Clinton Might Cause Trouble at Convention
By Alan Stewart Carl | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, Democrats, HillaryFor those who miss those halcyon days when Hillary Clinton was impeding Barack Obama’s journey to the White House – the drama may not be over yet. In a move that should surprise no one who’s followed the uninhibited ambition of the Clintons, Hillary Clinton has been caught telling a California reception that she thinks it could be good for the party if her delegates went ahead and nominated her at the upcoming convention.
That’s right. Clinton believes Democrats could benefit if her supporters made a symbolic show of support for her. She called it “catharsis.”Apparently, Clinton voters will happily flock to Obama just as soon as they’ve had the chance to voice how much they’d prefer if a different candidate received the nomination.
The Obama campaign has, as you would expect, released statements saying the Clintons fully support Obama and there’s no ill will between them.
Clinton does not have the delegates to win the nomination – barring a shocking turn of events. But she does have the delegates to make the convention more interesting than expected. We’ll see what happens.
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August 7th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Nothing would please me more than a whole bunch of Clinton supporters banding together in Denver to break up the Democratic love in. These Obama supporters are the most arrogant people I’ve ever seen in my life. Time to make a statement saying that Hillary supporters will not make things easy for Mr. Obama.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I’m sorry Gary, but you’re calling Obama supporters arrogant? So what are Hillary supporters? Salt of earth?
Hillary’s top brass freely admitted that they ran her campaign as if she were running for re-election, and didn’t plan for after Super Tuesday. I don’t know about you, but that’s the most arrogant strategy I’ve ever heard of.
On the other hand, Obama’s team put together a massive, grassroots ground game, worked hard to connect with voters and had a comprehensive 50 state strategy. In fact, I think the only reason Obama did eventually edge Hillary out was because he didn’t ignore all of the red states where caucuses were being held.
Simply put, Obama’s supporters have extremely good reasons for supporting the man, none of which revolve around an arrogant sense of entitlement. This is a guy who came from nothing and built his career himself. Contrast that with Hillary’s narrative for a moment and you might want to change your tune.
August 8th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Ok, Obama most certainly didn’t “come from nothing,” Justin. The private school he attended in Hawaii tuition (today) is over $16k a year. So be careful with the meme that Obama bootstrapped himself from “nothing” to a position of political power. He build his local political career on the back of the African American activist movement in Chicago–hence all of the maneuvering and weaving he’s had to do to distance himself from groups like the Nation of Islam, the Black Panthers, and even his own church.
And in terms of arrogance, two wrongs don’t make a right. Whereas the Hillary camp exuded a sense of entitlement, the Obama side(primarily Obama himself and his closest handlers) is coming across with a pat on the head, condescending, “line up to touch the robe of Obama” attitude. Neither approach is going to win the hearts and minds of independents.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Apparently some people have never heard of scholarships. What does the tuition of a school that Obama attended on a scholarship have to do with anything?
August 8th, 2008 at 9:32 am
When you hear detractors call Obama supporters “arrogant”, it sounds a lot like Iran or North Korea calling the West, the “arrogant powers”. I guess that’s the default possition of people on the losing side. (arrogant enough for ya?)
August 8th, 2008 at 9:36 am
@ ExiledIndependent - Did his school cost $16,000 when he attended 37 years ago?
And, by the way, since when did going to a private school mean you didn’t have to struggle to get there? Ever hear of scholarships? Financial aid? I certainly did when I went to private school.
Also, nobody’s claiming the guy lived in squalor. But when compared with the well heeled McCains and Rodhams of the world, Obama came from virtually nothing. He didn’t have anybody directing his political career except him.
And you can say he built his career on the backs of people…but I’m sure those people you’re suggesting he used would tell you that they would gladly vote for him. The guy was a boots on the ground community organizer on Chicago’s South Side. It doesn’t get much more unglamorous than that.
I’m sorry, but what exactly has Obama done that’s different from every single other politician running for President? Other than the spin coming from the other side (both from Hillary and McCain), how has he characterized himself as anything but a guy who wants to help get this country back on the right track?
I’m sorry, but just because the guy likes arugula doesn’t make him an elitist. Don’t fall for the same trap that the Republicans set each and every single election.
August 8th, 2008 at 11:20 am
You have to expect these sorts of statements when someone is speaking to a group of core supporters. She’s saying stuff to make these folks happy for the time being. I don’t think she’s actually going to try it.
At worst, what we’re seeing from Bill and Hillary is probably just a bit of additional brinksmanship to get Obama to toss a few more ponies Hillary’s way. That’s my hope anyway.My gut says the Clintons are too smart to revel in what could at best be a pyrrhic victory. They’ll traffic in threats, but they won’t ruin the show so long as they have a stake in it.
August 12th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Being from one of the states where Mr. Obama wasn’t on the ticket and I braved a nice snowy freezing cold day to vote for Hillary, I am going to be very happy to see Hillary supporters raise as much ruckus as possible to let us have our day in court. I am sick and tired of watching the media love-fest with Barrack Obama. This guy was not on our ballot and he ended up with my states delegates? Hello? Is this Russia or Pakistan or what? This totally makes me sick! Go Hillary Delegates Go!