Chickens coming home to roost... Hillary's dwindling support tied to years of inflicted abuse...

[ReverendDeuce]

Today, Hillary's beleaguered campaign suffers yet more superdelegate hemorrhage with today's announcements by Sam Nunn, David Boren, and Robert Reich. I think a lot of people are missing the point behind Hillary's nascent defeat, and I'd like to go into that a bit and hear what others have to say about my theory.

I think it comes down to one simple fact, aptly summarized using the age-old phrase "the chickens have come home to roost."

I believe that what we're seeing here is just the start. Combine that with some of the inside news that has recently been released regarding additional superdelegates planning to break for Obama by roughly 90%, it's even clearer. We've always known the Clintons to be a ruthless and efficient political team whose legacy has been solidified by a two-term presidency.

Now I think that what we're seeing represents former Clinton backers, even those who can pin their success on the Clinton machine themselves, realize that they've been manipulated for years (or perhaps they've known they've been under the Clinton thumb for all of that time) and now they see an "out".

This is their way to escape the Clinton yoke once and for all.

Thoughts?

[IsItJustMe]

1. It's several different factors. I think the one you just stated would be predominant. The extreme

negative turn that her campaign has taken would be another aspect.

[LSparkle]

2. Totally agree

A lot of these superdelegates have carried Clinton's water for years
(even through the Lewinsky mess) and are disappointed especially by
his behavior during the campaign. They've been afraid of the "Clinton
machine" -- which even kept Al Gore from running this year, regrettably --
and are probably massively relieved at Obama's survival, giving them
a viable reason to "rebel."

[Blue_Roses]

3. exactly...

they're burned out. too much baggage to carry around any more.

[Strelnikov_]

4. Bobby Reich . . . now there's a liberal n/t

[Coexist]

5. are Nunn, Boren and Reich Superdelegates?

I thought they weren't

[Adelante]

10. I think you are right about that nt

[rinsd]

14. Wiki has a list (see post #13)

[Coexist]

15. thanks.

[rinsd]

17. That image is very cool.

[Coexist]

19. thanks, I didn't create it

but I adore it.

It reminds me of the beach we spend 4th of July at.

[rinsd]

25. Credit where credit is due.

I have seen so many artist takes on the simple Obama logo and many of them are fantastic.

[rinsd]

13. List of Superdelegates

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Democratic_Party_(United_States)_superdelegates,_2008

(copy & paste into browser)

[Adelante]

30. Thanks, rinsd

:)

[CoffeeCat]

6. Clinton's entire political career has been based on...

...doing favors and putting people in quid-pro quo situations---where people "owe" the Clintons
something, and the Clintons aren't shy about reminding their colleagues that they are under the
Clinton's thumbs.

For at least the past two years, Hillary Clinton has acted as if she is the anointed Queen.

Everyone went along because they know the Clintons are ruthless--and worse--would soon be
in power.

Wouldn't want to piss off the powermongering Queen, now would we?

The Clinton's relationships are based on ham-fisted tactics, manipulations and probably threats.
People went along because they were afraid or because they wanted to be on the side of the would-be
Queen.

Those bonds are pretty flimsy. When an alternative--Obama--comes along, it's an opportunity for people
to be unshackled by the Clinton bonds.

She's behaved like the haughty, inevitable Queen for so long--I can only imagine how many people she
has offended and how many enemies she has. I bet 90 percent of DC hates her with a white-hot passion.

My feeling is...if she loses this nomination, she loses just about everything. I see virtually no
future for her in the Senate. She returns with no power, no bargaining chips and no one afraid of
her anymore. What else is there for her?

I think this is the beginning of the Clintons slipping into oblivion.

[Hardrada]

8. Clintonite motto should be: Oderint dum metuant.

They hate me but they FEAR me. Originally the motto of the Roman emperor Caligula.

[Stephanie]

11. Absolutely threats - I have heard them from the victims firsthand

Not physical threats but "you'll never work in this town again" type of threats. Absolutely. They have the entire New York State Democratic machine under their thumb in lockstep, but that's coming to an end too.

[Diane R]

38. So, would that have anything to do w/ Stephanoupolos' conduct during the debate? Threats or chips?

[CoffeeCat]

39. Stephanie...question for you...

Thanks for your input on this. I'm sure the Clintons have a very impressive wake of people
that they've threatened when they didn't get their way. I imagine that there are untold
numbers of people--who know them very well--who can't wait to see Hillary not get the nomination.

Question...Do you think her NY political career will suffer as well?

I just can't imagine what she returns to in the Senate. She's not a gracious person. She's not
a negotiator or someone who has displayed solid leadership. She's ruled by intimidation. However,
that intimidation was propped up by the belief that she would be President. She has NONE of that now.

She has no power. In fact, she has many enemies, I assume. They were held in check by fear of her
inevitable rise to power. Now, everyone can tell her to bite it.

I'm wondering if her misery and failures will extend beyond this campaign?

[Stephanie]

46. I think absolutely her NY career will suffer.

She strung all these people along with the expectation that they'd be going places with her. Now her whole machine has collapsed, IMO. Spitzer is gone, of course. Christine Quinn, who was her right hand gal here in the city is a candidate for indictment (city council slush funds). So I think they won't hold it together, and a primary challenger with some name recognition and fundraising power would have a real shot at it. She hasn't done shit for NY, it's all been for Hillary. When one million of us marched against the war in 2003 it fell on her deaf ears. I'd say she should make other plans.

