Gwen Ifill is the author of the forthcoming book, “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama." Ifill is a professional and accomplished journalist, respected within her profession and held in high regard by many in the political arena she covers with passion and reliable and objective analysis.
That is why the flap from some in the Republican Party who are raising questions about her objectivity as moderator of tonight's vice presidential debate, because she is writing a book on Black political progress that reasonably must consider Barack Obama, is disingenuine, at best, but characteristically hypocritical and repugnant. Afterall, this is the Party that tolerated the presidential campaign tactic that made Willie Horton famous.
There is no reason to believe that Gwen Ifill will be anything other than professional and objective. The Republicans, insinuating that Ifill will be swayed by racial considerations in favor of the Obama ticket, reveal their own racism and bigotry. As Keith Olberman pointed out, no one has raised the question of whether Ifill would be biased toward Sarah Palin because she is a woman. Worse is the conservatives willingness to insert race into the debate when their true concern is to protect Sarah Palin, who has so far appeared as a lightweight dancing around the ring in this heavyweight contest.
As moderator of PBS's Friday night political round up program, "Washington Week," and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," Ifill regularly brings in depth analysis to the forefront with integrity and balance. It is evident, particularly on "Washington Week," that the only preference Ifill favors is toward great reporting and insight, and she presses to get the best and most complete analysis of a story or issue from the journalists surrounding her on each program.
Watching Gwen Ifill revel in her passion, reviewing America's political drama each week, is as satisfying as considering the various points of view contributed by her guests.
Gwen Ifill is unrivaled in her fire in the belly for getting the story and getting it right. In that regard, she brings to mind a titan of politcal junkie's who appreciated her talent and made a way for Gwen to enter the ranks at PBS, the late Tim Russert. She will perform with integrity tonight moderating the debate, and tomorrow night at the helm of her weekly show.
Personal notes...
I have watched Gwen Ifill for years, reading her at least twenty years ago when she wrote for a newspaper in my hometown of Baltimore. I have met other professional journalists who praise her, and a few years ago, I enjoyed hearing testimony about Gwen in her early days when she wrote for the Black newspaper, the Boston Banner, from publisher Melvin B. Miller.
I have met and talked with Gwen Ifill on two occasions, at a formal talk she gave at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. several years ago, where she impressed the audience with her authentic journalist's heart and stories from her experiences working in news media. The other time was by surprise, one humid summer night at a crowded festival in a New Haven park, where Ifill stood on a dusty patch of ground up against a fence, and under the bright camera lights, conducting an interview with Ned Lamont, who was campaigning in his ultimate successful challenge of Sen. Joe Liberman in the Democratic primary two years ago.
Ifill took time to talk with me and an associate after her interview, sharing more of her genuine enthusiasm for reporting--in studio or even better out among people, where she liked to hear how the every day person interprets the politcal events of the day. She was tired, hot, perspiriing like everyone else, and loving the moment, exuding the same real excitement she does on tv. But unlike many things on the tube, Gwen Ifill was and is for real.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Can atonement be accomplished on this historic night
On this historic night...
Everything surrounding Barack Obama's run for the presidency is historic. The significance cannot be overstated, however. On this historic night, Friday, September 26, 2008, Barack Obama, a Black man, participated in the first presidential debate of the 2008 general election at the University of Mississippi.
At this same institution a little more than 40 years ago, James Meredith became the first Black man to successfully matriculate at the University of Mississippi. Meredith was escorted into the university under guard for fear of the threat of violence waged against him by bigots and other zealous whites resentlful of his accomplishment. Ironically, Senator Barack Obama was escorted onto the University of Mississippi tonight under concern for similar precautions.
Of course--as a matter of course because he is a presidential candidate--Sen. Obama has a security detail assigned to him 24 hours a day. Not so much as a matter of course, Sen. Obama has had a security detail assigned for at least a year, since he began receiving credible threats to his life early in the run to the primary election.
Minutes before the debate between Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain began tonight, news media mentioned the historic aspect of Obama's appearnce at the University, given its part in the nation's ugly history of racial segregation, discrimination and intimidation. Some suggested this high profile event featuring Sen. Obama gave the University a chance to prove that it had changed its attitudes, its values, as it relates to race relations.
That thread of a notion--that the rising tide surrounding Mr. Obama's political career over the last few years somehow serves as an oppotunity for white American redemption--has been floated more frequently from various ports in recent months from the New York Times Sunday magazine to the political desks of cable news pundits.
