Democrats won't let Hillary kneecap Obama if she loses NH and SC

[BluegrassDem]

I read an article about how if Hillary loses NH, the Democratic Party establishment will close ranks around Obama and will start calling for to end her campaign. There will be tremendous pressure on the Clintons to not push forward to Feb. 5th if she loses all the states before then. They will tell her that she needs to do what's good for the party and stop dragging this fight out.

I think if Obama wins the early states, the fact that other Dems will be calling for her to quit will kill off her chances in the big states anyways. No one wants to vote for someone that everyone is saying that they need to quit for the sake of the party. HRC needs to win NH or she is toast and probably needs to quit for party unity.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. What was the article?

I doubt there was any article like this.

[Anouka]

5. would be nice to have a link

to the article... or blog.

[BluegrassDem]

6. I saw it in a mag in the bookstore

I swear I did, but for the life of me, I can't remember which one. I wanna say The Nation, but it could've been Time. It was like a blurb in the political newswire. I wish I could link it, but trust me, I read it. I read so many political mags that I can't say 100% which one, but it was new.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

28. I'm sure if it's link-able someone will find it and put it up.

DUers are AMAZING about ferreting out all the good tidbits on the Intertubez.

[Renew Deal]

30. I saw the same sort of thing last night.

It said the NY State Democratic party would urge her to drop out. I think it was linked to TPM. I'm looking.

[Adelante]

49. I did see that bit about the NYS party

I don't remember where it was, either.

[RoadRage]

58. Here's a Link.. on Drudge though, so take it for what it's worth...

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashhn.htm

[teleharmonium]

61. re article

It's absurd to suggest HC would drop out after Iowa and New Hampshire. To do so as a major candidate would come across as disrespectful to the democratic process and her supporters. In a worst realistic case scenario as far as her returns go, she is in at a minimum through Feb 5, by which time more than half the primaries will be done.

[Colobo]

2. Oh, that will be beautiful! The Democratic Party behind Obama!

[thatsrightimirish]

3. got a link?

where did you read it?

[RoadRage]

59. Here is a link..

I don't know if this is what she read, and it's on the Drudgereport.. so take it for what it's worth..

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashhn.htm

[Anouka]

4. Will they push a VP spot?

seriously. she has the delegates and the money, just not the popular support.

what happens to all of those delegates, and all of that money amassed?

[Skip Intro]

7. She should go straight to the convention. Period.

[Joe the Revelator]

10. Why? If she's a loser, then her ego will cost us the GE.

If she loses the early races, loses Super Tuesday, whats the point? The republicans are going to have their nomination all set. That means they will have all summer to put their ground forces in place, while we're still dealing with Hillary's ego.

[Skip Intro]

12. Because if we don't have something more substantive than empty Hallmark words, we lose the GE.

Hope can only take you so far.

[Joe the Revelator]

13. Oh, I should have known you were just going to spout off talking points

Instead of actually backing up statement. Nevermind.

[Skip Intro]

16. That's my opinion, Wolsh. I'm not going to come forward and kneel at the altar, sorry.

[Alexander]

So if Obama is nominated will you vote for him?

[Joe the Revelator]

20. I'm not asking you to kneel at the alter, I'm asking you to back up your statement with real words..

Not something you heard Hillary use earlier today.

The question, in case you forgot, is why, if Hillary is losing, you would want her to push on until August, when doing so would put us as an extreme disadvantage going into the GE.

[Skip Intro]

23. The OP was about her dropping out before Feb. 5. For one. And I don't think Obama can win the GE.

Imho, from what I've seen here, in the debates, in articles - he's not vetted, he's not ready, his whole campaign is based on wishing, there is no substance, and the repukes will eat us alive in the GE if he's the nom.

I don't know what else to tell you.

And I didn't hear Hillary say anything earlier today. What are you talking about. These are my words.

[Nederland]

39. Question

You say about Obama:

Imho, from what I've seen here, in the debates, in articles - he's not vetted, he's not ready, his whole campaign is based on wishing, there is no substance

The question is then, if Hillary can't knock out such a loser, why should we place our trust in her come the GE?

[Skip Intro]

52. Who said she couldn't knock him out?

I believe she can and will.

[Nederland]

56. Fair Enough

But if she fails to knock him out, doesn't that imply that he is the better candidate for the GE?

[Alexander]

17. And Hillary doesn't, so why should she stay in until the convention?

[Kermit77]

11. Good. I don't want her to drag down the Party along with her campaign

But who would tell her and Bill when it is time to give up? Howard Dean, John Kerry or Walter Mondale? I would hate to be in their shoes.

[Skip Intro]

15. Thanks for your concern Kermit. Happy 10th post.

[Kucinich4America]

27. Actually, it would be VERY appropriate for Howard Dean to deliver the news.

Considering what the CLINTON - run DLC did to him in 2004.

He could tell her "Hillary, go home and take the Despicable Lying Corporatists with you!!"

[oasis]

41. A party loyalist, Hillary would be willing to take on President Huckabee in 2012 after

the GOP destroys Mr. Obama in 2008.

[Hippo_Tron]

32. That will be pointless when Obama has enough delegates to secure the nomination

Which I predict will happen on February 5th if not a week after. She can campaign all she wants after Obama has it locked up and he can just ignore her and focus on the Republicans.

[Tesha]

48. Even if it kills us in the GE. Typical Clinton (supporter) strategery. (NT)

[regnaD kciN]

8. I don't think that will happen if she loses N.H....

...even in the unlikely event that she crashes and burns, and finishes third behind Obama and Edwards.

If, however, she loses S.C. as well, particularly by a substantial margin, there may well be a move to ease her out. However, I think a more-likely event, if Obama wins big in S.C., is that Edwards would drop out and publicly endorse Obama, which might well be the final nail in the HRC coffin.

[liberalnurse]

9. No way...

They will rally for Hillary. She helped almost every newly elected Congressional Democrat since 02 secure their seat....and many others keep their seats. They are the super delegates now who back her...across America.

[David Dunham]

14. Many of us believe that Hillary will be much stronger than BHO in general election

[BringBigDogBack]

22. based on what?

Crossover appeal? Independent support?

Because she's a Clinton?

[Kucinich4America]

29. Based on the DLC's phenomenal success in the last two elections, of course.

(Do I even need to drop the :sarcasm: here??)

[liberalnurse]

47. I have seen you hateful dogmatic posts for a week now....Hate Hillary rhetoric..

Don't bother to respond to any of my posts...........You have absolutely no desire to engage is any Democratic discussion. You are only a "temp" with a mission. Your behavior is that of an opportunistic infection.

[Alexander]

31. And many of you are wrong.

[indimuse]

44. Sometimes I get the feeling..

Obama is for Obama...and Hillary is for the People. He panders...this election to him is because people told him HE COULD be the FIRST BLACK PREZ...Where as Hillary has work relentlessly for years..and years..against some of the most disgusting adversaries . She is a fighter for the people...she has ABSOLUTE command on any issue Foreign or Domestic..She has had a Bird's eye View on the working of thr WH..has earned the respect of World Leaders and people worldwide...
**********************************Statement from Sen. Frank Lautenberg:

When Senator Clinton introduced her proposal to make FEMA more independent and strengthen qualifications for its Director in 2005, I was proud to cosponsor her

measure and promote it in committee. Following Katrina, Senator Clinton was the most forceful advocate on the Senate floor for competence and independence at

FEMA. As a former member of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, which oversaw FEMA and DHS, I was happy to see her long-standing

proposal to improve the FEMA Director's qualifications become law. Unfortunately, President Bush ignored her reforms with his signing statement.



Read More: Hillary Clinton, Hillary Foreign Policy, Hillary Iran, Hillary National Security, Iran NIE, Breaking Politics News



A quote I gave a journalist almost two years ago has been recycled, out of context, to suggest that Senator Clinton and I would contemplate going to war with Iran or

other nations. This is, of course, a complete misrepresentation of what I was saying and of Senator Clinton's longstanding views. What I said was clear: first, Hillary

Clinton has far more foreign policy experience than her husband did at a comparable point in his presidential campaign in 1991-92; and second, she knows how best

to advance America's foreign policy goals around the world at time when America faces unprecedented challenges after seven years of the Bush administration's

disastrous policies.

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Senator Clinton has traveled to more than 80 countries, building relationships that will enable her to begin to restore America's global standing, beginning on Day 1 of

her Presidency. Senator Clinton is a passionate believer in diplomacy, negotiations, and the value of, well, American values. She would outlaw torture and close

Guantanamo. She would make us proud again of our leadership role in the world. I know from extensive personal observation that she would be a superb negotiator and

diplomat. Hillary would strengthen the U.N. and make it more effective, after the Bush Administration weakened it.

Of course, there are times like in Bosnia and Rwanda, when a president must be willing to act. President Clinton should have acted earlier in those cases, as he

himself has acknowledged. My point was that, having observed these tragedies closely in the 1990s and learned more as a Senator, Hillary Clinton knows how to mix

diplomacy and power. She has made clear repeatedly that she believes strongly in diplomacy and that the Bush administration's failure to emphasize it has been

terrible for our nation. She has called for direct talks with our adversaries, including Syria and Iran, and the sooner the better.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Clinton has traveled to both American war zones three times, spent a great deal of time meeting

privately with active-duty and retired military personnel at all levels, and immersed herself in the issues that are most critical to the presidential role of Commander-in-

Chief. The nation needs a new president who on taking office will withdraw our troops from Iraq responsibly and swiftly (Bush won't). Although her position has been

misrepresented by some during the heat of the campaign, this is precisely what she has pledged to do. She has said she will convene the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

of Staff and her national security team to draw up a safe and viable plan for the withdrawal of our solider from Iraq, with the first troops coming home within 60 days of

her taking office. She has also committed herself to a new strategy in Afghanistan, the country in which failure is unthinkable yet Bush has consistently sent too few

troops while proclaiming success in the face of undeniable deterioration. This is what I meant when I talked about her commanding knowledge and readiness to be our

next Commander-in-Chief.

On the second point, an attempt has been made to suggest that my words in 2006 are somehow a call for action against Iran. So let me be clear: I have consistently

opposed the use of force against Iran, as has Hillary. Well before the NIE, I stated publicly and repeatedly that nothing we knew supported a war against Iran. The NIE

only reinforced my position. Senator Clinton also opposes any military action against Iran and said so long before the NIE, and took to the Senate floor last

FebruHILLARYary to oppose the Bush administration's saber rattling.

In the Senate, Hillary has championed legislation to improve the lives of our veterans and their families. She has secured funding for Veterans' hospitals, and secured additional support for disabled veterans. She also successfully fought off the Administration's proposal to double the co-payment for prescription drugs of certain veterans.

She created a health tracking system for all active duty personnel and Reservists to ensure that they receive regular check ups; and expanded access to military healthcare benefits (TRICARE) for all Guard and Reserve members whether they are on active duty or not in order to prevent another illness like Gulf War Syndrome.

She successfully passed her Heroes at Home legislation, which helps family members learn to support loved ones suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), identify ways to help Guardsmen and Reservists transition back to civilian jobs, and assess the mental health challenges -- including PTSD -- faced by members of the Guard and Reserve. Hillary's initiative improves the detection, assessment and treatment of traumatic brain injury and expands support systems for members and former members of the Armed Services with traumatic brain injury and their families.

She passed legislation to increase the military survivor benefit from $12,000 to $100,000.

Clinton successfully worked to address veterans' mental health needs. In part as a result of her efforts, the Veterans Administration will be directed to take into consideration the needs and concerns of Veterans as it proceeds with the CARES process.

Hilary wrote to Postmaster General John Potter, and launched a petition on her website to urge the Postmaster General to continue issuing the Purple Heart stamp. Hundreds of people signed the petition which were then delivered to Postmaster General John Potter. As a result, the U.S. Postal Service decided to continue printing the Purple Heart Stamp despite the recent rate change.

In recognition of her efforts, the American Legion named Senator Clinton an "unsung hero" of the 108th congress for her leadership in securing record increases in funding for veterans health care.



just a few...

[Yael]

53. For now

Those can be VERY fluid

[oasis]

18. No quit in Hillary. Obama is in for the fight of his life.(eom)

[Joe the Revelator]

21. Yeah she's really giving him the business in New Hampshire

She has no answer for him. She's already in the fight of her life, and she's leaning on the ropes.

[Colobo]

33. She's about to get knocked down again.

[oasis]

34. Hill doesn't need to have an answer to him. The voters of NH will be doing that soon enough.

Point is. Hillary will not quit. So get that into your head.

[JackORoses]

43. if there is no quit in her, what did she mean by this?

