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

[Gizella]

I found this section condescending:

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.

Barack Obama WON.

The best thing she could do is to stop spinning her fairy tale that she was robbed or that he won unfairly. The main reason that she won't be the VP is that she cannot be vetted - too much dirt in her husband's closet.

[Thomas Bradley]

In deciding how to participate and vote moving forward, I hope that our concerns about the people who occupy the posts around the president, who administer the executive agencies and who are appointed to the Supreme Court will override our personal feelings left about the primary campaign.

[Ellie]

I think the letter is a thank you to her supporters and nothing more. This is another Obamamaniac trying to villainize Hillary Clinton and the crap is getting old. They must be republicans writing these things to continue to try to divide the democratic party . I also still am seeing nasty vitriole from the Obamamaniacs on all the blogs and I'm still disgusted by it. Some of you go into great detail regarding Senator Clinton's gaffes while sorely failing to mention Obama's sweeping lies and fraudulent campaigning, not to mention his gaffes---for which he had more than Clinton, but the media failed to focus like vipers on his lies and gaffes in the same way they did Clintons. You're nominating the wrong person. Period. Stop your nastiness and perhaps those of us who supported Hillary might be more inclined to support him. As it stands we see nothing but questionable traits in his character. Not knowing him, combined with his lack of experience and time in office vs Hillary's negative character traits coupled with her length of time in public life as well as her experience and the things she's accomplished....it made much more sense to choose her. I was not looking for a rock star or Mr. Charismatic charmer. I was looking for the most qualified person for the position. Continue on with your hatefulness....it won't get you or Obama anywhere. For those of you who think we are posting on here disguised as republicans stating we are voting for McCAin.....wrong again......content of character means something people. This man comes from Chicago where the last two governors are either in jail or on their way to jail.....it's corrupt. And all signs point to Obama possibly being just as corrupt. I would advise you all to stop trying to demonize Hillary and perhaps congratulate her on a job well done....after all.....she won the popular vote, and the superdelagates went against the will of the people to nominate Barack. Michigan was hijacked. You can't spin that any other way. Do I see where Hillary made mistakes in her campaign...absolutely, because I'm not blind. Her mistake was allowing him to win 11 straight. I'm sure she is regretting it and doesn't need all of you to rub it in her face like a bunch of immature, hateful, little kids. Good day.

[Ellie]

If I were Hillary I would certainly keep my name on the ballot for the convention. You never know what could happen with this guy. Anything can come up. How many of you would release your delegates to someone else when you're that close and anything could happen? This guy could go down...fast. She's not stupid. And none of you can tell me that you wouldn't do the same thing. Please. Holier than thou nonsense has got to go. This is politics and Obama is a blatant politician....he certainly fooled all of you! LOL!

[Jan]

Bill and Hillary want back in the White House! There is one change Hillary wants all the power now. Hillary wants that power at all costs and won't stop until she has it in the palm of her hand albeit in 4 years. You read that letter right and those votes in Michigan and Florida were illegal.

[aka]

If the above comments are representative of a majority of Dems, this country is in terrible shape.

I think most of the Hillary to McCain people are probably Republican plants. If not, they deserve no attention as they have completely lost touch with reality. Either way, they seem to have way too much time to post silly comments.

I hope McCain will continue on his present idiotic course and the Dems won't have any trouble winning even with all these so-called Clinton "democrats."

I will be waiting, however, to see if Sen. Clinton actually delivers on her many promises to unite the party and campaign for Sen. Obama. She hasn't demonstrated much unity so far. Thank god the older generation is dying off and the younger generation has such an inclusive, non-discriminatory approach to life. I speak as a plus 40 white female.

[Lynn Birmingham]

What worries me most , and I am female, is that Hillary's supporters are backing her ONLY because she is a woman. This does not constitute a wise thought out decision. People who want her as President simply because she is female should not be allowed to vote at all. They are not taking into consideration any of the values, characteristics or intelligence needed to be an effective leader. Simply what chromosomes a candidate has. May Obama win and deliver this country to a sane path once again.

