Ok, I have made no attempts to hide my support for Hillary Clinton over the past year but even I can see that her odds are very long. Now many will start crying for her to step down and support Barack Obama at this point. In fact, there are already cries for this very thing. Now I’m no glutton for punishment but there are some very good reasons why this is a bad idea.
Reason #1 – Anything Can Happen In Politics
Just look at the recent news about the alleged affair and corruption that is threatening McCains bid for the presidency. Had Mitt Romney stayed in, and invested even more of his own money, he would have been in prime position to make a serious challenge for the nomination. As it stands he dropped out and should this kill the McCain campaign (I don’t think it will) Huckabee will look like a genius for staying in.
Now imagine what would happen should Clinton cede the nomination now, only to have something befall the Obama campaign. The Democrats would be left with no one standing. This is simply not a good position. Personally I think Obama has outstanding character so I’m not concerned about any shady dealings, but you never know what may happen.
Reason #2 – Winners Never Quit
Insert any other sports cliche you like but no one worthy of being president, and both Clinton and Obama are both worthy, should ever quit until the game is lost. Could you imagine a champion sports team ceding a game at halftime because the math says they can’t win? Hell no. Clinton is a champion and because of that she is going to fight to the final buzzer. Then should she be beaten she will concede that and throw her support behind Obama. To do anything less would be beneath her.
Reason #3 – Not Everyone has Voted
While the first two reasons are important, this is really the main reason. To cede the nomination at this point would be to take away the voice of every American who has yet to cast a ballot. While you may argue that the math says those ballots do not count, I will simply argue that all votes count no matter the outcome. The right to be able to cast your vote is a foundation of democracy and it would be a shame to take that from anyone. So no matter your opinion on Clinton’s character for this reason, if no other, she needs to stay in the race.
There you have it. My thoughts on why Clinton can not, and should not cede the nomination to Barack Obama. As everyone knows I have long supported her campaign and I still feel she would make the better president. Luckily as a Democrat I do not have to settle for our nominee should it work out to be Obama. Obama is an excellent choice for the next president for the United States and I can fully support his campaign with a clear conscience. I bet Republicans wish they could say the same.