Matthew Dowd

Matthew Dowd has been a campaign strategist in races throughout the country. In 30 years, Dowd has worked for Democrats and Republicans, most recently serving as chief strategist for President George W. Bush in 2004.

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End Game: Clinton's Exit Strategy

May 07, 2008 2:02 AM

Opinion by Matthew Dowd, ABC News Political Contributor

In the aftermath of the Indiana and North Carolina Democratic primaries, I have at least one observation having watched the results and Hillary Clinton's speech.

What do President Bush and Hillary clinton have in common? Neither had an exit strategy ready.

The curtain on the long Clinton Broadway campaign is coming down. It hasn't hit the floor yet, but it's real close.

The math and the money and the message and the momentum are all now basically and inevitably against her. And her remarks after the results became clear show she is unprepared to accept defeat at this point and exit.

The writing is on the wall but it looks like she doesn't want to read it.

It will come but may take some time to accept reality.

Barack Obama cleared the last big hurdle he needed to clear this week. He had to show the superdelegates and the Democratic party that he wasn't damaged goods and could take hits and walk through adversity. That through the last month's struggle he could bounce back, that he could learn and grow as a candidate, and then win after that. 

Obama's convincing win in North Carolina proved that he is ready for primetime and can fight the good fight headed into November. And that is one of the most important lessons in this presidential process.

My prediction is that slowly and assuredly superdelegates will move in his direction in the days ahead and that this will confirm his status as the Democratic nominee.

He now has a larger delegate lead than he had before the string of Clinton victories over the last six weeks. That is an undeniable fact. 

Clinton will come to this conclusion at some point soon. It might take days. It might take a few weeks.  But that truth will be faced. First in her head and then in her heart.

So, hopefully one of her campaign generals is putting together that exit strategy so she can implement it soon.

May 7, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (545)

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Want to know whats so funny about Dowd?

Hillary is a Yale law school graduate.

She was the first lady of Arkansas for 12 years.

She was first lady for 8 years.

For the first time in US history, a first lady won a seat in the senate and is a two term senator.

But DOWD here says 'Hillary doesnt get it' as a bald headed DORKY looking low grade reporter who MASTURBATES when he thinks of Obama.

Like somehow Dowd has 1/2 the brains Hillary Clinton has or has even accomplished anything in his pathetic life compared to her.

And this even isnt about the DUMBO reporters who snide Hillary. There are the same DUMBO reporters who cut Obama a new one, like they are half as brilliant as he is.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 7, 2008 3:16:34 AM

Brian,
Your a typical Clinton supporter who feels that everyone should feel sorry for Hillary. I watched the Indiana and NC primaries and noticed one thing. Hillary went from a double diget lead 14 percentage points to a final of 2 points and less than 40,000 votes in Indiana. You talk about supporting McCain, well go ahead. This is what every sore loser fronm the Hillary campaign will do. Hillary had beaten up Obama to long, stayed in the race to long, and less not forget Bill hurt her more than helped her. Hillary went from the sure nominee in 2007 to a back page weather report trying to keep a Broadway show that had run it's course still on Broadway. You put up a good fight Brian and Clinton supporters, but it is time to rally around Baack Obama and end 8 years of Republican mismanagement.

Posted by: Robert L. Cox | May 7, 2008 3:18:49 AM

And to the Obama supporters.

Stop your nonsense. There is something to be said about WINNING graciously as well as LOSING the same way.

Show some respect to us Clinton supporters. Stop ripping Bill and Hillary a new one.

Start to show them respect and invite us hillary supporters to JOIN you and Obama in defeating John Mc Cain.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 7, 2008 3:19:30 AM

Hillary supporters we welcome you. I know the ride has been long and Hillary is a tough candidate , but we need to come together nice people and get McCain,,,,,,,,,,,I hope hillary will take VP seriously not as a joke and we came make history...........If she doesnt she will want all of u to join hands with the Obama campaign.....no more democratic divide......we need to heal for the better good of the US

Posted by: enaudnella | May 7, 2008 3:20:51 AM

A small note to Hillary Clinton Supporters:

I should tell you that I support barcak Obama. For those of you that say they will vote for John McCain in the fall if Obama wins the nomination, let me ask you a question: Why did you decide to become a democrat? For me, it was my parents. My parents told me to alwayd vote democratic if you want someone in the White House that cares about poor People. It wasn't until I got older, more educated, and smarter that I actually determined FOR MYSELF why I am voting democratic. Although I do share some conservative views, my core beliefs are democratic. I could write on forever about why I am a democrat, but the question is why are you?

Are you so bitter about the fact that Hillary Clinton will lose that you will vote against your core beliefs? I am talking especially for the mothers out there. Obama and Clinton both have specific plans that will make College and health Care very affordable. Voting for McCain means that this will not happen. McCain has shown that he hasn't got a clue when it comes to the economy yet you will vote for him anyway? You would risk the health of our economy (meaning you will probably end up jobless or will have to take a paycut) because of your bitterness?

These things happen all the time in Primaries. Someone's favorite candidate will lose the nomination. But you have to remember that the other democrat is more like your favorite than the republican. Please do not allow the child-like comments of Obama's supporters take your mind off of what is best for you. Listen instead to Obama. He congratulates her on every victory and contantly commends her for being formidable.

Posted by: DemocratsUnited | May 7, 2008 3:24:01 AM

I agree with Kottaras
"HC has enough contribution already for the Fall election. If FL and MI delegates are not seated, I hope she will consider running as an independent." If Hillary Clinton runs as an independent, that will take millions of votes from Barack Obama, if the Democratic Party does not let Hillary Clinton get the nomination I would not be surprise if she runs as an independentt in order to defeat Obama in November and give the victory to McCain.

Posted by: John | May 7, 2008 3:26:10 AM

Thankyou Enaudnella.

Yes I am dissapointed. No offense to Obama, but I STILL believe Hillary is the better nominee.

However, Obama ran the better campaign and deserves the nomination.

I know we hillary supporters are upset, but what you Obama supporters can do is STOP PUTTING HILLARY AND BILL DOWN.

We love Bill and Hillary as much as you guys love Obama.

We will learn to love Obama , just like you Obama fans will learn to re love the Clintons as part of the family again.

Campaigning is tough. Words were going to be said.

But lets rally around senator Obama and make sure he defeats Mc Cain !!!!

I know that Obama is a great guy. He will offer Hillary a position in his administration if she wants it.

I am certainly hoping he lets her have healthcare.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 7, 2008 3:26:51 AM

Democrats United.

We Clinton supporters are sore right now. If the roles were reversed so would you.

You have to understand Hillary has been running for 15 months, and may not see the reality. Its just human nature.

Let her have a while to accept it.

We Clinton supporters need to rally around Obama . You will not get anywhere if you Obama supporters continue to bash Bill and Hillary.

You dont have to bash them anymore. We are all on the same side again.

As for voting for Mc Cain. Dont touch it. Let us Hillary supporters cool down for a while.

I can assure you that we wont. But dont challenge us on it to antagonize.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 7, 2008 3:30:26 AM

The Democratic Party is divided and I really do not believe that hardcore supporters of Hillary Clinton will support Barack Obama. And I really do not believe that the Clintons will give up easily. The superdelegates better do something to PLEASE BOTH THE SUPPORTERS OF CLINTON AND OBAMA IF THEY REALLY WANT TO WIN THE WHITE HOUSE IN NOVEMBER.

Posted by: John | May 7, 2008 3:41:18 AM


John.

Hillary is sore. She has a right to be. Its human nature. You dont sweat your brains out for 15 months and just give up for something to do.

Just because Pundits or Obama supporters say so.

give her a week to get nudged by her closest advisors.

If you honestly put yourself in her shoes, its not so easy to give up something you fought so hard for this long.

Its really like learning to accept a child died, or a spouce. Its not easy.

Give it a week. I think her advisors might start nudging her.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 7, 2008 3:44:59 AM

Deanna...pull your head out. Hillary did congratulate Obama. She also sent out thoughts and prayers to the people in Burma suffering from a devestating cyclone. Too bad BO doesn't think of those Presidential moves.
Republicans everywhere will be THRILLED to run against the easiest candidate to beat...Obama. I supported Clinton and will, when I have to, work my head off for McCain. Obama is unelectable in the general, but DEMS haven't won an election in years...last 8 out of 10 presidential elections were won by Reps. Nov. will be a 9th!

Posted by: Debra | May 7, 2008 3:52:48 AM

I will not support Obama if he gets the nomination and the majority of the Hillary Clinton supporters will not vote for Obama in the general election.

Posted by: John | May 7, 2008 3:55:29 AM

Two WORDS: LAKE COUNTY

Obama is a fraud. He sealed it tonight when he proved to the world he's cheated every step of the way. Chicago politics, indeed.

Posted by: jb | May 7, 2008 3:59:59 AM

No way I will support Obama if he gets the nomination. I will vote for John McCain. Obama is one dangerous person. Mark my words, America, if he becomes president...be afraid.

Posted by: vicki | May 7, 2008 4:02:13 AM

The first presidential race I voted in was in 1976, and I havent missed an election yet, local, or national. I started out as a democrat, and have never voted for a republican candidate for any office. I even went to the polls in 96 after my house burned down early that morning, and I had 2 children in the hopsital who were burned in the fire.

