Tuesday, May 13, 2008 9:36pm EST
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Is it too early to call?
Staff Reporter | Posted May 8, 2008 7:20 AM
Time magazine put the nail in the coffin of the Clinton campaign today, declaring the race all but over with a cover story announcing Barack Obama as the "winner" of the Democratic primary. But the Clinton campaign has not given up yet, and there are some who say it's too early to throw in the towel.
Early Wednesday morning, NBC's Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert was asked by MSNBC host Keith Olbermann if the race had just ended Tuesday night.
Russert replied: "We now know who the Democratic nominee is going to be, and no one is going to dispute it, Keith."
"Sometimes in campaigns the candidate is the last to recognize the best timing," Russert continued, likening the experience to being on life support. "Once they start removing the systems, you really have no choice," he said.
Russert cited the Clinton's campaign's huge debt, and the $6.4 million loan that the Clintons made to the campaign recently, as evidence that Bill and Hillary had to decide whether they wanted to continue throwing their money into a losing effort.
Over on CNN, former Clinton White House aide David Gergen said "they know" the race is over. "Just watching Chelsea there on the replay, you could see the anguish in her face. I think the Clinton people know the game is almost up."
Even the conservatives got the picture. The right-leaning Drudge Report ran a photo of Obama with the headline "The Nominee." Fox News host Chris Wallace said, "I think there's an increasing presumption tonight that Obama's going to be the nominee."
And it continued on the other networks. Bob Schieffer on the CBS "Early Show" said "this race is over." Even George Stephanopoulos, a former Clinton White House aide who now anchors ABC's Sunday morning news show, appeared on "Good Morning America" and said "this nomination fight is over."
The tabloids got straight to the point. The New York Post condensed the news to a photo of Clinton and a one-word headline: "Toast!" But the New York Daily News held out for the possibility of divine intervention with its headline, "Hil Needs a Miracle."
Unfortunately for Clinton, her supporters didn't provide much help either. Clinton backer George McGovern -- the Democrats' 1972 presidential nominee -- quickly jumped shipped and swam over to the Obama boat Wednesday morning. Another supporter, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), openly admitted that she didn't know how it was "doable" for Clinton to win at this point. And Clinton's own New York colleague Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said it was all in the candidate's hands now. "It's her decision to make and I'll accept what decision she makes," said Schumer.
Other observers pronounced the death of the Clinton campaign effort. Daily Voice editor Keith Boykin wrote what he called an "obituary" for the Clinton campaign on Wednesday, and Daily Voice contributor Jasmyne Cannick posted a funeral program for Clinton on her web site, complete with the song "Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by Boyz II Men.
But there were some defenders, of course. The Clinton campaign itself vowed to fight on in spite of the obstacles, and the candidate declared Wednesday that she was still in the race to the end. "I'm staying in this race until there's a nominee," Clinton told reporters in West Virginia.
And Clinton also got support from an unexpected ally. The newest contributor to The Daily Voice, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, encouraged Hillary Clinton to "take it to the finish line."
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Alicia commented on Is it too early to call?:
The only way Hilary Clinton can win this is to pull a George W Bush job concerning the super delegat... -
Sugar Man commented on Is it too early to call?:
Hillary would rather die than admit defeat. It's not in her. Obama better watch out. Hillary goes o... -
Mr. FAMU commented on Is it too early to call?:
Is the daily voice smoking dope? Of course this thing is over. And everyone has known it for the pas... -
Purl Gurl commented on Is it too early to call?:
A staff reporter asks, "Is it too early to call?" No, rather clear the Clinton bid for nomination i... -
RJ commented on Is it too early to call?:
www.andwearenotsaved.blogspot.com www.beentherehatedit.com I am not suprised by Time magazines cove...
May 8, 2008 8:27 AM
Memo to Hillary. That oval office you seek? When Bill Clinton was enjoying one of the many blowjobs he received there, when it he was done and over, he pulled up his pants, zipped up his trousers and moved on (often leaving a mess on my dress).
