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08:37 May 7th, 2008

Should Clinton drop out of the Democratic race?

Posted by: Leah Eichler
Tags: Ask, ,

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) with daughter Chelsea (L) and husband former President Bill Clinton (C) speaks to supporters at her North Carolina and Indiana primary election night rally in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 6, 2008.

The road just got rockier for Hillary Clinton in her battle to win her party’s presidential nomination after Barack Obama’s victory in North Carolina and her slim win in Indiana.

“It’s full speed on to the White House,” Clinton said at a victory rally in Indianapolis, with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, standing behind her. “We’ve got a long road ahead, but we’re going to keep fighting.”

But Clinton made some conciliatory noises. “I can assure you as I have said on many occasions, that no matter what happens, I will work for the nominee of the Democratic Party … and I know that Senator Obama feels the same way,” she said.

Should Clinton drop out of the race for the Democratic nomination?

154 comments so far

To be honest, I am completely for Obama, but I appreciate the ideas some Clinton supporters have put forth. I am not talking about the Quislings who will simply disregard Obama as if he were a plague, I am talking about people who are educated on the issues and have spoken intelligently about their support for Hillary.

I deplore most of Hillary’s behavior, but, at least until this point, that’s politics. She was doing what she had to do to appear tough and electable, not matter how deceitful, disingenuous, or distracting. So in short, she has most certainly been a fighter, and, despite her tactics, has held tough in the face of great doubt and criticism.

So let her finish the fight. Let the voters vote, and bow out in June when the final numbers show that Obama has clearly won. At that point she will have crossed the finish line and can gracefully concede, while regaining much of the respect she has lost in this campaign.

Two things she should not do, however, is continue her negative campaign, as it helps nobody, especially the American people, and she should cease to put forward the idea that she can sway the DNC to allow FL and MI. This will only serve to destroy the DNC and create a vacuum for years to come, until new parties can establish themselves.

I understand it is frustrating for these states, but fire your politicians, not the whole democratic party.

- Posted by Ed

Obama has shown amazing restraint in the face of repeated Clinton attacks. I cannot say she has displayed the same grace. Is it more important to her that no Democrat wins if it can’t be her? Once again, her personal ambition is more important than the good of her party or this country. This is the same old news, brothers and sisters. We will soon see if she is capable of being a future leader by whether she is gracious enough to end her campaign and support the candidate with the most superdelegates. RE: Michigan and Florida - you can’t change the game when you are losing. Classic sign of a poor sport, which does not a good president make.

- Posted by Marie

Passion aside, the remaining states are Clinton’s to lose. Lots of aged voters, lots of blue-collar whites, no sizable black population, no caucuses - in other words, no chance for Obama to win. So, in the run-up to the convention, the news will be “Another win for Hillary” all the way. And then, there are Florida and Michigan that will almost surely go to McCain if not represented in Denver - and Hillary has 200+ delegates from these “big swing states” vs. 0 to Obama. And then, it’s possible to win some primaries on the strength of the black vote, but much less so general election. So there’s something for the supers to think about. “It ain’t over til it’s over” - nuff said.

- Posted by Anonymous

If Mr. Obama wants to show voters he has the experience and vision to lead the country he will negotiate an exit strategy with Hillary and get it done quickly. It’s a kind of politics 101 move. If he can’t pass 101 he sure isn’t ready for Grad School

- Posted by bruce

Obama has as much experience as Lincoln. Learn a little history.

- Posted by sam

Watch DemocracyNow! today. Amy Goodman interviews Bill Moyer regarding many interesting experiences in the changes in Journalism, but more importantly asked this question:

Is Hillary staying in this race now because she wants the role of Presidency which means she must continue to attack Sen. Obama weakening the Party.

It is becoming more and more apparent that in my humble opinion she is on an ego high that has blurred what is right for her to do.

I do not want someone to be my President who thinks more of self and ego than change for us all, you, me and the billions I shall never meet…this country the USA.

Watch the Wednesday, May 7th DemocracyNow! program. It will open your eyes. Thank you Bill Moyers!

