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May 7, 2008
Posted: 01:28 PM ET

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Sen. Hillary Clinton at her Indiana Primary rally last night. Click the Play Button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say. (PHOTO CREDIT: AP PHOTO)

FROM CNN’s Jack Cafferty:

“The campaign may go on but the contest is now over: Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee for president.”

Democratic strategist Bob Shrum tells The New York Times that now the only decision left for Hillary Clinton is how she wants to end this.

New York Daily News columnist Michael Goodwin puts it this way: “Unless Obama falls off a cliff, or the Reverend Jeremiah Wright pushes him,” he will be the nominee. Another paper calls Clinton “toast.”

All this points to a pretty grim scenario for Hillary Clinton. Her 14-point loss to Obama in North Carolina coupled with one of the narrowest wins of the primary season in Indiana mean Obama woke up this morning with a larger lead in both pledged delegates and the popular vote.

Plus she’s out of money. In the past month, Clinton was forced to loan her campaign $6.4 million out of her own pocket.

Then there are the superdelegates, who could now start to move in larger numbers to Obama. Or even superdelegates who currently support Clinton and could switch to Obama. Finally, The New York Times suggests that senior Democrats who support Clinton – like Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell or New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine – could now ask her to consider quitting.

On all of this, Hillary Clinton is absolutely tone deaf. Last night she told supporters, “it’s full-speed on to the White House.” This is denial in full bloom.

Here’s my question to you: What will Hillary Clinton do now?

Interested to know which ones made it on air?

Emily from Swansboro, North Carolina writes:
Jack, The most telling thing to me was watching Bill and Chelsea as Hillary gave her “victory” speech last night. It was written all over their faces that she had lost the nomination. She needs to get out of the race, gracefully, now before she loses all credibility.

Cliff writes:
Fight on and on. Keep fighting until she completely embarrasses herself in front of the whole nation and the whole world. She has destroyed the Clinton brand among Democrats.

Deb from Pennsylvania writes:
Jack, Like putting an elderly relative into a home when they don’t want to go, but need to, the superdelegates need to do the right and responsible thing by announcing their support for Obama in large numbers. They need to do this now, as the Clintons can’t see that it’s time to go.

Debbie writes:
I hope she stays in the race because I am one of those Democrats who will not vote for Obama.

Vicki from Pensacola, Florida writes:
See a psychologist.

Kim from Dodge City, Kansas writes:
What Hillary will do now is whine and moan about Michigan and Florida because she can’t stand it when things don’t go her way. If that doesn’t work, she and Bill will twist the superdelegates’ arms until she gets her way. The DNC could put an end to this by sticking to their guns. This is the main reason people are wary of the Democratic Party. They can’t seem to follow through on anything or cooperate with each other.

Ken from Pinon Hills, California writes:
Go home and learn how to make cookies.

Travis from Los Angeles writes:
You heard her, Jack. It’s full speed on to the White House, where she’ll be part of history when she meets our first black president.

Filed under: Hillary Clinton


Mike Martin   May 7th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

Hillary should go and home and get some much needed botox on her left chick. After all she can afford it, who in the world have $11.4 million to lend to their campaign? An elitist!

Beartrack Truckee,CA   May 7th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

She will show her true colors and whine and cry and do what she can to further damage her party. What would you expect from a Clinton.

Isaac (Boston)   May 7th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

She’ll continue to run, continue being destructive, and continue to pray she can run against McCain in 4 years.

Vincent OBrien   May 7th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

The fat lady has sung Hillary. Its done, if you care anything for the party you will gracefully drop out and give your support to Sen. Obama

Djools from Amsterdam Holland   May 7th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

Her goal now is the vice-presidency. And when Obama wins in november her argument in 2011 will be: now it is time for a woman.

Ellen W. from Florida   May 7th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

We need a president who is not a quitter, is smart, experienced, and knows all the ins and outs, someone just like Hillary!!! Obama may be a good man but he is an unknown quantity and can have his time later, NOT NOW!!! Bush/Cheney has gotten us into too big a mess & McClain is nothing but a clone. NOW is NOT the time for a NOVICE!
GO HILLARY GO! Straight into OUR White House, Please!!!
Shame on McGovern & the others that are sissy-pants & quitters!!!!!

Sherryl   May 7th, 2008 1:36 pm ET

Hillary should continue. Remember when John McCain’s staff left and he was out of money? I will NOT vote for Obama…reasons…too much unknown and he has proven he is no different than any other politician. If he hasn’t listened to Rev. Wright’s sermons in the last 20 years, what makes you think he will listen to the American public if he becomes president. I hope Hillary is the Dem pick. If not, I will have to take a hard look at McCain (ugh!)

David,San Bernardino,CA.   May 7th, 2008 1:36 pm ET

Continue on! She is not going to quit. Hillary is going to show everyone that a woman can be tough and fight for what is her right to fight for. If men don’t like it,tough!

Cedric   May 7th, 2008 1:37 pm ET

I don’t know Jack. If history is any guidance, the more she’s cornered, the more she scours like a cat. Problem is, a cat has an irritating set of sharp nails, but not much punch.
-Cedric
Montreal, QC

Jenny   May 7th, 2008 1:37 pm ET

Jack,
I suppose it would be too much to ask Hillary to step aside gracefully and allow the inevidable to occur.

Jenny ROme GA

Jeremy, Williamsport Pennsylvania   May 7th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

Since she cannot mathematically win the nomination with these races she will tear a hole in the party over MI and FL.

I cannot believe that the Clinton’s don’t see what that will do.
A BLCK man wins the lead and then white people try to rewrite the rules and steal it from him even though they lost? Do they want to be responsible for Rodney King style riots? Have they lost their minds?

She talks about good judgement, what about the good judgement to end the primaries and bat for the team and not yourself?

Whatever she does next, she better think it through and try to take herself out of the equation and put America first.

Kel from Auburn AL   May 7th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

She’s going to keep competing, Jack. What else does she do?

She’ll keep slinging mud, kitchen sinks, and unfounded accusations at Obama, and keep arguing that she’s the better candidate because even though she has only won half as many contests, less of the popular vote, has less delegates, and is sitting on top of an evaporating superdelegate lead, that she’s somehow the “more electable candidate in the fall”.

It’s a good thing she doesn’t teach math.

Bill from Redding, CA   May 7th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

If Sen. Clinton is truly staying in to the finish I have to believe that “we ain’t seen nothing yet’. Even if there should be a “re-do” in Michigan and Florida, the numbers just don’t work. Since she has already thrown not only the kitchen sink, but the entire house, whatever is left to throw won’t be pretty, but the Clinton machine doesn’t seem to care about anything at this point other than themselves. Isn’t it time for Lou Dobbs to declare???

