I never thought I’d say this… but I kinda feel sorry for Hillary Clinton. She insists on staying in the race, but the numbers are clearly stacked against her. She won Indiana by the slimmest of margins, but she maintains that it’s “full steam ahead to the White House!” The headlines on cable news have been brutal, and all of the pundits have been wondering “Why is She Still Running?” (That’s from CNN, not from me).
Is she staying in the hopes that Barack might come across some other, Reverend Wright-esque stumbling block? Does she hope to gank some of the undecided, undeclared superdelegates? Is it because she still thinks she can be the vice president? Or is it because the Clinton campaign is in desperate debt, and she needs to continue raising money to pay off some of those mounting bills?
In the meantime, the pundits are getting anxious. Tim Russert just straight up called it like he saw it. The Chicago Sun Times put it more bluntly — Face It, Hillary: It’s Over, is the headline of their editorial. And next week, Time Magazine’s cover will be a gorgeous photo of a beaming Barack Obama, next to the words “And the Winner* Is”. Jasmyne Cannick posted a hilarious funeral program for the Clinton campaign.
Stereohyped asked their readers, who would you vote for if your candidate didn’t get the nomination, and I’ve been hearing similar drumbeats for a while now — lots of “hell no’s” and “I would rather vote for McCain than for her/him.” That makes NO SENSE to me. In my view, choosing to not vote because your candidate doesn’t get nominated, or to spite the party that pissed you off by voting for their rival, is the ultimate defeat. That means people aren’t truly thinking about the issues — the ongoing, senseless war in Iraq, the economy and what will actually help us in the long run, and improving health care, among everything else the next president will be dealing with. I hope, come November — regardless of what happens, or what should happen — people vote with their heads, instead of their hearts.
Feel free to pipe up and yell if you think I’m wrong, but I think pride is what’s keeping Hillary Clinton in the race, and you know what they say about pride. I don’t pretend to know what’s going on in anyone’s head — lots of the talking heads have been playing these ludicrous “what are they thinking?” games, and obviously there’s no way to know the answer to that question. But it must be damned hard to turn your back on everything you’ve dreamed of and worked for your whole life. To watch that dream die despite your best efforts must be beyond painful. So that’s why I feel a little bad for Hillary. I look at her in her campaign stops now, and I imagine how I would feel if I were in her shoes. But you know — if I WERE in her shoes, I would have already bowed out with as much grace as I could muster. There’s a lot to be said for a campaign conducted with dignity, that ends at the ideal time to save face for those involved. I’m wondering when exactly will Hillary Clinton come to that conclusion. When will she bow out of the campaign?
What’s your prediction, bellas? Will this be a fight till the finish that won’t be finally resolved until August? Or will Hillary take the high road and end this struggle sooner than that?
Hey Bella,I think that “Pants Suit” is not going to give up until the end.This will be a fight til the end,because she is a sore looser.I have lost so much respect for her,and her family that when Obamas eight years are up I still would’nt vote for her.
Hello There.
She has already stated that she is in this until the end. I am personally tired of hearing about it and I (like you) would have bowed out by now with grace and dignity even if it would be hard to do.
I know pride is her main motivator and I can’t imagine how it must feel. Still, she did fight a dirty race at some points and I know politics isn’t an easy arena to be in but I really think dignity carries you a long way. I would hav no problem voting for Hilary if she was the better candidate. I’m about the best person for the job, race or sex doesn’t come into play for me at all.
I’m sad for her too. I don’t blame Obama for usurping her turn at the presidency though. I blame her husband. Hillary has always been capable and smart. She could have been a senator in the 90s, and a candidate in 2004, or even 2000, but she made a conscious choice to play first lady, in Arkansas and in the White House, and let Bill have his dream. First lady is not a bad job, but if it isn’t the job you really want, you can’t be mad that, while you were doing it, someone else took the job you really hoped for. Obama didn’t make Hillary wait her turn. Bill did. I’m Gen-X, and so I’ve watched boomer women be good wives and mothers first, and then come around to their own individual goals and dreams later in life. For Hillary, she got to hers too late. I think balancing my career and my marriage and the thought of children and what that will do to both is sometimes incredibly hard, but I’d rather fight for both now than try to have one after the other and risk the same disappointment.
