Alter thinks that Clinton might be hinting at concession with her final statement

[TeamJordan23]

Especially, when she said that whatever happens, we will all be okay.

Just heard him talking about it on MSNBC that it would not be surprising if she drops out before March 4th if polls don't change.

[democrattotheend]

1. My mom thinks so too

Not sure if I agree. Watching it the second time, I can see why some would draw that conclusion. But I don't think she will drop out before March 4.

[Renew Deal]

17. I do, my wife doesn't.

I thought she went the right direction that she's not going to fight this thing if it goes the wrong way on March 4.

[gateley]

That occurred to me with her response to the delegate question. nt

[jillan]

19. Yeah - I was really surprised by her answer on that too.

[babylonsister]

2. KO and Tweety are inferring the same thing tonight; Olbermann

went long, Tweety is on now. 10pmCT.

[polichick]

3. Some of the CNN gang thought so too...

And they pointed out that Bill has already said it's up to Texans now .

[madaboutharry]

4. Maybe he is right.

She could feel that she would be humiliated if she lost big on March 4. She has a lot of dignity and I think that it is important for her to keep it.

[polichick]

5. Maybe that's why she said it's an honor to be there with Barack, the next prez. nt

[ecstatic]

6. Well considering that she plagiarized it from Edwards' concession speech

it's quite possible.

[polichick]

9. But it could be strategic too - like that moment before NH. nt

[Enrique]

7. possibly

[K Gardner]

8. Wolfson has already sent out an email saying that's not what she was doing.

[polichick]

11. Did he say she was playing for sympathy?? nt

[K Gardner]

24. He said her closing made it obvious that she was the one READY to be President.. it

came out immediately after the debate ended and went to the pundits.

[polichick]

32. Hmm, thanks! nt

[Exilednight]

21. The fact that he had to send out the e-mail is enough to know that is how it came off. If it was ...

something that was suppose to energize her campaign, he wouldn't have had to send it out.

[GarbagemanLB]

10. If the polls don't change and she does indeed drop out before or right after March 4th, I would be

impressed. Seriously.

[TeamJordan23]

15. It would be a classy move. nm

[Johnny__Motown]

12. I can't believe she will be gone before march 4th

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. it was an odd statement for a presidential debate

[zulchzulu]

14. It was the beginning of the End

After she loses Texas by 12% or more, she will be faced with a lot of pressure to drop out.

She is going to lose Texas. Badly. She has to win big and that is not going to happen.

She tried to throw a couple cheap shots at Obama and is now being YouTubed for the very thing she accused Obama of with her closing comments. Her numbers will sink badly at this point and if she tries to go even more negative, she is possibly permanently destroying the Clinton legacy, which is now in the skids again.

She probably felt good putting the message out that she's dropping out. Her campaign is broke and her advisors are the worst.

[jillan]

16. Jonathan Alter has been supporting Obama for some time now.

He makes no attempt to hide it, so this is not surprising coming from him.

[Unsane]

18. Not sure why she'd drop out pre-March 4th; TX is tied and she's ahead in OH

[GarbagemanLB]

22. How far back was Obama a week ago? Two weeks? nt.

[Unsane]

23. Are the numbers trending in his direction? Sure. But he is not currently ahead in either state.

I actually think it would be a small miracle if he won OH. Maybe I'm way off. All polls I've seen have her up double-digits there.

[mzmolly]

20. I think she was indicating that she's not going to plug along after Texas etc.

if she doesn't win?

[rodeodance]

25. HA HA--those pundits will have egg on their faces

[Binka]

35. Ha Ha You Are Beyond Ridiculous

Gig not up for you yet Rodeo? HA HA HA. The little birdy on my shoulder has always been chirping about you.

[totodeinhere]

26. If Hillary does concede for the good of the party then she is my choice for prez in 2016.

She would only be 69, two years younger than McCain is now and the same age Reagan was when he ran in 1980.

[BearSquirrel2]

29. There are other firsts ...

If she can get back to her liberal roots, maybe she can be the first female Senate Majority Leader. If she could humble herself, maybe she could be the first female vice president. Though, I think it would be a bad idea for O'Bama to add her to the ticket as it would make it easier to rouse the fundagelicals.

[totodeinhere]

30. I agree.

Let her continue her distinguished career in the Senate. And if the unthinkable occurs and Obama loses in 2008 then she would be the front runner in 2012.

[THUNDER HANDS]

27. sounded like a plea for donations to me

I'll be okay. :tips hat:

[tandem5]

28. why on earth would she drop out before March 4th??

[IndianaGreen]

31. Since Hillary was channeling Edwards' words from a 13 December 2007 debate

I think all of this was a shameless and well rehearsed play for sympathy by Hillary, trying to pull another New Hampshire.

An echo from Hillary

Several readers, and Obama's staff, heard an echo in Clinton's closing line, that the candidates on stage would be "fine."

Clinton Tonight:

You know, whatever happens, we're going to be fine. You know, we have strong support from our families and our friends. I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people. And that's what this election should be about.?

Edwards the December 13 debate:

?What's not at stake are any of us. All of us are going to be just fine no matter what happens in this election. But what's at stake is whether America is going to be fine.?

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/

[Major Hogwash]

33. Yabbut, Alter's old, ugly, and bald! What does he know? Nuffin!

He's just pontificating.
And if there is one thing I can't stand, it is pontificators!

[AX10]

34. Alter has is head up Obama's ass.