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!

[Fran Taylor]

Maybe Hillary doesn't understand math? She can't balance her campaign's budget, she doesn't understand what economists do, and she cannot see from the delegate counts that she cannot win.

I say she just doesn't understand math.

When your opponent needs 124 to win and you need 309 to win, it is NOT CLOSE and it is time to bow out.

And if she let Bill off the hook for his transgressions, do you really think she is going to stop her administration from running amok?

[HC]

Ms Rodham has promised to "totally obliterate" Iran if it attacks Iran. That is 66 million men, women, and children she has vowed to murder in her genocide.
She would kill about 30 times as many people as the Turks killed in the Armenian genocide.
She would kill 4.4 times as many people as died in WW I.
She would kill ten times as many people as the Germans under Hitler killed Jews, Gypsies, and Gay people.
She would kill three times as many people as the 20 million that died under Stalin.
She would kill twice as many people as died under Mao between 1949 and 1975.
She would kill 11 million more people than the 55 million that died in WW II.
She would destroy the most important agricultural and manufacturing base in the region.
She would bankrupt our economy paying for the biggest bombing campaign in history.
The problem isn't with Obama calling a reporter a sweetie. The problem is that people have not learned the historical lessons, and they will still vote for a monster that advocates genocide.
Obama has said he will engage in discussions and diplomacy. I think that is a better approach than promising the mass murder of 66 million people. She got us into one illegal war with her vote, you better believe she will get us into another one.

[wayne duarte]

How can a everyone ignore the lies Hillary told about bullets flying over her and her daughters head??! It's unreal! She couldn't even take care of her husband, how can she possibly take care of a country?!

[Max S.]

Go for it, Hillary. Do not listen to the BS that the media and Obama are trying to throw to you. They want you to quit because they know full well that Obama could not have taken you heads-on, and want you to buckle. Obama is a weak candidate, and he won't stand any close scrutiny. Even if Obama gets all the Edwards vote, he's still behind you on the Dem core votes that we would need to win in Nov.

So, don't quit. Keep it up. I'm going to send another donation your way.

[TheMist]

PLEASE STOP BEING "MEDIA FED"" AND DO YOUR FREAKIN RESEARCH. LISTEN & PLEASE PAY ATTENTION (ASSUMING YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT YOUR DREAMS AND THE FUTURE OF YOUR CHILDREN'S DESTINIES.) Howard Wolfson is Hillary Clinton's Communications Director K? Mr. Wolfson is A PARTNER (not employee) with the Glover Park Group. THIS GROUP profits MILLIONS from Lobbyists that HIRE THEM To Advocate FOR BILLS THAT STRENGTHEN THE Credit Card Predators, THE Mortgage Lending Predators, INTERNATIONAL TRADING PROFITS, Global Warming PROFITS, the list Goes on on on on & ON? MY GOOD GOD, OPEN YOUR EYES AND DO YOUR RESEARCH. THERE'S A VERY VERY SERIOUS SUPER POWER IN THE United States THAT'S GOT THEMSELVES SO TANGLED UP INTERNATIONALY THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO THEMSELVES.

On a "side note" if the Clinton Campaign wants to throw out so many questions about Obama's Camp, why don't they "question" why they're Adviser Mr. Sidney likes to endanger the lives of ALL AMERICANS BY DRIVING DRUNK (oh actually, it's an AGGRAVATED DUI BECAUSE HE WAS SPEEDING TOO.

COPY/PASTE
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080220/NEWS01/389355365/-1/news

I JUST TRY TO KEEP MYSELF INFORMED ON THE TRUTH
PLEASE FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, DO THE SAME.

[Jason]

Other than Clinton supporters saying so, Hillary is not a better leader, as evident by her documneted lies, poor policies, and poor campaign management. The fracture of the Democrats is entirely cause by here failure to conceed, which she should have done gracefully, when the match proved she cannot win. You all know this and to deny it is quite pathetic. Obama is winning for a reason, and that reason is he has no major flaws that anyone cares about. The race issue is not an Obama weakness, it is an American dysfuction, and you should be ashamed to say "Hillary gets the wgite vote" We should not be making accomodationd for racism just to win the Presidency. Obama had class and intelligence and was raised likle the rest of us....that is why we love him, support hi, and CONTINUE to give him money. You old-school politics are OVEr and dead. The new school is in...time to get educated.....

[Larry]

I'm a father of two daughters and I would love to see them grow up thinking that a woman can be president after 2 century's of male presidents. Aren't women 50% of the US population?

