Clinton's way forward

[JimGinPA]

On Saturday, it will finally be over.

On the face of things, it seems as if it has been difficult for Hillary Rodham Clinton to accept the fact that her long campaign for president is finally over. Her first, ungracious "concession" speech lacked a concession; facing howls of outrage from Democratic insiders as well as the press, she finally said she would drop out today.

Now she says she'll drop out Saturday.

It's easy to understand how difficult it must be for Clinton to let go when the prize she fought so hard for seemed so close: She lost by a slim number of delegates and a small margin of the popular vote. But lose she did, and go she must, if Barack Obama and the entire Democratic Party are to finally begin the wrenching job of unifying the party and running a successful general election campaign. No one wants to rush her off of the stage, but the sooner she departs, the better off everyone will be.

And yes, that includes Hillary Clinton. She did the right thing by saying that she wouldn't pressure Obama to accept her as his vice president. But she also did the smart thing. There was no way Obama would even consider the idea of having her as his vice president if she seemed to demand the position - either by dragging on with her campaign or by refusing to tell the supporters who have been pressuring him to stand down. By admitting the obvious - that she has lost, and that the choice of a vice president is Obama's alone to make - Clinton will soothe her supporters' flared tempers and possibly position herself higher on his short list.

With the race over, many people have been wringing their hands over Clinton's "next move," wondering what will become of the woman who looked so inevitable last year. The truth of the matter is - no matter how much her supporters wish to blame the outcome of the race on sexism or the media - Clinton had a lot to do with the outcome of this race, and she'll have a lot to do with its denouement. During the last few months, her campaign slid into unfair attacks and divisive identity politics, to the consternation of many in the Democratic Party. If she's able to exit the stage with grace and campaign for Obama with vigor, she'll be able to repair some of the damage she's inflicted on him - and improve her own prospects going forward.

But first she has to drop out.

So., on Saturday, it will finally be over. And on Saturday, it will finally begin.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/05/EDAD1145FV.DTL

[WillyToad]

1. The hate threads are sinking now a days...

Anger is a crutch for the weak....

[hokies4ever]

4. K&R to spite WillyToad!

:rofl:

[JimGinPA]

5. There's Nothing Hateful About This Op-Ed...

Put your binky back in your ___ (Insert applicable orifice here).

[AtomicKitten]

2. On to kicking GOP ass!!!!!

[BlooInBloo]

3. Obama began the healing immediately after he declared victory....

http://www.americablog.com/2008/06/political-healing-process-already-is.html

[Tinksrival]

7. Yep, who's waiting to begin Saturday?

Senator Obama has hit the ground running. He's not waiting, neither is McSame.

Me neither, I changed my sig line! :evilgrin:

[JimGinPA]

8. Thanks For That Link - Good Article

[Life Long Dem]

6. Her own supporters told her to drop out.

Through the requested emails by Clinton herself as one method, others called by phone, she heard loud and clear that enough was enough. It's over and have a good year.

But I really want to thank Clinton supporters for telling her your thoughts. Thanks!