Simpliticus   May 7th, 2008 1:39 pm ET

Well, she can continue to pay herself to stay on! She can delude herself that she still has a chance. She can wax quixotic, if she likes. She can entertain thoughts of just beating out Obama at the finish line. She can imagine wrangling with backroom politicos about switching to her side. She can pretend that she is already in the Oval Office. She can do all of these things but what she will probably not do is to save the democratic party from a continued onslaught of personal intent, to anger party members, and not get out of the race! One can be amazed by her Don Quixote-style “to the very end” desires but the eventuality is staring her in the face! Delegate numbers do matter and Obama has the edge! As Russert attests, he has the nomination!

Linda in Va   May 7th, 2008 1:39 pm ET

Hillary will go on until there is a nomination. Exactly what she should do. I back Hillary! She would win the presidental election over McCain. She has experience that is needed in these trying times. It’s time for a woman president to take the helm into the future and bring us out of this unsuccessful Bush era. Give me a break, I support Hillary and the numbers don’t give Obama the nomination.

Jan Davis, Knoxville, TN   May 7th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

She will continue to slug it out because she cannot accept the fact that she cannot win the nomination. Everyone should be ready for more dirt being thrown and anything she can think up to sway the voters, like the gas tax holiday. I personally think she should consider joining the Republican Party with all her talk about “obliterating” Iraq–sounds just like the Republicans.

I’m for peace and hope and Barack Obama!

nancy   May 7th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

She should bow out gracefully.
The only reason Hilliary Clinton is staying in the race is because of her stubbornness and the fact that she can’t admit defeat. The facts are there ‘SHE CANNOT WIN’.
Also taking into account that she is strapped for cash, how can she expect to raise the kind of money she needs after last night’s results.

Can’t understand why there is a direct link to donate to Hilliary Clinton’s campaign on CNN.com ?????? although iIt has becaome apparent that most of CNN’s reporting of late favored Clinton.

Steve   May 7th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

What Hillary will do is a lot different than what she SHOULD do. While it is quickly becoming a mathematical absurdity that she will win the nomination fairly on pledged delegates, she will continue to push for the possibility of a superdelegate driven win whilst simultaneously downplaying the significance of these superdelegates overturning the outcome of the popular vote.

When the superdelegates flock away from her, she will then shift focus to stealing all of the delegates from Michigan and Florida under the delusion that 100% of the constituency in both of those states are crying for her nomination.

Samuel, West Virginia   May 7th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

What she needs to do is quit, she’s starting to tear the democratic party apart. Please Hillary do us all a favor and just go away.

Joan Buck   May 7th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

Clinton will move on. When more comes out on Obama she will win (& there is alot more folks).
Joan B
Chicago, Il

Ruby   May 7th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

We all know what she needs to do…..GET OUT!!! But we know what she’s going to do……try and destroy Barack before she gets out. She knows she can’t win, but she’s going to try and do everything in her power to make sure Barack doesn’t win in the general election. It’s a shame that someone can be so evil and malicious. Hillary’s true colors have come out, but some people are too colorblind to notice or even care.

Adam Mercer Oshawa, Ontario   May 7th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Jack,

At this point she is probably going to lend her campaign some more money and keep right on going. The fact that she is spending millions of her own money on a job that pays $400,000 a year should tell us how her mind works when it comes to monetary issues. Apparently the deficiency in mathematical ability also includes a problem with simple math, even is he only manages to convince a third of the remaining delagates that he is the man she loses, and the races have been way closer than that for him even when he loses. It was nice to see Senator McGovern make the first major move toward Obama, and Mrs. Clinton should prepare to see many more as the week progresses.

As an aside, Michigan and Florida do need to be resolved, but leaving the votes as they stand would be a bad move for the Democrats as he was not on the ballot in Michigan, and many democrats in both states stayed home thinking that the votes were beauty contests anyway.

Mike S., New Orleans, Louisiana   May 7th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Hillary Clinton has said she will continue to campaign, but she should at least make it clear she is doing so to keep the Democrat’s issues in the spotligyht and to include every voter in every state. If she continues to state that she will be the nominee, she is signaling to the world that she plans on derailing the Democrat’s choice by hook or by crook. Her rhetoric in the next few weeks will be very telling.

Rob From Illinois   May 7th, 2008 1:44 pm ET

Jack,

Hillary will do what she does best. Change the rules, change her “slogan”, tell the people that whatever their concerns are will in the state she is in as it will be her first agenda as President, and bash Obama to try to prove her point. This gas tax is a complete joke. As Obama said, here in Illinois, they had the gas tax holiday, and the prices did not drop, they stayed the same as the oil companies pocketed more profits.

stan   May 7th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

jack, if hillary had won as many contests as obama and won last nights primaries, people would have been yelling for obama to get out, with hillary i find a double standard in the press and media at large, its about time she stop thinking about her self and support obama and the democrats, she needs to please just drop out to save her legacy!

Wm Carson   May 7th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

Hello Jack,
Now that we’ve found out that Hillary has again loaned herself money…We also have discovered that she is a liar. After Pennsylvania we were told that she raised ten million overnight. Now we know that she loaned the money to herself to make it look like she had all this new money coming in. Like the song says “Oh, how I used to love her… but it’s all over now”

A faithful viewer

Stephany   May 7th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

Jack, you would think she got the hint last night that it was time to call it quicks. She told the media she’s staying in looks like until the convention. I never seen such denial. No true democrate act like that. Even Gore left with dignity even though the elections was stolen from him. And Bush is a good example of what happens when you fight too hard to win an election that wasn’t yours for the taking. Just look at the results of our economy. “God help us all.”

Peter Pan Fairview, Texas   May 7th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

Despite narrowly winning Indiana, and losing North Carolina, Senator Hillary Clinton did not fundamentally improve her chances of securing the Democratic presidential nomination. If anything, Mrs. Clinton’s hopes for overtaking Obama dwindled further. It hardly seems enough to sway uncommitted super delegates to rally around her. She is back to loaning herself almost 7 million dollars to continue her campaign so her money and supporters are drying up and fast.

Clinton would have to win close to 70 percent of the remaining pledged delegates and super delegates to win the nomination and that just isn’t going to happen. The best she can hope for is to raise enough funds in Virginia to pay herself back and to pull the ejection seat handles and yell mayday and bail out. Hopefully she won’t smack her head on the canopy on the way out.

Paul Columbia, SC   May 7th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

She will not go gracefully. She will keep running and continuing to say anything to get votes while falling further behind. There is no doubt that the Florida and Michigan “delegates” will be strenuously fought over despite the DNC “rules”. Hey Super Delegates. Get ready for romance. The farce is about to begin.

John   May 7th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

What will Clinton do now? That’s easy… Hillary will continue to campaign until it is beyond embarrassing. Then Hillary will pay herself back the loans she made to the campaign with significant interest. At that point she will convince (pay) some network (I think we all know which one) to host her early A.M. talk show. And of course write another book and make even more money all the while saying she was in the campaign for the “people”. But, WOW, the cash is nice too!

It would be far too easy for Clinton’s to just go away. But as we have experienced some stains just can’t be removed!