[Bob Zimerman]

While the positions of Hillary and Barack may be similar, what they will do once elected is more to the point.

Barack means what he says. Hillary is a NAFTA-loving Republican who mouths progressive positions with the intent of scuttling them once in office, just as she did with health care.

[john]

Ever since her ""how do you do it?crying act" I've been disgusted by her. Pat Oliphant has her pegged perfectly.I wish she would evaporate.

[Oh, come on...]

If she were running any other race, I'd say, yeah, stay in it until you win it. But this is not about her personal fulfillment. This is not about gender parity (wanna talk about race parity? No? Why?). This is about my freakin' country, people. This contest is too important to be determined by ego.

You want sports metaphors? Suppose your team (you pick the sport) is coming to the end of a losing season. Yes, they played in front of bigger houses in bigger cities; the games they won were by wide point spreads; the losses were squeakers but there were more of them. Now they're saying, "No, our season should hinge on THIS game." They lose the game. "No, the season should be determined by THIS game." Where does it end?

Clinton should look up the word 'mensch.'

[Jason Wertz]

YOu people are clueless. Get the facts right. Obama '08 .....It is sad that all your pathetic people are really bad at hiding your racism. YOu make Obama into some demon who had done less than any candidta you have ever voted for. On top of that, he is honest. Bush and Clinton both lied about drug use and you clowns elect them twice. Obama is honest and you say you won;t vote for him. Veiled RACISM at it finest. McCain's evangelical supporer makes inflammatory bigoted remasrks all the time.....but all you white racist do is focu on some black pastor. So whatm no one cares excpet you sore losers. Hillary has nothing over OBama, NOTHING...I DARE YOU to list her documneted scandals, lies and flaws. They would be 3 times as many as Obama.....You are SORE LOSERS!!!!!

Obama 08....keep lying about him, it only brings him more donations!

[JJ Gildersneeze]

As an Oregonian, I'm glad this is still going on because it means I get to participate. Every four years, we hear griping about Iowa and NH deciding the nomination. This year everybody's getting a chance and somehow that equates with chaos?

The media have upped the hyperbole so high that they now casually toss around phrases like "nuclear option" to describe a negative ad and "playing the race card" for use of the words "white" and "black" by anyone other than a news commentator.

And for what? Because people are getting to vote, and the election wasn't over by February?

If it makes you and Chris Matthews and the rest happy, this election is almost over. I'm a supporter, but here in Oregon HRC has no campaign. She's running some ads, and Bill is doing small town appearances, but they've pretty much folded the tent. Obama will have a rally in downtown Portland this Sunday, and it'll get 10,000 people, easy. Hillary snuck in and did a couple of invite-only fundraisers last week and probably won't be back.

So cool your jets, msm. You'll soon be free to do the pivot we all know is coming: from relentlessly pumping the "Obama's a saint" story to the "Obama's-an-out-of-touch dilitante" story you'll go with in the fall.

JJ

[Jason]

Hillary IS NOT a role model for my sdaughter. You must have no self-esteem to say this woman is a role model? for what? Lying and scheming and still losing? entitlement?

[HILLARY IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE USA]

OBAMA WILL BE VERY SURPRISED JUST AS THE MEDIA WHEN HILARY WINS THE RACE AND THE PRESIDENCY.
We need someone with Clintons expirience and objectivity right now obama is just too young in politics and he will be eaten by the sharks if he becomes president. and if he is not as innocent as I think then we are all screwed

[Franklin]

Hey Linda...

Yes, you're completely correct. Obviously his entire sermons must have been 'god damn america' and hatred toward whites. I mean they only came up with 2 five second clips out of all the years available, but sure... I bet they just liked those the most.

Stop making idiotic generalizations of an entire church based on 10 seconds out of years of footage. (Let alone extending those 10 seconds to be the personal beliefs of all those present.)

[Jason]

The lies people tell themselves...so sad. Note to kool-aid drinkers: Look up Hillarys gaffes. They are not "created" by anyone other than Hillary herself. SORE LOSERS!!!!!!

[dan]

roy tech; GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT BEFORE YOU TYPE. SILLY SEASON GOES ON!!!

[Michael Salino]

17 million people that have worked hard for the Democratic Party cannot be placated with a pat on the back. They are serious and will not bend with all of the false information directed at them. Obama/Kerry have divided our party, all for the wrong reasons. A vote for Obama is a sure vote for McCain. They are willing to allow McCain to win in November. We will never allow that to happen. These long time Democrats know how impossible it is to elect a supreme leftist. Leftist always fail.They know the Republicans quiver at the thought of how efficiently Hillary will correct all the Bush mistakes ensuring a Democratis win for 28 years.
Tree is patently wrong, History tells us in 1932 Roosevelt achieved his nomination at the convention. Carter beat Kennedy at the convention. Carter/Roosevelt won the election. So Hillary....we support you ,for our countries , and all the people of the world,, Take it to the convention!

