Clinton Vows To Stay in Race To Convention

Washington Post: Senator Stresses Finding Solution On Michigan, Florida Votes

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Perry Bacon Jr. and Anne E. Kornblut.

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In her most definitive comments to date on the subject, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton sought Saturday to put to rest any notion that she will drop out of the presidential race, pledging in an interview to not only compete in all the remaining primaries but also continue until there is a resolution of the disqualified results in Florida and Michigan.

A day after Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean urged the candidates to end the race by July 1, Clinton defied that call by declaring that she will take her campaign all the way to the Aug. 25-28 convention if necessary, potentially setting up the prolonged and divisive contest that party leaders are increasingly anxious to avoid.

"I know there are some people who want to shut this down and I think they are wrong," Clinton said in an interview during a campaign stop here Saturday. "I have no intention of stopping until we finish what we started and until we see what happens in the next 10 contests and until we resolve Florida and Michigan. And if we don't resolve it, we'll resolve it at the convention - that's what credentials committees are for.

"We cannot go forward until Florida and Michigan are taken care of, otherwise the eventual nominee will not have the legitimacy that I think will haunt us," said the senator from New York. "I can imagine the ads the Republican Party and John McCain will run if we don't figure out how we can count the votes in Michigan and Florida."

Asked if there was a scenario in which she would drop out before the last primaries on June 3, Clinton said no. "I am committed to competing everywhere that there is an election," she said.

The Clinton campaign requested the interview Saturday to talk about how she could win and to emphasize her focus on Michigan and Florida.

Her remarks come as Clinton faces a mounting drumbeat, driven by the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and his backers, for her to bow out and avert a party crisis. Obama's supporters argue that he is too far ahead in pledged delegates for Clinton to catch up; Clinton counters by saying that neither of them has secured the 2,024 delegates needed for the nomination.

At a news conference Saturday in Johnstown, Pa., Obama welcomed Clinton to continue campaigning. "My attitude is that Senator Clinton can run as long as she wants," he said. "She is a fierce and formidable opponent, and she obviously believes she would make the best nominee and the best president."

Central to Clinton's case that she can still win is solving the question of Michigan and Florida, whose Democratic parties scheduled primaries in January in violation of national party rules, leading to their contests being invalidated.

Dean has said he would like to find a way to seat the two delegations, but no agreement has been reached among the state parties, the Clinton and Obama campaigns, and the DNC. The failure to schedule a revote or to count the earlier results has been a major setback for Clinton, who won both primaries, though she was the only Democratic candidate on the ballot in Michigan.

Clinton on Saturday accused Obama of blocking a proposed Michigan revote. Party officials earlier this month cited problems with conducting another primary there, but Obama aides had previously detailed their concerns in a memo, which she called a "smoke screen."

"His campaign rejected the plan that was put forward," she said. "For the life of me, what Barack was afraid of in Michigan I will never understand."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in an e-mail: "Sen. Obama is actually interested in and working towards a solution, unlike Clinton, who is trying to change the rules she agreed to and is more interested in potshots than solving this problem."

Clinton hopes to overtake Obama in the overall popular vote to argue to superdelegates - the nearly 800 party members and elected officials who are likely to determine the outcome of the race - that she is ahead where it matters. Including Florida and Michigan in that equation could boost her vote and delegate totals, as well as bolster her argument that she is better positioned to capture big general-election swing states.

When asked Saturday how she could still win, Clinton immediately talked about wooing superdelegates, who she said "have a role and very important responsibility."

"We have to nominate someone who can go toe to toe with John McCain on national security and beat him on the economy," she said. "This will all be for naught if we don't win in November."

But in the lull before ballots are cast in the next contest, in Pennsylvania on April 22, Clinton has been deluged with calls for her withdrawal, provoking a backlash among her supporters and defiance from the candidate and her family and staff.

Bill Clinton sent out an e-mail, titled "Not big on quitting," on Saturday that reminded supporters that his wife is behind in the popular vote by less than one percentage point and that she trails by 130 delegates.

"With the race this close, it sure doesn't make sense to me that she'd leave now - does it make sense to you?" the former president's e-mail read.

In the interview, Hillary Clinton brushed aside concerns from party leaders that the campaign will hurt the party's chances against McCain, who launched his first general-election television ad last week and who has spent the month raising money and attacking the Democrats.

