Clinton’s determination
By Patrick Kelley
Originally published 01:58 p.m., May 15, 2008
Updated 01:58 p.m., May 15, 2008
Her math is impenetrable to anyone not raised at the knee of a professional politician. Her optimism unfathomable to anyone not a true believer.
But Hillary Clinton keeps going and going and going. The longer she stays in the race, the more possible it seems that she could somehow corral enough delegates to force a nomination from a recalcitrant convention in August.
Barack Obama seems unworried. He has plenty of money and access to more; Clinton does not. The superdelegates are stepping off the curb, one by one, and joining the Obama parade. Even some of those delegates pledged to Clinton, losing faith and patience, have gone over to Obama.
But Hillary Clinton keeps going. Her campaign thrives in that narrow margin of chances between slim and none. She has no room to swerve and no time to slow, so she does neither.
It is no wonder that some Democrats have grown tired of watching Clinton persevere. But even those convinced that her chance at the nomination has passed and that her continued campaign risks running the party onto the rocks of division must, at some level, admire her refusal to give in.
Morning and evening, the television pundits rehearse funeral orations for Clinton and coronation celebrations for Obama and get miffed when they are forced to admit that she is not dead and he has not won.
Will Clinton’s persistence ultimately ruin the Democrats’ chances for victory in November? It is possible.
But consider this: Only one nominee will come out of August’s convention in Denver and that nominee will be the party’s strongest contender in 14 years. Whether it is Clinton or Obama, the nominee will be tough, smart and have been amply tested in the longest nomination race in U.S. history.
The Democrats will have a single candidate to unite behind and the easy part of John McCain’s campaign will be over.
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
God forgive us that we have stooped so low as to think either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama are even remotely qualified, capable, or worthy to hold the office of President of the United States.
May 15, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wanderer (anonymous) says...
Hate to disagree, but I will, Any of the three we've got running now are more qualified, capable and worthy than the current incumbent
May 15, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
I agree that the incumbent is an incompetent disaster but the three now running are even worse. We have a serious problem before us.
May 15, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sexingthecherry (anonymous) says...
You haven't given that assertion a single explanation as to why it might be true. You argue that Obama, Clinton, AND McCain are all worse than Bush--HOW?!
May 18, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Amen, Wanderer. What a nightmare we have endured!
May 19, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...
What about our economy now ? No one can be worse than our current President , NO ONE!!!
May 19, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
My two most important and non-negotiable issues in the upcoming election are illegal immigration and 2nd Amendent Rights. None of the three candidates in contention are acceptable on those issues. I agree Bush has not been a good president but if Obama or Chelsey's mama get elected they will, by their own admission, introduce huge tax increases, continue to have open borders, offer amnesty to illegals, and declare war on individuals rights to bear arms. As for the economy: are you aware that the 338 billion dollars per year we spend to support illegal immigrants is a big part of that problem? Blame the Congress and Senate for that, not Bush.
May 19, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slvrnblck (anonymous) says...
Bush may be looked at as a terrible President, but he is one of only 2 Presidents 2 have been attacked on US soil. He has had more things happen during his terms than most other Presidents. I don't stand by all of his decisions but he has had some very difficult decisions to make and has been scrutinized for every one of them.
I hope that the next President has an easier time in office. There are many issues out there that need to be addressed like immigration and healthcare but nothing is too the scale of 9-11.
May 19, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )