Hillary Clinton's non-concession speech, a round-up
What are the pundits saying about Hillary Clinton's speech? Even if she's dividing the party, she's clearly uniting the chattering class against her:
The Atlantic's Matthew Yglesias writes reluctantly: "I think if I were to try to express how I really feel about the people who've been enabling her behavior, I'd say something deeply unwise. Suffice it to say, that for quite a while now all of John McCain's most effective allies have been on Hillary Clinton's payroll."
The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes sums up Clinton's plan:
The effect was to inject a sharply negative and divisive element in the already bitter race at the very moment that Obama was making history by becoming the first African-American to win a major party's presidential nomination. Her goal, from all indications, is to force him to choose her as his vice presidential running mate. And her tactic is political hardball.
Jennifer Rubin imagines a post-Hillary campaign at Commentary Magazine:
And perhaps the media, with their least favorite candidate out of the way (not yet, but almost) will toughen the coverage of Obama a bit. He is the nominee and they, to their chagrin, must report the facts now and then. Even the New York Times concedes he is largely an unknown quantity who has “stumbled and fumbled” a number of times.
Guardian America editor Michael Tomasky hits hard:
Once again, it's all about Hillary Clinton, who delivered the most abrasive, self-absorbed, selfish, delusional, emasculating and extortionate political speech I've heard in a long time. And I've left out some adjectives, just to be polite....
[This is] the choice she is hoping to impose on the nominee: don't choose me, and Bill and I will subtly work to see that you lose; choose me, and look like a weakling who can't lead the party without the Clintons after all. Now that's putting the interests of the party first, isn't it?
Noam Scheiber at The New Republic doesn't go easy, either, in a post titled "That Outrageous, Delusional Clinton Speech":
With Hillary proclaiming herself the legitimate winner, they're clearly going to say "keep going." If she actually does keep going, that's a disaster for the Democratic Party. And if she doesn't, you've just drawn a ton of attention to the fact that a large chunk of the party doesn't accept Obama as the legimiate nominee. No, worse: you've encouraged them to think that, then drawn attention to it.
What a disaster.
The Washington Post's Dana Milbank seems almost awestruck:
It was an extraordinary performance by a woman who had been counted out of the race even when she still had a legitimate chance. Now she had been mathematically eliminated -- and she spoke as if she had won.
And the New York Times' Maureen Dowd looks at the gender angle:
Either way, by broadcasting that she’s open to being Obama’s running mate, she puts public pressure on him similar to the sort of pressure Walter Mondale was under from rampaging feminists when he put Geraldine Ferraro on the ticket. Mondale ended up seeming henpecked, as Obama would seem if he caved to the women who say they will write in Hillary’s name or vote for anti-choice McCain before they’d vote for Obama.
For months, Hillary has been trying to emasculate Obama....
Update: Just a reminder to check out our ongoing Dust-Up on feminism in the age of Hillary, featuring Amanda Marcotte and Katha Pollitt. Also see ongoing commentary at Top of the Ticket.
*Photo courtesy Getty Images.
Hey, I know the pretense of objectivity is (wisely) relaxed at the opinion journals, and that at least one of the folks here is not a Democrat, but I mean, are we supposed to be moved by all these characters' arguments that she's helping McCain or not putting the Democrats' interests first or holding up Obama's chance to "make history"? Why should any of those things upset the reader, let alone the writer?
And I guess somebody has to point it out: There's a whole lotta emasculatin' goin' on.
Posted by: Tim Cavanaugh | June 04, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Remeber when Obama first pulled ahead of Clinton? That was when Bill thought of the Dream Team, and had Hillary ask Obama if he would consider being her VP> What a laugh then and what a bigger laugh now. She is a piece of work.
Posted by: jk | June 04, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Hillary Clinton is STUNNING!!!
