What does Hillary Clinton do after Tuesday?
The crucial unanswered question at this stage of the Democratic primary fight is what Hillary Clinton plans to do next week, once contests in South Dakota and Montana wrap up the primary season.
The Clinton campaign is offering no clues.
In a conference call with reporters Friday, her aides were repeatedly asked how far they would carry their fight to seat all delegates from the disputed primaries in Michigan and Florida. Those delegates are crucial to Clinton's increasingly improbable plan for victory. If Clinton doesn’t get everything she wants Saturday when a party committee adjudicates the issue, will she take her protest to the nominating convention in August?
"We think it is not useful to cross streams before we come to them,’’ replied Harold Ickes, a campaign strategist.
The nightmare scenario for most party leaders is that Clinton keeps fighting through the summer. Party officials hope to rally behind a presumptive nominee by the end of June, at the latest.
In public, Clinton is taking a tough negotiating stance. A campaign attorney sent a letter to the Rules & Bylaws Committee today, arguing that it would be wrong to strip delegates from Michigan and Florida as punishment for moving up their primaries.
The two states suffered enough by virtue of the fact that neither Clinton nor Obama campaigned in either place, letter says.
But, alternatively, one person with ties to the Clinton campaign told The Times in a recent interview that among the staff, "There is no expectation at all that we would get 100%. That’s totally off the table at this point.’’
So the question remains: what does Clinton do?
— Peter Nicholas
Like an undead zombie, Hillary Clinton will continue devouring our souls perhaps even beyond election day in November. Without the ability to reason the Clinton Monster knows only to claim her birthright as President of the United states. Her campaign will no doubt prove to be more difficult after the Inauguration of our elected President, but this should only be a minor hurdle in her effort to gain access to the White House. Lawyers at the ready, Hillary will attempt to litigate her way into office.
Posted by: N.E. BodybutHillary | May 30, 2008 at 02:18 PM
She continues campaigning for the nomination. She had better. Reasonable people everywhere are counting on her.
Posted by: Andrew Austin | May 30, 2008 at 02:29 PM
My crystal ball sees two ways the drama can continue
1 - she litigates and heads for the convention
2 - she forms her own party and makes bill VP candidate
I have not seen polls from Puerto Rico. It looks like landslides for Obama in SD and MT, about 70-80 percent Obama. They are both 89/88 percent white voters. It's clear that she won't stop be the thorn on the rose. Her third party prospects are excellent and there seems to be a bit of a gender-centric feel about it. That won't work ultimately but it might get a good start.
Posted by: Gaias Child | May 30, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Hillary needs to stay the course! There is no reason why she should allow anyone (wink wink Pelosi) to force her out.
If need be, take it to the Convention!
As predicted, more and more revelations are coming out about Obama. His Chicago hardball tactics typical of a politician,and his newest affiliation (Pfleger)!
By August, he will prove to be unelectable, so Hillary can step in and win the nomination, and wrest the presidency away from Republicans in November.
Posted by: BJ | May 30, 2008 at 02:47 PM
KEEP FIGHTING ALL THE WAY TO THE CONVENTION HILLARY!!! WE ARE WITH YOU!!!
Posted by: Hillary All the Way | May 30, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I don't know what she is going to do, But am going to be glad to see her go...Sorry
Posted by: Jean | May 30, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Just like a leach...Won't let go
Posted by: Jean | May 30, 2008 at 02:54 PM
"We think it is not useful to cross streams before we come to them,’’ replied Harold Ickes, a campaign strategist.
Hmm. Then what does Harold Ickes do all day?
Posted by: Charles Huyck | May 30, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Andrew Austin writes: "She continues campaigning for the nomination. She had better. Reasonable people everywhere are counting on her."
I guess "reasonable" has become the new "delusional," and counting on someone who cannot herself do simple math is simply self-flagellatiion.
Posted by: Jim Sweet | May 30, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Go home is what I say
Posted by: Jean | May 30, 2008 at 02:55 PM
The fat lady is singing her final tunes. Hillary, it's time to get on your broom and fly on to New York. If not, they'll ask you to sweep the opera house.
Her staying in this campaign is really getting comical.
Posted by: robinia | May 30, 2008 at 02:56 PM
I voted for Hillary and am now a Barack supporter. Give it up, Hill; it's over and the only one profiting is McCain. You're only alienating those people who supported you.
Posted by: bill | May 30, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Hillary, it is time to pack it in. I voted for you in the primary but have switched to Obama. Do the graceful thing, the magnanimous thing, bow out now and count on an important appointment in the Obama administration. I wanted a woman president, but that time has not yet arrived. Obama is an inspiration, but the tactics the Republicans will use against him demands that we all unite now in the absolute necessity of taking the White House in November. Be a uniter, Hillary.
Posted by: Don Lindburg | May 30, 2008 at 02:57 PM
So far, the Clinton campaign has made it patently clear that they intend to fight this to the convention, "if necessary." The "if necessary" part of her equation has consisently hinged upon several of her demands being met, including: disallowing some or all of the 13 caucus states, AND Obama being awarded zero votes or delegates from Michigan.
