A few reasons why Hillary Clinton still runs

If you're wondering why Hillary Clinton hasn't packed it in yet and ceded the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama, we stumbled across a few reasons Thursday night as we hovered outside two Clinton fund-raisers here in the L.A. area.

Technically, there's still a chance she can win the nomination, though the odds aren't likely to draw many bets. But as we've seen over the last 15 years or so of Clintons in the national spotlight, they tend not to quit. And Clinton's grassroots supporters don't want her to quit, at least not yet, for reasons that have less to do with political maneuvering than with history and glass ceilings and pay disparity and being dismissed with a single "sweetie."

"I run a small business and we wouldn't still be here except that I'm stubborn, and she's stubborn," Pat Schilling of Irvine said in a hallway of Newport Beach's posh Balboa Bay Club & Resort, moments after Clinton finished speaking. "I can really identify with what she's saying. Women are so used to being told, 'No, you can't do that.' Sometimes it just takes the strength to keep doing it." And no, Schilling said, the people inside the private, $250-minimum gathering weren't getting frustrated with Clinton's campaign. "That's why we're here," Schilling said. "We're paying for the next round. We want to be heard from. She speaks for me, and I've never had a president speak for me before."

And Clinton gave no hint that she was considering giving up. "She gave the analogy of the Lakers," said Stacy Brower of Newport Beach. "You're not going to get up and leave [a game] with two minutes left, are you?" 

Later, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Clinton made it clear she's staying in the race through the end of the primary season early next month -- and perhaps through the Democratic National Convention in August. "There’s something to be said for going the distance," Clinton could be heard telling the private gathering. Noting that other nomination fights have ...

... lasted to the convention, she gave a revved-up version of her familiar case for why she, rather than Obama, ought to be the Democratic nominee, based on large states won and electability in crucial general election swing states.

Both speeches were upbeat, high-energy affairs, tinged with optimism and no hints of resignation, according to people in the rooms. There were also no hints of the recent setbacks, such as the flow of crucial superdelegates to Obama, and endorsements for him by John Edwards and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"None of that was part of the message tonight," said Elena Ong, a co-chair of the Century Plaza event and treasurer of the California Democratic Party. "There was tremendous passion and energy." Orly Halevy, a photography business owner, said it didn't sound to her like Clinton was ready to quit. "She believes that she’s the right candidate, that it’s not over yet."

Back in Newport Beach,  Julia Rappaport wasn't ready for Clinton to quit either. "She'll do great," Rappaport said as she hurried off to try to beat the crush at the valet-parking stand. "We haven't counted every vote yet."

-- Scott Martelle and Stuart Silverstein

Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[katherine]

With Obama's running list: Rezko, Wright, Ayers, Auchi, Robert Blackwell of Killerspin (as reported here at the LA Times), Bittergate, not to mention his advisers on NAFTA (adviser "misrepresented" his policy in Canada), the Mid-East (adviser admitted to meeting with Hamas) , why would ANYONE quit who is running against him in a close race? He may seem like an inevitability, but so did Clinton. This is politics. Things change all the time.

[D Major]

Clinton is STUBBORN!??

We do NOT need a female George Bush just now, thank you!

I would love to vote for an Honest female candidate, not one who makes up sniper stories to embellish her chequered past.

[Mimi]

No one wants Hillary to quit- except maybe Obama and of course the MEDIA.
I am so happy she is not listening. People should be thanking her for not giving up but instead they make it into some desperate plea.

WAKE UP she should be the nominee and not Obama she would fight every single day for all of you because she loves and cares about this country and everyone in it.

[gaypastor]

I want a candidate who cares about fighting all kinds of "isms" and forms of discrimination. All Obama, and his people, do is play the "race" card.

Hillary for '08. Democrat or Independent I'm voting for her!

[Mimi]

The NARALwill never get another penny from me. They can have Obama OK SWEETIE.

[toby]

I say, FIGHT ON.

What's the big deal? I mean, is every SO SURE that it isn't sexism? Why every guy (the two old dudes here too) aren't giving into your sexist beliefs?

Seriously? I'm having a hard time believe you guys (especially the two old dudes here).

[Mimi]

As far as John Edwards supporting Obama who cares anyway- him and his $400.00 hair cut. Mr. wonderful finally gives his support do you think maybe this could be just a little self serving?

[chrisc]

They clearly have not been to a Lakers game or else she would know and all her supporters would know fans leave early all the time when there is no question as to who is going to win the game. This is what happens when people use analogies to pander to a audience without understanding the subject.

[Audacity]

I think Clinton should stay in the race considering the fact that Obama's is now being exposed. Just take a look at:

Http://www.AudacityOfHypocrisy.com and
Http://www.AudacityOfdeception.com

There are a lot of skeletons in Obama's closet. Republican party will definitely have a field day on Obama. I hope it is not too late for the democratic leaders to wise up before they rally round Obama.

[T. Barr]

Hillary should be the top of the ticket, not second!! She's more worthy! She's a wonderful role model and a great example for anyone who has been beaten down, tromped on, and let down by friends and colleagues! She's kept her composure and dignity! That's the real test of a leader, not some new, cute, fickle kid on the block!!!!!!!!!

[Indy Pendent]

Of the three remaining candidates, I prefer Obama. Each candidate has some weaknesses and quite a few strong points.

I see absolutely no reason for Sen. Clinton to exit the competition at this point. She and Sen. Obama share
a voting record that is nearly the same, and most of their
proposals are similar. Both are substantially better than
McCain, with his advocacy of years more of the pointless Iraq war.

Both Clinton and Obama would name competent
people to the Supreme Court. Both can and should continue to tell the voters what a disaster Bush has been at home and abroad.

While she is not the candidate I most favor, I'm all for her
continued campaign.

