« Pelosi Utters the Stupidest Quote of the Century! | Main | Al-Masri Arrested in Mosul »
May 08, 2008
It's Over
by Jack Lee
While most of you were putting out the cat, turning off the lights and preparing to go to bed, the guys in the news rooms across television-land were recognizing that the race for Hillary Clinton is finally over. She can't win the popular vote and she can't win by super delegates.
Among the first to declare Obama the Democrats contender for the Presidency was Tim Russert of NBC News. He said, "We now know who the Democratic nominee's going to be, and no one's going to dispute it," "Those closest to her will give her a hard-headed analysis, and if they lay it all out, they'll say: 'What is the rationale? What do we say to the undeclared super delegates tomorrow? Why do we tell them you're staying in the race?' And tonight, there's no good answer for that."
Hillary hinted that she knew it was over when she said yesterday in a press conference, "I will support whoever is the nominee." There's only one other candidate this race and I wonder why she didn't just say I will support Obama if he is the nominee? I guess she just can't bring herself to say it, at least not today.
She's probably going to drag her feet like a condemned man heading to the gallows hoping for a miracle, but unless there are more Rev. Wrights about to enter the scene she's finished. If there was a straw to grasp at it was Florida, but no way is the Democratic Party going to reconstitute the Florida and Michigan vote. Although, it didn't stop the Clinton campaign machine from trying. This is a desperate hour and any long shot is worth trying. And any delay is worth trying too, just in case some late breaking scandal could befall the Obama campaign...but, reality says the fat lady has sung. The race is over and Hillary must accept it.... sooner or later and the Democratic Party is hoping sooner. Even Sen. Feinstein has weighed in on this and has contacted Hillary and urged her to let go and admit it's over.
What will be interesting now is to see how how Obama's campaign will match up against McCain's. Neither candidate seems too willing to throw mud and that's refreshing, but first before any serious campaigining begins Obama is going to need some down time. This guy has to be close to shell shock after going toe to toe with the Clintons for all these many months. This guy needs some serious recharging before going after McCain who now holds the high ground and is dug in and ready to resist anyone trying to dislodge him. McCain is the seasoned veteran and Obama is an untested newcomer full of promises and lacking any real accomplishments. Who will America trust? Who would you trust?
Posted by Post Scripts at May 8, 2008 10:27 AM
Comments
Dont forget Michigan and Florida, that issue is still unresolved.
Posted by: Nick Freitas at May 8, 2008 01:03 PM
And don't forget this is the Clinton machine we are talking about...if nothing else she is positioning for 2012...she'd prefer to run against McCain (who will be REALLY OLD by then) rather than challenge Obama.
Posted by: Tina at May 8, 2008 01:55 PM
For awhile now I had been hoping that Clinton would get the nomination, assuming that she would be the more vulnerable candidate.
Now I am not so sure. I think there is something to be said for defeating the Obama machine now.
The bottom line, is that if Hillary doesn't win this time around, it will be incredibly hard for her to run again successfully. The same is not true of Obama. Obama like a super virus will be harder to defeat in 4 years.
His vulnerability right now is a combination of little experience and his associations. In 4 years he will have gathered greater experience, and he will have had time to distance himself from those not so convenient friendships and acquaintances.
I am starting to "hope" for an Obama victory in August. McCain shouldn't have too much trouble beating him, and a defeat now would throw a major wrench in any future intentions to run. Hillary being defeated by her own party would have a similar effect on any future plans of hers. Especially if Guiliani does us all a favor and runs against her for the Senate.
All in all this whole process has been a pleasure to watch, but I think I am ready to root for an Obama victory at the convention, now that all the polish has worn off, and people are finally starting to see him for the slick demagogue he really is.
Any thoughts?
Posted by: Nick Freitas at May 8, 2008 03:58 PM
Not so fast. Hillary could still win the nomination. All you have to do is play the "What If" game.
What if Obama gets run over by a beer truck?
What if Obama gets arrested in a men's room for making advances to an undercover cop?
What if it is revealed that Obama took bribes from Rezko? (Well, that probably would not matter much.)
What if NSA wiretaps show 10,000 calls from Osama to Obama? Calls that he answered?
What if Obama gets caught smoking a cigarette?
What if Obama's secret diary, in which he writes "I hate America KKK," is uncovered?
This game could go on and on, but the point is, it ain't over until it's over.
Posted by: Dan at May 8, 2008 06:28 PM
Clinton, Obama, it doesn't matter, they are both unelectable. It boils down to one simple truth, your average white guy wouldn't vote for either of them. I am just calling a spade a spade and saying it like it is.
As a republican I feel shafted with our choice but I take great comfort in not being a democrat and how badly they got screwed.
McCain will win this because he is someone we can all "live" with. He is a RINO and they know it and when he wins they will act like they really pulled one over on us. I am all for having someone in the WH we can all agree is an ok choice. McCain is that, he is an ok choice.
That is really sad. Our best choice for POTUS could also be meatloaf with a side of mashed potato's. It's an ok meal not great but, ok.
Posted by: Toby Stahler at May 9, 2008 07:07 AM