No Concession In New York
As the primary contests wrapped this evening, and though her fate appeared sealed, a strident Hillary Clinton nonetheless touted her popular vote majority and ability to win in swing states. She emphasized her commitment to health care reform, jumpstarting the economy and ending the Iraq war. And she gave barely a nod to rival Barack Obama's apparent selection as the Democratic Party nominee.
"I understand that a lot of people are asking, 'What does Hillary want?'" she said during an event at Baruch College. "I want what I have always fought for in this campaign. I want to end the war in Iraq. I want to turn this economy around. ... I want the nearly 18M Americans who voted for me to be respected, to be heard and no longer to be invisible."
Clinton added: "This has been a long campaign, and I will be making no decisions tonight."
But she urged supporters to go to her Web site with their suggestions. And Clinton said the "best interests of our party and our country" will guide her ultimate choice.
"In the end, while this primary was long, I am so proud we stayed the course together," Clinton said, her husband and daughter looking on. "Because we stood our ground it meant that every single United States citizen had a chance to make his or her voices heard."
Clinton said Obama "has inspired so many Americans to care about politics," but she did not congratulate him for winning a hard-fought primary contest. She did say that "our party and our democracy is stronger and more vibrant as a result" of their battle.
"It has been an honor to contest these primaries with him, just as it is an honor to call him my friend," she added.
Clinton's speech was at turns proud and self-involved, eloquent and forceful. It revealed her interest in remaining a force in the party, but lacked a gracious acknowledgment of Obama's victory. She even noted the many voters who have looked into her eyes these last months and said: "Don't quit, keep fighting, stay in this race."
A memory, or a caution?
At one point tonight, chants of "Denver, Denver, Denver" filled the room. Clinton offered no promise to trudge on, however. No vow to duke it out in Denver. But she did remind voters that she was the choice of half of the record 35M people who cast ballots over the last five months.
"In the millions of quiet moments, in thousands of places, you asked yourself a simple question -- Who will be the strongest candidate and the strongest president, who will be ready to take back the White House and take charge as commander-in-chief and lead our country to better tomorrows," Clinton said.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
hilary must of missed the memo: she's out.
hilary must of missed the memo: she's out.
Why did Hillary commit political suicide last night? She blew her chance at unifying the Democratic party and getting the VP spot by opening her big mouth to suggest contesting the popular vote with her and Harold Ickes twisted logic. She really had a chance to get the VP spot last night, but now she is trying to hold Barrack up to it under duress... this is going to be the fundamental reason for him to choose someone else. So don't be surprised if you are a Clinton voter... Obama is going to choose someone else as VP.
After watching Hillary last night, I couldn't get the words of Don McLean's "American Pie" out of my head:
"We all got up to dance but we never got the chance
'Cause the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield"
This woman's ego is not too large is it?
She is doing a wonderful job of splitting the party just so she may be considered for VP. You have to question if she really cares if the Dems win it if she in not on the ticket.
Keep going Hillary- split the party more!
As a Republican it is great to see her help us.
After HC's speech I went to her web page just to see what Does she really want. Her supporters want her to run as an Independent!! If democrat votes are split, then Republicans will win the general election! what are they thinking??. I guess they are not.
Hillary GIVE IT UP! I wouldn't put her on the ticket if I was Obama. 1) I don't think that he can trust her and 2) they will be fighting and bickering and nothing will get done if he does. She is one of those that willa accept the seat but try to force her hand every chance she gets, since according to her she has more "experience." GIVE IT UP HILARY. Continue your fight on health care and funding for schools, AS A SENATOR, but I sure hope it won't be as VP.
OBAMA '08
WE CANNOT put Obama in the WH
I do not want Hillary to be Obama VP so I can watch Obama going down in flames. I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR ONE LIKE HIM IN THE WH
- A SOCIALIST (TAKE A LOOK AT HIS SHORT VOTING RECORD)
- A BITTER FIRST LADY WHO IS NOT PROUD OF HER COUNTRY
- A RACIST WHO ATTENDED HATE SPUING CHURCH FOR 20 YEARS (and don't tell me this is old news - IT REFLECTS HIS JUDGMENT)
- A NAIVE NOVICE in international politics
- A MAN WITH NO EXPERIENCE WHO GOT IN SENATE BY CHEATING HIS WAY THROUGH AND DESTROYING HIS OPPONENTS
Do I need to say more? Hillary don't be Obama VP - people will never put this man in the WH. He is wrong for America.
Ketsu Go?
Sorry but I’m new to this blog thing so bare with me a moment. I am an independent and as far disclosure is concerned I support Obama for President. It seems to me that Mrs. Clinton has the delusion that she is the Emperor of Japan circa 1946. As I’m sure you all recall from your American History class back in High School, that in 1946 the Japanese government found themselves on the ropes in World War II, and as I taught the War in the Pacific to my Juniors in High School, I couldn’t help but draw a parallel with the Japanese strategy for defending the homeland of Japan with the strategy the Clinton Campaign has used down the stretch in the Democratic Primaries. Like the Primary Season with its stops throughout the country the, War in the Pacific was one involving an Island Hopping Strategy with a series of battles which would eventually bring the War in the Pacific to a close with a decisive winner? As the Japanese experienced defeats throughout the course of the War they began to formulate a strategy for the War’s completion and how they could best position themselves for the terms of their surrender to the Americans. They developed the strategy of Ketsu Go because they believed that the American resolve was weakening and that if they bled American forces they could dictate favorable terms of surrender that would leave the Emperor intact as well as the military elite that had built the countries forces up and then used it in a series of unprecedented preemptive moves to solidify a great Asian empire. This strategy called for every citizen to fight to the death to protect the Emperor, effectively making men women and children suicide bombers. The people of Japan revered their Emperor and would readily make the sacrifice. Even after the dropping of the first bomb the Emperor and his advisors refused to see the gravity of the situation and continued to sue for terms of surrender acceptable to them. The point here is that the Japanese knew they were defeated but instead of capitulating they clung to the belief that they could have some say in the War’s outcome. The Clinton strategy seems similar in that, clearly, by every matrix she is beaten and yet she is still clings to the notion that she can win, or dictate terms, regardless of the cost to the ultimate losers, the American people if we are subjected to 4 more years of the status quo that has been our politics since the first Bush Administration (and that would include the 8 years of the Clinton Administration). It is time for a change from the politics of the past 20 years that have allowed our infrastructure to nearly collapse, our educational system to become even less competitive, and our ability to be a real player in world affairs outside the Iraq debacle. Mrs. Clinton would be wise to remember what happened to the “transcendent” infallible Emperor in Japan and the people and institutions that supported him. They wound up trivialized and vilified for their roles in a losing effort. The Empress should do the honorable thing here and surrender unconditionally.
Since when is the VP spot a consolation prize? Moreover how can someone who claims to be more electable than Sen Obama now be on a the same ticket as the VP? It automatically undermines his prospects and becomes ammunition for the RNC. I can just hear it “even his own running mate said he is unelectable”. And what will she now say when campaigning on his behalf…”I know I said he is not electable but he’s all we got”? Come on, what will have changed?! It doesn’t work and to think so is simply being short-sighted. Also, let’s not forget that Pres. Bill Clinton will continue to act at will (as was shown during his own wife’s campaign) making an Obama presidency unpredictable. While I respect Sen Clinton, it’s a new day and the ticket needs TWO fresh faces
I suggest Nancy Pelosi. She is a strong woman that won't take 'cr..p from no one. And she supports Obama. Let the Gop trade to democrats and we probably be getting a good choice also. If not, Richarson would do. He has the extended resume and experience. amhhm choices, choises. let the journey begin..