Clinton Hedges on Convention Question

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Clinton Hedges on Convention Question

May 03, 2008 12:31 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: Hillary Clinton isn't sure if she'll take her fight for the Democratic nomination all the way to the convention but she's committed to seeing the remaining primary contests no matter what happens in Indiana and North Carolina on Tuesday.

"Well, I plan on going through the next contests -– West Virginia, Kentucky and others," Clinton, D-N.Y., said in a casual town hall meeting with women sponsored by momlogic.com on Saturday in North Carolina.

Clinton has previously said she plans to go all the way to the convention if Michigan and Florida are not settled. This may indicate a possible shift in thinking about how the rest of this campaign will play out.

In the remainder of the informal momlogic.com gathering, Clinton divulged numerous personal stories, including tidbits on Chelsea's dating, what got her through her public crisis, and her advice on raising children -– reaching out to her base, which she will need on Tuesday.

Clinton shared one of her secrets: "Lists are my friend. Lists are a mother's friend," she said.

The candidate was asked about how she got through her difficult period in the White House and she shared that her friends were the ones who were there for her.

"One of my closest friends, who died of lung cancer so unfortunately eight years ago, who'd always send me some kind of little something that would make me laugh, like a stuffed doll that she said, 'use this to beat the table with, or stick pins in or whatever you want to do with it.'

"I have friends who, that I've had since grade school, that are campaigning for me in states, and I tell them, 'Don't tell everything you know.'"

When asked about advice on dating and what mothers should do when boys come over to date daughters, Clinton said, "Well, again, you really cannot extrapolate from my experience because Chelsea was a teenager in the White House, which meant the Secret Service went on her dates and a lot of her girlfriends' mothers loved when they want on double dates, because there was a guy with a gun in the front seat . . . It's really intimidating to talk to her father, or, I guess, to me."

Clinton spoke at length about her daughter and said, "My daughter's eye-rolling was a part of my life."

The candidate was reminded of a time when they were attending her husband’s second inauguration and her daughter had gotten dressed without her approval. Clinton explained the shock when she realized what her daughter was wearing.

"The skirt was so short, and I'm sitting there looking at the short skirt -- there was no time to change, and I thought, 'OK, I'm just going to take a deep breath.' There are so many things that are worth engaging your kids on and so many of them are not important."

Clinton reminisced about family time the three of them would share in Arkansas, and told a story about how, on Wednesday nights, the family would gather for activities.

"One time, Chelsea said she heard about coconuts and never had seen one, so we went to the store and bought a coconut, and took it home and Bill and I -- between the two of us, we had 50 years of education -- could not get the coconut open. We would throw it on the driveway, we were banging it with a hammer -– it was so embarrassing, our 4-year-old daughter was thinking, 'what is this?'"

Clinton shared one piece of advice she had learned from her mother, which was, "you can either be the lead role in your life or you can play a supporting role in other people's (lives)."

The momlogic.com event was part of a marathon stretch of events through North Carolina and Indiana, gearing up for Tuesday's critical primary.

May 3, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (36)

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Oh it's so much fun to watch the Dems implode implode implode!!!! And the Rebubs can't get a decent nominee! This is awful! Who will be a third party nominee (other than Nader) who would be good for this country?

Posted by: elsies | May 3, 2008 12:51:03 PM

Clinton shows determination and pluck, but the contest has been over since Super Tuesday. The Clinton camp had no plan beyond that date. They assumed the nomination would a walk to the inevitable. It's been catch-up ever since. The only plan since then has been "the ktichen sink." Which tells you everything really.

Posted by: Adrian Millet | May 3, 2008 12:55:59 PM

Empress Hillary will not change her spots. Health care was a tangled mess and shelved after she spent over a year developing. Did she give us a differant version? No We got nothing in seven years. her ideas or no ideas.

Posted by: joyce gregory | May 3, 2008 1:17:57 PM

I think many people have a very wrong idea about her. She's hard working and dedicated politician. I trust her ability to lead United States of America. She will deliver the result we desperately need; booming economy, bring soliders'back to home, and mending the relationships with international community.

Posted by: emily | May 3, 2008 1:19:38 PM

Obama is winning in Guam!!

Posted by: Stacey | May 3, 2008 1:35:02 PM

Sen. Clinton has every right to go to the convention -- and while I don't support her, I admire her determination. But fighting on much longer would be the wrong decision. This acrimonious campaign is harming the Democrats and helping the Republicans. And if McCain wins in November, Sen. Clinton will have a hard time getting support for a 2012 campaign if Democrats think they lost in 2008 because she chose to fight on after a certain point.

Posted by: Alex | May 3, 2008 1:37:24 PM

Rush limbaugh
and
ALL
republicans
want
H Clinton to win

I WONDER WHY?????

Posted by: ghm | May 3, 2008 1:41:24 PM

IF THE DEMOCRATS NOMINATE OBAMA
IT WILL BE THE END OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS WE KNOW IT.
IT WILL SPLIT IN HALF.
BLACKS AND ULTRA LEFT WING DEMOCRATS
WILL VOTE OBAMA AND THE REST WILL
GO WITH McCAIN OR STAY HOME.

