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Shortly before Hillary Clinton told a cheering Kentucky crowd in the Louisville Marriott Hotel that she never gives in, her relentlessly upbeat campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe was asked if he had talked to her about dropping out.
Amid hundreds of women waving signs such as “Overy Vote Matters!” and “You Go Girl!”, Mr McAuliffe said: “I don’t have those discussions with Hillary Clinton. If you know Hillary Clinton — and myself — we don’t believe in losing.” In truth, in recent days some friends and fundraisers have tentatively suggested to the former First Lady that her insistence on staying in the Democratic race, against overwhelming odds, threatens to split the party along race and gender lines and risks damaging Barack Obama’s chances against John McCain.
They have been given short shrift. Inside her campaign there are aides who believe in their hearts that it is all over. Recriminations have already begun. Mrs Clinton knows her chances are slim, yet she is more determined than ever to press on. She will not countenance talk of quitting. Just what is she thinking?
It is difficult to overstate just how galling, and enraging, Mrs Clinton and her husband Bill have found the past two months. They both passionately believe that she has a better chance of beating Mr McCain in November, and that Mr Obama would be a more vulnerable nominee.
Since his 12-state winning streak in February — a run that effectively put the nomination beyond her reach — she has won Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and in the past week, West Virginia by a massive 41 points, and Kentucky by 35 — two states her husband won twice as President.
And yet, after each win, and the hardening of opposition of white, blue-collar “Reagan Democrats” against Mr Obama, super-delegates have given a collective shrug. Since West Virginia, twenty-two have backed Mr Obama; she has picked up just four. It is almost too much for the Clintons to bare.
“I’d get out if I believed [Obama] had a better chance to win than I do,” Mrs Clinton reportedly told fundraisers and advisers during a cocktail party at her Washington home last week. She refuses to accept the racial divide arguments, and says that the party will unite.
Mrs Clinton has several reasons for staying in. First, the Clintons do not give up. They survived eight years in the White House, including impeachment. Mr Clinton, written off during his own primary campaign in 1992, declared then that he would keep fighting until “the last dog dies”. In a rally in Lexington on Monday he was almost bent double in exasperation as he explained why his wife would be a better president. “They’ve declared her dead more times than a cat’s got lives,” he hollered.
By pressing on through the last three contests — and with a big win in Puerto Rico on June 1 — Mrs Clinton aims to gain further leverage in her argument to get at least half the disputed Florida and Michigan delegates seated at the convention — a move that will probably put her ahead of Mr Obama in the popular vote total when the contest ends on June 3.
That, she hopes, might persuade enough super-delegates to give her the nomination — a long shot, as she needs the vast majority of the 180 who remain uncommitted.
Mrs Clinton also knows how volatile and unpredictable politics can be. There is always the chance, she believes, that a scandal or major blunder by Mr Obama could lead the party to look for an alternative — her. This is what some aides describe as the “act of God” strategy.
In recent days Mrs Clinton has begun insisting that sexism, rather than racism, has been the corrosive influence in the race, and that she has been the victim of a misogynist press. The way she has been treated has been “deeply offensive to millions of women”, she said. She is damned if she is going to be forced from the race when so many women — millions of them — find her an inspiration. The last message that she wants to send them is that she is a quitter.
Of course, Mr Obama might well lose against John McCain. By staying in, racking up votes, and further proving her electability, Democrats would not have far to look for a candidate in 2012 — or even 2016. The Clintons are professionals — and have always been willing to plan long-term.
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If Hillary and Bill Clinton discovered a path to the White House that required disrespecting women, Yes or No: Do you believe that the Clintons would pursue this course of action?
Lee, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Jacob Ezekail: If HILLARY is so strong why is every one in their right mind running away from this crazed woman. McCain would wipe the floor with her, she lacks responsible behaviour. One writer said she would help poorer people, why did she not help her before?. Hillary took a Bike from a kid.
