Clinton v. Obama like Adams v. Jefferson

[JoFerret]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20080328/cm_huffpost/093912

So I say "pshaw!" to those who think it's time for Hillary to bow out when her prospects in Pennsylvania are excellent, or for Obama to accept the vice-presidency even though he's got a clearer road to victory than Hillary, or for Howard Dean or Al Gore to step in a declare a winner and hope the superdelegates will follow suit though there are still millions of Americans who haven't yet voted in their primaries.

Let the democratic process run its course. Is the primary season too long? Much too long! Is the contest between Obama and Clinton too hot? Much too hot, yes, but that's the point: the presidency is at stake, and it is only the ambitious who can stay the course (witness the fate of the lethargic Fred Thompson). Do you really expect Hillary to say "After you, kind sir"? or Obama to respond "You first Madam"?

Nervous Democrats fearful they will never get back to the White House want peace now, a release from the tension, move on to the 'big one' with McCain. Sorry, but it's not going to happen. And that will be just fine. Because when a winner does emerge, after Pennsylvania, or Puerto Rico, or maybe at the end of August on the last day of the Democratic Convention in Denver, Democrats will get over licking their wounds pretty quick in order to start licking their chops in anticipation of knocking off McCain. And then things will really get down and dirty -- just as they have in every election for the past 225 years.

Don't believe those 'here-today-gone-tomorrow' poll figures showing this many Clintonites won't vote for Obama and that many Obamite won't vote for Clinton. It's all just part of the dogfight, bluffing by some (elect our candidate or else!), sulking by others (my candidate loses and I'm gonna take my marbles and go home). But March is one thing, November is another.

Let democracy run its course. As Churchill said, it's the worst of all possible forms of government... except for all the other forms. Oh, and by the way -- your heard it here first -- the Hillary-Sturm and Obama-Drang notwithstanding, the Democrats WILL win -- presidency, House and Senate. For which we will all owe thanks to George Bush.

[joshcryer]

1. Great article to reflect this exciting political environment. It's amazing how naive some here are..

...about this process. Amazing.

[cali]

2. Yes, Pat Leahy is just soooo naive

and you must know so much more than a dem Senator who has served for 34 years.

[joshcryer]

4. Leahy is a politician.

He has his reasons. The comments are to the posters here. The frantic fools who believe that all shall come crumbling down at a moments notice over complete banalities.

And indeed, it's hard not to sympathize with you. One simple media blurb, a woman crying, a husband making controversial statements made out to be racist, and a pastor who makes clearly racial comments, one of those simple things changes the tide in a moments notice. So you hang on like the little irrelevant cogs that you are, hoping for the winds to change and for something else to 'happen' in the drama the media has created for you.

All the while the politics continue on without you, and the players, the politicians, they keep on going on.

And in the end the party is better for it.

We can't lose.

[JoFerret]

5. A politician like Clinton and Obama

A good one but wrong on Obama. The audacity of the collective hype is....well audacious.

The willingness to ignore that what we face with an Obama presidency is social conservatism, more religiosity and faith-based solutions and a cautious conservative approach to solving social and economic issues.

He is just ripe to be rolled. And i will take no pleasure in that what so ever. this is all such a damned shame. The chance in a lifetime to make progress on key issue - gone.

[cali]

6. lol.

I've never called for her to drop out. Unlike you, I recognize that the odds of Clinton winning the nomination are very slim indeed. I don't have your simple minded linear pov- thankfully. I recognize that this whole process is far more complex than your "it's all the media" narrative. That's simply one component, albeit a large one, and it's worked both for and against both candidates.

However, dems can fail to regain the White House in November. Anyone with any knowledge of political history knows that bruising primary battles that end in a contentious convention, are damaging to the candidate that finally emerges.

Oh, and about Leahy, yeah, he's a politician, that doesn't negate the strong possiblitity that he was simply speaking his mind about what he believes is the best thing for the party. And try and answer this: What do you think he gains by supporting Obama or making that statement about Hillary? Keep in mind the following facts: Leahy has over 70% approval rating here in Vermont. He's Senator for as long as he wishes. He has no ambitions beyond that. He's not a big pork barreler. He's already one of the most powerful and senior dems on the Hill. He clearly has no ambition for attaining great wealth through his position- he's the 96th wealthiest Senator in that body. So what are his "nefarious" motivations?

[DemVet]

3. Great post....well said!!!

Finally, someone with a little reason about this whole process.

[Window]

7. I say let her stay in as long as she wants. After all, she "don't feel no ways tired." LOL!

:rofl:

[Freedom Train]

8. "Let democracy run its course"

Exactly what I've been saying all along. Let our system work as intended. Nobody's dropping the fuck out.

And you will recall that Adams and Jefferson became good friends down the line in spite of it all.