"Later, talking to reporters, she acknowledged some retooling of her effort and drew a proverbial line in the snow. "If the campaign doesn't evolve, it probably is dead," she said. "And I don't intend for it to be anything other than a winning campaign."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-clinton7jan07,0,3435614.story?coll=la-home-center

[Yael]

54. SHe will claim extreme sexism, that America isn't ready for her above par leadership

and bla bla bla.

As long as she fades into the woodwork, I don't care what excuse she uses. We know the truth. She is too polarizing and not charasmatic enough to win over this nation.

I am all for a female president. Just not this one.

[sandnsea]

19. Not the Dem Party establishment

But possibly some other heavy hitters in the Dem Party.

[fujiyama]

24. I don't see anyone pressuring her to drop out

until after Feb 5th.

If she does poorly that day, she'll hear a lot of calls to wind it down.

[OHdem10]

25. I would like to see how Obama does in states beyond SC.

I just do not wish to see us snatch defeat from the jaws of
Victory. Since I do not have that much confidence that the
heavy hitters in the party I think it might be wise to see
this thing play a little longer.

If however they have decided to protect Obama to the point
it is beginning to look questionable as to his real ability.,
let us stop now and say Obama is the candidate.

If Hilary cannot attack Obama, when is he going to to show
what he is made of?

The GOP can kneecap real good. Ask a few Republicans who have
withstood it.

I support Edwards. This is beginning to look like "pushing the
Clinton's out of the party by a group of Amateurs.

[BringBigDogBack]

26. Perhaps,

your candidate is attempting to apply the last shove.

[Hippo_Tron]

35. She will go to Super Tuesday where she will be thoroughly beaten by Obama

She will win New York and he will carry all of the other Super Tuesday states.

[dailykoff]

36. What if Richardson beats her in NH?

From the way things are looking it could happen. She's got the momentum but it isn't up.

[Tesha]

50. Won't happen.

The order will be either:

Obama, ... Clinton, Edwards, ..... Richardson

-or-

Obama, ... Edwards, Clinton, ..... Richardson

This is a shame because Richardson might have turned
out to be the best (most effective) President we've
seen in a long time.

Tesha

[Colobo]

37. Beautiful scenario. Hopefully, it'll happen.

[Hippo_Tron]

38. It's more or less the way the primary calendar is designed

2004 is a very clear picture of what will happen in 2008. Kerry won Iowa and that was it. Because of the condensed primary calendar, the other candidates simply don't have time to catch up.

It's possible the scenario I've described above won't come true. I'm fairly sure that if Hillary can't carry California she will be out.

[loveangelc]

46. fyi..Californians do NOT like voting for losers. n/t

[Renew Deal]

40. You might be right. Look at this.

" Bill Bradley (N.J.), a favorite of moderate and unaffiliated voters and among the vanguard in a wave of establishment endorsements that is expected to break should Obama prevail again."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/06/AR2008010602534_2.html?sid=ST2008010602580

[origin1286]

42. article

I can vouch that I read the same article. I actually read it online. I'm browsing my history now to try and find it.

[loveangelc]

45. I can see Howard Dean at least HINTING at the fact that Hillary needs to get out

if she loses NH and SC...

[Tesha]

51. All four should stay until the 5th. (NT)

[rox63]

55. The only one I can see possibly dropping out after NH is Richardson

Probably because his campaign will be low on $$.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

57. She does not need to because of the super delegates

When 1/5 of the delegates is a part insider it means Hillary can lose every primary between here and super Tuesday, and most of the primaries that day. She only needs to win CA, NY, and a few other large delegate states and its over..

[bvar22]

60. This is NOT about Hillary or the Voters or the American People.

This is about the "Democratic Party Establishment" deciding what is best for THEM...NOT the People.
What is BEST for THEM (The Democratic Party Establishment) is to NOT have the two Establishment Candidates fighting each other. What is best for THEM is the $Status Quo$.

THEY (The Democratic Party Establishment) will withdraw to their smokey back room and make THEIR decision. Whoever they choose will get the combined financial support of the BIG CORPORATIONS (Big Media). The other establishment candidate will be told to drop out or wither on the vine.

If YOU want the "Democratic Party Establishment" (the RICH WHITE Guys who brought you the Iraq War, NAFTA, The Patriot Act, and "conservative SC Judges) to continue to control The Party and make YOUR decisions FOR you, then support Hillary or Obama.

OTOH, if you would like to see control of The Party returned to Americans who Work for a Living, support Edwards.

Edwards IS the most viable Anti-Establishment candidate.


The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.