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

[Swannie]

TOP 10 reasons Hillary is still running ..

10. Because SHE CAN
9. Wants to really really tick Michelle off before Michelle becomes too wealthy and loses touch to get it.
8. Wants to see Anderson Cooper cry (because he doesn't when the planet is in peril, just anytime Obama loses )
7. To give Campbell Brown a reason to make her nasty face in slow motion
6. Has a bet with Bill that if Keith Olberman spews chunks on air he will count them and somehow blame O'Reilly
5. Owes Anne Coulter a favor
4. It is the only way to keep Wolf Blitzer from swinging from the chandeliers in the situation room
3. To magnanimously provide Jon Stuart with some of the material he so desperately needs
2. Wants to stay in the race long enough for obama to actually hear what she said
1 Waiting to see how many other loser candidates will make their last grasp for power

[dave]

Do you think Obama would consider Romney as a Veep. We need someone to fix the economy!

[jjp]

HRC should get nominated. If the dems want to give the GOP another 4 years they will choose BHO.
Are the BHO supporters forgetting about the good economic times had during the first 2 Clinton Administration? I don't know about you but I made more money with Bill in office than with George.
Clinton over Obama anyday!!!

[lcc]

she still in it to raise money for her approximately 20 million dollar debt. That and the longer she stays in it helps McCain so that he will win the general and she can run again in 2012. And she and Bill will do little to support Obama just like they did not really support Kerry because they wanted him to loose so she could make this run. The Clintons are in it for the Clintons and no one else.

[Nick Abels]

Obama and Hillary are both the same candidates. Stop arguing over nothing - as long as we have a Democratic president, whether it be Richardson, Dodd, Edwards, Clinton, or Obama... exactly the same things get accomplished.

This is stupid and useless bickering.

[Mandy]

What really gets me . . . why should ANYONE quit the race? Aren't we supposed to vote for the candidate that we believe is best for the COUNTRY, and not the one that's best for the PARTY?

I couldn't give two hoots about the Dem/Rep parties. I want a candidate who, in my opinion, will get this country back on track. And that candidate is SENATOR Clinton (NOT "Hillary", people - show some respect).

Frankly, even if she loses the nomination or chooses to drop out, I'd still write her in on the November ballot. I'm voting my conscience, and I would hope all other responsible citizens could do the same.

[Jane]

Will everyone please calm down. She's already said she's going to stop after all the contests are over; she's not going to take it to convention. She'll probably be the only female in the history books to even come close to be elected president for the next 50 years. The books will say how many states she won. Let women have that at least.

Everyone always asks about racism in the exist polls, but no questions about sexism; like it doesn't exist...

[earl]

Please! folks wake up this country is in deep doo doo.
H.R.C.&B.H.O. are both socialest left wing nuts that will bankrupt this country in no time ,and if you say they will pay for all this stuff by taxing yhe rich.
Well suprise if you work for a living you are now rich under there new way of looking at things.
Don't think i'm right just elect one of these two fools and kiss your wallet good bye.

[unknown soldier]

If people would spend even 1/10th the time and effort they do on the presidential election, on congressional and senate elections we might actually do something to change the Country for the better. The presidential election wastes millions of dollars we should be using to fix problems, not for posturing and smear adds. Politics in America is nothing more than a scam popularity contest. The people posting so aggressively on one side or the other would do more to change things if they would spend some time on the other elections. America needs to start holding its officials accountable (truly). We have the power, quit letting the media dumb you down with facts and figures that have little to do with any actual possibility of change.

This country needs more than a two party system, only then can someone actually take the high ground and discuss what matters. While we are at it, do away with the two term presidency. Make it one 6 yr term and more time could be spent changing things for the better, wasting less on re-election posturing.

For a country with one of the greatest Govt's of all times, we sure are good at making it a inefficient mess while losing sight of making changes for the better.

If you want to be a true patriot, question your Govt. and vote (in all the elections).

[cb]

Why should she quit? Senator Obama's candidacy has been a walk in the park with the media. She has been slammed at every turn. It's shameful. Although she would love to see us unite as democrats, there are a growing number that realize the Democratic Party has been very favorable toward Senator Obama. That will translate into my voting for Senator McCain.

[pbrady]

Thank God Someone is Finally Standing Up For Clinton,

I can't say how excited I am she's staying in the race, the prospect of the Democratic Party being reinvigorated by party insiders voting against the popular vote is very refreshing. Standing up against popular opinion is what this democracy needs. It worked in '84.

Also I'd love to see a candidate who took sniper fire in Bosnia, negotiated peace in N. Ireland.

I truly think Hillary will stand up for the little (wo)man, being the second highest recipient of donations from the HealthCare industry (after GW), she must obviously be the candidate who cares the most about health care.

While this list could go on for sometime, I think what makes me most giddy is how our democratic institutions would greatly benefit from is the possibility of two families running the country for what could be 28-32 years. From a humble VP George Herbet Walker, looking after Reagan in his later years, to the second term of Hillrod.

So, take a minute and slow down & smell the freedom.

[Darrell]

Hillary should never cocede to this inxeperienced Senator, Hilary, make Obama work for the nomination, so far the gender-biased media has given it to their love child Obama, he's no fighter, can't debate or think fast on his feet, or have a plan to fix America's ills, he's just all eloquent talk with no solid substance to his message, This Black American male will not support this party or Obama if he becomes the nominee over Hillary, even if Hillary is offered the VP position, campaigns for Obama, he will not get my vote, Obama does not derserve this position due to his lack of experience and qualification to efectively due the job he would be elected to do.