You have just witnessed the greatest political campaign fight in American history. One for the textbooks, and the history books. Hillary Clinton fought her heart out against all odds to win for all of the American people . While at the same time doing her best to prepare Sen. Barack Obama to win in November if he was the nominee. STUNNING!!! WELL DONE HILLARY CLINTON. WELL DONE! Your AMAZING! :-)
Sen. Obama could not have had a better opponent than Hillary Clinton. Nor could he have had a better opponent to prepare him for the battle royal to come against John McCain and the Republicans ahead of the November elections. Hillary Clinton was like a big Mama cat determined to teach her kitten how to hunt, and hang with the big dogs for the fights ahead.
And how about Bill Clinton, Chelsea, and th whole Clinton team. They were magnificent. They really showed their metal. BRAVO! TEAM CLINTON... BRAVO!
And how about YOU! my fellow Americans. I'm so proud of you. And proud to be one of you. You showed what you are made of. And what makes America so great. You never gave up on your Champion Hillary Clinton. Time, and time again you eagerly waited your turn to vote for Hillary Clinton. To pick her up and pass her along down the line to the rest of your fellow Americans.
You never gave up on her. Just as Hillary Clinton never gave up on you. No matter how many times they counted her out. No matter how many times they brutally knocked her down. You knew she would get back up. And you were ready to support her when she did. AMERICA LOVES A FIGHTER. AMERICA UNDERSTANDS A FIGHTER. AMERICA IS A FIGHTER. I'M PROUD OF YOU AMERICA!
Hillary said she would accept the VP spot on the ticket if ask. And I am thrilled to hear that. I think it would be crazy not to take her up on that offer. You could not have a better VP than Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is Sen. Obama's best chance of winning the Whitehouse in November. And it is essential that the democrats take back the Whitehouse.
The American people are in a very desperate condition now. George Bush has wrecked America, and much of the world.
YOU MADE US VERY PROUD HILLARY CLINTON! :-)
WE LOVE YOU...
jacksmith... Working Class :-)
p.s. I really liked Sen. Barack Obama's speech in Minnesota. I think he just maybe ready now for the Bush Republican attack machine, dirty tricks, and vote fraud machine. :-)
Posted by: jacksmith | June 04, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Why say a single negative thing about Sen. Clinton? She has already let us know who and what she is.
What's really scary are all the venomous posts about him on
her official blog, and all the venomous posts about her on his site.
Posted by: Indy Pendent | June 04, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Bill and Hillary seem unable to admit the truth. The way they answer questions, they way they answer to their own behaviors, and now finally they way they admit defeat. I am so very gad we will soon be moving on from their "Lawyerly" style. I look forward to a new president, one that owns his words and actions and can move us past this "evasiveness." Stick a fork in her - SHE'S DONE.
Posted by: Michael Urena | June 04, 2008 at 12:17 PM
The Clintons' are nothing less than self centered egotist, and if Hillary is vice president, she will be hard at work to destroy the Obama presidency. This is the way the Clintons' do things, and slime-ball billy-goat Clinton will be right in there helping to stab Obama in the back. If never to again hear of the Clintons' it would be the best think for all of us. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, and I'm not foolish enough to ever again trust a Clinton.
Posted by: Reschev | June 04, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Why is it that poor Barrack always ends up as such a pathetic victim?? Poor Barrack being pushed around by a woman like that. I guess it is manlier to get ripped part by McCain than a equally credentialed and powerful woman. How pathetic is it that those rule apply to women but not men.
Posted by: Abb 63 | June 04, 2008 at 12:44 PM
If the DNC forces Obama to choose her then which one of them will volunteer to be Obama's "food Taster"?
Posted by: NvMe | June 04, 2008 at 01:01 PM
It is outrageous that she would try to strong-arm her way back into the whitehouse. Perhaps the Bobby Kennedy comment was a bit more freudian than we thought.
Posted by: Steve S | June 04, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Mrs clinton was threatening and defiant towars de DNC
"I will give you the opportunity to offer me and my husband bill the best or I will go to the convention, or I will go Independet." Yes I will divide the democratic party in my best interest.
