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

Marjorie C. The pundits miss what you so easily grasp. The sexist media has created a negative Hillary who is the equivalent of everything awful to be found in Women. But from the backlash of this monster mother symbol inadvertently emerged a positive Hillary who fills us with awe at the good to be found in Women.

By A B on 05/19/2008 2:03 pm

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Wow. I love your collage of ideas. Nicely put, but who cares. Hillary is a composite too. All candidates are a caricature of their actual selves at this point in the game after decades of grooming themselves in preparation for their dream job. But I have to disagree with likening Obama in the race with Hillary to JAMES FREY? Now if he loses the race then can we blame it on his PUBLISHER for allowing 95% accuracy in the words he spoke? The Million Little Pieces fiasco was the result of page-counting and verifying that 95% of the story was accurate. The publishers sat down with him and went through it page by page to determine the percentage of truth. They didn’t examine the events for truth, only the number of pages. Maybe they should do the same with politicians. I bet the percent would be much lower in what is identifiable truths. I actually don’t care who wins as long as its a Democrat. I’d love to witness a female in the White House. I’d love to see America be enlightened enough to not identify Obama as a possible “black” President. Female, black white. Its just soooooo passe. Boring. I will be thrilled when I see that people stop identifying fellow citizens, your very neighbors, kinsmen, all Americans as black, white, yellow, Christian, Muslim, etc. like they are dirty words. Do people really think Hillary will win in a country that can’t even finish a bit of legislation that was started in 1923 to support equality for women. I, for one, am disillusioned that people think Hillary can win when they have so little respect for women. I will tear up and be all blurry eyed when I see America finally ratify in their constitution that women are equal which didn’t even get passed way back in 1982!!! If Hillary wins will they pay HER less as a President? Arrrgh. This upsets me! I want to see America vote someone into power based on their qualities as a potential world leader without ANY discussion of their sex, age, colour or religion. Then I will be proud to see that America has come of age. God Bless you all in this tumultuous time. Re; Mugsy,Keep the dialogue going Mugsy! Its how we learn. If someone is bitchy with you, and gets personal, it seems that it is out of their own fear. Have compassion for them and their Fear of the unknown. You MUST stay in to teach your wisdom regardless of the angle. God Bless. (Boy am I a sap today)

By Amelie Poulain on 05/19/2008 10:13 pm

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As for Hillary, I look at her past marital woes and conclude that she stayed with her wandering spouse for 2 possible reasons; either she loved/loves him unconditionally or she craves power above everything else. I don’t believe the unconditional love theory and I can’t support someone who is power hungry. Therefore I will cast my vote for Obama in November.

By Doc's girl Hopkins on 05/19/2008 11:57 am

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Marriages come in many stripes. They share a commitment to public service. They have a child. No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors with a couple.

By Buh- Bye on 05/19/2008 8:02 pm

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Alias, To tell you the truth, I don’t even care what goes on in their marriage, that is their business.

By Frannie Em on 05/19/2008 10:36 pm

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While no one ever really knows what goes on inside another person’s marriage, I believe that Hillary really loves her husband. She said, in her book, she loved his sense of humor and his hands when they met, She says she is never bored around him. They always have something to talk about. To me that’s a good enough reason to stay married. Ever see some couples on holiday ? They sit, mute and staring at the air, at breakfast. Or they bring along another couple to keep the conversation going. Do I wish for Hillary that Bill could have been faithful or at the very least discreet? Yes. But that is her business, no one else’s. I myself don’t particularly respect his behavior, but he’s not my husband. Think I’ll stop here before I morph into a yenta.

By Patricia Burstein on 05/20/2008 12:58 am

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Patricia lol - morphing

By Frannie Em on 05/22/2008 1:39 pm

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Dr. K and Bella what are you talking about Liz Smith not understanding “Uber-Alpha Mentality” are you kidding me?! Were talking about LIZ SMITH here! I want you to look at the top of this web site and I want you to know that all these women and I am talkin’ about each and every one of them is the perfect example of “Uber-Alpha Mentality”! Do you think they got to top and made their fortunes by sitting around eating cakes and dainties? And another thing; it was just a little more than a year ago when I first heard Senator Clinton was going to run for the presidency. I said to myself, I being a woman trapped by socio-economic conditions I said to myself “I could be that strong if I wanted to” and I thought WOW! What an inspiration! The fact of the matter is Hillary Clinton is already a winner. Hillary, Liz, Marlo, and the rest are the catalyst for doormats like me to find our “Uber-Alpha Mentality”!

