Why is Hillary Clinton still in the race?
Clinton has said to her camp she will stay in the race until June because she believes she can still be the nominee. Click the Play Button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say. (PHOTO CREDIT: AP PHOTO)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Barack Obama took another big step toward becoming the Democratic presidential nominee last night. He now has a majority of the pledged delegates – which means it is now impossible for Hillary Clinton to catch him. He also reminded those superdelegates who remain uncommitted that if they endorse Clinton now, they will be going against the will of the voters.
None of this matters to Hillary Clinton. She's staying in, telling supporters she's determined to see every vote counted. She's $19.5 million in debt, hopelessly behind and probably further damaging the party's chances in November, but no big deal. This is all about Hillary.
The New York Times reports she has told her inner circle she thinks she can still be the nominee. And, if she isn't, she can still accomplish some final goals. For one thing, Clinton is now saying that sexism – not racism – has played a key role in her loss. Advisers say by fighting on she's showing young women she's not a quitter.
Clinton clings to the hope that Michigan and Florida will magically be awarded to her despite both states primaries being invalid. She'll press that case when the DNC rules committee meets at the end of the month.
Oh, and about those who say Clinton is dividing the Democratic Party, or causing more of a racial divide among some white voters, by staying in the race, she disagrees. She believes that if and when she quits, her supporters will quickly support Obama.
Here’s my question to you: Why does Hillary Clinton continue on when Barack Obama now has a majority of pledged delegates and her campaign is almost $20 million in debt?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Butch from Pensacola, Florida writes:
I can’t believe this woman. Didn’t she agree to the rules before the race started that Florida and Michigan would not count? And now she speaks as if she cares so much about our votes counting. What about people like me who didn’t vote because we were told it wouldn’t count anyway? As a black independent for Obama, I wouldn’t vote for her if she were running against David Duke, and I won’t vote for Obama if she is on the ticket.
Gigi from Alabama writes:
She is still in the race until all votes are counted. Contrary to what you would have your viewers believe, she has every right to do this. Obama cannot reach the total of delegates by the convention and you know it. Florida and Michigan have not been counted. I don't give a flying fig about Dr. Dean's rules. They are American citizens and their votes will have to be counted to give the Democratic Party half a chance to win the presidency in November.
Helen writes:
To destroy Obama with the pretense she is doing it for the women of the world. I am one of your former women supporters, Hillary. Get out!
Robert writes:
Jack, It is quite obvious that Senator Clinton is vying for the 2012 election by dragging the primary process into August. The amount of time needed to heal the party and mount a campaign against McCain will be greatly hampered. By having a one term president in 2008, John McCain, she can then have the candidacy and election to herself in 2012.
Lucille from New Jersey writes:
By her tremendous wins in Kentucky and West Virginia, it is obvious that her supporters do not want her out of the race. She is the candidate who can win the general election and I am sure that the superdelegates are beginning to realize that. I would not vote for Obama.
Lesa from Tennessee writes:
Jack, Hillary is like the American Idol contestants who really think they can sing and then get angry at Simon Cowell for telling the truth. She knows the truth, but refuses to let go and admit it herself. In her mind she’s saying, "I'm Hillary Clinton and nobody will get in my way and I'll win by any means necessary."
Julie from New York writes:
To aggravate you, Jack.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Because she's looking for more 11 year old kids who might part with $400 to help pay off her campaign debt. Did she really keep the money???????
Don't we all want to know the answer to this one! I have watched this play out from the beginning–CNN is constantly on at our house. I've watched all the debates, speeches, etc.
Jack, what strikes me is that she simply cannot believe that she has not been chosen as she feels entitled to the presidency. She carried herself that way in the early debates. Then when Obama's message started resonating, she changed hers. Not estabishment but change.
She has the opportunity to bow out gracefully and make history with dignity. We can only hope her pride does not get in the way.
Carol
Knoxville, TN
Uh, because despite being in debt, and having more blunders during the primaries, she's "more electable"? At this point, all she has left to lose by staying in is her future credibility within the Democratic party.
She can't really try and disenfranchise caucus states. Hillary's Jacksonian Democrats are going to listen to her to the bloody end. Hillary would most likely throw her support behind Obama.
It would also make better sense to stay so she can continue raising funds to pay off her own debt.
She is still in the race until all votes are counted. Contrary to what you would have your viewers believe, she has every right to do this. Obama cannot reach the total of delegates by the convention and you know it. Florida and Michigan have not been counted. I don't give a flying fig about Dr. Dean's rules. They are American citizens and their votes will have to be counted to give the Democratic Party half a chance to win the presidency in November.
Hillary is looking to make a deal to benefit herself. She has an agenda and will do what she has to do to get it done. This is called politics.
Jack., Hillary is still in the race, in HER mind.
Because she is a Republican pretending to be a Democrat.
It's like when a kid is told not to touch the painting and it just makes them want to touch it even more. She was told to drop out, so naturally she feels she must stay in.
Jack....I am totally confused. So many of the Clinton staffers as well as many of the Clinton supporters continue to admire and boast the claim of her committment for the money she has LOANED her campaign.
What kind of committment is demonstrated by LOANING monies which are expected to be repaid????? Is it the loss of interest or penalties imposed by the early cashing in of CD's which demonstrates committment? Personally Jack, that doesnt show committment at all, it further demonstrates the naivite of so many people!
Jack,
It is quite obvious that Senator Clinton is vying for the 2012 election by dragging the primary process into August. The amount of time needed to heal the party and mount a campaign against McCain will be geatly hampered. By having a one term president in 2008, John McCain, she can then have the candidacy and election to herself in 2012.
Robert
To destroy Obama with the pretense she is doing it for the women of the world. I am on of your former woman supporter Hillary. Get out!
Hi Jack,
I think she deserves to stay in since the end is near and so many people will feel cheated if she drops out now, which will further divide the party that she has worked so hard to divide thus far.
BUT, can someone PLEASE tell me, why does the media let her get away with saying completely contradicting things all the time – she says "every vote must count" and in the same breath says she has the majority of the popular vote.
The ONLY way she has the popular vote is if she DOES NOT COUNT the caucus states AND the hundreds of thousands of people who showed up in Michigan to cast a vote against her.
She has to STOP telling this outrageous lie because all it does is further alienate all those she is conveniently choosing not to count to suit her own needs.
She wants to fight until the bell rings. I'm supporting Obama, but as a New Yorker, I voted for Hillary in 2006. She's a strong woman, I do hope she and her supporters are able to coalesce around Obama. I'm sorry, guys. Half my family supported Clinton. But we have to beat the Republicans. I want them to lose so badly, especially Sean Hannity & Glenn Beck, and I want them to feel what I felt in 2000 and 2004, as a proud left wing appeaser.
Luke,
Harlem, NY
Bill won't shut up about how she will still get the nod from the party. The women are pumping up her moral by saying the media is being sexist against her. I as a woman know she needs to hang up her panty hose as soon as possible. Just because she is a woman don't mean that I am going to vote for her. I want a complete change and she is not the one. Time to end the reign of the Bush, Clinton, Bush rule.
She's a fighter and thats what your country need's; you also need bubba back in there; he had your country straightened out before whats his name took over! she has knowledge and experience which one will need in this time of world crisis!
barrack is wrong for the job at this time; mccain is just bush#2 and thats spells disaster!
I just saw Clintons' speech in Florida. I wouldn't have belived it if I hadn't seen it myself. She is being the most Divisive, and win at any cost, person I belive I've seen. This speech should convince the Superdelegates to throw all their votes behind Obama, to save the party from her and McCain. I'm a registered Republican for 30 years whom will be voteing for Obama this season. I'm totaly disgusted with my party. McCain has done an about-face, and shows he can't be trusted. I and my wife will be changing to Independants this year.
Because Hillary can't let go of her ego. If the delegate totals were reversed Hillary would be singing a very different tune when it comes to Florida and MIchigan. All candidates agreed with the rules and now that she is losing she thinks things are unfair. She needs to get out of the race, quit whining and get a life.
Unfortunately, Senator Clinton has decided to run a scorched earth campaign. She has pointed out sexism in the campaign, while not acknowledging the racism that has undoubtedly been a factor in the most recent contests. Her campaign advisor, Geoff Garin stated that they may stay beyond 6/3, which is hinting at a convention fight and she is refusing to make any sort of deal in regards to MI and FL. She wants them seated her way and only her way. She is literally galvanizing the electorate and attempting to show that she "deserves" this nomination. All of these factors put together show, that she will not back out graciously and support the winner and she will stay in long enough to ensure that Obama doesn't win in November.
Jack,
There's no doubt in my mind alot of people believe she's staying in because of her supporters and some even believe she still can win. Me and millions of others would disagree. It's my opinion she's staying in because of her strong sence of entitlement. Remember Hillary said from the very beginning, in an almost certain tone, that she would be the nominee. Meaning none of the other candidates stood a chance against her. That seemed to me an overconfident tone considering the people she was up against and it's that big ego that keeps her going today.
It appears it can be defined in one word..."EGO"
Jack ........ I think there are several reasons. 1. she is determined to be the first female president of the United States. 2. she is just stubborn & refuses to throw in the towel & 3. she is of the opinion that in the solitude of the voting booth, many American voters will not vote for a black candidate.
She strongly believes that Obama cannot pull-off a victory against McCain in November.
Welcome back Jack. Hillary is down here in Florida trying to cheat her
way into the nomination by still trying to make the ill gotten votes from January count. After Howard Dean goes on CNN tonight and explains as nicely as he can why those delegates won't count, maybe she will get the
message, but I doubt it. Jack, who are we suppose to believe. Hillary
Clinton or Howard Dean?
the only answer i can think of is to settle her debt and the media is helping her do it by giving her attention
It;s all about MONEY Jack. I just heard her speak in Florida-all she talked about was counting the votes in Mi and Florida. It was all about HER and how she needs everyone to send money. Giving her website. Even has her audience repeating HC.com web site. I hope the delegates come out in full force and end the MADDNESS!!!
I am an old Iowa White Woman and was PROUD to see OBAMA and his family in IOWA last night. GREAT SPEECH!!!! -Makes me wonder what the CLINTON's have up their sleeves. SCARY!!
If she can't run a campaign without debt, How would she run the country.? 2 plus 2 still equals 4.
OBAMA 08
Jack –
All politicians have egos. Her's must be the biggest I have ever seen.
She can't win the nomination and everybody has known this fact for months. She blames everybody else but herself.
She needs to come to grips with the facts: 1) she lost, 2) the Clinton campaign was managed poorly and lacked leadership and vision, 3) her life and career witll continue, 4) sitting on the side and blaming others will elect McCain (aka Bush III), 5) She can have a great career in the Senate as the champion of healthcare reform, womens' rights and children's issues, 6) if McCain (aka Bush III) is elected she will not be the nominee in 2012, and 7) she has been a pioneer and hopefully will see a woman elected President in the neer future.
