Three Months Late

9 June 2008



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Clinton Suspends Campaign, Backs Obama

Hillary Clinton spoke to a crowd of a few thousand at the National Building Museum on Saturday to suspend her presidential bid and throw her support to Barack Obama. It was one of her better performances, and the address opened the way for Democratic unity in November. If she had given it three months ago, it would have been statesmanlike. As it is, she looked forced into it, and indeed, she was.

She opted to give her concession speech four days after the last primary, and she left the house 25 minutes late to give it. This is standard operating procedure for the Clintons. They have never turned up on time. It gave the event a bit more attention on the TV, but it was disrespectful to the people who were waiting at the museum. That is Clintonism, though.

She achieved three things in her speech. She reminded the listeners that she was the first serious female candidate for president, she gave her support to Senator Obama, and she told her disappointed supporters that voting for John McCain would be contrary to their interests. She failed to achieve one other thing; she didn’t manage to force her way onto the ticket. Many in the Clinton camp think she deserves the number two slot, but it’s for Senator Obama to offer, not for their candidate to demand.

However, if she had given that speech back in February, after losing 5 or 6 of the 12 in a row she lost to Senator Obama, it would have been a much different world for Mrs. Clinton. Her campaign was so divisive that there are some Obama supporters who simply can’t stand her, can’t bear to speak her name. Had Mrs. Clinton bowed to the inevitable three months ago, that wouldn’t be the case. Her $30 million in debt wouldn’t exist. Her place on the ticket would have been guaranteed.

One of the characteristics of a good leader is recognizing reality and dealing with it. Summing up the Clinton team’s approach, Lisa Caputo, a former White House aide and an adviser to Clinton’s campaign, said, “You can’t count people out before they’re out. Let the process play out.” Why? After taking a beating for 8 rounds, why would a boxer insist on seeing the fight through to round 15? Mrs. Clinton did what she had to do on Saturday to remain a viable political figure in the US; she had no other options. Three months ago, she had this option in front of her, and she chose to indulge her ego instead. She’s another Clinton full of unrealized potential because of an over-riding narcissism. It's a shame.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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