Both my father, and my mother, God rest their souls, never voted for a republican either. They're both going to be rolling over in their graves when my signs for McCain go up in the yard next week. I've done a lot of soul searching, looking for just one reason I should cast my vote for Obama, and I can't find one worthy of going into the voting booth, and exercising the most sacred right I have in voting for him.

I won't be staying home on election day, because I owe it to myself, and to my country to cast my vote to the person whom I believe will be the best president from the choices on the ballot, and my personal opinion is that unless Hillary Clinton's name is there, the next best choice is John McCain.

Hopefully, another democrat worth voting for will be on the ballot in four years, but right now, I, for the first time in my life, am ashamed to be a democrat.

Posted by: disappointedindems | May 7, 2008 4:04:10 AM

It's not about democrat and republican for me...its about the best and safest choice. So to DemocratsUnited: there are no core beliefs by either party. Haven't you figured that out yet.

Posted by: vicki | May 7, 2008 4:07:17 AM

Vicki and Dissapointed,
No need to feel sorry Donna Brazile said on CNN tongigh, they don't need us. No way, I'm supporting a campaign that hates half the democratic electorate.

Posted by: jb | May 7, 2008 4:14:18 AM

Debra.

I was going to vote for Mc Cain as well, but take a closer look at him first. He seems confused and lacks a clear idenity.

We all know that Bush has destroyed the republican party. But Mc Cain seems to bow down to Rush Limbaughs EGO to rally the conservative base.

Mc Cain should have emerged as his real self. Hes actually only 2/3 republicans. Hes a 1/3 democrat.

But he so far insists on running a George Bush campaign. No democrat, even Ronald Reagan can win a general election in 2008 using the republican line.

The whole election cycle and state of the nation favors chucking all of washington out and bringing in the new.

Mc Cain fails to chuck out the republican platform and start his own NEW republican platform.

He needs to copy Obamas rhetoric on major issues . Then he can neutralize the advantage, and make it about character.

Obama cant win a character war with John Mc Cain.

The guy is a war hero who spend 6 years in captivity as a POW. There is no way to challenge Mc Cains integrity without looking like a jerk.

Mc Cain needs to corner the entire election into being about character.

But so far, he just sits there and spouts out the usual republican rhetoric.

If he does that, Obama will clobber him.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 7, 2008 4:24:35 AM

Vicki,

You talk about voting for the best and safest choice. What are you afraid of? Let's be honest here. I am calling you out right now! You are trying to spread your fear onto others... For what? Obama has been in elected politics for over 10 years. He has made some mistakes just Like Clinton and McCain. Why are you so afraid? Is it his race? Are you afraid he'll turn into 50 Cents when he gets to the White House? I really do hate to make this about race but I find it troubling that you have voted for a democrat all of your life, but when a history making event, like having an African American person become the presidential nominee for the democratic party for the first time ever, you will vote for the republican. Is it his age? Bill Clinton was younger than Obama when he was elected to Office. So was Kennedy. National experience? Or are you angry at the fact that the chance for a woman being elected President was missed? Believe me, I do sympathize with you on that. But is that a big enough reason to vote for the other party? Clinton had NO National experience when he was elected. He was the Governor of Arkansas. And yes, there are core beliefs in each party. That's what separates them. What do you see in Clinton that Obama does not possess? Don't quote experience to me, because if that were true, Clinton would have this deal licked up by now. In January of 08', she had more money, the lead in the polls, lead in super delegates and name recognition. The race was hers to lose. And she did just that. So, what problem do you have with him?

Posted by: DemocratsUnited | May 7, 2008 4:32:27 AM

If Fl and MI are cheated out or changed to favor Obama I will along with millions of others be voting for McCain. I will advocate it and already have friends in Michigan, Florida, Ohio, and Mass who are going to help fellow democrats with the details and petitions to leave the democratic party or at least vote for McCain to show Obama stealing the nomination will not work. So yes Obama will have plenty of negros voting for him, and ignorant whites who if they are so "educated" would know a CLINTON had the best economy in history and longest period of peace, but would stil for vote for a white hating american hating negro. But back to Osama he will have what every dem president has the negro vote but will lost thousands of white people in FL, MI, OH, MA and many other states and will possibly lose CA even (if you look at the polls there McCain is close to him lol pathetic) And I hope the Clintons laugh in there face the democrats have a bad history of picking unelectable people there not very intelligent or that wouldn't happen and they did it again most likely. And I hope Hillary does run as an independant it would be nicer seeing her do the same thing to him the superdelegates will most likely do to her, take the nomination from him herself than by the thousands of us who will not vote for him.

Posted by: Mike | May 7, 2008 5:00:51 AM

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