By Liza D 08 .... beta on 05/19/2008 12:37 pm

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Dr. K and Bella I do respect your opinions. I may not agree with all the opinions on this blog but I sure in the heck do learn from each and every one of them!

By Liza D 08 .... beta on 05/19/2008 12:44 pm

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I think that Hillary’s reason for staying in the race now, is different from that which she would have given a week or two ago. I think that Hillary is still in the race, because she is looking for another opportunity to exit the race, with what little dignity she has left. I say “another” opportunity, because it is too bad she didn’t go out after her victory in West Virginia. If she gets a victory tomorrow night in Kentucky, she should exit on that. If you look at her campaign, she is out of money. Notice how she is no longer attacking Obama in her speeches. She knows it’s over for her. She just needs a way out. A week or two ago, I thought she was staying in because she was hopeful that some miracle would happen. That she might become the nominee. Short of that happening, I thought she was staying in, thinking that as a way of leverage, she would have the Michigan and Florida votes counted. And she would at least get credit for that. Then there was some talk that maybe the Democratic party would offer to pay her campaign debt, if she would leave the race, so we could get on with the business of uniting the party. But now she has no hope of leverage. When John Edwards endorsed Obama, that just crushed it for her. She has stayed in too long. I think she is looking now, for another way to exit the race with what dignity and respect she has left. I used to like Hillary. I want her to go out on a high note, with her dignity. If that’s still possible. I almost feel bad for her. But I think she brought it on herself. The lying (Bosnia), the race issue, the gender issue. I am looking forward to Obama as President. And I was thrilled to see John Edwards again. I really missed him. And I hope that all who supported Hillary will support the Democratic party. Obama has the leadership we need. He can push Congress to make laws just as well as Hillary could have. And he’s honest. And look at how the world is so excited and hopeful that he will be our President. Other countries are cheering for him. Let’s all get behind Obama and get on with it. (Hello to Lorraine Bates, Lane Kowitz and Elaine Shepard. I enjoyed your posts.)

By N P on 05/19/2008 12:54 pm

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Hi NP - nice to see you and read your post as well. One last comment, then I’m outta here, hopefully with a bit more sanity intact than last week’s thread. I missed John Edwards too, and I was glad to see him back. I think his coming out now was his genteel way of stating the obvious. It’s time for the party to come together to win the presidency away from the republicans. ALL the leaders of the democratic party need to step up and do the same. And the Clintons are big leaders of the party. Time to link arms and move forward, not continue to confuse the voter and give fodder to the media.

By Lorraine Bates on 05/19/2008 1:30 pm

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Edwards was my first choice—now I see him as an expedient betrayer. I will never vote for him for anything ever.

By Star Lawrence on 05/19/2008 2:18 pm

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As Richardson is likened to Judas, Edwards is Judas times two. I wonder what slime will fall out of this Tuesday’s election.

By Marjorie C. on 05/19/2008 5:01 pm

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When I see phrases like “what little dignity she has left,” I guess I bristle all over again. I have been through a lot of troubles in life, but have never aimed my entire existence at one goal and tried something as hard as what Hillary has tried. I admire her for it. And so does my daughter. As for her relationship with her husband, I guess since I am older, I have known many married couples with a business marriage—the business of raising the kids, the business of beging who they are as a “couple,” or in this case, the business of politics. It doesn’t seem so surprising to me. We have all made our bargains with life.

By Star Lawrence on 05/19/2008 7:00 pm

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She certainly gives food for thought on sticktuitiveness, doesn’t she? :-) I happen to think she is the best choice for our country at this time, with experience, and her common sense attitude, and the elbow grease to get things done. She has every right to coninue her pursuit in spite of the pundits, and in spite of Barack’s overzealousness over the weekend in declaring himself prematurely as the nominee. Ohme, I fail to see the charismatic appeal, I must say, and hearing him speak to the woman reporter recently, as he swaggered away laughing with all the menfolk, his voice trailing away as he put her off summarily, “I’ll get back to you, sweetie” did nothing to enhance or endear him to me. IMO, the divisiveness could have, and should have been avoided had Barack gotten a bit more experience under his belt. How he has duped so many people is beyond my comprehension. As I listen to both Barack and Hillary, I am astounded by the striking differences. She is clearly superior, and has a much better grasp on all the pressing issues, and their complexities. My only hope should he become the nominee is that we have not failed as dems. once again in choosing rhetoric, and personality over substance, and experience.

By Beachlady ydalhcaeB on 05/19/2008 1:48 pm