Clinton: The party's push to end this

jaycee, Ventura, California — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:25:29 GMT

Hillary loyalists should be helping your candidate find a graceful exit instead of prodding her to keep fighting. Sure, it would have been great to have a woman president for a change. Sadly, all that business about being ready on day one proved to be empty sloganeering. On day one of this campaign Hillary had the wrong message and the wrong team with the wrong strategy. This race was hers to lose from the start and she lost it, plain and simple. There’s no shame in that or any need to make excuses. Whatever complaints we have about the convoluted and arcane Democratic nominating process, it is most certainly a test of a candidate’s ability to lead, organize, manage, and strategize in a complex and changing political environment.
Everyone knew at the beginning that this was a contest for delegates. If it had been a contest for the popular vote total, then the Obama team’s strategy would have been very different. I have little doubt they would have won that race as well because they clearly had a much better organization. As for Florida and Michigan, you don’t tell people in advance that their votes won’t mean anything and then try to pretend later that you held a real election. Likewise you don’t pit a candidate with the name recognition of a Clinton against a relative unknown like Obama without any chance to campaign, and then pretend later that you held a real election. Or leave one candidate off the ballot entirely. This is the United States of America, not Zimbabwe.
Counting all the votes is the very last thing we want to do in a party primary. The object for the party is to pick the best candidate in the shortest possible time while inflicting as little damage as possible in the process. What we Dems have been doing this year, well, that ain’t it. In a change election year like this one, running a candidate without a lot of Washington insider experience can be a big asset. The danger with a relative unknown like Obama is that the opposition will try to portray the candidate in a negative light before voters are properly introduced. Hillary lost this primary race in February and her team knew it. Instead of suspending her campaign, she spent the better part of the last three months working hand in glove with the Republicans to help them paint a negative picture of Barack for millions of voters who didn’t know him. In the process she has taken what was shaping up to be a transformational landslide election for the Democrats and turned it into a close race.
Many of her loyalists seem to think that if enough of them vote for McCain they will get the chance to say I told you so, we should have nominated Hillary. Wrong. We had all better hope that she can undo enough of the damage to get Barack into office, or Hillary will be correctly blamed for the loss. She is very much in danger of becoming the Ralph Nader of 2008; the candidate who irreparably damaged every cause she was supposed to champion by hanging around long after any good could come of it. If you truly care about your candidate and her political future, you will thank her for her efforts and help her move on.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Time to focus on the general — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:26:49 GMT

Good! It is time to get serious about the general election. Clinton has lost this war. If she is a true democrat, she will tell her supporters to back
Senator Obama and get busy attacking McCain,instead of complimenting him. Will she pull a Liberman?

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:29:08 GMT

I thought Geraldine Ferraro crawled back under her rock. Looks like she came back out from under it to spew some more nonsense. Hillary lost because she is the most corrupt politician in the country. Gender has nothing to do with it. Some of us remember how she and her sexual predator husband debased the White House back in the nineties. I voted in the Illinois primary to not allow them back in to debase it some more. I am proud of that vote, and I will be equally proud to vote for Obama again in November.

Crawl back under rock, Geraldine. We will let you know if we need you again. That will be right around the time we want to lose 49 out of 50 states again.

Obama/Sebelius in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

the Pajama Pundit — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:30:37 GMT

The party needs to end this. And soon. Otherwise, Clinton is simply handing the general election to John McCain.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

Clinton: The party's push to end this

BJ, CA — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:30:48 GMT

The popular vote matters to Bill so that must mean something...
Who's going to be the fall guy?
I'm in the hot kitchen and James Carville is the one who's negative...
Who's going to be the fall guy?
I've been against NAFTA since the beginning.
Mark Penn is talking to Colombia...
Who's going to be the fall guy?
Bosnian snipers were every where...
Who's going to be the fall guy?
Robert Kennedy left the campaign in June..
Who's going to be the fall guy?
I'm going to be there at 3AM and sleep deprived.
Who's going to be the fall guy?
I voted for the War in Iraq without reading the provisions documentation..
Who's going to be the fall guy?

If we could answer any of these to Hillary without offending her we might get some where...but the conundrum continues....

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Mark R., South Montrose, PA — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:30:56 GMT

Sexism?

How about poor strategy, shifting metrics, race bating, sniper fire, RFK, . . . (should I go on?)

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Gary, Toronto, ON — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:31:11 GMT

Geraldine Ferraro - the gift that just keeps on giving.

