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Deconstructing Hillary

August 07, 2008 5:16 PM

Sen. Barack Obama's campaign appears reluctant to have any sort of roll call vote at the Democratic convention this month. Why? They have no interest in highlighting the narrowness of his victory.

This would mean the first Democratic convention without a roll call vote since President Lyndon Johnson ran unopposed for reelection in 1964.

And Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, as ABC News' David Chalian and Rick Klein point out,  is hedging on what she wants.

At a recent fundraiser in California captured on a videophone and posted on YouTube, Clinton noted that "if you look at recent history I have moved more quickly and done more on behalf of my opponent than comparable candidates have."

(Kind of interesting there that Sen. Clinton still refers to Sen. Obama as "my opponent." Last I checked, she withdrew from the race and said she was endorsing him two months ago.)

"You know, most of us didn't endorse until the convention," Clinton continued, "you know, Teddy Kennedy or Gary Hart or Jerry Brown you know just a lot of people held out until the convention, kept their delegates, often waged platform rules or credential fights, and you know I've made it very clear that I am supporting Sen. Obama, we're working cooperatively on a lot of different matters. But I think delegates can decide to do this on their own. They don't need permission, they can decide under the rules of the DNC. So, I think it would be better if we had a plan that actually we put in place and everybody knew what it was, then we executed it because I think that would go more smoothly. So I hope that's what we come  up with--some kind of a strategy."

A supporter asked Clinton "to please consider having your name put on the ballot….out of no disrespect to the future President Obama…Those of us who have lived through those campaigns and  know that's what Democratic conventions and even Republican conventions were about. I don't think a lot of the younger voters know that that's not out of disrespect and that it is in fact a showing of unity."

Clinton said it's an "obvious" question: "what will happen at the convention in respect to my putting my name into nomination, a roll call vote and the usual kind of process that occurs at conventions. We're trying to work that out with the Obama campaign and with the DNC. “I happen to believe that we will come out stronger if people feel that their voices were heard and their views were respected. I think that is a very big part of how we actually come out unified."

Staying true to the California surroundings, Clinton said, "I know from, just what I'm hearing, that there's incredible pent-up desire. And I think that people want to feel like, 'OK, it's a catharsis, we're here, we did it, and then everybody get behind Sen. Obama.' That is what most people believe is the best way to go. No decisions have been made. And so we are trying to work all this through with the DNC and with the Obama campaign."

A supporter asked her what would happen if there were a roll call vote and Clinton won.

"That is not going to happen," Clinton said, "not going to happen.  I mean, what we want to have happen is for Sen. Obama to be nominated by a unified convention of Democrats. And as I have said, the best way I think -- and I could be wrong -- but the best way I think to do that is to have a strategy so that my delegates feel like they have a role, and that their legitimacy has been validated. It's as old as, you know, as Greek drama. You know, there is a catharsis. I mean, everybody comes and, you know, they want to yell and scream and have their opportunity, and I think that's all to the good. Because then, you know, everybody can go, 'OK, great, now let's go out and win. And that's what we want people to feel. We do not want any Democrat either in the hall or in the stadium or at home walking away saying, 'Well, you know, I'm just not satisfied, I'm not happy.' Because, I mean, that's what I'm trying to avoid."

Kumbaya, my Lord. Kumbaya. Oh, Lord, Kumbaya.

-jpt

August 7, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (132)

User Comments

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"What is it about Obama and Hillary that causes the democrats to try to block a vote?"

She breaks his stride and beat him in the popular vote. He wants to win by moving the goal posts. She comes back and almost takes the nomination in a floor fight that erupts spontaneously.

IOW: as long as she and Bill are still standing, Obama cannot assume control of the party with confidence and that means they can successfully fight him throughout his single term in office. Obama is acting like Stalin hunting down Trotsky.

In short: she scares him and his handlers. She always has.

Posted by: len | Aug 8, 2008 10:52:09 AM

Since neither candidate has enough pledged delegates to secure the nomination, how can the Democrats possibly justify not putting Hillary's name up for a vote?

If the candidates were two white men, would there be any question or resistance?

If the candidates were two black men, would there be any question or resistance?

If the candidates were two women, would there be any question or resistance?

What is it about Obama and Hillary that causes the democrats to try to block a vote?

Posted by: marylou | Aug 8, 2008 10:42:03 AM

Obama and his supporters and the media have wanted a coronation right from the start. What a fascist farce. It's a slap in the face to anybody who truly supports the Democratic process.

Posted by: JesseJ | Aug 8, 2008 10:14:03 AM

Hillary wants to look like a good loser. Just because she received more votes than Barak she knows she really isn't worthy to be on the same stage as him. She really should resign from the Senate and start baking cookies. She is as irrelavant as her husband is.

Posted by: Freedom | Aug 8, 2008 9:56:18 AM

"Is Bill going to be announcing Hillary as the next VP?"

It would be the smart strategy. So far the Obama machine is long on tactics and short on strategy.

It should be entertaining. Sad but so, this election season has been more about entertainment than substance and that is destroying our government.

Posted by: len | Aug 8, 2008 9:38:16 AM

Is Bill going to be announcing Hillary as the next VP? I wonder. David Gergen has been pushing for that - saying that Obama needs some fighter to go against the Rep attack machine.

Posted by: Lisa S | Aug 8, 2008 9:14:23 AM

dl sez: "...sad that a handful of dumb self whacked supporters on either side could hurt their own candidate this badly."

dl, I've explained it: Obama's supporters are his worst problem. This move to suppress the roll call only amplifies the perception of his weakness among the voters, his fear. Now we also see in Hollyweird the same kinds of dumb moves to suppress conservatives such as Jon Voight by hints of black listing the conservatives in the entertainment industry who come out against Obama.