When the Lion eats human meat, it must be killed because it will be passed to their cubs.
In other words, Mrs Clinton skywed backers must be dismantled to prevent divisivness of the nation.
Mrs. Clinton with her old outdated ideas must be replaced by new young people.
We must continue with the race and important issues
1) oil disruption shocks and impact in globalization economy
2) Time frame for word to go green
3) Africa as new oil producer without the terrorism element
4) israel abuse of palestinian and arabs oil weapon use?
5) Multinational firms lack of US taxation in billions of dollars
6)4.1 Trillion external debt
7) impact of 2050 majority non politically progressive hispanic in USA
8) Impact of elderly population in 2050 consuming 56% GDP
and many more............................
Posted by: alma ludivina | June 04, 2008 at 01:23 PM
The fact is...as an independent, I am still waiting for someone to represent us, and we're a larger block of voters then dems or reps...I can see how this 2 party system works...sound bites, race biting, war drums,...it's the same all over. Change? ha! same deal as before...let the negative campaingning start...I bet you you will see a more divided country after this go around...blacks on one side, woman on the other (real woman...not the ones that do as their republican husbands say) and finally, the professional pundits and spinners....just selling america to the highest bidder. I ask you america, why no impeachment to our present leaders? because everyone is too busy trying to be better then the next person...all americans can consider themselves is a bunch of shoppers that only worry about things instead of doing something about anything. This is no republic, this is no democracy, it is what it is...a monarchy, a form of communisam/fascism with money. That's all...or else explain to me why we look at china as a favorably nation...are we scared of them? nah...we rather go after oil rich nations...that way your representatives kleep getting richer, and you keep getting oorer. When will america wake up ? when we loose everything? including our self worth ??? Remeber what Bush told us to do the day after 9/11..."Go about your normal day, go SHOPPING"...shameful, and now you have white house insiders, that worked for Bush, now hired by news organizations (can you smell Karl rove?)...so now the news media is in with our government...McClellan is right...the media is just a puppet of our government....and the biggest threat to americas information is Rupert Murdoch...he's not even american...but he ownsd the news organization that lied and gave th nation to his boy bush...and americans let it happen. Somewhere in Canada an american is crying....
we mean nothing to them...you know it and I know it...we're just a bunch of cheerleaders cheering the less of 2 evils...sad...really sad.
Now go and support an iranian war..oh right! you have no saying anymore...remember? New laws prohibit most things that represented american freedom.
Posted by: Rocky | June 04, 2008 at 01:40 PM
It's a good thing none of these people are in the actual business of advising Mr. Obama.
The senator will win the election, the real question is, does he want to do it the hard way, or the easy way?
And once he's got it, does he prefer to have the Clinton power base estranged from h is own as he sets his plans in motion? To take the most jaded view, remember the adage "keep your friends close and your enemies closer". Jack Kennedy chose this course with Lyndon Johnson. Mr. Obama could chose to rule despite them with a lot of effort, or channel their energies towards his own rather similar ends and sail with the wind at his back. The further question is, does he have the self-confidence and self-control to have such powerful people around him? His supporters, represented by the writers displayed here, seem to feel he does not. I rather think he does.
Then there are the Clinton fans. Yes, they're fans, and they are every bit as rabid and confrontational as Mr. Obama's. I feel he can win with minimal support from Hillary Clinton's supporters, but again, he will have to work hard, and his victory will be a bit thin. Will he want to move forward as the candidate of change with half his party lukewarm to him? The fanatical appeal of both our candidates has energized my party as never before, but for this excitement, there is a piper to pay. The losers, overcharged and wild for the candidate, will not take it well. If Mr. Obama wants to channel their energy, he will need Hillary Clinton to get it done.
You may hate the stuff I'm saying, but I assure you he knows it's true even if you don't.
Posted by: Max Post | June 04, 2008 at 02:21 PM
It's NOT ABOUT YOUR GENDER, IT'S ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY.
