A Clinton nomination cannot unify the Democratic party in the GE

[powergirl]

Edit by powergirl - changed subject line

I have always maintained that this is the greatest danger of Clinton stealing the nomination from Obama. The Obama supporters, in particular the young voters, will not vote/give money to Sen. Clinton. We need to get on with this GE. Clinton is remaining in the race for herself - not for party - not for country.


"Hillary Clinton got the kind of debate conditions she wanted in Philadelphia last night. A heavy focus on Barack Obama’s problem spots in the campaign (such as those “bitter” comments and Rev. Wright) dominated the entire first half. There was even a “surprise” twist thrown in when Obama was grilled about his relationship with former Weather Underground radical William Ayers.

"This was the ground of Clinton’s choosing, a debate as much about the issue of electability as the issues of the day. And Obama withered a bit in the spotlight. Clearly prepared for the “bitter” debate (and the piling on from Clinton), he seemed taken by surprise as that segued into more discussions about Jeremiah Wright and Ayers. About the only “skeleton” kept in the closet was indicted Chicago developer Tony Rezko.

"It was in so many ways almost a perfect setup for Clinton’s remaining argument in the Democratic primary contest – that she is the most electable. That’s what she is trying to convince voters of in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. More importantly, it’s the argument she’d like to convince those all-important superdelegates of before this process is over.

"Two things worked against Clinton in that drive last night. First, for the first time (in at least a very long time), she emphatically agreed that Obama could defeat John McCain in November. When first asked the question, she tried to dodge it, talking about her confidence that Democrats would win in November. But when pressed about whether Obama can win, she said “yes, yes, yes.”

"But what may hurt Clinton most is the one thing working in her favor – Obama’s stumbles. She didn’t appear elegant in piling on last night but she didn’t exactly overplay her hand either. But the sight of the front-runner sweating under the spotlight may lead to an increased desire among Democratic leaders to get this nomination process over with quickly. And the only way to do that is for Obama to win it and avoid an August convention fight.

"If there is lasting damage to the party’s ability to unify for the general election, it’s far more likely to come from a Clinton nomination. Obama has generated genuine excitement and opened up a flood of new donors to the party. His support is passionate and comes from two groups – blacks and young voters – likely to be most turned off should they feel the nomination is somehow taken unjustly by Clinton (i.e. superdelegates). He leads in delegates, the popular vote and total contests won.

"Party leaders do not want to find themselves in a position where they appear to be handing the nomination to Clinton after all that’s happened in this race. The damage to the party in that case might last far beyond November. Events like last night’s debate might increase the sense of urgency to put this primary process behind them."

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/04/17/politics/horserace/entry4021837.shtml




:bounce:

[powergirl]

1. Hello?

I thought this was a cool article. Anyone out there. :)

[Jawja]

2. I'm not a new, young voter and I will

not vote for Clinton in the GE.

At one time I enthusiastically would, but she has run a despicable campaign.

This doesn't mean I will vote for McCain.

on edit: Since my State will stay RED in a McCain vs Clinton matchup, a vote for Clinton from me would not help.

[powergirl]

3. I'm in the reddist of red states - Texas - if Clinton is the nominee, I write in

a candidate - Obama. If a rule does not let me do that. I'll write in John Edwards. I'm not young either. I here you Jawja.:mad:

[Tesha]

5. Precisely.

I supported (financially) Hillary in her run for
the Senate in 2000. I'm in her natural constituency.

But after her IWR vote (and several other obviously-
pandering votes), I became very negative towards
Clinton. I would never have supported her in the
Primary but it was still within the realm of possi-
bility that she could have re-gained my wote in the
General Election although it would have required a
firm repudiation of her IWR vote and a good choice
of Veep).

But now, afte rthe campaign she's run, there is *NO
WAY* that I will *EVER* consider supporting her in
any way, whether with my money, my work, or even my
vote. If the Democrats were to nominate her in Denver,
I'd find myself another candidate farther on the Left
to support.

Tesha

[Milo_Bloom]

4. Millions won't vote for Clinton...

A lot of the people I met and became friends with from the Dean race in 2003 have stated to me that they will not vote for Clinton. I won't vote for Clinton, my fiance won't vote for Clinton (and she spoke at a Dean rally in 2003). My mom who lives in NY won't vote for Clinton.

I believe it is no more complicated than that she voted for the war.