I'll have to call my wife asap to let her know how sexist she is. The other day she said to me "the woman I want to see as President is not one whose chief claim is that she was once married to a President and is therefore more 'experienced'"

Clinton: The party's push to end this

carol, burlington, ma — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:32:13 GMT

One thing is certain, this campaign has definately brought out racism in America - both black and white. I think in the end this will be a good thing. Like they say, acknowleding a problem is the first step in getting a cure - it may take awhile, but the treatment has begun.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Eric, Okc — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:32:31 GMT

Print this.... Obviously there are alot of women who feel like now is their time. But HRC is not the person to lead our country. She is a skilled politican and she has opened the door for another woman to win in the future. But GF is completely wrong.

People are criticized when they use race no matter who it is if it is negative. Blacks who decry whites are criticized just as much as whites who do it. GF your comments are sad. Because if Obama was a white man (100% instead of 50%) you think he would have lost? That's stupid. Clintons name alone kept her in the race.

Sorry but its time to face the facts. Blame all you want. Sexism in America is real but racism is also. Obama's campaign has been ran like a well oiled machine. There were plenty of mistakes, but they were corrected. Now is the time to move beyond group politics and focus on our country.

For any Clinton supporter who plans to vote for McCain out of protest, that just shows how petty and ridiculous you are. Print this MSNBC!!!!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Becky ky — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:35:06 GMT

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Class Warrior, D.C. — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:38:28 GMT

Those male pigs! Always trying to put a glass ceiling over the women! Reid is a typical male, and Pelosi is a ...oh, wait a minute, Pelosi is a WOMAN!! So much for the "sexism brought me down" argument!!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

carl29, Miami — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:40:12 GMT

Good that South Dakota's Argus Leader endorsed Hillary. I've noticed something: Except for the New York Times, Clinton's home state newspaper, whenever Obama wins the endorsement of the most important newspaper in a state, Hillary does well. Remember that Hillary lost the endorsement of the Boston Globe, the LA Times, all the papers in Texas, the papers in Ohio, the papers in Pennsylvania, and ended up doing better than Obama in those states.

I noticed these pattern right before Indiana when she got the Indiannapolis Star's endorsement, Indiana's most important paper, and I thought to myself: Let's see how things go. Surprise: Obama did way better than expected. It seems that getting papers' endorsements don't help that much at the polls.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Jason, Grand Blanc, MI — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:40:42 GMT

Ferraro's idea of "healing wounds" is to exploit and further open them because her candidate won't win?

Anyone who supports Obama is both sexist and guilty of reverse racism?

Obama saying to his supporters upon winning in South Carolina that "our time has come" has racial undertones?

Ferraro shouldn't just be ashamed of herself...she should be condemned in the strongest terms by any Democrat who takes seriously the responsibility of their vote. Her active campaign to turn both women and now whites against Obama has no place in Democratic politics.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Brian M. — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:41:44 GMT

Somebody stop this thing fast Hillary is turning into a lush. She was seen drinking moonshine in Kentucky and West Virginia, Whiskey with beer chasers in Pa.,Tropical Mixed drinks in Puerto Rico and Bourbon in South Dakota.She wont be able to stand up to the job of President if this goes on.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Lisa, New Britain, CT Passionate about Obama — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:42:38 GMT

"Deny her the presidency". So THIS is what its all about. ::eyeroll:: Since when was it hers to begin with. To me, its about each candidate having to earn the Nod...by appealing to voters.

There are a lot of things that come into play when choosing a candidate. Ferraro's argument vaults gender to the top and ignores much else about the candidates in the race. She ignores that women candidates are succeeding and are becoming Governors, Senators, and Congresspeople, not to mention Cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court judges, and CEOs of large companies.

People succeed or fail on the merits, on how they come across on character issues, on how they run their campaigns, on their positions on policies, much more so then they succeed or fail on identity politics.

If Ms. Ferraro wanted to have a constructive conversation on gender, she sure picked a funny way to go about it. She is clearly a big part of that problem if she doesn't like how we've engaged on gender.

And just for the record, I am a 40-something white woman (with two graduate degrees) for Obama and I have no problem with (overall) the way Clinton has been treated. She has dished out way more than she has had to take.

Oh, and I can understand where the SD paper is coming from in wanting a more moderate candidate, but I think they underestimate the people's desire for true change in Washington.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

MI Chick — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:43:23 GMT

"The New York Times solidifies it -- Clinton has become the coolest candidate to drink with. In all seriousness, have folks noticed how many times reporters have included an alcohol detail when covering Clinton over the last few weeks? "

Ha! That's the one way that she'll keep the press on her side - get 'em drunk and pay their tab!

LOL!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Fee, Philadelphia — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:44:06 GMT

It's truly amazing how much is read into words. "Our Time Has Come" is somehow translated into "It's time for blacks and not whites?" He is multi-racial, so does that mean it is time for blacks/whites and other multi-racial Americans to lead?

I just think it is so wrong to make up your own meaning to words. He is not running for President of black America, he is running for President of all America and every American. How do we know he doesn't mean that it is time for a change, or time for fresh face and fresh ideas; time for us to get rid of old Washington politics; time for the youth; time for all minorities to have their voices heard; time to bring our troops home; time for unity in the Democratic party; time for action; time to rid our country of poverty and disease; time for universal healthcare or some form or healthcare reform; time for lobbyist and special interest groups to reduce their influence; time!

I want all of this fighting to end. It is clear that Obama will be the nominee and many people might be bothered by this, especially Clinton supporters, but I ask that we unite around our nominee and begin the process of winning the White House before we become our own worse enemy. It doesn't make any sense to allow this election to slip through our hands the way it did in 2000 and 2004.

Obama '08

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Albany, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:44:29 GMT

To: "jaycee, Ventura, California"

Excellent summary, and good advice for Clinton supporters.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

squintz, philly, pa — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:44:49 GMT

I swear, Geraldine Ferraro is so ignorant I cannot even believe it. The comment she made was not "about the influence of blacks" on Obama's candidacy, it was, verbatim: “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman of any color, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.”

This is what is stunning about so many folks associated with the Clinton campaign. It's as though they don't realize at all that ANYONE can find out EXACTLY what they said and nothing is "behind closed doors." They seem genuinely uncomfortable with the fact that they will be held accountable to regular people with every comment they make, and the "how dare they" sentiment is pretty palpable. How dare us? No, Ferraro, we know what you said. It was offensive. The fact that you totally fail to evaluate why that might be shows a total lack of morality and unbelievable self-centerness.

I'm so white I'm almost see-through, and I open my mouth all the time without being called a racist. If you say something offensive in this day in age, tough freaking cookies, people are going to call you on it. I'm not sure who she thinks she is, but she's certainly no feminist. She's disgusting and petty and, yes, bitter and pathetic and a poor role model for young women like me who remember when she ran for the Vice Presidency. Shame on her.

Our time has come, ma'am, and by "our" we mean "people interested in getting something freaking done in government without the hateful divisiveness folks like you cannot escape." Your time HAS PASSED.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Tim R., GR, MI — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:45:19 GMT

Ferraro is an idiot.

Before you can decry sexism as the cause that derailed HRC's campaign, you have to substantiate that sexism. I know that there have been some ignorant pundits and talking heads that have degraded themselves by stooping to play for cheap sexist-based laughs, but where, in the MSM, is that bias? Where has that sexism been given a national platform, taken root as the CW, and had any sort of effect on the campaign?

Good grief, stop externalizing the HRC campaign's problems and spend some time in self-reflection. Sexism might have been the expression of people who were never going to support Clinton in the first place, but even that was in very miniscule numbers. Sexism was by no means the lever that moved large blocks of the electorate against HRC. You insult the american electorate by blaming HRC's failures as a candidate on some sort of entrenched, systematic sexism.

HRC was from the beginning a damaged candidate, bringing all of her White House baggage with her, and she ran a disasterous campaign.

Honestly, you cannot blame 11 straight losses on sexism as if that could cover the lack of mobilization by the HRC campaign in those states. You cannot blame poor decisions made by the campaign on sexism.

For myself (a white male) I resolved that Hillary only had to do one thing for me to consider her as a viable candidate:

apologize for her Iraq vote.

Clearly.

Without equivocation.

Without obfuscation, spin, or hedging.

Without semantic games.

Without pivoting to a new subject.

Without attempts at justification.

She has never done this.

So before Ms. Ferraro goes around plucking the mote from the electorate's eye, how about she takes a look at the beam in the eye of the HRC campaign?