- Posted by julichvyasdi

Read this interesting article:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jld3V ILFDbEY6uciu_lp_YgBnGqwD90GT09G0

Another proof Clinton and their campaign people are liar..the big hype of collecting $10 millions in 1 night after PA win are all lie. She loaned earlier $ 5 million. Now she loaned around and after PA win another $ 6.4 million. Total Debt = $ 11.4 millions..

As per this article,”A campaign aide said Clinton gave her campaign another $5 million on April 11, more than a week before the Pennsylvania primary. She then again dipped into her personal wealth for $1 million last week and $425,000 on Monday, one day before the North Carolina and Indiana primaries”

I have only one Q - How can I trust you running a nation when you can’t run your campaign??

Bill and Hillary, time for you to go for speaking assignment and writing books to get back those lost money!!!! The title of book could be, ” Race to Presidency 2008 - We almost made it till this fella showed up?”

- Posted by Ali

A big yes. No more political dynasties. They tend to turn family
feuds into open warfare.

- Posted by sam

Yes, Hillary should concede for the good of the Party. She needs to concede now, in order to allow her supporters time to reconsider, and support the obvious nominee. Convincing the Party to count Michigan and Florida is a waste of time. Would Hillary really be advocating such a move if the votes did not support her? No, so it’s really not about disenfranchisement.

If Hillary takes her quest to be President to the convention floor, the Democrats will lose any post convention bounce in the polls, along with the boost in donations. This is because Hillary’s supporters will be bitter about losing the nomination, even though it has already been lost.

Since the general election will likely be close, the Democrats cannot afford to lose any potential advantage or benefit associated with having a great convention.

- Posted by Robert

“Barack Obama is not qualified for the job of President of the United States and if he gets the nominations, it is a very sad day. Mr. Obama talks well but America needs an experienced, grounded person with real solutions.”

Do you know one?

- Posted by Chad

Yes.

And get a smaller mouth and less bouffant hair to make herself look more presentable.

- Posted by Tom Morgan

Jim…please do a little more research. BO is not getting this money from big oil company..BO has infact revolutionise the system and getting most of the money from grass root people like us…through his website..$25 or more…That’s what Clinton didn’t learn..and when she realized the power of small contribution, it was too late for her..You dont expect much innovation from old politics..Do you?

- Posted by John

Is this about the good of the country? Is this about the good of the party? You’ve said you and Senator Obama agree on more than you disagree about. This is, unquestionably, a very tough concession, but what is left to be accomplished by fighting on now? Please make that clear or let’s move the real process forward.

- Posted by FCP

Yep…time for Clinton to come to senses..Look at the demographic she has with her..65+ older people, non-educated blue collar workers…nothing against these groups..but this shows educated people who understand what is going on here and youth who are the future of this nation are not on her side..

- Posted by John

yes,yes,yes and fast too

- Posted by jackson

Listen, B.O. from Illinois! If you are sincere about changing the American politics, stop being a liar and please return to your conscience. Did you start your career as a cunning politician, that is willing to recieve dirty money from dirty oil companies? Change yourself first before talking about changing others.

- Posted by Jim

@ Jim… 5:02 and 5:00 YOU have no idea of what you are speak. You need to do some research about the DLC and who they are - of the which Hillary and Bill (and Al gore) are all members. They call themselves the “new” Democrats. What’s new? They are all supported by big business, the oil cartels and the war machine manufacturers.

Yes, Hillary needs to stop he charade as a Democrat and go back to the Republican party where she started with Goldwater. She is what is now called a neoliberal - just as bad as a neocon.

Do some research.

By the way, Obama is not a member of the DLC. Refuses to be a part of it.

- Posted by MizuInOz

Does B.O. get his big money from ordinary American citizens like you and me? NO!!!! He got his money from special interest groups. We should elect someone who is not willing to receive such dirty political money. B.O. has more money to spend than Hillary and McCain combined! Beware of the big oil money!! American people! Stand up again the international big oil!!!

- Posted by Jim

Clinton reminds me of the Captain of the Titanic who ordered full steam ahead despite the obvious danger of sinking and taking the dems with her. If McCain wins in November she’ll have to take alot of heat.

- Posted by Chris

The big oil companies and other special interest groups want to put B.O. in the White House so they can continue their big gain. This should be stopped!! Hillary Clinton should stay in the race. Wake up American people!!

- Posted by Jim

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