I’m not sure it’s all pride. I’d die if I had to watch my lifelong dream wash away. And I voted for Obama and will continue to do so, but there is no doubt that there are many measures by which Hillary is more qualified. That has to hurt. I can imagine that bowing out of the race is way more to her than just making way for a strong candidate- it’s saying her dream will never happen. That kind of disappointment is hard to confront.
Why would you feel sorry for her? Neither of them have the minimum # of pledged delegates to win the democratic nomination so If I was in her shoes, I’d keep fighting too. She embodies the “audacity of hope” that Barack Obama wrote about.
I actually admire her. I really do. I grow to like her more and more each day.
All of the negativity surrounding her as a candidate, all of those who tell her to give up, reminds me so much of my time in graduate school. It was not pride that kept me there, it was my determination to make it–even though NO ONE wanted me there.
Rosesm: I feel your post 100%
I say don’t give up until you have no more options. Through perseverance, amazing things can happen. I can attest to that.
While I hope that she will take the high road, I have to say that history has not shown that to be her pattern. The pessimist in me says that Hillary will not only stay in the race, but that she still has a few tricks up her sleeve and that things will get even nastier before the nomination.
I’m sure she’ll stop short of running as an Independent (mostly because she’s in debt as it is) but her actions have already split the party and there’s really no turning back at this point. I don’t want to think that she has been intentionally divisive, but her strategy to win at any cost has literally backfired. She may give a half-hearted effort to “unite the party” for the next few days, but after she has regrouped, a win in West Virginia will make her cocky and she’ll be right back at, “Yes We Can” on May 14th. I see her fighting tenaciously to reschedule primaries in MI and FL and using their disenfranchisement as a platform to keep herself in the fight. She has been playing that game for months anyway, but her sense of urgency will kick the argument into high gear. I predict a few republicans will reach across the aisle to support a “do-over” in the interest of projecting a “non-partisan” image and priming dissatisfied democrats to vote for McCain in the fall.
I can only hope that she will prove me wrong. At this point any damage she does will be to herself. If she takes it too far, she may risk losing her seat in the Senate.
I really hope she will prove me wrong….
She’s fighting until the end. You know what? She reminds me of Reese Witherspoon’s character in the move Election. Every bella should check it out and see the similarities. Scary.
I don’t know. I’ve lost so much respect for her. I don’t want to br too deep. But I will say that is one heck of a side-eye that she is giving him. LOL
It’s too bad. I’ve always respected her and I beyond disappointed in the way she has chosen to conduct herself. She has set women back w/respect to positions of power w/her mean-spirited shenanigans that call to the worst in us all.
She’d rather derail Sen. Obama and the whole Democratic Party than see him win. There is a spitefulness about her that is truly depressing. However, it’s not all on her. Where are the Superdelagtes and Howard Dean? How long will they sit back and watch this steele cage match before pulling the plug.
One of my main gripes against the Democrats is their lack of courage and willingness to put it on the line when necessary. They’ve caved to the current administration, so I shouldn’t be surprised by their behavior now.
It’s really a damned shame!
hi bella, I know you’re a journalist so no offense to you.
But I have a serious problem with the swinging nature of the press and not reporting facts as-is. These same MSM people were throwing stones and bottles at Obama cos of Rev. Wright and now that he has weathered their storm Hilary is no longer the darling?
As far as Hilary is concerned, I admire her never give up spirit no matter how crazy she seems.
I think that the only way Barack is not getting the nomination from the Dems is if some gay photos of him and Rev. Wright come out. Hilary is a fake chameleon that few people honestly like. While Barack is still sort of a mystery, people still like that he’s young and he looks to be the opposite of what most presidents have been.
I would like to see if Hilary would take the VP job, or if her ego would not allow it.
…and
it’s the MSM that’s giving her the hope to keep on with her campaigning…they’re so fickle minded!
I think this is hurting the Democratic Party… but I also think it’s inspiring a movement around the country. More people are voting than ever before!
