A game of political hardball, Clinton-style (Whither the Hillary-ites?)

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer ^ | Joan Vennochi

[2ndDivisionVet]

Hillary's women have a choice to make.

Do they stick with their party and the candidate who reminds them of every man who got the raise and promotion before they did? Or, do they switch to the Republican nominee who reminds them of the dad with whom they disagree, but respect?

If Barack Obama picks Hillary Clinton as his running mate, the choice is easy: Obama-Clinton in November. If he selects another Democrat, it could get more complicated.

Without Hillary on the ticket, can a Clinton supporter seamlessly transfer loyalty to Obama, who is likable enough, unless he slips and calls her "sweetie"?

Or, is "sweetie" automatically preferable to John McCain's response to a female supporter who asked the Arizona senator back in November, "How do we beat the bitch?" As the room erupted in laughter, McCain replied: "That's an excellent question."

On Tuesday night, Obama and McCain lavished praise on Clinton, the loser with the power that comes with winning nearly 18 million votes over the long primary season. The two rivals covet Clinton's constituency, so both gushed over the candidate who put it in play.

"As the father of three daughters, I owe her a debt for inspiring millions of women to believe there is no opportunity in this great country beyond their reach," said McCain.

Obama said, "Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she's a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she's a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight."

Their groveling means one thing: leverage. Clinton has it, and she's using it to play political hardball, just like any man would do.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I think most of them will go for McCain, once all the truth is out about Obama.

[TLEIBY308]

The problem is,will the msm put out any truth about osama

[lt.america]

That is going to be the issue that could propel BO to the Presidency. I got into a minor debate with one of the Obama for President in order to usher in the next great GOP revolution individuals on this site a few weeks ago. My point was that the MSM was in the bag for Obama in a way I would have never imagined and the fact that McCain not only had to deal with this, but deal with “conservatives” who are either not voting or actually voting for Obama, spells disaster.

[Mygirlsmom]

I hope they stay home - they’re menaces.

[Nervous Tick]

[pankot]

We need to encourage the feminazis to form a third party with Hill as Pres and Bill as president of vice,oops, vice-president. That would be a true “dream ticket” for all the Clinton lackeys and lickspittles—toadies too.

[Nonstatist]

I think most of them will go for McCain, once all the truth is out about Obama

I don't. These women hate Republicanism a lot more than they hate the empty suit redistributionist. It's folly to assume these liberals would vote against the Democrat.