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February 28, 2008A Clintonian ConundrumDoes she stay in the race and face a mortifying loss next Tuesday or does she get out with some dignity and credibility still intact? As analysts declare that Hillary Clinton needs to win, and win soundly, in Texas and Ohio in order to remain even remotely viable in the race for the Democrat nomination, Drudge is promising a “developing” story claiming Barack Obama has garnered a four percent lead over Hillary in Texas. A drubbing next Tuesday would be the supreme mortification. To go from presumed-and-inevitable to castaway in a matter of months may forever weaken the Clinton brand, both here and abroad. It could impact both the Clinton’s powerbase and profits. Hillary could back out of the race this weekend - “suspend” it - and take her chances that between now and the Democrat convention some of Obama’s sparkle will have faded with the public, some backlash to his charm will begin. She knows the nature of the game of politics: one flub, one bad photo, one unguarded moment and the rise and rise of Obama can come a swift descent. Pulling out now, saving her strength and garnering new resources while leaving Obama to take some licks from the experienced and hungry John McCain could be a good strategy. By convention time, the Democrats - currently as sick of the Clintons as the rest of us - might actually be happy to see her re-emerge, refreshed and “ready.” And ducking out now would buy Hillary some time. The inquiries about her husband’s business ventures, the requests for her White House papers and - perhaps most importantly - the clamor to see her tax returns, will die down, giving Mr & Mrs Clinton and their staffs some time to study these documents and develop appropriate spin for each, should they ever be released to public and press scrutiny. There could be many advantages to a “suspension” of the Clinton campaign, and no doubt those advantages are being discussed today, and being measured against the risk - the one overwhelming risk - that between tomorrow and this summer the nation will discover that it does not miss Mr. & Mrs. Clinton in the slightest, that it is content to keep him in his borrowed private jets and her in the senate, where wonks and scoundrels may safely graze, and their spouses skip serious scrutiny. That will surely be a disappointment to Hillary’s personal ambitions, but it might - in the end - be a bit of a relief, after all. And besides…they’ll always have Yucaipa. http://theanchoressonline.com/2008/02/28/a-clintonian-conundrum/trackback/ 6 Responses to “A Clintonian Conundrum” |
February 28th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I’ve frequently said that the nation, the Democratic Party, and the world would benefit from the End of Clintonism Now. And, upon further reflection, there is someone else who would benefit, more than she knows.
For the benefit of Hillary herself, she needs to get out. Not only get out of the presidential race, but get out of politics altogether, and go rediscover who the real Hillary is. Who is the real, inner Hillary? How far down into herself does she need to go, how many layers of politically manufactured personas does she need to go through to get to Hillary the person? Does the real Hillary still exist, or was she killed long ago by Hillary the politician, whose every act, every thought, every desire is bound up in political ambition?
If you pay attention to such things, you will notice that George H.W. Bush’s and Barbara Bush’s happiest days have been since they left politics. That enormous weight has been lifted from them and they have been able to rediscover themselves.
Just a couple of days ago, I saw a picture of Hillary with a baby, whom she was bouncing up and down in her arms. Realizing that it has been 26 years since Chelsea was a baby, and that it appears that she is not going to be a grandmother any time soon, this maternal action on Hillary’s part was interesting to see.
If you looked at the expression on Hillary’s face, you started to think, wow, she actually looks somewhat authentically human! There was what appeared to be a sincere and authentic joy at holding the baby, totally unlike every other plastic and disingenuous laugh (cackle) and smile that she plasters on her face the rest of the time. Yes, apparently, deep, deep down, the real and human Hillary still exists. She may not have come out since before Hillary went to college, but there was the glimmer of humanity there, rather than complete political animal.
For the sake of her own humanity, for her own soul, Hillary needs to throw the Ring into the fire.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Bender. I have long since been unable to see Hilary’s human side. Anchoress, your political insight is much appreciated, especially from the far side of the Atlantic.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Web Reconnaissance for 02/28/2008…
A short recon of whatÂ’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often….
February 28th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
You may have very well hit on something here. And if it comes true, you will have proven yourself a seer, once again.
The One Ring, that was GOOD.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
[...] A Clintonian Conundrum [...]
March 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Does she stay in the race and face a mortifying loss next Tuesday or does she get out with some dignity and credibility still intact?
Apparently, we will not have to wait until Tuesday to learn that the election is over for Hillary. The cat is out of the bag and the game is over. “Oops” is right!