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The Long Walk

April 13th, 2008
By JAZZ SHAW, Assistant Editor

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I was on a radio show earlier this year with Ed Morrissey of Hot Air during the period when it had begun to look obvious that Barack Obama would be the Democratic nominee. We were pondering the question of who in the Democratic party had the “guns” to go hang the bell on the cat of the Hillary Clinton Campaign. “But who,” Ed asked, “is going to make that long walk down the hall to tell Hillary it’s over?” We both admitted that it didn’t look like any candidates came to mind who could pull it off.

Well, at least according to The Scotsman, some candidates have been found to take on that daunting task.

Falling poll numbers and a string of high-profile blunders have convinced party elders that [Clinton] must now bow out of the primary race.

Former president Carter and former vice-president Gore have already held high-level discussions about delivering the message that she must stand down for the good of the Democrats.

“They’re in discussions,” a source close to Carter told Scotland on Sunday. “Carter has been talking to Gore. They will act, possibly together, or in sequence.”

There is certainly room to debate whether or not those two have the aforementioned guns to actually push Hillary out of the race, but the Scotsman makes a compelling case. Should Senator Clinton not listen to their counsel in private, they may not have to force her. They would only need to convey the message that they could convincingly push enough of the uncommitted super delegates into Obama’s column to seal the deal. (He currently needs only 33% of the remaining “open” super delegates to reach the magic number.) That might be enough incentive to prompt Clinton to gracefully bow out while it still might look like it was her idea, rather than giving the public appearance that she had been shoved aside. It could also keep some life in the hope of the so called “dream ticket” with her in the VP slot.

“But wait,” I can hear you saying. “Didn’t Obama just say something really stupid about bitter people? Might that not be putting Clinton right back in the race?”

A really funny guy once said, “Sex and golf are the only two things you can enjoy even if you’re not good at them.” In the case of Senator Obama, you might want to add “politics” to that list. The “bitter” comment was a notable gaffe to be sure, and worthy of examination and debate. Indeed, among his opponents, no sooner had the virtual ink dried on an article at the Huffington Post detailing the remarks than Power Line was asking, “Is Obama’s Campaign Over?”

The reality, of course, as we have seen repeatedly this year, is that Obama’s campaign has been “over” multiple times. It was “over” when news of his friendship with Tony Rezko came to public attention. It was “over” when videos of his former pastor making controversial remarks showed up on Youtube. And it was “over” every time he failed to win the primary in a particular state, or even failed to win by enough. But each and every time, following a brief dip, the poll numbers would settle out and drift back up to pretty much where they were before. While the expiration date for Senator Obama’s free pass from the media has clearly come and gone, the pass which the public is willing to give him looks to be a season ticket. It is more than likely that his growing army of supporters will look at those comments, give a collective shrug, and say, “Yeah, so? Lots of people are bitter about the way things are going. What’s your point?” And then they will continue to pick up those phones when the pollsters call and register their support for the Illinois Wunderkind of politics.

We’re nine days out from the Pennsylvania primary. The last round of polls show Hillary Clinton’s lead there evaporating like fog over the Delaware River. (Now down to three points according to one source.) Once the dust settles out from that (and possibly two more races) it may indeed be time for Gore and Carter to make that long walk down the hall. The Clintons have probably been at this game long enough to know they will need to answer the door when the elder statesmen knock.



This entry was posted on Sunday, April 13th, 2008 at 5:35 am and is filed under Democratic Party, Newsweek Blogitics, Superdelegates, Al Gore, Barack Obama, 2008 Elections, Hillary Clinton, Politics. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Viewing 30 Comments

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    Regardless of what you or I might want to see as the end result of the primaries, it's arrogant in the extreme to prescribe achieving it by going over the heads of other voters.

    The states still waiting for their primaries are more than eager to hear from both condidates. These are states which don't often get the privilege, and I think their wishes should be respected .

    Hillary is criticized for having an anything-to-win attitude.
    This post reflects exactly the same kind of atttitude.
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    On the contrary, runasim, this post is an exercise in realism. You're correct that the voter's voices deserve to be heard. However there aren't many scenarios in which Hillary can come out winning. At some point she should concede, so that the person with the most realistic chances of winning the nomination can begin focusing on the GE. McCain has a healthy lead in this category, and extending this race for too long is just giving him and even bigger advantage.

    If Hillary was to win big her next few contests, then there is reason to keep fighting. I just don't see that occurring.
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    The only "anything to win" attitude I would be interested in is on behalf of the entire party. Sure, if Hillary suddenly sweeps the next 8 states with a more than 75% take, then fine. Let's send Gore and Carter down the hall to talk to Obama. But as shOter points out, that's rather hard to picture at this point. As to having the remaining states have their say, I'm not reading anything here indicating that such a "long walk" would take place before June when all the states have been heard from. Beyond that, however, it's just blood on the floor.
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    So God Dam America, all small towns are bitter, and friendships with miltant black church leaders, and Rezko mean our former leaders will walk down the hall to tell Hillary to Quit. Why? because she got a few facts wrong on an airplane,and she got second hand information on a Health Care Issue. In both instances, the information was basically right.

