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Presidential Elections 2008
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RSS FeedHillary's name in nomination at the Democratic convention: Obama's mistake?
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| No | 58% | 32 votes | Total: 55 votes | |
| Yes | 42% | 23 votes |
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Add to FavoritesFrom a political standpoint, Barack Obama did the right thing in letting Hillary Clinton's name be part of the nomination process. In fact, I didn't know there was any doubt about it. I figured they'd do the normal thing and nominate those who ran, then have a big victory song when the delegate count puts Barack over-the-top. Afterwards, if things go according to script, Hillary comes out and tells the crowd that the party needs to be unified and asks that the whole convention backs Obama. At least, that's the way I remember it in 1984 when Gary Hart came out to "endorse" Walter Mondale after Mondale wrapped up the nomination in another very close race.
Obama would have pushed the hard-core Hillary backers away completely if he hadn't agreed to let her name into the nomination process. That would have been a much larger mistake than the way things currently stand. And, is this going to hurt Obama? I really don't see how. Does anyone really think Hillary has the pull to take delegates away from Barack and steal the nomination? And, if she did, does anyone really think she'd win the election in November? Talk about political suicide. The best Hillary can hope for, at this juncture, is to be a good sport, brag about the number of delegates she does get and hope (though she'll never admit it) that Obama loses in November.
Besides, it's the right thing to do morally, as well. Hillary Clinton took nearly half the vote (I know, Hillary backers-you think she took more than half, but let's face it, you can't count Michigan when Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot). This is supposed to be a democracy or, at least, a representative democracy. She deserves to have her name read into nomination at the convention. I'm glad Obama chose to do the right thing.
But, getting back to the issue of how letting Clinton's name into the nominating process will affect Obama, I really don't think there will be a lingering effect. As much as the hard-core Clinton backers may be hurt by Obama's nomination, they have to accept Obama's peace offering. What else are they going to do? Vote for John McCain? Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's erase Roe vs. Wade completely, just to spite Barack Obama. You've got to be realistic. If you're behind Hillary Clinton in principle, the worst thing you can do is vote against Barack Obama. They're much more similar than they are different.
Hillary's name in nomination in Denver: Obama's mistake? I really don't see how.
Learn more about this author, Paul Schingle.
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Yes
The race for the democratic representative for the run for the presidency was a figurative blood bath. The top contenders have ripped apart the Democratic Party and this could mean good this for the Republicans, who would have a smaller chance of winning if the democrats were united. Barack Obama, the presumptive presidential nominee, has stretched out the hand of peace, if you will, and allowed Hillary Clinton to be on the ballot at the nomination convention.
Hillary Clinton feels she has some kind of moral right to be on the ballot at the convention but does she? Why would she fell as though she doesn't? The fact is that she lost the primary elections. But her supporters simply refused to give and many of them had even threatened to vote for the republican nominee if Hillary was not the democratic nominee. A piece of personal commentary, "They sound like children. If you don't play by my rules I'll take my ball and go home."
Barrack Obama, recognizing this as a potential problem for his presidential run, decided that the right thing for the party was to put Hillarys' name on the ballot at the national convention. What Obama is hoping to do is to appease the supporters of Hillary. What he fails to realize is that there is no guarantee that, should he win at the convention, those heretical supporters of Hillary Clinton will vote for the democrats at election time. Why wouldn't they still be annoyed that their candidate isn't the democratic nominee? They might still either not vote or vote for John McCain and his republican party.
Obamas' goodwill might still come back to haunt him with no votes from Hillary supporters. If things were to fall apart entirely for Obama, there is always the possibility that Obama might lose the nomination. So while Obama is out campaigning against John McCain is he helping his cause with the Hillary problem.
Obama is going just a wee bit too far when allowing Hillary Clinton to have her name on the ballot alongside his. Hillary Clinton has never done to attempt to repair the rift that has developed in the Democratic Party. Certainly, her husband, Bill, the former 2 term president, has done nothing to help any part of the Democratic Party.
His going out on the road in support of Hillary did nothing to help either his wife or the party. One would have to believe that Bill Clinton is slowly losing his mind; perhaps he is developing Alzheimer's disease. Some of his speeches were just wacky and certainly more than just a little divisive for the Democratic Party.
Hillary Clinton is becoming a mill stone around the neck of Barrack Obama and that's the last thing he needs. He should dump Hillary as soon as possible and have nothing to do with her in the future. Perhaps he should pick a woman as his running mate but certainly not Hillary. Hillary does not offer the kind of change that Barrack is promising.
Learn more about this author, R.A. Scott.
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