However she most certainly should have bowed out about 2 months ago. Like many of you have said pride is holding her by the hand and I’m surprised a woman of her stature is allowing pride to carry her to a bitter defeat, I say bitter because that is how I think she will be Bitter! when it’s all said and done she will be bitter and angry about not wining. And will give the next President(especially if Obama wins)a hard time
If by some miracle she does win the nomination (anything can happen) then I will cast my vote for her and I will pray she doesn’t play mommy to the nation and acts like a true President should and carry us into a new era with a stronger economy, better health care for all, better education for our children, less crime (of all kinds.
But for now my Vote is staying with Barrack Obama the Candidate for Change!
Although Hillary seems to have lost it is her choice to stay in it for as long as she wants. Obama has said she has a right to stay in and he is not fueling the sexist fires and demanding that she leave. I wonder, though, if the tables were turned and Barack was behind would the party and Hillary herself be screaming holy heck to get him to bow out??!?!?!
Loving this blog. I have also been feeling sorry for H. Clinton and cringing at some of the chauvinism of newscasters. But, I think she’s simply delusional. She competes with Brittany Spears as the number one woman searched on Google News. Celebrity women do breakdown and lose all perspective. She needs a psychiatric intervention, and soon!
I don’t think she should give up either, Why should she give up. she is trying to ensure that U.S. has the best possible president- and she believes she is. I admire her fight. It so sad that people do not see that is a game and politcs is a very dirty game- We black are voting with our emotions and not our heads- If Obama gets the nom- We might as well hand the presidency back to republicans- Because I know this – We blacks have are about 15% percent of the pop.- and less than that are eligible to vote- I don’t care what they say – If you think the YT alone in a voting booth will put Obama in the white house you all are delusional- Aisians, Hispanics are not voting for a black man
When he wins the seat – these people will take the kid gloves off ( Liitle Rev. Wright scandal)Look how some white people started backing away from him just because of his association with Rev Wright.( We all know that some of these things the rev was saying is the truth) – The Republicans are too quiet- You thinks that is a coincidence – when he get the nom they will start pulling out all the stops- I think that America has to be eased into this- just like they did with integrating baseball- We are progressing but they are not ready yet- I think Obama ia an intelligent man and wonderful candidate but just not NOW- I believe two terms from now – America will be able accept this. But if he get the nom- now – he will damaged- And will not be able to run again- where will we find such a qualified candidate again – Believe me- I’m not against Obama- I think he is good and eventually he will become President- But I know my country and they are not ready!!!!!
I also know that the clintons were very good for black america- and I’m sorry I will not turn my back on them- Yes I count both of them- because i believe they are a team- call me what you want but I am a realist
bill didn’t win the nom til june; he’s arguably been the best president we’ve seen in a long time. she has every right to remain until the nomination is decided in june. that’s how prez races go. if people gave up after all that time and money and dreaming, would we want a president like that anyway? who just gives up at the last minute? i like both candidates, i really do, so i’ll be happy no matter what. but i’m feeling like she’s getting a LOT of negative press for something that is completely her right, and the way the process works.
The primaries are a time to fall in love and after the nomination it is time to fall in line.
There is absolutely no way in hell I am voting for McCain nor am I staying home.
I don’t think people realize that, although the Clintons were very good for black people, Bill actually presided over some very damaging policies for our people. Although you can’t deny that he reached out in ways no other president did, Clinton’s administration also overhauled welfare – which actually made it more difficult for single mothers to obtain benefits, attempted to deny public housing residents their right to privacy, instituted a one strike rule for anyone in public housing convicted of a crime so that they, AND THEIR FAMILIES, were kicked out of public housing. He also was the president in office when congress reauthorized mandatory minimum sentencing and he did not do anything about the disparity in sentencing for crack cocaine verses cocaine. He also actively promoted the three strikes rule, which disproportionately affects black males. He has since rejected most of these policies, but he didn’t do it when he had the power to do it.
