Unconventional Behaviors

[H2O Man]

{1} Unconventional Politics

I recently spoke with a friend who expressed frustration at the path that Senator Hillary Clinton has taken in the democratic presidential primary. She said that Senator Clinton’s behaviors suggest that she "only cares about herself." I understand why many good democrats and progressives on the left feel this way. This has been a long and often harsh primary season, and at this point, most democrats would like some resolution to the issues that threaten to divide our party. But it is important for us to recognize that Hillary Clinton does not actually only care about herself – and once we do this, we can then identify what is the actual cause of the unconventional behaviors that we are witnessing today.

Even Senator Clinton’s harshest critics should be objective enough to recognize that the central issue of importance to her in her political career has been a form of social justice that includes health care. Hillary’s approach may be different than my friend’s, because of of the two is a product of their own unique experiences. But they also share common ground: my friend, who is a bit older than Senator Clinton, helped make programs such as Head Start a reality for families in this country, and no one can doubt that this is exactly the type of program that Senator Clinton advocates.

My friend is a Lakota, or Sioux. Thus, her world-view includes seeing the children in Iraq as being equal in human value to children at any place of any time in human history. Her greatest frustration with Senator Clinton has to do with the vote on the Bush plan to invade Iraq. More, there is a concern that Senator Clinton may have been prone to continuing the policies of President Clinton, that caused so much suffering for the children of Iraq.

{2} The Art of Party Politics

The mainstream media continues to portray the Obama vs Clinton contest as primarily a struggle between individuals. More insightful journalists have identified it as battle between two factions for control of the national leadership of the party. If we view this in the limited manner of a fight between individuals, Senator Clinton is mistakenly viewed as a narcissist who risks destroying the party’s chances in November for purely selfish reasons. When we recognize that there is something much larger going on beneath the surface issues that the corporate media reports, then and only then do we begin to get an accurate picture of what has taken place between November of 2007 and today.

Struggles for control of the democratic party is not "new." In 1960, for example, Robert Kennedy was the driving force behind electing his brother, President John F. Kennedy, and thus taking control of the party. In 1976, Hamilton Jordan masterminded Jimmy Carter’s election, allowing another group to take control. And in 1992, Bill Clinton was able to take the party’s leadership. In each case, the new president’s ability to exercise control and pass legislation was based on their ability to coordinate efforts with the other groups within the party.

Around May 20, in keeping with the phenomenon of news being reported on the Democratic Underground before being covered by the corporate media, I told DUers that Representative Rahm Emanuel had been tasked with telling Senator Clinton that she would need to accept the decision of the Rules & Bylaws Committee, regarding Florida and Michigan. If she opted to contest it, numerous supporters in Washington would stand down, and the super delegates would endorse Obama after the June 3rd primaries, putting the contest beyond her reach. I said that she would end her campaign on June 6.

After the RBC meeting, a couple of journalists noted that Obama had taken control of the democratic party. Indeed, Americans watching the RBC hearing saw a contest between two distinct groups, with a third group siding with the Obama forces. However, in keeping with a long line of media failures, the corporate media refused to take this event a step. Let’s take a minute to look a bit closer at what happened, and how it is playing out today.

{3}Political Power

The word "power" comes from the Latin root "posse," which mean the ability to do. Political power is simply the ability to accomplish goals. As First Lady, Hillary Clinton attempted to accomplish her goals for health care. Her failure can be traced to her inability to get other groups, including congressional democrats, to support her efforts.

Some of President Clinton’s accomplishments resulted from his ability to coordinate efforts with others, including republicans. Perhaps the most important example was his damaging habeas corpus by uniting conservative republicans to accomplish this.

After losing the 1980 democratic primary, Ted Kennedy would become the nation’s most accomplished Senator by uniting a large base of democrats in Washington. He also worked closely with republicans on the Hill to exercise power.

Senator Clinton is today facing an important decision. She has lost the primary contest. She has to decide if she wants to return to the Senate; to try to become the Vice President under Barack Obama; or accept a position as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, where she could accomplish her goals in health care.

This decision involves her goals as an individual, as well as her position as representative of a large group within the democratic party. While the Senate is a powerful institution, it is possible that her position would be of diminished capacity to exercise influence should she return.

There are key people within her group advocating that she use her strength to become vice president. Publicly, the face of the efforts to get her on the ticket are Representative Charles Rangel and Lanny Davis; behind the scenes, Bill Clinton and Harold Ickles are calling the shots.

