The real reason Hillary stays in the race

[RecycleMichael]

This from Hillary Clinton today...

Hillary: Why I continue to run
BY HILLARY CLINTON

Sunday, May 25th 2008, 4:00 AM

This past Friday, during a meeting with a newspaper editorial board, I was asked about whether I was going to continue in the presidential race.

I made clear that I was - and that I thought the urgency to end the 2008 primary process was unprecedented. I pointed out, as I have before, that both my husband's primary campaign, and Sen. Robert Kennedy's, had continued into June.

Almost immediately, some took my comments entirely out of context and interpreted them to mean something completely different - and completely unthinkable.

I want to set the record straight: I was making the simple point that given our history, the length of this year's primary contest is nothing unusual. Both the executive editor of the newspaper where I made the remarks, and Sen. Kennedy's son, Bobby Kennedy Jr., put out statements confirming that this was the clear meaning of my remarks. Bobby stated, "I understand how highly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense."

I realize that any reference to that traumatic moment for our nation can be deeply painful - particularly for members of the Kennedy family, who have been in my heart and prayers over this past week. And I expressed regret right away for any pain I caused.

But I was deeply dismayed and disturbed that my comment would be construed in a way that flies in the face of everything I stand for - and everything I am fighting for in this election.

And today, I would like to more fully answer the question I was asked: Why do I continue to run, even in the face of calls from pundits and politicians for me to leave this race?

I am running because I still believe I can win on the merits. Because, with our economy in crisis, our nation at war, the stakes have never been higher - and the need for real leadership has never been greater - and I believe I can provide that leadership.

I am not unaware of the challenges or the odds of my securing the nomination - but this race remains extraordinarily close, and hundreds of thousands of people in upcoming primaries are still waiting to vote. As I have said so many times over the course of this primary, if Sen. Obama wins the nomination, I will support him and work my heart out for him against John McCain. But that has not happened yet.

I am running because I believe staying in this race will help unite the Democratic Party. I believe that if Sen. Obama and I both make our case - and all Democrats have the chance to make their voices heard - in the end, everyone will be more likely to rally around the nominee.

I am running because my parents did not raise me to be a quitter - and too many people still come up to me at my events, grip my arm and urge me not to walk away before this contest is over. More than 17 million Americans have voted for me in this race - the most in presidential primary history.

I am running for all those women in their 90s who've told me they were born before women could vote, and they want to live to see a woman in the White House. For all the women who are energized for the first time, and voting for the first time. For the little girls - and little boys - whose parents lift them onto their shoulders at our rallies, and whisper in their ears, "See, you can be anything you want to be." As the first female candidate in this position, I believe I have a responsibility to finish this race.

I am running for all the men and women I meet who wake up every day and work hard to make a difference for their families. People who deserve a shot at the American Dream - the chance to save for college, a home and retirement; to afford quality health care for their families; to fill the gas tank and buy the groceries with a little left over each month.

I believe I won a 40-point victory two weeks ago in West Virginia and a 35-point victory in Kentucky this past week - despite voters being repeatedly told this race is over - because I'm standing up for them. I'm standing up for the deepest principles of our party and for an America that values the middle class and rewards hard work.

Finally, I am running because I believe I'm the strongest candidate to stand toe-to-toe with Sen. McCain. Delegate math might be complicated - but electoral math is not. Our campaign is winning the popular vote - and we've been winning the swing states we need to get 270 electoral votes and take back the White House: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arkansas, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Michigan, Florida and West Virginia.

But no matter what happens in this primary, I am committed to unifying this party. Ultimately, what Sen. Obama and I share is so much greater than our differences. And I know that if we come together, as a party and a people, there is no challenge we cannot meet, no barrier we cannot break and no dream we cannot realize.

[FOTD]

What Game Is Hillary Playing?

By Guy T. Saperstein, AlterNet. Posted May 24, 2008.


http://www.alternet.org/election08/86359



"Nothing reveals more clearly how utterly unprincipled the Clintons are than their assertion that rules set by the Democratic Party's Rules Committee, and endorsed by all Clinton representatives on this Committee, now should be abandoned. Nothing reveals more clearly that the only rules the Clintons follow are rules which favor them."

"When they thought they were ahead in the presidential race, they supported the rule, but now that they are behind, they don't like it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the rest of us could act like the Clintons and support rules when they favor us and ignore them when they don't?"

"If you read the blogs, you find some comments expressing distress at the prospect of Hillary losing, with some of them complaining about Florida and Michigan, as if including these states would make the critical difference. These are the Democratic voters threatening to sit out the general election or vote for McCain. Is that what Hillary and Bill are trying to accomplish -- to increase the number of disgruntled Democratic voters and make winning the general election harder? Whether this is their purpose, or not, clearly their behavior is having this effect."