The 90s was a great time for much of America. We look back on that prosperity fondly, but let’s not romanticize a philandering president, or impute his achievements to his wife just by virtue of their marriage (my husband is a veteran, but that doesn’t make ME a veteran).
I also don’t think that “white people won’t vote for him, so we shouldn’t either” is a good enough reason not to support Barak Obama (there are lots of good reasons to vote for Hillary, I just don’t accept this as one of them). Certainly, working class white people give Obama trouble, because they know and trust the Clinton brand. But honestly, the people who really have the trouble pulling the lever for Obama will have more trouble pulling it for Clinton. Study after study shows that gender bias is more inherent and harder to overcome than racial bias. The bottom line is that the democrats aren’t going to win over that segment of the population with any candidate. And while black people make up only 15% of the population (I don’t know if that is true, but I accept the number for the sake of argument), that 15% is disproportionately concentrated in southern states, which may put a state or two down south back into play for democrats in November.
AND, I’d take Reverend Wright over Monica Lewinsky any day. I would rather be dealing with the former, than have working class whites AND socially conservative black people retreating when the republicans try to make this race about family values because they’ve got nothing on the economy.
And am I the only one who remembers that, when Clinton was the front runner, poll after poll showed that people of all races and ages would choose McCain, because they thought Clinton was the latte liberal who didn’t connect and was too far left? I’m from Alabama, if a shot of liquor and an appearance at a race track changes that perception, then I should run for president!
Why should ANYONE feel sorry for her? She is the reason why her campaign has been unsuccessful. Think of all the advantages she had at the beginning! All the institutional support! A former president in your corner! MONEY! Despite all that, she mismanaged her money, disregarded caucus states, planned horribly, thought she was inevitable and ran on experience in a CHANGE election year. For someone who’s part of the best brand name in American politics, she sure ran a HORRIBLE campaign.
I’m extremely excited and thrilled for OBAMA! He came up from virtually NOTHING and look at him now! Hillary could learn a few things from him…
OBAMA ’08!
Oh yeah, thanks for posting that funeral parody…I’m dying of laughter!!!
I think all the candidates should still be in the race, or all the states should have their primaries on the same day. If I were an Edwards or Huckabee supporter from Oregon, for example, I might not bother to cast a primary vote, either. What kind of “democracy” is that–it all comes down to money–people don’t stay in the race because it costs too much–so one way or another money elects our President. We’ve made this system way too convoluted to even be remotely viable.
Bella, I’m so exhausted by it all. Hillary, listen up. DO. NOT. WANT. What does she need? A message in a bottle? I pity her. She is embarrassing herself and essentially rolling out the red carpet for McBush to win in November. She has the party in a fractured mess and the longer she clings to that imaginary life preserver (cause the ship sunk long ago), the worse it’s gonna get.
I’m also resentful for personal reasons. I work for a very influential organization and will be very involved in a lot of this campaign work this summer – for the Dems of course. I’ll be busting my hump potentially for nothing because she has made such a mess of the election that McCain has had plenty of time to get a running start. We do a lot of polling and it’s scary how many people like him. Obama does not have time to mess around with her anymore. He has GOT to get out there and connect with some more of these working class folks and get their votes for the general.
So Hil, PLEASE GO SIT DOWN! She should give up because it’s crystal clear that the overwhelming majority of America DO. NOT. WANT.
And yes, that is a heck of a side eye. Should submit that to Fresh over at C&D. LOL! You can read her mind on that one.
I’m truly loving your blog. Your spirit really shines through! I don’t feel sorry for Hillary. She’s been in the game a long while. She knows the deal. Let her continue to spend her money and do her thing. We all know who the winner is. It’s time to focus on McCain and figure out what’s going on with Mrs. Wanna Be First Lady Cindy refusing to release her tax returns. Holla.
What she does now is not the point. She has already lost and in fact as one staffer said “We lost this back in February.” Another “She will drop out June 15.” Logic has long gone any compassion is wasted here.
I do not feel sorry for her I am outraged. It is an insult that she does not step out of the race. I am sorry but this is just too much. How often do the rules get changed when a brotha or sista does something. “Its the number of states, then it is the delegates, then it is the popular vote…” Obama has one on all counts but still Billary is around, Disgraceful!
