What Clinton is telling -- and hinting to -- her disappointed supporters

Tonight on his show, Jay Leno will open his monologue with a sports joke. He congratulates the Detroit Red Wings on winning the NHL championship Wednesday night and says the vanquished Pittsburgh Penguins announced today they will finally concede their loss on Saturday.

But let's say you've been a loyal supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton in her onetime-front-runner-then-hopeless-and-now-terminated campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. As a woman, you so wanted to elect the first woman president. Maybe you even gave her effort some of your own hard-earned money.

And you've seen Sen. Barack Obama acquire sufficient delegates to claim the nomination. And you've also seen your chosen candidate not concede after her win in South Dakota on Tuesday and her loss in Montana.

That night Clinton did invite her millions of supporters to go to her website and leave suggestions on what she should do. (They'll also find there a brief video of Clinton thanking people with some unusual phrasing: "I could not have made this part of the journey without you.")

So as a Clinton supporter you go the comments section and leave a heartfelt note re-avowing your support but ...

... suggesting it's time for the New York senator to face the political realities and give it up. And you go to bed then feeling like you spoke your piece.

But how surprised are you come morning to find in your e-mail a letter from Sen. Clinton? It's a form letter -- self-serving, of course -- one that also went out to donors, but personally addressed, explaining her thinking and plans for the next few days.

The letter is also revealing about one thing it doesn't explicitly say. See if you can discern what that is.

That actually happened to a friend of The Ticket's on Wednesday. And we're going to print the whole thing below so everyone can see it and leave their own remarks on The Ticket's comment section below.

Here it is:

"Dear Angela,

"I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.

"On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Sen. Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Sen. Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Sen. McCain and the Republicans.

"I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Sen. Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.

"When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.

"I made you -- and everyone who supported me -- a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I'm going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.

"I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Sen. Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.

"I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.

"In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.

"I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton"

Now, did you figure out the unspoken message?

She's going to run again. Put that in the bank.

One, political operations don't make this kind of investment and rapid response without another motive; manners by themselves are too expensive and time-consuming. And, two, re-read the seventh paragraph: "I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support," etc. You're in her data bank right now for future reference and use. Count on it.

Now, what does everyone think of this -- the letter, her support of Obama, her likely future candidacy?

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: AP / Elise Mendola

Comments

[gloria]

As a supporter of Hillary Clinton ,and having been active in her campaign, I respect her more than anyone in politics today.

I cannot find it within myself to support Obama. Her delegates from Michigan and Flordia were hijacked by the DNC to put Obama in the drivers seat. Votes he did not win.

I will not support the Democtaric ticket unless she is a part of it.

I feel I will sleep better knowing someone other thatn Obama is in the White House. The underhanded way he achieved his "success" is questionable at best.

If he is savy enouth to ask Hillary to be his VP he may stand a chance of winning. Without her on the ticket many Democrats like myself will be looking for another alternativel.

Gloria

[Karoli]

There's something else it doesn't say. It doesn't say she will suspend her campaign or concede the nomination. I have also heard that she wants to keep her name on the slate for the convention.

That tells me that there's some hope and/or expectation that an opportunity might exist at the convention to challenge the legitimacy of his candidacy.

The Clintons do not like to lose and they don't lose often, no matter what it takes. I do not see her giving this up willingly or graciously, no matter what little sound bites dribble out. I'm willing to be wrong, but I don't think I am.

The one single thing she needs to say to her supporters is this: Obama won this nomination fair and square. He did not steal it. He did not cheat. He ran a campaign that was positive, above-board and respectful.

If she does not say that, expect fireworks and lots of backchannel discussions at the convention.

[RM]

The letter states that the authur wants to be the
President of the USA.

That is her one goal in life and getting to the top is the
most important achievement and the only goal to live for.

To Hillary, it's not about the people, it's about her.

[Goldie]

If Clinton really has political power then she will be able to bring her supporters along with her to support Obama. All those who profess support for her will be weakening her hand by defecting to McCain. If she can't deliver votes, then it will prove she wasn't really the powerful candidate that she claimed to be. If voters really think she is great, she will be able to convince them to stay with the party. Those who defect will just show that it wasn't about her after all. And then the next time she must campaign for an office, she will face the same payback. So I advise all of Hillary's supporters who really believe in her, to follow her lead. Otherwise she will lose political clout.

[David]

You read way too much into the letter. It was just a thank you to supporters.

[Joseph A Gatto]

Hillary is in a tough spot but a good one depending on her goals and ambitons. If she really intends to run again, in FOUR, yes FOUR years, she can very easily put out the word to her supporters to vote for John McCain. He can only maintain the failed policy of George Bush and in four years he will be so worn out mentally that he will not be able to find the bathroom. By defeating Obama in 2008 and not accepting the VP slot, she will be in a good position to run again in 2012 and her supporters will only remember that she did not quit. gatinope@sbcglobal.net

[BJ]

Apparently they met at Diane Feinstein's home in DC...

Whatever happens after their meeting, no matter what the pundits & DNC members say... there is NO WAY we can vote for Barack Obama!

We never asked for Hillary to be VP, as a matter of fact, we don't want it for her. We have told her this, and not to feel slighted if we don't vote for the Democratic ticket, even IF her name is on it!

The disrespect the media, DNC, Obama and his surrogates & supporters have shown Hillary and her supporters can never be mended!

Just keep reading the blogs on CNN. The vitriol is still there. THEY DON'T DESERVE OUR VOTES!

We'll take John McCain's tax breaks and tac cuts anyday.

[John Lundin]

Why are all these republicans masquerading in drag as Hillary Democrats?
The "Vote for McCain" punchline is the giveaway?
Come on Limbaugh/Fox News, you have to be more clever.
Hillary Democrats are antiwar prochoice
McCain is prowar antichoice
Obama wins by a landslide in Nov

[Robert Laughing]

The only thing worse than stupid Bush, is egomaniacal Hellary, with with her endless 'Me Me Me Me.' The senator has no class, no morals, no soul and Thank God, NO PRESIDENCY...ALL her rabid supporters can go kiss McPain's ....

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

If HRC runs for president again, it will provide me with another opportunity to vote against her.
The White House is no place for any more Buses or Clintons.

I look forward to voting for a female president. Hillary Clinton is not the person for the job.

[Terry]

Well, then "BJ," you and the others like you clearly must be fools. Ralph Nader and the other Leninist burn-down-the-village-to-save-it types would be proud. I would recommend you read Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale to better imagine what life would be like after a McSame presidency -- based on his Supreme Court picks alone. You think it was bad under Dubya? That will be the last straw for liberal democracy, the Bill of Rights, and the specific rights of women, gays, workers, and the middle class.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Handmaid's_Tale

[Vic Arpeggio]

Again, thanks trolls posing as Hilary supporters. If you are so thick-headed that you think four years of McCain is going to somehow be better than four years of Obama, then please, by all means, vote for him. And shut the hell up when your reproductive rights are taken away and your children are drafted into fighting a war with Iran. I have never heard so much childish whining and crying in my life.

[SoCal Bear Fan]

Dems better get real about tis election or we'll get 4 more years

[PeeWee]

I'm a Democratic suporter since the day I was able to vote. But I cannot vote for Obama for President who had no extensive experience in running the government. I regret that I will be force to Vote for McCain.

[Alessandro Machi]

One of the things the George Soros / Arianna Huffington media attack machine mastered against Hillary Clinton was using bizarro logic (a seinfeld reference) against Hillary Clinton.

For instance, If Barack had agreed to be Hillary's VP this time, and lost, Barack would be the front runner in 2012.

If Hillary had won, Barack could possibly have 8 years as VP, and possibly 8 more years as president. Did you notice how nothing bad happens to Barack if he runs as Hillary's VP no matter what the outcome?

Instead, all we have heard is that Hillary is going to run again in 2012 and therefore hope that Barack Obama loses this time around.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't South Dakota completely surrounded by caucus states that Barack had already won in by huge amounts? Isn't it suspicious that when all the voters get a chance to vote, and have all day to vote, Hillary Clinton gets more votes than Barack Obama, time and time again, and in all the big states and the swing states, and now even smack dab in the middle of Barack Obama caucus country.

http://www.CaucusCheating.com
http://www.Florida-Michigan.com
http://www.CaucusConfession.com
http://www.Hillary-Wins.com
http://www.WallStreetChange.com

[Alessandro Machi]

One of the things the George Soros / Arianna Huffington media attack machine mastered against Hillary Clinton was using bizarro logic (a seinfeld reference) against Hillary Clinton.

For instance, If Barack had agreed to be Hillary's VP this time, and lost, Barack would be the front runner in 2012.

If Hillary had won, Barack could possibly have 8 years as VP, and possibly 8 more years as president. Did you notice how nothing bad happens to Barack if he runs as Hillary's VP no matter what the outcome?

Instead, all we have heard is that Hillary is going to run again in 2012 and therefore hope that Barack Obama loses this time around.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't South Dakota completely surrounded by caucus states that Barack had already won in by huge amounts? Isn't it suspicious that when all the voters get a chance to vote, and have all day to vote, Hillary Clinton gets more votes than Barack Obama, time and time again, and in all the big states and the swing states, and now even smack dab in the middle of Barack Obama caucus country.

http://www.CaucusCheating.com
http://www.Florida-Michigan.com
http://www.CaucusConfession.com
http://www.Hillary-Wins.com

[Mahwash]

If she plans to run again with the same M.O. ("I won't, I won't, I won't), I hope she gets stuck with romanticized feminists and no one else.

[Cam]

Woulda, coulda, shoulda's always have the same relevancy: NONE! Obama is the nominee and Hillary is not. It doesn't matter who you / me liked more, hated, whatever. As Hillary has stated on many, many occasions: "The differences between her and Obama on the issues are very small, but the differences between them and McSame are HUGE." If you supported Hillary and now want to throw your support to McSame, you are idiots and completely undeserving of respect. You support Hillary and Hillary supports Obama. You not supporting Obama translates into you disrespecting Hillary, so by all means, keep on disrespecting her if you must. You were never really worthy of her respect in the first place.

[Aarpm]

Dear Hillary supporters:

I'm sorry Senator Clinton did not win the nomination.

However, if you are serious about voting for McCain because you somehow feel that the contest was rigged, or altered, to shut her out, or that you can't trust Obama, I have no respect for you as a thinking, feeling human being.

The New York Times just ran an article stating that McCain believes that warrantless wiretaps are A-OK in his book. He also voted AGAINST restricting CIA interrogations only according to the Army Field Manual and the Geneva Convention. And he's a former POW!

Wake up: what did Hillary say? We can NOT go on as a nation like this under Bush. McCain will be another Bush. The policy differences between Obama and Clinton are minor at best.

Please, have a glass of chardonnay and watch "Sex and the City" and eat a pint of Ben and Jerry's, then grow up and vote for the best candidate for the country: Barack Obama.

Besides, if Hillary endorses him, why won't you listen to her? Sounds like you didn't REALLY believe in Hillary to begin with, did you? If you did, you'd do what she says and vote Obama, won't you?

Anyway, if you won't vote for Obama, vote Nader or write-in Hillary, or better yet, DON'T VOTE AT ALL, OK?

Aaron

[JerseyGirl]

The Civil Rights movement with MLK was just as important factor in development of the Women's Movement as it was in the Black movement. Clinton got into office because of the Black vote.

Will the Women's Movement now support Blacks?

[Roger Bruce Feinman]

Clinton's letter mentions neither concession nor endorsement, so it is more of a grudging acknowledgement. Nothing more can be expected nor demanded of her. On this particular day, the MSM is awash with reminiscences of Robert F. Kennedy. Just two weeks ago, the mere mention of his assassination was tantamount to an unpardonable sin, the word that dared not be uttered. This is merely one example of how media coverage and the public's emotions have been grossly and ruthlessly manipulated to deliver the Democratic presidential nomination to the most vulnerable and least experienced candidate, instead of to another among the original field. Certainly, Barack Obama is no RFK; his candidacy is more analagous to that of Eugene McCarthy in its appeal to elitist white liberals and activist youths, rather than to the plain, ordinary working class people whom Kennedy championed. African Americans claim hiim as their own, yet they refuse to acknowledge that he is, after all, half-white, or that his allegiance to Black Liberation Theology now appears to have been a mere expedient bow to local Chicago politics that he has now almost casually brushed off. The eagerness with which they have embraced Obama en masse while seizing the thinnest excuses to trash the Clintons is instructive.

Should the Democratic ticket lose this year, it will be directly due to the arrogance and manipulations of Howard Dean, the Obamamaniacs, and their acolytes in the far left blogosphere, notably Huffington Post, DailyKos, and to a slightly lesser extent, TalkingPointsMemo. In reality, however, Boooosh has left this country in such terrible shape that no president, Democrat or Republican, will be able to make much headway in digging out of the morass for the foreseeable future. Certainly, Barack Obama cannot be counted on to extricate us from the complicated Iraq/Afghanistan debacle any sooner than McCain. He knows this, even though he lies through his teeth about it.

Clinton owes the Democratic Party absolutely nothing after its humiliating treatment of her. I expect she will finish out her career in the Senate and hope that she ultimately makes peace and comes to terms with her misfortune. For many, however, there will be scores to settle against those who refused to learn the lessons of 1972 and the McGovern disaster. And, after all, McCain is old enough to keel over and die before completing his first term.

[IMB]

The one thing not commented upon is Mrs. Clinton's incredibly bad judgement, exemplified by gaffes which are legion, including offering the vice-presedential spot to Mr. Obama while she was behind in the delegate count, her vote on the Iraq war, her refusal to admit that error and her current performance in the face of Mr. Obama's win in the nomination stakes.
Her poor campaign planning and execution belie her claims of being ready as commander in chief from day one and validate Mr. Obama's criticism and observation that it is the quality of the judgment rather than the ability to make one that is the more important attribute.
One wonders at times whether Mrs. Clinton is dealing with reality?

[gr8fun4me]

I can't believe how many people think that Obama hijacked the Florida and Michigan votes! The two states broke the rules and both candidates agreed to the same rules before any voting started. Barack's name was not even on the Michigan ballot and he did not campaign in Florida. I suspect that he would have won Michigan if he had campaigned there. After all he did win the surrounding states. Hillary won Calif but polls show that Barack would win it now because of the nasty politics the Clinton's have shown turned off a lot of people here.

[Val]

Any supposed Clinton supporter who says they will now vote for McCain is cutting off their nose to spite their face. It is stupid and immature and shows that they don't really care about the issues.

And to say "Her delegates from Michigan and Flordia were hijacked by the DNC to put Obama in the drivers seat" is ridiculous. How could the DNC have hijacked the delegate process in those states when both candidates agreed to the conditions beforehand? Did they have a crystal ball that showed them that Clinton would win, so far ahead of time they cooked up a scheme to make sure it wouldn't happen? Wow. I wish I could predict the future like that.

[arthur flowers]

under the guise of questioning his electability

hillary had no restraint about raising baracks negatives with a politics of resentment and grievance much like rev wrights

while barack consistently refused to swiftboat hillarys negatives, of which she has many

so she was able to come out of this battle with only self inflicted wounds, while continuing to cripple him

obama has consistently tried to conduct himself in an honorable manner
and if folk want to leave the party behind it let them go

the rest of us are in a fight for the soul of america
against the rightwing ascendancy and all

it has wrought

if they want to sit it out
let them explain it to their grandchildren

for those of us who care
its showtime