The speech that would redeem The Clintons

[Armstead]

(Yes I have my asbestos suit on and a supply of popcorn.)

Hillary: "Tonight we are addressing America jointly, because we have always been a team."

"After long soul searching, I have decided that my true gifts are as a legislator. I have come to love my adopted home state of New York. I realize it is time for my husband and I to pass the torch as the party's leaders. So I intend to withdraw my candidacy for president, and dedicate myself to my duties as the Senator from New York. I will also dedicate myself to working within the Senate to advance the Democratic agenda. And I will actively support and work for the election and agenda of the next Democratic President."

Bill: "I have realized over the last few weeks that my position as a former President carries with it great responsibility. To everything there is a season, and I realize that my season as an active politician has passed. We need a new politics for the 21st Century. I hope to play a role in shaping that, but only as an elder statesman."

"I acknowledge that I have made the mistake of misusing that responsibility, and I have harmed my party in the process. So tonight I will announce that I am retiring from active politics, except for occasional appearances to promote the Democratic Party as a whole. I intend to focus my time and abilities on the work that I have started to combat AIDS, serve as an unofficial goodwill ambassador for the United States and promote other causes I believe in. I apologize to Senator Obama, and can only say that I got caight in the heat of the moment and overstepped the boundaries. I wish him or John Edwards all the best in their campaigns, and I will actively do what is asked of me to ensure their election in November."

"Thank you all, and God Bless the Democratic Party."

[Windy]

1. If she wants to redeem herself, she can stay out of florida and quit calling

for michigan and florida delegates to be seated without calling for a new open primary vote with all candidates on the ballot!

[Maven]

2. "Yes I have my asbestos suit on and a supply of popcorn."

So you admit this is flamebait?

[Armstead]

4. Of course....What is Du without flamebait?

But it is sincerely meant flamebait.

[Maven]

6. Ya know, this is really unfortunate coming from an Edwards supporter

whose candidate, it is often said by "certain" people, should simply get out of the race and endorse someone else.

[Armstead]

9. My focus above is more on the Clintons

I do believe their candidacy is harming the Democratic Party in a way that transcends individual races.

They represent and practice a form of polarizing politics that we need to move beyond.

Call it flamebait if you want, but i honestly would have a lot more respect for them if they put their own ambition aside and accepted roles that are better suited to them.

[Maven]

14. It's not for you to tell anyone "what roles are better suited to them"

And considering that Clinton is a female candidate I really wouldn't use that argument if you want to win friends.

[Armstead]

18. Um this is a discussion board

I guess it's also not up to me to suggest that GW Bush should not be president?

[thunder rising]

7. so far so good...they must really be stoking the fires for a$$ ;-)

[Maven]

8. What irony.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. The Irony

The irony is that the supporters of the candidate who promises to unite us are the most bullying, divisive posters on this board...

[papau]

13. So next is Way Obama can redeem himself is w/ specifics on items he will take power away from Corps,

social net increases he will enact, tax increases on the rich he will do, payroll tax cap removal he will accomplish, gay rights he will pass, military budget cuts he will make, alternative non-coal energy bill he will seek.

It is going to be a long 9 months if all we have is "doing business a new way as a vision" - no matter how moving that thought is put together and delivered in his speeches. It is getting tiring to notice that on every topic he promises much as a vision and little as to specifics - and ends up to the right of Edwards and Hillary (despite that progressive voting record).

So far he seems the corporate candidate that if nominated will see the non-Obama part of the Democrats likely sit on their hands rather than elect an inexperienced corporate voice over the more experienced GOP version.

[Benhurst]

16. Aren't "Hope" and "Change" enough for you?

You want specifics?

Jeez! Some people are never satisfied.

[papau]

19. LOL - my bad :-)

[Kucinich4America]

3. I'd certainly gain some respect for them if they did that

...for the good of the country. Except there needs to be something in there about dissolving the DLC, as well.

[xchrom]

5. i'm an edwards guy -- but that speech wouldn't make me happy.

she should run and keep running if that's what she wants.

and as far as splitting the party? one would hope the party is a little tougher than primary season wrangling.

if it isn't -- well -- that says a whole lot more than obama and hillary having a cat fight.

[AX10]

10. I have said again and again, that Edwards should...

stay in the race. I maintain that position even though you are classless and greedy.

[Armstead]

17. I am under no illusion they will give a speech like that

But I am very angry and disheartened by their behavior and willingness to lie and smear Obama (and I'm not an Obama supporter).

With most candidates in the primary, I have accepted their legitimacy even if I didn't support or agree with them.

But the Clinton's have been intensifying my initial misgivings by their impact on the campaigns in recent weeks. Maybe it's not their fault, Perhaps divisiveness is just in their genes.

Dunno, but Hillary could be a great Senator and Bill could be a great ex-president. But they are a disaster regarding their desire for a perpetual dynastic stranglehold.

[AX10]

20. Clinton has not smeared Obama.

Obama deliberately misquoted Clinton to make himself an advantage.
Obama played the race card first.

[BeyondGeography]

12. And monkeys might fly out of their butt, too

Maybe we'll hear that speech in the next life.

[Metric System]

15. So, are the Obama supporters going to ask the Rethug

candidate in the general election to kindly step aside, too? Do they think that will work?!?

[populistdriven]

21. K&R! nt