Okay more news:
She told USA Today: “White people support me”
Clinton: “…Sen. Obama’s support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me.”
Hummm and she claims to have a Civil Right background!
Well I will not have to worry about voting for her, she has already lost the nomination. The sad thing- the people who are wasting their money by contributing to her campaign. And that we are in fact wasting time talking about her. She is done.
I was just thinking about those comments that she made @TeMo.That is all she wanted was the black vote ,and when our people did the one thing that we rarely do(stick together)&(vote in large numbers) she got mad ,and started playing the race card.I saw in the beginning of this race that Bill and Hill are just not the people we once thought.
I was one of those who had spoke that if Barack didn’t get the nom then I was voting for McCain. My reasoning is that HC has pulled alot of shenanigans during this campaign. With the 3am Ad, the crying, and her tauting experience. When she was our first lady, her project was to give the USA a Universal Healthplan. WHERE THE HELL IS IT?? I liked Bill even during his infedility more than I like her. But I want Barack to succeed. Why?? I want to have some effect on the goings on in Washington. I want to see a change in the old guard and to really move America in the right direction. That fool that is in there now doesn’t act like nothing is wrong with America. He is stupid beyond comprehension!! I feel that induring a dynasty cluster of Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton is suicidal for America. We need new leadership to bring us to a brighter future. Barack has common sense to do that. Give him a chance, give America hope again.
aha!
bella you said it makes no sense that ppl wont vote if their dem candidate isnt nominated. well yea it makes no sense, but this whole democratic primary is based all on feelings and emotions. this primary is pulling all kinda ppl outta the woodwork and really half of them arent interested in politics and the candidates policies, theyre just out to see the first woman president or the first black president get nominated. ask any so called obama fan to recite a few of his policies and im sure u wont even get one outta them. politics is the new hype, esp with young blacks. its now cool to talk politics, but half dunno what the f theyre talking about!
while its good that this is getting more ppl involved..it also annoys my that ppl arent educating themselves and just going with the flow. its all ignorance.. so when they project a large number of ppl staying home or going repub cuz their candidate isnt picked..im not suprised at all.
point exactly…see comment above my first !!!
so jamillah u want CHANGE right….but ud vote for mc.cain if obama dont get thru. whats the difference in bush and mc.cain? nothing. he wants to prolong the war to 100 yrs. maybe you should revisit policies of all three candidates b4 making such a rash decision to vote against hilary.
my 2c
I gotta tell you che, I was on board with everyone needed to educate themselves on the policies and not the feelings. That is, until you called jamillah out for wanting change, and then quoted that false line about 100 years. I know that since you’ve done your homework, you know as well as I do that McCain never said he wanted the war to last 100 years. Quote facts to feelings, don’t quote feelings to feelings.
Fact is, McCain is way more moderate than he’s looking right now. While the democrats are infighting, he’s playing quietly to his base, and thus looking way more conservative to those of use who are watching. But jamillah could make a perfectly logical decision to vote for McCain over Hillary based on the issues and McCain’s voting record. It depends on what motivates jamillah to vote. And I promise you that McCain will come back to the middle when the spotlight is back on him. And his voting record says he’ll stay there if elected. Now I would vote for Hillary over him, because I believe in funding for head start, higher taxes on capital gains, higher pell grants for college, and tons of other things that McCain is not a strong support of, but if jamillah is socially liberal and fiscally conservative, McCain could be a rational choice for her.
So yes, we all do need to spend some time learning what the real issues are- and I happen to be an Obama supporter who can quote his policy positions (you can find them here: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/), but if you are going to advocate that people deal in real facts, you must first do so yourself.
For Hil, its more than pride.At the end of the day she has every woman vying for her to win, just as they did long before Obama. Its legacy. She has to win because we cannot fathom another woman being bold enough to do what she did (besides, Carol Mosley Braun… but she’s black so you know how thar goes). Hilary feels its her duty to make the history that no one else was willing to attempt.