"General elections start where there is a nominee or a putative nominee," Clinton said. "They think they have theirs, we don't yet have ours. . . . We have frozen this election."

Asked whether Obama could win in November, Clinton deflected the question. "I'm saying I have a better chance," she said. "You cannot as a Democrat win the White House without a very big women's vote. What I believe is that women will turn out for me."

Staff writer Shailagh Murray in State College, Pa., contributed to this report.

[xlib]

As the madamed decries the hardship of those caught up in the mortgage crisis (btw-it is in 11 states only, we here in Western New York are enjoying a brisk market as we were never in the bubble)her campaign manager sits on the board of one of the evil sub prime mortgage companies. Still don''t see that here. Maybe the story wasn''t cleared by mediamatters & soros.

[craftylady38]

Ok course Hillary will stay! She is the one breaking up the Democratic Party. She is the one who is slinging mud and has tried to destroy Obama''s reputation but has failed. She is the one who has Bill spreading lies and then denies it. Oooops she got caught last week, she was running for cover as first lady hmmmm? Why do we want a political machine back in office? Haven''t the Bush years taught us anything? What did the Clinton years do that was so great? Lies and almost impeachment? Why do we want a woman who will stop at nothing to win? Who insults our intelligence with her lies and deceit? I want a woman president someday! One who is strong and can lead with integrity and Hillary, look in the mirror, THAT ISN''T YOU, GET A CLUE!!!!!

[nomorehillry]

It''s a shame that we have a candidate who has electrified voters in our country like never before(Obama), and we (the DNC) is allowing the Clintons to continue to deface, degrade, and destroy (through proven false accusations and dirty politics) his voter base. Why? Are we really interested in four more years with a Republican at the helm? Then, end it. It''s over. The only thing the Clinton''s have left is dirty politics. Anyone doubting that one?

[rowdytexan2]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/29/AR2008032902031.html?nav=rss_politics

Awwwww, it seems Mr. Obama telling his beautiful story in Selma, Alabama just MISSPOKE during his smarmy speech about his father coming to American and the Kennedy family assistance.

He can certainly make up the purty little speeches but of course he couldn''t be LYING could he? Embellishing the hardship if his great story?

His father was already living in Hawaii when the Kennedy''s airlifted Kenyans! Whatta crock!

[hawksprings]

Hillary has no chance of pulling ahead of Obama.
Her negatives in polling are the highest of anyone who''s ever run for President.
When she goes to campaign in a state, her numbers go down.
Superdelagates that were pledged to her have abandoned her.
She''s been caught repeatedly lying just a few days ago.
Mathematically she cannot win.

If Hillary were a gentleman, she would withdraw.
But alas...

[ontheleft]

''We cannot go forward until Florida and Michigan are taken care of''

They already took care of themselves. Their state parties decided to move up their elections knowing that their delegates would not be seated. Now those states have decided they are not going to hold new primaries. End of story. Too bad, Clinton.

[rowdytexan2]

Of course Hillary will stay in the race! She has just as much support in this race as Obama does.

The party split at the voting table. Hillary didn''t split it. Some folks need to get a clue!

The idea that Mr. Obama has energized democrats is hogwarsh! Just as many democrats have come out and supported Hillary Clinton.

[hawksprings]

"Obama should drop out if anyone should! "
Posted by ObombA1

Hillary, is that you?

[popstom1]

I am from Chicago and will not Vote Obama Rezko Auchi
Wright and the list go''s on He was a dirt bag then
and He''s a dirt bag now and every friend he has and
his grandmother he has $hit on

[hawksprings]

If Hillary were a gentleman, she would withdraw.
But alas...

[hawksprings]

"He''''s a dirt bag now and every friend he has and
his grandmother he has $hit on"
Posted by popstom1

Hillary, is that you?

[ontheleft]

''The idea that Mr. Obama has energized democrats is hogwarsh!"
Posted by RowdyTexan2

hogwarsh? do you say warshington too? geesh, are you sure you''re not a republican?

[ewnnrj]

Headline should read: "Hillary vows to destroy Democratic Party."

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by popstom1 at 10:35 AM : Mar 30, 2008

Well said!