Your candidate is in real trouble. The myth of inevitability is shattered. The Democrats have to decide right now if they want to win this election or go down with the ship with their cause intact. Their self-righteous noses stuck in the air will be the last thing we see as his ship disappears beneath the waves of his own arrogance.

Posted by: len | Aug 8, 2008 9:13:41 AM

Obama's camp reminds me so much of 'W' - mirror images of eachother really.

Posted by: Echo21 | Aug 8, 2008 9:05:03 AM

disect McCain
how does he live for last 20 years, how does he worship, how does he play. how does he vote then and now? we need more specifics. be fair

Posted by: just asking | Aug 8, 2008 8:44:18 AM

The Obamabots don't want a Convention, they want an innauguration. Obama ascends the mile-high Mount, delivers his Sermon, and everyone chants "yes we can". Next Obama will bless the loaves and fishes to distribute to the crowd.
There aill be photo-ops and sound bites galore. Why let a little thing like "Democracy" interfere with a perfectly staged event.

Posted by: Lynn | Aug 8, 2008 7:52:48 AM

The DNC, together with significant support from a biased media, lost this election months ago. The DNC is so afraid that Obama will be embarrassed by a show of support for Clinton at the convention that they are doing their best to change the way things have been done for many, many years. What a sorry and sad state of affairs. This was the party that should have had a slam dunk win in this fall's election. Now they're just trying to find someone else to blame for their pending loss in November and it looks like Clinton will be the scapegoat.

Posted by: mhhunt | Aug 8, 2008 7:42:45 AM

Hillary is the best qualified to serve as Commander In Chief when comparing her to Obama and McCain. With reluctance I will vote for Obama but my preference is Senator Hillary Clinton. I would never vote for John McCain because it will be more of the same policies and our govt. will continue to be under the rule of a lame duck President.

Posted by: RepublicanNoMore1 | Aug 8, 2008 2:12:44 AM

The Democratic Party has become so UN-democratic that they should be ashamed to claim the name. And it's would be funny, if it were not such a sad commentary on a once great party, that Obama and his DNC backers have so little confidence in him that they are afraid to have Hillary's name brought up for a roll call vote. Once again, Democrats wimp out.

Posted by: Charlie35 | Aug 8, 2008 12:59:26 AM


John:
"This supposed new great knight isn't really that great which is why the race was so close."

Had Obama’s “Wright baggage” been known before the first 11 primaries, Clinton would have won. It was nip and tuck in the voting after March 13, when Obama’s association with Wright hit the news.
In fact, Clinton won 8 of the last 13 primaries. The Obama "won" because he had not been vetted, and that’s a shame


Posted by: Al Johnson | Aug 8, 2008 12:16:26 AM


Rob said:
"Obama is a new kind of politician!"

You got that right, cowboy.

Obama said:
"A light will shine down... from somewhere. It will light upon you. You will experience an epiphany... You will say to yourself, 'I have to vote for Barack' "

Posted by: Al Johnson | Aug 8, 2008 12:06:49 AM

Obama doesn't need Hillary supporters for the general election.
He has some brilliant strategies like enrolling Republicans to become 'Democrat for a Day' and vote for him, bring busloads of supporters to the caucuses, Republicans will vote for his historic candidacy, and such. You see, Obama is a new kind of politician!

Posted by: Rob | Aug 7, 2008 11:57:12 PM

I knew there had to be a reason ABC continues to run the Bill Clinton, "I am not a Racist" video and text for severals days. It is no longer headline news.

Here we go, countdown to the DNC Convention and the press has on its to do list to start stirring the Hill/Bill vs Barack pot. CNN has been doing it all day.

17 days and counting

Posted by: clarity | Aug 7, 2008 11:49:49 PM

JayBoz...Hillary is leaving her name on the ballod to help Obama. He will be declared the nominee and the imense cloud of doom will lift. She knows we need a Dem in the white house. She is a politician and so is Obama. There is no such thing as "Old Politics". It was a phrase put out there by the media. And "change" was a campaign stratagy. Either Dem canadate would be a welcome change in the white house. Hating on someone in your own party is something new. Is that the change we need?

Posted by: Bea | Aug 7, 2008 11:44:14 PM

Obama may be ahead in the polls, but there is still a large number of undecided voters. Insulting Clinton supporters is just not productive. The media once again tries to make a mountain out of a mole hill. And anybody that saw Clinton talking about this knows that she was trying to help Obama. And I don't remember hearing all those you know's either.

Posted by: Miki | Aug 7, 2008 11:19:25 PM

Any body read newsmax. Obama doesnt keep his promises. Before all the obama supporters get up in arms Us hillary supporters know its not Obama's debit but its common practice for the presumtive nomoniee to take on the debit of the other nomoniees, but even that doesn't mean he has to help, but his promise to help her does mean he should feel obligated.
When Obama and Hillary "kissed" and made up during their unity rally in June, both made a private pledge to each other to help raise $500,000 from their donors for the other's campaign.

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Though deep in debt, Hillary quickly fulfilled her promise. But cash-rich Obama has yet to cough up the dough from his backers.

"Hillary has done her part in that regard," a Hillary adviser told Time. "Obama has not."

Then there was the warm and fuzzy call between Bill Clinton and Obama. Obama told Clinton he wanted to sit down with the popular former president, the most successful Democratic president since FDR. But Clinton aides say Obama has never folowed up on the verbal invitation.


Proving that hillary at least tries to keep her word, she helped barack get the money she promised he did basically nothing for her in return, but at last she is paying off her debit without his help she just paid off all schools she owed over a 140,000 dollars.

Posted by: rachel | Aug 7, 2008 11:14:29 PM

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