Clinton gives up

[Teebs]

CNN says

(CNN) -- The titanic struggle for the Democratic candidacy neared its end Tuesday with final voting expected to push Hillary Clinton aside and usher in Barack Obama as the first ever black U.S. presidential nomination for a major political party.


After months of primaries and caucuses, the Democratic party still does not have a nominee.

1 of 3 Two senior Clinton campaign officials told The Associated Press she will concede Tuesday night or early Wednesday that Obama has done enough to secure the Democratic nomination, but she will stop short of formally suspending or ending her race.

Democrats in South Dakota and Montana are casting the final votes in a long and bitter campaign that has cost the candidates dearly in dollars and left the party struggling to unite to challenge Republican John McCain and succeed George W. Bush at the White House.

Obama needs the support of about 40 more Democratic delegates to make the 2,118 needed to capture the nomination at the party's August convention but he is likely to depend on superdelegates -- party officials free to back any candidate -- to tip the balance.

The Illinois senator, who has sought to dispel fears of inexperience by campaigning on a message of change, has emerged as favorite in recent weeks despite a dogged campaign by Clinton who as former first lady claims to have more political experience.

Although campaigns for both parties said there had been no formal discussion, sources close to Clinton said she was poised to acknowledge her inevitable defeat by Tuesday signaling her willingness to accept an offer of becoming Obama's running mate if asked.

"In her speech tomorrow night she will convey the message that first and foremost she is committed to Democrats winning in November and will do whatever she's asked to do," a close friend of the New York senator said.

Her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, also told voters in South Dakota on Monday that "this may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind." Watch how the race could end »

Obama insiders are said to be split over whether a joint ticket with Clinton will be a good idea, with some doubting she can deliver, despite claims the pairing would help "ram down the animosity" between supporters of the two that many fear could cost the Democrats the election.

Democratic Party insiders are also discussing how to patch up Clinton's relationship with the black community and how to bring African American Clinton supporters into the Obama fold, several top Clinton supporters said.

Feuding between the two camps reached fever pitch at the height of the campaign, after Clinton and Obama saw off main rival John Edwards then traded blows on sideline issues including Obama's links to a controversial preacher and Clinton's claims to have dodged bullets in Bosnia.

At least one superdelegate -- the highest-ranking African American in Congress Jim Clyburn -- announced his endorsement Obama on Tuesday, saying Obama had "energized" constituents.

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But despite forecasts of defeat, Clinton -- dubbed the "comeback kid" for earlier popularity resurgences -- campaigned into the night on Monday, clinging to the outside prospect of an upset in the final two U.S. states to make their selections in the six month primary voting season.

Clinton told voters in South Dakota Monday: "We're going to make our case to all the delegates as to who would be the best president, number one -- because that's the most important question -- and number two, who would be the stronger candidate against John McCain; and I believe on both of those questions I am the person who should get the support to get the nomination for our party."

CNN senior political correspondent Candy Crowley reported that "only a handful of people at the inner core of the Clinton campaign knows what she's thinking about doing when Tuesday's dust settles."


"Those who have been with her since nearly the beginning are saying she will not push this into the convention.

"As one close Clinton supporter put it, she's acutely aware of her place in the party. She will not ruin the party."

It looks like Clinton is finally admitting to reality, I just hope she doesn't manage to get onto the ticket as the vice-presidential candidate.

[General Zod]

Don't count your chickens just yet. Breaking AP news, no article yet:

Hillary Clinton not prepared to admit Barack Obama has beaten her in race for Democratic nomination, her campaign chairman told CNN.

[Qwerty 42]

This game's not up. But, if Obama takes the nomination today or tomorrow, I think she'll be a minor voice as the media gears up for Obama/McCain.

[Ziggy Stardust]

This game's not up. But, if Obama takes the nomination today or tomorrow, I think she'll be a minor voice as the media gears up for Obama/McCain.

If only. If Clinton continues with this bullshit, she won't be relegated to a minor role, she'll still be all over the news. And, unfortunately, her stubborn idiocy could easily hand McCain the election. If Obama takes the nomination (which he almost certainly is going to), Clinton needs to pull her head out of her ass and endorse him instead of ragging on about the popular vote.

[Kodiak]

Nu-uh, not me! I didn't say that!

I really don't know what the point is anymore. I've never seen such childish and un-presidential displays from anyone in all my years. This is, in a word, ridiculous.

[General Zod]

Nu-uh, not me! I didn't say that!

I really don't know what the point is anymore. I've never seen such childish and un-presidential displays from anyone in all my years. This is, in a word, ridiculous.

It's like a baseball game where one coach refuses to admit he lost. Everybody knows the opposing team won, but the coach is trying to convince everyone else that his team should take home the trophy because they scored more home-runs.

[Darth Wong]

Nu-uh, not me! I didn't say that!

I really don't know what the point is anymore. I've never seen such childish and un-presidential displays from anyone in all my years. This is, in a word, ridiculous.

It's like a baseball game where one coach refuses to admit he lost. Everybody knows the opposing team won, but the coach is trying to convince everyone else that his team should take home the trophy because they scored more home-runs.

That's not a very realistic scenario. It's more like a game where the coach is screaming his head off about the referees' calls.

[General Zod]

[That's not a very realistic scenario. It's more like a game where the coach is screaming his head off about the referees' calls.

Not very realistic, but I figured it was comparable. Except with Hillary you could replace "Home Runs" with "popular vote".

[lazerus]

I was all set to jump for joy at this news, then I saw the correction. I can only suppose the idea of bowing out when she still had traces of dignity was unacceptable to her.

[Patrick Degan]

I can only suppose the idea of bowing out when she still had traces of dignity was unacceptable to her.

Oh, she passed that point long ago. And I can see her continuing to mutter about "winning" the popular vote well into October. This is going to stick in her craw. She will never accept the idea of her defeat.

[Soontir C'boath]

I just finished watching Downfall about a half an hour ago and the similarities displayed by her and Hitler are appalling close. Her insistence with the popular vote is similar to Hitler's delusion that he still had an army to fight back the Russians.

[Oskuro]

Yeah, except that in that movie, Hitler is presented as a likeable old man (when he isn't in führer-mode).

[CmdrWilkens]

Honestly all the "nu-uh" doesn't have e convinced. John Edwards was syaing he was "in it to win it" (TM Billary) right up until the day he finally conceded. POliticians don't admit when they are about to give up because it scares the donors off and Clinton needs as many of those as possible.

[Falkenhayn]

MSNBC Front Page Bulletin

NOW she's ok with being VP.

[Darksider]

I just finished watching Downfall about a half an hour ago and the similarities displayed by her and Hitler are appalling close. Her insistence with the popular vote is similar to Hitler's delusion that he still had an army to fight back the Russians.

This is an excellent opportunity to post This link.

What's really pissing me of is, just like at the end of that vid, there's no way in hell clinton's ever going to endorse Obama. She'll try her damndest to fuck over the country by getting Mcain elected, just so she can hold on to her delusions of having another chance in 2012.

Like anyone who remembers this clusterfuck of a campaign would vote for her....

[Soontir C'boath]

Yeah, except that in that movie, Hitler is presented as a likeable old man (when he isn't in führer-mode).

Well, we never see her when she's not in politician mode, do we?

[Oskuro]

Well, we never see her when she's not in politician mode, do we?

The real question is.... do we want to?

And Darksider, damm your link for making me post this marginally off-topic link: Under Fire!

[CaptJodan]

Like anyone who remembers this clusterfuck of a campaign would vote for her....

Such faith in the American people's ability to hold in their minds the history of a candidate for 4 years. Ha!

[The Duchess of Zeon]

By only suspending her campaign, she will keep on trying to manipulate as much money out of her die-hard supporters as possible to pay off her debts, while simultaneously promising to take it to the convention and secretly engaging in internal maneouvring to secret the VP spot. Probably so she can sabotage Obama's chances and run again in 2012. Bill is saying today is his last day of campaigning because, inside, he's now gearing up for the hack job he'll do during the general election if Hillary is made the VP candidate to make sure the democrats lose.

[CaptainChewbacca]

If their plan is for Hillary to get the nod and then tank the election, I daresay somehow she will manage to fail at failing.

[KlavoHunter]

If their plan is for Hillary to get the nod and then tank the election, I daresay somehow she will manage to fail at failing.

Would that be... dare I say it? Epic Fail?

[Adrian Laguna]

I think Obama is too smart to put Clinton in as his VP. He does risk a lot of angry old cunts not voting for him by excluding her, but he risks so much more by including her, that woman is poison.

[Noble Ire]

I think Obama is too smart to put Clinton in as his VP. He does risk a lot of angry old cunts not voting for him by excluding her, but he risks so much more by including her, that woman is poison.

Still, the threat of political backlash following a final rejection of Clinton is significant. The media will likely play it up as much as possible, and it will inevitably swell the ranks of the "Hillary-or-Nobody" partisans. With so much emphasis being placed of late on party unity, if Clinton advertises herself as a potential running mate, she'll be very difficult for Obama to turn down.

[Ender]

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/rele ... w/?id=7894

Statement from the Clinton Campaign

The AP story is incorrect. Senator Clinton will not concede the nomination this evening.