US elections: Obama wins Democratic nomination for president
Even as Hillary, disgracefully, refuses to concede defeat; the fact of the matter is that Barack Obama has passed the magic number of 2,118 delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination.
However, Hillary - true to form - has refused to actually accept that she has been defeated.After a 54-contest, five-month-long fight, Obama started the day 45 delegates short of the 2,118 he needed to cross the finishing line. A steady shift of support towards Obama throughout the day turned into a flood. Among those announcing their endorsements was the former president Jimmy Carter. A number of Clinton supporters also defected to Obama.
He was four short as polls closed in the South Dakota and Montana primaries, the last two contests. But South Dakota pushed him over the line in terms of delegates - even though he lost the state to Clinton.
To deafening applause, he told a 20,000-strong victory rally in St Paul, Minnesota: "Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another - a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Because of you, tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.
He was generous towards Clinton. "Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honour to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton," he said.
The crowd was responsive to the conciliatory message, loudly cheering Clinton three or four times.
Although several Obama supporters in St Paul said they expected Clinton to behave graciously, she refused to concede or suspend her campaign.
Instead, Clinton said she wanted time to reflect before making her next move. "In the coming days, I'll be consulting with supporters and party leaders to determine how to move forward with the best interests of our party and our country guiding my way," she said.
In a sign of hard bargaining with Obama's team over the next few days, she said she had won the votes of 18m Americans and she wanted their views respected.
What utterly appalls me about this is that the defeated candidate feels that she is in a position to negotiate at all.
I am utterly opposed to Clinton being even considered for the Vice Presidency, having already said that Obama had not passed the threshold which she and McCain apparently had to become Commander in Chief. And I have no real interest in whether or not Obama pays the debts Clinton occurred whilst throwing the kitchen sink at him, but I do think - had I been allowed to donate to his campaign - that I would not be happy to see my money go towards the woman who has behaved so disgracefully over the past few months.Holed up at her home in Chappaqua, New York, during the day, she and Bill Clinton discussed options over the phone with a host of aides and supporters. One of four members of Congress who spoke to her urging her to press for the vice-president slot reported her saying: "I am open to it."
She also will negotiate about the transfer of her staff to Obama's campaign team, about help with her campaign debts, the possibility of jobs in his administration if he wins the presidency and incorporation of some of her policy positions, particularly on healthcare.
At this moment in time Hillary should be congratulating Obama and asking that her supporters rally behind him. She is not. That speaks volumes.
She is continuing trying to trade; putting her interests, as always, before the interests of the party.
The mindset that allows this detachment from reality was best summed up by one of Taylor Marsh's commenters, who said:
Even when it's over, they are still waiting for us to see the light. They are "the people" and it's about them and, "our candidate Senator Hillary Clinton". This is the level of delusion that Hillary has whipped up amongst her supporters, and it's what's behind her comment when she states that she is the "leader of an 18 million strong movement".I am surprisingly happy for some reason tonight, it just feels weird, I cannot explain it. I was sad before regarding the nomination but after her speech tonight I feel electrified and energetic and have a certain hope in my heart that she will pull it off somehow. I feel that people will wake up soon, it has already started. This election never was about the DNC members and should never be about them, it should be about us, we the people and our candidate Senator Clinton.
I can't think of the number that John Kerry could have claimed to represent after his defeat to Bush at the last election, but it would have far outweighed 18 million. However, the simple fact was that he lost and that nearly never wins any prizes.
The difference here is in the assumption that Obama needs what Hillary has to offer, which is what spurs her to try and negotiate.
However, anyone who has followed this campaign through sites like Taylor Marsh's must have serious doubts that Hillary could actually deliver many of her supporters to Obama, unless he was to offer her the VP position, which I would contend is a serious non starter.
Obama can't possibly be president with both Bill and Hillary wandering around his White House carrying out their own agenda, which is why I think negotiation with her is simply a no brainer.
Thankfully, Obama's campaign are moving on.
Obama's main strategist, David Axelrod, also made it clear the general election is on - no matter what Clinton says or does. "One campaign ends today and another begins. We are very excited for that."I am not remotely surprised by Hillary's churlish and selfish behaviour, indeed, it is simply a continuation of the deluded mindset which she has been displaying for months now.
She no longer matters. What matters now is that Barack Obama has broken through the barrier to become the first ever African American nominee for the American presidency.
"You chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears, but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations," he told a delirious victory celebration for 17,000 supporters in a sports arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. Another 15,000 gathered outside the arena and in nearby pubs where a "primary happy hour" carried on into the night.
"Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another," he said declaring that without nuance or hesitation he would carry the flag and oust the Republicans from the White House.
"Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States," he said.
The era of the Clinton's is over, whether Hillary acknowledges it or not, and the era of Barack Obama is just beginning. To those of us who have been inspired by Obama's message of hope, in a political landscape normally fashioned by fear, today is a great day.
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8 comments:
It's clear she doesn't see 'her' supporters as Democratic supporters, no, they are simply 'her' supporters.
It is as if Hillary owns this 18m like a tribe who vote for her and no other. The 18m don't belong to her, most of them will be democratic voters, those who aren't are either a) Marshorites b) racists or c) Republicans who were trying to skew the race.
I imagine Obama will offer a magnanimous hand to Hillary despite her spite. But my hope is that he picks someone like Edwards to be VP, and help her to see the reality that does not 'own' half the Democratic party.
I caught a bit of Taylor Marsh on MSNBC this morning chewing her own words when the interviewer quoted her "so you want to see McCain win". She weaseled out of it by explaining she was referring to the bigger picture or something. You should really try to find that clip.
Oh yeah, and I'm psyched that Obama is going to President. Not that I think he is perfect (no-one is) but that he sees the political landscape as people on the outside do. I'm not sure he can deliver on all he's promised, but what's important is he 'sees' it. He sees where problems lie, he sees what needs to happen, he knows how politicians are perceived and he wants to change all that.
And I do hope and believe he will deliver.
The 18m don't belong to her, most of them will be democratic voters, those who aren't are either a) Marshorites b) racists or c) Republicans who were trying to skew the race.
Exactly Alex. Both she and Taylor Marsh think that they have a weapon to wield, but they don't. The Marsh loons are just that; loons. And the Democrats will win in November whether they back Obama or not.
Oh yeah, and I'm psyched that Obama is going to President. Not that I think he is perfect (no-one is) but that he sees the political landscape as people on the outside do. I'm not sure he can deliver on all he's promised, but what's important is he 'sees' it. He sees where problems lie, he sees what needs to happen, he knows how politicians are perceived and he wants to change all that.
And I do hope and believe he will deliver.
It's a great day, Alex. Like yourself, I feel that he will not achieve all that he sets out to do, but at least he starts the journey aiming towards the right destination rather than the wrong one.
A stirring post.
This primary season has turned out record numbers of Democratic participants. Meanwhile, the Republican primaries were over two months ago, for all intents and purposes, and it generated no new enthusiasm about their candidate; just a sense of begrudged resignation.
If Hillary can't deliver her supporters, then she and the DLC will be relegated to the margins of the Party and history.
I couldn't get in to see the speech here in St. Paul, since I arrived late, but the air of excitement, hope, and celebration was palpable. It was like a rock concert. Fantastic.
Contrast that with McCain's speech. No comparison.
I couldn't get in to see the speech here in St. Paul, since I arrived late, but the air of excitement, hope, and celebration was palpable. It was like a rock concert. Fantastic.
I'm jealous that you could even get there. The whole video is up above and the speech he made was a great one, being very generous to Hillary and promoting the theme of "This will be the moment when...."
And then listing what he intends to do as the crowd went literally wild.
As you say, it's like a rock concert. This guy is going to blow McCain out of the bloody water.
I just watched the video on the more recent post this morning, which was nice because a lot of the time it was hard to hear what he was saying above the cheering and general noise outside of the Xcel. At various points throughout the speech people openly wept.
Obama's remarks about McCain were gracious, while McCain dismissed the 46-year-old Obama as some kind of child in his speech.
I heard rumours of anti-Obama protestors outside the Xcel, but I never saw a single one personally. Security staff seemed rather nervous, but it seemed quite unfounded.
It was odd to be standing outside the Xcel and thinking that in a few months I'll protesting the RNC instead of celebrating.
At various points throughout the speech people openly wept.
Although he doesn't make me actually weep, he does touch my soul - which is a remarkable quality in a politician - and it makes me think this guy is actually the real deal.
I'm throwing everything on Obama. Despite his speech to AIPAC tonight, I think he'll deliver.
You have to admit though, it's refreshing to hear, finally, a Republican dismissing Obama (on experience, whatever).
Though he talks nonsense, I find McCain to be strangely reasonable when talking about Obama, less emotion, polite sometimes funny.
Yes, It seems the next few months will be more down to earth and grounded in reality.
Though he talks nonsense, I find McCain to be strangely reasonable when talking about Obama, less emotion, polite sometimes funny.
Yes, It seems the next few months will be more down to earth and grounded in reality.
He's promised that it will be a clean campaign without any dirty tricks. I hope he means that. That would make for a very interesting couple of months.
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