No matter what, Clinton tonight vows to run a 'while longer'

Don't look for Sen. Hillary Clinton to be dropping out of the Democratic presidential race immediately, even if things don't go entirely her way during Tuesday's primary voting in Texas and Ohio.

After a full Sunday of campaigning in Ohio, an unusually ebullient senator visited the back of her campaign plane en route from Cleveland to Toledo late tonight. The alleged reason was to introduce her celebrity friends, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Asked what he thought about fellow actor Larry David from "Curb Your Enthusiasm" endorsing Barack Obama, Danson said in mock horror, "I'm out of that show. I'm not going to do it again."

But an outgoing Clinton dominated the conversation with reporters. At one point...

she was talking about the ongoing race between her and Obama and predicted it would go on "a lot," then she appeared to catch herself in mid-sentence and said, "while longer."

Asked to elaborate, Clinton replied simply, "Sometimes a word is a word is a word."

Clinton explained it had been necessary to sharpen her rhetoric recently to draw the differences between her and Obama, and rejected any notion that their increasingly bitter contest might hurt her party in the fall's general election.

"I think it's actually great," she said, "great for the party, and great for the country." That's when she predicted the race would continue a "while longer."

Clinton also said her recent 3 a.m. White House crisis call ad helps "dramatize" their differences. However, she declined to provide any examples from her White House days of such a situation involving her, suggesting that would be classified.

She also refused to answer a question about New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's suggestion earlier Sunday that the Democratic candidate with fewer delegates after Tuesday's contests withdraw from the race.

Her reply: "I've had a great day in Ohio." A non sequitur that obviously doesn't answer the question but indicated she wasn't going to, so give it up.

Which reporters did.

In just a few hours, Clinton will be up before dawn to campaign at a Toledo factory gate, with other stops in northwestern Ohio and then in Texas, ending up Monday night in Houston.

--Louise Roug

Comments

[chris vant]

I really like Gov B Richardson. Many people like him. But what's up with him? He seems angry, maybe depressed. But he's far better off with Clinton than Obama. That comment about dropping out of race was definately targeted at Clinton.

Why doesn't the Dem. party 'get it' that this race is taking the steam out of the Repubs. The whole country is focused on Hillary and Obama. What's wrong with that>? NOTHING!!!! It is great for the party.

[gerrrg]

I think a battle at the convention would be a good thing to keep all eyes focused on the Democratic Party instead of spending the next 8 months focused on Obama-McCain or Hillary-McCain.

The problem always lies with the youth vote, because it is so fickle, and it waxes and wanes faster than ADD.

A battle between two top Democratic contenders all the way to June means that there is no galvanic moment for the Republicans to turn their war machine onto.

[Mark]

The way I see it is this. He's had the MSM all giving him a free commercial without any vetting for months, she's had to deal with out right untruths being stated as facts right on the news, it's ridiculous, she's also had less cash, less ads and the core of this party on her side. She is STILL neck and neck with him despite having everything thrown at her.

Yet the news spin it that SHE should drop out??? I hardly agree. I think she should stay in.

Obama sent out fliers asking independents and republicans to sit caucuses and vote for him by "become a democrat for a day." One has to wonder if that quotient is taken away whether he would be ahead at all. Caucus states favored him and it accounts for the "wins" he's had so far.

Honestly, I gave Obama a fair shot but, when I looked past the MSM, past the rallies, and into the facts I was astounded. Her record for thirty five years of public service, community organizing, standing up for education issues, the middle class, the poor and the working poor and for civil rights is stellar. I guess Obama had to try and reduce that experience to only her "White House years" and even then she was one of the most active first ladies, the most well traveled going to 82 countries around the world and working on Health care initiatives.

I think she should stay in and I hope she wins. When Obama has a record as long as hers, and has something to point to then maybe he'll be ready to lead America out of the crisis we are in. It's very easy for him to point fingers at Senator Clinton but, it's interesting to not that he thought she was very experienced and quite wonderful enough when he asked HER to campaign for him to gain his senate seat.