[popstom1]

With 566 delegates and 126 super I think the race is
still on

[popstom1]

no it''s not hillary and it an''t the Rev.Wright either

[wync]

It is time to tone down all of this nominee fanaticism and let the system run its course. They are both viable candidates with pros and cons that leaves us a bit wary at times. However, if we allow vindictiveness, gender bias, cultural/racial apprehension and any other irrelavent side issue to destract us from what is good for American, we can only blame ourselves for the missed opportunity to change America for the better.

[nancy971]

I found this online today, please read. "Lest We Forget: An open letter to my sisters who are brave. By Alice Walker | TheRoot.com. The author argues that we must build alliances not on ethnicity or gender, but on truth. "I am a supporter of Obama because I believe he is the right person to lead the country at this time. He offers a rare opportunity for the country and the world to start over, and to do better. It is a deep sadness to me that many of my feminist white women friends cannot see him. Cannot see what he carries in his being. Cannot hear the fresh choices toward Movement he offers. That they can believe that millions of Americans %u2013black, white, yellow, red and brown - choose Obama over Clinton only because he is a man, and black, feels tragic to me." (I loved this article. I am a person of color, I am Latino. This article brought home many feelings. As people, people of all colors and creeds, male or female, we should try and understand one another).

[erichsh]

So right now "vindictiveness, gender bias, cultural/racial apprehension" are all "irrelevent side issues", because Democrats are at each other''s throats. But at the first hint of any negatives (real or perceived) coming from McCain''s campaign, these side issues will all of a sudden become very relevant. You''ll be out there screaming and hollering about those nasty racist, bigoted, sexist Republicans and their dirty tricks. You''ll completely ignore that it''s your side that''s been playing those cards, not ours.

[gcgray1]

Its time for Hillary to slang a lot mud at Obama lets dig up some more I know he is no saint with him going to the muslim church he has to be one of them.

[nancy971]

To obama8years. Don''t pretend to have read the article. Read it please. Educate yourself. I know it is difficult for some to understand simple nuances, but at least try.

[nancy971]

To truth-hurts. Read the article. Do you know what famous book Alice Walker wrote? It is a shame that so many people have no perspective other than the one they see in the mirror. God Bless.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by chitown639 at 11:11 AM : Mar 30, 2008

lol, You forget Hillary wants to be president in THIS election!

Even if Obama gets the nomination and wins the presidency, the country will be even worse off than we already are because of his incompetency.

We''ve got to make the turn around now with a competent president instead of one plodding his way through the government process because he hasn''t a clue.

Hillary ''08!

[rowdytexan2]

We shouldnt deceive ourselves to believe that the Hillary Campaign and the Republicans are digging as deeply as they can to find something against Obama, even if its false or made up. Apparently, you have fallen for some of that false info with your assertion that Obama goes to a Muslim church....stay off the hate sites for your news!!!
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Posted by chitown639 at 11:29 AM : Mar 30, 2008

lol, You might need to take your own advice and stop your hate Hillary shill before you advise anyone else.

[wync]

So right now "vindictiveness, gender bias, cultural/racial apprehension" are all "irrelevent side issues", because Democrats are at each other''''s throats. But at the first hint of any negatives (real or perceived) coming from McCain''''s campaign, these side issues will all of a sudden become very relevant. You''''ll be out there screaming and hollering about those nasty racist, bigoted, sexist Republicans and their dirty tricks. You''''ll completely ignore that it''''s your side that''''s been playing those cards, not ours.


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Posted by erichsh at 11:14 AM : Mar 30, 2008

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First of all, you should not be so ignorant to assume this without engaging me with some questions. This being said, I have a deep respect for Senator McCain. I think he is a very decent man although I disagree with his policies. I believe such issues would remain side and irrelavent issues because Senator McCain has class. I am tired of all of this stupidity that comes with the campaigning. As for sides, I have no side. I just an American with an opinion.

[abdoul_pasha]

Hello

[erasmus6]

The other day I watched THE VIEW. Obama was on and as far as I am concerned he said nothing he hasn''t said before. Sherri who is one of the cohosts, said after he finished speaking, that she was going to vote for Hillary but now that she heard him speak, she was now going to vote for him. I have never heard of anything so stupid in my life. She looked like a complete idiot. It isn''t just because she says she is going to vote for Obama, it is because she supposedly has been listening to what he has had to say for months and still was voting for Hillary and now that he has come on the show she is now going to vote for him. He said nothing new so why all of a sudden would she change her vote to him? It must be that Charles Manson type charisma that he has. You know, where people go into a trance and follow him into the depths of h-e-ll.

