TIME exclusive interview: Clinton Vows to Push On

[DeepModem Mom]

Exclusive: Clinton Vows to Push On
Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2008
By MARK HALPERIN

Hillary Clinton is under a lot of pressure these days, but in a Tuesday interview she seemed cheery, confident and unapologetic as she talked about her determination to fight on in the Presidential race. Speaking by phone from Pennsylvania, she explained why she plans to continue her push for the Democratic nomination, even as some question her chances of winning. She expressed confidence that her party would pull together in time to beat Republican John McCain, as well as a belief that the remaining contests — and perhaps some surprising shifts in the delegates already elected — would make her the Democrats' nominee.

HALPERIN: How would you describe your most likely path to victory now? What would the elements be and how would it play out?

CLINTON: Well, first I think that it's important to point out that the premise of the whole discussion that some people are engaged in is off base because this is a very close race and neither of us will reach the magic number of delegates. We're both going to be short, and when you think about the many millions of people who have already voted, we are separated by a relatively small percentage of votes. We're separated by, you know, a little more than a hundred delegates. I've won states that Democrats need to win in the general election in order to win the White House and obviously the strategy on the other side is to try to shut this race down, but I don't think voters want that. You know, there was a big surge in registration here in Pennsylvania. That seems to be happening in other states that are in the upcoming contests. Millions of people still remain to vote and to have their votes counted, so I think it's exciting and I find it very positive for our party. We're going to bring a lot of people into this race. Yesterday in Montgomery County I probably had six women tell me that they had changed their registration from Republican to Democrat to be able to vote for me, and I'm sure people are doing things to get prepared to vote for Senator Obama. I think this is all really good. And there's additional problems of Florida and Michigan, because I still don't see how the Democrats don't figure out a way to make sure their votes are counted. And I don't understand what Senator Obama was afraid of when I agreed and the DNC signed off on a re-vote in Michigan and he said no. So we're just going to keep this process going through these next contests.

HALPERIN: You often talk about this need for balance in life and in policy and in politics. Are you now balancing all the reasons you just gave for going forward and having other voters vote with the word that some people are putting out that going forward is hurting the party? Are you balancing that or are you all on the side of your first answer?

CLINTON: Well, I obviously take that into account, but I just don't see any evidence of it. You know, it is clear that there's a lot of excitement and energy in this campaign. The people who are supporting me sure don't want to see it over. They tell me that all the time, that they want me to keep going. They want me to keep fighting, so this will all work out. We're going to have a unified Democratic Party and we'll go into the fall in a strong position to defeat John McCain.

HALPERIN: You said earlier today at your press conference that we'll wait to see what happens in "the next three months." Does that mean that your assumption is, however these remaining contests turn out, that the race will go at least for the next three months?

CLINTON: Well that certainly is what I anticipate. I think the elections that are yet to come deserve to be held because the people from Pennsylvania to Puerto Rico to all the others that are waiting in line deserve to be heard. And I think that's part of the good. You know, I remind a lot of people that my husband didn't formally wrap up the nomination until June and when he did he was behind both President Bush and Ross Perot. You know as well as anyone how dynamic elections are and how fluid they are and I think that we're going to win in November and once we get our nominee chosen we're going to have a very vigorous campaign to make sure that happens....

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1725514,00.html?xid=site-cnn-partner

[LynneSin]

1. I really was trying to stay neutral in all of this but she's making me go Obama

And I'm sorry to you Clinton supporters- I'm not anti-Clinton, just a bit fatigued.

People talk about Hillary winning the big states of California, Massachusetts and New York - but remember, these are states that we democrats will win even in Obama is the nominee. I'm just starting to think that Obama might have the pull to pick up a few borderline states that have gone republican in the past because Obama is really getting out the vote in these states. He won't win them all but just 1-3 could make the difference with a win in 2008.

I think what really turned me off was that she allowed the Pittsburgh Tribune interview here where she brought up, yet again, the thing with Obama's Pastor. Pittsburgh Tribune is Richard Mellon Scaife's own newspaper - a man who made it a career to try to bring down the Clinton via his own right-wing screed paper in Pittsburgh. I don't know about you, but if someone did everything in his/her power to bring me down and slander everything about me, well I know I wouldn't go back and give that person or his newspaper an interview. Sure other papers have done similiar attacks but none as harsh as what Mellon-Scaife tried to dole out.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. LynneSin, I appreciate your posting your decision with such a refreshing lack of vindictiveness.

I have supported Obama from the beginning, but refuse to participate in the Hillary hatefest engaged in by so many here at DU (and, of course, post articles on a neutral basis, without comment).

That said, I think your point about Scaife is a strong one.

[LynneSin]

4. I'm on the - I'll support the eventual nominee bandwagon

and I voted on Super Tuesday (Biden) so I really have no additional say in this primary. Obama has done stuff that pissed me off too - like the comments he made trying to conjure up old Ronnie Reagan, a man that many of us here at DU hope rot in hell because of his social policies during his administration.

Ultimately - I just can't wait for it to be over

[murbley40]

3. hi lynn,

I'm disappointed, but you have a right to support the candidate of your choice.

[LynneSin]

5. my election is done and I supported Biden

so technically it's in the hands of these last states for whom I'll support. I'm not donating one dime in the primary and resting up til after the primaries when I'll start canvassing the streets.

BTW, I'm having a party at my place on 4/19 for some DUers in the local area and you are invited. We have from both parties attending. I'll PM you some details