[Adam]

Clearly there is an effort for the Obama campaign to claim victory - but on what???

The fact that the part is so divided only hurts him more. The fact that he and Hillary need to work together not opposed is paramount...
The concept that superdelegates will overturn the will of the people is pointless to conjecture until we get there

Let her race to the finish - let her cross the line - and if she is not the nominee then so be it - we can then back whomever we choose - but don't make an angry issue out of something that is already so volitile with both sides...

It is time to find that compassion within each of us...regardless...

Adam

[Larry the cable guy]

Despite all the rhetoric about Obama and all his so called shortcomings and skeletons in the closet they don't amount to a hill of beans, what the majority of people believe is.

The media and the other candidates are the ones that are promoting this crap.

The sign of a true leader is one who rises above the flotsam and jetsam and carries on.

What the country really needs is someone who is going rise above all the sound bites and innuendo and phony rhetoric and change the way government works, make it better, make it accountable, and most all make it representative of the people.

Senator Obama has consistently demonstrated that he is not going to be dragged into the mudslinging and phony accusations that have surround the clinton camp.

A chance for America to finally turn itself around and get back to being the true leader it was in the world.

[Jomam]

It's funny how so many try to tout Clinton as a role model, or bring up her "35 years of experience", despite the reality that she hasn't accomplished anything more than riding Bill's coattails.

Hillary isn't fighting for anyone, but herself. Anyone who believes she cares about the common people probably has fewer teeth than years of education...

[zelaphant]

I am so sick of the Obama-obsessed media. Most of them are just looking for their next story and their next pay check.....like they really care what happens to the rest of the people in this country. As I remember the media did the same hatchet job to Al Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004 and we all know how that turned out. The best part of this race is that the Liberal media heads and their spokespeople are helping the cause by dissing Hillary ( as well as Bill) and then when the presidency stays in the hand of a republican they are going to try to explain it away by saying that Hillary damaging Obama. OH, Please!
I have worked for Hillary since before Super Tuesday and I continue to support her and I want her to continue until every voters has "their say." Besides, it is only the media and the political pundits who seem to have forgotten that in the past the purpose of the conventions were to elect a candidate....not have the decision made months in advance. This is a democracy....( I know technically a republic) and every citizen in every state should have a chance to vote. PERIOD!
How is Obama any different than anyone other male who has served as president? His skin is darker? An excellent communicator doesn't make a good decision maker. The Usurper! Americans are so stupid to be fool by style....what about the substance? As for the post by the person who mentioned the Bosnia flab? You really are gullible...you believe all the media spin? Guess you never forgot something in your life?
Regardless of how this race and election turns out, I will never ever trust the main stream media again! All the pundits......can go "you know where."

[ripgrip]

It's smart for her to take it to the bitter end. She surely is not delusional about her chances for the nomination being extremely low, and therefore she is likely positioning herself to keep improving her political strength as much as possible among the populace, and thus her future options:
1. She may be trying to making as strong a case as possible for the veep nomination.
2. If she does get 1. , and if Obama and she win, she is in great position for going for the pres. nomination in 2016, assuming they go 2 terms.
3. If she does or does not get 1. , and the Obama ticket loses, she can get back on the "I would have been the better pres. nominee" train and run for pres. again in 2012.
4. If she does get 1. and Obama and she win this year but lose in 2012, she can still try for the pres. nomination in 2016.
5. If she is not offered (or for some reason decides against) 1. , and Obama wins, she still may deal for Sec. of State or other high position that is a springboard or at least a stepping stone for going for the pres. or veep in the future.

I think she will stay in the race as far as she possibly can this summer in support of the above options or other options, to the point where she, Bill , and their advisors see the right place to bow out.

[Alison McKenzie]

Pretty funny that a person would NOT allow their daughter or son to date or go to any event with Oboma when he was a teenager because of his drunkiness and drugs, yet they would vote for this impaired person for the highest office in the land because Kerry/Kennedy say so.
No thank you.

[bill]

Please Hillary fans, it's time to give up and move on.She will not be the candidate no matter how much you wish it so.By continuing to carry on this charade, both Hillary and her many female fans are ensuring that the race this fall will be much closer than it should be.For once, think about the good of the country and not your own selfish needs.