Elaine in Texas   May 7th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

Since she is still deluding herself into thinking she can convince the super delegates to back her, she will keep on going. Based on how the splits in primary races have gone, Clinton cannot even get enough super delegates to win if she got them all. The longer she stays, the more the party splits and she has done a really good job of splitting the party. But it is apparent, she won’t stop. She is like the Energizer Bunny. She just keeps going. No intelligence or reason to keep going. Yet she keeps going. For the sake of the democrats, I hope her battery runs down soon.

Rick Jeffrey   May 7th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

She should go ahead and drop out and give her undivided support to Obama. It make take a minute to realize he won it fair and square. Obama, for his part, must make sure he and his staff are gracious so as to not alienate the women and the people who appreciate what the Clinton’s have done for this country. I wonder what the Republican Party would do if people talked about Laura Bush or Nancy Regan the way some folks have talked about Hillary. She fought hard, very hard, but she lost. Lets all give her the respect she desrves and let the healing begin. We must not lose sight of the fact that it is going to take all democrats to beat the Republicans in november.
Rick in Henderson NV

J Davis   May 7th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

Jack, I am a white middle aged, middle class female and I am just so sick of hearing Hililary Clinton go on and on about the Michigan vote being valid. I live in Michigan and half of the people I have talked to did not bother to vote this primary since we were told it would not count, by our local party and our news. Guess who most of those people are now supporting, including myself - Senator Obama. He has a huge grass roots campaign going on here now that keeps growing every day and I don’t think Senator Clinton really wants that re vote. Our Democratic party and deciding members including our Governor have a lot to answer for in taking away our vote but for Hillary Clinton to attempt to paint it as Senator Obama’s fault is laughable. Almost as funny as trying to buy votes for a gas tax holiday that will never happen!

peter canada   May 7th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

sounds like a loser to me ! its about time

Kerry   May 7th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Last night she said (to my surprise) “no matter what happens (whether I win or Obama) I will support the nominee”. Obviously she does assume that she won’t be that person???? Kind of strange to say you will support your own candidacy…

Billy G in Las Vegas   May 7th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Hillary will “keep on keeping on” waiting for the Obama “implosion miracle” and continue to “dirty up” Obama so he will lose the general election to John McCain.

then she can run again in 2012 IF there is still a United States of America to run in after four more years of “President Bomb-Bomb’s” Bush style foreign and economic policies.

Art Milbuta   May 7th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Jack, I’m from Florida and will vote for the democrate in the fall, but I don’t think our votes should count until the second round if needed. The primaries are dangling the carrot in front of hillary and causing her to keep pulling the primary wagon one more mile… I’m supprised she’s not smart enough to know she’ll never get to the carrot which now makes me think that I’m not so sure I want her answering the phone at 3 AM.

Mike Nunn - Hot Springs, Ar.   May 7th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

There is no way to tell what she is going to do. There are a bunch of us out here very upset with the Stupid Dems. How they can continue to shoot themselves is beyond believe. There must be a death wish.

Zeena from Brooklyn, NY   May 7th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Hillary Clinton should run the race until the end of May. If she leaves in a bad note- that might turn to be bad for Obama in Fall. She needs to leave in a good note. That will benefit Obama plus that will benefit her own political career as well.

Paul, VA   May 7th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Jack,
sounds like she is D-E-R-A-N-G-E-D !
I am just wondering, If the roles had been REVERSED, the Clinton campaign and the MSM would be SCREAMING for Obama to GIVE UP !
Ah, what SWEET JUSTICE it is GOOD LORD, that You have WHACKED, WALLOPED and STRUCK DOWN the ARROGANT, P-H-O-N-Y Clintons, like the mighty waters of Niagra falls - - -
Amen!

jaffer   May 7th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Jack , the former first lady doest want to quit she believe she will be the best president but the voters don’t believe it.She said before smal state don’t matter now from nowhere she thinks they count.

Matt Callaway in Omaha, NE   May 7th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

She’ll rush out to by a conductor’s hat and overalls because she’s invited us all to come play on her imaginary “train to the White House.” Sounds like fun - you in Jack?

D.J.Lauter   May 7th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Hillary claims that she is on the road to the White House. Does that mean that she is planning to visit Obama?
She needs to gather up her husband and daughter and act like a real family…….starting with cooking classes.
DJ
California

Caroline   May 7th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

She will keep going and going.If the Democrats lose it will be her fault,she does not seem to care About us working class people it’s all about her SELF!.We need her to quit so we the people will have a chance to win and take back the White House and end this WAR! I could keep going and going but I think everyone see’s her selfishness she would say and do anything to win.

Keri - Sarasota Fl   May 7th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

What Hillary will do now is continue to fight a losing battle.
Spend money she doesn’t have, talk about things she won’t change.

Hillary please stop your embarrassing yourself, you are in complete denial ……………. AGAIN.

Step down gracefully and support Obama for the good of the democratic party that you say you love so much. Please !

Jake   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

She will keep pushing because she only cares about herself and not the democratic party. She will push the MI and FL delegates to be counted even though she agreed they wouldn’t at first. If she has any dignity or care for the people of this country, she will bow out gracefully and support the candidate whom the majority of Democrats in America have voted for - and that candidate is Barack Obama.

-Jake, NJ

Tom in CA   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

Hillary’s campaign will carry on to the convention. She doesn’t have to worry about her campaign funds drying up because all she has to do is loan herself $5,000,000 here, $425,000 there and whatever else it will take her to be competitive in the remaining primaries. Aw…the smell of a blue collar worker

Or…she could put the party before her own ambitions and graciously fade into the background. She could start hitting the Republicans with a barrage of negative ads.

Unfortunately, her handlers won’t happen let this. She wants to be president no matter what the cost…as in dollars and negativism.

Raj, Toronto   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

She will continue as I expect, but will she raise money in order to compete? No. Will the American public pick up on her empty promises and populist posturing, no. Will she get votes and win contests, yes. Will she win the popular vote, super delegate vote, pledge delegate vote, total delegate count, no. Will her supports move towards Obama, yes.

rj   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

obama gained four superdelgates today! ya!!!

Darth Vadik   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

She will stubbornly stay in.
She’s not in it for the goodness of the Democrats and the US, she’s in it for the distance and the irritation.
The Clinton family has lost a lot because of her, she thinks she’s hurting Obama, but in the end she only hurts herself.

Kerry   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

It’s time to move on. The difference in speeches last night was incredible. She seemed like she didn’t want to be there. He was full of energy, enthusiasm, integrity, and vision. It’s not a contest anymore. Time for Hillary to say good night, and good luck.

Kerry
Toronto, Canada

Azar   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

It is over. She should exit gracefully for the good of her party.

sarah, Indiana   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

i hope she stays in. obama groupies keep blabbering about how she should get out, but they dont want to allow the voters of FL or Mich to have their say. i say to the obama zealots, stop trying to appoint this guy as the nominee, and let the voters have their say!

Greg, NY   May 7th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

What will Hillary do now? Forget what she does now, she’ll still be campaigning when President Obama is sworn into office in January.

Valerie from Middletown Connecticut   May 7th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

Jack, I would like to see Hillary be gracious and concede. However as your article states, she is in denial, therfore, she will continue on.
My question is to Hillary, ” Why?”

Oracle99 in Boston   May 7th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

What will she do? Or what should she do? What she will probably do is stay like a guest that has worn out their welcome. What she should do is show some class and bow out, for the good of the Democratic party

LT for Obama   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Although all indicators say she should bow out gracefully, the inevitable truth is that she said last night she is going the distance and from what her campaign is saying, the see the light at the end of the tunnel. Problem is that the light does not shine for her.

jim   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Jack, it is obvious that Hillary will continue her campaign. The burden now rests squarely with the party leaders, many of whom are super delegates. It is time for them to lead the party. Maybe that is why they are called “party leaders”? They need to show some backbone and commit themselves. Do they truly believe that they need to wait until Montana votes before they make up their mind?

Milton   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Hillary Clinton, asked who will we hire for the job of president? She is a 60 year old woman with a solid history in American Politics. However, she is not what we really want. She knows how to bamboozle the populous in gas breaks. She can’t be trusted. She will say anything, do anything and try to make the populous belive her. We all fell for sniper fire that she dismissed once the truth was told. She said Mr. Obama, has no electability. Mr. Obama is 46, and he is the candidate that the future of this country can share some idenity. He is winning and is electable over Mr. McCain. We the people don’t need another political dynasty ruling on the Potamac. Hilliary needs to go back to Arkansas, Indiana, Pennsylvannia, New York, or whereever she claimes as her roots and settle down prepare for her retirement just like all other 60 year old Americans that have given their all. Her job is done.

John Karsten, Virginia Beach, VA   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Jack,
What will Clinton do now?

QUIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Esther   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

someone please tell her ENOUGH ALREADY get out of the race. It’s time to put her Ego and her life long ambition to be president at rest and let the party move towards uniting and get ready for GOP

Craig from Bastrop,TX   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Jack,

Senator Clinton will continue to borrow money from her husband to fund a desperate stumble toward an inevitable loss. It’s really sad to witness the unraveling of the Clinton legacy. But as an Obama supporter, I hope his campaign doesn’t agree to repay her debts. Something about my contributions financing her next phase of Democratic Party destruction would be insult to injury.

Craig
Bastrop,TX

Earl Osborne   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Who really cares?? Perhaps her family and closest friends. It is embarrassing to see a former first lady and second term senator engage in such blatant political pandering with the gas tax holiday proposal, ( not even an original idea )and act in such a dishonest and unsportsmanlike fashion with reference to previously agreed on rules. It really leaves one disillusioned about the state of politics in the US. Kudos to r any one who is attempting to bring change to this chaos.

Janet WV   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Jack, You gotta know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em. Few would doubt the Clinton may go on, because reality is often a bitter pill to swallow, but swallowing a little pill now is easier than swallowing the monster pill she’s gonna have to swallow later.

Scot - Fairfield, CA   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Hillary will stay in the race and try to destroy Barack. It’s in her blood, she can’t help herself, and it’s now become her mission in life. In her speech last night, you could tell that she just wanted to “rip him one”.

If she wants to come close to the White House [the vice-presidency], she needs to cool it. If the situation was reversed, she would be calling for Obama to drop out already. It’s the Democrats never ending nightmare that you can’t wake up from.

Dwight   May 7th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Clinton will continue to try to steal the nomination by insisting that the Michigan and Florida primaries were ‘legitimate’ even though she agreed beforehand that they would not count. She will continue to argue that the will of the people should be ignored and try to get the super-delegate elite to support her instead. She does not care about the people or the Democratic Party. She only cares about extending the Clinton dynasty.

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Paul, Riverside, CA   May 7th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Hillary needs to drop out. The democratic party needs to gather around Barack Obama. For Hillary, this is a huge blow to her ego. At this point last year she had the nomination in her grasp, but since february that idea has become a distant memory. If Hillary stays in, it will only ruin her reputation; she needs to heal the wounds she has created. For her, it would be very noble to bow out and rally support for Obama.

george   May 7th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

sen, Clinton should drop out of the race with respect now or it will turn disgrace later

Dan (TX)   May 7th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Clintonian doctrine decrees that Hillary won’t concede the nomination until the last lawsuit is settled.

After all, in her mind she has “earned” the right to be the first female president - what’s wrong with all of you voters?

Get ready for some “superdelegate-sized” tears and appeals for money in order to continue her “fight” for the White House.

Boo Hoo! It’s not fair - I’m not supposed to come in 2nd place! (Does that mean I don’t get the nomination?) :)

Sandra   May 7th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Jack,

Hillary needs to pack up her mables, be gracious and share them with Obama so together they can win the game against their opponent on the other side of the street.

carlo, baker louisiana   May 7th, 2008 1:57 pm ET

What Hillary SHOULD do is bow out gracefully and look and act like someone who isn’t on Risperdal in perpetuity.

What Hillary WILL do is continue to beg for money to pay off her debts, race bait, spin, and send the hounds from hell Carville and Lanni Davis to do her bidding, and run a scorched earth campaign all the way to Obama’s inauguration.

Sue Denim   May 7th, 2008 1:57 pm ET

Someone is driving a an old car. The gas needle is on E, but they ignore it. Minutes later, the gas light comes on, but they put tape over the light and smash the gas pedal. Minutes later, the car’s engine explodes, and engulfs everything in flames. The fibers, the gears, the transmission; everything is in flames and the driver will surely die if she stays in the vehicle. Instead of getting out, she keeps her foot firmly planted on the gas pedal.

This is the Clinton campaign. She is basically Mike Huckabee to the media at this point. It was mathematically impossible for her to win after Wisconsin, but her last name is Clinton, so she did not get out then, she will not get out now, and she will probably try to take the mic when Obama walks on stage to accept the nomination.

She’s a fighter.

Lisa from Tucson, AZ   May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

She will stay in and continue to divide the party so that Obama can’t win in Nov and that way she can run against McCain in 2012.

Renee St.Louis   May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

This lady keeps on saying I am going to the White House to do what take a walk around the Rose Garden with Michelle and the kids.

Hllary face it your last day in the White House was in JAn. of 2000

Lorna, NY   May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

Jack, I think she needs to see a doctor. This is just a power hungry wounded person who wants to take the party down with her. I hope the super delegates all come out for Obama and send he on her way….She is crazy!

Veteran For Obama   May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

This lady is very delusional. It reminds me of when Hitler was moving phantom division across a huge map while the Russians were knocking on his bunker door.

Mike   May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

She starts campaigning for 2012.

Indiana voter   May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

she will continue to pull down the democratic party. she will be campaigning when barack and machelle and their lovely two daughters move in to the white house.
maybe she could be mcsames running mate?
mcsame and hilary could join up as doubles and maybe between the two of them they could manage to get enough money to pay back there loans,

Blake   May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

Jack,

I do not presume to know what is going on in Hillary’s mind right now. I can tell you what I hope she will do. I hope she will continue to run until the last vote is in on June 3rd with a message of commonality between herself and Senator Obama. Speaking a message of unification but still giving people a choice between them to preserve voter’s emotions. Finishing with an honorable run out of the rest of the contests conceding to Senator Obama by June 15th. She could bring an olive branch to a Democratic party that cries out with a common voice. Win in November!