Awhile back a woman posted that everytime she heard his voice her heart went pitter-pat and all she could think about was him. Ahhh, is this who you should be voting in as president?

Also Obama keeps saying how he wants to bring home the troops right away but after he says it there are always BUTS after he says it. BUT of course we have to make sure that their government is up and running properly, BUT we have to....

He knows that it will be impossible(just like all the other candidates) to bring the troops out immediately but he likes deceiving everyone into thinking that he will do it when he knows he can''t.

[seah5]

Yeah! as well she should.

The Majority of the Democrats want her for the nominee.

She has a better chance of beating McCain

She has what it takes to go all the way.

[abdoul_pasha]

erasmus6, did you wake up?

[wync]

Even if Obama gets the nomination and wins the presidency, the country will be even worse off than we already are because of his incompetency.

We''''ve got to make the turn around now with a competent president instead of one plodding his way through the government process because he hasn''''t a clue.

Hillary ''''08!


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Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 11:32 AM : Mar 30, 2008


Unfair and misleading argument. Neither have shown that they are more or less competent than the other as it relates to the Presidency.

[creeper00]

Clinton and Obama both have many flaws. Clinton''s are, for the most part, minor ones of style. The worst thing you can say about her record is that she voted for AUMF. She later stated she would not do that again if she could go back and has pledged to get our troops out of Iraq.

Obama''s biggest flaw is the one that should keep him from the presidency...lack of a record of accomplishment on anything substantive. For all the pretty words, there is no substance in back of them.

Clinton has done the hard work and faced the divisive issues. That''s why she''s made enemies.

You can''t please all the people all the time. You can only do your best...not just speak your best.

[erasmus6]

"erasmus6, did you wake up?" posted by Abdoul_Pasha

Yes I did, although I wish I didn''t. I haven''t been getting any sleep lately so it would have been nice to sleep longer.

[walt1944-2009]

Everyone seems so concerned about Obama being incompetent for the office of Great Emperor.

I might ask, WHAT KIND OF COMPETENCY HAVE WE HAD FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS? There are at least 70% of the population who feel that the Great Emperor Bush II isn''t competent enough to drive a car but the minority have had him drive the country for years!

Are we stupid or are we stupid???

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!
sig heil (more of the same), McCain???

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by wync at 11:41 AM : Mar 30, 2008

Go read his plans! They''re naive and totally tax dependent! I''m not misleading or mislead, I''ve studied this guy, his dirty politics, his incompetency in Illinois, and his lies about his friends and his support of them.

[creeper00]

"...if Obama gets the nomination and wins the presidency, the country will be even worse off than we already are because of his incompetency.

We''ve got to make the turn around now with a competent president instead of one plodding his way through the government process because he hasn''''t a clue."

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 11:32 AM : Mar 30, 2008

Rowdy,

You nailed it. Barack Obama is the George W. Bush of the Democratic party. He''d be a great guy to have a beer with but you sure don''t want him running your country.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by chitown639 at 11:42 AM : Mar 30, 2008

What do you mean, the will of the people? Some of the people have spoken, and some have not as yet. Right now, she has more support of the people!

You keep ignoring this, but the DNC isn''t!

[barefootboy9]

http://www.sodahead.com/blog/2048/

The above page is interesting.

[creeper00]

"Unfair and misleading argument. Neither have shown that they are more or less competent than the other as it relates to the Presidency."

Posted by wync at 11:41 AM : Mar 30, 2008

Are you kidding? Obviously you have not studied their records. Hillary Clinton has been a US Senator for eight years. Obama has been there for barely two.

Which brings up the subject of loyalty to your constituents. Clinton promised the voters of New York she would serve her full first term. She honored that promise by not running in 2004.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, promised the voters of Illinois in 2005 that he would serve out his full six-year term as US Senator. You see how well he honored that vow.

[hawksprings]

Erasmus, how''s things in BC?
We got about 4 inches of Global Warming overnight... oh, I''m sorry, I forgot your Candaian.
We got 10 centimeters of Global Warming overnight, and 8-10 cm more is due today.
Are you underwater yet?

