Clinton has run the most despicable campaign in memory.

After her massive assault, casting aside every ethical and intellectual consideration, it does seem unlikely she will quit until the bitter end.

And it will be a bitter end. She has already contributed heavily to piling the fine man who certainly will be the candidate with filth and innuendo.

I once was one of those sympathetic to her under the ugly treatment she received from Republicans in the White House, but her campaign has erased every trace of that sympathy.

Hillary is a nightmare, and, as anyone who has had a bad one knows, part of their frightening nature is that nightmares seem like they will never stop.

Hillary has no money. She had to "lend herself" over 6 million dollars last month.

She's done, she knows it, every one knows it. She's a spoiler at this point, nothing more.

Clinton had a chance last night in her "victory" speech to heal the party and save the Clinton's legacy.

I am very disappointed in Clinton and I think the American people are disappointed.

What we witnessed last night was the death of the old politics of pander, deception and divisiveness in the Democratic party. A sad spectacle of the end of the hypocritical politics that has controlled the Democratic party for decades.

Next stop McCain and the Republican party.

All Barack needs is for those superdelegates to sing to him "believe in yourself" as they offer their endorsements one by one.

The wicked witch is almost dead!! And all of those feminists are going to be hurt, but the Clintons single-handedly made it all personal and racist. This thing was over a looooong time ago until someone decided that they were "slicker" than the voters. People know exactly what they want, and its a person with integrity. We are tired of folks BLATANTLY LYING in our faces. Thats got nothing to do with anything but lying. Male or female, black or white. Without lies and fear she would have been toast.

Femininsts should have REJECTED her. Because she just made it 10 times harder for the next woman. Everytime we see a woman all we will remember is LIARY and Ferracist. Two women who should be ashamed of themselves.

Wow. Look at the line-up of Blogs The Swamp cites:

HuffPo - ultra-liberal/Socialist

TNR - Establishment Liberal

NY Times - Ultra Left

The Atlantic - Mainstream Left

You'd think diversity means different flavors of liberalism/socialism according to The Swamp.

Libertarians and Conservatives need not apply, apparently.

"Wicked Witch"? "...ran despicable campaign..." ?
"Ferracist?" "Liary"?
I hope this is because maybe folks are doing too much caffeine?
Congratulations to both candidates.
Expect the Republicans to be much harder on whomever is the top runner.
You ain't seen nothing yet.
Energy reglation is about to EXPIRE next year.
Here's hoping BOTH candidates can go back to congress and pass some energy regulations.
It's important ot let Shrub veto this.
Newt Gingrich is coming out saying to Repubs part of wha Hillary said (and make no mistake, the mainstream, and even the Nation ignored her very good LONG TERM energy policy--and it was very good, even if the gas pump end of it seemed silly--).
It's important to put some of the 'race fever' aside for just a bit. ,
But, the way to the White House is WITH Hillary. Not without her.
To WIN North Carolina in the Fall (which is the goal), Hillary and Bill are needed. To WIN a lot of the states Hillary has already won IN THE DEMOCRATIC RACE, Hillary and Bill are needed.
Can we stop seeing words regarding Hillary like "hildabeast", or "Biliary", or phrases like "her carcass to the glue factory, or pandering, or winning by defaultk, cheating, or 'puts he away tonight'?
As Elizabeth Heinz Kerry said, "We're all in this together."

Did anyone else notice that Edwards is showing up more and more with Clinton these days? What if he endorses her and frees his 18 pledged delegates to vote for her? I know it's only 18 but if she does well in Kentucky and West Virginia on Tuesday then having the Edwards populists and those extra 18 pledged delegates could undo his gains.

It’s time for Clinton supporters to look forward to November and do the right thing, coalesce behind Obama. This is the only way the Democrats can take the White House. I am sure Obama’s supporters would have done the same if Clinton had the majority of the delegates.

Clinton has to go on a little bit longer to save face and prove that she’s the right choice for VP. Personally, I am all for it. An Obama/Clinton ticket would be unbeatable in November.

Hillary will not quit until she and president McCain take office and she has destroyed the democratic party.

good game. who got next? oh right..mccain.

Posted by: Jeff | May 7, 2008 10:51 AM

And still leave her more than 100 delegates behind.

The simple truth is, the math isn't there for Hillary to win at this point.

She needs to do the honorable thing and withdraw.

I'm glad Fox News didn't bring the Wright TRUTH out until after Obama got the delegates he has. I wonder how many people out there who voted in the early primaries regret their votes now? Divided we fall. Wright said God Damn America - but I think, looking at the canidates - God Help America is more appropriate.
NONE OF THE ABOVE should be on every primary and general election ballot, but that may just show that we don't have any leaders left in this country - just shady politicians

Hillary will not quit until she and president McCain take office and she has destroyed the democratic party.

@ Eric Dondero,
Nobody has any interest in what "mainstream" conservatives have to say... they've blown all their credibility as far as anyone with half a brain is concerned.

If she didn't have to continue lending her campaign money then maybe she'd still have a shot..

But even at that it would be a HUGE long shot. I could think many more way to waste 6 million bucks.

Posted by: golden oldie | May 7, 2008 10:47 AM

I agree 100% with you. I have made mention many times to Hillary supporters that say they won't vote for Obama that if they don't wish to vote on the issues, don't waste your time with the democrats. Go support the war. I may also support Obama, but I would tell his supporters the same thing that none of these candidates can do it on their own. If we preach unity.....do it.

Too true, JT, but aren't all her strategies based on winning superdelegates now, and NOT leading in pledged delegates? Hillary just wants to get closer, from what I understand, and then have the supers and whatever gets seated of Fla./Mich. put her over the top.

Hey Oliphant, can you update this to include Michael Tackett's analysis on the front page of your website? If he's analyzing doesn't that make him a pundit, too?

yaaaaay BRING ON THE ONE THAT WILL DESTROY OBAMA!!!!! SEE OBAMA IN THE GENERAL ELECTION THIS DEM IS VOTING JOHN MCCAIN ALL THE WAY BABY....AND ALL YOU BUFFOON DEMS THAT THINK THIS CLOWN OBAMA IS SO GOOD...YEAH HE WILL BE EATEN UP AND SPIT OUT BY THE RNC!!! GOOD LUCK OBAMA SUPPORTERS...HMMM TERRIBLE CANDIDATE JUST LIKE STUPID KERRY....BUT JOHN MCCAIN WILL THANK YOU FOR NOMINATING HIM....LOL

The liberal voters of the Democratic Party fail to see that Sen. Obama's NC primary victory is shaping up to be another George McGovern / Michael Dukakis-style loss for the Democratic Party. Mrs. Clinton has gained most of the rural vote and those whose income or livelihoods are not benefitting from today's economy or have more fundamental beliefs. They are the vast majority of the American people. Even though George Bush has been a disastrous President, still has support of 30% of the people. This core support will translate to votes for McCain. Considering that Obama's victories over Mrs. Clinton were in conservative states, this does not guarantee support for him in the general election. The electoral college map favors McCain, particularly if large states like Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, Indiana, and Arizona have their electoral votes in his column. Immaterial of Sen. Obama's character flaws, his inexperience will quickly come to the forefront in comparison to Mrs. Clinton. The vast majority of commentary this writer observes is "Obama gloat", and the media crowing over what they wanted in the first place. It is most evident that the media has shaped this primary season more so than in any election I have witnessed since the days of Humphrey vs. Nixon.

Clinton has run the most despicable campaign in memory.

Um, does anyone remember the Swift Boat fiasco?? How you can compare Clintons minor antics to those of the republicans is beyond me!! I am certain once the democratic nominee is announced the republicans will attack harder thne ever because they know their ship is sinking fast!
They will have to do anything and I mean anything to win the white house, and they will. So please don,t even go there accusing Clinton of being the worst campaign.. doesnt even come close to what those racist right wing nut jobs do and will do again!

Many of us never liked Hillary from the start. Not her policies, not her positions, and not her family dynasty. It's not about being bitter, should by some twist she become the nominee, it's about not wanting her for President; ever; period. But there is no history for Clinton backers to vote Republican, assuming Obama is the eventual nominee, other than out of the spite she has driven through the Democratic party.

Here's a horrible thought. What if Hillary thinks she's so close that she nominates herself, does a Lieberman, and runs as yet another third party candidate? If she is as capable of "anything," as some of you claim, why wouldn't she have it in her to do such a thing?

Just a thought/nightmare.

Jeff,
My guess is that you mistook Sen. Evan Bayh to be John Edwards. The may look alike from a distance, so apology accepted.

Of course its over for Clinton. However, she is using this time to run as a 3 party candidate - A Conservative Democrat with joe Liberman as VP. This is why the Clinton's are dangerous - destroy and "win" at all costs, even if one can not really win.

Why are we supposed to care what the chattering class has to say?

Magnificent post, Chris Hahin. I agree totally. Too often the enthsiasm of the Obamalovers blind them to the reality of their true position. The primaries will continue, despite the reinterpretation of the constitution by the pundits that the race must end now. This November we will witness another human sacrifice by the Democrats to the Republicans.

Regarding the post by John W. at 12:01 PM:

You just ruined my day. I hadn't thought about your worst case nightmare.

Now that you've suggested it, and knowing the Clintons as we all do, I say it's a possibility we can't rule out.

In 2000, Dems were disgusted at the disenfranchisement of thousands of votes in the general Presidential election.

Now the DNC and the state parties in Florida and Michigan see fit to disenfranchise millions of their own party members in their own state by not holding a primary that counts.

The Dems are just as "bad" as the RNC. After 2000, I swore I would never vote Republican again. I will in the general election. Howard Dean, the DNC and the Florida and Michigan State Democratic Parties care little about actual voters. Obama will lose to McCain in 2008 and it will be Howard Dean and company's fault.

Fox News was saving Rev. Wright for the general election to swiftboat Obama should he have become the nominee.

With Clinton jumpstarting the issue he may have done Obama a favor as by November this will be old news.

The primaries will continue, despite the reinterpretation of the constitution by the pundits that the race must end now.
Posted by: Dr.Annette Reed | May 7, 2008 12:15 PM

Doctor-

The Constitution does not address party primaries in the slightest.

Do you really want someone that cannot do basic math answering the phone at 3am (unless it's to order a pizza at a frat house?)

Well...another blown election. You people are nuts to think St. Barack is going to win when he can't get even minimal support from working-class whites.
The Second Coming of George McGovern...coming to a polling place this November.

I did NOT mistake Bayh for Edwards. Elizabeth Edwards campaigned with Hillary in NC and that was the Edwards I was speaking of. In an interview with People Magazine, Edwards said he admired Clinton's tenacity but not the "old politics" she represents. Just blog speculation but you have to admit it's intriguing.

nosolution worte: "I'm glad Fox News didn't bring the Wright TRUTH out until after Obama got the delegates he has. I wonder how many people out there who voted in the early primaries regret their votes now?"

I was excited to vote for Obama in the primary. I truly regret doing so now. Should he receive the nomination, I will vote for McCain.

John W,

A 3rd party run is a worst-case scenario for the Democrats...and for Hillary. She could manage to split the Dem vote and hand McCain the victory, but there's no way she'd win in that scenario. In my opinion, it would also destroy any chance she has for a future shot at the White House. I really hope she's smarter than that.

Wow, all of those male "pundits" wanting to knock the girl out of the race while it's still going on! Talk about sexism. Send the girl back to making coffee for the guys. The only interest of these opinionators is to save the Democratic party from its implosion. Hillary HAS to stay in for the sake of womanhood and because she still does have a chance. The Rezko case isn't over and who knows what surprises he might have if he turn's evidence to save a long prison term.

If the super deligates are smart they will be watching the National polls that show both Hillary and Obama and how they show against McCain. That way they wont be too surprised when they see the results in November.

Way too premature. These pundits are willing to disenfranchise the voters of Michigan and Florida, where Hillary won big. Count those votes, as may yet be the case, and CLINTON WINS! The Democrats should remove the "ic" from the end of their name if they disallow the democratic process in two of the nation's largest states.

Hillary says she's in until they have a nominee, per Ben Smith at Politico.

She also says that pledged delegates are free to switch to her. Superdelegates are free to switch, as they keep doing. So she would seem to be holding out hope of just such a stampede come early August.

Jennifer, the race is not going on. She lost. She had lost 3 months ago when her camp admitted they would never catch up in pledged delegates and only the supers could save her. Half a dozen men lost the race for the Democratic nomination and had to admit that, concede, and bow out. It is not "unfair." And Hillary does not represent my womanhood--after this campaign, she's not an example I'd care to hold up to my preteen daughter.

Bleu, you are a sad, sad excuse for a Democratic (if you really are indeed one). Voting for McCain is voting for more war, more tax cuts for the rich, more toilet bowl economy, more horrible foreign relations, more eroding civil liberties, more right wing activist Supreme Court Judges, and the list goes on and on. Both HRC and Obama have almost identical platforms. It should be imperative for all Democrats to get a Democrat into the White House. Please, NOT another 4 years of Bush politics.

Obama’s win in NC proves beyond any doubt that he is a racially-based candidate. He can’t win the general election with just the blacks and the young. It would be another ‘Tsongas’ election! Clinton’s win in Indiana, by a slim margin, also raises the big question why Obama lost a state that he is supposed to win! Her win is indeed a tie breaker!
The media continues to be anti-Clinton. Her win should be presented in the proper context of the quality of each of these candidates’ electability!

*****
The Constitution does not address party primaries in the slightest.

Posted by: Luke | May 7, 2008 12:29 PM

This is true. Very well said, Luke.

Why are continuing to report so negatively about Hillary? She won Indiana, and Obama DID NOT WIN!

DO The Math. If you look at the numbers, even without Florida or Michigan, Clinton has proved she has won the general election.

Right now, she has 212 electoral votes, opposed to Obama with 197. She has WON the big States needed to win in November. If you count Michigan and Florida, which she won, she has 256.

Only 270 are needed to elect the president.

The DNC clearly stated they want a candidate that can beat McCain. Hillary has proved it!

DO THE MATH Tribune!

*****

Posted by: Tom O | May 7, 2008 2:17 PM

What you say is true, Tom. But you think rationally about the subject matter. Do you think she’s thinking rationally too? If she was rational, would she still be trashing Obama at this stage of the game, thus giving fuel for November? Would she still be plugging away based on nothing more that hope against hope? I’m not sure, and certainly not as sure as you, that blind ambition doesn’t drive her actions.

Goodby Clinton Losers!!

one of the options for michigan and florida, would be for a total re-vote. in which case who is to say that hillary would even win either of those states? its been so long since their primaries that all the activity of the campaign could have shifted those states in obama's favor.

Posted by: DRPolitics1 | May 7, 2008 2:43 PM

Hillary hasn't won a single electoral vote. No one has.

Victory or loss in a primary does not equate to victory or loss in the general election. They are not directly comparable.

George Stephanopolous, ABC: Hill needs a miracle. But don't push her to go; it just makes her angry.

The Clintons legacy will depend on how she bows out of the race. With grace or more bloodletting. She still has a bright future ahead of her. She would be wise to come to the realization that this is not her year.

HILL & BILL both are fake, both are DIVIDER, just like INDIRA.....enough is enough....the scale of justice is always manipulated by the heavy weights.

thanks.

BHANU, CHICAGO.

John W, A few months ago I would have said I was absolutely certain she's too smart to do something like that. Now I'm not quite so sure. Last night would have been a real good opportunity to bow out gracefully. Maybe she wants to go out on a high note with WV and Kentucky. I don't really believe she will actually make a third party run, but stranger things have happened. Heck, I never imagined George Bush would spend 8 years occupying the White House.

Chris Hahin, great post! I agree too. You know, the funny thing in all this, is if Obama gets the nomination, how his typically obnoxious and rude supporters will try playing nice to win Hillary's supporters. They know they can't win without us. Ha! I am really looking forward to that display of hypocrisy and veiled "earnestness". I for one, will not vote for Obama, and regardless of what Hillary says if she doesn't get the nomination, God forbid, I can never, in good conscience, vote for an inexperienced, elitist, politician who says one thing, and does another behind closed doors. The real joke of it is, what on earth will Obama do in the future when he doesn't have HIllary to give him his policy and plans? It is very apparent from the timing of her I just won't vote. Period. Many, many Floridians and Clinton supporters feel the same way. Good luck.