Senator Hillary Clinton's new plan.
The primary season is over. It was a long, hard fight, and a lot of damage was done. Throughout the primaries both candidates have been subject to thorough attacks, but Senator Barack Obama has obviously been the main target. In the last month, a few new polls were released, indicating that Senator Clinton would do better against Senator John McCain during the General Election than Senator Obama. Actually, if it weren't for the quite moronic gaffes Senator McCain has been making, Senator Obama would probably be behind him in the polls.
Now Senator Clinton has realized this, and I'm pretty sure the only reason she didn't step down yesterday, was to help Senator Obama win the general. I know, this is a pretty surprising declaration, so let me explain:
Everybody, when looking at Senator Clinton's speech, was obviously eager to know whether yesterday night was officially the end of the Democratic Nomination process. True, Senator Obama claimed an overall delegate majority and yesterday's primaries were the last primaries of the season, but the cherry on the cake would have been a long awaited Senator Clinton dropout.
Look at the speech again. Notice that at the beginning she is very congratulatory towards Senator Obama, congratulating him on a great nomination race, explaining that he would be a great leader to this country. I believe she's trying to repair the damage she's done. Especially after what she's been saying today: constant compliments of Senator Obama, such as the statement that he would be a good friend to Israel.
This brings me to my conclusion: the reason why Senator Hillary Clinton hasn't dropped out yet is to keep the attention on her so that she can pass as many points as possible as to why Senator Obama should be elected President. She's basically helping Senator Obama get past the new difficulty: not alienating her voters. Her objective now, I think, is to lower the near 50% of her supports who wouldn't vote for Senator Obama in the General. Thus she can at least help a Democrat into the White House and maybe by doing so get Senator Obama's favor to become his Vice President, though I would say that's very unlikely.
Now Senator Clinton has realized this, and I'm pretty sure the only reason she didn't step down yesterday, was to help Senator Obama win the general. I know, this is a pretty surprising declaration, so let me explain:
Everybody, when looking at Senator Clinton's speech, was obviously eager to know whether yesterday night was officially the end of the Democratic Nomination process. True, Senator Obama claimed an overall delegate majority and yesterday's primaries were the last primaries of the season, but the cherry on the cake would have been a long awaited Senator Clinton dropout.
Look at the speech again. Notice that at the beginning she is very congratulatory towards Senator Obama, congratulating him on a great nomination race, explaining that he would be a great leader to this country. I believe she's trying to repair the damage she's done. Especially after what she's been saying today: constant compliments of Senator Obama, such as the statement that he would be a good friend to Israel.
This brings me to my conclusion: the reason why Senator Hillary Clinton hasn't dropped out yet is to keep the attention on her so that she can pass as many points as possible as to why Senator Obama should be elected President. She's basically helping Senator Obama get past the new difficulty: not alienating her voters. Her objective now, I think, is to lower the near 50% of her supports who wouldn't vote for Senator Obama in the General. Thus she can at least help a Democrat into the White House and maybe by doing so get Senator Obama's favor to become his Vice President, though I would say that's very unlikely.
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Oh and I think it's fair to add that she's also trying to get contributions to offset her debts.
June 4, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
50% of her voters wouldn't vote Obama? I don't believe it. That's crazy talk.
June 4, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's true. The last exit polls taken show that nearly 50% of her voters wouldn't vote for him in the General. That will change though. Probably just the excitement of the primary night.
June 4, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
You have to take into account the fact that Clinton's strategy for the past couple of months has been based on electability. She and her most committed supporters have been desperately trying to convince anyone who will listen - including pollsters - that they won't vote for Obama, because convincing people he can't win in November was their strategy. Now that the race is over, I suspect a very high percentage of these naysayers will drop the charade.
June 4, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about his supporters who are also in the majority of Americans that find her untrust worthy, calculating and cruel. What is it that we should pass the time doing while THE CANDIDATE decides to except her loss?
June 4, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exit polls speak to the emotion of the moment and don't necessarily translate into how people will actually vote 5 months from now.
June 4, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Which is what I said above.
June 4, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
And yesterday's percentages were about 10 points lower than in the primaries before these, so Hillary people are more willing to vote for Obama now.
June 4, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I certainly hope you're right. Your conclusion makes sense to me. It's just been so hard to tell what Sen. Clinton's message is lately. There are so many conflicting (and even contradictory) rumors and leaks and statements coming from the campaign.
We'll see in the next few days.
Please don't let us down, Senator Clinton.
June 4, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink