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.
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2008-02-22 13:25:55
Thanks for the post.
I like both candidates a lot. For the first time since I can remember, the Dems have had several solid candidates to choose from (Edwards, Obama, and Clinton were all stellar in my book.) I voted for Obama (after Edwards dropped out), but it was only a slight tilt toward Obama. I believe each candidate brings something important to the table.
And, I agree with your reasoning 100%. The media and pundits should stop predicting what the odds are and telling us who should/shouldn’t stay in the race. The media all but signed Clinton’s death certificate after Iowa. And then a few days later, BAM, she swept NH. Let’s not forget that she won some pretty populous states. And I’d love to see the citizens of all 50 states get to cast their ballots. Choice is good. Having the MSM tell you what’s inevitable is bad.
2008-02-24 19:15:21
I agree, all she has to do is win Texas and Ohio and the media will be all about how she’s turned to tide and it’ll be even. It’s still way too close for her to drop out. I’m not a supporter of hers but this race has only made the dems stronger and will be a big help in the general election.
2008-04-07 01:33:38
I’ve been listening, for weeks now, to the talking heads saying that Hilary Clinton might as well pull out now. I certainly question their motives on this. I think she is still a strong candidate in the race against both Obama and McCain.
It would be convenient for the republicans to have her drop out and then come up with something that could ruin Obama before the election. For once, we dems need to sit back and let this whole primary shake out as it will. It’s not the time to weaken and pull out. I think it’s mainly republicans who are trying to convince us that Clinton’s a loser. They want to force her out and if we, as demomcrats, are the ones who do it for them, that’s so much the better for them. I do not think it will weaken the party for her to complete the race she started. Go Hilary!