OBAMA IS UNELECTABLE IN GENERAL
ELECTIONS.

OBAMA DOESN'T FIT FOR COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

Posted by: NIcholas | May 3, 2008 1:45:53 PM

LauraVW wrote: "Go Hillary, Go America!"

I agree, LauraVW.

Alex, the 2012 consoiracy thing I know is a common meme I see posted, but it makes no sense at all. Obama would be just as viable as any other Dem candidate in 2012 should he win this nomination and lose.

It would just be a repeat of this contest with more people in, and probably with this battle having played out and we were to lose, it would go strongly to Edwards from the getgo.

My hope is that Hillary finishs very strongly in remaining contests and is clearly seen as our best candidate to win this year, and that 2012 for Hillary will be a re-election for President after four very successful years with a solid Dem majority in Congress.

Hillary '08

Posted by: rd | May 3, 2008 1:56:06 PM

Democrats we are not thinking. Hillary will fight with Republicans and nothing will get done. I feel Obama will be successful because Republicans will work with him. A majority of Congress dislikes Hillary. Hillary is all about Hillary. Can you imagine all the drama in the WH? The way she runs her campaign explains it all. If Hillary wins, the Republicans will take over in 2012 and Democrats will never win again. Democrats, please use good judgement this time. Please do not let the media, race, gender and spin override your ability to think. Republicans, conservative talk radio and some new outlets are trying to attack Obama because they do not want to face him in November. He can generate the resources and unlike Hillary, he did not sign-up for the Bush/McCain war. The 527's will not work this time. Obama will be tougher on the Republicans. He has to be nice to Hillary. Hillary may share a different view on this issue. However, she is part of the Democratic family and a female. Obama does not want to say negatives things and come across has being rude to a female. Some in the media would like to see him has this angry man and attack her. He is to smart for that.May God bless America.

Posted by: Sam | May 3, 2008 2:00:45 PM

Obama & Sheehan.

Just the ticket!

Posted by: T | May 3, 2008 2:01:35 PM

NIcholas, do you remember that Colin Powell was described that way also, but has become an american hero. Obama more than Clinton and the old McCain is very suitable for the post of Commander in Chief. God bless America, God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Posted by: BKMC | May 3, 2008 2:02:06 PM

She should go all the way to the convention why not Kennedy did and he was 700 behind Carter what makes it different for Hillary the men is this party are trying to push her out

Posted by: Bishop | May 3, 2008 2:08:35 PM

Sam Obama working with the Republicans? Of course he can and will, but sorry, both Clinton and McCain have the records that show they can and have worked bipartisan. These are two candidates that have strong bipartisan records in the U.S. Senate. So while I have no doubt Obama will work with Republicans he no where near stands out in that capacity in comparison to the other two.

Posted by: alpaig | May 3, 2008 2:22:32 PM

The Clintons have not shown very good judgement either - they have quite a few really dirty deals lurking in their not so distant past, at least one of which is currently in the courts. Regarding this article, I have serious doubts about the nice little family stories she tells ever since the nice little sniper fire story she told recently - did you get the expression on her face when she told that "misspeak?" She was smiling, her eyes were in that kind of remembrance mode. The word "phony" has been used on these blogs to describe Obama but I think Hillary wins on this one.

Posted by: nikita | May 3, 2008 2:26:03 PM

Emily - You're entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine.

Posted by: nikita | May 3, 2008 2:36:49 PM

Senator Clinton is the Democratic candidate consistently reported to be the one who can win in November.

Counting on IN and NC to do their part to insure we do not have another four years of a Republican in the White House!

GO HILLARY!

Posted by: LindaJ | May 3, 2008 2:38:31 PM

BTW --- this lifelong democrat has re-registered Independent... I know longer care to be a part of such a hypocritical party

Posted by: indigogrrl | May 3, 2008 2:39:08 PM

So A: If Cindy Sheehan is a winner in the next election, that means Pelosi loses her seat, so Pelosis is a loser - that is what you're saying, WRIGHT?!

Posted by: rs | May 3, 2008 2:58:03 PM

Although Obama's policy is that of a Democrat, he has similarities to GWB that are too much to swallow. Eight years of GWB's smirking arrogance, immature attitude, deficiences on the issues, inexperience and self-importance were eight years too many, and I am not looking for a repeat of these flaws and weaknesses in the next President. The burden that the next President will inherit from GWB is not one that Obama has shown the experience or strength to carry. And his tendency to get snippy or condescending when faced with tough questions, or problems, is not a good indicator of his diplomatic skills. Dealing with world leaders and issues will be much more difficult than dealing with Charlie Gibson, George Stephanopolis, the situation with Jeremiah Wright or the ramifications of his "bitter, guns and religion" comments.

Obama ran too soon and did not give himself the necessary time to learn, grow and mature...to become presidential.

Thank goodness Hillary is still in this race. Superdelegates - PLEASE WAKE-UP!

Posted by: K. | May 3, 2008 3:15:28 PM

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