In an unexpected move today (to Bill that is), Hillary Clinton announced that she is ending her campaign [1] for the Presidency. She is pledging her support of Barack Obama.
I’m glad that’s over. For now.
I have a feeling that regardless of who wins in November, we’re going to go through this all over again in 2012.
Peggy Noonan’s column [2] in this morning’s Wall Street Journal provided a great analysis of the coming activities within the Democratic Party. Peggy decries any possibility of a Clinton Vice Presidency. She also has an interesting take on whole sexism issue:
I like it that she spent the campaign accusing America of being sexist, of treating her differently because she is a woman, and then, when she lacked the grace to congratulate the victor, she sent her stewards out to tell the press she just needs time, it’s so emotional. In other words, she needs space because she’s a woman.
But most substantive is her assessment of Obama’s next steps. She rightly points out that Obama needs to not appear to appease Clinton, because it will frustrate party leadership, it will make him look weak, and Doonsbury will be forced to draw him as a black-eyed pea (because he’s an “appeaser”) for 4 years (okay, I added the Doonsbury thing, that’s not Noonan’s).
What’s a bit concerning to me about Noonan’s column is that she makes Hillary’s loss seem essential because although Obama or McCain might be bad for America, Hillary would definitely be. My concern is that those who agree with Noonan that we’ve “dodged a bullet” on this, are missing a more critical point… Clinton’s (and McCain’s) evils are fairly well known, and undesirable but known. We still don’t have a clue what’s coming in the Obama package. It’s got some nice ribbons and bows and wrapping paper, but we could be looking at a political trojan horse.
I don’t want to open that package, do you?