Reply #33: While I still hold out slim hope Gore might run

[Tom Rinaldo]

barring that I honestly believe Clinton will be the nominee. I have felt for about two months that, unless either Clark or Gore entered to challenge her, Clinton has a secure hold on the nomination. Prior to that I still thought that either Obama or Edwards still had some chance, or that a second tier candidate might break through. Now I honestly don't see that happening anymore. That certainly isn't my wishful thinking speaking, that is my honest hard tacks appraisal. It is one of the reasons why I continued to use my posts at DU and elsewhere to advocate for a Clark or Gore candidacy. But Clark didn't receive the support he needed and Gore continues to seem set on his course which is not to be a candidate for President in 2008. I know the arguments that can be trotted out to say that Hillary may still lose, I just don't believe that ultimately they are winning arguments under the circumstances, with the candidates who are left who still oppose her.

I did not want the Democratic Party to nominate Hillary Clinton in 2008, but I am pretty sure that it will. I fear four more years of Republican rule far far more than I fear four more years of Clinton rule. Of that I have zero doubt. I do believe that is what the choices will boil down to, and that's not because Clark endorsed Hillary.. There is a chance that Clinton will allow the U.S. to enter into an avoidable war. There is a certainty that the Republicans would do exactly that. And that does not even touch on the number of elderly Supreme Court Justices who will need to be replaced over the next 5 years.

If the Republicans ran Chuck Hagel against Hillary Clinton I would clearly prefer Clinton, but I would not have nearly as deep a fear about what might happen if Hagel won. My support of Clinton in that scenario would probably be very luke warm. However the Republicans will not run Chuck Hagel, they are pandering to their right yet again and the words coming out of the mouths of their current candidates truly sicken me. I am now psychologically bracing myself for the General Election, and while I retain my right to be critical of Hillary Clinton I view her as our likely nominee. I will not savage her nor call her unworthy of receiving support. I expect to be fighting for her by June at the latest. That is reality as I see it.