Delegate math might be complicated - but electoral math is not.

[metta 0]

Hillary: Why I continue to run

This past Friday, during a meeting with a newspaper editorial board, I was asked about whether I was going to continue in the presidential race.

I made clear that I was - and that I thought the urgency to end the 2008 primary process was unprecedented. I pointed out, as I have before, that both my husband's primary campaign, and Sen. Robert Kennedy's, had continued into June.

Almost immediately, some took my comments entirely out of context and interpreted them to mean something completely different - and completely unthinkable.

I want to set the record straight: I was making the simple point that given our history, the length of this year's primary contest is nothing unusual. Both the executive editor of the newspaper where I made the remarks, and Sen. Kennedy's son, Bobby Kennedy Jr., put out statements confirming that this was the clear meaning of my remarks. Bobby stated, "I understand how highly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense."

I realize that any reference to that traumatic moment for our nation can be deeply painful - particularly for members of the Kennedy family, who have been in my heart and prayers over this past week. And I expressed regret right away for any pain I caused.

But I was deeply dismayed and disturbed that my comment would be construed in a way that flies in the face of everything I stand for - and everything I am fighting for in this election.

And today, I would like to more fully answer the question I was asked: Why do I continue to run, even in the face of calls from pundits and politicians for me to leave this race?

I am running because I still believe I can win on the merits. Because, with our economy in crisis, our nation at war, the stakes have never been higher - and the need for real leadership has never been greater - and I believe I can provide that leadership.

I am not unaware of the challenges or the odds of my securing the nomination - but this race remains extraordinarily close, and hundreds of thousands of people in upcoming primaries are still waiting to vote. As I have said so many times over the course of this primary, if Sen. Obama wins the nomination, I will support him and work my heart out for him against John McCain. But that has not happened yet.

I am running because I believe staying in this race will help unite the Democratic Party. I believe that if Sen. Obama and I both make our case - and all Democrats have the chance to make their voices heard - in the end, everyone will be more likely to rally around the nominee.

I am running because my parents did not raise me to be a quitter - and too many people still come up to me at my events, grip my arm and urge me not to walk away before this contest is over. More than 17 million Americans have voted for me in this race - the most in presidential primary history.

I am running for all those women in their 90s who've told me they were born before women could vote, and they want to live to see a woman in the White House. For all the women who are energized for the first time, and voting for the first time. For the little girls - and little boys - whose parents lift them onto their shoulders at our rallies, and whisper in their ears, "See, you can be anything you want to be." As the first female candidate in this position, I believe I have a responsibility to finish this race.

I am running for all the men and women I meet who wake up every day and work hard to make a difference for their families. People who deserve a shot at the American Dream - the chance to save for college, a home and retirement; to afford quality health care for their families; to fill the gas tank and buy the groceries with a little left over each month.

I believe I won a 40-point victory two weeks ago in West Virginia and a 35-point victory in Kentucky this past week - despite voters being repeatedly told this race is over - because I'm standing up for them. I'm standing up for the deepest principles of our party and for an America that values the middle class and rewards hard work.

Finally, I am running because I believe I'm the strongest candidate to stand toe-to-toe with Sen. McCain. Delegate math might be complicated - but electoral math is not. Our campaign is winning the popular vote - and we've been winning the swing states we need to get 270 electoral votes and take back the White House: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arkansas, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Michigan, Florida and West Virginia.

But no matter what happens in this primary, I am committed to unifying this party. Ultimately, what Sen. Obama and I share is so much greater than our differences. And I know that if we come together, as a party and a people, there is no challenge we cannot meet, no barrier we cannot break and no dream we cannot realize.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

[Peikko 1,575]

Actually, what Senator Clinton says there makes a lot of sense. Barack supporters may feel somehow that continuing is pointless and stupid, they might even follow the Rep line and percieve it as damaging and devisive but the reality is that that is simply not true.

Of course, if you believe all these lies abouit Senator Clinton, that she is no more than an attention #######, an evil ###### hungry for power who will not take no for an answer, some mob moll intent on winning even if that means assassinating her rival - well to me that's a belief from someone who has lost their sense of perspective and grip on reality, or someone who is so insecure about the abilities of their favoured candidate.

Edited May 25, 2008 by Purple_Hibiscus

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

...

Edited May 25, 2008 by Mr. Big Dog

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I pointed out, as I have before, that both my husband's primary campaign, and Sen. Robert Kennedy's, had continued into June.

In June 1968, 37 states had yet to hold their primaries. in June 2008, 3 states are still outstanding and the delegates that those states have to offer cannot tip the scales in Hillary's favor. That comparison lacks relevance.

Her husband's nomination? Well, people argue whether he had it sown up on March 17 of 1992 after winning IL or whether it was not until April 7 when he defeated Brown in NY and WI. But by no stretch of the imagination was there any real question about who the nominee would be in June of 1992. Hillary knows that. She just hopes that America has forgotten. In all actuality, the candidate that dragged the race beyond any reasonable chance of winning into June was Brown who ultimately had to concede.

Hillary on 12/30/2007: It'll be over by Feb 5th

[metta 0]

As things stand, Obama looks like the the probable nominee. But take alook beyond that and you will see that the road to the WH for Baruch is less of a probability.

This scenario is from Poblano who predicted the outcomes of NC and Indiana, Oregon primaries very accurately.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

metta, do you want a Democrat in the WH or another Bush term?

[Fandango 1,440]

Now had she said that the first time!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It's hilarious how Hillary and her camp tout her superior electability while she can't even get the majority of the delegates in the Democratic primaries. If she'd be so damn electable, she would have had this thing tied up on Feb 5th. Only she didn't and failed to catch up. It's the end of the road for her. Obama will be just fine going against McSame. He's caught up to him even in FL already while he has yet to establish a grass roots campaign in this state of ours. If he can close in on McSame without a functioning support network, imagine what he can do once he's got one in place. He was here for three days and confronted the toughest crowds he faces here - Hispanics, Jews and the elderly. He was well received by all of them. On the other hand, Clinton is currently tied with McSame in California whiel Obama enjoys a comfortable lead over him. Just because Clinton keeps saying she'd be better able to defeat McSame in November surely doesn't make it so. The Democrats most certainly disagree with her.