obama's lead among pledged delegates

(3) Convince Super Delegates to vote for her as the more electable candidate

Jim Martin for Senate!

by markjay on Fri May 16, 2008 at 03:25:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

thanks! (none / 0)

that dovetails with what we hear in public, although i hadn't heard the second element, per se. still, interesting...

"I can't change things overnight, but I think I can get us on the right track." -- Barack Obama

by bored now on Fri May 16, 2008 at 03:51:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: thanks! (none / 0)

Well, the second was really my extrapolation. I hesitated to put it in there, and perhaps I shouldn't have. She did say that she wanted to have Michigan and Florida included (which would in and of itself reduce the pledged delegate margin.)

Jim Martin for Senate!

by markjay on Fri May 16, 2008 at 06:02:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary recognizes that the party has its nomi (none / 0)

No shi% she said that. Its a fund raiser shes trying to raise funds! Do you think shes gonna say "its over" and expect the donors to give her money?

by anujtron on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:18:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary recognizes that the party has its nomi (none / 0)

So, um, when are the superdelegates going to start buying her math about the popular vote?

We're waiting.

Still waiting.

The Superdelegates keep dripping to Obama.

Still waiting.

Wait, what about all those superdelegates impressed by her win in WV? All those post-WV endorsements!

Crickets.

by elrod on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:35:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary recognizes that the party has its nomi (none / 0)

The superdelegates are not DRIPPING to Obama. It's a torrent.

It was drip-drip-drip from OH till PA. Not now.

Add up all Clinton's PD wins since after super Tuesday, (OH-7, RI-5, PA-12, IN-4, WV-12) and you wind up with 40. Obama has gotten 47 supers since the beginning of this month. (50 if you count his from MI and FL).

So many supers wanted to wait until the end, and they have, and Obama is now orchestrating their roll-out. Every day, another pile. And the flood gates will open up next Tuesday when he passes the halfway point in PDs.

by PatrickBradish on Fri May 16, 2008 at 12:39:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary recognizes (none / 0)

These aren't the moves of someone who believes Obama is unfit to be President or would be a disaster as the nominee of our party. Nor are they the moves of someone preparing for a floor fight into August. Good for her!

Clinton realized that Obama is so much more prepared than she is to take the reigns of the highest position in the U.S.A....NOT! :D
It's very simple; she's looking for her piece of the pie.

In reference to a floor fight; if Clinton doesn't get what she wants, there will be one.

by soyousay on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:20:06 AM EST

Re: Hillary recognizes (none / 0)

What does she want???

by PatrickBradish on Fri May 16, 2008 at 12:40:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hillary has a right to have her own fans (2.00 / 1)

The BO camp should be careful not to piss them off.

by observer5 on Fri May 16, 2008 at 11:38:21 AM EST

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