It has been said that no one can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory better than the Democrats. It's beginning to look to me like that's exactly what's happening right now. McCain has already begun his presidential campaign, while the two remaining Democrats continue to fight amongst themselves. His popularity is growing, while their's is sinking.
This is the best opportunity the Democrats have had in years to win the White House and both houses of Congress. In state after state, many more voters have turned out to vote in the Democratic primary than in the Republican primary. But to win, the Democrats must bring all of those voters back to the polls in November. They cannot afford for a significant block of those voters to stay home this Fall.
Recently, in an attempt to pull off a miracle and get the nomination, Clinton has employed her "kitchen sink" strategy (she's throwing everything at Obama including the kitchen sink). This strategy has two possible outcomes, and both are bad for Democrats.
1. Obama goes on to win the nomination, but is too damaged to win the general election. If this happens, Clinton will be blamed and there is no way the party will forgive her and give her the nomination in four years.
2. Obama is so damaged that Clinton wins the nomination. Many Obama supporters (especially the new voters) will stay home, considering Clinton too "dirty" to support. Again, this will result in a loss for the Democrats (and Clinton would never be nominated again).
Both of these scenarios are bad for the party and for both candidates. That's why I say it's time to end this nonsense, and there's only one way for that to happen. Clinton must realize she cannot win without damaging the party and her own reputation.
Here's what I think will be best for all concerned (although I doubt it will happen). Clinton should go to Obama and offer to run as his vice-president. Obama should take her up on the offer. Then they run as a team and score a huge victory for Democrats. This would also set Clinton up to be the next nominee, and both would be party heroes.
That would be the ideal situation. But even if she didn't want to be the veep nominee, by dropping out and giving Obama her full support, Clinton would again come out looking heroic and set herself up for the next nomination.
The only other alternative is to continue the bloodletting, and that would be bad for all Democrats. Democrats have a golden opportunity this year -- I sincerely hope they don't blow it.
I agree!
ReplyDeleteObama should go to Clinton and offer to run as her VP, gathering up 8 years in experience that he is lacking, then running on his own.
With his orator skills AND experience, he would be unbeatable.
But, don't look for Obama to concede just because of a lack of experience.
You're not making sense John. It's the person in SECOND PLACE who should tak the veep spot - and that's Clinton.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you. If Clinton wants real party unity and a change in Washington, she should run as VP or bow out. Either way it will boost the Democratic chances for a win in NOvember and our coutry MUST have that to thrive.
ReplyDeleteEveryone keeps talkin 'bout this "Dream Team" of Obama and Clinton as President and Vice. I gotta say, I see Obama/Richardson, with John Edwards promised as AG, seems like more of a Dream Team.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the group that sees Clinton as too dirtied to really want her anywhere on the ticket. Not as bad as McCain, mind you. But by far a dirtier Dem than I wanted to see come out of this opportunity.
I can't argue with you. I'd like to see an Obama/Richardson ticket myself. But if Hillary would just shut up and stop trying to damage the party, I could accept her as the veep candidate.
ReplyDeleteI, as you may have surmised from my posts, have tried hard to just keep the peace while picking our candidate. A friendly rivalry would have been great. Mudslinging hurts as much as it might help. But it surely should never be used against your own party to this extent.
ReplyDeleteBut, all peaceful gestures aside- sidling up to the absolute WORST of the right wingers is just unthinkable and dare I say it?- unforgivable. The Clintons going to and on the Rush Limbaugh show just... well I don't really have the words.
I wish that the Dem leadership had the power to tell Hillary
"Enough!"
It's a toss-up. Obama's support of Rev. Wright is quite disturbing. Hillary should definitely stay in the race until the end. The super delegates should be able to support the candidiate they wish- not go by the polls.
ReplyDeletemimi-
ReplyDeleteWhy do you find his support of Rev. Wright disturbing? Have you heard the whole sermon, or just the 15 second clips the news media kept running? Personally, I find after listening to more of Rev. Wright that I tend to agree with him.
Hillary can stay in as long as she wants, but she needs to get her campaign out of the gutter.