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Brendan D, Niles, IL — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:45:23 GMT

Everyone should read Ferraro's column, because she does exactly what Hillary's been doing lately: repeat something enough times, and it becomes true. She doesn't offer any evidence of sexism; she simply complains that, because Hillary Clinton won't be getting the nomination, there is obviously sexism within the Democratic Party. This is both untrue and unfair. Aside from a few nuts that have derided Senator Clinton because of her gender (and there have certainly been the same kinds of nuts deriding Senator Obama because of his race), most people have decided to support Senator Obama simply because they prefer him to Senator Clinton. If anything, isn't that the goal of the feminist movement -- to put everyone on equal footing?

Geraldine Ferraro simply doesn't get it: Just because someone supports Barack Obama doesn't mean he or she is a sexist. And frankly, the Congresswoman ought to be ashamed that she's turned feminism from a righteous roar to a subjugated whine.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Walt, Ohio — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:46:11 GMT

Wow indeed. I am so glad that Wednesday this will all be over, and we no longer have to put up a bitter old vindictive parody whose time is over. (Actually X2, Hillary and Geraldine).
I guess I just feel sorry for all of these so-called democrats who have forever tarnished their historical legacy through their irrational histrionic narcissistic antics.
However, we as a nation have serious issues that transcend these twisted rants from bitter people inadvertently liberated from their medications. They need to decide now if the future of the country is worth their self serving temper tantrum.
Americans are dying in Iraq; and will continue to die at an unacceptable rate under McCain. Equality issues for all will be set back for at least 30 years due to the Supreme Court. Health care will be ignored. And energy problems will continue to escalate.
The scourge of sexism sadly is quite real; to exploit it to insinuate an excuse for a fiscally and morally bankrupt campaign to the detriment of our country is reprehensible; more so for politicians who claim that "they always fought for civil rights".
It would be useless to ask you to retire gracefully for the good of the country. You have shown an astonishing lack of character; there is no reason to expect you will have a revelation of character before Wednesday.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:47:54 GMT

Some people are team players for the Democratic Party but "Desperate" Hillary is not one of them. The whole reason to end this primary farce as soon as possible is to get after that deadbeat repugnant one that the Wicked Witch of the East kept praising while trash talking Obama.

It's time for the Wicked Witch of the East to set aside her self serving ways and to gracefully exit this primary farce ASAP for the good of the party in November!

Go Obama 08/12!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

west jeff., pa. — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:47:54 GMT

Where have all the whiners gone? You know, the Obama whiners?

For the Clintons to have accused Barack of whining, and their supporters to have accused his spporters of being wimpy whiners in the past, all this whinning coming from Hillary, her surrogates, and yes, her supporters, is downright funny!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Pete - Albany, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:49:28 GMT

Senator Clinton and her campaign ran up massive debts due to financial irresponsibility on their own behalf.

Senator Clinton and her campaign had no strategy after Super Tuesday and lost 11 straight contests.

Will someone please explain to me how this is a result of sexism?

Meanwhile, the new troika is moving to end this...Reid, Pelosi...the only one left to speak is Gore.

Now, will a Clinton supporter kindly explain to me a scenario by which Senator Clinton is the nominee if Senator Obama enters Wednesday morning with a majority of pledged delegates and the majority of superdelegates who have "committed" so far?

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Julie in VT — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:49:41 GMT

Geralding Ferraro - SHUT UP already! Sheesh! Where were you when BILL CLINTON was cheating on poor lil' Hill? HE's the BIGGEST SEXIST of all! Gawd, I want this thing OVER already. Some women are just going off the deep end!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Navec Higgins — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:50:08 GMT

Wow is right. It's all Obama's fault.

Let's see. Several points that have been emphasized during Clinton's campaign reappear in this hit job clothed as an op-ed piece:

1. Obama has continually played the race card. I still do not see the evidence.

2. He is a Columbia-Harvard educated man. He does not understand "real" Americans. Elitist!

3. White resentment. It amazes me that one of the tenets of his speech in Philly has largely gone unrecognized. He specifically acknowledged white resentment regarding affirmative action. He has also stated that blacks in his socio-economic class do not and should not benefit from quotas. They should be based on socio-economic status regardless of race.

4.He was raised by a single mother and his grandparents. But Ferraro states this is meaningless. Why is that? His single mother was EDUCATED. He then had an opportunity to attend an elite prep school. There again, he is elitist.

This is the type of vitriol that will be ongoing during the rest of the season. And certainly, this stuff is extremely divisive. Hillary has accomplished her mission, a seemingly irreparable split in the party. And according to her and her minions, only she can save it.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Michelle Zee — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:50:44 GMT

Geraldine from one woman to a next, shut your mouth! I am one woman not needing you to stand up for me.

All this sexism crap is nauseating, if this was OBAMA losing, he would have been told and made to get the hell out Clinton's way, so for you to say she has been degaraded...please!

Trust me, this sexism crap, IT'S LIKE WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU CLIMB OVER A WALL...GET OVER IT!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Independent in TN — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:51:18 GMT

Absoultely no doubt about it . . . Clinton has laid the groundwork to fight this thing all the way to the convention floor and has every intention of fighting on after next week

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-maddow/clinton-to-the-convention_b_103078.html

As already reported on MSMBC, the Clinton campaign does not plan on accepting anything but a 100% seating of both FL and MI with MI's "not-Clinton" delegates all going to her carefully hand-picked MI delegation

Even after Obama clinches the final number of delegates next week, she will appeal the DNC ruling on FL/MI all the way to the convention floor

And make no doubt about it, the Republicans will fan the fire all the way to the convention and then still have the gall to say that the winner "stole" the nomination

Congratulations Democrats . . . you idiots have just assured us of 4 more years of Bush/McCain and a Supreme Court that will roll the calendar on civil rights back 100 years

un-freaking-believable!!!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Pete - Albany, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:54:02 GMT

Considering that Obama has another tie with RAW's (Reverends Against Whites), this should show everyone just what a raceist he is. Wright isn't the only person inputting on his white hatred. Obama sucks with every breath that he takes. He lies. He is part of the occult. Let's put an end to all this stupidness that is out there. Obamamites...I really hope that you are not THAT ignorant!!!! If not Hillary.....Vote McCain!!!!!!
Becky ky (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:35 AM)

--------------------------------------------------

Yeah, you tell 'em! How dare Pfleger spew his hatred towards...wait, Pfleger's white too? Oh, well, so much for that argument.

Look, if anyone thinks that Senator McCain would be a better president than Senator Obama then, by all means, you're entitled to your vote.

But, if you're going to vote for him simple to spite Senator Obama because Senator Clinton didn't win the nomination then I suggest that democracy would be better served by having you stay home and not voting in November.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Stacy G., Chevy Chase MD — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:56:55 GMT

Just who in the world are Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to tell these superdelegates what to do, and when to do it? Aren't these two knuckle-draggers superdelegates? Why don't they make their choices now if they are so hot and bothered by what's going on? Pelosi acts like she's some kind Queen Bee. For someone that has done nothing as House leader, she sure thinks she knows a lot.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Alan, B'ham — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:57:14 GMT

Heh! If I were Hillary I would have a drink too with her campaign at death's door. Well at least she can claim the boozer vote!

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Walt, Ohio — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:58:56 GMT

"Considering that Obama has another tie with RAW's (Reverends Against Whites), this should show everyone just what a raceist he is. Wright isn't the only person inputting on his white hatred. Obama sucks with every breath that he takes. He lies. He is part of the occult. Let's put an end to all this stupidness that is out there. Obamamites...I really hope that you are not THAT ignorant!!!! If not Hillary.....Vote McCain!!!!!!"

Becky ky (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 9:35 AM)

Becky ky, I guess that White Catholic pastor you are referring to really hates whites!
I am continually surprised (not) by the inherent lack of depth of coherent knowledge of some of "Hillary's" (McCain) supporters. You folks are downright scary.
Please just vote for McCain and stop implying you are a Hillary supporter. Even for Hillary, you are an embarrassment; but you are so typical of McCain's misguided dupes of the neo con ruling class.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Nicholas: Minnesota — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:00:20 GMT

Just wow…
--I concure.

Clinton: The party's push to end this

jerry/corpus christi texas — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:01:06 GMT

Hillary should more worried about how she is going to pay her bills when this is over. I guess Bill will be making a lot of speeches at $100,000 per speech to make up the stupidity of his wife.

As a conservative, I am enjoying this to no end. I have been telling people that the only way my side would keep control of the White House is if the Democrats fought among themselves....

That plan is working flawlessly.......

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Liz, St. Louis, MO — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:03:53 GMT

Clinton: The party's push to end this

Eric, PHX — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:03:58 GMT

To Becky in KY, you truly amaze me. Nice Acronym with RAW(Reverends Against Whites), but half of that group is a White Catholic Priest. So do all Catholics hate White people as well?