Jack,
Her hope now is to damage Barack Obama to the point of being unelectable so that she can come running in 2012 and save us all. She is a dreamer and this is the only one she has left.
Dave P.
Iowa City, Iowa
It is sad to finally suspect that all Hillary wants now is another shot in 2012. If she can weaken the Democrats enough between now and November...she may even get that shot in four years. Or maybe she just doesn't recognize being "under fire"... cuz that's what she's been under for a month now by her own party!
The Clinton's are now history. Let's see if they would like to be respectable history.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Canadian Cousin (Southampton, Ontario)
Obama apparently clinched a majority of elected delegates. The remarkable thing is that it took so long whern it appeared about to happen two months ago.
The superdelegates must now face-up to their responsibility. This includes taking into account Obama's poor perormance in the the last six weeks. He is not geeting support from all segements of voter as he was earlier. Staggering to the finish line, not winning stats impiortan to Democrats, and loss o the popular vote – these things are not reasuring.
We shall see when Obama reaches 2026. If Clinton is still hell bent on making some huge deal of Florida and Michigan and taking this all the way to convention, then we will know she has selfish motives. If she bows out gracefully once Obama reaches 2026, then it will appear that Clinton stayed in to give all states the real opportunity to have their voices heard. My money is on the hell-bent strategy, but I hope I'm wrong.
I don't know why she is still in there..all the people who seem to be in the know think she will step off June 3rd .Her people and she her self seem to think she can still win..I am starting to become as confused as she is.Please can someone just take her by the hand and tell her its time .
Because she is a Clinton and it's not over until THEY say it's over.
Jack,
I'm an optimist. I hope that it is because she wants to increase the numbers of new registered voters. Turnout this year has been incredible.
It's hard to say. I watch Hilary Clinton on the campaign trail and wonder if she's just in denial or really truly believes that she can convince voters and superdelegates that Barack Obama cannot win a general election and therefore she should be given the nomination even though she's unable to defeat him in the primaries. That arguement does not convince me at all! Although i don't think she should quit i'm more and more afraid when i see exit polls that say her voters will vote for McCain if she is not the nominee and that a certain percentage of voters that voted for her in West Virginia and Kentucky admited that race played a factor. I just wonder what message she's telling them behind closed doors...
She contends that she does not want the voters in Michigan and Fla to be disinfranchised, but what about the Obama supporters in Michigan who COULDN'T
Gee Jack, I don't know .... could it be because she keeps kickin' his butt in primary after primary. That would seem like reason enough to me, but I know that's too logical for Obama supporters, like you, to grasp.
Hillary is tenacious and she is no elitist whimp. She has shown her pride in America and she is the champion of the middle class. Her work ethic is our work ethic. Her character is the same as ours. Her pride in America is shared by us all. When the convention is over, then the party will have a clear nominee. As it is, I think many people regret their votes for Obama.
I've stopped trying to figure out what she is thinking. It makes life a lot easier.
Someone needs to tell her it is over. Obama has the overwhelming amount of pledged delegates, he is still leading in popular votes, he has won 33 states, and he is leading in superdelegates.
The democratic party goes by pledged delegates. Nothing else. It is over. I repeat, it is over. We will not ignore the caucus states (by the way, think of what Obama's lead would be in popular vote if they counted that in caucus states). Michigan and Florida will be seated and she still has no chance to win. This is getting old, and she is starting to become a joke to a lot of people, not just hardcore Obama supporters I might add. It's time to move on.
It isn't really about winning now. It's about the huge money that will flow into the Clinton's pockets from speeches that no one wants to hear and books that no one wants to read. Money is all it has ever been about. Just ask Bill. It was always his end game too.
Last I heard she has every right to stay in the race. She is by far the strongest candidate, Obama will be eaten alive by the RNC and their swiftboaters and their lies.
In every previous election there have been several candidates right up to the convention.
I wish the media would quit telling us who to vote for, most of us can make up our own minds.
Because Barack Obama does not still have the magic number required. Plus between now and the convention anything may come out on cnn's and pmsnbc's favorite son. I guarrantee you hillary may not use it but the republicans will and cnn and pmsnbc won't be able to make up excuses or hide it., like theytried to hide the reverend wright. Why should she get out, she still has a major impact positive or negative. Since she is a woman cnn and pmsnbc doesn't care to make their sexism known and call for her to get out. I bet these two medias wouldn't dare to call for old Barack to get out . Why they would have to answer to brother Al Sharpton and Reverend Jesse and reverend wright and that scares the heck out of you white liberals.
It is an old question which is not at all important. Instead it is more important to ask and understand what has she done to the party and the presumptive nominee? I think what she has done by stying the race is she exposed Obama of his weakness. one of many is to unable to connect so far with the middle class voters. So now he has a chance to improve on that front and get better at it so that he can win in November. All this call for her to get out is just nonsensical which is proved by the turn coat politicians Dodd and Richardson who first called her to get out then now they say she can stay until the end of the primaries.
She has this scenario: The DNC meets on May 31st, they give her the delegates from Michigan and florida, they discount the caucus wins by Obama, then a light comes shining down and all the remainig super delegates pick her. Oh yeah, then all of her and Bill,s baggage from the past 14 years magiically disappears and she is anoited the country,s savior.
Jack,
Let us consider why a person would want to be president. Money to friends in the form of government contracts comes to mind. Total control of the mightiest military the world has ever known. No constraints on presidential powers. Ability to appoint US Attorneys no advice and consent needed anymore , jobs for all your friends (heck of job brownie) not to mention the use of presidential signing statements which serve as line-item votes, judicial review and executive orders all in one hidden document. Air Force One is a pretty cool way to get to your vacation location and you can take off 200 days a year, if you like. Need we go on?
Hey Jack! I finally figured out why she's still in the race. With her fuzzy math techniques, she believes that she can fix the budget deficeit in a matter of days...seriously!
She wants Florida and Mich. to really think she's staying in to fight for their votes to count, not telling them that if she were ahead , she could care less if their votes were counted.
It is sickening. it reminds me of when I was in school and the rich kids were running for king and queen, how they would pretend to be friends with the poor kids just to get their votes, and of course after they won they didn't know them anymore.
Kathy-Arkansas
Jack...
Hillary is still in the race because she just can't accept the fact that a
1st. term senator can best her since she was convinced she was the annoited one to be the nominee. Sen. Obama blindsided her in states won, pledged delegates, super-delegates, and popular vote, and, Senator Obama has run the most organized campaign, registered more new voters, and still has millions in his campaign coffers.
With all that Sen. Obama has accomplished, Hillary has no respect for him or his campaign, and it clearly has shown from her past negative remarks.....
Gina
Reno, Nv.
I don't know, Jack, but I'm begging someone on CNN to ask her how she justifies the fact she signed the agreement that disenfranchised the voters of Florida and Michigan at the beginning of the race – when she expected to win – and now that she's behind and needs those same votes she's turned into a crusader fighting for the voters she had a hand in rejecting. Worse yet, the uninformed among us now view her as a noble fighter for trying to get those same Michigan and Florida votes counted. She's a fighter, to be sure, but the fight is for the benefit of Hillary, not the voters she disenfranchised.
As Hillary keeps saying Moses, Moses Where Art thou?
Jerry
Roselle, Illinois
My heart goes out to Ted Kennedy and his family; yet it does explain his backing Obama instead of his long time friend Hillary Clinton. I hope his recovery is swift, America needs his enthusiasm.
It’s hard to say. I watch Hilary Clinton on the campaign trail and wonder if she’s just in denial or really truly believes that she can convince voters and superdelegates that Barack Obama cannot win a general election and therefore she should be given the nomination even though she’s unable to defeat him in the primaries. That arguement does not convince me at all! Although i don’t think she should quit i’m more and more afraid when i see exit polls that say her voters will vote for McCain if she is not the nominee and that a certain percentage of voters that voted for her in West Virginia and Kentucky admited that race played a factor. I just wonder what message she’s telling them behind closed doors…
Paulina,
Luma Linda, Cali.
it really simple jack!!!!
She know that red neck states like W.VA and KY will not vote for obama sad but true but I truely believe that obama will bring other state into play so that does not matter go obama 08!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's easy Jack, if you knew anything about math, you would realize that if you counted the illegal votes in Michigan and Florida and just subtract all the caucus states, this equals Hillary wins. I can't believe you're even questioning this.
Jack,
The longer that Hilary stays in the race the greater my fear is that some back room deal is in the works. Yes she is still winning contests uncontested. Yes she has a base of supporters. However, I can't get myself to trust her. I have never voted democrat in my life but Barack has swayed me to the democratic side and I have actually made a few phone calls for his campaign.
I have developed confidence in his message and I hope he is elected but I have a feeling that the Clinton Machine and Old Politics will steal the nomination from him. If that is the case I will have to vote for McCain. While the Republican's have lost my trust, the Clintons have never had it in the first place.
Mike
Spokane, Wa
Jack,
She has an agenda. Either to knock Obama off enough to run in 2012 or secure an appointment to the Court. The rumours are already out that the 'movers' in New York are planning a challenge to her Senate Seat due to her abhorant behavior. She would not even be in this race or the Senate still if her last name were not Clinton.
No one can reason with her –let that old pony run herself to ground. That is why Obama is being gracious...he knows who he is and what she is.....!
Jack, as a McCain supporter I don't really care, i just want her to know that she has my COMPLETE support in dragging this out until the convention and beyond. In fact, I hope if she doesn't get the nomination, she forms a third party, the Disgruntled Feminist Party
It is rather sad really. She certainly has the right to remain in the campaign but I can not see anything beneficial coming out of this for the Democratic party. As a woman, I have had great respect for both Hillary and Bill Clinton however they seem to want this nomination no matter what the cost. I originally was a Hillary supporter for the democaratic nomination but their behavior in this election has demonstrated that they are possibly dangerous and will do and say anything to get what they want. Again, it is rather sad and maybe even somewhat scary!
Alison,
Atlanta, GA
Jack I just don't think she has it in her to give up although in my opinion it is ridiculous for her to go on and waste all that money. Maybe one of these days it will sink in to her that Barack is our nominee, mainly due to her disorganized and kitchen sink/gutter politics campaign. I think the longer she stays in the worse it is for the Democratic Party–she should realize that and show some loyalty and call it quits. I find her claim that she has won more votes than Obama appalling. She seems to make up the math as she goes!
