Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Is it over?

Is it over? Please? Please can this primary be over? I was so looking forward to today, the day after the last primaries, because I figured finally, by today, the decision would be made, we'd have a Democratic nominee. But no, apparently, it isn't over. Clinton still has not offered a concession speech. She is moving forward as if she still could be the nominee. While there was certainly nothing wrong with this before Obama had enough delegates to clinch the nomination, now that he has, this is just sad. It would have been so classy to acknowledge Obama's victory, congratulate him, and then ask all of her supporters to get behind him in the general election against McCain - and a perfect opportunity for her to then blast McCain, setting him up for a knockout by Obama in his speech after hers. (And McCain's speech last night was about as inspiring as a limp noodle is sharp). But no, no concession speech. Instead, it is starting to look like there is arm twisting going on to get her name in the VP slot.

Originally, I did not think Obama should take Clinton on as VP - I thought it would hurt him more than it would help him. (Though I think a VP Obama would have definitely helped Clinton had she gotten the nomination). Then, I started thinking about it yesterday again, and thought that it might be more helpful and maybe it would be good for her to be VP. But now that it seems like she's trying to force the issue - like she's refusing to concede until he takes her on the ticket, then I'm just annoyed. It is not her decision to make. I somehow doubt people would be very kind to Obama if he had lost and then he tried to strong arm his way onto the ticket. I've also heard reports that she does not want any other woman offered the VP spot - apparently she is the only woman allowed to get that close to the presidency at this point. Sure, she's earned it, but I'm sure a lot of other women have earned that right too. It seems more and more like Clinton cares more about herself than any greater cause. And that then makes me again not want her as VP. How she acts over the next few days will determine, in my own mind, whether I think she should be VP. Which is too bad - she had a great opportunity last night and squandered it.

Finally, if Clinton's supporters would rather let McCain win (or even worse, would rather vote for McCain), rather than seeing Obama win, well, I don't even know how to begin to address such stupidity. Anyone who truly feels that way I think is off the deep end and I wouldn't even bother trying to change their mind. I'd have happily voted for either candidate in the general election - odds are their policy positions would not have been that far apart. There simply is no rational reason to be in favor of one of them being president during the primary but then be for McCain in the general election.

1 comment:

Erin said...

It would have been so classy to acknowledge Obama's victory, congratulate him, and then ask all of her supporters to get behind him in the general election against McCain...

Unfortunately, class isn't something she's had in spades over the course of this election. I think her attitude continues to demonstrate how she'd behave as president if, say, OPEC refused (again) to put more oil on the market or discussions with Iran RE: nuclear capability came to a halt. I don't know that hers is the image we want to project to the rest of the world. I find it especially ironic that in her speech Tuesday she had the audacity to ask for party unity, but she still won't make that damn concession speech and get out of the way.

Obama, on the other hand, has been nothing but gracious over the past few months, even with the DNC's ridiculous ruling in regard to Florida.