Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Why Hillary Can't Win

The deal is done. Hilly's race is run. It's over. It's been fun. By Hillary.

By why so soon you ask? What makes you call the race so early? What about Texas? Ohio? It makes no difference. Put a fork in her, Hillary is done.

Still you persist... don't count her out! They counted her out in New Hampshire! Yes they did, and that was the only thing that saved her campaign. It won't happen again.

You think I'm unreasonable perhaps? You think I haven't taken into consideration Hillary's record? (No, not the imaginary 35 years of experience but the 6 she actually spent in legislature). Sure I took that into my evaluation.

Oh wait. I know. You're thinking that I've counted out the Clinton machine. No, no. I haven't done that either. I know it's there.

"Ah ha!" you say. "You've forgotten Hillary's charm!" OK, I know, you never said that but it was kind of funny to think of someone saying it ;-)

But, still, with all of the above said, Hillary still can't win. At this point, it no longer has to do with Hillary. Sure, up until a couple of weeks ago she was actually part of the equation. But now, Hillary is a bystander just as sure as John Edwards and every other Democrat. It has nothing to do with her abilities or inabilities any more. So, what is it?

HISTORY

It's that simple. History. Hillary is history, because history is now being made. People know that. They can feel it. Some people call it momentum, and that has shifted. But it's shifted because of history. It hasn't shifted because Obama is really a better candidate that is offering anything that any Democratic candidate (including Hillary) for the past 15 years has offered. Really, look at his record and his platform. But that's not why Hillary can't win. Hillary can't win because of history. And right now, Barack Obama is ready to make history. People can feel it. People want to be a part of it.

Of course, it makes no difference if his platform is light. Hope doesn't need reason. It makes no difference if his experience is shallow. Enthusiasm, vision and charisma have created a legion of followers that look at Obama as the next MLK, Jr. and JFK combined. And now, especially since Super Tuesday, people know that history can be made.

The campaign is no longer about policy, it's about being a part of history. Being able to remember back in a fond glow of the heady days of this campaign leading to the Democratic nomination. Hillary has nothing to combat that. Bye Hillary.

2 comments:

Jonathan Trenn said...

Agreed. Hillary is history. That is, unless Obama makes a huge mistake.

If I was her, I'd stay in through Texas and Ohio. I wouldn't attack Obama. I'd just stay positive. I wouldn't play shenanigans with delegates. I'd simply run a graceful campaign, knowing I'd lose, with the understanding that Obama may screw up. Once Texas and Ohio are over, I'd bow out gracefully.

If she bowed out now, she could piss off some Texas and more importantly, Ohio democrats that supported her. Ohio is a swing state. They took a risk and stuck by her. And if she bowed out, she could still get 30+% of the vote...and that would look bad for Obama.

And if Obama makes a horrendous mistake, she'd be all the Democrats would have to offer.

Len Edgerly said...

Well said! It's why I'm trying to get to Texas in a week to volunteer for Obama and be there for a piece of history. Seems like a good chance he could win in Texas, and even Bill says she has to win Texas and Ohio to stay possible. So I want to be there , to tell my grandchildren -- wait! I already HAVE a grandchild, who turns 2 today. I like to think I'm daring to believe in a future that works for him. I know that no mere mortal could live up to hope Obama has unleashed. But the hope itself is renewing, and even if he's just an above-average president, I'll be glad I did my small part for him.