But Hillary Clinton’s career has been focused on human service issues, such as universal health care. By working with the Obama administration, she would have the political power to accomplish her goals in this area.

{4} The Fourth Way

Barack Obama’s unlikely rise to national political power is the result of his ability to unite distinct groups in American society. He has united the grass roots (aka "net roots"), black Americans, and the Kennedy branch of the democratic party. This coalition is unique in recent political history.

The 2008 democratic primary featured other unique events. Besides the contest between two of the usual groups of the party, this primary was a historic event, because it featured a black man and a women. For the first time, these two important groups within the traditional democratic base had a candidate representing their interests.

The republican party is, of course, hoping to be able to exploit the passons of the groups who sided with the Clinton campaign against Barack Obama in the primary. The republicans are like a pack of hyenas, looking to tear away democrats from the outside of our party.

Those in positions of party leadership recognize this potential danger, and are thus applying pressure on Senator Clinton to rise above the more limited interests of her wing of the party, and to unite with the Obama campaign. This is unlikely to lead to her being selected as VP on the ticket. Instead, it will mean her accepting an offer to serve as the head of Health and Human Services, which holds the promise of her being able to accomplish her long-time goals of universal health care, and other important services for families and children in America.

As we approach this important weekend, keep these concepts in mind.

[yellerpup]

1. Like cool water on a fevered brow...

thanks for your careful and sensitive explanation of the inner workings of party politics. K&R! :kick:

[Adelante]

2. Good advice, as usual

I don't see her as VP. I don't see it happening for several reasons. But I can see her easily in a policy position in the administration.

[myrna minx]

3. Thank you for this thoughtful essay.

I hope Senator Clinton is able to use her passion and talents to bring about her dream of Universal Healthcare. I think that would be a profound legacy.

[riskpeace]

4. Thanks for your thoughtful post.

I'm not sure she would take the HHS Secretary job. She basically ran the place when Shalala was there.

Why go back and why leave the Senate?

[H2O Man]

7. There are a number of

factors that she is likely considering. In the context of a return to the Senate versus serving in the administration's Department of Health & Human Services, they would include issues such as how long she would like to remain in public service, along with what type of legacy she wants.

If she wants a longer career, the Senate may be the best option. In terms of legacy, she may want to reverse the reputation for having failed to accomlish her goals for universal health care. That could be done by serving in the administration.

Which ever option she decides to exercise, I believe that her experiences in this primary will make her a stronger leader.

[riskpeace]

9. Who knows how it will all end up?

But it is certainly interesting to watch.

I think she'd be a great HHS Secretary. At the same time, I think she'd have more influence on policy, particularly the upcoming entitlement debate, as the Majority Leader in the US Senate. But judging by the endorsements of her fellow Senators that might not be so likely.

To the extent that an "offer" needs to be made to Senator Clinton so some of her more ardent supporters unite with Senator Obama, I think an HHS Secretary appointment offer could be seen as a slight to Senator Clinton. I do not view it that way though.

I agree with you on the last point and believe that this historic primary has strengthened both candidates for the future.

[H2O Man]

17. If the democratic party

can get all cylinders running in cooperation, it could become as progressive an era as any in our nation's history.

[shifting_sands]

5. Struggle not lost on some

Harold Ickes verbal explosion was a stunning wake up call for anyone who was watching as it signaled that the "guard" was changing in the Democratic Party, time is going to tell us if it was successful and if it was a positive direction. All those involved seem to think so except, understandably, the Clinton faction and perhaps the DLC.

I am surprised at the wide latitude of understanding Ms. Clinton is receiving, I don't ever remember that happening, even with Ted Kennedy when he lost to Jimmy Carter. I don't remember extraordinary efforts to make sure Kennedy's feelings weren't hurt or that he was happy with the process and he did behave rudely to Mr. Carter.

The Clinton's still wield a great deal of power behind the scenes, do you think they will work behind the scenes to undercut the Democrats possibilities of retaking the WH and perhaps the legislative branch?

This election is expected to be extremely vitriolic, and I can understand why, the GOP stands to lose more than the WH, and the DEMS will need all hands on deck I think, or as many as they can get.

Still a very excellent and informative article, thanks

[H2O Man]

8. A number of people

have raised the question that you ask here: is it possible that the Clintons will attempt to weaken or undercut the Obama campaign? The idea is that she may be looking towards 2012.

I do not think this is likely, for two reasons. First, Hillary Clinton must recognize that if McCain somehow did defeat Obama, a large group of democrats would attribute Obama's loss to Clinton's tactics, both during the primary and general election. While her supporters would deny that she was responsible, if Obama does lose, it will make it virtually impossible for Senator Clinton to win the democratic nomination in 2012.

More important, she will work hard for the ticket because she is a good democrat, and as such, recognizes that the well-being of millions of Americans depends on our winning in November. I am confident that she will use her talents to unite the party and help to make large gains in the Novemberelections.

[Lochloosa]

6. Thanks.

Democratic Party

Our duty as a party is not to our party alone, but
to the nation and, indeed, to all mankind. Our
duty is not merely the preservation of political
power but the preservation of peace and freedom.

John F. Kennedy, speech planed for Dallas Texas,
11-22-1960

[AuntPatsy]

10. As always, insightful and worth our time.

[Me.]

11. Dinos

I think a large reason HRC lost was due to outdated thinking, relying on postures and procedures from the past that are no longer relevant. The world has moved beyond the '92 playbook and business as usual. I saw Jay Rockefeller this morning talking about how the country was betrayed into war. When asked if there would be any type of criminal prosecution, he seemed surprised that such a thing would be expected. It was shocking. The old, 'yes they've caused great harm and committed illegal acts but it's over now so let's move on' type of thinking. So last century. Yet that thinking is what did the all powerful Clinton machine in and why she won't be veep. However, she is a smart resourceful woman who can do great things if she will push her ambition to the side.

As for the hyenas, that is a perfect description of them and the way they behave. And while that behavior is as natural to them as brushing teeth, at this point it's all they have left. They must be pulling their hyena fur out because of John McSame. I mean seriously. Some blogger described him on Tuesday night as reminding one of cottage cheese in lime jello salad.

[JuniperLea]

14. Yes, very old school

I'm surprised she didn't see that coming.

[H2O Man]

19. When there is heavy rain

in the northeast, the "last" news channel I get is Fox. (Yikes!) For about 40 minutes this morning, I had to endure their Mourning Show. The funniest part was when they attempted to present John McCain as being a disciple of Ronald Reagan -- if true, why did the conservative republican base have such a problem with poor John?

[Me.]

20. John, John, John

What on earth were you thinking? I understand your ego is bigger than *'s and everyone is afraid to tell you no. Where have we heard that before? That seems to be the story of the dinos on both sides. But just as others are going to have to make a serious psychological adjustment, you will too. My only concern about you is that you aren't going to make it to the finish line and at the last minute they'll switch you out for a better candidate than you. I see you walking from one spot to another having to grab onto something to steady yourself, how you need help getting up stairs. You can have all the Con doctors in the world saying you're in great shape, I don't believe it. And then there's that temper of yours. It's been described as more than anger and losing self control. You're done John and you haven't even started.

[PATRICK]

12. And frustration

very often makes one perform publicly worse than that person actually is. Most of the problem has been an impolitic expression of normal politics under great frustration that instead rubs adversaries as proof of their worst accusations which are political exaggerations. Emotions, bad political speech and equally frustrated ripostes. I think we can leave all that behind. Even the wing that Clinton led in the primaries, the old party leadership establishment, has moved behind Obama ahead of her. Her struggle luckily bypassed the possibility of a shrewd faction oriented rivalry continued past the actual nomination process and left factionalism itself leaderless, the Convention on track for unity.

Let us be thankful for that particular and timely result which Hillary can actually still build on for the good of all.

[H2O Man]

18. Right.

There were some behaviors that clearly can be attributed to their frustration at falling behind in the primary.

And you are correct that it is time to move beyond that, and concentrate efforts on the general election. We need to coordinate efforts on the presidency, congress, and state and local elections.

[AtomicKitten]

13. K&R

Thought-provoking and a tonic to frazzled nerves.

Thanks for that. :)

[bleever]

15. Is head of HHS actually a powerful position?

I'm curious as to whether she'd have more power to enact health care legislation as a senator.

[H2O Man]

16. That's an important question.

Of course, we can only speculate. There would be potential advantages and disadvantages in returning to the position as junior Senator from New York after this campaign. And, likewise, potential advantages and disadvantages of accepting a position that can be seen in general terms as a step down from the Senate. But politicians are often faced with decisions involving what they are most intent on accomplishing in their career, as well as answering a president's call to serve in a specific position.

In the end, only Hillary Clinton can make the decision what she is going to do in the future. But there are examples such as Al Gore who show that true power comes from the individual, even more than from a position.