You cannot fault her for that.
hairsmystory.com
I don’ t feel sorry for Hillary. She has run a terrible campaign. She had the money, name recognition, etc. and totally underestimated Barack.
I have no problem with her staying in the race. That is part of the process BUT i have a huge problem with her tactics. I don’t think the Superdelegates will give her the nom if she is still behind in the popular vote or the delegate count.
I still do not know why people think the clintons were so great for black folks. I’m so glad someone talked about that welfare bill. If a Republican president had passed the same bill, folks would be up in arms about it. The economy was booming because of Silicon Valley and the housing market. A large wave lifts all boats. Have we forgotten about Lani Giuinier? The Clintons don’t care about anyone but themselves. I worked on the Clinton campaign in Little Rock and there was so much promise. At the end of the Clinton years the Dem party was in shambles. We lost the house for the first time in over 30 years, there were fewer senators, gov. and we had no money.
Hillary is throwing the kitchen sink at Barack because she is assuming we would vote for her anyway. We are not going to vote for McCain. This is cynical politics at it’s worse. My siblings are still in politics and the word is basically she is thinking bloody Barack, he loses, McCain wins, she runs again in four years and can say “I told you so”.
Fact is she stayed with Bill and bore the humiliation he brought her for.this.moment. Problem is she happened to run against a likable, viable candidate. Make no mistake, her negatives were extremely high from the outset. She was only banking on the Democrat promise after 8 years of Bush/Republicans. There was no plan to fight or reach out to America. Now we see the result with comments about how her white voters are supporting her. It’s akin to getting banked in an alley, you go for the razor blade. That said, I understand her and somewhat sympathize but I do not excuse. She needs to sit down because she is risking the backing of the party for any of her future attempts.
Let’s all face facts – none of them are ideal candidates for presidency. We dont need another Republican in the presidency seat (especially one as old as McCain) to mess us up even further and truth be told we really dont know WHAT Barack is going to do as President. I’m sick of the bickering between the two Dems – but the one thing I DO know is that Bill was a good president. Bill has Hillary’s ear. And lets try to look at her hanging in there in a positive light. Soooo many people are telling this woman to take a seat – to get out of the race – telling her she’s lost before the final say has come through – and THROUGH all this negetivity – she’s still standing. Now..isnt that what we want in a President? Someone to stand up for us and fight the good fight? She’s doing it for all the women who’ve been told “you cant”….and while yes – I can agree – she’s NOT the ideal candidate for President – I say “you go hillary”. I hope she stays in until the very end. June is coming very soon – and we all know we’re brought to more realizations in June that havent surfaced as of yet.
Let it be clear – I havent cast my vote – but i’m also not asking anyone to step away from something they strongly believe in before it’s time.
I think this is about you and this post: http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog/?p=150#comments
I think you’re right, Shani. I’ve been referred to as many things, but harebrained is a new one for me. Thanks for sharing!
It’s a shame since I really like both of you, so I hate to read that. This election is so emotional!
I agree, Shani — it is a shame. I’ve always respected her as a fellow blogger.
I think it’s unfortunate that this election is so divisive — you can’t even just respectfully disagree with each other’s opinion.
There’s a famous calypso by the Mighty Sparrow called “The Old Man and the Donkey,” and one of the last lines of it is, “the moral of the story as it’s plain to see — please yourself, because you can’t please everybody.” That’s one of my credos. I have opinions about many things — cosmetics, hair products, beauty issues, fashion, culture, and yes, politics. I’m not going to limit myself because someone doesn’t agree with me. Beauty will always be my main focus, but Afrobella is about much more than just lip gloss and conditioner. And if that causes me to be branded as “harebrained” by those who disagree with me, or to come under fire for the way I delivered my own, informed opinion, then so be it.
OK, off the soapbox now. Have a lovely day, and thanks again for sharing with me.
Well, she chose not to post my comment, probably because I called out this blog by name. I can’t be mad at that because I don’t want my dissenting opinion to make things worse. At least she read it and you had a chance to respond publicly too. It may not have been the best choice of words on her part, as you state, but I respect her opinion about Clinton; just don’t agree with it. Moving on…..
GO HILARY GO!!