Clinton campaign sheds staff, prepares for defeat

Is the Clinton campaign finally shutting down? Ben Smith reports on Politico that the former first lady's advance staff - responsible for arranging her campaign events - have been summoned to New York for the night of the final primaries on Tuesday and told their roles will then come to an end. It cites two campaign sources as saying that staff received emails and phone calls last night giving them the option of either coming to New York for a final time or going home, suggesting Hillary Clinton is preparing to accede to the inevitable and bow out with whatever dignity she has left following the South Dakota and Montana contests.

Having gained 17 delegates in Puerto Rico yesterday, Barack Obama is now just 47 short of the magic 2,118 that will make him the first black presidential nominee of a major US political party. Though the final votes tomorrow offer a total of just 47 delegates - and Clinton is expected to take a good number of these - aides to both candidates have predicted that enough superdelegates will flood to Obama's side in the 48 hours following the final primaries to put him over the top.

The New York Times quotes Clinton associates as saying that over the past week the one-time presumptive nominee has come to terms with the "near certainty" that she will lose to the 46-year-old Ilinois senator.  The associates spoke of three remaining options - that she withdraw and endorse her rival, pull out without an endorsement or fight through to the convention in the hope of persuading superdelegates to ignore the maths and rally behind her as the nominee. However they reportedly suggested the most likely outcome was that she would end her bid with a speech endorsing Obama, probably in New York, the state she represents in the Senate.

With Clinton herself having hinted on Friday that the race would end sometime this week, the associates' suggestion seems to dovetail nicely with the Politico report. And unless Clinton has veered even further into an alternate reality than was already suspected, pushing on to the convention seems a wildly unlikely choice, with its potential to wreck both Democratic prospects in November and her political career. Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, have both been calling uncommitted superdelegates urging them to show their hands as soon as the final votes have been cast.

So it seems that, 16 months and 19 days after announcing her candidacy, Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign may at last be over. It surely couldn't go on any longer. Could it?

Comments

[blackty]

When she started the race I thought, it was inevitble that she would be the winner. The shining beacon in this muddy world we call politics.
I was wrong.
Obama outshone her at every single stage. I believe that you can see a person's true colours in the face of challenge.
Obama has rightly won and i hope he stays above and does not engage in petty politics.

[Hamza Ahmadu-Suka]

Hilary has put up a very strong and dogged challenge but Obama has simply out-thought her in very aspect of the campaign and has shown himself to be adept at chosing talented people to work for him such as the co-founder of facebook.He has a kean intellect and I think will make an excellent President.....

[Shah Baig]

It will be very interesting to see how Clinton endorses OBAMA, after claiming to have (Allegedly) won both Machigan and Florida, to have more popular votes, to be better than Mccain and OBAMA combined, and trully to play the race and gender card with impunity, to inculcate Obama as inexperienced, naive, attached to the wrong church and to hint publicly for him to be assasinated!!!

[Wayne Wells]

This is it. This is Hillary's last chance to show that she cares more about the party, the country, or at least her chances in 2012 than she does for her slim chances this year. If she takes this to the convention, it will be the ultimate expression of the unfortunate Clinton tendency to expect the party faithful to excuse any outrage as long as they apolgize later. We will see if she has finally learned that principles come before results.

[Cedric]

As Hillary Clinton prepares to enter the history books after her defeat, if she has any dignity and respect for the Democratic party and its supporters, it is now her chance to make her exit worthy of all the causes and ideas she claimed so vehemently to champion.

[Brian]

I hope she doesn't say a word about Obama. I wouldn't endorse him to run
for mayor of the smallest hamlet in the most backwater Alabama town. He's
a terrible candidate, and here's a lifelong
Democrat who will be voting Republican
this year.

[Ahmad]

Good riddance. She got all that she deserved for a such a poorly managed, dishonest, hypocritical and racist campaign.
Both Parties have much more talented women who deserve to be President much more than this woman who has 35 years of experience (and counting) in lying.