"Hillary and Bill are not acting like leaders, they are acting like self-absorbed adolescents, thinking that if they whine loudly enough people will accommodate them. This is not leadership, this is petulance. They will go down in this race, but not without their own sense of righteousness and value intact. This conveniently avoids the unpleasant prospect of actually taking responsibility for why they lost."

[USRufnex]

Howard Wolfson defends Terry McAuliffe and explains on this morning's "Face the Nation" that Hillary's comments "had nothing to do with Senator Obama" and were the fault of the media and Obama's campaign... [!]

http://politicalchase.com/2008/05/25/wolfson-hillary-innocent-obama-victimized-clinton-and-is-responsible-for-inflaming-assassination-remarks/

Bob Schieffer is stupefied...

[Rico]

"UNNERSTANN' NOW, JOAN OF ARC GOT BURNED AT THE STAKE IN MAY."





it's true look it
up.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

I am astounded at how the media has taken this gaffe and pounded it home at us. It does give credence to the accusation that they are unfairly targeting her. Oberman was ridiculous. She looks tired, she talks tired and the remark didn't surprise me too much as it was true enough. Politically though, it was a mistake but not one motivated by ambition as much as fatigue. Robert Kennedy Jr. saw no malicious intent.

It sure diverted attention away from trophy wife Cindy McCains release of tax returns. What exactly does she do to earn 7million a year? She's not even a sports figure.[]

She's a powerful Senator's wife. A few Quid Pro Quo's here and there for appearances, some contractors needing her influence on John, etc. []

[bugo]

The way she has run the campaign proves that she is not fit to be dogcatcher, much less lead the nation.  And it was pathetic for her to apologize to the Kennedys but not to Obama for the horrible comments she made.  It's time for Hillary to quit the race, resign from the Senate, and fade away from public life forever before Bill's legacy is completely ruined.

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by bugo

The way she has run the campaign proves that she is not fit to be dogcatcher, much less lead the nation.  And it was pathetic for her to apologize to the Kennedys but not to Obama for the horrible comments she made.  It's time for Hillary to quit the race, resign from the Senate, and fade away from public life forever before Bill's legacy is completely ruined.

There was quite a bit of comment on this mornings news about the psychology of her decision to apologize to the Kennedys but not to Obama.  

It seems to me that a normal person, making an embarrassing slip like this would become immediately embarrassed and apologetic to the subject of the comment and to the secondary party.  Yet she paid no apology to the subject of the comment, or his family.

I would have been horrified by my words, and stumbling over myself to apologize to anyone and everyone within ear-shot.

I must admit, this is more fascinating to watch every day!

I think it is a good idea for all of us to say a little prayer for Mr. Obama and his family, in hopes that nothing like this happens just because some nut-case heard her comment and wants to act on her behalf.

I shall also pray that she internalizes her shallow morality a bit more.

[USRufnex]

Carville Blames Everyone but Clinton and spins like nobody's business on Good Morning America....

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/05/carville_on_good_morning_ameri.html

Blames Obama for "political trick" after Clinton brings up the assassination of Robert Kennedy in June...

Classic James Carville.  Unbelievable.  LITERALLY... unbelievable.

[bugo]

quote:Originally posted by USRufnex

Carville Blames Everyone but Clinton and spins like nobody's business on Good Morning America....

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/05/carville_on_good_morning_ameri.html

Blames Obama for "political trick" after Clinton brings up the assassination of Robert Kennedy in June...

Classic James Carville.  Unbelievable.  LITERALLY... unbelievable.

And to think, I used to like Carville.  The saddest thing about the Clintons' kookout is the fact that the reputations of many of the top Clinton administration officials have been ruined, possibly forever, in the minds of many Democrats and former Clinton supporters.  Can you imagine if the Reagans had pulled such a stunt?  He certainly wouldn't be looked at as a demi-god by the GOP.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by bugo

quote:Originally posted by USRufnex

Carville Blames Everyone but Clinton and spins like nobody's business on Good Morning America....

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/05/carville_on_good_morning_ameri.html

Blames Obama for "political trick" after Clinton brings up the assassination of Robert Kennedy in June...

Classic James Carville.  Unbelievable.  LITERALLY... unbelievable.

And to think, I used to like Carville.  The saddest thing about the Clintons' kookout is the fact that the reputations of many of the top Clinton administration officials have been ruined, possibly forever, in the minds of many Democrats and former Clinton supporters.  Can you imagine if the Reagans had pulled such a stunt?  He certainly wouldn't be looked at as a demi-god by the GOP.

Thats odd. I used to like Carville too. I enjoy that Cajun sense of humor. But he had to take sides and he may have done it just to piss off his wife. You notice Robert Reich (sp?) didn't join the train ride. He's my favorite from that era.

ps. didn't get to change it fast enough[]

[we vs us]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

You notice Richard Reich (sp?) didn't join the train ride. He's my favorite from that era.

It's Robert Reich, actually. And yeah, I really like the guy, too.

[USRufnex]

I've never seen Robert Reich and Richard Dreyfuss together in the same room.....

same person?