May 8, 2008
More Cries for Sen. Clinton to Quit. But Why Should She?
The other day, Hillary Clinton lost North Carolina’s primary. It was big time loss, by about 14 points. She won Indiana’s primary but only by about two points. The day was a net loss for Sen. Clinton. No one can deny that. So what’s happened since? Well, as regular as clockwork, the national media put out their usual outcry, calling for her to withdraw from the race. Every large newspaper, every pundit/ blowhard on the cable news networks, not to mention quite a few pols; are all joining the chorus demanding that she withdraw and essentially give the nomination to Obama. This, despite the fact that there are six primary races left before the convention. Much to her credit, Sen. Clinton has rejected this approach. She is going to soldiers on.
And, why exactly should she quit? Well, for one thing, Sen. Clinton is not known as a quitter. For another, Sen. Clinton still has supporters out in the primary electorate. Sen. Clinton wants to communicate her concerns with those voters and the voters want a right of choice in the upcoming primaries. Voters deserve a choice. And it would be wrong of her to simply take that choice away by withdrawing at this stage. Sen. Clinton has a point of view on some matters which differ from those Sen. Obama. Sen. Clinton wants to continue putting forth her views and wants the voters to listen to her. This can’t happen if she stops campaigning.
Here’s another thing. Sen. Clinton is the first woman to run for the nomination of any major party in American history. What would it mean to women who come after Sen. Clinton to know that a woman simply quit the nominating process, because the going got tough. Or that she was more or less forced out a campaign by what amounts to an all-boys club. It is interesting to note that most of the pundits and cable news yakkers calling for her withdrawal are men. Few cable newswomen are calling for her to quit. Which, in itself should tell you something about what is going on here.
Sen. Clinton should stay in the race until the convention. At that point the delegates will make the decision as to who the party’s nominee will be;--not the pundits, not the editors, not the reporters and certainly not the demagogues of talk radio.
Posted 11:30 AM
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