Jack,
I have the solution to the chaos she has created. Both can be nominated to the presidential elections. How? Very simple. Obama wins the Dem race and she creates another party where she will be its nominee. She will have plenty of followers: white uneducated working class (many of them say they vote for her because of race); older people (who dislike new and young ideas); and white women (who think that gender is more important than the issues that have this country upside down). Oh, and, by the way, I suggest her to call her new party the KKKlintonian Party. (Kentucky and West Virginia would be more than happy to join her)
As not to "disenfanchise the Florida/Michigan voters" she would selflessly argue- Okay then, here's a solution:
I am a democratic voter in Florida who knew when I cast my vote in this state in January that it would NOT count. But since one candidate wants to change the rules to help herself here's a fair solution: Clinton had 51% of the vote for 857,208 popular votes which would be 108 delegates. Edwards has now supported Obama. Obama, as a result, would have 49% or 817,645 of popular vote for 103 delegates (Obama plus Edwards). Hillary nets 5 delegates in Florida and 39,563 popular votes. This seems fair. How to settle Michigan is a different matter. Bottom line, settle this fairly, now, so the party can move on to McCain.
Jack, it's just like a basketball playoff game.....She can't walk off the court until the final buzzer sounds....even though she has more re-bounds, 3 point shots, less turnovers and a better defense, she is still behind in points and the team with the most points usually wins the game....she thinks she will be a stronger player in the final game this fall and should be awarded the victory based on effort but that is not the way the game is played..............
In short, she can't quit this game if she ever wants to play again.........
It's sad!
What's more sad is after listening to her speech today, she is continuing to drive a wedge between Obama and some democrats!
The better question is why isn't the Superdelegates putting an end to this!
Clinton believes it is her right to be president! Probably her reward for staying with Bill.
I'm getting pretty sick of her supporters blaming Obama!
Obama is winning fair and square, by the same rules Bill Clinton won by, twice! Why can't they acknowledge that if Hillary can't win the Primaries, how can she win the GE?
Simple–vanity and selfishness. This is not about us anymore. It is about her and her need to be able to look her self in the mirror without doubting she could have pooled it out. Her quest on having Florida and Michigan votes count is all about that.
It was clear to everyone that democrats broke the rules, so they had to be reminded that the world exists and functions because we all follow certain rules. Thanks to Sen. Clinton’s spin, people now feel denied, punished and therefore angry. Her actions are irresponsible and non-presidential. Answer to “how would we treat him if SHE was the one with the majority of pledged delegates?” tells you all. I do not think she would be paying off his debts!
Oh, I am a woman, democrat and Floridian.
Diana,
Orlando
Because she's Hillary Clinton, don't you know! And she was keeping this ace in the hole as a back-up stratey if things didn't go so well. I have always hated insurance policies, someone always gets screwed. In this case they are hoping its Obama. We know what's going on. And Hillary's screaming, " I don't care what the rules say, change the rules!" makes her look like a spoiled brat – or in this case a spoiled former first lady.
Come on, we know this is all about stategy, acting and theft of something she wants even though she didn't earn these votes honesty or fairly!
MD in Atlanta:
She can't believe the majority of DEMs don't want her because in her mind being the next DEM President was a forgone conclusion. Frankly I believe it was in the minds of many others too but there is an old saying. If you want to make GOD laugh, just start telling him YOUR plans.
Net, net, if this was her time, nothing and no one would be able to get in the way... Those of us who believe in a high power know when it's time to get out of our OWN way...
Jack, someday you are not gonna have Hillary to kick around anymore. But you will praying for her votes.
Hillary is doing Barack a favor by staying in. Imagine if she pulled out two weeks ago after Indiana. and an uncontested Obama lost Kentucky and West Virginia by a landslide (her name would still have been on the ballot – even Edwards who dropped out months ago got 7% in WV).
It would have been very embarrassing.
I just watched part of her speech in Florida. Full of lies...why isn't someone in the media jumping on this. If she says it long enough, I guess some of her uneducated working white class voters (who can't think for themselves) will believe it. I for one, will be very angry if the DNC gives her the votes the way she wants them on May 31st.
Did she not agree at the beginning that these two states would not count? Go find the tapes, the signed contracts. It will be a free for all in 2012 if the DNC plays by her rules. She isn't a fighter...she is an evil liar who now is complaining blah, blah, blah, sexism, blah, blah, blah, count all the votes (for me only), blah, blah, blah, me, me, me.
Jack – Bank on this:
Neither Hillary nor Obama will be the Dem candidate for Prez or Veep. The establishment does not want Hillary as she has stepped on too many toes. Obama is too raw and inexperienced to cut it. Their point is to give these two unelectable candidates enough ammo to wear one another down and enough rope to hang themselves. They are also giving the Dem party a lot of media exposure with their antics.
At the convention there will be a deadlock and the real ticket will be Edwards-Richardson. Why do you think they both dropped out so early?
McCain: The only candidate who can bake the cake and not leave the cat out in the rain again.
She is still running because the race is still on.
If she quits before June 3rd she is a quitter.
For a woman to get soooo close to running for president is pretty incredible.
But up here in Canada everyone I know has said all along the U.S is not ready to vote in a Woman.
I mean heck the black people back Obama, but the support for Hillary from woman has just not been there.
Maybe Women don't realize that in their life time this is probably the only chance they'll have, or should I say had to vote for a woman.
It's actually sad.
It's obvious! She is staying in and attacking Obama regularly, tearing the party apart, and siding with McCain, so that if Obama gets defeated by McCain she can say, "AH HA, I told you I was more electable". She is power hungry, just like all the other dynasties that have been around too long. Me thinks she talks with forked tongue! Well, stick a fork in me because I'm done! (By the way, I'm older, white, blue collar female in PA.)
At this point, it's only her Pride. Unfortunately she is using her stage as a final encore for an All About Hillary Show trying to now voice her strong opinions on how sexism is affecting this race. I guess being one of the two most voted for and popular candidates of all time, for president just isn't enough these days to prove otherwise. Us dang men. It's all our fault. At least she still captures the racist vote, seeing that 73% of Clinton supporters won't support a black democrat with almost identical ideals. At least this issue equally includes both genders no matter how ignorant they are.
With her now battling the entire democratic party over FL and Michigan, she doesn't care who she has to bring down with her. I think her motto has clearly changed from "Yes We Can" to "Go out with a Bang"
A little bit stubbornness, a little for the principle of it. There's no doubt that she's doing some damage to Obama by staying in, but I think she's also doing him some good by giving him an opening to make a compromise on Michigan and Florida, where otherwise they might remain completely stripped of their delegates. I foresee some sort of compromise that allows MI and FL some sort of delegation that favors Hillary Clinton but does not make here the nominee. It's a golden opportunity to say each state is represented and to come together with Hillary Clinton finally bowing out.
Of course I might be seeing the silver lining despite the thunder-storm...
Fuzzy math......Seriously!!!
Last night I could sense the mood changing and you will not be able to convince any thinking American that this race between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama is not damaging the party, because it is obvious that it is. It is also obvious that Ms. Clinton is doing everything short of calling herself the great white hope to get her way and when the repercussions from the damage that is doing to race relations in our country are felt our entire country will be hurt. I vividly remember the riots in the 60's and as a caucasion resident of a Detroit metro area suburb I feel we have worked hard to progress since then and that Sen. Clinton is willing to throw all of the progress away just to win. Is there not something that can be done about this election and our party?
Jack, the answer is suprisingly simple.
She is a Clinton and Clintons get what they want by any means necessary. No young upstart from Illinois will deny her her birthright.
Greg
Oak Park, IL
What is Senater Clinton Thinking?
Her speech in Florida today was unbelievably self serving. Does anyone really believe she would be taking this possition if she was in the lead. While she may be fighting for her political life right now it seems clear that she has crossed the line again and this time the real loosers could very well be the Democratic Party and Th American People.
hubris. 2008 was supposed to be clinton's year, but relative unknown basically defeated her. her dogged tenacity amounts to nothing more than over bearing pride. we've seen such pride at work before, thanks to george w. bush, and i think we've all seen enough of that.
Hillary's reasoning is that many more people support her than Obama and I want to know if that is true, why is she out of money??? Obama still is raising more money each month with his loyal voters, even in small amounts.
The one thing no one has ever said about Hillary Clinton is that she's stupid. I think she's staying to insure every state is counted. She knows she's not going to win, but she can't tell her staff and advisors that, she'd be unable to complete the race, and complete the race she should.
She's the first woman to run for President, this is historic, and she can't be seen as a quitter. You can almost hear the pundits years from now, "yeah, we had a woman run once, she quit before it was really over."
I voted for Obama Jack, and its great he'll most likely be our candidate – but I admire Hillary for breaking that glass ceiling – she may not have made it, but that glass is shattered for women, thanks to her.
Calm down guys, what's a couple more weeks????
Jack, obama cant get enough delegates to win the nomination either .A majority dosent win it. READ THE RULES>>>hilary has the popular vote and can beat Mc Cain. Obama is going to lose the general. I watched last nite and saw everyone with their little maps, showing Hilary taking florida ohio, penn w virginia etc. a definate win for the dems. When they got to Obama it was well, they think he can take colorado and maybe georgia will vote dem because of heavy black vote, nothing concrete. Just like his campaign of HOPE. Well Jack I HOPE YOU POST THIS>
Jack, I usually like your questions but this one in particular is a big part of the problem.
For the 1st time in my life I’ve actually been interested in American Politics and when I measure the level of animosity, anger and pure hatred of some of the supporters from both sides out there it makes me lose faith in the belief that we are all working towards the greater good for this country.
On one hand you see Obama supporters unfairly telling Sen. Clinton to quit and verbally lashing out at her & her supporters. On the other hand, you have Hillary supporters threatening that even if she loses fairly that they will not vote for Obama and that they will boycott the nomination.
What is going on with America? What is wrong with us, the American people? Most of us don't even realize that we are part of the problem... Instead of praising these two great candidates for whom they are, we decided to divide this country and tear it apart. Again, this is the 1st time I’ve ever been interested in politics and I am very disappointed in the American people for turning opportunity into despair.
I proudly voted for Barack Obama and my vote was NOT in anyway shape or form a vote against Hillary Clinton. I admire both candidates and would support whomever gets the nomination.
A TRUE DEMOCRAT.
Jack, my guess is that Hillary's hope lies with husband Bill's arm-twisting clout within the DNC and remaining superdelegates in getting a favorable resolution to the Florida and Michigan impasses and enough of these superdelegates to come over to her camp. That evident strategy would take until the Democratic Convention to play out and may cost the Party the general election.
George
Toronto, ON
Dear Jack: Hillary Clinton is still in the race because she wants to be President. The Clinton's are two of the most political savvy people on the planet and they can read the numbers better than anyone. Sen. Clinton is manipulating the situation so that Sen. Obama and the DNC will have no choice but to put her on the ticket. The vice-presidency may be her last, best hope to the presidency.
Sandra/Edmonton
I would say that's a pretty good rhetorical question. What is Hillary Clinton doing?
Maybe the thought of making a fool of herself has more appeal than staying home with Bill. He seems to want her out of the home as much as she wants to be out of the home.
