Anyone Else Breathing Easy For The First Time in Months?

[DrFunkenstein]

I have to admit that I've been holding my breath for months now. Obama is a great candidate, but he was running against perhaps the most formidable political figure in the nation. I differed from Hillary Clinton on her foreign policy outlook, or at least her general election version of it since the IWR vote, but not for one second did I ever underestimate her political knowledge and power.

Three things had to happen for Clinton to lose in 2008.

1) Bush's bungling of the invasion kept us bogged down for years and dragged her into it by association.

2) Her decision to hire Mark Penn as both pollster AND strategist. This will go down as an historic mistake of judgment on her part. Not only did he set her up as the establishment candidate and set expectations absurdly high, Penn and the rest of the campaign were completely unprepared for a multi-state grassroots battle.

3) She would have to face an extraordinary candidate.

Without the first two problems, Clinton would never have needed to blink at the third. Despite some policy differences, I am proud that she is my Senator and I will absolutely vote for her again (time will heal all wounds, even for me). I am absolutely certain that she will be a force in the Party for decades.

That said, I have finally allowed myself the courage to hope again. I am crazy about Obama's health care plan and his energy policies (check them out for yourself if you haven't yet) and of his ability to generate a popular mandate to force them through Congress.

While I respect the vast ring wing conspiracy, I am afraid that McCain is no Clinton. Yes, it will be a rough campaign, but the vast enthusiasm gap between the two Obama and McCain, let alone the fundraising and campaigning infrastructure already in place, make me feel much more confident than the polls would have me feel.

I don't think he has the power to turn out the base without turning off the independents and vice versa. Meanwhile, we are very fired up to have a Democrat in the White House. To quote Sam Cooke, "It's been a long time, but a change is gonna come."

[ikojo]

1. I'm not because I think Hillary will do anything to

secure the nomination. ANYTHING, even going to the Supreme Court if necessary. She feels that entitled to it, at least that's my impression.

If the shoe was on the other foot, the Democratic leaders would be calling for Obama to quit and let Hillary ascend to the throne. Because she is a Clinton they are too afraid of political repercussions. As if there's this movement built by Clinton! Please! The only movement the Clintons have built is the movement of jobs from the US to India, China, the Phillipines and other low-wage countries.

[Cha]

2. No.

hilary is vile..she'll stoop to anything and I'm disgusted that she's my senator. Freakin' schumer is better than that pile of lies.

[Zachstar]

3. I will not be until Clinton exits the race.

Until then we still have MUCH work to do! So PLEASE Phonebank! http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmap/

[TragedyandHope]

4. Yep, all the continued moaning is wasted energy

She's out. Give her and her supporters a few weeks to come to grips with it. Now is the time to start considering how important they are to the General Election.

Enjoy the victory! We have a great nominee for out Democratic party. Take a breather before we face off against McCain.

If you want something to keep you busy in the meantime, get involved (click the image):

[Heather MC]

5. I don't think Hillary is all that formidable, I think Barack understands...

He could not unleash on her, they are in the same party. He kept saying over and over he wanted to put his focus on going after McCain, not a fellow Demarcate. He was doing some passive attacking but not a lot of head on attacking.

I don't think for one second with the crack team Obama has put together that he could not have reigned down on her something disastrous, but he understand that would have HURT him more than help him.

It takes greater strength and Character to bite your tongue and control yourself, that it does to react off you most primal instinct and pounce.
So she comes off looking like some big tough girl with balls (her campaign said that not me)
He is the better man for trying to protect the party. I can't wait to see how he unloads on McCain.
But because He wants to parties to work together more I suspect he will not crush the little guy like WE want him too.

[elfin]

6. Close -- yesterday I cleared the dreaded

colonoscopy AND my beloved dog's chronic lung infection was finally diagnosed AND my leg rash ("experienced by women under stress") disappeared instantly when Obama cleared the fences to bring it home in November!!

Great Day (for me) -- now waiting for Hillary to see the light.

Had a glimmer of hope that she would graciously concede when I heard she had an unscheduled appearance today - watched her dispirited speech and became dispirited as well.

But you will be thrilled to know that the rash is still gone and the dog is responding terrifically to the new meds.

Thanks for caring - and I just know you do ---

[Raine]

7. Hillary will do ANYTHING

to get what she wants and I wouldn't put it past the Clintons to manufacture a scandal to try and stop Obama with. A desperate dying animal can be the most dangerous :scared:

[sandnsea]

8. Not yet

I don't trust her to go away, quietly or otherwise.

[ShortnFiery]

9. Nope, I still believe that HRC will DESTROY our party (and Obama) if she can't get the nomination

I hold no dirty trick past EITHER Clinton. They were, in total, a CURSE to our beloved Democratic Party. :thumbsdown:

[Life Long Dem]

10. Don't let your guard down.

Right know your hearing buzz words like, 1968, dividing, electability. Clinton, as long as she is still in the race, she is dividing the party. She could go to the convention while dividing the party so the Republican wins.

[graycem]

11. I did for a while last night..

until the press conference today. We'll see if the SD's come out in the next few days.

[high density]

12. Yep

Clinton's toast. She just hasn't realized it yet.

[Poll_Blind]

13. I won't stop until she's out PERIOD. Look at what she did in Michigan!

  Left her damned name on the ballot on purpose so she could attempt to have her cake and eat it too. To understand to Clinton campaign is to understand they will do anything including breaking/bending/folding/spindling/mutilating the rules- or making up new ones entirely out of thin air.

PB

[BklynChick]

14. pretty much yes, but it would help if Hillary dropped or if 100 SDs declared tomorrow

[Meshuga]

15. McCain is weak!

i.e., look at his healthcare plan. He is doomed!