June 3, 2008
It Ain't Over Yet, Folks (A.B. Stoddard)
In all of the suspense about when and how Hillary Clinton will suspend or end her campaign, what has become clear is that the Democratic campaign isn't ending at all. Rather, it is entering a painfully awkward and difficult stage.
From now through the foreseeable future, Clinton becomes the fallen one, and will be afforded much sympathy, congratulations and attention. Most of it, but not all, will be genuine as she is a force like no other in the Democratic Party who built a movement of her own in this historic campaign. The Clinton camp seeks to "negotiate" with Barack Obama's campaign over priorities of hers, whatever those may be. He must enter bend-over-backwards mode, and who knows how long it will last?
Even if Hillary doesn't want to be vice president, the Clinton universe, led by Bill, will push this idea and push it hard. Obama isn't likely to pick her, but Team Clinton isn't likely pat his pick on the back, either. Obama is a hostage, tied to a Clinton surrogate like Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland if he doesn't ask for the former first lady herself. What else will she want?
Then there is the question of how much Clinton helps Obama, how hard she tries to see him win. People won't take their eyes off of her, and the tension between the two camps will remain a subject of intense focus from here through Tuesday, Nov. 4 and beyond.
Alas, this isn't the end after all. Not even close.
***
Ask A.B. returns next Monday, June 9, for our first official general-election segment! Please join my weekly video Q & A by sending your questions and comments to askab@thehill.com. Thank youa.
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Sorry, but he doesn't have to bend overbackwards for her at all. She has all but destroyed him in this campaign and he owes her nothing. It took this long for her to realize that people were not going to listen to her temper tantrums. Everything she has gotten, she deserves. I say good riddance to someone who had joy in splitting the party…..As far as I know.
Comment by Yvonne — June 3, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
In other words, this is a big mess. The Democratic campaign is now indistinguishable from a soap opera: a scorned woman, and a handsome young upstart who has vanquished her but is now on the lookout for her revenge, rumors about secret tapes, crazy priests, all this bitterness, all the recriminations, even wilder manipulations than before. Yup, the "serious" business of picking the leader of a free world in wartime, for all to see!
Comment by Igor R. — June 3, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
The plain simple truth of the matter is that a virtually unknown Senator will little experience, and virtually no network, put together a campaign that shoved her aside with little fanfare. Hillary Clinton can whine all she wants about being a woman. The majority of Americans don't vote based on gender. They vote based on ideals. It's the same problem Barack Obama will have in the general election. Race alone will not carry him to the finish line. If there is any embarrassment coming, it may be for the nation, who will see Obama caught in many embarrassing moments. At times, he appears to be a good speaker, but when asked questions off hand, he often flubs it.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — June 3, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
It doesn't matter on which side of the aisle you sit. The thought is still the same.
www.werescrewed08.com
Comment by Chanel — June 3, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Yeah yeah. The conclusion of the nomination fight is bad news for Democrats. What isn't, right AB?
More interesting pundits, please.
Comment by lowellfield — June 3, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
Robert R, thanks to McClleans book, I believe that even Republicans will cross over to get the country back from a party that made up a reason to go to war. You see, it's not about what party you are in, it's about what do you want for your country. We all know that Obama has flaws, but at least he is willing to do something that MCinsane and Hillary won't. and that is to admit it.
Comment by Yvonne — June 3, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
A.B.;
When Hillary was the inevitable nominee, she acted like Obama didn't exist and she campaigned like it. When he beat her in Iowa, came close in New Hamsphire and beat her in South Carolina she made race a factor in her campaign. When he then ran off 11 victories in a row, she suddenly started slinging more mud than a wet rodeo and still couldn't beat him. Why, after all of that would he have to bend over for her. he has money and she doesn't. He has the nomination and she doesn't. She did some of the most underhanded and vile things I have seen a Dem do to another and you tell me that he has to accommodate her. Please, I don't know what you're drinking but I want some.
Comment by Mike Coleman — June 3, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
Of course, it's over for the Clintons. The "super" delegates are rushing to express their support for obama before he reaches the magic number and tells them to go to hell (less pork for your districts when I am President). Now, it's the negotiation phase on how much debt Obama's campaign is willing to payoff to keep the Clintons from passing unused dirt on both Obamas to Republican operatives. If all debts are paid off, may be Bill would even campaign for Obama in October. If Obama can raise substantial money online, from Soros and Hollywood, and internal polling show he can win without Clinton's support, he'd dump both of them. Not much of a rocket science in Democratic politics.
Comment by Misha — June 3, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
The self-absorbed shelf-life of public-relations product You-Know-Her has passed its expiration date. It might have some small residual value at the reactionary Republican recycling center, but after Senator Barack Obama gets through methodically interviewing a prominent list of qualified candidates for Vice President, You-Know-Her will have long since become You-Know-Whom?
In fact, Clinton insider and favorite general Wesley Clark has just recently begun touting Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as "the next Vice President of the United States." That ought to shut Geraldine Ferraro's rancid mouth and probably put a sock in You-Know-Her's as well. After all, these two "sisters" really do want to see "a woman" first in line to become the next president after Barack Obama, don't they?
Comment by Michael Murry — June 3, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
Folks, Why are you all saying Hillary did negative things, and said negative things… yet you have no examples of anything that she did in this campaign that she should not be proud of? Man, I can't believe the inuendo coming out of you people. Collectively, are you all Vanity Fair un-named sources that helped write the disgusting article about Bill Clinton… Grow up peeps. Sen. Clinton held on to her class, composure and acted more professional in this campaign than anyone in other Presidential campaings I have witness, (and that # is significant). Relax your fingers people, think before you type. You are all gonna get wrinkles before your time. Don't make up stuff! She may very well be the VP of this great Land. She is the only hope Obama has to deliver the solutions this country needs.
