According to Tim Russert of MSNBC's Meet the Press, "We now know who the democratic nominee is going to be" referring to Senator Obama's 14-point win in North Carolina, and unexpectedly narrow loss (barely 2 points) in Indiana.
Now seeming to focus on the general election, Senator Obama began his victory speech in North Carolina by saying,
"There were those who were saying that North Carolina would be a game-changer in this election...But today, what North Carolina decided is that the only game that needs changing is the one in Washington, DC."
Senator Clinton delivered a victory speech of sorts in Indiana before the race was officially called, while she maintained a definitive lead over Obama (see AP excerpts here). Standing with her husband and daughter at her side, she said,
"Not long ago my opponent made a prediction. He said I would probably win in Pennsylvania, he would North Carolina, and Indiana would be the tiebreaker. Well, tonight we've come from behind, we've broken the tie, and thanks to you, it's full speed to the White House."
But later, in a somewhat conciliatory tone, she said,
"...as I have said on many occasions, that, no matter what happens, I will work for the nominee of the Democratic Party, because we must win in November."
Expected to meet with superdelegates today, perhaps Senator Clinton will think twice about adding campaign stops to West Virginia and other states. But then again, her graceful concession has been on the minds of many for quite some time - and she hasn't given up yet.
What do you think? Is it over yet?
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Comments: 90
The convention is still in the picture, as the super delegates are necessary for either to win, and even tho many have chosen who they will vote for now, they can always change their minds.
Hillary has said on different occasions that she will help Obama if he is the candidate, and I feel that she will and I also feel that she is doing so on purpose now. I know that many won't agree with me on that last statement, however, that is what I think she is doing in this point in time.
Even so, it onto the convention and if Obama can't win on the first ballot then Hillary will win on the second or third ballot at the convention.
Also of note, on my thoughts, is that each will wind up the Vice President on each others ticket in November, regardless of which one is nominated in the convention.
I really don't feel completely comfortable with either candidate. I dislike politicians nearly as much as I dislike lawyers (long story, but events in past five years make me believe many are nothing more than crooks who went to school to figure out how to steal and have it be "legal").
I would love to one day find a candidate that is SO incredibly honest, forthright and humble that I have no choice but to believe I am voting in a candidate of integrity. In my voting lifetime, I have yet to find one.
"There are only six contests remaining in the Democratic primary calendar and only 217 pledged delegates left to be awarded. Only 7 percent of the pledged delegates remain on the table. There are 260 remaining undeclared superdelegates, for a total of 477 delegates left to be awarded.
With North Carolina and Indiana complete, Barack Obama only needs 172 total delegates to capture the Democratic nomination. This is only 36% of the total remaining delegates.
Conversely, Senator Clinton needs 326 delegates to reach the Democratic nomination, which represents a startling 68% of the remaining delegates."
Yet, the questions for me now are simple. If the remaining paths to a Clinton "victory" are transparently odd and unlikely enough as to make them seem like she's stolen the nomination for someone who earned the nomination, why wouldn't we expect this to sunder the Democratic Party? If this is so, why now are the Super Delegates, and, Clinton herself, not bringing this to a close?
I agree with you. All paths leading to her victory lead to disaster.
I don't think she should be VP either she'll only drag down the ticket. Obama ran on the theme of change and having Clinton an old school machine politician isn't change- it's more of the same.
But, the million dollar question is.........
Can The Clintons say it's over. Can both Hillary AND Bill accept defeat graciously? Will they take Obama down with them? With today's alternative media watching everything they say in public, can they keep their mouths shut if they step down?
What "deal" will have to made to get her to stand down? Would she take a deal? Would she want a postition in the Obama White House? I kinda doubt it.
Obama has all the political left drinking the Kool Aid, now he needs to get the political middle to drink the Kool Aid. Evan Bayh from Indiana.
Stevenson, McGovern, Dukakis, Kerry.
The only Dem's that have won in the modern era are somewhat moderate southern governors. You folks might be happy with Obama, but will the middle vote for him?
good bit of writing Diana.
And where is "the middle"? Is it visible on a map?
Hillary, its time to concede the nomination and start working on bringing the Democratic party back together. After two months of the Clinton campaign dragging Obama through the mud he has proved to be the strongest candidate.
If Hillary Clinton were the stronger candidate then she would not have to lend her campaign a dime. People show support by dollar numbers and Senator Clinton's biggest support is from her own check book.
Even an early Clinton supporter, former Senator George McGovern has asked the Hillary to step aside so the democrats can work on unifying the party.
Take a hint Hillary... It's Over!!!
again, good article
I agree with your statement "Obama is 46 could win and be a two term president, that would make Clinton 68 on the next real run. I think she can't deal with this math mentally and the reality it's really over for her. "
It hard to see your own the light at the end of the tunnel getting dimmer while watching your opponents light grow bright even to the point of taking over your tunnel.
ever lost a position at work to a younger person... it sucks
just kidding.
