Hillary - (un)Democratic candidate for president
March 30th 2008 07:43
Hillary Clinton's actions during this race seem to suggest that she has contempt for the democratic process. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but some things are just beyond the pale. Below are at least two examples of how she is trying to subvert the will of the Democratic voters in this year's election.
Superdelegates:
Unless someone drops out or makes a deal, the superdelegates will determine the Democratic nominee for president. The notion of having superdelegates is undemocratic to begin with. However, Hillary has been pushing hard to get the superdelegates to make her the nominee. This is in spite of the fact that Obama now has nearly insurmountable leads in pledged delegates, states won, and total votes. If Obama continues to lead and Hillary is successful in getting the superdelegates to overturn the will of the people, you can expect a meltdown in the Democratic Party. It is unthinkable that so many people would vote for a candidate, make him or her a clear favorite, and then have their choice reversed at the hands of the party's "elites". This is one of the life rafts that Hillary is clinging to, though.
Pledged delegates:
Hillary's latest salvo is almost too embarrassing for words. She has gone out of her way to remind the pledged delegates that they aren't bound to vote based on their states' primary/caucus results. They are free to ignore those millions of voters and decide for themselves when they get to the convention. Technically, it's true. However, would she accept a win that was cobbled together with pledged delegates who dismissed the election results and party elites who have inordinate amounts of power? Does she really think that she could effectively govern a country full of voters who had been summarily excised from the electoral process? I know she is ruthlessly ambitious, but is she serious about this? It defies explanation.
What Hillary has done and is doing is just deplorable. And, honestly, it is shameful that the party leaders haven't already clamped down on her rhetoric and behavior. Their failure to address this resolutely and expeditiously reflects very poorly on them. Some of the grownups in the party need to stand in as Hillary's conscience. She either doesn't have one or is choosing not to use it. And the sooner this happens, the better it will be for Democrats and for an already cynical and frustrated electorate.
In closing, one of my favorite Bible verses comes to mind:
Hillary claims to read the Bible regularly. It would do her well to remember that passage. And, no, she is not exempted because she's a woman.
Superdelegates:
Unless someone drops out or makes a deal, the superdelegates will determine the Democratic nominee for president. The notion of having superdelegates is undemocratic to begin with. However, Hillary has been pushing hard to get the superdelegates to make her the nominee. This is in spite of the fact that Obama now has nearly insurmountable leads in pledged delegates, states won, and total votes. If Obama continues to lead and Hillary is successful in getting the superdelegates to overturn the will of the people, you can expect a meltdown in the Democratic Party. It is unthinkable that so many people would vote for a candidate, make him or her a clear favorite, and then have their choice reversed at the hands of the party's "elites". This is one of the life rafts that Hillary is clinging to, though.
Pledged delegates:
Hillary's latest salvo is almost too embarrassing for words. She has gone out of her way to remind the pledged delegates that they aren't bound to vote based on their states' primary/caucus results. They are free to ignore those millions of voters and decide for themselves when they get to the convention. Technically, it's true. However, would she accept a win that was cobbled together with pledged delegates who dismissed the election results and party elites who have inordinate amounts of power? Does she really think that she could effectively govern a country full of voters who had been summarily excised from the electoral process? I know she is ruthlessly ambitious, but is she serious about this? It defies explanation.
What Hillary has done and is doing is just deplorable. And, honestly, it is shameful that the party leaders haven't already clamped down on her rhetoric and behavior. Their failure to address this resolutely and expeditiously reflects very poorly on them. Some of the grownups in the party need to stand in as Hillary's conscience. She either doesn't have one or is choosing not to use it. And the sooner this happens, the better it will be for Democrats and for an already cynical and frustrated electorate.
In closing, one of my favorite Bible verses comes to mind:
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? -- Matthew 16:26a
Hillary claims to read the Bible regularly. It would do her well to remember that passage. And, no, she is not exempted because she's a woman.
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Comment by S.L. Bradish
Perhaps she's reading her bible every day, looking for some referrence to herself! lol If she found it, though she wouldn't recognise it!
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
Personally, I hope she starts doing better and they keep the race going. But ridiculous moves like this won't advance her cause.
The most ironic thing is that there may not be anyone in the Democratic Party with the juice to stand down the Clintons. Bill was the kingmaker and star of the party for over a decade. Hillary was the heiress apparent. Now, he and Hillary are seeing their longtime plans derailed and they are determined to go down in complete defiance.
And, FWIW, I'm not just hatin' on Hillary. I would be equally disgusted by any politician who tried to pull these stunts. I'm pretty conservative, but I'm more of a populist than anything. Let the people be heard.