Comment by JFK-HRC — June 3, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
Yvonne: Except for the media pundits who wanted to run with the fabrications and allusions in the Mcclellan fable, no one is paying any attention to that trash. Where are the Global Warming advocates when the dumps are going to be filled with wasted books?
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — June 3, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
Barack was KIND and GRACIOUS in his speech. Hillary, being a narcissist, continued to pretend it's not over. She's been an embarrassment to all intelligent people of every race and gender for some time. He offered her an olive branch, and she flounced her proverbial skirts and demanded his "win". If not that, then to be his "second". PLEASE drag her off the stage. IGNORE her. She wants gender equality, so instead of acting like every other graceful loser, she acts like a spoiled 14 year old rich brat who wants what she wants on her terms. But she IS using this time to suck the last $$ out of her "faithful", right down to the $10.44 of "grocery money"… via her web site. (Poor Millionaire Hillary!) Remember when she promised to support Obama if he won? Time to keep your word Hillary… oh that's right, you don't EVER do that. If she wasn't so selfish and self centered, I'd feel sorry for her.But she already has plenty of victims doing that for her.
Comment by ByTheSeaWA — June 4, 2008 @ 4:29 am
Hillary reminds me of a communist leader after last night when at her gala there were no tvs or cell phones allowed for those there to get any true media information — sort of like China or some other communistic country with a blackout on communication.
And, Hillary wants the VP Spot! If she can’t be President, she will be VP and WAIT for something to HAPPEN, so then she can take over the Reins. It is that simple, and that machavallian!
Comment by Angellight — June 4, 2008 @ 8:29 am
What power are you talking about?…If her and Bill had so much power in the party they would have gotten rid of Obama a long time ago.
I think people who like A.B. are huge Clinton supports and refuse to let go. The woman has no power never had people.
Comment by John — June 4, 2008 @ 8:33 am
Lanny Davis' pressure to get Hillary on the ticket is unfortunate and a disgraceful end to this historic primary. Allow the process to proceed and give space to the Democratic nominee…Barack Obama!!I am disgusted by the actions of HC and her campaigners and their lack of gracious acceptance. Continue with this type of action and the Democratic Party will lose in November.
Comment by Sam Nygren — June 4, 2008 @ 10:23 am
When I heard her last night, I heard her say what I thought she would say and that is that she intends to keep fighting for national health insurance.
My nickle says that what she holds out for is for Obama to accept an Edwards/Clinton styled health insurance plan as a part of the party platform.
I still think that her one huge problem with Obama is that he was the only one of the Democratic candidates that opposed a true national health insurance plan (no mandates). I think she wants to extract that from him or let fall on his own. Basically she wants him to go back to the possition he had 3 1/2 years ago when he first ran for the Senate.
So, I don't think she gives a damn about VP.
Comment by Chuck R — June 4, 2008 @ 10:26 am
RR #11;
You are willfully blind to the interest that the media and the Congress is paying to Scott's book. Waxman wants teh FBI file that contain their interviews with W and Cheney. If that is not paying attention, i don't know what is. Also, can you say President Barack Hussein Obama, I knew you could.
Comment by Mike Coleman — June 4, 2008 @ 10:38 am
If after the comments of how good a candidate John McCain is and the talk about hardworking white people, you can't think of anything Hillary has done, and if after all the other various little snippets of lying about Obama by her campaign, still you can't see anything she has done wrong, you are living in a bubble as much as Hillary is.She lost fair and square.But she does not concede defeat. He has been very polite and gracious and she has been an ungracious heel.
Comment by Dale Anger — June 4, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Mike Coleman: I'm not disputing what you say, but Waxman launches so many investigations, he has never finished one yet that produced any results, nor has he every achieved anything with his partisan investigations, except wasting tons of taxpayers money. I'm not surprised some people admire that.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — June 4, 2008 @ 11:53 am
A.B,
This time you hit the bulls-eye! This process is not over by a longshot.
Andrew Sullivan, in his recent column, made an astute comparison of the 3-three speeches delivered last night by our leading politicos. He - and here I am paraphrasing - noted that McCain and Clinton rolled out the same type of political stump speech, but that Obama's words were different than theirs; he made us think of our country.
HRC will hang-on until those people who foolishly believe in her send her website enough credit card donations to cover the campaign's 40-million debt.
I am sure she would accept the VP slot if offered. However, Obama would disappoint countless supporters if he dared put her on his ticket.
HRC is soiled goods. She woke up only after Feb. 5th, and found that she was losing. That inspired her to take the dishonestly emotional route "I'm a woman, vote for me (weep, weep, please!).
By all early reasoning, she should have won this nomination. But, she didn't! She employed the same hacks and sycophants who surrounded her and Bill in the WH. And they played the same politics now as then! It didn't work; it won't work anymore.
Why would anyone think of putting the nation's best chance for getting a serious health care bill in her hands?
She is not a negotiator; she is a dogmatic Borgia-like dame, who will use any means available to get her way. Even wishful thinking, and worrying words, about RFK's assassination!
Besides all that, who the hell wants Bill Clinton around, making sleazy deals and chasing easily compromised women! The media would love the constant distraction that he's become.
HRC may now finally be recognized as the spoiled child that she really is: Stamp her feet hard enough, people will pay her debts.
This woman is not nearly as bright as most people believe; there is nothing sparkling about HRC - no light shines from her.
Comment by barbara day — June 4, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
RR #19;
I'm afraid I'm gonna have to agree with you on that.
Barbara Day;
Well said.
Comment by Mike Coleman — June 4, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Angellight, I know Machavallian! He is a good Armenian friend of mine.
Comment by Igor R. — June 4, 2008 @ 2:36 pm