SubscribeHillary’s Staffers Say “Don’t Fight On In Vain”
From the UK’s Telegraph:
Hillary Clinton staff: don’t fight on in vain
By Tim Shipman in San Antonio, Texas
02/03/2008
A growing number of Hillary Clinton’s aides want her to abandon her White House bid if she loses both the Texas and Ohio primary elections on Tuesday.
Some of Hillary Clinton’s aides believe that only her husband Bill has the power to persuade her to quit.
Younger members of her campaign team fear she will damage the Democratic Party, as well as her own reputation, if she fights on in vain to deny Barack Obama the presidential nomination.
Most observers believe Tuesday’s elections, which include the smaller states of Vermont and Rhode Island, could deliver a death blow to Mrs Clinton’s candidacy unless she wins Texas and Ohio convincingly…
The sense a decisive moment is approaching was heightened on Friday night as both candidates held rallies in San Antonio, home of the last stand at the Alamo. Mrs Clinton played to a crowd of 4,000 but Mr Obama packed a 20,000-seater stadium.
A Democrat strategist who has discussed the campaign with Clinton staff told The Sunday Telegraph: “The younger campaign aides are looking at how to bring this to a dignified end. People are prepared to go to her and say this thing is over.
“They fear a divisive contest that opens the door for the Republicans and makes it impossible for Hillary ever to run again. But the only one who can tell her to quit is Bill.” …
The younger aides believe only Mr Clinton has the influence to convince her the game is up, since many of her most senior staff are in a state of “denial” about her prospects.
They fear if the decision does not come from within her camp, she could be publicly shamed into standing down by senior party figures coming out for Mr Obama…
However, in a series of conference calls with reporters, her senior aides, Terry McAuliffe, Harold Ickes, Howard Wolfson and Maggie Williams were almost manic in their intensity as they sought to deny reports of low morale and to insist that Mrs Clinton is not beaten yet.
On Friday, her most senior advisers began to use a different strategy, attempting to paint Mr Obama as a choker who cannot “close the deal” unless he wins all four states that vote on Tuesday…
The Democrat strategist said: “The guys at the top table are grasping at any straw they can. They want to fight all the way to the convention, and they will die in a ditch with her.”
The Obama camp accused the senior Clinton aides of “moving the goal posts” so that they can claim even a narrow win in Ohio as a major victory that revives her candidacy…
Friends of Mr Clinton let it be known he is appalled at the “political malpractice” of his wife’s aides, who made no plans to fight caucus states or the primaries after Super Tuesday, allowing Mr Obama to win 11 contests in a row.
The former White House chief of staff, Leon Panetta, said: “They didn’t have a plan. I think those were serious mistakes.”
The Democrat strategist told The Sunday Telegraph even some of Mrs Clinton’s own staff were concerned by the “bunker mentality” of her inner circle, evident in two interviews she gave last week in which she appeared bewildered by Mr Obama’s appeal.
“She seemed confused by the phenomenon; out of touch,” the adviser said. “She doesn’t get it.” …
Nor does remembering the Alamo offer her much hope. Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie fought bravely with their backs to the wall but they ended up dead 172 years ago this week.
There are so many telling quotes in this article it is hilarious.
The young aides are worried Mrs. Clinton will damage her reputation? Lose her dignity?
Only Bill can tell her to quit? Political malpractice?
Oh, my sides.
6 Responses to “Hillary’s Staffers Say “Don’t Fight On In Vain””
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March 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I particularly like…….”they will die in a ditch with her.”
We can only hope Obama is in the second ambulance!
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
“she will damage… her own reputation,”
Not anymore than it has been damaged in intelligent people’s minds.
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Such a classic…
The Clintonian Denial about how the Nation poorly perceives Bill and Hillary is legendary.
The Tina Brown’s of the world are stuck inside a tunnel of delusion.
Seeing Hillary Rodham onstage the other night was yet another dose of reality.
Mrs. Clinton is not an appealing figure. She is in terrible physical condition, hiding much behind a tailored pantsuit. Her voice is deeply unattractive, matching a hostile negative expression, which encourages the listener to want to turn it off. Her overly plucked eyebrows, heavy makeup, dyed hair, only heighten the facade being peddled by the Candidate.
There is nothing to inspire a Voter, to overlook the ugly past being offered here.
Hillary Clinton is trying to run on ‘experience’, but has none to reference, besides some of the most memorable Malfeasance the American Public has recently encountered.
At a time when Americans are sick of the same thing in Washington, Hillary Rodham is an emblem of the same old regretful past. (McCain may have the same problem, being the celebrity symbol of the ‘failure’ he often references).
It is no surprise the same folks who peddled pardons to Marc Rich, are unaware of their own negative perception in the USA, even with Democrat Loyalists.
Narcissism is blindness…
Back in 1992, the Clintons were overtly aided by a MSM push, desperate to win an election after the 16 Years of Republican Presidency, and a Third Party Independent. So many of the Democrat Partisans overlooked deeply concerning ethical warnings and lackluster performance to defeat their perceived Opposition. It would prove disastrous.
Bill and Hillary Clinton were negligent throughout the 1990s. The Republicans quickly regained the Majority in the House after 40 years of Democrat dominance.
But more importantly, the Clintons ignored and enabled the growing threat of Radical Muslim Militancy, while weakening the defenses of the USA. Leaving the American Public truly vulnerable for the horror of 9-11.
It is more interesting, to consider that Hillary has gotten this far in a Primary for a return to the Presidency.
We must do better, to encourage those who are far more competent, ethical, intelligent, worthy for Public Service.
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 pm
“Younger members of her campaign team fear she will damage the Democratic Party,”
One would have to be pretty young not to know that the Democrats have damaged themselves beyond all repair. It was already beyond hope when they nominated the leader of the Defeat America in Vietnam group to be their presidential candidate in 2004, but the one they have projected to be their candidate in 2008 almost makes John Kerry look like he might have received at least 35-40 days of pro American training. How many times do the Democrats think they can run anti American candidates?
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Does it matter what happens to the party?
Obama is a religion, er, party all to himself.
I’ve said it before, I think Americans will, unfortunately, get the President they deserve if they can’t see through the Obamamania.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:37 am
The Northeastern Corridor Liberals and the the California Liberals, think Micheal Richards ;-), will not vote for a “gasp” negro for President! Think of the Primaries won by Hillary and not Barack! It’s not the “Klan” who is going to stop the Hope for a Dope express but our good “friends” the Hardcore affluent liberals! ROFLMAO