No Obama, No Democratic Party for me, I now consider myself an Independent since this party threw Hillary under the bus for an inexperienced Senator who just came on the scene preaching false hope and change.

[Getahun Leta]

Hillary will fight to the last and she is not the type of person who collupses under pressure. Despite all odds against her, she has demonstrated tougheness, reselience and determination to prove that women is equally qualified for the the high office. In this regard, she has already made a history and opened the eyes of women in this country.

[Evelyn]

The race is a virtual tie- a dead heat with the pledged delegates-- or else why do the candidates need the super delegate vote?
Hillary should stay in the race and MI and FL should have a revote or the votes need to be counted as cast. Or else the nominee is not really valid because the contest is so close and supers are needed.

Why are many women so angry? Because it seems that the Male Jr. Executive will less experience is getting the CEO position over the Femaile Sr. Executive with more experience before all the votes are even counted.

Sexism is alive and well.

[raj town]

Nice to see all the hate still coming from the Clintonites. Maybe if you people can let it go she will be asked to run on the ticket, or maybe not. You can hate all you want folks, but Obama's campaign is NOT for haters-- I hope after a few years you people will get the news- YOUR SWEETIE LOST!!!!

[Jeff B]

The division of Democrats is par for the course -- "I don't belong to an organized political party, I'm a democrat!". The negative comments that one or another candidate or campaign has made about the other is politics as usual -- at times the 'truth' is the least important thing, all that matters is (apparently) winning.

HRC is a very intelligent woman, an asset to the party and the country, and I think among the most capable senators currently holding office. Undeniably, she has misspoken at times, and one has to wonder why? Bullets from snipers? I have trouble believing she didn't know the truth as she repeated this story for effect, and I find that troubling. Moreover I honestly wish she had made other choices, and run a positive campaign rather than succumbing to "politics as usual". Some say, "she speaks for me", but I now know she doesn't speak for me though early on I supported her. Some say her stubborness is a virtue, but it is not always one. Look at 'W' for proof of that.

Barack Obama has also made missteps. The Wright controversy is the proverbial tempest in a teacup -- in this country, what decent person should support guilt by association, in the absence of any other evidence? We are supposed to know better in the court room, should the standard be lower in the process of electing those who govern? In particular, what democrat should condemn without proof? Obama's comments about 'bitter' were from his own mouth, he says he should have chosen his words more carefully at the end of a tiring day. No doubt, and I wish he had.

Let us not forget what's at stake here -- the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afganistan, the future of the Supreme Court, and so on. If you are a democrat, believing in progressive core principles, how could John McCain further the realization of those principles?

Senators Clinton and Obama are both good people and I am proud they are democrats. Campaigns are wearing, and the challenges they present sometimes lead candidates into gaffs and missteps -- but these are genuinely good people, both decent and capable, both intelligent and caring individuals, and I would support either against McCain. All democrats should.

[H.O.]

“Technically” Obama could be eating babies too.

[owio]

Hilary does not quit because she has spent ten years working for this nomination and has spent a lot of money and political capital in the process. In those circumstances, would you quit?

[Edward]

Look, Clinton's going to stay in. She's going to keep on fighting. By all means, it's legal and I have nothing against it. However, her chances are getting the nomination are, as of now, extremely low. Keep it realistic here.

Her chance of winning now is like being down by 25 points with 2 minutes left on the clock in a basketball game. Sure, it's technically feasible to win, but not realistically.

So by all means, support the candidate who you like, vote for whomever you like, but when Clinton doesn't get the nomination, don't be surprised.

[Rainy]

I think Hillaryshould remember how she continued to live with a man that was a cheater and a liar when she remarks that she would not have continued to go to "that church".
It was my desire in 2008 to vote for a woman but after watching and listening to Hillary's speeches I have changed my mind, to me she sounds like she is desperate to be the winner at any cost.
I also want a new start instead ot the old White House crowd .. Bush, Clinton ..Bush and another Clinton just carries on with the old ways. How about a change?
The people will decide and so far it seems like they have chosen Obama.

[Zeplin]

No worries,

Hillary will not quit, everyone needs to chill.If she quit now it would make a lot of people mad.

After she loses she needs to think about swinging all those people who believe in her over to obama.

I think more people should give credit to Obama for being gracious and patient with the election. He has maintained his integrity when tested to the fullest.

I am proud to have such a good canidate running for the presidency. Go Obama!

[Nasreen]

There are A LOT OF PEOPLE who support Clinton. Why should she quit? why? Is it because of all these sexists around the country? or because of these boys who can't stand having a woman president? Time to grow up boys! You’re going to regret it if either Obama or McBush gets elected!!

[Andy]

I have voted for Hillary Clinton in Texas primary. I am glad that Democratic party has two very good candidates. I will vote for Obama, if he's the party's nominee with out any reservations. I want to vote for him because I want Obama supporters to do the same thing iif Clinton is the nominee. It is hypocritical to suggest that some people wouldn't vote for the party's nominee, when there is not much policy difference between Clinton and Obama. I also think media just over blown this thing. In the end, all Democrats will unite, whoever is the nominee.

[Nasi Mai W Andi]

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT!! NO QUESTION!

[jsnow]

Reason one for Hillary not to quit; we don't need a candidate that spouts empty rhetoric and sounds like a rerun of the youth independent party of the 60's. and we don't want a McBush.