Clinton Tells Supporters She Deserves to Get Party's Nomination

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- Hillary Clinton told supporters that not only does she now lead her opponent in the popular vote, she is the strongest candidate to take on John McCain in the fall, leading her to the conclusion, "I am the person who should get the support for the nomination of our party."

Clinton's comment come just one day before the final two states, Montana and South Dakota, head to the polls to vote. Although Clinton seemed in high spirits, she chose her words carefully when she spoke. She opted against drawing contrasts between Barack Obama and herself, something she has done without fail throughout the campaign season. Instead, she seemed resigned to the fact that her campaign may be in its final days. "Our main job at the end of this historic, closely contested primary season is to nominate the next president, who must be a Democrat, and that is our goal," she told a small group at a restaurant here.

Clinton thanked her supporters and volunteers who have been working on her campaign. She noted that she started way behind in the race here, but still urged supporters to turn out in large numbers tomorrow. "Your votes really do count and what South Dakota decides tomorrow will have a big influence on what people think going forward."

It would take something short of a miracle for Clinton to capture the nomination at this point, but both she and her campaign believe there is still a chance. She continues to think she will be able to sway a certain number superdelegates in the coming days to make that happen. Clinton doesn't seem to regret having stayed in the race this long, telling the group of supporters, "I am very grateful that we kept this campaign going until South Dakota."

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by food-thought June 3, 2008 1:04 PM EDT: Obama might not have all the experience, but is that necessarily a bad thing? He did run one hell of a primary campaign against someone a lot of people thought was a shoo-in.; Reply to this comment


by hhkeller June 2, 2008 8:47 PM EDT: Obama is a 1 year Senator with cute dimples. Nothing much to vote for except his color and his church.; Reply to this comment


by catchsandy June 2, 2008 8:37 PM EDT: Everytime hillbilly says she leads in popular vote, she diminishes the intelligence level of her supporters by 5 percent.; Reply to this comment


by hilaree-2009 June 2, 2008 8:29 PM EDT: i like almonds.; Reply to this comment


by hilaree-2009 June 2, 2008 8:27 PM EDT: i like almonds.; Reply to this comment


by ejb1966 June 2, 2008 8:16 PM EDT: The media sure has a lot of power in leading the reader to a conclusion that isn''t even supported by the facts just with a headline. Where does it say in these comments that Hillary said she ''deserves'' the parties nomination? %u2018Should%u2019, %u2018Will%u2019 and %u2018Deserve%u2019 all mean different things. Words matter and this reporter%u2019s choice of words only work separate and divide us at the moment.

%u201C- Hillary Clinton told supporters that not only does she now lead her opponent in the popular vote, she is the strongest candidate to take on John McCain in the fall, leading her to the conclusion, %u201CI am the person who should get the support for the nomination of our party.%u201D %u201C

The choice of words ''deserves'' plays right into the headlines of Father Pfleger mocking Senator Clinton saying that he thinks that she thinks the since she''s white and the wife of Billy Clinton that she believes that she%u2019s ''entitled'' to the nomination. These words only plays into the race issue. I think both candidates have done a pretty good job of trying to stay above race and gender; however, each of their supporters, along with the Media flaming the fires, have played the race/gender card. Yes, we still are an %u2018imperfect%u2019 Nation and human race.; Reply to this comment


by flamom June 2, 2008 7:49 PM EDT: It''s time for us to unite...
Superdelegates need to endorse Barack Obama NOW!
http://www.floodthelines.com/superdelegatescommit/
Yes We Can!; Reply to this comment


by cbs4me3 June 2, 2008 7:28 PM EDT: Right on, Hillary. I hope to elect you as the first Woman President of the United States of America, whether in the current party or as an independent. Please do not withdraw for we shall continue to support you and vote you President in November.; Reply to this comment


by eezzzee-2009 June 2, 2008 7:10 PM EDT: Hillary is entitled; didn''t you already know that!?

Hillary, the Queen of Spin and a Legend in Her Own Mind!

http://klintons.com; Reply to this comment


by brittanicus-2009 June 2, 2008 6:57 PM EDT: Convincing my family, not to vote for Senator Obama is still in the works. Senator McCain is a ''dark Horse'' and he was heavily invested in the last Comprehensive immigration Reform; another name for AMNESTY. In my eyes they both condemned themselves. But my family needs Universal health care from Senator Clinton, after my daughter died from Cancer, as her employment insurance didn''t cover the nightmare.; Reply to this comment