    That is why 1/3 of the Hillary supporters will leave after this. But that is not important as only 1/4 would leave if the information was reversed. The White men of the Democratic party have painted themselves into a corner. It appears that we have made it possible for McCain to win.

    If you can paint a purple heart person as an idiot with a arrogant sophistacated accent, this will be child's play. The Republican's will have no problem at all with the Race issue. The are thinking up ways to resolve it now (African American educators writing against, Obama, and an African American VP).

    I just discovered I belong to the wrong party. I will be registering I shortly. it is hard to believe that the DNC has now screwed this up three times. I guess I am just a small town bitter person.
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    Obama's free pass with the public will continue as long as we give it to him. In light of his views on the public, I have to imagine the expiration date is nearing.

    OBAMA says "[SMALL-TOWN AMERICANS] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations,"

    First substitute BUSH, MCCAIN or CLINTON for OBAMA.

    Next substitute "BLACK AMERICANS," or "JEWISH AMERICANS" or "WOMEN" for "SMALL-TOWN AMERICANS."

    The public must determine this can be defended as non-prejudicial. -As not bourgeoisie condescension observing the opiates of the non-critical-thinking, non-independent-thinking masses. Please note the opiates he ascribes to them: Guns, Religion, Hate, Fear.
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    What a jerk Obama and all his “backers” are for once again calling for Hillary to get out of the race. I guess you all want the Democrats to lose in November? Obama only thinks he has the savvy to lead "US" as Commander and Chief. No, don't be fooled, I will not, for the first time in my adult life, vote for a democrat in the fall. I will, however, write-in Hillary's name and submit my ballot. Also, if, and that is still a big "IF" she does not get the nomination I will do my best to encourage Hillary to run on an Independent ticket. I'd say we can start a big grass roots organization and beat the other four parties in the fall. To this point I must say, I am very disappointed in the electorate in the nominating process. Hillary Clinton has more grit and promise for America, in her little finger, than Obama has in him and all of his nasty backers. God help "US" and if Obama does get the nomination. I am truly fearful for our country, for the first time in my adult life, because of the shape we are in at this time in America. The task is far too great for a rookie senator to successfully address all the tough challenges we face. He, my fellow Americans, is not up to the task. Hillary on the other hand is the only candidate left in the Presidential campaign who is up to this daunting challenge. I suggest we all step back and look at where we are in this country and proceed onward with this nominating process until the end. Go, the rest of the American electorate, I know you will give Hillary a large margin victory just as we will do in KY. Remember, this is a very serious time in our country. Go Hillary!!! Thank you.
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    Hillary will win PA by double digits no matter what the MSM have to do with it. She is the only candidate who can run against her opponent, the MSM, the RNC and now it looks like the DNC and still come out with over 50% of the American public vote in states that are not able to lower her base of support (the caucus). The voters left to cast a ballot you decide for yourselves, but please look at the issues, not the Obama hype. I, for one, trust Hillary’s judgment and I know we can count on her to restore our standing at home and abroad!!! Unlike, the sleeping beauty (not), Obama caught napping at the hearings on Iraq. Gosh Hillary, this is hard work. Think again about what is at stake here Americans left to vote. Think Hillary she is [W]right for America!!! Thank you.
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    Good for you yael. What is this women bashing year by the pundits? Go Hillary, the only candidate who can run against an opponent, the MSM, the RNC and now it looks like the DNC and still come out with over 50% of the American public vote in states that are not able to lower her base of support (the caucus). You decide for yourself the rest of America. I, for one, trust Hillary’s judgment and I know we can count on her to restore our standing at home and abroad!!! Think again about what is at stake here Americans left to vote. Think Hillary!!! Thank you.
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    Hillary believes in all of "US", including those of us in small towns. Obama is an elitist jerk. How can Americans even give him a glance? Go Hillary and the rest of "US" left to vote, "we can do this together". I feel the small towns and big towns too, rising to the support of the American President who represents us all. Now, that has finally become obvious to us all- Obama "we in small towns are bitter"!!! Get a life and go back to your rookie senate position & leave America to Hillary. She is being outspent by at least three to one. Remember, the money for Obama's campaign didn't all come from small donors as he tries to make us think. Instead, at least half of his $230 million plus dollars has come from rich multimillionaires and 27,000 plus maximum amount $2300.00 donors. Ergo, his elistist comments and beliefs stated in San Francisco are shining through. Now these "bitter" comments bring [W]right up again too, and correctly so, I think! Why does everything Obama wrongly says that clearly shows how he really stands gets spun around as we, the electorate, are taking it out of context or he's sorry but...? Hillary has the only "shot" now for Democrats in November. She really identifies with and cares about what happens to the ones of "US" left who are barely surviving here in the middle and lower class. She, of course, is rich but, she can still identify with the "working class Americans. Obama, clearly cannot. Hillary will win in November against McCain or more of the same McBushIII. Obama cannot win, particularly now. Sure looks like to me that Obama is showing himself for the far left latte drinker that he has been since the start. Remember, divide and conquer in Europe by taking advantage of the yout