More Tricky Campaigning from the Clinton Camp?
May 7, 2008 at 10:15 pm (Uncategorized)
According to the BBC, “To all intents and purposes the race for the Democratic nomination is over.”
And yet, the campaign drags on.
Rumor (i.e. mainstream media) has it that the Clinton campaign may be strategizing for an honorable exit, and how they do so may very well come down to the money (likely but unsurprising in this world). The Clintons have loaned Hillary’s campaign millions of dollars - about $11 million total - and some speculate that it is likely her campaign will offer to Obama that Clinton pull out of the race IF his campaign pays off her debt.
Well, whether or not this is true, the very notion seems like an excellent tactic to discourage Obama’s fans from donating to his campaign, if they know their money is just going to go into the Clintons’ thick pockets. Obama’s been raising lots of money because he’s reaching out to such a wide base, so it would seem that his team could cover the Clinton’s expense (though the money would be much better used as Clinton’s donation to getting Obama elected in the November election). But if fewer people donate to Obama’s campaign, then it will be further fuel for the Clinton refrain that he’s losing support and the tide is turning. Quite a pickle to create - but Clinton has shown that creating angst (if not voters’ support) is her campaigning forte.
Johnny said,
May 7, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Like JFK and Johnson, I would like to see Hillary as Barack’s running mate. Even hearing that Barack was open to the idea and sent feelers that Clinton rebuffed would be enough for me.
Without Hillary there will be lost of ground to make up within the party base before the convention and in time for the general election.
brethrenpriestess said,
May 7, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Yes, it will take some mending of spirits and relationships. No doubt the Edwards fans and Kucinichers and the others who’ve watched their candidates pull out can share some advice about how to heal from the diverted hopes. When Obama does secure the nomination, it will be one of the strangest feelings for me, because from all my campaign spectatorship, I have never watched my candidate get the general nod. Even with Gore’s win, I had been leaning toward Bradley. Watching Kerry take the nomination over Kucinich or Dean was bad enough, but then seeing him ‘lose’ in November was more than I could bear. I wonder what it will feel like to actually support a winning candidate? I want to find out!
brethrenpriestess said,
May 7, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Regarding the role for Clinton: I don’t think she’d want to run as VeeP. We’ll see.
However, as my mother points out, she could do a world of good serving as Senate Majority Leader. Maybe, as part of some negotiations within the party, she could come out of this hullabaloo with that role, and with Obama in the White House, they could still be a fantastic duo to make the real change this country needs to heal from eight years too many of the Bush junta.
Johnny said,
May 8, 2008 at 12:26 am
Richardson then as VP?
I’m glad that the primaries are over. Even if Hillary thinks otherwise…