For God's sake. This is the latest example (not conceding and endorsing when you have clearly, by any and all metrics - LOST) of how her personality is self-serving and destructful. THAT and only that is what we dislike about you Hillary. THAT is what did you in. The fact that you are creating animosity between genders because you can't cope with the fact that you ran a horribly managed campaign is downright disgusting....
yeah, tell the millions of people who voted for an African-American that we are bigoted. Does it make ANY sense?
Please concede. Please guide your supporters instead of getting them all angry. Please do SOMETHING right for once...
Posted by: Tony | June 04, 2008 at 02:23 PM
No matter what Obama does, he should know this:
Having BILLARY Clinton as vice president would be the equivalent of having a spitting Cobra as a room mate. You CANNOT control its NATURAL HABIT of spitting and biting. Either way, you get POISON in your blood circulatory system!
Posted by: KYJurisDoctor | June 04, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Max Post said:
"To take the most jaded view, remember the adage "keep your friends close and your enemies closer". Jack Kennedy chose this course with Lyndon Johnson. "
To take an even more jaded view, remember what happened to Jack Kennedy (let's see, what state was he shot in again?).
Posted by: John from CA | June 04, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Long expected and desired by the majority of Americans,particularly youth,the first time voters which was apparent just after first primary of IOWA, has materialized after final round of primary.It's also heartening that both the contestants,Obama,the winner and Hilary,the loser have congratulated each other for an effective and inspiring compaign and Hilary has even indicated her consent to CNN to be Obama's V.P if he so desires.Americans, particularly their youth, deserve the highest congratulations by proving that they have learnt to understand that they have to choose their future leader with requisite positive traits,irrespective of race religion, or family profile, to address their complex issues in 21st century.
As reported,Republican response,in the form of Mchiavellian tactics is nothing unexpected .However it's likely to be of much help to McCain,a singbird and spineless stooge of Manichean Bush.
Posted by: M Saleem Chaudhry | June 04, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I am a Feminist, meaning that I honour Femininity that exists in men and women. As a Feminist, there is little point in my opinion in celebrating a woman as leader when she gets there by exhibiting Masculine lust for power, egoism, aggression and a stubborn inability to listen. Turning women into Men is nothing to celebrate, it is the death of Feminism.
Posted by: Mei | June 04, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Sorry, but the shew was outclassed. And she is such a massive liar that it is hard to imagine anyone voting for her unless they were under sniper fire.
Posted by: Normal Norbert | June 04, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Imagine if Hillary Clinton were VP, and she and Obama enter the White House. Imagine Bill Clinton following and saying, "Hey, that's my old office!" And then Hillary Clinton warmly shows Obama where they keep the drinks, etc. It won't do. Obama needs a fresh start to set the country in a new direction. Please, Senator Clinton and supporters, put aside ego, be gracious and decline the Vice-Presidency so that Obama will not have to offer it. Give your full, decisive endorsement now without delay. The important thing is that we get sound policies passed to fix this country's health, economic, environmental, and international woes. Recognize that Clinton can serve best by being a skillful Senate ally, critiquing and pushing through policy. Four days to make a concession speech is unheard of. This is that phone call in the middle of the night: can Senator Clinton please make a firm decision promptly?
Posted by: nkirv | June 04, 2008 at 11:56 PM
I'm a woman who's a post-feminist. I don't need to vote for myself to promote myself. Hillary Clinton did not lose because she's a woman. She lost because Barack Obama had a better message and organized better, and he showed a more gracious campaign style. Perhaps the media had more negative articles about her, but that is not Obama's fault. Clinton supporters: we need to focus on the policies needed for this country. Please recognize how unwise it is to engage in sour grapes campaigning. There are things far more important: the economy, health care, the environment, and our international relations.
Posted by: nkirv | June 05, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Hillary won the popular vote. So naturally, in George Bush's America she loses.
Posted by: Jon Raymond | June 05, 2008 at 01:14 AM