Something about Obama just isn't adding up to president material here. Especially in the middle of the biggest trouble we've been in, in years! John McCain gave Obama a hard time for stealing Clinton's economic plan. If he has to copy her plans then how will he implement them without a working knowledge of them.

His health care plan costs more, and covers less...and it's really basically a reworking of the current HMO's which will be able to exploit it for their gain, and so will the insurance companies.

No, she should continue to fight...because when it's all said and done she's the best qualified and most able to win in the G.E. against McCain. If democrats want the White House back at all they really need to vote Clinton now. There is reason the media is playing patty cake with Obama now, they won't continue to in the general election.

She's had to PROVE she can stand up to anything...and for that she's got my vote. Strong and capable. Okay by me.

[Leon]

Sen. Clinton will win the nomination. Obama's connection with Tony Rizco will damage him once the press wakes up and the trial begins today.

Clinton has the skill,knowhow,and heart to be a great President.

Obama my become an honest man after the Rizco trial.

[Rollo G]

All talk and words and no action. Shillary has not proved anything to anybody except the fact that she will say anything to everybody just to get their votes - one thing on NAFTA to the Texans and another to Ohioans.

We do not trust her and we do not want to her her booring talks and lectures and false promises of "solutions" for everything.

[Marisol]

I was wondering why the media has not aired a documentary on women's history given that March is Women's History Month? Also, I on Saturday, March 1, 2008 a women's march took place across the nation, including Texas and Ohio, in support of Hillary and a candlelight prayer vigil also took place March 2, 2008 at 9pm EST in honor of Women's History Month and Hillary as a presidential candidate. Why were these stories not covered?

[teaparty51]

There seems to have been a sense of entitlement

One more thing, the press has been as easy on Hillary as they have Obama, if the press will not do the dirty work for either candidate, then it is up the the candidate themselves to to either bring up the issues, or quit crying about unfairness. The nomination will belong to the candidate who convinces the most voters, and not the one who manipulates the media the most.

[PRADEEP ATHAVALE]

BARACK OBAMA IS ORIGINAL & FRESH FACE.SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON IS OLD, TIME-WARPED,ONCE UPON A TIME PLAYED SECOND FIDDLE TO BILL, KNOWING FULLY WELL HIS INADEQUACIES. FOR HER TO COME BACK AGAIN IN FULL BLAST ,IN HER OWN RIGHT AT THIS STAGE IN LIFE,SEEMS AN UPHILL TASK. WITH ALL THE DUE RESPECT TO HER BRAINS, POLITICAL CORRECTNESS; SHE STILL HAS TO CARRY THE BAGGAGE OF HER NOT SO CORRECT HUSBAND & THE PAST PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON. IN FACT HE MAY PROVE TO BE HER NEMESIS WHILE PITCHING FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN A FIERCE , NECK TO NECK BATTLE WITH BARACK OBAMA.
...............PRADEEP ATHAVALE.,PUNE,INDIA.
1114/8, UNIVERSITY ROAD, PUNE 411016,INDIA.
PHONE NO. ++91-20-2565-5854. INDIA.
**********************************************

[Mary]

It's hard to take Rollo G comment seriously when such derogtory term (Shillary)aimed at gender bashing Hillary is used. He might also note that booring is also misspelled. This also makes me question his intellegence and whether or not he should be allowed to even cast a vote.

[Raul]

My support goes 100% for Hillary. Even before Obama and Clinton announced their candidacy to the primaries, myself in South Texas an my family supported her. From McAllen to Laredo, Housto to Dallas, San Antonio to Corpus Christi and El Paso. Some of us just passing the word with friends, others, just sitting there not caring for the primaries but supporting her anyway. I'm so very proud of my Latino roost and this big-great family I'm blessed to have supporting Hillary.
She has been a fighter from the beginning. She has been attacked by the media, the MSNBC perverts, and sadly by some other media "journalist" women. I have to wonder how these women who are in the work field and have experienced the same disdain form some of their male co-workers as has Hillary, do their work and sleep at night? And also talk garage about her?. Some people also think is ok to say men can accomplish and speak their mind... If a woman does t, she is bitch..I hope my votes helps Hillary win Texas and the general election.

[Jay]

You thought Hillary's answer, "I've had a great day in Ohio." was a non-sequitur, after you asked her about Richardson's obvious suggestion she should give up? Guys, I wasn't anywhere near being on that plane, but it was obviously a direct answer to your question. If I may translate for the socially tone deaf, she replied, "I'm actually in a good mood despite all this, don't bring me down!"

BTW, she is an awesome senator, she saved so many of our lives among the first responders at 9-11 when she was so there for us. She stayed on top of what we were going through, and the danger we were in, being exposed to all those toxins, getting us the protection and medical attention we needed. And she never, ever crowed about anything she did for us, like other politicians did. She never exploited us, or the tragedy. She never made us feel like charity cases when she got health care and other resources for us. We never had to open a newspaper and see that. She is an incredibly classy person, and I use that word completely independent of any connotation of worldly resources, I mean spiritually classy, top of the line, fine person.

Obama says she hasn't had a "3 AM" moment, he's off the wall. 9-11 wasn't big enough to be a 3 AM moment? She was on the job through every minute, and performing like a champ. We cannot go wrong with her, I would trust her with my back any day.

[Lisa]

Stellar record??

Okay - name one piece of legislation she has sponsored and passed? Doesn't that seem like a pretty big hole in this so-called experience she's taking credit for? If she has such grand plans - why can't she point to specific legislation and accomplishments when she's holding rallies and making speeches?

The Clintons (since people seem to be giving her 1/2 of the credit for his presidency) didn't respond to the first World Trade Center Bombing, or the two African embassies which killed and wounded over a thousand, or the Cole attack. They didn't send in reinforcements in Somalia and they ignored Rwanda. They didn't do anything to spur the economy in the ninetys - remember the internet bubble. And as for them downsizing government - 250,000 of the 350,000 they laid off were the military. So, if you want to know why 40% of the 140,000 in Iraq and Afghanistan are National Guardsmen - who are supposed to be serving stateside - look to the judgement and experience of Bill and Hillary (since she's getting half-credit) Clinton.

Well, all I can say is though she's picking up fewer superdelegates these days, she now has Bill Cunningham, Ann Coulter, and Rush Limbaugh in her corner. Rush even joked about holding a fundraiser to keep her in it. If that's not a clue - what is?

Hillary Clinton - Experience America doesn't need to repeat.

[NM Hussein]

behind on pledged delegates

behind on popular vote

soon to be behind in superdelegate vote

hillary will see the the writing on the wall- hopefully before she damages her future in the democratic party

[Jim]

Where are you people getting that Hillary Cinton has the skills and know-how to be a President?

Exactly WHAT has she done to demonstrate that she has what it takes? What, insider connections? Health care reform leadership experience (laughter)?

The biggest experience on her resume: First Lady, in Arkansas, and then in the White House. And that give her exactly WHAT kind of presidential experience? Yeah, she knows where the light switches are in the Oval Office. I guess that counts.

Ask yourself what has she done, exactly. All of you who say she has the "experience" are confusing time spent in Washington with experience.

When the red phone rings, you know what exactly will be going on...."Bill, it's for you."

[judy]

Is it really true that Hillary did not read the resolution to go to war?

[Larry Vandemeer]

Hillary still refuses to release her tax records and white house records. What is she trying to hide? How difficult will be to release your records Hillary? Do you know how to use a Xerox machine?

[India Tarahumara]

Hillary should stay very simply she has the stuff to take anything that comes at her. Among other things the longer she is in the race, the more Obama's vulnerabilities and weaknesses will be exposed. And, ideally the media will start viewing Obama critically. If one pays close attention to Obama's discourse you can see some of these vulnerabilities. Often when he has not expressed his own thoughts in debates for example but agreed with the Senator it was probably for lack of his own clear vision and articulation but rather Obama has learned the art of picking other peoples brain and taking the credit. To add to the hurdles faced by Hillary the pundints and political commentators report as debate technique as debate techniques. The most ridiculous comment I have ever heard is when Chris Mathews said (I paraphrase), "I get a chill up my leg...when I hear...(Obama)". Well maybe Chris is getting a boner and doesn't not realize it because he is too busy talking ugly about "that woman", meaning Hillary.

A fight to the death for votes and delegates surely there will also be a divisive racist mood accross the country and probably what the democrats are worried about.

Rock on Hillary, Rock on!

[Rick K]

I'm switching to the conservative Democrat in the race, John McCain, if Hillary isn't the nominee. I won't support an inexperienced do-nothing Senator like Barack Obama (I might be able to support Barack in a few years, after he has done some dirty work & passed real legislation). Hillary is the most qualified candidate.

[P Graber]

Just say NO to O - so we won't have to be sorry later.

[Linda]

No matter how you feel about Bill Clinton, you’ve just got to admire the man. No man has ever been in his position in this country. There aren’t any guides for a former president on “ How To Support Your Wife In Her Presidential Run.” Even with your reported bumps and scrapes along the way he has achieved a remarkable first in our nation’s history. It’s the essence of “True Grit”! His efforts will be a model for us all.

[John]

Gov B Richardson is too naive to think that Hillary would have to drop out after March 4th …. What about Florida and Michigan's delegates ...

His comment shows his heart is not in the race from day one.

[John D]

Sorry Marisol,
The media isn't focused on Women's History Month, as February was Black History Month. The celebration was so successful, given the ascension of President-to-be Obama, that Women's History Month was canceled in lieu of Black History Month II, otherwise known as "March."

Women's History Month may be back next year. April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December and January are, of course, Old White Guy History month, which I celebrate with all my fellow Republicans.

Hope this helps!

[AlwaysforHillary]

HILLARY SHOULD NEVER GIVE UP - NOT UNTIL SHE HAS WON THIS ELECTION!!!! THIS ELECTION IS WAY TOO IMPORTANT TO HAND IT OVER TO A CORRUPT, NAIVE, LYING, INEXPERIENCED ROOKIE!!!

[The Sage]

THE PROBLEM with Hillary is that she has no sound judgment for several reasons that are all HER OWN!

Her first issue is that all of her relationships are dysfunctional; most severely her relationship with reality. In battles with her demons both internal and external, she is not able to distinguish what is real. Perception is reality. Remember the quote, " I am no Tammy Wynette!" Really? Every poor decision and scandal that plagued the Clinton administration, every one of them originated with Hillary but were spun to look like some miraculous collusion of outside forces! Leadership is based on sound judgment...a thing which HRC totally lacks.

Point two. Hillary is not capable of filtering clear and relevant facts because those who she relies on for this information are truth adverse. Why? Because they are all scared to death of this women and if they say, do, or tell something that does not jive with the unreality of Hillary's reality they will surely be eaten alive!

Hence the state of Hillary's campaign and her mind. The collusion of outside forces has once again reeked havoc on both as reality sets in!

[Dennis]

At least Mark's comments had more substance than "Go Hillary Girl" which captures the depth of most post-Hillary posts. But come on, 35 years of experience. Two words, Mark -- "inflated resume." Does being the first lady of Arkansas and first lady for the country really constitute meaningful experience? Then maybe the Republicans should run Nancy Reagan.

What evidence do you have that Obama stole Hillary's economic plan. It is an absurd unsubstantiated assertion. With events changing so rapidly, what is the utility of a "plan" in any case? Understanding economics, thinking outside the box, and sensitivity to the pain structural change in the economy are far more important. Both Democrats are similar there but I'd give Obama a slight edge. But even more important on the economy and virtually every other issue, the ability to work with Republicans in Congress is probably a more important attribute than some paper plan. Hillary would score about 0 on a 100 point Republican collaboration scale. Obama has to be somewhat higher.

On her traveling to 82 countries, so what. I've traveled to abut the same number and lived in 10. Does that made me qualified to be President?

When I think of insider Washington experience, Dick Cheney comes to mind. So much for experience. Arguably the greatest post World War II President was Harry S. Truman and he had virtually no international experience. Experience or lack thereof is not a good predictor of who will or will not make a good president with regard to foreign affairs. But, one should keep in mind that Al Qaeda launched most of its successful attacks and its earliest attacks under the Clinton and Clinton "watch."