Hillary, you're done, it's over. Much like your husband, it's time to pull up the trousers on the no doubt pants suit I am sure you are wearing today, zip it up and move one. The only mess you've left is a financial mess - your campaign.
Tootles!
Monica
May 8, 2008 9:11 AM
The Audacity of Nope
I sorry Senator Clinton, but you cannot be the Democratic nominee. The people have spoken. It’s time for the Clintons to pack it up and to go home. It was a good run, for sure. However, they underestimated the rolling tides of change and “the audacity of hope.” During my undergrad years, I was a political science major and absolutely adored the Clintons. I thought that President Clinton was fresh and exciting; I thought First Lady Hilary Clinton was brave and brash, a no-holds-barred type of woman. However, I was dazzled by the glint and gleam or stardom, which the modern US presidency has become. All of this was dashed when the Clintons began to run a racist campaign. The Clintons have been found wonton and woefully inadequate to address the changing political scene. Now they’re the old-fogies that they once wished to displace.
I, as well as Toni Morrison, am “compelled by the quality of mind”. And for us the choice is quite clear and prophetic. Barack Obama is going to be the next President of the United States. For millions of Americans, he is what the country needs. He may not have as much experience as others, that I admit. He may possess foibles, but who does not. What is important is this: The time is right for Americans to reclaim our promise to ourselves—of the people, by the people, for the people.
May 8, 2008 10:30 AM
Isn't he cute?
I hope he wins and becomes president. But most of all I hope he remains authentic and compassionate in dark allies of old and sickening power. That will be THE WIN.
May 8, 2008 10:34 AM
Well, I hope its not a Dewey defeats Truman headline! And, with HRC still running around saying she and only she can deliver the "white" vote and the black voters don't count at all according to her statements of the past couple of days. All the while Billy is handing put vote "white woman" bumper stickers, I haven't counted this woman out.
May 8, 2008 10:37 AM
www.andwearenotsaved.blogspot.com
www.beentherehatedit.com
I am not suprised by Time magazines cover. They are supporters of Obama. Only in the US will we see this.
Shame on Time for jumping the gun. Now we see why states like Florida and Michigan wanted to move up their primaries. States want to have a say in the election as oppose to having media outlets make the calls and sway the voters.
and we are not saved...
May 8, 2008 12:07 PM
A staff reporter asks, "Is it too early to call?"
No, rather clear the Clinton bid for nomination is coming to an end. I am quite annoyed by our American media making the decision on who will be our democratic nominee. This media decision was made many months back when our media made Obama their darling. Bothers me our American peoples are willing to allow television talking heads to make our decisions for us.
Nor is it too early to call our November general election. I see four more years of George W. Bush coming our way. This will be the final coffin nail for America. Currently, our America has fallen to a status of our world's richest third world country. Next year, America will become the third richest third world country, in line after China and India.
How ironic we Americans allow others to make decisions for us.
Long live King Media.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
May 8, 2008 1:03 PM
Is the daily voice smoking dope? Of course this thing is over. And everyone has known it for the past 3 months. THERE IS NO WAY SHE CAN WIN THIS. Short of Barack Obama internally com busting.
IT IS OVER.
ITS BEEN OVER.
May 8, 2008 8:26 PM
Hillary would rather die than admit defeat. It's not in her.
Obama better watch out. Hillary goes on a murderous rampage when she does not get her way.
No Kidding.
May 9, 2008 10:36 PM
The only way Hilary Clinton can win this is to pull a George W Bush job concerning the super delegate votes. Because if you do the math, she needs about 324 more delegates, however there are only 270 or so delegate votes left undecided. Hmmm....if the will of the American people is left unfulfilled we will be in some deep crap, worse than that in a pigsty. For the Clintons to even place a toehold in the Oval Office again is to show a disregard for honesty and the equal representation of all people.