Humotropy

Clinton to drop out

I did a little dance when I heard on NPR that Obama had won the Iowa caucuses, so don’t think I didn’t want Clinton to drop out from day one.  In truth, I really wanted everyone to drop out right then and there, but that was my personal preference.  Thus, it gives me warm happys to learn that Clinton plans on dropping out of the democratic nomination process and supporting Barack Obama.

I’ve wanted this for a while now.  I’m confused as to why commentators like Melissa McEwan are astounded that people would want Clinton to drop out.  First, taking a primary bid to its ultimate conclusion is not an activity that comes without consequences.  The candidate must make a judgment as to whether or not the consequences of continuing the fight are balanced or exceeded by the chances of getting the nomination.  Clearly, the Clinton campaign has reached a different conclusion in this matter than most of punditry and (as declining polls would suggest) a large portion of the population.

After Obama’s 10-state streak, though, that balance shifted dramatically. Of couse, she had the right to continue the fight, but I think it called in to question her wisdom in doing so.  Of course she COULD go on, but is it a good idea to do so?  Many people have argued that it isn’t a good idea for the party as a whole.  Videos like this suggest they may have a point.  Apparently, it hasn’t been a good idea for her either as polls of her trustworthiness have dropped.  This isn’t a question of rights or desserts, but of the wisdom which will be carried in to the White House.  Stubbornness in the face of inevitable defeat is a trait we as a nation have come to know and dislike.

Secondly, I think that McEwan and supporters of Hillary (the ‘and’ being necessary since McEwan has remained mainly neutral in the primary) underestimate how much Clinton’s detractors dislike her.   Many democrats love her, but those who don’t (and most republicans) are far from ambivalent about her.  Pundits have long made a point about her high negatives.  This is not a minor issue in a campaign where the twin topics of Change and Unity have such a major role.

If McEwan and others judge that all these negatives associated with a prolonged primary campaign are insufficient to drop out, fine.  Judgement calls are just that.  But when, for many people, the opposite conclusion comes out of what seems like insurmountable evidence, it is a legitemate question to ask why Clinton doesn’t see this as well and to be horrified by the possible answers.