[Marty]

My heartfelt condolances goes out to all of the Hillary supporters who are trying to get their head around a candidate that they didn't choose. I remember feeling similarly when the DNC back in 92 began to push a then Gov. Clinton. Many Dems at the time felt like they were putting a republican in office just to beat Bush1. So...I feel your pain.

The thing to keep in mind is that the Dems and their blind following of the Clintons and their polarizing style led to W's presidency. Had Hillary been the nominee we would have ensured a quick comeback of the Repubs. They would have rallyed around the anti-Hillary message and been motivated. They would probably have congress back within a couple of years.

Also, Clinton wasn't vetted at all through this process. She wasn't attacked, and was allowed to skate through the primaries with virtually no challenge to her ethics of the 90's, fundraising, Bill and his list of problems and baggage, etc. It was simply 'off limits.' Anyone who disagrees with this comment could try to list something Clinton had to defend over these past months (other than her inevitable corronation as pres).

Obama has been tested buy some of the craftiest political folks out there and has passed the test.

No matter how hard the media trys to count the map, he will win in Nov 60-40%. The Dems will turn the page to being a relevant issue driven party, rather than a fuel cell for the continued pattern of hater-driven political maps.

The Defeat of the Clintons means that we are free (come Sat) from a national pattern that has been continuing since 92.

Good news for America.
Bad news for Clinton/Bush and their media friends.

[dtownla]

For those who are planning on voting for John McCain instead of Senator Obama, you are completely violating everything that Hillary Clinton stands for.

McCain will appoint judges that will set us back decades on women's rights.

Our troops will continue to be caught in the cross fire of a civil war that McCain doesn't mind fighting for 100 years.

Hopefully this type of thinking is simply the passion of the moment. Irrational anger should not be the driving motivation behind your vote in this historic year.

I am a donor and voter for Hillary Clinton and I will proudly vote for Obama in November. I question the judgement of any Clinton supporter who would do otherwise.

[Kathleen Llorens]

We should all consider the possibility that Obama may not win in 2008. The race will be close. Then certianly HIllary will, and should, run again.

[Elaine]

Supreme Court Justice Hillary Rodham Clinton

[Adnora, in California]

@Vic Arpeggio

Well said. The sore losers (or repub trolls) are eager to help usher in 4 years that will surely end the American way of life- in a bad way. If they make good on their threats to support John McPain in November they will vote for an end to the values they claim to hold dear. Having bitten of their noses to spite their faces if he should win, they will line up for food stamps, gas rationing and pregnancy leaves. Hopefully they will be able to afford insurance on the lives of their children when they become old enough to fight the never-ending Cheney/Bush/McPain/Big Oil/Halliburton wars. If sanity prevails, such self destructive threats will fade before the stark light of the immense blight on our future that 4 years of JM represents.

[Page]

God bless Hillary Clinton. God Bless America. God keep us safe and strong.

[Token Democrat]

It's just a thank you letter. Congrats to the idealistic people who got Obama the nomination. I'll vote for the guy 'cause he's Democrat. I'll watch as McCain gets voted in while you Obama supporters go cry yourselves to sleep. Sounds odd you people want to criticize Clinton for wanting to become president. It's not like we signed a petition to get her to run and she just nonchalantly said okay. To run for president started out as her goal, her dream. It's Obama's and it's McCains goal/dream to become president but of course, you're going to paint Clinton out to be some selfish woman who isn't thinking about the people but herself. Please! If she's being selfish, so's every person who ran for president. Y'all cynical hacks.

[Phil]

Well, let's see whether she can keep her Senate seat. She's a carpetbagging Senator and her state's voters have weak attachment and loyalty to Clinton. This campaign made her more polarizing at "home" than when she started and she doesn't have a sufficient power position in the Senate to buy voter affection. Clinton is vulnerable to being knocked off by a more engaging candidate in New York. Lose the Senate seat and she's finished. Which would be a welcome development. Yes, if Clinton consolidates her position in the Senate to keep her brand alive, she'll try again. But at the national level there will always be enough people against her to deny her a winning hand. It's not a bias against women. It's a conclusion that Mrs. Clinton is over-rated, overblown and only fractionally competent compared to her claims.