[Hillary Should Resign]

Sorry Katherine, but as you point out in you fantasy list, if these are issues with Barack, why is he winning. Really, do you honestly think that Wolfson, Den, Stiller, Icks et al, if they had ANY dirt, any information on these so called issues, that they wouldn't have raised them now? While she is one the very edge of losing? The simple truth Katherine is that they don't. You and I both know that her surrogates would have leaked any damaging information already. It would have been done before NC and Indiana. And, you know that is true. She has lost this nomination because of very bad managerial and marketing processes and decision by he staff, and ultimately, by herself. The comment that this is a close race, well you know that's not true as well. Reality dictates otherwise. She, again, failed to plan for anything after 5 February, disregarded the small states, and hasn't made up for those errors.

[treetracker]

I am a 57 yo white woman. I would support Hillary if she wins this nomination. But I want to remind everyone that at no time in political history has the party who has taken a nomination fight to the convention has ever won the Presidency...neither Repbulican or Democrat. However this ends up, the Democratic nominee MUST be supported at all costs - McSame is NOT who we want for President in this country under ANY circumstances. His votes confirm he is willing to support torture, his votes confirm he is not willing to support the troops by updating the GI bill. His flip flops on everything - courting the evangelical right who he had previously disavowed, willingness to talk to Hamas, now he's not - and he critizes Obama - what a hypocrite! Now wanting the tax cuts permanent when he didn't want it before. On and on. His "dream" speech yesterday was a joke. 3 Supremes will be retiring in the next 4 years and he has vowed to replace them with conservative judges. His health care plan is a joke, his education plan is even dumber. He simply cannot be President. Don't sit this out - vote for the Dem regardless of who it is.

[Juan]

If you have debts for $21 MILLIONS, I have to work hard to pay back. This shows how responsible Hillary and Bill are!

[Chanaine]

I think Clinton should stay on this race until the end. People want her to drop out because they simply dont like her personally, politically she would be a lot better than Obama.

[Linda]

I have a challenge for all Obamanites. I vote you let Barak and Michelle take your children to church with them every Sunday and hear Rev Wright. Evidently they thought it was good enough for their girls to be indoctrinated, why not yours? I can't think of any Church not racially integrated so it is not about race, it is about the message. As adults they had the ability to 'weed' out the racist hatred he spewed, but how about the kids? It will live with them a life time. These two are not responsible enough to be White House role models for American families and children. So go ahead, get your kids their Sunday best on. The Obama's are on their way.

[Andrew Austin]

She's not running only on political ambition. She's running for the sake of the country. Obama will be a disaster and she knows this. She has to stay in until the end in case people come to their senses.

[Give it Up Already]

This is not brain surgery, she is continueing to run to try and force the Democrats to put heat on Obama to make her his running mate. She wants back into the White House so bad that she will do or say anything to get back in. Also, with all the fund raising she continues to do, who gets the money that is left over after she drops out - think about it!!!

[Dr. Jesse Kally-Williams]

Sadly, the authors of some of these comments have lost touch with political reality. Do these Democratic supporters prepared to face anoth Bush's four term? Ala, that is the problem of ideological veil. Mere ideology can block people's reasoning power. The crucial problem is not about Obama versus Clinton: it is about the Democratic Party versus the Republican Party. These Democratics must do some hard thinking.

[So tired of her]

How disingenuous of her, using women who've faced real discrimination as an excuse for her entitled, now delusional, power grab run. She thinks she owns the White House, she's a Clinton after all, and she "will demonize anyone who gets in our way" (her words, according to a former aide). This glass ceiling stuff is just her using people - in this case women - all over again.

I wish people were more clued in about this woman. They check in on politics for a few months every four years and then register their support based on a sliver of info: "She's a woman? Oh, she must represent me!"

[Roy Tech]

Go Hillary! I think BO is not an honest man. I cannot accept Barack Obama if he could not confirm that he didn't use drug in 1999 when he was 38. I think his moral standard is not suitable to be my president. I cannot explain to my kid why it is ok to use drugs and be so proud of it. His "not so serious" attatitude is the most dangerous for this country. He is not an option. Period.
McCain is actually at least a war hero with integrity.

[Madison]

WHO PAYS FOR HILLARY'S CAMPAIGN DEBT? HER SUPPORTERS? SHE NEEDS TO BOW OUT GRACEFULLY! ENOUGH ALREADY!
OBAMA 08!

[George]

Discretion is the better part of valor. Knowing when to quit is a hugely important trait in a leader; Japan and Germany refusing to quit was pointless and cost so many lives, resulting in countless widows, widowers, orphans, and dead children. Bush refusing to quit in Iraq has cost us barely conceivable amounts of money and some of our most valiant young people. Hillary not knowing when to quit because she doesn't want to be told "no" is pug-headed and stupid. Be smart, have discretion, and have the bravery to quit when your quest results in harm instead of good.

[Jerome Ware]

What you have to remember is that she is on a free ride and everyone who works for her is also on a free ride paid for by taxpayers and those she is trying to manipulate.

She is stirring around like everything is decided like what type of brand to buy or I'll be your friend. If anyone can remember she was all the evil mastermining of the 8 years of Bill's trip to Washington, She is connected to the Warren commision and has spent her life in the political system. Remeber how much money they have made since they got out of the Whitehouse and they were given a Mansion in New York so the Die Hard fools would just vote her in to office just because, she has done nothing and will do nothing except a FREE Ride as a Victim of Bill but I think He was the Victim of Her.

[brandie wilson]

Hey, if Hillary wants to continue the race then by all means let her. She's already $20 million in debt. Let her blow another $20 million. This campaign is not about gender. It is about who the person really is and what they represent. That is why I'm voting for Obama. As for Hillary, all I can say is ... defeated by your own party ... that's gotta hurt!