I'm so tired of all the whining about "Why is Hillary still in the race?", "What has Hillary done to the party?", "Can we win in November when all this damage has been done?" If the Democratic party is destroyed by this primary season it means only one thing: the party is pathetic. They are completely destroying themselves with their loser mentality. Hillary isn't destroying the party, she's running an overly aggressive campaign. All of you chicken littles with your "Doom in November" predictions are ruining the party. You have been looking for a reason why the Democrats are going to blow it since December 2004. God forbid you could all sit down and talk about your differences instead of assuming that if you don't all think the same, the party is doomed. I swear, the entire party must be made up of Cubs fans.
Why is she still in the race? Because there are only two weeks to go. Why not stick around and give everyone a chance to vote?
Jack,
My grandmother taught me that "ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS"
Dear Jack,
Obama doesn't have enough votes yet and he may not by the time everything goes to Denver. If Barack can't take it on the first ballot, the whole convention becomes open, pledged delegates can do what they want and who knows what can happen then. That is probably what Hillary is counting on. We could even see a third person no one has thought of yet get into this race at that point. Hold onto your seats it could be a bumpy ride!
I'm not allowed to have an opinion on this, Jack. I live in a caucus state.
two reasons Jack... to take the money from her loyal supporters that can hardly afford things for themselves to help pay off that 20 million dollar debt, and for her own personal ambitions. has nothing to do with her supporters. such selfish act... is she that desperate that she accepted the money from a young kid and not offer to give it back to him. come on!!!
Simple Jack. The majority voters don't count. The DNC doesn't count. Superdelegates don't count. Exit polls don't count. John King doesn't
count. White educated voters don't count. Small states don't count.
People that can actually count don't count. Jack Cafferty doesn't count.
Did I leave anyone out?
She's still in the race because she still can't believe she lost. Now she's selfishly won't bow out, because NOW she wants the delegates for Mich and FL to count. When she was winning, Mich and FL weren't an issue. She honestly believes that the delegates are going to be place as they were voted in the primaries, even though no one's name was on the ballots in Mich...she doesn't care. In her speech today, she say that Obama removed his name and that was his right to do...in other words OH WELL!!!
This is exactly why I WILL NOT vote for her, if she somehow manipulates her way into the nomination. I guess if your not cheating, your not trying...
I wrote this letter to the DNC... I hope others will also write to them.
Dear DNC,
I am a nurse and my husband is a doctor, we have been loyal democrats our entire voting lives. I am sure you have heard from many how embarrassed most people are to be democrats right now. The word “Democrat” is derived from the word “Democracy”, and our party has been far from Democratic with this race. Both of our candidates are WONDERFUL! They both have their downfalls and their strong points… That being said they both have legitimate arguments for why they both deserve this nomination… Recently they have both said that they would stand behind the Democratic party no matter what the outcome of this race. If that is the case then why can’t anyone call it for what it is? A TIE! If you include all 50 states, this is just that, a TIE… That being said we can only have one nominee… Or can we? Could we not tell Hillary and Obama that it’s a tie, and we want both of them??? They say they’ll do what’s better for the party, we know that if Hillary and Obama came together and ran on one ticket they would be UNSTOPPABLE!
So who should head the ticket? We know that Hillary has a better track record and better chance at beating McCain, she is better know, she has the rural and blue collar voters, and she has more experience, we know Obama has a great record with African Americans and most college student… We know that McCain will argue inexperience and elitism against Obama… What If Hillary was on the top of the ticket and Obama as vice for at least the first term, we know they would take this election. Obama would gain the additional experience and connection with the people that he needs to build his relationships with. This would make him prepared to win subsequent elections. As a team these two candidates could keep us in office for 12-16 years!!! Both candidates share the desire to make major changes, together they can get this done! If in the end the Democratic convention makes the decision, I would hope that this is an option that is discussed and offered to Obama and Hillary. The country is divided but could easily be brought together, both parties would benefit from a Clinton/Obama merger! Thank you for your time! Good luck with your convention, I know this is a hard decision.
Sinserely,
Chandra LaCost RN
Because she is no different than Bush. She is stubborn and will do whatever she wants regardless of what people think. I never quite understood how leaders can ignore what people think but then claim they are running for the people.
Honestly it probably helps Obama anyways, having lost these states after she dropped out would have looked bad.
hillary had six supporters at her rally in fla. obama's rally was packed.lmao
Jack, I would rather ask why would a large group of people still rallying around her when it is clear that Obama is the likely nominee. I think she stays in the race because people vote for her. 65% and 42% yesterday. If people think it is over then they would vote for Obama. But it is the people who would not let her give up. And Obama is unable to convince those voters to vote for him. Otherwise why would he still loose in big margins when everything favors him. I do not think Hillary would be in the race if she loose big in these final races. The bottom line is that Obama has a PROBLEM. And you don't see it.
Nuwan from Houston, TX
Jack, you've finally got me stumped. I've thought of every motive under the sun, and I still can't figure out why she's staying in he race. Ego, money, belief she can really win, whatever. Yeah, Obama hasn't reached the critical number, yeah she has every right to stay in the race. All that. There is simply no credible reason, and yet she is staying in.
You're the pundit. You tell me why she's staying in the race.
Manhattan, Kansas
Jack,
My grandmother taught me that "action speaks louder than words"
Her actions displays her egotism. Not a good example for future young women or the presidency.
Jack,
Hillary Clinton could care less about dividing the party. From the very beginning, she and her husband thought this was a fairy tale. She never believed that Obama would surpass her. It's apparent that she will try anything now to win. Her comments about wining "hard-working white votes" and she is leading in the popular vote,including Michigan and Florida which she constantly mentions in her speeches is clearly sending a message to her supporters that she is more electable than Obama. Her supporters are using a strategy she has concocted that they will not vote for Obama if she does not win. I cannot believe that they care about the party either if they will vote for McCain since Hillary and Obama have similar views.
It's amazing how she can argue that Michigan and Florida be counted when all the candidates agreed not to campaign in those states.
Obama has nothing but praise for her whenever he addresses a crowd and compliments her on her victory. I have yet to hear the same from Hillary.
If she is defeated, it is because of the type of negative campaign she has run.
A house divided cannot stand...I watched Hillary's plea to Floridians with awe and dissapointment. Awe because of the un relenting gull..,
Dissapointment, because in my heart of hearts, I really wanted to believe she would put party first.
It's time for the Super deligates to "Poop" or get off the pot!
She needs to be shut down before our chances for the White House are lost to the republicans.
Because Jack, she continues to win states and primaries by huge margins, and millions of Americans still believe she is the best choice for president. Most polls show that in the general election, Obama would falter against McCain, partly because of a loss of Clinton supporters. Clinton is hoping that the superdelegates will realize that the GOP already has a lot of ammo against Obama, and that some prominent Republicans have already begun to fire. The superdelegates need to go for Hillary, and send the GOP a game changing curve ball.
Hillary knows she can't win but she also knows she can't run against Obama in 2012 unless he's Jimmy Carter II. McCain has shown he doesn't have the guts to attack Obama on his record so she probably wants to stay in to damage Obama enough so that McCain will win in November and she can run in 2012.
Dear Jack,
I understand why Hillary Clinton is still in the race to make a statement that women can achieve their goals,and just because someone tells you to step aside you just keep on moving with your head held high. This race is exciting but it is beginning to be to long and I want to begin the general election. Another thing if the Democratic candidate is Obama or Clinton and you are a Democrat you need to go and VOTE in November and put all that aside "I am not going to vote for that person because my candidate did not win" ,because we can not have another Bush (McCain) in office. If you do not vote this is just opening the door for McCain, so people lets unite as one and Vote for our Democratic Presidental Candidate. Keep up the good work CNN!
Jack, Hillary is still in the race because HER & BILL can't stand
being BEAT & the PARTY don't want too make them MAD.
Pure selfishness. Clinton is thinking about 2012 and how the novelty of being the first female president will stick this time.
Perhaps she was presented with movie rights for her horrifying experience of how sexism prevented her from becoming one of the most voted for and popular presidential candidates of all time? And is just waiting for the impossible hope of a happy ending? Considering her reluctance to admit defeat and trying to bring down the entire democratic party with her, I'm sure it will be one of those movies that ends abrutly leaving you saying "So what the heck happened?"
Unfortunately for her, the whole world already knows how that movie turns out and I give it a 2 thumbs up! Go Obama !
Jack, at this point she can't quit. She has vowed too often to stay in, and it would be more embarrasing for her to quit that it is for her to stay in. What really amazes me is that companies continue to extend credit to her. Seems like her vendors would have adopted a pre-payment policy by now.
Jack: So simple an answer...........she is waiting to "seal the deal" wtih a "buy-out." You don't think for a moment that she is not going to be compenstated for her efforts..........money talks.........
Hillary is a empty bucket you keep pouring water in hopes it will fill. YES ! There are many who would have hoped the table was turned, it's NOT...want be..it's over...no more marker or favors. Save it for the next time..you'll need favors then,too!
Jack,
On a serious note, Is this the same Hillary who I heard saying "it was a dumb thing to say" when she was being racist talking about "white voters" is now crying foul saying Obama is being sexest? In all fairness she needs to stop breathing dicord among democrats and changing the rules to suit her as she goes along. PLEASE somebody tell Hillary the White House DOES NOT belong to her, nor Bill. She acts as thou it is her and she have Legal Rights to it. She will not stop till she hurt Obama chances of winning .Then she would say she was the stronger candidiate. She desperately wants to make history.
Perhaps she, along with millions of us, do not want an unqualified, unelectable unknown foisted upon us by the DNC and the media. The day she quits I will change my voting registration to ‘unaffiliated’, and if McCain selects an acceptable VP I just might vote for him!
But there is another thing that you should consider: once she is out, the attack ad tsunami, one that will make the 2004 swiftboating of Kerry pale by comparison, will begin. Why are you so anxious for that to start??
Jack, this is simple. The Clintons – Hillary, Bill, Chelsea, & their Ego – thought they had this nomination wrapped up before the primaries even began. They cannot fathom the fact that it is near impossible for Hillary to win now. Obama has the majority of pledged delegates locked up and both Clinton and Obama supporters both believe she is responsible for the negative tone of the campaign. Her continued stamina is hopeless, and she persists in arguing she can win the swing states only so if Obama perhaps loses the in the election, she can say “I told you so.” Too bad if the Democrats lose the election and analysts attribute it to a divided party, pundits will say the same to her.
This is America. Hillary should keep running till she run out of gas. It is our way of life. Go Hillary! Go ! Go! She is the other half of the Democrats and of course the better half as a woman. We still love her. She will forever stand behind Obama. You know that
Jack,
Hillaryland must be a fun place to live! I wish I too could wake up each day and create an unrealistic view of where I am in life and where I'm heading. This has nothing to do with gender, this is a person who feels such a strong sense of entitlemnt that she cannot believe that this nomination was not handed to her. I am so outraged at the damage that she has wrought upon the democratic party and disappointed at the lack of firm leadership from the DNC. Howard Dean and other party elders should have put and end to her antics long ago!! I used to respect the Clintons, but all I feel now is disgust!
At this point Jack, I can only see two reasons why she's staying in after all this, and both aren't pretty. First reason is that she's waiting for an early "October Surprise" that would destroy Obama (a la Rev. Wright) so that she can swoop in and sweep the nomination.
Second reason is so that it ensures Obama loses against John McCain in November so that she can run again in 2012. I'm sure she knows that if Obama wins the presidency (which he has a very likely chance of winning after this), she won't be having another shot again.
Hi, Jack.
The gender thing......maybe some people may feel that way, but for me, it was Bill and Hillary. He said, "Barack's campaign is a fairy tale." She said that she and John McCain have experience, Barack has a speech. She further said something like "The heavens will open, the sun will shine, the birds will sing...." The straw that is breaking the camel's back is she wants to overthrow the will of the people – code word: your vote doesn't count unless you voted for me. It is her character that bugs the hell out of me.
EGO, Jack, pure ego! She wants women to vote for her her because she is a female, then complains about sexism! She, Bill, Ferraro, and others bring up race, then deny it is a factor! If she can't win, she is willing to alienate youth, educated voters, and independants from the democratic party for the next generation. Considering how poorly she mismanaged her campaign, after all she did start out with all the advantages, I am not sure the country could afford having her run things.
Two reasons Jack, 1. She doesn't believe anyones rules apply to her. 2. aparently she and her most avid followers are living in some kind of delusion. I suppose it is also possible that no one in her campaign is good at addition.
Jack, lets hold her to her word. Once all the primaries have been completed I fully expect her to withdraw within 24 hours. If she waits one minute longer, the party will be damaged.
She is in the race for a good reason. it was set up by the DNC so that the winner would be picked by the super delegates. Neither of them can reach the magic number without the super delegates. It was also set up so that the votes in Fl and Michigan don't count even though the people who voted were not at fault. There are still votes out there. If the situation were reversed would Obama drop out? I think not..
Sen Clinton is still in the race because in HER mind she feels she can still win the nomination. Unfortunately, her staying in only leads to further divisiveness. Although an Obama supporter, I understand her staying in the race and not quitting this close to the end. However, we should be seeing a softer, less combative candidate. I strongly admire a fighter , and that she is. However, you have to pick your battles. She's picked one that she CANNOT win. I do wish her well though.
Its easy. Because she can.
Unfortunately one can only assume that Senator Clinton is staying in the race for her own personal goals and not those of the party in that by dooming the Obama candicacy and creating a blue print for the Republicans she assures herself a run in the 2012 election. Hillary would rather wait 4 than 8 years.
She is staying in the race because it is the right thing to do. Hillary has MILLONS of supporters out there that know, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that she is clearly the better Democratic candidate for the office of President of the United States.
It is sick that you and so many others continue to tell any candidate to drop out when every state has not had a chance to participate in the primary election. If you all are really concerned about the true spirit of the democratic process, why don't you keep your biased opinions to yourself and let the voters make up their own mind and speak their will by voting for the candidate of THEIR choice.
If Hillary had dropped out months ago as some idiots would have liked, what would be the point of the primary election season. If you want such a quick answer, then you should challange the DNC to hold all the state primaries on the same day and be done with it.
It is sad when you don't see this kind of crap going on over on the Republican side of the table. No one is demanding that Ron Paul drop out – even though McCain has clinched the nomination. At least the Republicans are going forth with the primary season and letting their party's voters cast a vote for the candidate of their choice, not the freakin' media's.
Dear Jack,
Why is Hillary still in the race? CNN just noted her campaign's $20M debt. That's a good reason to stay in. Getting as many donations as possible to address this issue before she bails isn't a bad idea!
Personally, I"m worn out by her antics/efforts, and very concerned that we may lose an incredible opportunity with Barack Obama because she and her campaign advisors don't know when to let it go!
Charlie C.
Jack, because it all about Hillary, you would think she would back Obama, but her real goal is about Hillary being in Office. We are not her concern, if we were she would be trying to repair the situation in the States she won.
Sylvia
Moreno Valley, California
hi jack,
considering the damage senator clinton is doing and has done to obama's campaign, it seems evident to me that her strategy is to destroy his chances and in fact the democrat's chances for the presidency now so that she can have a clear shot at the presidency in 2012. it's a sad suggestion i know but surely a credible one.
stephen
Hillary should stay in the race until the final primary.
Then once it's over, she should get on her broom and fly home.
Clinton is still in the race because she doesn't know how to bow out gracefully. I think if Obama wins the nomination and the presidency, he'll still have to ask Hillary to get off the whitehouse lawn. Persistence is one thing, but she knows she's wrong, and she continues to spend, sound familiar? She needs to leave now if she wants to leave with any dignity.
By her tremendous wins in Kentucky and West Virginia it is obvious that her supporters do not want her out of the race. She is the candidate that can win the general election and I am sure that the super delegates are beginning to realize that. I would not vote for Obama
Jack,
Hillary Clinton is still in the race so she can go down in U.S. history books as the first woman to run for the office of the President. I suspect she wants to run all the way to the last, dieing pathetic moment of this presidential race for the Democratic nomination to secure her spot in history. Personally, I believe she has already secured that spot in the history books, however, continuing her campaign has become agonizingly tiresome to everyone and she is bordering on becoming a caricature of herself. I wish she would step out of the race, begin uniting her party and begin the fight against the possibility of four more years of this Iraq "war", our economic failures and DOA health insurance problems. Enough is enough.
You ask 'Why doesn't Hillary quit now that Obama is ahead? I ask 'Why didn't Obama quit when everyone else did when Hillary was ahead?'
It's just her big big ego and her selfishness and not her concern for the American people.
Just makes me sick to watche her nodding her head after every sentence of her speech, kind of confirming her own lies to herself.... I wonder what the psychologists are making of this.... she is just disgusting and so is the rest of the Clinton clan.
A "majority' of the delegates does not mean winning the nomination. The fact that over 4000 delegates have been awarded and the two candidates are only 150 delegates apart does not mean or show a preponderance of democrats who are for Obama. If Howard Dean hadn't "punished" Michigan and Florida by not allowing the candidates to campaign there, or have their names on the ballot, Hillary would have won both handily, giving her a superior edge in the primaries which ultimately would have led to her winning the nomination.
She deserves to stay in the race and fight it out at the convention. Not being able to win Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania as Obama has been unable to do will hurt ALL democrats this fall. Obama will have his time, but it's not now. He doesn't have the experience, the vision, or frankly the maturity to be our President. Super delegates wake up and vote for Hillary. Obama can be VP and hopefully learn enough to step from useless rhetoric into being able to affect REAL CHANGE...it takes alot more than words!!!
Hillary continues to run because BO is unelectable. He is the consumate latte liberal empty suit. The media just won't admit that; they want to elect a black man so badly to assuage their white guilt. Wait and see what happens in November.
Because what else does she have to do? Running around campaigning sure beats sitting in NY and DC being what she is, a Senator.
Before Florida and Michigan primary all presidential candindates agreed by signing an agreement that should those two states hold primary earlier they should be penalized. DNC made the rule and she signed it.My question is what is Hilary trying to achieve by crying foul.We all respect you Mrs Clinton and it would be nice if you can rally behind the winner and stop dividing the party. Simon Dallas Texas
It's simple Jack, this country was founded on the premise that any citizen is free to run for elected office. It is what separates us from a monarchy or a dictatorship. She is exercising her rights to run for office and it is not the right of the media or the political parties or her opponents to tell her that she shouldn't be in the race. If she wants to run just let her run. It's the American way. To hell with what the party leadership or the media wants.
Although the punditocracy could never say this, Hillary suffers from many of the traits as George W. Bush. He never listens to anyone who disagrees with him, nor does she. He won't leave Iraq and she won't leave the race. even though both are obviously losing causes. He makes up things, as does she. And both expect everyone to believe it. Both suffer from giant egos (I'm the decider! – I deserve the nomination) and both feel they have to prove themselves because of comparisons: G.W. with G.H.W.; Hillary with Bill.
Dear Jack,
I have emailed you many times over the last several weeks. Every time I write, the message is always the same - 'Your comment is awaiting moderation." Is it my name? Should I take it personally? Should I call myself John Smith?
It's very frustrating, especially when I take the time to write a lengthy email that I believe will add yet another perspective to the many analyses of this campaign.
Just wondering - Charlie Cafferty ( John Smith)
Jack,
She is still in the race because she believes Obama can not win the general election. I agree with her on this assessment as history has proved that young voters can not be counted on to show up for an election and his support is in young voters and black voters.
I hate to see the Democrats lose another election they should win but the Liberal element of the Democratic Party would rather lose the election to a Republican than see a Democratic win that doesn't toe their ideological line.
Ed
She needs the attention of staying in the race to feed her ego. She doesn't get the attention from a philandering Bill and needs to get it somewhere.
Ed from NJ
Jack, Hillary Clinton is staying in the campaign because the Clintons have seen one thing happen again and again during their time in public life: if you stick around long enough, anything can happen. Despite the fact that she has no chance of winning this nomination, she'll stay in the race because she thinks that some catastrophy could befall Sen. Obama and end his bid. Or, worse, she may be considering the nuclear option: the convention.
She doesn't care about her party-she just wants to win. There is no platform or firm set of plans- she will tell you that, but it was missing from her Senate activity- why would it emerge in the WH? She is a political hack- so I have to congratulate her- because she has broken the glass ceiling in political hacking.
Because Jack, there are still states (and puerto rico) who have yet to vote. Would it be fair if the general elections were set up like the DNC's primaries/caucuses and we could elect a president before every state got a say in the decision? We live in a democracy and everyone should be able to voice their opinions in their vote. Also, by racking up more delegates and votes, Hillary Clinton can go into the convention with the argument that she should be the VP. If Clinton gets popular vote, Obama may have no choice but to give her the position. Hillary Clinton wants to go into the history books, and since she's coming to the relization she can't have the top office, the second will have to do. I hope she gets it. (New General Election Commercial Slogan will be: Yes we can, and yes we will. Obama/Clinton '08
She is staying in the race so my daughter and your daughters know that you never give up. When she has been called out for being angry or attacking when the men in this country have done it for so long, it is because she is a woman. Obama's campaign has used the same tactics just done with a sweet tone in his voice. Any woman who is strong minded and strong willed is looked down upon. I applaud her tenacity and am proud that one day in the history books my daughter will have a role model that shows her no matter her gender she can accomplish anything she wants to. In November, if Obama is the canidate, Clinton supports will follow. The alternive is a conservitive who will take woman's rights away when he appoints conservative judges. Let Hillary make history even if she is not the canidate. Go Dems!!
because under some new set of illegal, arbitrary, illogical and quasi-magical set of rules she's the winner. Sadly, rule-changing has been the basis for victory for those in power since the beginning of time.
This is nothing new. If your opponent, who started behind you and had to overcome worse odds than you, somehow surpasses you, then just change the rules so you win anyway.
