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Ten Wins In A Row

Posted by ousman ceesay at Wednesday, February 20, 2008

On the day after Wisconsin and Hawaii, I've been ruminating on what would be happening right now if Barack Obama had lost ten straight contests since Super Tuesday.

Here's the first thing that would have happen:

If Obama had lost ten straight contests, the Clinton campaign and/or its surrogates would be calling for him to "step down" for the "good of the party." They would want the Democratic party to "coalesce" around its "obvious frontrunner."

There's precedent for that

Democratic Party leaders leaned on Gary Hart to quit in 1984 and Jesse Jackson to quit in 1988. Both were running against more establishment-type candidates.We tend to forget Jackson's run in 1988 but as someone pointed out yesterday, he had the highest-ever number of delegates for a second-place candidate until Hillary Clinton exceeded that mark yesterday.

Here's another thing I know. If Obama had lost ten straight contests, each and every Obama concession speech would have congratulated his opponent and thanked the supporters who worked tirelessly for him in those states. According to the NYTimes this morning:

“Mrs. Clinton did not mention the Wisconsin results; she did, however, call Mr. Obama to congratulate him on the victory. “

Obama would be gracious enough to congratulate his opponent publicly and to thank his supporters in the states he lost….Remember New Hampshire? Enough said...

   

1 Comment:

1. adefunke said...
   February 20, 2008 at 11:46 AM  
   Yes he would have graciously congratulated his opponent after walking in to Jay-Z's "99 Problems" with the following lyric - "I have 99 problems but a bitch ain't one"
   
   Its difficult but not impossible for Hillary to come back into this race, and if Obama were in her exact position, delegate count and all I doubt he would be throwing in the towel just yet. I think if after the primaries in Ohio and Texas Clinton is unable to get back in this race i.e. win the popular vote AND the majority of pledged delegates, I think she should concede the nomination to Obama. Going on will only confirm the fact that she is a polarizing figure. Conceding will mean she loses the battle and if she is right re: Obama's perceived inexperience, she would be in a position to be the shoo in come 2012 thereby winning the war. If that day comes, I hope she will not take the electorate for granted and will plan and run a much better campaign.

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