Now that the issue of the Democratic nomination for president has been settled by the voters in North Carolina and Indiana, the lone remaining question pertains to Hillary Clinton's desire to retain her dignity.
As presumptive nominee Barack Obama graciously pointed out last evening, Sen. Clinton has been a spirited campaigner. Her supporters have seen her as an intelligent, well-informed, hard working public servant, as well as the best hope yet for becoming the first woman to hold the nation's highest office.
Her effort has failed.
The key question now is whether or not Sen. Clinton will demonstrate the poise and maturity her followers and the rest of the nation would expect from someone aspiring to be our leader. Personal ambition is a large part of the motivation for anyone to become president. But personal ambition must give way to the common good of the electorate, lest it be seen simply as hubris. Sen. Clinton's behavior at this crucial time will determine whether she will be seen as a committed, dignified representative of the people or a blindly ambitious politician. Dignity, once lost, is difficult to regain.
I have supported Sen. Obama for some time but have respected Sen. Clinton's efforts in this difficult race. That respect stands in the balance for me, and I believe others as well.
The time has come for Sen. Clinton to acknowledge a difficult reality: she will not become president of the United States on January 20, 2009
Concede already! You are hurting your party's chances at winning the Presidency!
Posted by: Jeremy | May 07, 2008 at 01:11 PM