[enoughya]

The wicked witch Hillary (even her crackling, phony laugh and shrill temperament bespeaks her witchy ways) knows that if she stays in she has no way of overriding the voice of the people, that has come out clearly against her. Instead she knows it buys her time to scheme and cheat any way she can to get to power, including accepting the votes of Republicans, who hate her, but would vote for her in the primaries to keep from running against Obama in the general election. She has proven she will usurp power any way she can, destroying everything in her path if necessary to do so, as is amply evident in her numerous dirty tricks against Obama. She is more of the same Bush arrogance, and half the country absolutely hates her for the tyrant she is. The sooner these shrill, bitter, old women (the type of women you give an inch and they take a mile) are gone the better we all will be.

[nancy971]

Please read the article "Cash-strapped Clinton fails to pay bills" at http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9259_Page2.html (Looks like Obama and his sheer lack of inexperience has somehow served him well. He has run an amazing campaign. There is no denying this).

[wync]

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 11:47 AM : Mar 30, 2008

Name one Democrat whose plans are not tax dependent. His plans are no more naive than those of any candidate for President because it will not happen without cooperation from Congress. I doubt you have studied this man from an objective point of view.
Lies and Dirty Tricks (I guess these 2 things do not apply to Hillary. . .YEAH RIGHT!) Like I said before, BOTH are viable and capable candidates.

[rowdytexan2]

LOL...First you were saying that Obama had stole all of Hillarys plans. Now the plans are naive??? Obama has a very good reputation in Illinois, thats why he spent 8 years as a state Senator, and thats why he defeated Hillary in Illinois. Hillary, who was born in Chicago, Illinois....she lost her home state!!!


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Posted by chitown639 at 11:58 AM : Mar 30, 2008

He only won Illinois in the few districts of mass population with marginal wins. Exactly those corrupt districts where his corrupt friends are.

Go read up! Look at the districts he won!

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by wync at 12:04 PM : Mar 30, 2008

Like I said, go read his plans. As a for instance, his insurance plan is totally tax dependent. And that will fail because he won''t be able to get the tax support unless every republican loses their seat.

Hillary''s insurance plan is to regulate for affordable rates, and then give tax credits, not up your taxes.

Study the plans!

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by chitown639 at 12:06 PM : Mar 30, 2008

You do the math! I''ve told you three times to go add up the votes, state by state! Your contention that he has the lead is nonsense.

If he actually had the support, the DNC would''ve already decided the nomination. The thing is, they don''t know yet whether he has the support or not. It''s too close.

Go do the math yourself, please!

[tigerjcs]

All voters should be heard. Including Michigan and Florida. If those Democrats votes are not counted, they should vote Republicans in November. The General election is the one who determine the real outcome. Therefore, Hillary should stay. she has the support of the key Democratic states. Obama wins on those states that will vote Republican in GE. Strategy is more important than numbers of primary delegates.

[wync]

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 12:07 PM : Mar 30, 2008

This is the same plan that "MANDATES" that everyone get health insurance with the assurance of an affordable rate. Now THAT is NAIVE? If I can''t afford health insurance, mandating that I have it is not going to help me afford it! She will need congress support on getting insurance companies regulated. That is going to be a tough and unlikely sell.

[erasmus6]

hawksprings

It may be centimeters here now but I still go by "inches".

The other day we got some snow. I don''t think you understand the global warming thing. They have said that the weather will be erratic for awhile but you are of course choosing to ignore that.:) That is okay, I am pretty sure you will see the light very soon.

Did you see my message I left you in "Chelsea Surprised by Sexist Comment"?:)

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by chitown639 at 12:13 PM : Mar 30, 2008

lol, I just go look at the facts before I support a candidate.

Your obsession is just with swilling complete lies and distortion of the facts and people''s words.

[rowdytexan2]

This is the same plan that "MANDATES" that everyone get health insurance with the assurance of an affordable rate. Now THAT is NAIVE? If I can''''t afford health insurance, mandating that I have it is not going to help me afford it! She will need congress support on getting insurance companies regulated. That is going to be a tough and unlikely sell.



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Posted by wync at 12:13 PM : Mar 30, 2008

Au contraire. Regulation is already being discussed in congress, guess at whose behest?