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Graceless in Defeat
Hillary Clinton proved tonight she loves nothing so much as herself.
Rather than admitting defeat and laying down arms, she spit in Obama's eye and dared him to cross her private army of followers.
After a few obligatory sentences of conciliation, she renewed her claims of being "the strongest candidate," of having "won more votes than any primary candidate in history," of being more electable and more ready to be commander-in-chief.
She spoke of having witnessed the suffering of average, hard-working Americans — as if Obama has not. She called the rolls of Democrats by occupation — as if Obama doesn't have old women, students, farmers, nurses, teachers and every kind of Democrat she held up as her own.
And in all her talk about how wonderful, wise, compassionate and popular she is, she never mentioned Obama after the second minute of her speech.
The speech she gave the night she lost and he won.
The speech that begrudged him the spotlight on the night he became the first person of color to become a major-party nominee in the history of any Western country.
The speech that confirmed her inability to see beyond her own needs.
She refused to save the party another day of competing realities, incongruous messages, uncertain plans. She could not bring herself to allow Obama his hard-earned moment in the sun. She could not let go of her power base or her threat to wield it for her own ends. She would not urge her private army to merge with that other great army commanded by Obama under the banner of the Democratic Party.
Behold Hillary Clinton, the candidate who will go down fighting or not at all. If she were battling someone other than her own party's nominee, that quality might be a virtue instead of the damnable vice that willfully threatens Obama still.
Comments (50)
Yes to all this.
She has all the grace of a jackal.
I, however, take great heart from my belief that character *is* fate.
She'll get hers. As Toobin pointed out on CNN:
`deranged narcissism`.
June 4, 2008 12:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Toobin said that? Wow. Good for him.
June 4, 2008 12:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, man. Toobin was pissed.
June 4, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was over the top ..... like this post .... and everyone around him smiled uncomfortably for a moment until a little common sense could get hold. The whole piss-on-Clinton crew is so off base with their hatecircle rantings. They do not get how screaming kill her kill her when she is already dead is only telling about them and their 'hate the enemy' mindset. I am soooo tired of this shit with Republicans and am surprised the followers of the chosen one do not get his message through their thick skulls and thin skins. The IRONY of the haters calling HER 'graceless'...... is truly pathetic.
June 5, 2008 12:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
According to the MSNBC folks, the venue she chose for her speech was 3 levels below the basement of the college (university?).
That meant no TV monitors and no reception for cell phones or Blackberries. Why? So no one in the audience would know Obama had won before she spoke.
Can you imagine what you'd have to be like inside to attempt that degree of control and deceit?
I'd feel sorry for her if she weren't endangering the country to such a degree.
June 4, 2008 1:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Did you catch when she called S Dakota "the last word" in the primary season? Convenient, wasn't it, to omit that Montana actually had the last word and went for Obama?
June 4, 2008 1:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
She wants money.
I mean let's face it, she knows she's not getting any VP nods or anything except a healthcare czar (or whatever) consolation prize. So, right now, it's not about politics.
It's about money. Her campaign has finally boiled down an thinly veiled extortion scheme. She wants her precious millions back, the ones that Bill earned for them (and she helped) through his shady dealings in the last 8 years shamelessly peddling his influence to foreign leaders.
That's the dirty money that she used to pay for her already hopelessly losing campaign, knowing fully that can always later try to extort them from Obama.
NO.
No money for extortionists.
No money for triangulators.
No money, no power, no influence for the Clintons.
Yes to real progressives who care about and advance the causes that help real, regular people.
Yes to Obama.
June 4, 2008 1:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno, there's already been a lot of willing discussion on helping her pay off debts via joint fundraising. So I don't think it's about money. Perhaps it's only about what Jeffrey Toobin said it's about.
June 4, 2008 1:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, but what if he doesn't want to pay all her debts, or they couldn't agree on the sum he would pay her to stop by the end of Tuesday? So she didn't stop campaigning.
I believe it's just an extortion scheme at this point. She stop campaigning when coughs up absolutely all money she owes.
June 4, 2008 1:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
"If she were battling someone other than her own party's nominee, that quality might be a virtue..."
Boy, that's it, for sure. She's never battled anything like she's battled competitors within her own party.
Imagine if she'd battled Bush and his call for war in 2002-2003?
You know what? -- she would've won this party's nomination back in February, just like she'd planned. And I, and many of her "new" opponents would've voted for her, too!
Looking back, her fatal step toward defeat in 2008 was her vote on October 11, 2002.
(Did you also notice that she gave no mention to "blacks" or "African Americans" in her roll call of supporters? Weren't they the Clintons' most loyal group prior to 2008?)
June 4, 2008 1:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Imagine if she'd battled Bush and his call for war in 2002-2003?"
Terry, that is a very good point, and it's amazing to me that Clinton's supporters don't get it. She is a "fighter" only for her own selfish interests.
June 4, 2008 8:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
She never ackowledges blacks voters, and barely seems to understand the long-lasting impact Obama has had on young voters, and impact that could last a lifetime if she would just understand that charismatic leaders only come once in a generation. For mine it was JFK. For the young people today, it's Barack Obama. They are the future, and he is the one who inspired them. She is allied with the past, and needs to understand the impact on a more subtle level than her own ambition.
Moreover, Obama has sparked the world to hope and admire us once again. This is huge. As a woman in America, her nomination would also have resonated, but Obama resonates far deeper for a variety of reasons. This is historic on so many levels, it's too bad Hillary can't think in nuanced terms unless it's a campaign ploy.
June 4, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did she piss you off? You poor guy. And this was supposed to be your big night. Well, maybe if your only concern was an Obama victory instead of a Clinton defeat you'd be happy tonight. But you're not. Pity.
June 4, 2008 4:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
They go hand in hand. Kind of like you and boring.
June 4, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe you don't understand what an Obama victory was. It was a victory for African-Americans. It was a victory for everyone who's been discouraged by the endless parade of Washington insider nominees. It was a victory for people who believe in diplomacy as a first choice and military action as a last resort. It was a victory for a new way of campaigning. And, whether you like to admit it or not, it was a victory for the Democratic Party. It wasn't about Obama or Clinton. It was about what they stand for and what our party stands for. And while you may be disappointed by Hillary's defeat, she did lose last night. And she could have been a better loser. She could have been more gracious. But if you heard Obama's speech, you know that he could hardly have been a better winner. The guy's a class act.
This has never been about Obama or Hillary. This has always been about making America a better place to call home.
June 4, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Vintage Tuzla Annie. Me Me Me Me Me. No grace,no class,no humility. I just don't get how anyone with any real ethics can support this bullshit. Any progressive Dem who challenges Sen Smear-n-fear for her senate seat can count on regular contributions from me.F*ck You Hillary,seriously.
June 4, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
No grace is right. I was an ardent Hillary fan a year ago. This has been so disapponting, though Obama's exciting enough to make up for it.
It is telling that the front page of the New York Times this morning has, granted, a larger picture of Obama, but still a picture of Clinton beside the lead story - on Obama's historic victory. Plus, the column right beside the lead stroy is "Next on Agenda is Clinton's Role."
She is so good at calling attention to herself. I hope that the clever, shrewd political operatives in Obama's inner circle can push Ms. Clinton out of the limelight.
June 4, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've come to believe that it's not attention she seeks. What she so desperately wants is approval and validation. She wants a place in history.
June 4, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
She will earn her place in history listed right next to Aaron Burr in the list of graceless loons who cannot recognize defeat when it slaps themm in the face.
June 4, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kinda like GWB starting the Iraq war for his place in history?
June 4, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now how is this her fault?
June 4, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fair point. I think a graceful concession speech might have played differently, but who knows? I'm not too worked up about it, she is fading to irrelevance quickly. The sad part is that her legacy will be this graceless exit off stage. It isn't right - she has accomplished much in the Senate, and much in her campaign.
June 4, 2008 6:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wholeheartedly agree.
Great post, even if the content is disheartening.
June 4, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Merely a flesh wound. Come back here you coward!"
June 4, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought of that scene from Monty Python again, too. I guess I understand her crowing about all the votes she won, states she won, but that part about making sure that "every vote counts" was so far over the top. Why is she still fighting the battle about FL and MI delegates?!? That battle,and this whole primary, are so totally over! She is toast! Yesterday's news!
June 4, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to admit that grace and magnanimity have not been strong suits at Clinton HQ. Last night, she did come across as petty.
But the AIPAC speech this morning probably mattered more for November, and she did the right thing.
June 4, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed, Alex39. Her speech at AIPAC was closer to reality and more generous than last night's.
June 4, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, and coincidentally without all the national live coverage.
Or maybe not so much of a coincidence.
June 4, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hilary Rosen, a Hillary supporter, wrote a nice piece this morning on the Huffington Post about Clinton's failure to be a gracious 2nd place finisher. It can be found here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hilary-rosen/i-am-not-a-bargaining-chi_b_105133.html
June 4, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
She could not bring herself to allow Obama his hard-earned moment in the sun.
Um...after that "moment, is he going to go away or will he still be in the sun until Nov? Your whine is as tiring as it is funny...ie quite.
You need to grow up. You wanted your kegger celebration and Clinton runined it because she wouldn't say and do what you wanted her to. Too bad.
Reality is, he won half the votes and she won half the votes. The campaigns have much to discuss/negotiate. Think of Edwards...to get Edwards to support him Obama promised him a poverty tour. Edwards didn't win half of the votes.
Try saying the following to yourself;
Obama desperately needs the endorsement and enthusiastic support of Clinton and her supporters to even have a chance of winning in November.
I know you hate it but that's the way it is.
June 4, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unity doesn't mean taking shit off the losers just because they want to be sore losers to the point of damaging the party and its interests. YOU grow up and make a choice: More war or less, more equality or less, more jobs or fewer. I know you hate it, but that's the way it is.
June 4, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm interested in seeing if Obama wants to unite the party. Keep in mind that he only got half of the votes. You can trash talk and do your silly little touchdown dance all you want which will get you the silver in November.
In the meantime, we'll wait to hear the results of the campaigns' negotiations.
June 4, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Try saying the following to yourself;
Obama desperately needs the endorsement and enthusiastic support of Clinton and her supporters to even have a chance of winning in November."
Voters are not bargaining chips. Obama owes Hillary NOTHING. It's actually pretty damn simple, concede and throw your support behind Obama. end of story
June 4, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not bargaining chips? Sure seemed like it when he gave Edwards his agreement of a poverty tour in exchange for his endorsement. Edwards didn't get half of the votes in the campaign. She did.
Hopefully, Obama will be a lot smarter than his supporters.
June 4, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indiex, I know we're supposed to be all unified and such, but sometimes you just have to say "Piss on you." I just did.
June 4, 2008 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Time to move on.
June 4, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I honestly don't understand any of this. The campaign made it clear repeatedly yesterday that Hillary would not be conceding last night. She said wonderful things about Senator Obama but, as all were told, she did not concede. So the bloviators on MSNBC and CNN and the rest of the Hillary-loathing media go apoplectic because she didn't do what she said she wouldn't do, and folks here--even this poster who has written some unity posts recently--get all huffy once again.
Here's what's going on. Everyone keeps focusing on trying to figure out what it is "the Clintons" are doing. Senator Clinton got 17 plus million people to vote for her. We might all be racists and homophobes and war-mongers and old, but we voted for her and we support her. We are glad that she didn't just concede; we have no problem with it. And as a matter of fact, two or three days won't make a difference. Let her, no let us, breathe. Or don't and sow division. You each have an individual choice about how you will conduct yourself today and through November.
I think all of this stuff about what Hillary did or didn't do last night is unjustified outrage that is probably fun for some. And I think it is ridiculous. But have at it folks because, like the vast majority of Clinton supporters throughout the nation, I'll still vote for Obama in November regardless of how silly and petty folks at TPM can get. One thing has nothing to do with the other.
Oh and by the way, I do wish to congratulate those of you who supported Senator Obama and comported yourself with dignity and respect throughout this long campaign--and not just at the end of it. I may be getting older but I know good faith in advocacy when I see it, and I continue to think good faith is the touchtone of productive discourse. You have earned my utmost admiration and I will be honored to work with you for the common purpose of electing Senator Obama as President of the United States.
June 4, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
And, as to the title of the piece, perhaps it should be shifted around a bit. I have three voting age kids supporting Senator Obama. One lesson I drilled into each of them when they were kids was that the only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner. I stand by that.
June 4, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. And since Obama demonstrated grace and magnanimity while Clinton exhibited near-zero, my post's title stands. But glad you've joined Obama, nonetheless. Our side is honored to have you, as well.
June 4, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Let her . . . breathe."
Problem: Since it became apparent months ago that she would not be the nominee, every intake of the breath you would have us allow her has been followed by a spitball of deceit and recrimination.
At this point, the burden is squarely and unavoidably on Hillary Rodham Clinton to demonstrate a newfound good faith. She could do this by negating this VP crap and settling for the first vacancy on the Supreme Court, where she would doing the country some good-- first, by being out of politics and second, by bringing some (conservative but still) Democratic values to the Court.
June 4, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
"At this point, the burden is squarely and unavoidably on Hillary Rodham Clinton to demonstrate a newfound good faith."
I agree, but in my opinion she is terminally devoid of good faith. I consider her a sociopath. If she displays something resembling good faith, it's a scam.
June 4, 2008 5:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
"We are glad that she didn't just concede; we have no problem with it."
Maybe you SHOULD have a problem with it. And when do Obama's original supporters get to exhale? When does the other shoe drop? Will Hillary ever concede or take it to the convention? This really isn't all about you or me. It's about whether the Dems win in November. But take all the time you need. No rush. Not like we have to move a nation or anything.
June 4, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
"And when do Obama's original supporters get to exhale?"
Dude, it's a free country; hold you're breath as long as you'd like. Like I said, each of us has an individual decision to make about how we will go about comporting ourselves in the next 150 days. Some of us will look forward and others won't. Some of us will continue to divide the world between Obama's "original supporters" (hee) and party crashers like me, and others will simply join hands and take on John McCain. Endless possibilities.
June 4, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude. Dude. Dude, if Hillary needs to breathe, she can quit holding her breath and concede. Otherwise, there won't BE any party unity. Dude.
June 4, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
And regarding "original supporters":
"[Hillary's] supporters are divided into two distinct categories. The original Clintonistas were strong Democrats, party faithful, pro-choice, middle-aged and up, largely female and all white. But Hillary's recent backers have been downscale whites of both genders who were turned off by Obama's pastor, wife and other associates and were afraid he might be a Muslim in disguise. Unhappy about voting for a woman, they never really liked Hillary but turned to her when the alternative was Obama."
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/06/no_menageatrois_for_obama.html
June 4, 2008 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here is why it was ill-advised for her to say the sorts of things she said last night:
http://blog.hillaryclinton.com/blog/main/2008/06/04/012917#view_comments
June 4, 2008 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I feel like vomiting.
June 4, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hllary WHO?????
June 4, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um,
June 4, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
When her ardent supporters in the House and Senate called her and told her to end this, she had to know her friends and supporters were abandoning ship. The Party comes first. These people want control of the House and Senate in a big way in addition to a Democratic President. The Party trumps Clinton loyalty. She over estimated her power.
June 4, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
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