HRC's arguments seem flawed to me: as far as the electoral map math, is she assuming that BO will lose big blue states like CA and NY?
Also, isnt counting FL and MI akin to changing the rules in baseball and counting preseason exhibition games in the final regular season win total so that a team can get into the playoffs that wouldn't otherwise?
Someone help me here. Why isn't everyone putting massive pressure on the still uncommitted superdelegates? Can't they end this charade by simply committing their votes? Now? What is there possibly left to wait for?
Hillary is staying in because she is a sore loser. Many people are, but I wouldn't personally $20 million to lose. Unless I thought for some reason I may be able to cheat my way back into the election. I respect her as a individual. Determination is key when running a election of any magnitude, but you must when to bow down, or fly the white flag. I just think she better take a second to think about who she is atarting tot sound like. Hint hint, war for 100 years until we win. LOL
I enjoy you show from Fort Bragg, NC.
Jack, I wonder if the folks in her campaign are telling her it's time to quit? Or is it a 'emperor has no clothes' situation.......
Interesting that she's 'loaned' her campaign the money, rather than simply 'investing in herself" – perhaps she's staying in the race in an attempt to recover some of her loaned money.
Who gets paid back first from any dollars the campaign receives? My bet is on Hillary.
Jack,
I know this won't get on the air.......but here goes anyway.
It is kind of funny that people who call themselves "Liberals" or "Progressive" and Senator Obama who wants a "New Government" would disenfranchise Florida and Michigan. Unfortunately Florida and Michigan will count in the General Election. If Senator Obama receives the nomination without Florida and Michigan the party will never unite. I am a "progressive" democrat and will not vote if the Democratic Party uses Republican tactics like this.
Look, Here is an intelligent women with ambitious and admirable goals who believed at the onset she would be the democratic party nominee. What an extraordinary and difficult place she finds herself in now with little to no reason to believe that Barak Obama will not achieve the nomination she so deperately wanted. Barak has been incredibly generous and patient toward her. But, it's time for him to recommend a good psychologist to her and move forward toward winning the national election.
Ellsworth, ME
This is for Mitch who said Hillary only had 6 supporters at her Florida rally.. check again. The media does not pan the audience for her like they do Obama. And another thing, if you are from Arkansas, you would know how to SPELL IT.
Do you really think Sen. Obama can get elected? If so, you're as crazy as a pet squirell. Obama supporters are setting the stage for another Republican victory and just too dense to realize that they are doing so. I will be doing a big "I told you so" in November, and sadly it means we're going to get another lesson in "division" that's going to be very painful.
Jack.... at 59 I still believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. I guess Hillary still believes in them too. All she does by staying in is hurting the party more than she and Bill already have.
Tom
Gloucester City, NJ
Jack, it’s amazing to me! I’m a 37 year old African-American man and this is a proud moment in history to me. It’s not just because Barack is black … it’s because he has moved so many people of all walks of life. I believe in his message and his sincerity. But, I would be crushed if the nomination were taken from him and given to Hillary. I could imagine that so many would be. I really think that many people would stay home … not because it’s Hillary, but because it was taken from him … unjustly. People would NOT vote because they would be heartbroken.
Jack,
Hillary Clinton is staying in the race because of the attention she is getting both possitive from her supporters and negative from her detractors, she loves it. If she quits she will have to go back to being the Senator from NY and the only people watching her will be her secret service detail. Jack, she just loves being in the spotlight and she cannot give up the stage just yet. She has to wait until all of the votes are counted not only in the USA but I hear she might have a few votes in Brazil we must count them also. If we just keep counting somewhere, someday she will find those votes to put her over the top.She is getting nowhere fast but she just keeps on going and getting nowhere fast.
Judie
St. Augustine, Fl
Hillary should run as an Independent in 2012 regardless of whether a Democrat or a Republican wins the White House in 2008.
Hillary probably plans to take her supporters and start her own party if she doesn't get the nomination from the Democrats. Her loyalty right now is to her own ego. You should see her horoscope. She's on a real ego trip and she is willing to wreck havoc even to own own political career if she doesn't get the immediate gratification that she wants and that is the presidency. So sad!
You're not a Woman.... Me neither!!!! It's a First, for the Women. Maybe she can Deliver. You would be just the same.... It's a FIrst....Woman President.... You've lived on this Planet long enough....It's all about...... Change???? Why not a Woman in the White House. But this time as No 1/........
Maybe she's still running so people can still have some kind of choice? Do I have to vote for Obama because everyone in the media says so? I never saw the media more determined to elect a candidate than Barack Obama.
Hillary has shown herself to be disingenuous with voters by saying she continues in her capaign to fight for them, whereas in my opinion, she remains in this contest to fight for her and Bill's legacy, nothing more. In addition, I believe she wanted this presidency so bad, she has said and done everything in her power to damage Obama to try to make it difficult for him n the general election.
I think she would even accept the VP if offered, so she can dedicate herself to damaging his presidency, however, Obama is too smart to select Hillary and Bill Clinton as his VP.
She's in because she is entitled to be in until it's truly over – not just when the Obama supporters and the media declare it's over and wish she would go away. She's got spunk and tenacity and I think her continued campaign points out, if nothing else, the tremendous amount of work that Obama will have to do, if he becomes the nominee, to convince the nearly half of Democratic voters that he is worthy. Clearly nearly half the Democrats don't believe he is. Hilary's continued candidacy and the outcomes of these final primaries should provide a lot of valuable information for the nominee once he or she is finally annointed. I wish the press and the Bamabubbas would quit trying to blow off part of the electorate by eliminating their choices before they get a chance to vote. In the future, all the primaries for all 50 states plus territories should happen on the same day.
Because she's a jerk, and will try anything to get back into the White House or anywhere she can exert some power. I don't think she is a good example to young women. She is the last person anyone would want their daughters to behave like. Okay, she is resilient and a fighter, but she doesn't fight fairly. She whines and complains that the race is sexist, that Saturday Night Live isn't treating her fairly or that the media isn't; anything but admit that a first term senator has beaten her. Why wouldn't we want him to lead us? He has run a better campaign and surpassed her fund-raising and planned better. He did all this while she had a vast headstart both in name recogntion and in campaign staff because of Bill. Basically, Bill could call in favors for her. She thought this would be a shoe-in. Now she will have to go back to the Senate where she is not very will liked or respected.
Jack, she is staying because of ego issues, she thinks that it must be her or no one else. To her, it is her birth right to be the president this time and any other contender to her is an intruder. But, guess what?, she miscalculated because America and Americans are smarter and truly want change, period.
Let me see – Hmmmm..... Should I hire somebody who lie's? Perhaps I should look at somebody who tramples her way through life and thinks it's OK. News Flash to Hillary – You're Fired. Please keep running, you're drafting the book on one word, " Pathetic". I have a rusty nail I would hire as President over you.
The very same reason she stayed on with her horn-dogg, intern-chasing and blue dress staining husband; she's an idiot.
Hillary will not quit because she is stubborn...plain and simple. She thinks this was going to be her coronation and that Obama took the wind out of her sails. The truth is that the people have spoken and Obama has won the nomination, not her. She is staying in because she is a woman scorned and will do anything to foul things up. You gotta wonder what color the sky is in her world.
It's all about the voters, Jack. Also, as Yogi said, it ain't over till it's over, plus she doesn't use fuzzy math, like you and so many others in the media do.
jack,
if the superdelegates give this race to clinton the democrats better get ready for the aftermath. she claims sexism but hasn't it been obama who has been fighting the racism question since he entered the race. hillary is making a big mistake. i been saying for years you can't trust the clintons. they will sell their own souls if they have to. clinton has made this race all about her being the best candidate. did people forget all the baggage her and her husband bring. remember she some shady connections too.
sharon
pgh, pa
She is not worried about the debt. Obama will end up having to pay off her debt. She has nothing more to lose here, so why not continue. All I know is, that I am just tired of her. Superdelegates Please make this thing end.
Jack,
HRC once again is short sighted and intentionally hurting BO. She is clearly triangulating for the 2012 race. Her tactic is clearly passive aggressive and she’s clearly out to weaken BO to the point where he can’t win the White House. However, she has once again made a miscalculation. If she thinks African Americans will ever support her again after what she is currently doing to BO she is sadly mistaken. One thing has become abundantly clear in the race, no dem can win without the Black vote.
John Wright, Atlanta GA
Senator Clinton is still in the race because although she is barely behind in the so-called primary "delegate math"...she is in a very confident position based on the "November math".
Senator Clinton has proven her strengths in crucial battleground states and Senator Obama has shown immense weakness in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, and West Virginia.
Jack, It's one thing to win the nomination based on biased party rules, however, it is a totally different story in securing the Presidency once November arrives.
Daniel
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Jack it's obvious without a doubt Hillary won't quit. Compitition is very healthy and so this is very healthy for Obama, and Clinton staying in the race is only giving Obama more experience. Clinton stays in the race because of her romodel, Rocky.
As a Canadian watching from a far Clinton staying in the race is based on one reason: racism.
Clinton sees that middle-class and working-class white Americans are hesitant to embrace a black man and while she may not want to say it out loud, that might make the Democratic Party afraid to completely embrace Obama as their nominee. White people in America are slowly revealing their deep racist qualities that black Americans have felt for decades as their is no reason for whites to vote for Clinton now other than for fear of a person of color running the country. Everybody knows this is the reason as no other candidate has received so much support after a primary season has largely determined a nominee as Clinton has after Obama had clearly staked himself out as front-runner.
As a result the Democratic Party is my opinion is on its way to fracture down racial lines and lose in November to McCain. Which sets things up nicely should Hilary want to run again in 2012 as Obama likely wouldn't have the stomach for it a second-time around.
I truly beleive Hilary is so convinced of her own greatness that she would gladly take advantage off the worst aspects of American society in order to ensure she is one day president.
It took a woman to destory eden, it will take a woman to destory the democratic party
Easy question Jack! She is running for the 2012 election and figures that if she destroys Obama and the Democratic Party now, she will have a better chance then.
After listening to "W" for eight years, McCain forcasting 2013, and Clinton's justification for staying in the race, I fear delusion must be rampant in Washington. Why Clinton won't leave is part of the major problem.
Jack, Jack, Jack,
As if we don't know Hillary yet. It's all about ego. She has put so many spins to why she is still running, it's making me throw up.
Hillary is campaigning on wishful thinking. Her reasoning that she can sway the DNC to award her Michigan and Florida's votes and be nominated by popular votes instead of delegates is in dreamland. Hillary, Hillary....wake up. You have a 3:00AM phone call that your campaign is over- Bill
I'm a black voter and I am surprised no one has mentioned that for over 40 years black voters have never made a complaint and quibble stating that they wouldn't vote for a candidate because they are white. Surprisingly, the first potential black presidential candidate infuriates some whites in such a way to make a firm statement by not voting that they don't like the idea of a black president. They claim to be so civilized, apart from those from Africa...go figure.
Hillary is still in this race because she believes she has an entitlement. For sure, for some time initially, we thought the presidential campaign was merely a process towards Hillary's coronation and no one, especially African Americans, believed Barack Obama would be such competition. Now, Hillary thinks the presidential position has been stolen from her. If she cannot be the executive-n-chief she would want to be Barack's running mate. Obama should not let Clinton and her husband join as vice presidents(s). Hillary and Bill knew the only way they could win against Barack were to play dirty and they did this by racial undertones.
To what point and purpose does she continue? I cannot find an explanation except to bring Obama down and I am hoping that is not her cause. She has spent recent months convincing people that he is incompetent resulting in no confidence votes by her supporters. It will be a difficult task to all of a sudden convince her voters that he is capable when he ultimately gets the nomination. I see this as a problem she has created and she will have to fix or she will have left great damage to her political party. With the current state of the US, this should be an easy win in November, but unfortunately it will not and Hillary Clinton has done everything in her power to make it that way. At this point she must alter her course and her purpose and her commitment to her party which includes the millions of members of her party that did not vote for her.
Muncie, IN
Hillary is still in this Race because there is No nominee yet. Daaaaaaaaaa Jack. Did you ever stop to Think.... Maybe the Lady wants to be President of this great country of ours and that Magic number for a nominee to reach has Not been reached. Stop treating her as though she has no right to be in this Race that alone continue until there's a winner. You guys are something else!
she is still running because not every registered voter has cast their ballots yet. she is also still running because she knows the meaning of commitment, which Obama has demonstrated he does not know. Everytime he gets elected to office, he turns around a short time later and tries running for another office, leaving his consituents high and dry. Obama has not yet told us what sort of "change" would should all "hope" for.
jack she is still in the race because she is still winning!! She is ahead in the polls in both montana and purto rico..and plus we still havent counted flordia and michigan yet..so umm yea she has the right to be in the race!
Apparently, she thinks the White House is for dynasties, legacies and entitlements. For 28 Years, we've had Bushes and a Clinton in the WH as presidents and VPs. Do we really need her? The fewer people controlling this country, the less of a democracy and the more of an oligarchy we become.
Robert M.
New York City
Hillary felt the DNC nomination was inevitable before the primary started and cannot come to terms that a junior senator of a different race can actually run an intelligent campaign and create the confusion that is the democratic nomination process. She is still in a state of denial. The Clinton campaign feels that America is not ready for a black president and she is hoping that by staying in the race she is showing how racist her supporters are.
UHH Because she has 50% support of this country that wants her to stay in. At least she is not following in Gore's and Kerry's footsteps and folding like a cheap lawn chair because someone is claiming false victory. Finally a Democrat who has more balls than all of the male senate put together. You Go Hillary!!!!! We support you!!!!
Hillary is staying in the race because I and the vast majority of her other 17 million voters (more than Obama has received) want her too. Also, if you're wondering if sexism in the media exist, look no further than the closet mirror; before it cracks.
Virginia Beach, VA
She stays in because it is all about Hillary. Once she loses the nomination, then in the background she will work to keep Obama from winning the general election. This will allow her to say, I told you he could not win the needed states and put her in position to run in 2012.
Because the clinton's love living in the white house– they like the jet, the entertainment the lifestyle and the attention- end of story- bill even likes the "other" fringe benefits...
Because, she fighting for her self-possession and role in her own family and our country is in her hostage of this battle... She wants to win her husband and prove her super-humanity. She shows how she would rule the country by iron hand and out of reasons, if she would succeed.
clinton won't quit because she trully believes that it is her time and she is the only person ready to be the next president. she also believes that she has the kind of influnce with her supporters that would allow her to march them to obama's camp after all is said and done. this race is about clinton and all everything else are secondary concerns.
if obama actually looses to mccain, clinton will have to share a big part for that loss.
She's still in the race but it's wrong to say she's competing with Barack Obama. She's competing with Bill Clinton-he won what she's now going after and she can't admit she lost. He wins. She loses. Not the dynamic their relationship allows.
Jack,
She can't help herself. She's a Boomer so all she knows is "me." Just as she couldn't see anything wrong with her senatorial fundraising negatively impacting Al Gore's presidential fundraising in the 2000 election. She can't see how using code words and rewriting rules is negatively impacting Barack Obama in the 2008 election.
She needs some glasses to clear up her vision problem.
Jack,
Well, Duh, this is the democratic party isn't it? They could make blinking a difficult task if they gave it some thought. She believes she has a compelling arguement. Millions who voted for her believe the same thing. It's almost a sure bet that she will not go away anytime soon or go away quietly.
JR
Las Vegas, NV
I personally do respect the Clintons and commend her for all the contributions she made to this country. She is indeed an icon but I just want to know how many pant suit she is get left for the remaining part of this race?
Lee
GA
Sir,
The reason is very simple.So long as she remains in this race,she can raise a lot of money by way of contribution and as such can rapay her own loan.
She will be out soon Jack don't worry and I was hoping they canned you as well since you weren't on yesterday.
If when clinton does leave this campaign, she ends up with some sort of face and career saving deal, ie a posh senate seat or a vice president nomination, then we will know why she is still in this race
she may know she cant win the presidential nomination, but if she can't get something out of her $20,000,000 of debt then for her it was all a waste
Hillary, pulling down the ship doesn't make you a martyr for women's causes, it makes you a Republican. Get out now before you separate the party irreconcilably
Why is Senator Clinton still running? Humm ... Let me give you a couple of quicky of the top reasons.
1. No Democratic nominee has been chosen yet.
2. She has more popular votes than anyone in the history of primary elections.
3. She has more electoral votes than anyone, and if the DeMm primaries were like the Republicans and more in line with general election rules, Hillary would have won long ago
4. She is the strongest candidate.
5. She has won the large electoral states and is more competitive in the swing states and therefore has a far better chance of winning than any other candidate.
6. She has the democratic core.
7. There is no other Democratic candidate that will be guaranteed to beat McCain.
8. If Clinton is not the nominee, many Democrats and Independents supporting her will turn to McCain, including the Independent writer this comment.
9. She listens to the MILLIONS of voters who support her, and not to the HUNDREDS of media pundits and super delegates – and thank God for that distinction.
10. Many voters take offense as this type of negative comment by the biased media of CNN - Where is Rolad Martin and his Obama Groupie sweatshirt?
Hilliary has a huge talent but an equally huge ego and she does not want to be seen as a loser.....that seems evident in her making a "Rocky Balboa" analogy and her pushing her "toughness".
She will either push hard enough to be nominated for the VP spot and may decline...or she may go Liberman on the party and run as a Independent.. Of course, she won't win....but then its likely Obama wouldn't either. A victory in denying him, a victory.
In this adolescent position of making the focus of angry discontent, Obama and not the GOP and Mc Cain, ,....Hilliary's public persona seems more valuable to her then securing the election.
Isn't it funny how she said that Florida & Michigan broke the rules and could not be counted in the beginning but, now that she is losing t she wants them to count. If anyone is hurting the party it is her. She does not want to amitt to defeat. She should take the high road if she really cares about the party so that we as democrates could begin the process of defeating McCain. She did not think that she would loose.
That's why she don't know how to say no without getting all that egg on her face. Well too bad.
Because politics and being in the public spotlight is all she knows. There's a lot a stake here. I believe it's shameful with respect to how she has put her own personal ambition above the welfare of her party and the American people. The sooner she gets out, the better.
Hillary has made history all right she has set women back at least a decade..All the glass ceilings has now been reinforeced thanks to Hilary...Now we will all be looked on as petty cry babies who try to change the rules when we're loosing..I used to respect Hillary now she's making me ill.
As I mentioned before, after all this is over she needs to go "hollywood" I'm sure she could get an Oscar for the acting job she's done the last 18 months
It's simple Jack. We're seeing the end of an era and the transition to a new era and the incumbants from the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers aren't ready to let go yet. For 20 years the White House has been dominated by first the Greatest Generation, George H. W. Bush, then the Baby Boomers George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. They're era is ending and she and they won't let go.
Add to that the realization the Clinton's have been the icons of the Democratic Party for 16 years now and neither Hillary nor Bill are ready to give up the adulation and power.
It's time for Hillary, Bill, the Bush's and their supporters to realize their time has come and gone and they need to relinquish the limelight to others from a newer generation.
Oh and by the way I'm a Baby Boomer. We're aging and the Greatest Generation is dying off. The mantle must be past and typically it is up to the older generations to gracefully pass the mantle to the next. Unfortunately, Hillary can't accept she's a has been.
Hillary continues to fight a uphill battle, because she is selfish and that is the Clinton way. If you don't get what you think you deserve, then "jack it up" (no pun intended) for the person that does.
A few weeks ago, you were asking why Clinton went to Richard Mellon Scaife and why, subsequently, he recommended her via his newspaper.
This week you asked why is it that Hillary is supported so often by Republicans, including the McCain campaign,
Some of the rabid liberals in the Democratic Party, myself included, think Hillary is so engrained in the old system, the one everybody used to call "crooked," that the Republicans would much rather see her in the office than Obama.
She is giving the Republicans so much help that perhaps we should all be asking ourselves this question.
Perhaps she has an agenda that doesnt support Obama or the Democratic Party.
She's more than likely to stay in it until 3 June and has a right to. Even though Barack Obama clearly will be the nominee
Hillary is still running because Obama can't close the gap. He is loosing the working class just like John Kerry did, and its not because he's black, but rather because he is an elitist. Obama choose to woo the rich and well-educated in Oregon instead of going to Kentucky to convince the working class that he "understands what they are going through". This economy is a lot tougher on someone who makes $7,500 a year (as some do in Kentucky) then it is on a college educated professional pulling down $100K a year. The middle class elects presidents and Hillary gets that.
Gigi, what about all those candidates that DID follow the rules and took their names off the ballots. What about those who didn't vote because it would be invalid. Or what about those that didn't vote because their candidate wasn't on the ballot. Don't those people count at all. I guess they don't in HRC eyes.
Bigger book deal
I think she will stay in untill Obama is declared the nominee. However, chances of Hilary being Obama's VP is 50/50, she still would accomplish more historic records. I predict that in November it will be Obama/Edwards vs McCain/Pawlenty. I have so much respect for McCain for everything he has done as a Vet and a person, but I don't think America wants 4 more years of Bush. Whoever is voting republican this year PLEASE REMEMBER THIS: "If our economy is bad now and our pump prices keep increasing, imagine McCain in the White house for four years running our country and keeping our troops prolonger in Iraq!!"
Grand Rapids, MI
1. I think she is trying to keep the democratic party in the news whether it be in a positive or negative way.
2. I think she is banking on the "uneducated, blue collar workers" to not do their homework before they go vote; and to vote for her based on her being in the news frequently and how good the economy was when her husband was in office.