[Peter Osakwe]

I love the Clinton family, they have shown themselves a fomidable force in American politics. But after all Mrs Clinton's aggressive comments about Mr. Obama all through the campaign, I wonder if she will have the gut to work with him, if she will even concede to him. I just wonder. I am curious

[michael]

years ago she said she'd never run for President. Through no fault of hers something she said has finally come true!! The thought of Bill Clinton back in the White House has always horrified me. He didn't help Gore and he hasn't helped her, he's a liability. Why he gets paid millions for speaking events truly amazes me, all he ever tells is lies. A comic book would be more factual!!!

[MS. BLUEGRASS]

ROFLMAO...This article and the comments are too funny....Keep Dreaming, just remember saying it, does not make it so!

[Daphne Kenward]

OBAMA is a very smart and cleaver and one on the most remarkable person of our age. OBAMA already done his homework of what was necessary to win, and did it with absolute perfection. People like that comes through once in a 100 years, America has 300 Million people in their country. The rest of the world can only wish they had the same luck, to find one like OBAMA. People will want to hate this man for his abilities, his amazing gift of study, and perfecting information, and utalising, and executing information, to it best advantage. The man is a genius. Obama knew what he needed to focus on, and paid attention. He campaingned where he needed to get the best results, focus on where he could win. Don't waste time on lost cause. In the real Election we will see something that has never been seen in History, in mobilising and utalising, people such has never been seen before and win by a land slide such as never been seen in history.

[kris a.]

well its not what hillary did that caused her to loose this race. its the plain fact that obama run a tremendous race and surrounded himself with winners.

[No More Lies]

There are many reasons why Clinton stayed this long, but unfortunately for her, those reasons became apparent months ago. Those include pride, self-righteousness, million$$ in campaign debt, posturing for a vice presidential nod, and her hope that something (like maybe assassination) might cause Obama to stumble.

The reality is, people realized that her sound policy ideas and historic candidacy were far outweighed by her lack of Presidential tact, and the baggage of her past.

After 20 years of Clintons and Bushes in the White House, people want change in this country. They're looking for a shake-up in the corrupt Washington establishment. Realistically, that's simply not something Hillary had to offer.

[Daphne Kenward]

OBAMA, being the perfectionist he is, he deliberately left HILLARY to clean up where he know she would win. Moved in to areas he would win. And that will leave McCain no where to go, in the real election it is called team work. The map is drawn, Hillary & OBAMA will come back in the election to clean up, infact has it really made any difference, who was the top of the ticket. They used that to fool the people to see how passionate they were, and they are passionate OK. McCain may as well pack up and go home. Hillary was a fighter & OBAMA was the one to seal the deal. I can see these two working togeather, if they have a mind to. I was one who thought with the bickering, but it's called POLITRICKS. A way to mesmerise and decieve the unsuspecting victims. Words is what you hear, but for the speaker its about leadership in some case dictatorship, its about control. MIND CONTROL. BUSH fooled the world sold them a pack of lies to go to war. People brought it and sold their soul to SATAN for nothing. Leaving children wives, for a false promise of DEMOCRACY.POLITICS is not for the faint hearted, it is for people who are cold and calculating, Hillary showed how cold you could be. Say anything to win. McCain will go down the same road. But He will not win in the next 5 months people will see how hard life has become under BUSH and will want nothing to do with them, including McCain.

[Kenneth B. Smith, P.E.]

Atten: W. POST: I am consumed with the desire that we should have more Experienced candidates up of the Most important position in the world. Suggestions are: Gov. Ed Rendell, Mitt Romney, etc.
Sincerely: K.S.

[Richard Hellstrom]

WHAT IF WE ALL JUST VOTED FOR ICHBOD CRANE ?

Although the Democratic presidential candidates are running on a platform of change , their hasn't been any major transition in political policies in Washington D.C. since the 110th Congress formally took control of the House and the Senate and convened on January 4rth of 2007. ( Both are controlled by the Democrates ) The funding for the war hasn't been stopped and the gas companies are continuing to price gauge the American people. If the Democrats won't bring along the changes that they have vowed to make for the last eight years , why will they suddenly bring along all the changes their promising to make in their current campaigns ? It appears like the Democrats are no more than a mirror of the Republican Party and have no intent of making any political decisions that will jeopardize their political lobby. I'm beginning to think that the American voter isn't really comfortable with change either. But on the upside , This is really great news for our public transit systems !

[JOHN CHUCKMAN]

I read somewhere - not a mainline source - on the Net that her workers received e-mails saying their services were no longer needed and that there was to be a meeting in NYC.

Good to see you back, Hannah.

[The Angry Weasel]

Hillary keeps going in the vain hope of damaging Obama (or a smoking gun about his private life emerges) and thus win the nomination by default. She is tainted by her marriage to Bill Clinton, her obvious moral "flexibility" and by her weak grasp of honesty. The Republicans must be praying that Hillary keeps up her attacks until the last minute as that'll chip away at Obama's credibility. McCain probably has the election in the bag already.

[ChenaMax]

Senator Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton have fought the rough and tumble fight. They have employed every trick in the book. But America and the world have changed. The American people have spoken with their votes and their pocketbooks in favor of Senator Obama.

We shall be saying the same thing about Senator McCain and Senator Obama after the general elections in November. (By the way, Senator Clinton has zero political future in America because of all she has done. Life is ultimately fair.)

And now, ladies and gentlemen, let's get used to calling Senator Obama, Mr. President. Yes, We Can!
Chena Max, New York City

[Mikko]

Pity Hilary has lost because the sad reality is that mainstream America won't vote for Obama. So the Democrats have lost themselves another election.

[robyn harte-bunting]

Clinton is a ruthless powerluster who cares for nothing but her own disgusting ambition-a perfect ayn rand villainess.

Obama is an unreconstructed leftist charade of a man whose only policy ideas are the eonomically and morally bankrupt ideas of the "chip on the shoulder" left of the 1960s. His taxation proposals would destroy america as would his foreign policy.

How do such people rise to prominence? Democracy is indeed the God that failed.

[Steve J]

"..bow out with whatever dignity she has left"

Hannah, dear, you're the one that has shown yourself to be utterly bereft of dignity, or indeed any shred of professionalism in your spite-filled, scandalously biased 'news reportage' of the Primaries.

Still, at least you followed the crowd. And orders.

Don't forget to click that 'delete' button!

[AKS Kumar]

Its a childhood thing with Hillary Clinton,something I understand very well personally-Carry on in doggedly just to make it look like a good fight ,makes the losing of the Clinton family a little less bitter.
Obama has just done well by keeping his poise and his head high .

[Terry Prewitt]

You know..... brothers always have to fight twice as hard and strive four times as long to achieve success in this country. This has become the plight of Obama in his race for the White House. Partially due to Hillary's constant barrage of negative politics, it is going to be very difficult for him to try and overcome those remarks. I just hope that Hillary has it in her to do the right thing and put enough energy and effort into uniting the party as she has tearing it apart.

[Elliot Fein]

Obama gave the American people in the primary campaign what they want to see in his presidential leadership: thoughtful deliberation before key decisions are made. His ability to listen to others before acting will continue to be a key ingredient to his success. His forty-five minute speech on "Race" "The Economy" and "The Iraq War" were each eloquent and clearly articulate, expressing what we can expect from him and his administration as they try to tackle key problems. The world is a complicated place. These type of massive problems will not get solved with political slogans and 30 second media sound bites. I am looking forward to a president who is smart enough to realize the challenges that the United States must confront.

[Insel Liebhaber]

Senator Clinton, in my mind, is a politician who does not believe the contest is won until the finish line is crossed. The number of comments, taken out of context by all candidates is mindboggling. I would hope now we can move on and talk about issues, rather than what serrogates, clergy, or spouses may or may not have said.
The press would like us to think there are no longer issues that matter, but it is time to show the world that the United States is going to take on the role of a responsible leader. Senator Clinton will remain a significant player in American politics, and Senator Obama (I believe) will bring back honor to the presidency. The future will show the United States will lead by example, and honest persuasion; not by threatening our friends, and running roughshod over our enemies.

[Bola Owolabi]

I am 100% for Obama but hats off to Hilary Clinton. She has fought a very good fight and she has definitely not 'lost' this contest. Obama has simply been more astute and forward looking. However, the way Hilary ran shows that she would make an excellent though somewhat strident president and we must commend her (and Obama) for their efforts and for breaking grounds where no one else has ever done.

[Georgette Gita ANTO]

Congratulations to Barack Obama for his graciousness in all the challenges he faced during this campaign. The true measure of a man is knowning how to conduct himself in the face of these challenges which proves he is worthy, on all counts, to become the President of the United States of America. God Bless You, President Obama, many times over.

[Morris]

Better late than never. Now we can focus on unity the party and putting Clinton in a prominent roll of change.

Her fight and tenacity would best be served as the new Senate Majority leader, replacing the spineless Reid, that would be a welcome change and utilize her considerable skills and talents.

[AJ]

Its a huge shame, Senator Clinton, would have made a fine President of the United States. It is increasingly clear that Senator Obama has or is about to take the nomination of our party.
We must now rally round Senator Obama, and remember that first and foremost- we are Democrats!
Senator Obama must now choose Senator Clinton as his running mate- she has commanded a great deal of love, respect and support from citizens across our country- 17million, to be clear!
OBAMA/CLINTON 08

[Lindsay]

I think the candidates have run exemplary campaigns. Either is a great improvement over George Bush whether second or third term. There are many women of a certain age that wanted to see Hillary elected, as the first woman just as there were many African-Americans who wanted Barack elected the first African-American. I believe the democrats will now come together and try to get the country back on the proper track and it can't happen too soon.

[Ken Taylor]

Hillary has an opportunity in the next two days to formally end her bid for the nomination, and to do so with grace and humility, and yet be proud of her accomplishments. She fought the good fight and to lose is no disgrace.

America is at a time in its history when more than ever change is desperately needed not only by Americans but by her allies as well.

Senator Obama despite all attempts to ridicule him has risen above it all with grace and diplomacy, I as a Canadian can see that he has the right stuff to lead America down a new fork in the road, to restore America to its roll as a country others respect and hope to emulate.

If in fact Senator Obama wins the final nomination I feel he will defeat McCain with a massive landslide, the hunger for change is very very strong and he is the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Sam Adeyiga]

I have been waiting for a moment like this since 2004 when I first read about Sen. Barack Obama. Since then, I've been praying for him. Now, I am so happy that it is happening in my life time. Having said that, I truly doff for Sen. Hillary Rodman Clinton. She is a woman with a lioness's heart. For Sen. Obama, he should always remember to give back, in multiples, what this nation has given him. When he becomes the President, he should never forget that it is only in America that a story like his own is possible. He owes America the very best of him. Thank you America and May God continue to bless America.

[LAKSHMAN PARDHANANI]

This race has been set in a background of the world desperately needing some inspired leadership. The mess the world is in thanks to the Bush and Bill years needs to be addressed rapidly if we are not as a world to go into an economic and terrorist tailspin. Obama appears to have the personna, the integrity and the vision to succeed. He will choose men of experience to help him. Good luck to him and to all of us !

[Brian]

Even Dracula dies in the end. It takes Harker et al over 400 pages but they get there eventually. This feels like it's lasted 1000 pages.

[Cindy from Florida]

The woman knows she's toast. Obama has conducted his campaign with class. Mrs. Clinton has shown her 'less than likeable' side. Americans are really much smarter than the pundits give them credit for. The writing is on the wall.

[RD]

We do not need Mrs. Clinton, she has shown her stripes as the battle has been waged. She needs to withdraw and solidly back the party, this is a great personal defeat to her and only she knows how she is likely to handle it.

[San Ying]

Obama's smile is not only like the rising sun.
It IS the Rising Sun. Hillary's is plastic.

[Hillary All the Way]

Hillary and Bill Clinton are the most successful, caring, intelligent Democrats our party has ever seen. Any of you shills claiming to be Democrats who have so ignorantly attacked them throughout this turbulent battle have zero class and zero loyalty. As far as the rest of you fools who are either Independent or Republican glad to see Hillary losing, two words for you idiots - George Bush, we know you are the morons who all voted for him and put him in the White House twice so he could completely destroy our country, you did that with your ignorance and votes.. That will be how you are remembered in all of this, I will remember the Clintons as the very best this country has ever seen. We love you Hillary.

[JOHN CHUCKMAN]

Brian,

Your comment is absurd, but it confirms me in something.

Hillary has shown herself to be a re-incarnated Richard Nixon.

And only devotees of Nixon would vote for McCain.

[Daphne Kenward]

I want to wish Mr Obama all the best wishes in the whole world, he is truely amazing, I loved the guy from the word go. I just wish I could vote in the general election, unfortunately I live in the UK. Simply the best better than all the rest. Yes we can!.

[hassan]

you now it doesn;t matter who the nominee or president will be because there are lobbyists, companies and oil groups that have always been there to manipulate the so called powerfulist possision in the world. OBama is human, he'll make mistakes but there is nothing to suggest he is the greatest pres. ever. The messiah complex is getting old. whatever happens u still gonna get ppl who h8 americans for thier arrogance. Cant be changed not even if ur black, brown white or yellow

[Shayla Green]

It is a shame that the Clinton campaign seems to have come to an end. She is the better candidate, however Obama is a better public speaker, and Americans that have no idea re: politics have jumped on the Obama bandwagon!

[Daedalus]

She's the most powerful member of the Democratic Party on Capitol Hill. She has two choices: VP or Senator. Contrary to opinion I suspect that Obama wants her as his VP for a variety of reasons. First, Obama's style demands that he engage with people. Sure there are troublemakers in the world but can you pretend that they simply don't exist. You must talk with people. If the Americans spent more time talking with Saddam Hussein they may have perceived that he was a windbag and it may have affected policy towards Iraq. Of course there's also a risk factor. After Vienna the Soviets thought that they could lean on Kennedy. There are also troublemakers or nuisances in your life. What are you going to do? Banish them or engage with them. Of course he must be careful. Just look at the mess before the Rules Committee. Obama looked dumb. He was quibbling over four delegates and gave Clinton a pass to the Credentials Committee which is a valid reason to continue for two more months! You can blame this matter on the staff but nobody becomes a good President who can't pick'em. A VP is the only official who belongs to the executive and legislative branches of government and is meant for somebody with connections. The VP both approaches legislators and is approached by them. The VP is an alternate way to the White House for Congress. Sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Mrs. Clinton is far more thoughtful than is acknowledged. When she supported the summer gas tax holiday, pundits missed the point. They claimed that it wouldn't help matters. The oil industry would simply snap up the profits. There would be no decline in prices at the pump! Well, if these objections are accurate then you've suddenly found an enormous source of 'political capital' for legislation across the political spectrum for action against the oil industry and for alternative energies. Obama missed the boat on this one. It's this fear of an immature Obama that drives voters to McCain. It's so easy to do so! I'm sorry but from time to time he's not very bright. When Hillary Clinton supported that tax trick on gasoline everybody claimed that they would take the money themselves. What an incredibly easy source of political capital and what an incredibly easy way to obtain public support for legislation. Why didn't Obama give her the four delegates from Michigan? Obama gave her a pass to the Credentials Committee! Is it Obama or the people around him? This recent attack on Bill Clinton in Vanity Fair was worthy of Tricky Dick and his Plumbers. It's quite easy for suspicious people to trace the article on the Internet from the Vanity Fair to the Huffington Post back to Obama. It simply drives home the point to the public: we really don't know Obama! IThis concern can't be accepted or dismissed. Then Fox news is playing a clip. McCain is constantly chastising Obama over his failure to support the surge and reminding people what a mess the area would be if we had simply pulled out. What does Kennedy see in him? He talks quite well and works the crowd quite well. Is this guy a re-incarnation of the Straw Man from Oz? Why can't he close a deal with the other side? Why is he bothering with McCain? If he cements a deal inside the Party but he needs Clinton. Otherwise his figures will continue to decline. Winning the nomination and winning the election are different. It's the time when people get cold feet and play it safe in November. Change isn't always progress. I can live with McCain. I would have preferred Clinton. How is he going to stop this backsliding? How important is victory in November? She won't come cheap.

[colin grayson]

I must admit that I haven't followed this campaign for the candidature ; afraid my regard for politicians puts them just behind used car salesmen
my only real experience of the USA is a year I spent travelling there a decade ago , but I have met and talked too a lot of US citizens since

I must say I have no real expectation of obama becoming president ....I met too many people who would come out of the woodwork to vote against him because of his colour , not his politics

but it mrs clinton was president first [ thanks to the fact that american women are heartily sick of what has happened to their country under male domination in recent time I think she would win at a walk ] I think he would stand a great chance in the future [ male backlash ?]

is it just me who sees it this way ? president clinton this time and vice president obama

or is it to be another republican president ?

are there enough super delegates who can see what is liable to happen , maybe go for the best result possible rather than the best possible result if that is how they see it

[maureen]

I think it is sad that someone with all the experience necessary is tossed aside for someone who as little to no experience in a time when it is critical to move forward after the damage of George W. The sexism in the party and the media and the society in general is not only pathetic but down right disappointing. All I can say is Good luck Obama, you have a lot to learn but have no fear because John McCain will most likely be our next president.

[Rachel Mcdaniel]

Once again, another article attempting to belittle Hillary Clinton. "To bow out with whatever dignity she has left." Hillary IS very dignified and a wonderful role model. Why has there been such pressure on her to quit when the race was so close? She's had everything she's said twisted against her and mocked and put down for no reason. I'll never understand why some people seem to be such Obama worshippers. What extraordinary has he ever done but play dirty politics to wrangle himself to this point and give a few well written speeches read off from cue cards? Obama brilliant? PLEASE!! This is yet another lifetime Democrat who will be voting for McCain in November. And by the way, I have a college degree and I'm still for Hillary Clinton. Hillary will no doubt endorse Obama. Yes, she will show grace and respect to those who showed her NONE. So no, despite her endorsement I will never vote for Obama.

[MikeinOhio]

to Cedric @ 3:28

"smallest hamlet in Alabama" and you are going to vote in the U.S. election? Hamlet? I don't think so, Cedric! Nice try though! Many of us happen to feel the same way about Hillary that you do about Barack. In fact, we are either going to not vote or vote for McCain if Barack makes her his VP choice. That's how we feel about anything Clinton. Watch, don't let the
TRUCK hit you!

[wilhelmina78]

The right person got the nomination. He didn't have to worry about the sniper fire. I hope Hillary is not just hold out conceding to force Obama asking her to be his running mate. There are others that could help win the election and he won't have to worry about looking over his shoulder. We need change and she would go back to senate , attend to her duties there or maybe be appointed to Health and Welfare. Hooray for Barack Obama. our prayers for you and your family. GOD BLESS AMERICA

[Robert Moss]

Hillary Clinton runs for the presidency on an independent ticket with 20% probability! You heard it here first folks!