Why Hillary should stay in the race, for now

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 8:32am

There are several reasons why she should not drop out of the race at this point:

First of all, it's no one's decision but hers. She is a formidible candidate and has earned the right to decide when and if she drops out.

As long as the tone of the campaign stays positive, and the last 48 hours indicates that it will, she will not be doing any harm to Obama.

Even if she does drop out, she will probably win West Virginia and Kentucky, and it will look better for Obama if that happens with her in the race than not.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 9:15am

Plus--if she wins West Virginia by 28 points, it will be her 11 o'clock number.

West Virginia = Hillary's Turn

[shameless]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 9:26am

I want her to stay in because I just don't like Obama and I can't vote for McCain.

[romantico]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 9:39am

I heard that yesterday some of the SD told Hillary NOT to drop out. Whats going with that?

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 9:52am

they're worried that another shoe could fall between now and august and want to keep her around for as long as possible as insurance. plus i would wager that some of them know full well that bammy's got no shot.

[Luscious]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:02am

The only reason Hillary is staying in the race is so that she can go out on a high note rather than a low one. Better to deliver a concession speech after a win than a loss. It's over for her and I think she's smart enough to know it. What I resent is that at this point her contributors are basically supporting her financially in order for her to save face. Their time, money and energy could be put to better use.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:05am

Many of the SDs and Howard Dean (and even Donna Brazile) know that Obama cannot take the Swing States. They know he will lose.

The reason they are backing him is that the youth, leftie and AA votes he is bringing into the party will translate into votes for congressional, gubernatorial and local votes.

In other words, they know he will lose the White House, but they want him to help re-elect THEM.

[Namaste]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:07am

So... what happens in November?

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:09am

no one save for her closest advisors know what she's thinking or why. to speculate on her reasons or to infer that she knows something is just that: speculation. the ol' gal might have a few tricks up her sleeve and she might just know where enough bodies are buried to turn this thing around yet. it's not likely, but then who would have believed that gore would win the popular vote and lose the presidency?

[artscallion]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:11am

They told her not to drop out now because it would be upsetting to her supporters and would make the move towards party unity more difficult. If she stays in to the end and FLA and MI are resolved to both parties satisfaction, her supporters will feel that she was given a fair shake. They can't feel like she was forced out or that it was stolen from her any more than Obama supporters would have felt good about it being stolen from them.

She needs to stay in now for the sake of unity. After her meeting with the unpledged delegates, her campaign met and decided on her exit strategy. She will stay in through early June, but remain positive. She will only promote her policy views without putting Obama's down. She will use the time to promote herself while attempting to transition her supporters to Obama should he win the nomination. Once the final primary/caucus has been held, she will take one week to convince the unpledged delegates why they should nominate her. If, after that week she is unable to convince them, she will drop out.

This will allow her to complete the process and not force the delegates to make the decision for her, which would potentially have done damage to their careers.

I applaud this plan and think it shows great integrity on Hillary's part. She's risking her reputation for the sake of party unity. I hope the press does not continue to characterize her as a madwoman clinging to something she can't get.

[Luscious]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:12am

"Many of the SDs and Howard Dean (and even Donna Brazile) know that Obama cannot take the Swing States. They know he will lose."

Way to support Obama, PJ! As I previously stated in another thread... with supporters like you, who needs Republicans?

I guess it's more important for you to be right than for you to accept the fact that Obama can (and will) win this election.

Updated On: 5/8/08 at 10:12 AM

[romantico]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:13am

I'm supporting Obama but feel he can not win in November. I hope I am wrong and I will vote for him, but I feel Hillary had a better chance and in my opinion, I feel some of the SD feel this as well. I heard that Hillary has won all the 'need to win' states and Obama simply will not get through to those blue collar voters.

Obama may have won the nomination, but if he wants ANY chance of winning in November he NEEDS Hillary as his VP. He will also have trouble winning her supporters over, but thats not all is fault. His supporters have damaged his chances of getting Hillary's supporters more than anyone.

[Namaste]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:22am

You all should be paid to speculate!

This is better than watching CNN or MSNBC.

[nygrl23]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:30am

Shameless, I feel the same way. Namaste, too true. Some people on this board are more thorough in their inspection than any news service.
Updated On: 5/8/08 at 10:30 AM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:36am

His supporters have damaged his chances of getting Hillary's supporters more than anyone.

And Hillary's supporters have damaged her chances of getting Obama's supporters.

They're both screwed unless people swallow their pride and actually support whoever wins the nomination.

[romantico]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:44am

I have not seen the arrogance in Hillary's supporter's as I have Obamas. Besides, if Obama is the nominee why does she need his supporters? Barak needs her supporters. I know A LOT of people who support Hillary who will either not vote or vote for McCain. Obama's supporters need to stop being so arrogant. He's the nominee already.Enough with the attitude. This childish gloating is doing more harm to him than anything and NOT uniting the party. Do you people actually think this is the message Obama is selling? I see it on the board here even now. This "ah, I am glad your finally seeing the error of your ways and supporting MY Candidate" attitude. I'm supporting Obama but don't feel he can win. Hillary CAN BEAT McCaine. The polls show it and judging by her wins shows he is not winning by a landslide. Its a VERY CLOSE ELECTION between the two. A lot can happen between now and November and his supporters need to change their attitudes real fast! They are not helping and making matters a lot worse.

