Let's face it- even we Clinton supporters know that Obama is virtually certain to be the nominee. It's an unbelievably unwise choice, in my estimation, but it's there. Obama exceeded expectations in North Carolina and Clinton was about four points below expectations in Indiana.
Not much changed in terms of the predicament that we find ourselves in, which was bad news for Hillary. But, what did change was the overwhelming media narrative for Clinton to get out by Obama's enthusiasts in the national media and nervous party bosses who are worried about Clinton harming Obama's electability in the fall (and he certainly doesn't need any help in that department.)
Why is Clinton vowing to stay in?
A few ideas:
1. She wants to see if Obama implodes.
2. Force a floor fight re: Florida and Michigan. (I think that this is the likely reason.) Donna Brazile showed her cards last night. Tom Daschle was incredibly smug when asked about the delegations from Florida and Michigan. The chances of the delegations being seated based on the primaries at the meeting on 5/31 are close to nil. She might want to make the point- loud and clear- that if these contests counted she would either be the nominee or be close to the nomination. Her floor fight wouldn't be successful, but it would certainly make a clear point.
3. With her delegate strength (a runner-up with nearly 48% of the delegates and a certain fondness from a lot of Obama delegates), she might try to force her way onto the ticket. She would almost certainly be successful. While I think that it would be funny to watch, I hope this isn't the reason. I don't want her to be on a ticket with Obama.
After all,
*Obama had the support of almost the entirety of the national media.
*The DNC took the bait of the GOP Florida legislature and muted out an important state primary (probably a momentum builder).
*Obama steamrolled the process to have Florida and Michigan count and make this a fair fight back in March.
*The most powerful Democrat in the country, Nancy Pelosi, led a daily chorus opaquely chiding Clinton for remaining in the race.
*The blogosphere has been pounding it into everyone's heads that there was no chance for Clinton to win for over three months.
And he still only will have won by a miniscule amount.
Keep up the fight until the end of the primary season in a month. Get every delegate and vote that you can. Then, let him have it. If he loses the election, there's always four years from now. Maybe a fairer and more democratic process can be designed and implemented before then.
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