Letters to the Editor
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Close to Oblivion?
Clinton may have lost her primary run for President, but she has hardly been religated to a footnote in history. She is still a well-respected US Senator with a strong legislative record and a former first lady. One would think this alone would warrent her a modicum of respect, even if she doesn't make it to the White House this time around.
The list of those who've attempted White House runs and failed is a lot longer than that of the victors and contains a lot of distinguised names, including many who are either still holding public office (Biden, Kennedy, etc.), or who have gone on to bigger and better things (Gore). Losing a primary run does not mean that her political career is in any way finished. She will still hold her Senate seat and will be able to work for the causes that she has championed for so many years. One could argue that after holding her own for so long in the primary run that she can certainly rise to a higher level of authority within the party, especially if she is able to bring her supporters to help Obama win the general election. We often throw around the term "king maker" as someone who wields enormous power behind the scenes. Given the level of support that has kept her campaign going for so long, it would be an enormous mistake to dismiss her completely.
Obama's supporters need to curtail the gloating because, whether they like to acknowlege it or not, they are going to need Clinton's supporters in the next few months. There is nothing that will turn off the more centerist elements within the party than watching Clinton being torn apart and ridiculed because she fought the hardest campaign she could manage and failed. The appalling lack of respect and acrimony needs to stop, otherwise we'll have to face up to the reality of a McCain administration.
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Oblivion seems an unfair and inaccurate cut -- that from an Obama supporter
It's mighty hard to see how either of the Clintons could be consigned to oblivion. Other than physically, the grim reaper couldn't pull that off himself. After all, Hillary remains a sitting US senator and will no doubt continue to be as long as she seeks the office. If Obama fails to best McCain -- a decided possibility -- she remains a viable presidential candidate in four years.
Much as I admire Salon's journalism, this headline verges on the kind of media coverage of which the Clintons have so bitterly complained. It's been obvious for some time that Hillary was unlikely to be our next president. But riding off into sweet oblivion is hardly Clintonian.
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@John McCall
John McCall: "It hit me suddenly. What if she's still in the race because she thinks it's good for the party?"
That interpretation is awfully generous of you.
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Hillary as VP - Banish that thought altogether
Hillary has dug her own grave. She has so dishonored the Democratic Party that her influence and power have dwindled faster than her money and support. Obama will never consider her for the VP slot. Supreme Court? What experience does she have? Sitting on the board of WalMart and being a corporate lawyer? Hillary is been the biggest joke that has been inflicted on this country. Majority Leader? Gosh, goddamned not. Why would the Democrats want a contentious leader who does not know how to play fair? Boot her out. She will eventually run as a Republican anyway. Let them deal with her.
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That's true
That's a cheap and unkind mentality, the Clintons have lots of political vitality.
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agree with manos
I'm not interested in kicking the Clintons when they're down. They're powerful politicians. They've got all sorts of possibilities.
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nightcrawler
yes, there are two candidates remaining in the race. One has essentially won the nomination. the other is funneling her own wealth into her flagging campaign to prop up her inflated ego and forestall the inevitable. The Michida/Florigan horsecrap is typical Clinton. When she was the presumptive nominee, she agreed that those states, unlike the other 48, did not comply with DNC rules and the results were null and void. Now that she's grasping at any straw, with utter disregard for what it might do to the party's chances in November, she's pissing and moaning about the poor disenfranchised voters of those two delinquent states. Hey, sistah, if you can't stand the heat get out of the election.
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Al Gore for VP? John Edwards? No way
Obama needs someone w/ either executive or national security credentials.
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@ Hhatchet
Brilliantly articulated post, thank you.
This part, in particular, resonated with me quite a bit:
"But what is so scary about white racist is that even when a black man does everything you say he must to fit in and join in you still hate him. If he is on the streets he is a thug. If he gets a degree he is an uppity elitist. If he tells the truth about a gas tax you say he does not understand you. So we can only assume that no matter what he does for some it would never be good enough. White racist will commit Political suicide before they will vote for a black man."
Precisely how I feel. Black men can be thugs, elitists or else loyal party hacks, talented enough to do the work, yet not so talented as to challenge the status quo except to fight over crumbs from the master's table.
John Lennon, perhaps, said it best: "They hate you if you're clever, and they despise a fool. A working class hero is something to be."
And last night on CNN I was amazed to hear one of the pundits bring up Obama's bind.
Someone mentioned that he has to get more fiery and passionate to connect with the anxieties of white working class voters and this woman, God bless her, reminded, "Yes, but he can't do that because if he gets "more passionate," as you say, he runs the very real risk of being the Scary Angry Black Man."
Finally the truth.
It's how I've felt my whole life. I have to bend over backwards to contain my anger, lest I scare people and in the process discredit myself in their eyes.
A tall order indeed for a black man to be both fiery and sufficiently neutred.
But I take heart that this elemental fact of the black experience factored into the conversation on a mainstream news outlet.
If the discourse expands to include the voices of the marginalized and voices on the lefthand side of the political spectrum, in short, if liberalism in the best sense makes a comeback, we'll all win, regardless of who wins in November.
The long haul demands a higher and more inclusive level of discourse.
Free people bear the obligation of actually engaging seriously in politics, for all our sakes.