I got this in my Inbox this morning. It's from Hillary Clinton.
Senator Clinton has smashed through so many glass ceilings, but the one over the nomination was made of diamond. The Party appears to have decided long ago that there was no way Hillary would ever be the nominee, and I am sure they signaled to her that she had no chance whatsoever of winning a floor fight at the Convention. Being as close as she was, there was every historical precedent for her to try to fight it out - Jesse Jackson and Ted Kennedy come to mind, for example; each of these men had far fewer delegates than she did when they refused to concede.
Yet despite having more holes in her back than a colander, Hillary, unlike Obama, sees the divisions in the Party and wants to take steps to heal those divisions. She is a die-hard, loyal Democrat, through and through. Nothing can change that for her.
My prediction is that she will not be able to do so, since the divisions are caused by Senator Obama, and not Hillary herself. Certainly my respect and admiration for her, and belief that she would be our next FDR, will not automatically transfer to Obama.
For example, I am almost certain that he, in his mad pursuit of some fictional, Broderian idea of Unity, will pick a Republican for his VP. He is utterly indifferent to the howls of outrage that will emanate from core Democrats should he pursue this course. Why should he care? It's not like he really wants to win the White House anyway. It's all about the power and cashola of controlling the Democratic Party machinery.
But I have a question for Senator Obama.
What Democratic Party?
I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.
On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.
I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.
When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.
I made you -- and everyone who supported me -- a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I'm going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.
I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.
I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.
In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.
I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Senator Clinton has smashed through so many glass ceilings, but the one over the nomination was made of diamond. The Party appears to have decided long ago that there was no way Hillary would ever be the nominee, and I am sure they signaled to her that she had no chance whatsoever of winning a floor fight at the Convention. Being as close as she was, there was every historical precedent for her to try to fight it out - Jesse Jackson and Ted Kennedy come to mind, for example; each of these men had far fewer delegates than she did when they refused to concede.
Yet despite having more holes in her back than a colander, Hillary, unlike Obama, sees the divisions in the Party and wants to take steps to heal those divisions. She is a die-hard, loyal Democrat, through and through. Nothing can change that for her.
My prediction is that she will not be able to do so, since the divisions are caused by Senator Obama, and not Hillary herself. Certainly my respect and admiration for her, and belief that she would be our next FDR, will not automatically transfer to Obama.
For example, I am almost certain that he, in his mad pursuit of some fictional, Broderian idea of Unity, will pick a Republican for his VP. He is utterly indifferent to the howls of outrage that will emanate from core Democrats should he pursue this course. Why should he care? It's not like he really wants to win the White House anyway. It's all about the power and cashola of controlling the Democratic Party machinery.
But I have a question for Senator Obama.
What Democratic Party?
3 comments:
I'm still not sure she won't take VP if offered. If she does I think it will be only if she has the power a la Cheney. I REALLY do like the thought of her as Senate Majaority Leader tho. The more I think about it, this is a very good fit for her and the US.
Plllleeeeaassse!
Yet despite having more holes in her back than a colander, Hillary, unlike Obama, sees the divisions in the Party and wants to take steps to heal those divisions.
I'm starting to see those divisions as well. I used to laugh when the pundits said the democratic party was in disarray. I'm not so sure anymore. One thing is for sure. I'm sure as hell not voting for McCain, and I'm sure as hell not staying home either. The big letdown of what should have been a triumph led me to post.
A beautiful post, flying junior.
For both of you: I am hearing rumors, which may or may not be true, that Hillary will suspend, but not concede, on Saturday. This is the strategy I feel she should take, which would keep her delegates as leverage and her options open for the Convention.
One thing is for sure: We can't believe anything the pundits say regarding Hillary's plans. They are almost never correct. :-)
As the Democrats Turn...
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