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK
I'm an "over 50 " woman and cannot see why this gender & age is her "base". She is so power hungry that she ignored Bill's multiple affairs so their political capital wouldn't be divided in divorce court. She didn't sleep her way to the top--she just let him do it for her. Respect for her? NONE
Sojourn, Chattanooga, United States
Clinton is perhaps trying to cut back while running to clear her debt if she still gets donations, may be a way out for her, she needs to get out of the race though because she cant win, because she would clock up even more debts, for the real election in NOV $20Mill Now $55 Mill =$75Mill debt,!MAD.
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK
Yes all these people keep saying Hillary is not a quitter,but look at Obama,he's got strength where she is clueless.And who wants a pit bull for a president anyway? My vote is for OBAMA.
K.Sylvester, Hilo,Hawaii, USA
I have worked for the Clinton's since 1992. I am proud of what they have together accomplised for this great Country. From the depths of my heart I feel that Hillary Clinton is the only hope for beating Obama. I see the ad running with Rev Wright Obama I can no longer etc then the clip MCain
Retta Crawford, St Louis Mo, USA
The only danger Hillary poses right now is putting Obama in a position where he has to make her his running mate for this election. Contrary to pollsters and every moron that has airtime who subscribes to this theory, an Obama/Clinton ticket is a defeatist compromise which will hand McCain the win.
Mohit, Tucson, AZ
In NE the Democratic party held a caucus . The average time to "vote" was 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. As a working mom I could not wait in line to have my vote count. What Demo does Hillary hold? Working Moms. In the primary she lost by a very narrow count at a time when she was gaining momentum.
Gina Coffey, Omaha, NE
How can people forget just what both Clintons have given this party, as well as country?! I am amazed at the young people who haven't a clue as they repeat republician attacks on Hillary. The disrespect {sigh} the ignorance!
Sherri, Mesquite, Dallas
How can the ture voters of Michigan and Florida be counted when neither candidate was allowed to campaign in those states and one candidate's name was not even on the ballot. In additons, many voters were told not to come out and vote. There's not telling wht the true vote is in Michigan and Florida
bobby K, Buford, Ga.,
The Israel lobby wants a candidate who will attack Iran if Bush doesn't do it. That's why Clinton threatened to nuke Iran and McCain is making strong threats against it. Likewise the Christian Zionists, who are strongly in McCain's camp. Neither pro-Israel group trusts Obama to attack Iran.
Arik Silverman, Milwaukee, USA
How in the world can people support someone that is so far in debt with her own budget and yet you expect her to save our country? If she is so power hungry that she lets her debt rise to what is it 30 million, then what is she going to do for us? Nothing.
I want trustworthy not power hungry.
Danelle , Montrose, USA
Hillary is not only the stronger candidate to challenge John McCain in the November Presidential election, she is also much better qualified to lead the United States than either Obama or McCain.
This grit Hillary has shown should be admired, not demonized and mocked! Win or Lose
Jacob Ezekial, New York, USA
I like her "never give in spirit" and I find it to be an inspiration. That's what we need in the White House. HOPE isn't going to get things done and the sooner we realize that the better off we will be. I commend Obama for coming this far but we face too many problems to risk another Republican.
Marcus, Denison, TX,
Any respect I had for Hillary, and all my residual affection and respect for Bill Clinton have evaporated. Her egotistic, selfish and destructive tactics have damaged not only the Democrats but the whole electoral process. Here's an idea - all the states should hold their primaries on the same day.
LRF, London, UK
Acts of God and so close to the 40th anniversary of RFK. WOW!!!!!! Hilaary can always claim that most of Obama's vote is only 3/5 ths a vote anyway. Most working, Hard Working under educated whites can buy this good argument. Is there a Dem. who will stop the madness.
Mark, brox, USA
Mr Tim Reid. Your fawning over the Clintons has been nothing short of an embarassment . You have not in any of your articles once praised Senator Obama for the job he has done in this campaign. At the outset she had the name recognition, more money and the sense of inevitability. Give the man credit
stephen adekoya, London, UK
Hillary Clinton is such a soreloser.