Kindest Regards,
Blake Crosley

Rosalynd Florida   May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

I am convinced Clinton is evil! She just held a news conference where she willingly accepted the racial divide in this primary election and indicated that she would be able to get back the black vote in the general election but Obama would not be able to get the white blue collar vote. Is this woman smoking something? Blacks are not that loyal to the Dems and neither are the Independents, Youth, and Educated supporting Obama. Someone better stop this woman’s scorched earth policy. She is destroying the Democratics bit by bit.

Noel   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Senator McGovern of South Dakota, former presidential candidate should certainly know first hand the signs of a lossing campaign, so Hillary should listen, but she is too egoistical and in too much denial that she will stay to the end and twist all the super delegates arms that get near her. What a disgrace! She could have held her head high and gone on to be governor of NY.

from Iowa, but lived in SD for over 20 years

Camille   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Last night, by the end of her speech last night I was feeling rather solomn. I was happy Obama regained his momentum, but at the same time I thought she fought a good fight and represented that women have come a long way in this country. Today, I believe she is teetering on a nervous breakdown. This has gone from spin to bizarre.

John   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

She should try to get the Vice-Presidential slot…or she could also be Secretary of State (a cool job in these times) or maybe Attorney General-

Or she could sit back and enjoy her 109 million dollars she has in her bank account. She won’t have to pretend to be an ordinary person anymore and hang out in small-town diners eating greasy food.

Chris   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Hillary reasoning is increasingly sounding like late-Huckabee reasoning.

Margaret Lindsey   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

I can only hope she does concede. As it stands now, all she can do if she stays in is hurt the Democratic Party, Obama, and every supporter of herself and Obama. It is very sad to watch anyone behave in such a desperate, selfish, and destructive way.

Marg
Madison, WI

Michelle Zeman   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

What she should do is either drop out or stay in but stop the negative attacks and not ask anyone to donate more of their hard earned money to her lost cause. If she hopes to maintain any respect in the party, she should bow out gracefully and support Obama fully. Will she do that? When the cow flies over the moon.

Michelle Zeman
Medford, NY

Deanna, Katy Texas   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

I would hope that she would run the rest of this race, try to raise money to pay herself back, and not do any more damage to the nominee. She and Bill know politics and they know it is over but she has to be able to finish with what dignity she feels she has left….that and as much money as she can raise to pay herself back. I mean this Hillary we are talking about.

Jason, KY   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

After losing two primaries in a row you would think she would get the picture. Guam and NC

Josh   May 7th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Hopefully she will try to be Vice President to Obama and give him good, sound advice when it comes to foreign policy matters. If she doesn’t, hopefully she will tell her supporters to support Obama and do anything to keep senile, old, John McCain away from the White House.

Jake, South Bend, Indiana   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

What is with this urgency? Just relax. If she is to get out, I believe she will and will do so gracefully. However, she has earned the right to stay in the race. She has brought the Health Care debate front and center. She has also permanently changed the landscape for women in presidential politics and I think that is an extraordinary achievement. She is a historic candidate and lets just show her some respect for a change.

Daud Mazhar Toronto Canada   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Jack, I only wish that one could say that Hillary would ” ride off into the sunset “, but that aint gonna happen. The Clinton’s are great admirers of Royalty and consider themselves no less ( talk of Grandeur ), and how many time in history has a monarch walked away from his throne ? Besides, there is the mean,selfish and vengeful streak of the Clinton family which will dictate to them to ruin the chances of Obama to win against McCain. Guess what though, he he will still beat the Republican nominee hands down, Clinton’s sniping included in the obstacles.

Gina - Lancaster, PA   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

I think Hillary will keep campaigning through West Virginia and Kentucky, which are tailor-made for her to win.

She will then wait it out until decisions are made regarding Michigan & Florida on 5/31/08.

Depending on the results of that, she will either cry foul and say Obama “cheated” by not counting those votes, or else move the goal posts again to try to get the outcome she wants.

I hope my prediction is not true, and she bows out gracefully and unites behind the democratic party rather than herself. This ridiculous talk about voting for McCain if the other one gets the nomination is not getting us anywhere.

Paulette Richard, West Palm Beach   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Jack, it’s one thing to be ambitious and aggressive. It’s a whole other thing to act like a 2yr. old — “Mine, mine, mine!” A vote for Hillary is a vote for a tantrum-throwing, object-snatching, spoiled little brat. I still don’t understand why the democrats don’t end this. They can’t possibly want this “hysterical woman” at the reigns. She doesn’t know when to quit. That’s a dangerous character flaw for a President. She’s willing to hold an entire nation back to get what she wants.

Michelle, Baltimore   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

I think that she will bow out after Kentucky. She has already committed to staying in at least until that point last night.

As an Obama supporter, for the first time since this race began I actually felt bad for her. You could see the anguish on Bill and Chelsea’s face. The Clinton’s have been such a dynamic family within the party that I think we owe her alot of respect.

It troubles me to think that half of Hillary Clinton supporters will not vote for Senator Obama. True Democrats should do what is best for the party. Think of what John McCain represents and then think about what is in your best interest. I say let’s stop the bickering and unite as Democrats.

…also alot of pundits are wondering why AA are not supporting Senator Clinton. It’s not racial the fact is she has not courted our votes. When her husband ran for president he came into the Black communities and sat in our churches. He earned our vote. I wish she had done the same, with the Clinton name alone she could have done much better. Most in the AA community benefited tremendously during his presidency. I wish her the best of luck in the upcoming contest.

Finally, I think that Senator Obama should seriously consider choosing a female vice-president. I don’t think that it will be Senator Clinton, but an AA and a woman would still make for a “dream ticket”. DEMOCRATS UNITE AGAINST JOHN MCCAIN.

****please post****

Apps, CT   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

It is a mystery why a person of Hillary’s stature would like to make a caricature of herself. While her resilience is her strength but excess of most things is bad. At this point she is looking more stubborn than resilient. Hillary should exit but she will not as she continues to march on (to her exit).
Congratulations to Obama on becoming the Nominee even if Hillary does not want to acknowledge it!

Zim   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Hi Jack,

What she can do is come up with a new strategy, a new issue about Obama not winning his own household. What else is she waiting for to get out of the race jack? May be a call from Monica will finally wake her up.
I’m Zim from Garwood, Nj. Thanks Jack for doing what you do.

Tammy   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Obama won’t be sworn into office because Democrats such as myself will not vote for him. It’s either vote for McCain or a No-Vote!
Tammy
Durham, NC

rd dallas   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

To predict Hillary’s response one only needs to recognize 2 things- First. She is a pathological politician.
Second. She has allowed her politcal ambitions to cloud her view of reality and truth.
With these in mind, she will stay in the race until she is dragged kicking and screaming out of it.