[vote4thebest]

Everything Clinton does will be parsed in a negative way by Obama'supporters and the media.

Obama needs her more than she needs him. She has all sort of options but he will be toast and fade if he does not win in November.

Remember, Clinton can forever claim legitimately that she was elected by the people because she actually won the popular vote, while Obama is selected by the party insiders.

[Sophie in VA]

I'm a 60-yr-old, working-class white woman . . . Mr. Obama's going to be the nominee. Whatever. This election isn't about him--or Mrs. Clinton. And I hope it's not about revenge, or pique (or gloating), or thwarted idealism. I just don't want Roe overturned, more war, less privacy . . .

[toby]

SO what's the "big" deal?

I'm getting really sick of the media creating bias just because they don't like a someone (seriously, a sign of a strong man is someone who can respect a strong woman).

So Hillary is a strong woman, good for her. I can handle it. I'm not one of those guys who have Mommy flashbacks.

I also think it would be political suicide for a candidate who only won .1% (and there's a point in front of that 1) more votes than their opponent, to not choose their opponent as a running mate.

He doesn't have the time to unite the party AND beat McCain.

[S.A.]

People !! This election is not about the first black president or the first woman president or Barark Obama. This election is about the BEST QUALIFIED AND TRUSTED CANDIDATE WITH EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP AND THE ABILITY TO PROTECT US FROM TERRORIST AND OUR FOREIGN ENEMIES. Hillary Clinton is qualified to do this, John McCain might be, but Barack Obama is not qualified to do this. We should not put Obama in office. I'm not hating, I'm facing reality.

[Paul]

I want to repeat what Goldie said: "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."

[melissa]

I'm a woman, but not a white woman. Hillary Clinton does not represent me nor does she inspire me. But I would have voted for her had she won and not Obama.

As far as I'm concerned, these women (S-Hillaries) who won't vote for Obama have shown themselves to be as selfish and whiny as the Republican core.

[Tina]

I received that email and Senator Clinton's intentions were clear. She's dropping out and supporting Senator Obama. It was not self-serving at all, and that characterization is deeply offensive to me. Any other reading is a foray into conspiracy theory land. These blogs do nothing to unify the party--clearly some folks just need to get a life.

[Alessandro Machi]

It ALL ABOUT FAIR REFLECTION. The moment my party decided to be against fair reflection, to not even be addressed in the media as an issue, is the moment they lost me.

Until Fair Reflection is discussed by the Democratic party, especially in the caucus state voting, the best I can do is vote for Ralph Nader, or not vote, of course, I'll most definitely consider McCain as well.

At the end of the day, if a newcomer chides the establishment as being old school, yet does the same shenanigans themselves, I can't be for them.

I am actually impressed by the Obama's camp ability to cheat in the caucus states to such an amazing level, for what it's worth.

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

[molly]

All you crazed Obama supporters see no way but yours....This guy is scary. As a life long Democrat I am still an American thus free to vote my conscience.

Trust me Obama is so scary I cannot, will not vote for this guy. As if he isn't bad enough his darling wife is a real treasure.

God spare us anohter 4-8 years of GW Junior, Obama...mr Aw..shucks...I'm so humble..but stupid.

Remember all the fools who voted for GW now they got their due. So will all you Obama people when he really takes our country down the GW route of inexperience and "Being a President 101" He will need the book: Running a Country for Dummies, by GW Bush.

[roseann]

The Clintons are sore losers - he wanted his wife Hillary to be the first women nominee .So she didn't get it
so what does he do now? suck up to Obama to do his dirty work to deminish McCain/Palin with his political machinery- as you know Slick willie does nothing for free, thus he hoping to get his darling wife on the ticket next time around. Bill you keep do your worst and McCain will keep doing his BEST To Hilliary noway,nohow, nohellary!