Open your hearts and minds and whisper Yes We Can to yourself then slowly, with confidence speak, then shout out for all to hear Yes We Can because, this is Our Hour and We Are The Ones We've been waiting for.
;>}
They got the keys of the white house too.
Obama could offer Her, an ambassadorship to Iraq and Bill ambassador to the United Nations
The untold thing. Huckabee and Romney got so many votes yesterday. Check it out. It's quite disturbing for McCain
She has fought hard and worked like a dog to get within a whisker of the nomination. Failure is a bitter pill, especially for people with the kind of drive and ambition it takes to even attempt a serious run at the White House. Why is everyone so willing to dump on her for showing that kind of ambition when the process demands it of her in the first place?
THAT being said... Hillary would stand a better chance at winning and uniting democrats in the nation as a whole. Super delegates NEED this information, because a non vote from Hillary's backers would result in a vote FOR McCain, and the republicans could end up in office for another 4 years.
I was a Obama supporter but the more I hear from him (and his pastor) the less I like him. If I attended a church that I didn't believe what the preacher was saying, I'd leave...
I believe they should put the fight aside, run as President and Vice president and unite the people. More people and minorities would be represented if they ran together, it would solve the ongoing drain on democratic coffers and let us all take a breather from the constant barrage of "She should quit!" "No he should!" drama AND it would force the media to find something else to do. Like hound a celebrity again.
Meanwhile... they can begin to focus on campaigning for the democratic national party and securing a Democratic White House win. Right now, Obama looks like he might be a liability for an October surprise (especially with loose lipped preachers making fun of people who might've voted for Obama running around) where as Hillary.... mweh.... her dirty laundry.............. is Bill and he's already been washed and hung up to dry on the line.
I am still concerned about a Democrat getting the Presidency. I want to be absolutely sure they get in, therefore I think there will be much joy and happiness and reconciliation if both candidates can work together - sincerely. If they cannot, I understand, but they are both so close on the issues there should be no reason they cannot cooperate.
I also agree with some who say Obama is less experienced, and the best way to shore up that deficit is to put hit-the-ground-running Hillary in place in a high office to assist.
Assuming that Obama can't win a national election is premature. There is still plenty of time for differentiation between McCain and Obama. Furthermore, the perfect running mate could even seal the deal for Obama. What if he were to pick someone like Joe Biden?
What a foolish mess they made of this. And the Democratic party ought to fork over the money to fix this because even though it was FL and MI fault, the buck stops and starts with the Democrats, they are responsible to deliver a fair candidate for President.
I do not hate Senator Clinton, but she has displeased me a bit.
On exit polls of more Obama supporters saying they would vote Hillary...Of course they would say that. They are winning. That's what I would say too. If Clinton was ahead they would be saying the same too.
And having Bill Clinton roaming the white house? Obama is smarter than that. That guy would have his special team undermining the presidency left and right.
She knew from the very beginning there would be trouble for breaking the rules. Now she wants to change the rules. There are just certain things, Hill, that you can't DO OVER!
I think Hillary would be a natural at senate majority leader or whip.
The thought that just struck me is that when a Democrat is elected, do you think the media will allow them to claim a mandate, as Bush did when he was "selected",and will that help anyone pass health care?
I think if Clinton was the VP the mandate would be unquestionable, and we would have a health care bill the first year ... assuming Obama can break away from his talks with Ahmadinejad long enough! ;-)
She is demonstrating the kind of toughness that a president really has to display against all odds. While I prefer Obama at this point, he might get ripped to shreds by the ghosts of Karl Rove. At least Hillary knows what these bastards are capable of and she knows how to dodge a bullet.
What we are witnessing is one über-driven female candidate coming to grips with (for her) is an über-bitter reality. The same applies to her core followers.
This life-changing capitulation will take time. For candidate and cadre it must be supremely difficult to come to grips with the self-awareness that America does not trust her enough nor is better ready to accept the possibility of a messianic black male than a fustian white female.
There are psychoanalytical issues at work here. Logically, she is toast. In her mind she is still the scuffler
Mine is NOT a criticism but an observation.
I'm not sure how the Democratic Party will cauterize this electoral wound … and harness the harridan. This may signal a historic implosion of party politics in 2008.
Ken: the only way the dems can keep their "eye on the prize" is if Hillary is off the stage.
I understand that FL and MI are unique because they voted when the race was hotly contested, but their results didn't count. BUT, everyone views this as a disaster for the Dems. I think the GOP has a crisis on hands. The Dems will have campaigned heavily through all other 48 states, drawing record numbers at every stop.
The GOP campaign saw roughly 25 states with low turnout, and then, for all practical purposes, came to an abrupt halt.
I really don't think that many Dem voters in MI and FL will vote McCain out of spite. Besides, it doesn't seem to matter. I feel pretty confident that in a McCain-Obama match up, Obama will take MI and McCain will take FL.
I think the Republicans have a serious problem on their hands with droves of motivated and engaged Demcorats in every state and a country that is tired of Republican rule, mainly president Bush, and a GOP candidate that offers the same economic and foreign policy platform.
There is no reason to think that Hillary Clinton at that time would have done anything, and Bill certainly did not advise of help Al Gore, or say a damn thing at the time. As President and a Democrat he would have been partisan or course, but why would there not have been some demand that the President at least attempt to ensure elections were free in democratic America?
I like Hillary and I admire her determination, up until now, however it does not mean that Obama is not reacting to attacks on him or would give up the Presidency as Gore was accused of. Obama has reacted quickly smoothly and efficiently when he is attacked, except for the Wright double bond that was media created.
I surmise that people are to the point, even more average Americans where we know about what is going on in politics and at least some of these cheap media tactics and right wing attacks have less of an immediate affect and fade faster then they would have 8 years ago.
People adapt when it comes to their survival.
As for the Middle, no we're not in any certain location on the map. We're mostly the ones who have lost faith in both parties, and see a lot of corruption within both parties. It's hard for us to trust any of them. Some of us voted for Bush, and look what we got. I can't speak for the whole Middle, but I for one am going with my gutt instinct and hope for the best, like I always do. I can only hope the Dems don't disappoint me this go round.
As for the Dream Team - No way! Clinton is too domineering to be anyone's VP. She's doesn't settle for second. I'm fairly sure Obama realizes this. And yes, he has promised us a new look in DC - we'll see, but Hillary doesn't exactly fit the kind of DC Obama envisioned.
Rosa ... Hillary Rodham married and changed her name to Clinton ... she did work very hard - extremely hard as second best ... you seem to be saying what you want to see.
Clinton's and Obama platforms are almost exactly the same, closer than about any other two candidates or nominees ever before - they can work together if they choose.
Bruce K--At what point did the media create Jeremiah Wright?
On what grounds?
The democratic party is not a government entity, it is a private organization. The DNC is free to make rules, designate penalties for breaking the rules and impose those penalties when the rules are broken.
I can understand why someone might try to take the DNC to court but I don't think a questionable argument of fairness has any legal basis to prevail. Failing to enforce the rules is always unfair to all that abide by them. In this case, that is all of the other 48 states.
You are tripping Kay, go back and read the reports, Gore won the recount. The reason you did not see it on the front pages was that it was about a year after the election, and the US did not want to suffer the humiliation in the eyes of the world. Read the fine print of the Miami Herald story, pay close attention to the numbers.
WM - the DNC is a private entity that affects people's Constitutional rights ... if you do not think this can go to court you are mistaken. Florida and Michigan voters have a case that they have been discriminated against.
Existing precedent says the counters must take the intention of the voter into account if it can be determined ... ie. if I say screw this butterfly ballot, and I write in by hand all my votes, the state of Florida must read my ballot and count is as determined.
This was not done ... when the Miami Herald did a recount they do not classigy the balloets which is what was going on when James Baker III broke into the precinct offices where both Democrats and Republicans were peacefully countring and classifying ballots for determination.
Anyone who says Bush won the election on the vote is mistaken.
I did not say you can't go to court. You can always go to court. I asked on what grounds you might be able to win.
That is the only way we are going to see the Constitution given the respect it desereves and returned as the supreme law of the land.
That is the only way we are going to see the Constitution given the respect it desereves and returned as the supreme law of the land. "
Bruce K--I now know what you mean by "tripping"
Now, iam convinced power is sweat, corrupts the mind and gives supernatural confidence, if not, why would Hillary be in the race when every light of hope is fading at her disadvantage
On Clinton staying in the race: She has a right to stay in through the end, which is only about 4 weeks away. She will likely win WV, KY and PR by wide margins. And then the rest of the superdelegates will cast their votes and it will be over. This will allow her to finish out the voting and retain her dignity, and more importantly, regain her status as a leader in the party. As long as she continues with grace and dignity she can play a large role in restoring the party unity she helped to divide. Have patience.
On Joe Biden: I like his honesty and integrity. Unfortunately it's highly unlikely that another Senator will be on the ticket of either party. I look forward to continued good work from him either in the Senate or the Administration.
On MI and FL: Both states will be seated at the convention with some arbitrary split of delegates between Clinton and Obama. I believe the split will favor Clinton slightly to allow some face saving, but the DNC will not allow MI and FL to change the winner of the race. The leadership of both states broke the rules; they then cannot be rewarded by changing the results.
On the 2000 recount: It's an academic argument at this point. It's time to move on.
Thanks again Diana and everyone else.
Just a thought.
BTW--thanks for commenting on my Quick Tips 4 U article. I appreciate it.
let's eat... haha
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