Obie   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Maybe she should go back to do dodgin sniper fire with Bill and Chelsea..oh sweet justice!!

Andrew J.   May 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Come on Hillary, IT’S TIME TO QUIT. For the good of the party, Hillary owes it to us to let Obama catch his breath before the general election. She is delaying the inevitable, and burning bridges with democratic supporters along the way (myself included!!!). If she really wanted what was best for the party, she would bow out gracefully…

Los Angeles, CA

Camille   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

sarah, Indiana…pay attention. It has already been determined that even if they count in Florida AND Michigan, Obama will retain about a 100 delegate lead. Her own campaign acknowledged this fact today. That is no longer a valid argument.

Pam Harvey   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Mr Cafferty as a voter who supported Bill Clinto, as a white 66year old female, I am deeply troubled by the delusion and disconnect I am seeing in Senator Clinton’s behavior. Surely if the Clintons truely care about our party and defeating Senator McCain. She should throw her support behind Senator Obama and end the very troubling Parallel Universe behavior. A very concerned voter from Carlsbad California. Thank You for your excellent ongoing discussion.

John, Los Angeles   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

I don’t think Hillary really believes she has a solid chance now to win, however she is a part of history and may feel a sense of obligation to women, not the Democratic Party or what’s best for it, to see her campaign through to the end.

I think she is looking at her legacy and the impact she has made for the women’s movement. Bill doesn’t like to lose, but at the the way he hugged her at the end of her victory speech in IN seemed more consoling than congratulatory.

Charlotte   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Jack, this ought to make you behave like the SNL reporters. Obama Lovers Unite. Your going to need it in the General Election. I hope your bias reporting makes you happy. I am a Reagan Democrat who will never vote for the ultra-liberal Obama.
Charlotte
Clovis, Ca.

Samantha Horton   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Hillary will do exactly what she has done for the past 15 months, she’ll keep ignoring the voice of the majority of Americans and keep campaigning. She won’t listen to McGovern, she won’t listen to the economists and she certainly won’t listen to us! There is a difference between being a fighter and being downright stubborn. We don’t need another stubborn person in the White House.

Krista, San Diego, CA   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Jack, I believe Hillary will fabricate yet another scenario to try to seed questionability of Barack. Through all of the storm, Obama has maintained his dignity and only defended himself without resorting to the destructive tactics the Clintons have used. He is the ONLY candidate thus far who has acted presidential. He is the ONLY candidate who can be trusted.

Hillary should quit, but I REEALY don’t see that happening.

Dave P.   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Jack,

Hillary wants to be president. She will now begin to try and destroy Obama and what is left of the Democratic Party so that it will be next to impossible for Obama to win in the fall. She will then be able to “come to our rescue” in 2012 and save us all. Her delusions are growing as her support (and bank account) shrinks.

Dave P.
Iowa City, Iowa

Sean, Atlanta, GA   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Jack - what she should do is gracefully back out…what its looking like she will do is run up her campaign debt, forcing Obama to pay it off for her as apart of a deal of her getting out - thus putting a dent in his funds for the General Election….and furthermore, adding to the theory that she’s on a mission to make him unelectable in order for her to run again in 2012…

Alyssa nogaski   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Well hillary being as hard headed as her husband will most like stay in the race and hurt the party further. This just goes to show her real motive for being in this race was never for the interest of people, but for personal historic reasons. DROP OUT

Erin   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Clinton believes she can still pull a rabbit out of the hat and unfortunately the ambiguity of the super-delegates and her lead in many of the remaining primaries allow this as a possibitly–however unlikely it may be.

The question her advisory team really needs to ask is “at what cost?”.

The animosity towards her (and there’s plenty of it) will only intensify and the republicans will laugh all the way to the white house.

John   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Jack,

I think Hillary will respectfully drop out. The real question is when. If she decides to continue until the end of all the contests, I hope that she stays positive. The message right now needs to be on unity, and defeating John McCain in November.

My only concern is that she keeps going, and decides to keep fighting to seat the MI and FL delegates, dividing the party even more.

Angus McDugan   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

I’m telling you… She knows she is out, but the Dem strategy is for her to stay in as long as possible. This will allow the Dems to discuss all of Obama’s issues in house until they are old news. At that point the issues impact during the general election will be minimized.

Justin (New York, NY)   May 7th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Jack,

If she’s smart, she’ll resign her candidacy after her win in West Virginia by thanking the West Virginians for their support, but realizing this is an uphill battle she can’t win. The rest of this week will be subdued, without the usual negative campaigning and attacks from her side, while Obama focuses on his bigger issues: Picking a Vice Presidential candidate, and showing the rest of the country why he should be the president over McCain. If Hillary wants to keep her reputation intact, she simply CAN’T go on bashing Obama when he is obviously going to be the nominee. Not only would this destroy the Clinton brand (something she should be very concerned about already) irreparably, but should Obama lose, she may become the scapegoat, which could cost her a reelection into the Senate or her coveted Governors spot. She has to hope Obama will consider her for VP, if she’s even interested. Its possible the Clinton ego is too large to be second to anyone - hence why she continued campaigning after it was apparent she’d lost anyway. The Clintons still believe she is “more electable”, despite the fact that her own party didnt’ even elect her. As democrats, we can only hope she takes her head out of the clouds and comes back down to Earth - for the good of the country and the rest of the world!

Ray   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Say this:

“I fought a hard battle. I threw everything I had at Sen Obama. Unfortunately I came up short. But this is not a loss for the Democratic Party or America. Both Sen Obama and I are worlds better candidates than Sen McCain. So I urge all my supporters to give Sen Obama their full support. He is an honest and decent man who the voters have chosen to carry our banner. I understand that you, my supporters, wanted me to win. Please understand this is not about Hillary Clinton. It is not personal. No one who supported my vision can in good conscience vote for John McCain for ANY reason. If you support me, then heed my call to work as tirelessly for Sen Obama’s general election campaign as I will. Take time to rest from the exhausting primary campaign, and put any resentments aside. We are all Democrats, we are all Americans, and none of us can afford for John McCain to be in the White House come January.

Billie Harger   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Jack - She should stay in and fight all the way to the convention floor. Because she has the experience, strength and hope to be our President. For example, Sen. Obama has the same people in his corner that George McGovern had in his in 1972 - African Americans, college students, and ulta liberal democrats. We know what happened to the democratic party in that election when they made him the nominee - the crook Richard Nixon won a 2nd term with a landslide, even when we knew about the Watergate break-in. Wake up Democrats & Super Delegates! When you hand this to His Majesty Obama, you might as well cast your vote for McCain in November!
Billie
Saugus CA

AJ in Illinois   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Jack,

Hillary will stay in the race until May 20th. She is expected to win West Virginia and Kentucky so her campaign will revel in those wins, but the money will dry up as more big donors leave her campaign. Also undeclared superdelegates will filter to Obama a lot more with Hillary only securing a few die-hard Clinton undeclared superdelegates. Especially if Obama wins Oregon by double-digits, Hillary will end her presidential campaign between May 20th and May 31st.

Johnson E.   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

The only option Hillary has right now is to hang-on until Mike Huckabee tells her the right time to go.

Forest N.C   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

It would be nice if she would drop out of the race today, but if she doesn’t
the remaining superdelegates need to endorse Obama and force her out of the race by the end of the week.

Rebecca   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Hillary will continue to campaign and when Michigan and Florida are seated, there will be a big lawsuit from the Obama Campaign. Those of us with any age on us know that you can’t put someone in the white house with no experience just because the speech for change has caught on. The Obama supporters seem spiteful if Hillary wins anything or the media reports something good on her. At this point there is no good of the party. The comments on here from the Obama supporters are nasty, immature, and downright mean.

Dennis - Mpls, MN   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Jack - Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. HRC will continue on to every other State, expecting to win, but by now I think we all know that she’s TOAST.

Pat in Cali   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Rev. Wright is a longtime support of the Clintons. Why is Hillary not being vilified over that association? Bill would not be my husband, just like Rev. Wright would not be her pastor (but he was their spiritual adviser during the Monica scandal).

How many Catholics are still Catholic after finding out that their priests have been molesting theirs sons? How many have left their churches over incidents like that? We don’t leave our church families over not agreeing with pastors.

Jim Whiton   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Her chances of being the nominee is “TOAST” She should bow down graciously and unify the Democratic party against McCain rightaway.

Jim
Vancouver, Canada

Jerry, West Palm Beach   May 7th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Jack., . . . its anybody’s guess what she will do now. But the
Craker Jack man. . . Oops, I mean Lanny Davis, is going to throw a
full hissyfit if Hillary isn’t handed the nomination according to his
brilliant(wink wink) and undisputable calculations.

Deanna, Katy Texas   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Obama supporters not wanting to count FL & MI? LOL Your joking right? Obama supporters want the people who made the decision to come up with a fair split. YOUR candidate and her head money man agreed to not count them. Don’t bother trying to make it look like Obama is now the problem LOL

Cory in Little Rock, AR   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

I am really curious as to why HRC is continuing with this race. She must know that the SDs will not overturn the will of the voters even if it would gaurantee a victory in NOV… They still have to worry about the lifespan of the Dem party, which would become like the green party once all the people who voted for the REAL winner create a party that actullay follows the will of the people.

HRC should be positioning herself for a position in the administration.

HRC supporters. Recognize that both sides were kinda of negative when dealing with each other. If you think it was dirty between BHO and HRC, just imagine what McCain would have done to your candidate! What exactly do HRC and McCain have in common… other than the obvious.

Just think of the POLICIES he would implement if you switch your vote from the Dems!

Marc in DeKalb, IL   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

What will she do? What she has for the last couple of months… pretend she has a chance, continue to do the Republican’s work for them, and cry out against “media bias” and unfair voting blocs.

What should she do? Bow out. She should have done so after Texas.

Debbie   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

I hope she stays in the race because I am one of those Democrats who will not vote for Obama.

Charles Nilston   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

I think what she sould do is to run the remaining campaign without negative attacks,admit that she made a mistake supporting the gas relief program,and concentrate on fighting John Mccain instead of her family member Senator Obama.She will win Kentucky and west virginia,that’s certain.

Janet , Bluefield, WV   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Well, you know honey, us folks here in West Virginia think that you gotta know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em. We know that she may win here but we have only 28 delegates which ain’t gonna change the card game a bit. Right now she needs to maybe face reality, which is that the fat lady is on the second verse–as far as we know!

Hugh   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Continue on …. With each passing week, we see why Obama is a failed candidate–little experience, no Washington infrastructure leverage, no international leverage and a man of small energy [needs a Bush vacation in the middle of his campaign] and a knack for throwing people under the bus — Rev. Wright and his mother … Wow what a candidate!

Steven-Ohio   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Jack, the question is: what will Hillary do now. It should have been: what should Hillary do now. What she will do is continue her nonsensical race while tearing apart the party. She’ll continue to cause a rift and pull a N.Hampshire cry if she doesn’t get Florida’s and Michigan’s delegates.

What she should do is bow out gracefully. If she won’t listen to common wisdom, won’t listen to economists, didn’t listen to the populist until it was too late when she finally changed her message, then how can we expect her to listen to us if she would be elected president. She is in a word “un presidential.”

Brian from Fort Mill, S.C.   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Jack, I think she should stay in the race.

She should continue to borrow money from herself, her husband, Chelsea, and every last one of her supporters that haven’t maxed out their campaign contribution limits.

And she should spend that money on more attack ads against Barack Obama, so she can win a few more states. In fact, I hope she wins Puerto Rico.

Then, when she’s hocked all of her jewelry and pantsuits, and Bill has just enough money left to buy himself a Big Mac and fries, Barack Obama will win the nomination, with money to spare. And then he can teach her how to apply for food stamps, because she’s going to need them!

Bill Naquin   May 7th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

It is very nearly too late for Hillary to bow out gracefully. Though I am an Obama supporter I wish her well. I’d like to see her remain respected and relevant, but to remain so she needs to concede quickly and then launch a spirited campaign to repair the damage she has done to the nominee and the party’s prospects in November. And she has to look like she means it. Also, her end game must not include any designs on the Vice Presidency. Such an ill starred venture would go over like a two headed donkey and hopelessly muddle the Obama Presidency.

Jay in Houston   May 7th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Jack, I presume her goal over the next month would be to raise enough money to pay back her loans to the campaign. Losing is bad enough, but ending the primary in debt would be unbearable for the Clintons.

Belle Stilwill   May 7th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Jack,

Give Clinton her due.

Battleground States: Clinton has won 10 over Obama’s 7 with only West Virgina and Oregon left to vote, final tally will be 11 over Obama’s 8.

Traditional Blue states: Clinton has WON every one needed for the general election win!

Obama…he has won 13 Republican States that will NOT turn in November….why…the caucas states compare the Democratic turn out vs. the Republican turn out. Republicans came out 3 times the amount!

You have Pelosi saying there will be no joint ticket. These type of “Bitter” contests resulted in Republic wins with ONE exception. John F Kennedy nominated a man he did not like, Lyndon B. Johnson as VP.

If Obama were a true uniter…he would follow in JFK’s footsteps. Instead, he is happy with splitting the party…and calling Hillary supporters, untruthful, uneducated, dishonest, not to be trusted, willing to do or say anything….Now THAT is calling the kettle black.

Mary   May 7th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

I may be a long time Obama supporter but I have also thought for a long time that there is a very important position in the Democratic party for Hillary Clinton - Majority Leader in the Senate. I strongly believe with a President Obama, Majority Leader Clinton, and Speaker Pelosi we would finally see changes happening in Washington.

Rob, Cincinnati Ohio   May 7th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Well, she should start by thanking her lucky stars that there is not a large population of black voters in West Virginia. Lord knows we could just go ahead and put all those votes in Obama’s column before the first ballot is cast. But its not about race. Its a vote thing.

Jack Chiappini   May 7th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

I wonder what else the American people need, to see the real Obama. None of the candidates are any good anyway but if we are going with the lesser of evils, then Obama is the worst : no experience to start with, and ties to America haters. For me that does it. He can say whatever he wants about his mind poisoner friend Wright. I can’t listen to Wright 5 minutes let alone 20 years…..unless I agree with and enjoy his rethoric. Obama is a liar and is full of wind. Plus he and his wife have evolved among black extremists all their life. So, as white male, proud of this country, I will vote Democrat only if Hillary is the nominee. Otherwise McCain gets my vote. I hope the Democratic party leaders open their eyes and ears and have the guts to admit that Obama is less electable than Hillary. They probably will not dare to “offend” the blacks by still electing Hillary as nominee, despite Obama’s wins, that is why the next president will be Republican. McCain will have it easy since Obama’s wins are Republican states anyway…. and super easy if he takes Romney as VP.

Canadian bacon   May 7th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

In over 50 years of watching and listening to politicians of all political stripes, i have to admit, Hillary Clinton truly scares me. Blinded by her quest for power, she has re written the book of dirty politics. Now she has turned a deaf ear to the party elders, who are giving her sage advice, to drop out for the good of the party.Perhaps she is bent on self destruction, and that of her opponent, and her party.Her strategists are just as blind, for letting her persist in her futility, or perhaps she is being also deaf to their counsel. Scary lady, with possibly catastrophic consequences for the country, if she somehow were to be elected president.

Efemena, IL   May 7th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Well hillary will be hard headed and stay in the race. She will try to fulfil her personal goals of winning the presidency. I think it is a shame she cant see she has lost

Anil Jacob   May 7th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Why is Hillary wasting the money of the small doner’s during this economic downturn. If she believes in helping the people who are affected by the economic downturn I think she should give back any donations less that $500 to its doner starting today and should drop out of the race. That will be a good first step, to show she is just not pandering but is practicing what she is preaching.

Erik   May 7th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Senator Clinton has fewer delegates, has won fewer states, and is behind in the popular vote. Her campaign is in debt. A convention fight will damage the Democratic Party’s ability to win the voters’ confidence. She should withdraw from the race, or an honorable has-been, originally put forth by the GOP to bear their standard through an obviously inevitable loss, might actually occupy the White House. “Supreme Court Justice Hillary Clinton” would be a decent consolation prize, right?

Alice in Fort Myers, Florida   May 7th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Hillary will continue to run until she is forced out, at which point I will start proudly calling myself a Democrat for McCain and start contributing to his campaign until I reach the max just like I did for Hillary, and I will vote for McCain in November. NOTHING will change my mind. I don’t care if Barack starts to walk on water. Some people seem to think he already does.

Barack stole my Florida vote for Hillary. He will not get another vote from me. I have no children, can no longer get pregnant, have health insurance, can afford gas even if it goes to $10 a gallon, and I am financially secure because I earned it by working hard all my life. Therefore, I care less about Iraq, the overthrow of Roe vs. Wade, and disastrous financial decisions made by either party than I care about being disenfranchised since my right to vote has always been very important to me. Issue #1 for me at this point is that Obama stole my vote from me. Just WHO does he think he is? Someone who can walk on water?

Peter-TX   May 7th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

she never was and she never will, not even if we add 5 more states to make it a 55 union states. the media was just keeping this thing alive for their own financial benefits but hopefully, you guys finally understand that hunger and hopeless is a stronger fact than race in this election.

Peter from Dallas, TX

Ken from Michigan   May 7th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Jack,

What will she do?, the “kitchen sink” sound familiar?

I’m sure she’ll continue whining to the Super Delegates, pick me, pick me, oh you just have to pick me! At the same time she’ll continue to disenfranchise the Democratic Party for her selfish, elitist, power-mongering self. That’s what she’ll do.

Ken
Michigan

Casey, Tennessee   May 7th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

She’ll do what she’s done so far, Jack–be the Democratic Mike Huckabee and draw this thing out long after she ever had a chance to actually win the race, doing nothing but making a mess of her political party in the process. Unfortunately for us Democrats, the process worked much more quickly in the GOP race and Huckabee had to give in much quicker than Clinton, but he and Senator Clinton are nonetheless kindred spirits in that they don’t know when to walk away graciously.

Dave Duck, NC   May 7th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

I think Sen. Clinton is trying to figure out how to get out of the race at some point, maybe later than sooner, and get Sen. Obama’s campaign to pay her back the millions in personal loans she made to her campaign from his campaign funds.
That just seems wrong– funds Obama raised from his supporters going to pay off Clinton debts.
Say it can’t be done, Jack.

LONNY   May 7th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

With more popular vote, more delagetes and more states won, Hillary has to see the light after being crushed last night, so the real question should be when are all of these superdelagetes like Donna ( sorry, I do like you) but it is time to take a stand. The superdelegates that have not commited eitherway are getting just as bad as Hillary at dividing the Party. Wake up and step up!!

Nathan Rogers   May 7th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

Hillary says the American people want a President that listens to them; she hasn’t gotten into the White House and already she is not listening. Hillary, there is a lot to be said about a graceful exit, absorb its dignity.

Nathan

Ted from Austin, Texas   May 7th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

I believe Hillary must be hoping to earn a lot of money by writing a book about her campaign, and that’s why she doesn’t want to bring it to a close yet.

She’s not on the road to the White House - she’s on the road to a book deal at her publisher’s office.

J.S. Washington DC   May 7th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

The Race Is Over. It is no longer matters what Clinton does now. It’s important what the Democratic Party and its voters do now. Her supporters seem to believe that Senator Obama has no chance in the general election-many going as far as to say they would vote for McCain as a means to show their spite for Obama. This is why the democratic leaders need to put their differences aside and unite the party and its voters as one behind our nominee in a consolidated effort to prepare for the true fight in November against John McCain and the GOP. If Clinton can concede with honor and dignity, the Democratic party leadership should consider her to play an active role in the general election. Sadly, this remains to be seen.

HRC's Phony Gas Tax Pandering - NY, NY   May 7th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

Hillary will push to have the FL and MI delegates seated and continue her cry and lie strategy in hopes that she can trick the public into thinking:
A) she has the party’s best interest at heart and
B) she, and the voters are somehow being treated unfairly because the DNC decided not to count to votes of those rogue states

This will diminish Obama’s image in those two states and possibly cost him the election paving the way for Hillary in 2012.

Erica   May 7th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

I don’t understand how could The Clinton’s call themselves members of the democratic party. If you love your country and believe in this nation then how could you ask your party to take away Obama’s victory and give it to you when he won it fair and square. I think that’s selfish and it makes me wonder what kind of person is the Clinton’s. Are they in this only for themselves or are they for the American people? and if she say’s she’s for the American people then why won’t you listen to there vote and step away. She should be joining the fight with Obama in trying to defeat Mccain.

A listener for Chicago