Liz Smith | 05/19/2008 5:43 am

So, You Want to Know Why Hillary Is Still in the Race?

“It is the tragedy and irony of Mrs. Clinton that the year she decided to run for president, her campaign was ambushed by the unforeseen rise of a luminous charismatic candidate.

“It may be the tragedy and irony of Mr. Obama that the year he reached for the far horizon came in the very period when Americans, wondering whether President Bush lacked the experience to succeed in the White House, again made experience the measure of a presidential contender.” — David Shribman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Why is she still in the race? She is the first woman to run for president of the United States. And she has fought the good fight, and the bad fight. She has misspoken without a doubt. She has played hardball just like the other contenders, all men. And she’s not a Mike Huckabee or a Ron Paul; she has run a truly close race.

Testosterone aside, I think Sen. Clinton is sending a message to all women, even to young women who don’t support her; the ones who think Obama is the be-all and end-all. Perhaps someday some of these women will find themselves in a position where they are told to get out, go away, give up. Maybe then they’ll remember Hillary Clinton, a woman who did not get out, go away or give up; a woman who kept fighting and trying.

The senator’s candidacy has become an empowering moment for women, just as Barack Obama’s candidacy has been empowering to the young, the hopeful and to African Americans and other people of all colors.

But if the math were reversed and Sen. Clinton had the numbers to win, what would people say if we told Sen. Obama to get lost, to go away, to give up? I believe he would stay on, realizing the symbolic meaning of his actions as the most unusual candidate in decades.

Sen. Clinton will most likely lose this particular battle. But she has already won some of the war – for women and for others who don’t believe in quitting. I guess if you knew her like I know her, you would find this thrilling, empowering and inspirational instead of behaving as if it is an embarrassment and she should just “go away.”

Note: Click on this text to read my nationally syndicated daily column!

Is It Time for Clinton or Obama to Throw in the Towel?

Mario Cuomo to Liz Smith: Dems Must Get Out of the Way! An Obama-Clinton Ticket Is a Thrilling Possibility

Cokie Roberts on the Chances of an Obama-Hillary Ticket

Joan Cooney: It’s Something I’d Expect From Karl Rove but Not Hillary Supporters

Poll Says Majority of Dems Want Clinton as Vice President

192 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Thank you lord that Hillary is staying in and fighting the fight. Her defeats have been cast as preordained and her victories discounted as meaningless but she represents the best hope we have of actually setting the stage for an open, unrehearsed discussion at the convention.No matter who the candidate is we need a transparent presentation of ideas and ideals,policies and methods and a genuine attempt at understanding.

By quiltsis one on 05/19/2008 9:29 am

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Good Lord, When are you going to understand that the reason she lost is not because she is a woman, but because she has run a poor campaign, has been caught in lies, and the public doesn’t like her as much as they like Obama? The reason she is still in the campaign is because she is doesn’t know when to quit and she is also hoping to broker a deal with Obama for his campaign to pay her debt for her. She is not a role model for me.

By elaine s on 05/19/2008 11:15 am

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Elaine, when are YOU going to understand that is YOUR opinion not everyone’s. You say the public doesn’t like her as much as Obama? Then answer me, why is it such a close race? Some of the public does like her. I don’t think she is in the race still because she doesn’t know how to quit, I think it says she is not a quitter. There is a big difference. You don’t have to have her as your role model. Who cares? By the way, I am quite sure the “Good Lord” doesn’t like his/her name used when speaking ill of others. Be a better role model than that.

By Becky R on 05/19/2008 1:17 pm

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Okay, forget the comment about her not being my role model. Indeed, who cares? But by what measure do you think this is “such a close race” at this point in time? The proverbial fat lady has not only cleared her throat, she has taken a deep breath and will sing loudly in early to mid June.

By elaine s on 05/19/2008 4:09 pm

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By the measure of the fact that the popular vote is for Sen. Clinton, i.e., more people have voted for HER. That would make it a close race. Since you want to personalize this, what have you ever done that even begins to measure up to running for President?

By Mugsy Peabody on 05/19/2008 6:18 pm

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Why the personal attacks in a political discussion where none was initiated? We need to put solid information on the table to win each others hearts and minds, not act in a bullying manner. I’d appreciate it if this forum could speak with respect, even in difference. I do agree with Elaine. Hillary should be the unquestioned lead candidate and this race should have been over months ago with her clearly in the popular lead given the decades of recognition factor, experience and support base Hillary and Bill has enjoyed in contrast to Obama. I was a Hillary supporter until I started doing a little digging to discover more about the candidates and she is not a person that generates trust or respect, just the opposite. Her ability to completely decommit to a position without admitting that she changed her mind, and her penchant for taking credit for other people’s work is not a good sign — her lack of respect for others I can see where that will lead the country into another moral quagmire such as the one we’re in today with Bush. Hillary speaks and acts as if she is not beholden to anything but the end result. We’ve had almost a decade of that. Bush has worked hard to dismantle the constitution of the US in favor of presidential power and Hillary has yet to spell out how she’d reverse that or has even taken a strong stand against it or challenge each step of the way. Where is the moral outrage or leadership? With Hillary we get sound bites. Obama is specific and explicit, when he speaks it sounds rational, to the point and sound. I also couldn’t find accomplishments that demonstrated the leadership that someone with so much experience should be able to provide. If someone here could spell that out, I’d love to get a better understanding of the why she should be our President. Not just that it’s time for a woman, or she has experience or she’s the right one to win against McCain. What accomplishments & behavior specifically generates that confidence? Thanks. Thanks.

By Shannon S. on 05/20/2008 9:07 am

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Nor should she be, elaine. Senator Clinton may aspire to be a role model as a reason for her continued campaign, but I believe she, more importantly, possesses the credentials, the experience and the courage to serve as president. That’s my opinion of her motivation. Role models are more a matter of individual choice rather than personal designation. I do not aspire to be like Senator Clinton, but I do aspire to elect her president. No, I’m still aiming for backup singer for Patti LaBelle….after the election. Peace and grace

By beth willis on 05/19/2008 2:32 pm

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go for that singing role, beth! i’m for clinton for president—someone who has been a lot less racist than her opponent has been sexist. hillary the policy wonk is my kind of president! let’s hope that there will be progress on both isms this election year.

By mary lou s on 05/19/2008 4:10 pm

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Sen. Clinton does not represent the “Best Women have to offer” as a Candidate. Playing by the rules is education 101 that we teach our children. When Sen. Clinton signed the pledge and agreed that FL and MI would not count and then changed her mind when the numbers did not go her way that was not a good example that any woman should follow. Integrity is a quality that women cannot afford to loose. Just because we are women does not mean closing our eyes and supporting a woman that is clearly wrong. Sen. Clinton is responsible for the campaign she ran and only her. It’s time she takes responsibility for what went wrong instead of implying that she is a champion for all women. No no not for millions of us. Playing by the rules is a fundamental expectation in this country. If you disagree with the rules then say it up front and don’t sign your name, make a commitment, come on TV and say loudly Fl & Mi does not count. Then when things don’t go your way say no they should count. This is not representation that women can afford or need. To invoke race when you and your husband have been champions of the Civil Rights movement and take it back when you back is against the wall is unacceptable. Too many women have worked tiredlessly, long, hard and with honor and intregity including playing by the rules. We ask that the rules not be changed that the goal posts are not moved when we achieve the goal. Unfortunately Sen. Clinton not only does not play by the rules she has moved the goal posts from elected delegates, to popular votes including those two states that she said did not count, to electorial college votes and who know what the goal will be on any given day. Women deserve better. Many of us were with the Sen. until she moved completely off message and began to demonstrate her inability to play by the rules. We are not victims and we have weathered this storm for many years and made significant progress. I can assure you that women who are CEO and have great positions did not get them by changing the rules. Let’s be fair and not let our gender make us get off message just because a woman runs for President who has clearly demonstrated that she want to and has tried to win no matter what the costs.

By lavern reed on 05/22/2008 11:40 am

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Perhaps one day Air Force One will go down in a “snowstorm” and a man we knew little or nothing about who was picked to “balance the ticket” (a closet right to lifer?) will succeed to the office of The World’s President, and we’ll all rue the day that Senator Obama did not stand up to his Hillary Clinton hating supporters (you’re clearly not one, lavern, i’m just using this reply as a convenient place to post on this subject) and do what in his heart he knew to be the right thing by choosing Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as his running mate — no, I’m not playing the ‘assassination card’, and Sen. Clinton wasn’t either — she’s a realist — they don’t call it the USKKKofA for nothing, and it didn’t start at Trinity United, the largest UCC congregation in the world — if the Hillary Haters were aware of the percentage of American presidents who have been assassinated or been the victim of an attempted assassination they might reconsider their positions (probably not). Check out the Wisdom of the Ages website (aka Wikipedia) for the skinny on this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Presidential_assassin…

By wild heather on 06/11/2008 5:48 pm

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Perhaps one day Air Force One will go down in a “snowstorm” and a man we knew little or nothing about who was picked to “balance the ticket” (a closet right to lifer?) will succeed to the office of President to the World, and we’ll all rue the day that Senator Obama did not stand up to his Hillary hating supporters and do in his heart what he knew to be the right thing by choosing her as his running mate — no, I’m not playing the ‘assassination card’, and Sen. Clinton wasn’t either — she’s a realist — they don’t call it the USKKKofA for nothing, and it didn’t start at Trinith United, the largest UCC congregation in the world — does anyone know what percentage of American presidents have been assassinated or the victim of an attempted assination? I think it started with Andrew Jackson, in 20th century we know that Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Nixon, and FDR were all subject to assassination attempts or plots

By Michael Salling on 06/11/2008 5:17 pm

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I continue to find Hillary Clinton an inspiring role model for myself and my daughters. Win or lose the presidential election, she is truly a leader in terms of demonstrating how to be a strong, successful woman. Hurray Hillary!

By Katy O on 05/19/2008 9:30 am

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Same here (as everyone knows). My 26-year-old daughter scoffs at the other candidate—he can never get elected, Mom.

By Star Lawrence on 05/19/2008 11:15 am

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Hurray for Hillary! She has proven that women have the grit to stay to the bitter end and be strong and determined. I will be proud to vote for her in our Kentucky primary. I think she will end up being one of the Great Women of our century. A wonderful roll model for young women..

By Diana T on 05/19/2008 9:40 am

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“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” —- Winston Churchill

By Buh- Bye on 05/19/2008 2:31 pm