Hillary Clinton has been formidable during her campaign for the Democratic nomination, but there is nothing to be served by continuing -- for American voters or her own career-- and prolonging the inevitable. The Clintons can read the political landscape better than anyone, and surely they know the time has come to manage the most graceful departure from the primary stage, as possible.
So what is up, with Hillary's remark that she is favored by "hard working Americans, white Americans"? I listened to the remarks on tape and the hesitation in which she delivered the phrases, it was quite clear that she was venturing into new territory. But with two weeks until the final primaries, what is the point unless she means to bow out now?
Bob Herbert, in the New York Times today, goes postal on what Hillary said, in "Seeds of Destruction":
"The Clintons have never understood how to exit the stage gracefully. ... Their repertoire has always been deficient in grace and class. ... “There’s a pattern emerging here,” said Mrs. Clinton. There is, indeed. There was a name for it when the Republicans were using that kind of lousy rhetoric to good effect: it was called the Southern strategy, although it was hardly limited to the South. Now the Clintons, in their desperation to find some way — any way — back to the White House, have leapt aboard that sorry train. He can’t win! Don’t you understand? He’s black! He’s black!"
Representative Charley Rangel of New York and Hillary supporter told The Daily News, "I can't believe Senator Clinton would say anything that dumb."
There is another way to think about Hillary's offensive: that she is outlining the race issue that Barack will face against McCain. Better from a Democrat than a Republican?
Barack instantaneously jumped on Hillary's remark; pledging that his campaign would reach out to and appeal to all Americans. He's right.
And Hillary is right, were she to take this moment, thank her supporters, and pledge her support to Barack Obama. Is there anything more to be gained?
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4 comments:
Agree. It is past - time.
A supporter.
The gender issue is no less problematic then the race issue. Both candidates would have an albatross.
If Hillary continues now that she has put her foot in her mouth, she is really finished. She can forget trying again in four or eight years. I know plenty of not to bright voters who would rather vote for a black than a woman. At this moment I am now one of them if she is the woman.
By staying she is helping McCain. If she takes it to the convention, she substaintially limits the amount of time for Obama to go head to head with McCain, and for the nation to begin focusing on that race.
Even more important than this, there is a tremendous amount of work that has to be done to plan and prepare for the general election. Time is a very important commodity in an election. Once it is gone, you can never recoup. Hillary's campaign is a good example of this. Obama's work for the primary was basically completed some time ago. In order for him to be successful in the fall, he must now get many tasks completed before the convention. Once the convention is over, its too late to plan and organize.
So as the Hillary side show goes on, he finishes implementing his primary plans for the residual states, but must spend most of his time preparing for the general election.
The delegates need to close this down right away so that he can devote his full attention to winning in the fall.
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