There was a strong movement for Edwards here among the progressives, and a strong movement for Obama led by people in Harlem like Bill Perkins and in Brooklyn by Chris Owens and others. So we shall see - the progressives might come out on top in NY for a change, after this.

[Diane R]

37. Great post, as always. After reading 'For Love of Politics', I think your analysis is spot on.

[samsingh]

44. what actual evidence is there that the Clinton's are ruthless?

there was a very effective government under Bill.

[dansolo]

45. Effective government??

We lost the House for the first time in 40 years under him, as well as the Senate. He then was hamstrung with the whole impeachment mess, which would have never happened if the Democrats retained control of the House.

[cliffordu]

7. I JUST LOVE THIS!!!!! Sorry about shouting.

I cannot WAIT for them to shuffle off to Arkansas or wherever they'll go when she loses her Senate seat.


:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

[Tesha]

9. Maybe they'll buy that pig ranch that's going to be for sale in Crawford...

"Shit, Bill, take it off mah hands -- I'll let'cha
have it cheap! Hell, I'll even throw in Jenna. Or
Barbara (heck, we've got two of those), you kin
take your pick!"

Tesha

[PBS Poll-435]

16. Hillary Clinton will NEVER lose an election

for her seat in the Senate. It is hers as long as she wants it.

THIS is the kind of BS that causes the lack of civility and even infighting here.

[mamalone]

18. Why are you so sure of this???

I live in NY and I think she's gonna have some pretty hard going here next time her seat is up. I can honestly say I do not know one single person in real life who supports her at this point... not one! My parents have been involved in the Dem party in NY for decades, my mom has a had a picture of Hillary and her hanging on her study wall, but they can not stand her any more. Her behavior in this race has appalled them and many others. I feel sorry for her....

[PBS Poll-435]

22. I don't feel sorry for her.

And I am sure she didn't ask you to feel sorry for her.

If she wants to stay in the Senate, she will easily win re-election.

[mamalone]

27. Do you live in NY?

Are you acquainted with the people who will actually be voting her in... or not? As I said previously, I know not one single person who supports Hillary at this point, and I am in NY state among the people who will be deciding whether she is reelected. She will have a great deal of trouble regaining the support she would need should any other credible candidate challenge her. I don't understand how you can be so sure of her handily winning reelection, unless you have some sort of inside information that no one else is privvy to.

and whether or not she has asked for my pity, she has it....

[PBS Poll-435]

28. Six - Ten weeks out of the year, Yes

[mamalone]

29. Well,

if you are registered to vote in NY, you will be able to vote for her. She will have your support at least:)

[PBS Poll-435]

33. And I am sure she will have your's too.

If she loses the nomination and goes back to the Senate, I am sure there is going to be a reconciliation.

[mamalone]

34. Actually...

I'll be actively looking for another credible Dem to challenge her and take her place. I fervently hope she will be replaced. But you're right, if she's the Dem on the ticket I will vote for her, for Pres and for Senator.

[PBS Poll-435]

35. You have a good weekend.

You are passionate & reasonable. In other words...a Democrat!

:7

[mamalone]

47. You too...

:)

[EFerrari]

23. Good luck to her. n/t

[stillcool]

31. Maybe if she runs for office in Arkansas...

I don't believe the people of New York will look kindly on the disgrace she has brought to herself and the party.

[PBS Poll-435]

36. That is your opinion and you are allowed to have it.

Doesn't square with the facts, though.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1318.xml?ReleaseID=1170

[rinsd]

12. A couple of things, #1 being none of those guys are Superdelegates

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Democratic_Party_(United_States)_superdelegates,_2008

2nd anyone surprised by Robert Reich endorsement has not been paying attention.

[Texas Hill Country]

21. you are correct. not SD's

[stillcool]

32. So they don't 'count'?

[rinsd]

43. No but it makes the OP look silly.

"Hillary's beleaguered campaign suffers yet more superdelegate hemorrhage"

[Texas Hill Country]

20. can you link that 90% statistic...

[SoCalDem]

24. All that's necessary is enough SDs to line up behind him that FL & MI

don't matter... Just Give them to Her so she can then be the bestest second place loser ever..and let her go back & start attacking Patterson, so she can be governor...

[barack the house]

26. Tone down the title if possible let's not get Sen. Clinton supporters excited again.

[BenDavid]

40. excuse me but neither one of those so called pink tutu men ie

nunn or boren supported Bill in the 90's and that means little....what is surprising is the reich who would have been a professor if not for Bill giving him his big break in the 90's and reich has capitized on it, but when it is time to repay nothing is better then stabbing both clintons in the back.

my hope is hrc wins this thing and all this so called fair weather friends start coming back around wanting a position and hrc tells them to g f y.

[tigervalentine]

41. I've got a problem with the idea that anyone

including Richardson and Reich, need to "repay" the Clintons for their appointed positions. Shouldn't the pres choose good people, for the good of the nation? This repayment crap is just that: Crap.

[MarjorieG]

48. Absolutely. Manipulated and Played. More Kerry support was needed, but held for 2008.

[grantcart]

42. a lot of the SDs that are left are early endorsers who were resume inclined

hoping that they would get a job in the new administration. The minute they have a chance they are going to split. If James Cariville were to get laryngitis for a few days 30 super delegates would be out like Batman in his batmobile.