Bahram, Antwerp, Belgium
Jimmy C: I agree with you because RUILES is what we are governed by. And the Clintons does not respect it, the Clintons thinks the rules does not apply to them. Obama played by the rules and is winning by the rules Clinton could have done the same. She used FL/MIT as her bargining chips if she lost
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK
Clinton's outrage re: the disenfranchisment of Florida and Michigan voters might be convincing had she evinced signs of it before she suddenly needed those votes. As well, the other Democratic candidates (aside from Kucinich) removed their names from the Michigan ballot. Why didn't she? Foresight?
Michael Sheridan, Sacramento, USA
Hillary is not interested in Democrats or Republican, what Hillary wants is the be President. She has no idea why she wants to be President, she cant run her campaign, much more run the country, she is out for a third term for Bill Clinton he could not run but his wife can.
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK
I am very strongly supporting Hillary, she offers help to the poorer majority of Americans, I especially advocate her choice of having nationwide health care. Whereas, Barack is just trying to increase the profits of immensely rich corporations and deduct their taxes.
F Goff, Sussex, England, UK
What Hillary is doing now shows what she will do if she becomes the president and that is COMPROMISE and SATISFY her desires.
Rule is Rule. You take it or get beaten by it. I am not sure she realize that she is already showing America who she is. Common Grandma the race is over.
Joy, burlington, USA
What is this "I have a better chance of winning" in Nov thing with HRC? Why is Obama leading now if she's such a favorite? Nobody knows who has the better chance of winning! One thing is for sure; none of them has a better chance of winning in November without the support of the other's fan base!
Kwame, Amsterdam, Netherlands
David Cunard
"Mrs Clinton insists that the voters of Michigan and Florida be heard and counted."
That's what she wants today. Who knows what she will want tomorrow?
david, West Hartford, CT
Instead of putting the emphasis on Hillary and Barack concerning Florida and Michigan - what they will or won't get out of it for their campaigns - let's remember the American citizens of those two states - they deserve to have their voices/votes count, no matter what. Some rules are undemocratic.
Yvonne Hackworth, Lexington, United States
What kind of Stalinist-style election is it when Clinton pitches for delegates from a primary held contrary to party rules and in which she was the only name on the ballot. Something like 40% of Michigan were 'undeclared' and Clinton wants all of them. She's a disgrace. Obama must be the noiminee.
Fran Barlow, Sydney, Australia
As a white women from NY I could not agree more with your comments Jimmy. This type of conduct is yet another reason why Hillary will not win the nomination!
IM, New York,
Hillary and Obama had both agreed not to count the votes of Michigan and Florida. Obama was not on the ballot in Michagan. These 2 states broke rules. Do we just ignore rules in this country, when the rules are not in our best interest and not expect any penalty? This HC 'spin' is an embarrassment
IM, New York,
Hillary Clinton insists that the voters of Michigan and Florida be heard and counted. What kind of Party would not count all of their voters? What kind of democracy is this? Hillary is experienced and not any more embarrassing than the Obama's . If Obama runs without Hillary, in walks McCain.
Shirley, Las Vegas, USA
How professional is waiting for an act of G-d? Sounds a little crazy to me. Crazy and professional is kind of an oxymoron.
Elizabeth, new york, new york
Jimmy C; the Clintons are no more an embarrassment to the process than Lady Thatcher is to her party. Mrs Clinton insists that the voters of Michigan and Florida be heard and counted. What kind of democracy is it when 4% of the United States is denied its say in the matter?
David Cunard, Los Angeles, United States
"The Clintons are professionals"!!! What have you been smoking? The Clintons are an embarassment to the Democratic process! How does the loser insist on changing the rules when her opponent has played and won by them? Their sense of entitlement is downright appalling, ridiculous, selfish and stupid!
Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK