No second prizes in politics
“You know, some people counted me out and said to drop out,” said a glowing Hillary at her Philadelphia victory party, with Bill and Chelsea by her side. “Well, the American people don’t quit. And they deserve a president who doesn’t quit, either.” (NYT)
It’s an interesting argument. “My opponent may be ahead on votes and delegates and he’s going to cross the finish line before me, but because I’ll be close behind I deserve to win.”
Hi Bodhipaksa
I normally pretty much agree with you on political matters, but i have to say i find your paraphrase of Clinton’s remarks a touch unfair. I agree she should withdraw to allow a clear, unified campaign against Mcain. However, what she in fact was saying was that she still beleives she can win the arguments and win the votes. While you and I may beleive that is misguided, surely that is a fundamental right in a democratic process to stay in the race untill the final votes because you beleive you can win?
with metta
Stehen
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for commenting.
Actually, I saw her argument in a different light. Hillary’s behind on total votes, number of states (I think), and delegates, but she seems to be saying that she deserves to be president simply because she hasn’t quit the race. Well, you win the race by winning it, not by simply staying in it. I don’t blame her for not quitting — just for saying that not quitting is an argument for her being president. Even if we accepted that as a criterion, Obama hasn’t quit either, plus he has more votes and delegates, ergo…
I actually think Hillary would be a decent president, and that it’s a shame that we have two potentially capable and ideologically similar candidates locked in a competition that’s unwinable on popular votes and delegates alone. It’s a bit like some Roman gladiatorial contest in which there will, at the end of a protracted and bloody fight, be a winner. But unfortunately our glorious victor may well be mortally wounded. And the tragedy is that this is just the warm-up round. The real contest is yet to come. Round two: Our bloodied victor can barely stand. His (or her) sword-arm is exhausted. Enter Ioannes McCainus Republicanus, sword swinging…