Michigan was rather like a road race -- cancelled, say, for rain -- in which one sole competitor decided to run anyway. Winning handily as she crossed the finish line, she not only declared herself victor of the road race, but then went on to use this victory as cause to fight tooth and nail against those who would deny her a place in the Summer Olympics.
To my mind, Clinton and those who continue to wage battle on her behalf are either patently blind or have succumbed to blind fanaticism. Either way, they are tilting at windmills.
Posted by: Laura from SC | May 30, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Andrew Austin said:
"She continues campaigning for the nomination. She had better. Reasonable people everywhere are counting on her."
While I disagree with Andrew that "reasonable people" are counting on her, I do think he points to the reason she continues - her supporters want her to. Like any national politcal figure in trouble, she is shoring up her base right now, and her base wants her to fight on.
She gains support from her base, and so, grows stronger in the future by continuing to be a thorn in Obama's side.
I believe she will take this all the way to the convention, because she has both the ability and the motivation. She, unlike many politicians, does not need the support of the Democratic Party, as her power comes from the support of tens of millions of supporters. She is increasing that support by being so devisive, not decreasing it.
Posted by: John from CA | May 30, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Hillary's schedule for Wednesday
1. Breakfast of fruit, yogurt, whole grain muffin and tea
2. Yoga class and swimming
3. Light lunch with a bloody mary
4. Zen meditation
5. Nap
6. Dinner out with Chelsea (with wine) followed by seeing Sex and the City
7. Cosmopolitans and dessert
Posted by: Tom J | May 30, 2008 at 03:32 PM
"We think it is not useful to cross streams before we come to them,’’ replied Harold Ickes, a campaign strategist.
More like "burn bridges".
Posted by: Tom J | May 30, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Clinton will burn down the Democratic house with all of us inside rather than see a non-Clinton Democrat gain the White House.
I've had enough of Republicans and want the White House back. Clinton needs to get with the program and get the Hell out of the race.
Posted by: FC | May 30, 2008 at 04:37 PM
She runs as an independent and she gets my vote!
Hillary Clinton '08 -- most qualified candidate for POTUS.
Vote against the DNC. Men behaving badly should not be rewarded.
And cheers to the Argus Leader for the most courageous endorsement of the year!
Posted by: Mandelay | May 30, 2008 at 04:58 PM
After Tuesday, Hillary goes back to NY to eat humble pie and attempt to patch-up relationship problems with her contingency there. The AA community in particular has had a taste for who the real Hillary is and they aren’t impressed!
Hillary, the Queen of Spin and a Legend in Her Own Mind!
http://klintons.com
Posted by: Bob | May 30, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Clitnon has declared herself the more electabe candidate. perhaps her perception differs from mine, but I tend to think that the more electable candidate is the one that is elected.
the rallying cry is that she has more support, but where is it? this mythical greater support has not shown itself during the primary, the very time it would be needed to prove to the doubters (like me) the truth of the claim.
In the beginning, this country was yours is what was being written, that was the time you should have ignored the pundits, that was the time you failed to do the work to relocate again. the white house is a prize won through rite of conquest, you didn't even compete until you were being told that you were losing badly. you were better known, you had more money, more famous friends and supporters, so you listened to the honey dripping in your ear and ignored the work to be done.You became the leader this country can not afford to follow.
We've had nearly 8 years of lies and mismanagement and cronyism. IT IS TIME FOR A TRUE CHANGE!
Posted by: iamcouriousblack | May 30, 2008 at 06:49 PM
if she does not get what she wants, she will publicly hint strongly that she was robbed by the democratic party, declare herself an independent and take her support with her. after the election she will gleefully say: "see I told you he could not get elected, I was the more electable (white) candidate." the next time you interview her, ask her if she is planning to become an independent and wreck the party.
Posted by: iamcouriousblack | May 30, 2008 at 06:51 PM
What does Hillary do after Tuesday? She leaves the gutless Dems and goes Independent!! The very idea that we would have clowns like Father Pflegler around the White House. Seriously, people.
Posted by: LonghornMama | May 30, 2008 at 07:18 PM
If she stays on past Tuesday, her legacy is burnt toast. Good people will snarl and cross the street when they see her. Dogs will bark at her approach. Healthy plants will wilt in her presence.
Hubris is as hubris does.
Posted by: dennis | May 30, 2008 at 07:31 PM
I am polishing my xylophone so that on Wednesday I can play:
DING.
DONG.
DING.
DONG.
Posted by: Jim | May 30, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Keep fighting Hillary!
You just might catch up to Obama's delegate count........
.......around the fifth month of the Obama administration.
Posted by: Jim | May 30, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Mandelay: I am with you. I too am hoping Hillary goes independent.
She's basically a GOP candidate, so when she goes independent she will just steal 7% of votes from McSame. Then both of them will go down in flames.
Posted by: Jim | May 30, 2008 at 07:47 PM
It is beyond repulsive that Hillary and her crew are actually demanding to be awarded the delegates/votes from her "victory" in Michigan (sole competitor in a race that ALL candidates agreed to forgo because of broken rules), and then insist Obama be awarded ZERO since there weren't any official votes for him in this race that was supposed to have no participates in the first place. (THAT will teach you to play by the rules instead of cheating!) It's stunning the way she (and her deluded supporters) can say with a straight face that they truly believe that not ONE person in the entire state of Michigan was in favor of Obama being the nominee. Hey, they just know this to be true since he didn't get any votes! Even though his name wasn't on the ballot..., but whatever! Hillary wins! Yipee! Hooray for her VICTORY! Hooray for letting VOICES BE HEARD! (well, only the voices that count, right? The voices in favor of Hillary are the ONLY ones that count, right? The other voices should not be figured into her "math")
This woman AND her supporters are vile and pathetic.
Posted by: Christy | May 30, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Some excellent advice for the Clintons (both of them) from Shakespeare (Macbeth): "Stand not upon the order of your going, but go at once."
Posted by: Tom in California | May 30, 2008 at 08:35 PM
She is FOOLING the people following her...
Lies are not visible to them...
Her nature of dividing party and people is not visible to them...
Her nature of exploiting or spoiling her husband name is NOT visible to them....
Her bad nature is the reason, Bill had to look for other girls...
Posted by: american | May 30, 2008 at 09:41 PM
I'm writing in Hillary's name in November. Obama and McCain don't appeal to me. I hope she runs as an Independent. Hillary, Obama, McCain, and Barr.
Posted by: goldenstate | May 30, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Hillary is sitting in the wings with huge piles of files on Obama's life and going over them with a fine tooth comb. Her cohorts are running background checks on the computers and the others are desperately calling every person they think may have had any association with Obama. Their eyes are smoked filled, tired and weary as they dig for any dirt they can find. Hillary has a little Obama doll filled with pins. Hillary is burning candles and casting spells on Obama, hoping against hope that she can "assassinate" his character. Can she find another pastor out there that can bring Obama down? She is desperately searching. She is beating drums and casting curses on Obama with the hopes of bringing degradation upon his character, so that she can fly in on her broom as the nominee, " By any means necessary". But Hillary had better watch out about opening those closets because some of those skeleton bones shaking in her and Bill's closet just might start falling out. And what a pile of mess that will make????!!!
Posted by: Patricia | May 30, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Hillary should pack her garbage that is James Carville, Ferraro and all her feminist millitant surrogates! head to new York and make Bill a warm bath he deserves it after campaigning for you for tha last 15 months!. You gave all what you had lost, get over it and live to fight for your senate seat! otherwise even that seat will be history and you will be reduced to political oblivion cutie!!
Posted by: Pedeen | May 30, 2008 at 11:19 PM
She will continue to actively cause trouble until someone pays her off. Remember her campaign owes her $11 million. She we keep telling her fanatic followers to keep sending her money and that she still has a chance to win. She will point to a landside in Puerto Rico as evidence (never you mind that PR does not vote in the general election.) Just keep those checks coming. Of course, the Obama campaign or the DNC can pay her off - and probably will to stop her trouble-making. However, she will never be an enthusiastic Obama supporter and she will star in all the RNC and McCain ant-Obama ads. You know the ones - where she says McCain is better than Obama. Like the undead, she and her supporters will continue to such blood from the Dems causing them to lose the GE. They will jump for joy and say "We told you so!" Meanwhile, McCain will appoint judges to the Supreme Court who will overturn Roe v. Wade. In the long term, her playing the sexist card will have set back feminism.
Posted by: lorax | May 31, 2008 at 08:58 AM
This is the most exciting political race for the Democrats in a long time. No matter what happens, I can't wait for the convention. I like Hilary and I like Obama. Both for different reasons. I must admit that as angry as I get over what both say at times, I like Hilary's perseverence. I admire that quality in a leader and in my president. I like Obama's articulate and eloquent speaking style. I admire that quality in a leader and in my president. We certainly do no have have this quality in the white house at present.
Posted by: LC | May 31, 2008 at 10:40 AM
the comments that she s "more electable" needs more definition, from where I look, more electable means you're winning by the rules now. come november, in the general election whining will not cut it. and yes, you are whining now! ..tell me, is this what burning estrogen smells like?
Posted by: iamcouriousblack | May 31, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Hillary should run as an independent in the fall. I don't belieive that The Democratic Party represents many Democrats, including myself, who are struggling to make ends meet. Hillary represents those in the middle class who are stuggling, not just the working class. She has a positive vision, not just empty words. You will see many Democrays crossing party lines, not because Obama is black, but because he lacks firm positions. Obama's position on the war now, is virtually the same as McCain, since he wants to exit at a reasonable time.
The Democratic Party, should have galloped into the White House with a clear vision for America's future. The Florida/Michigan debacle shows how out of touch the party is with its own rules and its own histoiry.
This would be the justification for Hillary to run as an independent.
Posted by: drichmond | May 31, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Hillary should run as an independent - she can win easily in a 3-way contest.
I am increasingly convinced that the Dems have no choice but to nominate Obama, but knowing fully well that he will blow the General Elections.
The Dems never miss a chance to miss a chance ...
Posted by: Johann Gold | June 01, 2008 at 01:06 AM