Clinton should abandon efforts for presidency
James Harrison
I have something to say.
What I have to say has been said before, by many people — most of whom are far more qualified than I am on the subject.
The thing is that it obviously hasn’t sunk in. So, as a member of the press, I’d be doing a disservice by not acting as yet another part of the long wind tunnel that makes up the modern media in the U.S.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, it’s time to give it up.
The Democratic primary is over for all intents and purposes. Frankly, it’s been over for a long while now, but the Clinton campaign has managed to do its best impression of Freddy Krueger and simply refuse to die.
Surprisingly, I’d argue that thus far, the lingering contest has done more good than harm. It’s energized the Democratic forces in states such as Indiana — states that are generally passed over, having little say in picking nominees.
If you need proof, just ask yourself how much reporting the Republican primary in Indiana received compared to the Democratic.
There’s also the benefit that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. — the likely nominee — is being forced to go through a harsher vetting process than a candidate normally goes through. Because the primaries have dragged on so long, it has given the Clinton campaign more time to find something damaging in Obama’s history.
Imagine if Obama had been able to take a break from the campaign trail at the same time as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., did.
It’s likely that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright issue would have flared up in July or August instead of April.
The Obama campaign was given far more time to respond to the issue, and that will likely dampen the damaging fallout.
Given this, some may argue that if benefits are flowing from an extended process, what is the harm in continuing the process to the bitter end?
The problem is, as we approach the final deadline for selecting a nominee and Clinton doesn’t back off, a schism will grow in the party. Nonsense and bickering is already breaking out.
Large Democratic donor Harvey Weinstein threatened House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a complete cash shutdown unless the Michigan and Florida delegates — both of whom favor Clinton after tainted primaries — are seated.
Eventually the Democratic party will have to rally behind one candidate.
The more the Clinton campaign clings to their quixotic campaign for the nomination, the more likely they or their supporters will say or do something that will cause major damage to either the party or their standing in it.
The esteemed polling firm Rasmussen Reports has announced that they’ll cease any polling related to Clinton for the presidential campaign, instead focusing on the Obama and McCain matchup. The Obama campaign is increasingly focusing on McCain and not Clinton.
These are just some of the continuing signs that the Clinton machine is fighting a lost cause.
While this fact used to be as murky as a swamp, it’s now clearer than purified water.
The Obama campaign isn’t about to self-destruct. Super delegates are not about to flock to her en masse.
She is not about to sweep the remaining primaries with ridiculous margins.
As I said, this isn’t an original thought, but it’s needed to make a shout so deafening it can’t be ignored.
It’s time for Clinton to turn her ears to what the nation is saying and the media is screaming.
It’s over.
James Harrison is a State News columnist. Reach him at harri310@msu.edu .
Published on Monday, May 12, 2008
Comments
rightysparty
05/12/08 @ 10:14pm
Hillary needs to keep going. The longer she stays in, the better for us Republicans. She needs to take the fight to the floor of the convention.
Also, who knows what mistake Barack Hussein Obama might make. His wife, his new pastor, his old pastor are all wackos. Their ramblings gave Hillary a new life when she needed it most. Reverend Wright was a godsend.
Stay in it Hillary! Be like Rush Limbaugh. Create chaos!
Ben
05/13/08 @ 7:49am
Oh the Dems are just so cute! They actually think that Barack Hussein Obama, the most ultra-left liberal person in the Senate, is electable!
Bill Lumberg
05/13/08 @ 8:04am
“as a member of the press, I’d be doing a disservice by not acting as yet another part of the long wind tunnel that makes up the modern media in the U.S.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, it’s time to give it up.”
That’s the problem with today’s press, they try and direct the news instead of reporting it. James, as a member of the press you are doing a disservice by reporting your beliefs and opinions and not just stating the facts. It is not your place to tell anyone when to give up their dreams.
Joe
05/13/08 @ 8:48am
Clearly, Ben, you don’t know much about politics. The “most ultra-left liberal person in the Senate” would be Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an Independent who identifies himself as a democractic socialist.
getmoney
05/13/08 @ 9:07am
Barack Obama would make a terrible president. If this country wants to continue to grow and prosper like it has for the last 8 years we need McCain to lead us into the future. The thing about McCain is that he is a war hero. That makes him qualified to run our country. Every time I hear McCain talk it sounds something similar to this:
Q: Sen. McCain what is your thoughts about IRAQ?
A: Let me start off by saying I was tortured in Vietnam. I am a war hero! I have experience! If I take my pills I might be able to answer the phone at 3 a.m. Next Question.
Q: Sen. McCain what do you think about the price of gas?
A: I am a war hero. Next question.
Bill Lumberg
05/13/08 @ 9:21am
getmoney, you are right Obama would make a terrible president, but you are way wrong with you McCain analysis. You won’t hear him answer any questions with “I am a war hero” as you suggest.
Joe you clearly you know nothing of politics. Based on 2007 votes Obama is the most liberal person in the Senate.
Link Text
Do you have any quantitative measure for your claim Joe?
beau
05/13/08 @ 10:56am
Prosperity you say, maybe for some but surely not the majority. Let’s review. Price of regular gas in the Mid-West in Jan. 2000 was 1.25/gallon. In Jan 08 was 2.86 and this month, well you can see it on the way home. Wheat in Jan 2000 was 2.75/bushel, today it is exceeding 10/bushel and rising. Good for the farmers, bad for everyone else. Corn in Jan 2000 was 1.92/bushel, now is about 5.60 and rising. Biofuel clearly solves nothing. But prosperity, man who you kidding. The only thing republicans have brought us is war, higher prices, crashed markets, housing loan greed and forclosure, dwindling personal freedom, attack on the Bill of Rights, world condemnation,sorry can’t go on, fingers getting tired, must rest. If after 8 years of El Conquestador we are foolish enough to elect another republican, even if it is John McCain whom I respect, then we truly get what we deserve and no more complaints, even from me.
Tim
05/13/08 @ 12:38pm
Oh how I grow tired of people with their “Hussein” fear mongering tactics.
Hussein
05/13/08 @ 12:51pm
You’d better get used to it Tim. It is, after all, his middle name. Of course it speaks of his Muslim roots which you’d like to ignore. His grandfather was Muslim, his middle name is Arabic/Muslim, and he attended a grade school in which all students prayed to Allah. You can bitch about fear mongering, but that is the truth. I can’t wait until the 527s get rolling with it.
Matthew
05/13/08 @ 1:05pm
Obama doesn’t feel Michigans primary votes should be counted. Screw him. Congrats democratic party, you’ve turned me against you.
Tim
05/13/08 @ 1:13pm
Hussein- Who cares if his grandpa was Muslim? What difference would it make if his grandpa was Catholic or Evangelical or an atheist? What in Obama’s middle name should I be afraid of?
All you do is reveal your ignorance and bigotry by constantly including his middle name. The implication being don’t vote for someone with a Muslim background. Why not?
Bill Lumberg
05/13/08 @ 1:33pm
Tim, it is amazing that the main stream media criticizes anyone that makes mention of Obama’s muslim background yet the same people could not stop talking about Mitt Romney being a Mormon. Of course one is a democratic and one is a republican, wonder if that has anything to do with this?!
Bill Lumberg
05/13/08 @ 1:35pm
P.S. beau, all of the things you mention are caused by liberalism and democratics preventing the free market from working with ethanol subsidies and bans on oil drilling in the U.S.
KuBoots.
05/13/08 @ 1:56pm
P.S. Hey Bill, regarding your comment in the last P.S.
In the words of The Dude from The Big Lebowski, “Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.”
Tim
05/13/08 @ 2:41pm
Bill- if we are addressing mainstream media than that clearly is a double standard. I didn’t care about Romney’s Mormon background any more than I care about Obama’s Muslim background. Although you would have to admit the negative stereotypes regarding Muslims advanced by the likes of “Hussein” above, are far worse than most if not all Mormon stereotypes.
Bill Lumberg
05/13/08 @ 2:44pm
Sorry KuBoots, not opinion, fact
Link Text
beau
05/13/08 @ 3:01pm
Dear Bill: Just because you state all these things are due to liberalism really doesn’t actually make that true any more then the ubberright caused 9/11 to happen in retaliation for meddling in the mideast. Anyone can make up anything and most of the people will not check out the facts if the facts don’t support their already made up minds. You’re no different even though you pretend to be a profound thinker. Hey, I got an idea, how about we change the states name to reflect our new reality. Michissippi sounds good, no disrespect meant to Mississippi.
Tim?
05/13/08 @ 3:05pm
I went back and read Hussein’s post. I can’t find ANY stereotyping whatsoever. You could dispute his facts, but that is all they are, facts.
Bill Lumberg
05/13/08 @ 3:30pm
beau, I never claimed to be a profound thinker, but I did back up my statement with FACTs, you just choose not to read the link I attached.
Tim?, you are correct that “Hussein” posted facts not stereotyping. I think what Tim was trying to say is that presenting these facts in the manner in which “Hussein” is presenting them, is an attempt to play on others stereotypes and that these facts are not relevant to Obama’s abilities to be president. And Tim is correct, those facts are not a reflection of Obama’s abilities. I am not an Obama guy and would never in a million years vote for him, but those facts have nothing to do with that and should not influence others either, in my ever humble opinion.
beau
05/13/08 @ 3:58pm
Bill: Checked your Facts, still maintain this resolves nothing. Drilling ANWAR even when it DOES happen is not going to resolve the gas problem. Liberalsmidrel Rightytighty arguments aside nothing changes the fact that we are running out. Time for a departure from the way we do business in Washington and John, love the man, and Hill have not answers other then warmed up versions of the same old thing. Obama, maybe Bullbama before it’s over but at least he’s trying to talk a different game. If he blows it then we can vote the guy out again. Same for the other two if either win.
getmoney
05/13/08 @ 4:20pm
Mitt Romney is a Mormon. Barack Obama isn’t a Muslim. That should clear some things up.
Ems
05/15/08 @ 11:01am
And Hillary Clinton is a woman. Welcome and embrace people’s differences – do we need yet another white, Christian male leading us? A load of good we’re in right now thanks to that line of thinking.
Barama
05/20/08 @ 12:14pm
Hillary has a good argument. She keeps winning important states, and if Michigan and Florida are seated she will lead in the popular vote. Wasn’t it YOU Democrats who argued against Bush’s nomination back in 2000 that the popular vote should determine the presidency? But go ahead and nominate one of the BIGGEST morons to run for President since… well… since John Kerry.
KuBoots.
05/20/08 @ 3:56pm
Whew, Barama… good thing the BIGGEST moron of them all is now our President.
Barama
05/20/08 @ 4:01pm
KuBoots, nice one. At least President Bush knows there are only 50 states, Obama (bin Laden) thinks there are 58!! And he thinks its the President’s job to make sure that citizens don’t put their money in “risky investment deals”. What business is it of his? He is an idiot because he does NOT know what the job of a President truly is. At least Bush knows when to back off of the American people.
KuBoots.
05/22/08 @ 1:41pm
For a minute there I thought you trying to say Bush was a good President…...WAIT A MINUTE...
By the way, I agree the comment about the 58 states is quite ridiculous. At this point, I’m staying out of politics and hoping someone great comes along to save us from our current candidates (Rep. or Dem.).