Isn't it strange that a majority of the "educated" voters back Obama?
I'm 24, female, well educated, married, own my own home, and am a county government employee. I have been firmly backing Obama since the race started.
Hillary is still in the race because from the start she's been in it just for her. The Clintons just want the power back with Bill as the main star. Obama is in it because he wants change. Mc Cain is in it because it's his time.
there are many reasons:
1. she doesnt to be a quitter.
2. imagine the field day the righties will have on the day she drops out, i wouldnt want to give them the satisfaction either.
3. i'm sure bill and chelsea are egging her on too
4. sh'es being selfish
5. she's trying to be the first womn to COMPLETE a primary
6. some think sh'es running for 2012. counting on a mccain win (BAD idea) so she can run in 2012 after his disastrous 4 years.
7. she's waiting for something to torpedo obama. good luck with that one.
8. she knows the nasty october surprise the repugs have planned for obama....
Why all the talk about Hillary accepting the VP as Obama's running mate. This cannot, must not, and will not happen. In my mind this would take AWAY votes from Obama. He's run his entire campaign on the mantra of "change"; to then turn around and put the establishment on the ticket with him would discredit his entire message. What name, other than perhaps Bush, is more synonymous with establishment than Clinton? I am a life-long Republican, but I plan on crossing over this election because we need change in Iraq and McCain is certainly not going to bring about the right kind of change. But if we have an Obama-Clinton ticket, there's no chance of getting my vote.
Jack, she's married to the king of the mulligans. What else would you expect from someone who lives by a different set of rules? This morning I heard her hatchet man Wolfson say she deserved the nomination in part because she has won more states since February. That's like saying if a baseball team comes up a game or two short at the end of the season but had a better record after the All Star break that team should be declared the winner. These people will stop at nothing to get their way.
She is still running on the long shot that she will be able to continue driving the wedge of race into this political battle. She has found her voting bloc (Uneducated Rural Whites – URW) who are unwilling to look beyond racial lines and vote for the more charismatic and dynatmic canidate. This last two weeks has done little to benefit the democratic party in a time when new leadership is needed. With every passing day Hillary is aiding McCain, by not allowing Obama to completely shift his focus to the general election. He is being forced to fight a battle on two fronts and it is hurting him and the democratic parties chances of winning the white house. A fact that we can ill afford to have happen at a time when new leadership is a much for this country.
It is called courage of conviction. There is no doubt that most of the media you included have been Hillary bashing and Barrack babying. To pretend otherwise would be insulting the intelligence of the public. The campaign has been all about the empty rhetoric of hope versus the solid proof of service and achievement. It is sad that the political process however is so coloured by the media spin. Please recognize your question for what it is. You cant stand her and are doing your best to show her in a bad light.
She stays in the race because people are still voting for her in a big way. She has found her stride though it is too late. If this pirmary was just beginning, she would most likely win now as Obama is starting to freefall a little. I do believe there was some sexism in the beginning but not so much now. She wants to go the distance win or lose, she has earned that right..
Hillary Clinton needs to bow gracefully out of this race. If she continues to drive a wedge in the Democratic Party, she wili not only damage her party but she will she will damage her own image. Great leaders know that it is not about them – it is about "the cause."
Because she feels entitled, is a sore loser, cannot accept defeat and will steal the nomination if she can. She is foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog. She will glad destroy the Democratic Party and its chances of winning the general election just so that Obama does not win. This is about her winning, not the DNC. If she is so bright then how can she claim that she doesn't realize the animosity she is creating among her supported. Yeah, we believe her. The DNC should have put a stop to this a long time ago. Bye bye Hillary, and Bill for that matter. Good ridance.
It is a very difficult thing for human beings to accept defeat. Hillary has not yet reached the acceptance phase of this defeat and will require some good counsel on the matter. I bet you all the money I have that she would never consider making a statement that she does NOT want racist vote. Since the hiring of her new campaign manager her theme has been sublty racist or sexist. As a woman I am very dissapointed with her strategy and would have favored her over Barack had that not been the case.
Because she wants to ruin Obama and have Mc Cain win this election, so she will have better chance 4 years from now. That's the only strategy she is counting on.
Jack, its seems to me that Hillary remains in the race with the hope of becoming Vice President it almost seems like some sort of conspiracy but in a none negative contex. Its obvious that Obamas best choice for Vice President is Hillary. What a team; Obama, Bill, Hillary, makes you wonder.
Because shes on this self rightgeous conceded mission to not be the "president of the united states" but the "first woman president".
I can only hope she'll stay in long enough to not completly burn the democratic party to the ground, but to completly destroy her political career.
OBAMA 08!
Hilliary continues the race because she wants to be Vice President and is trying to force Obama to select her. She has come up with many reason why she has lost (i.e. sexism, media, etc.) The only problem is that she is the one who feels that women should vote for her because she is a woman. CNN could be named Clinton News Network in addition to ABC and Fox 4.
At some point and time, she will have to look in the mirror. She said that racism hasn't been a problem inspite of the fact that some of her supporters admit that race matters.
Quit lying and take responsibility. You created this problem and you continue to rack up an enormous campaign debt. Is this being responsible?
i think shes staying in because shes stubborn, she has every right to stay in, but i think at some point you have to realize that its over and just bow out with grace and respect in order to unite the party. As far as Florida and Michigan go, she knew these votes would not be counted, she agreed they would not be counted, and these states knew they would be diciplined for their actions, and the argument that she cares so much that every vote be counted is outrageous. She doesnt care she just wants them to count bc they could help her, if she were ahead she wouldn't give two craps about those votes.
Hillary is brainwashing the white working class in rural america and the media is making it worse by reinforcing this. She is still in the race to mark a new name for herself but most people can see through her deceit.
If Barck Obama was a white man running against Hillary, he would've had the nomination already.
she is in the race to make it imperative that obama offers her the VP ticket. If she has failed to kneecap him, she will at least try and be a deadweight around his neck in the form of VP.
Gosh! when she demands that florida and michigan should be counted 'exactly as they are", its clear that this woman has no ethics!
I am a woman and a feminist. But what are the women who argue for her candidacy exactly fighting for, when power to hillary is actually power to billary?
sukanya
new jersey
Jack,
She is still in this race because of people like you> Good old boys who do not want a woman in the White house. She still there because she can be elected not Obama. Maybe in your warped view about everything you missed the trend in the states that Democrats must win, a majority of her supporters will not vote for Obama. Instead of displaying you dislike for everything not Obama show some class and report the new and stop trying to make the news.
Of course Hillary has the "right" to continue in the race, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. It's time to for her to bow out and make a graceful exit.
Hillary is hanging around hoping for some ridiculously huge gaffe from the Obama camp that could send a flood of super delegates her way. She'll also need help from Florida and Michigan. The odds against both of these things happening in the next few weeks are astronomical. It all seems very selfish of Hillary to let this continue.
Her tenaciousness and iron will that give her strength as a leader are, I feel, misleading her in her ability to understand the will of the people whom she advocates for. The complexities of the issues that define the differences between Hillary and Barak are difficult to define in political terms because they are rooted in psychological and social identifiers that go to the core of many of our own subconcious divisions. We were robbed of a legitamate candidate in 2000, and were distracted with misinformation and character assisnation in 2004, and now must put our faith in the right person to be able to fight both of those weapons of mass destruction. If Hillary continues down the path of legal manipulation to win a fight that she was loosing until she went negative. Come general election time, we will be faced with someone who ultimately, we believe, will fight dirty, even if the will of the people is expressed that we dislike these old tactics. Even grown weary of them over the last 8 years. She may beright that she could get a technical win, and that the process allows for that, and she may feel she is right. But I dont think America wants another candidate elected by loophole.
Jack,
I truely beleive that she has turned her sights away from winning the nominatioin and this is now a classic "Clintonesque" strategy of staying in the race to pay off her $19.5M in debt- the Clinton's certainly aren't going to pay down their own debt...how Republican of them...
Jack,
Hillary is staying in the race because she feels she's entitled. If she had any dignity or class she would be trying to unite the democratic party and support Barack Obama. He leads in all areas that count and above all he has integrity.
Barack campaigns against McCain; Clinton campaigns against reality!
This is typical Clinton style; I have a divine right to govern. Hillary will do anything to win this nomination including throwing the Democractic party and the next general election if need be under the bus and anyone else that gets in her way ! The Replubicans are loving this and now McCain has a real shot. Just wait and see how Hillary will turn this nomination into the ugleist finsih we have ever seen in American history.
What's the big deal about Florida? Obama got 33%, Edwards 14% compared to Hillary's 50% that's a 3% difference or 5-6 delegates. Hillary is trailing by 160+ delegates! What is she trying to gain in Florida??????
Jack I'm over in Iraq so I don't get to see the news everyday but it seems as if the Clinton's make up new rules everyday.
Nothing should surprise you at this point. Look for her to run as an independent after Obama locks up the nomination. It's all about the Clintons
I voted for Bill in 92' and 96' and it's to bad that there supports can't see that they will do anything to win and they could careless about the party it's all about them
Jack, the superdelegates, starting with Al Gore, have to get her out and NOW!! She has proven to be what her detractors always said she was - polarizing!! Why is everyone so afraid of the Clintons? They had their days in the sun. Get off the stage already The democratic party does not need their DLC, aka republican group and their neocon ideas. We need a real democrat back in the White House. All the supers need to do is to come out and get him over that magic number and she is out. How long will they sit back and watch the Democratic Party become divided like this????
Oh please superdelegates! Bring this madness to an end!
She thinks that someday CNN and MSNBC might start fairly covering the lack of credentials of Obama and his failure to accomplish anything of substance for Illinois. I can’t understand how the “educated” supporters of Obama are too stupid to add two and two. If he hasn’t produced for Illinois why would he produce as President? Hillary is our best chance for a good economy and recovery of our position in the world.
Hillary is only in this race to split this country. As per her she is staying in it for the white working class which leads me as a white male as pitting white versus black into white versus everybody else. This is a disgrace to all races of people in America. Go OBAMA '08 '12
All you Clinton supporters out there, why won't you vote for Obama if he's the nominee? Obama has put together a campaign that for the most part has not attacked Clinton, avoiding the Bill Clinton trashing that the Republicans would do. I can see that you disagree with some of Obama's policies, or that he's not ready, but is John McCain that much better? I would urge Obama supporters to do the same thing if Clinton pulls off some kind of miracle.
Because she doesn't understand th difference between "fighting the good fight" and "fighting just to say you're a fighter". She's damaged herself beyond repair. This campaign will stick to her for the rest of her life. She'll be lucky to keep her senate seat.
BECAUSE........Obama still does not have enough votes EITHER, and most likely won't get them by pledged delegates alone. Has everyone forgotten what Obama said early in the primary? He said that the popular vote should be the REAL will of the people!!!!!!! Seems as though he has changed HIS argument to fit HIS needs.
Barbara J.
Seal Beach, CA