I never thought I'd say this - but I've come to admire Hillary Rodham Clinton.
I've been inspired by the true grit that she's displayed during this presidential campaign. Her determination and willingness to fight on against all odds should be a model for others to follow . . . To read the rest of my column from today's Philadelphia Daily News click here.
12 comments:
Interesting article, did you stick with your new party when they elected a inexperienced texan with a nice smile, little experience, a guy you might want to get a beer with? Did you just think a vote for Bush was a vote for Cheney and he had experience? Wondering how you justified that vote.
"If Kennedy could take it to the convention when he trailed by 756 delegates, why can't Hillary go to the convention trailing by far less? Would it be so awful?"
Given how that election turned out for a divided Democratic party that year, I'd say, yeah, it would be pretty awful.
Dan,
Congratulations on hitting the frontpage of realclearpolitics.com!
Very thought-provoking article. I remember 1980 very well (I was a supporter of Ted Kennedy), and I don't think things turned out all that well for the Democrats.
Hillary has every right to remain in the race as long as she wants. You are correct to point out that no one in her position (close 2nd) has ever gotten out before the convention.
Udall in 1976 had his name placed in nomination. That same year, Reagan fought all the way to the convention.
Hart in 1984 and Jesse Jackson in 1988 all kept their secon d-place campaigns going into the convention.
The only exception I can think of is George H.W. Bush, in 1980. His withdrawal and support of Reagan worked out for him, didn't it?
So Hillary will have to calculate the price of staying in, and the possible benefit of making way for Obams.
I think she'll do the right thing for the Democratic Party and end her campaign after the last primaries are held and the Florida-Michigan disputes are settled.
And in 2009, President Obama will sign into law the Clinton Health Security Act.
Good article. At this point, any positive news for Hillary is a site for sore eyes.
Hillary is showing true grit. She will fight on as long as she feels it's feasable for her to do so.
She will not destroy the party. They (powers in Washington, corporate media,) are just trying to push her out as they have been since Iowa. GO HILLARY! KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT! HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH GIRL!
You belong in politics, and have earned the right to be where you are today. Don't let em get to you!Grrrr!
I saw this piece on Philly.com after it was linked from Real Clear Politics. I came to your blog to tell you what a great piece it is and thank you for writing it!
Dan misses out on a very clear difference between 1980 contest and the one we are seeing play out today. Ted Kennedy conducted himself with respect to the interests of the party while riding it out. Hillary Clinton has done nothing of the sort.
Lets run down the slate of bad acts by Hillary:
-- Infusing racial hatred
-- Fueling inane religious debate
-- Mudslinging elitist name-calling
-- Vicious character attacks
-- Inappropriate diminishment of her opponent's experience
Ted Kennedy kept the interest of the party always top of mind and never stooped to deplorable political tacticd such that Hillary has displayed. I point that out as the biggest difference and why she is being asked to step aside. If she had played fair and took her loss like a man (no pun intended), these call outs wouldn't have occurred.
She has only brought this on herself with her own boorish behavior which is not representative of the leader of the free world.
it is pretty stunning reading this article and thinking it was actually thought through. I am not a Democrat.
Buyt doesnt this article prove why she shoudlnt take it to the convention? seriously, he didnt stick with the party. He had invested too much into a different candidate.
Carter lost.
Am i missing something, other than the writer wants to ensure Obama loses?
it is absolutely fascinating watching the naive dems self destruct. Absolutely amazing.
I didnt think they would be this stupid, but boy have they proven me wrong.
there is a difference between grit and destructive. She has NO plausible way to win the nomination. Thats not true grit.
Curious how your article fails to point out the obvious rationale for her immediate withdrawal..........CARTER LOST THE 1980 GENERAL ELECTION!!!!
Great article!
I never post comments but I came here to say what an unbelievable obtuse commentary this is. Jimmy Carter was soundly trounced three months after Kennedy took his legs out with the party. How is that an example that demonstrates your thesis (“What could be the harm?”) The harm, sir, is that it increases Obama’s chance of losing. Either you’re a Republican who hopes for this outcome, or you are a grown man who doesn’t understand how to support a thesis with relevant examples. How you got a job at this or any other newspaper is beyond comprehension.
Well said Jason, the next column Circucci is going to write is the 5 reasons why she should be his VP.
If chosen, she will be the lead in every Republican Party commercial with here soundbites about his inexperience and lacking worth. People seem to forget her fortunes began to turn after John Edwards jumped out of the race. His blue-collar support all went to her because he refused to endorse Obama until today.
She should be proud of her constituency. The uneducated, the poor, and the racist. Exactly who should be deciding our next President.
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