Updated On: 5/8/08 at 10:44 AM

[Namaste]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 10:53am

romantico, I agree with what you're saying.

I'm VERY turned-off by Obama supporters. It's worse in real life than on this board. I've dealt with some real professional a-holes when simply saying I supported Hillary (perhaps my enthusiasm and lack of brain-deadness scared them?)

I DO feel in my heart of hearts that Clinton had a better chance against McCain. I'm scared to see what's going to happen to Obama in the next few months. I don't trust his durability, and I don't trust him fully. (Not that I trusted Clinton, but I essentially knew what I was getting.)



Updated On: 5/8/08 at 10:53 AM

[romantico]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:02am

Thanks Namaste! I had some friends over a few weeks ago, all Obama supporters. I have (or should say had) a Hillary yard sign in my yard. I had three more in my garage. I had the one in my yard vandalized and the three in my garage were stolen. I confronted everyone I had invited and they all literally laughed when I asked about it. One friend said not to worry. They would bring over a Obama sign for me the next day.

Just an example of the bully tactics practiced. I said to them, I won't support Obama out of spite of their actions.Hillary has her flaws but she is more of a centrist and can get more votes. Obama is too liberal for middle America and independents. Hillary has more pros than cons as far as being elected and she is one tough mother.

The Democrats would rather have Obama be the nominee now and loose in November than to have Hillary be the nominee and have people yell and complain but win in November. Think about it, the Democrats could have easily ended this all a month ago. Why are the SD telling Hillary not to drop out yet when she clearly has no chance?

Just wait til the debates with McCaine and Obama. Just wait when McCaine's 30+ years of experience is challenged with Obamas short time in the senate. The old "what will YOU do" questions are going to knock him down and make McCaine shine. I dread the debates most of all.

Updated On: 5/8/08 at 11:02 AM

[javero]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:09am

PLM wrote: "they're worried that another shoe could fall between now and august and want to keep her around for as long as possible as insurance."

PJ wrote: "In other words, they know he will lose the White House, but they want him to help re-elect THEM."

You both make convincing arguments but I'd add to twist to PJ's take on it as follows.

They can't afford the down-ticket drag that Hillary brings to the table so they are willing to make a burnt offering of her to save their own azzes come Nov. PJ, I know you adore Hillary but she is your party's pariah. What's good for Hillary is not good for incumbent Dems up for re-election down-ticket.

Call it tyranny of the majority or whatever but the "political" reality of the situation is that down-ticket the incumbents would pay for Hillary, Bill, and Dubya's past and present sins. Obama represents to the populace a way out of the Bush-Clinton strangehold on national politics. McCain is seen as too-Bush-like for his own good which plays to the Dems favor.

That's enough hyperbole for one day.

Updated On: 5/8/08 at 11:09 AM

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:10am

South Dakota wants Hillary to stay in so that they can get the spotlight for a while--it's pretty dull up there and I was just reading on one of the sites (huff, drudge or kos) that SD is really excited about the impending coverage....they joke on the site that people still talk about the time Gary Hart landed on the tarmac and waved (lol)

"I'm VERY turned-off by Obama supporters. It's worse in real life than on this board. I've dealt with some real professional a-holes when simply saying I supported Hillary (perhaps my enthusiasm and lack of brain-deadness scared them?) "

Okay...so you're turned off by us a-hole, brain-dead Obama supporters. I see.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:40am

I have not seen the arrogance in Hillary's supporter's as I have Obamas.

Perhaps the problem isn't all Obama supporters, it's the people you chose as your friends. You can't fault millions of people for the actions of the few you associate with.


I know A LOT of people who support Hillary who will either not vote or vote for McCain. Obama's supporters need to stop being so arrogant.

How is supporting the candidate you have all along more "arrogant" in comparison to "I won't vote because my pride is wounded"?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:52am

A new word for your dictionary.

Electile Dysfunction:


The inability to become aroused over any of the choices for

president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

[javero]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:55am

rotflmao @ "Electile Dysfunction"

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:56am

The most arrogant and insulting Obama supporter on this board is YOU, orangeskittles.

I actually feel a certain amount of resentment toward Obama because of the way YOU have acted toward me on this board.

It won't keep me from voting for him or contributing my time and money, but it has left a distinctly sour taste in mouth.

Lildogs, also, has left a sour taste in my mouth, but that had nothing to do with Obama.

[robbiej]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:05pm

"I know A LOT of people who support Hillary who will either not vote or vote for McCain."

If that is true, those people are irrational, bordering on insane.

And, PJ. You've exhibited some bad behavior in your time on this board. So...really. Take a step back, breathe and stop running around like Cassandra, predicting doom and walking toward it at the same time.