The notion cannot be validated, however. An affirmation of Mr. Obama can never substitute or makes up for past abuses and injuries that white society inflicted on Black Americans. One primary reason is because those abuses do not appear to be a part of Mr. Obama' heritage. Without attempting to make too fine of a point, Mr. Obama's lineage does not suggest that his forebears were recipients of the abuses inflicted upon Black Americans during 400 hundreds years of enslavement. Unless his Kenyan born father or white American mother had relatives who were enslaved in America, Mr. Obama missed the boat so to speak on that terrible history of racial oppression.
I do not mean to suggest that Mr. Obama does not find genuine cultural kinship with other Black Americans or that he has not met racial prejudice or been shaped by it. Nor do I mean to cast doubt on the goodwill White Americans may have to "right the wrongs of society." It is just that in my forty plus years I have learned something about redemption, forgiveness and the requirement to forgive, about how hard it is to position oneself with humility in order to be the forgiver or the forgiven.
The problem is human nature. Human nature is an awfully complex composition; like the clay that the prophet Jeremiah observed in the potter's hands, our human nature does yield under the shaping of Divine guidance, but deep-set elements such as resentment, fear, anger and arrogance harden our nature. That means we sometimes have to be cracked open or broken before being formed into a humbler vessel willing to see itself in need of forgiveness or a figure of grace who forgives.
These are some of the discordant notes underlying the hopeful comments stated tonight about the significance of Mr. Obama debating in a presidential contest at the University of Mississippi. Black and white Americans, to borrow a phrase from a friend, are caught up in a "strange dance" in which we Do-Si-Do around racial injustice or electric slide past racial resentments. Then, our illusion of social tolerance--the substitute for social harmony--is dispelled by incidents like the reprisal of dangling hangmen's nooses to intimidate Blacks, the Jena Six case, the O.J. trial(s), affirmative action or the inequality in public school education. These incidents stop the pretense and make us face the real music.
White Americans who openly seek atonement show progress in this society. But they have to seek it from those who have borne the injuries in question. Mr. Obama has received every insult reserved for a Black man in America, I am certain. Some two thousand years ago one man, or Son of Man, accounted for the sins of many. Can atonement for the injuries to many be accomplished through one man--even on this historic night?
Everything surrounding Barack Obama's run for the presidency is historic. The significance cannot be overstated, however. On this historic night, Friday, September 26, 2008, Barack Obama, a Black man, participated in the first presidential debate of the 2008 general election at the University of Mississippi.
At this same institution a little more than 40 years ago, James Meredith became the first Black man to successfully matriculate at the University of Mississippi. Meredith was escorted into the university under guard for fear of the threat of violence waged against him by bigots and other zealous whites resentlful of his accomplishment. Ironically, Senator Barack Obama was escorted onto the University of Mississippi tonight under concern for similar precautions.
Of course--as a matter of course because he is a presidential candidate--Sen. Obama has a security detail assigned to him 24 hours a day. Not so much as a matter of course, Sen. Obama has had a security detail assigned for at least a year, since he began receiving credible threats to his life early in the run to the primary election.
Minutes before the debate between Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain began tonight, news media mentioned the historic aspect of Obama's appearnce at the University, given its part in the nation's ugly history of racial segregation, discrimination and intimidation. Some suggested this high profile event featuring Sen. Obama gave the University a chance to prove that it had changed its attitudes, its values, as it relates to race relations.
That thread of a notion--that the rising tide surrounding Mr. Obama's political career over the last few years somehow serves as an oppotunity for white American redemption--has been floated more frequently from various ports in recent months from the New York Times Sunday magazine to the political desks of cable news pundits.
The notion cannot be validated, however. An affirmation of Mr. Obama can never substitute or makes up for past abuses and injuries that white society inflicted on Black Americans. One primary reason is because those abuses do not appear to be a part of Mr. Obama' heritage. Without attempting to make too fine of a point, Mr. Obama's lineage does not suggest that his forebears were recipients of the abuses inflicted upon Black Americans during 400 hundreds years of enslavement. Unless his Kenyan born father or white American mother had relatives who were enslaved in America, Mr. Obama missed the boat so to speak on that terrible history of racial oppression.
I do not mean to suggest that Mr. Obama does not find genuine cultural kinship with other Black Americans or that he has not met racial prejudice or been shaped by it. Nor do I mean to cast doubt on the goodwill White Americans may have to "right the wrongs of society." It is just that in my forty plus years I have learned something about redemption, forgiveness and the requirement to forgive, about how hard it is to position oneself with humility in order to be the forgiver or the forgiven.
The problem is human nature. Human nature is an awfully complex composition; like the clay that the prophet Jeremiah observed in the potter's hands, our human nature does yield under the shaping of Divine guidance, but deep-set elements such as resentment, fear, anger and arrogance harden our nature. That means we sometimes have to be cracked open or broken before being formed into a humbler vessel willing to see itself in need of forgiveness or a figure of grace who forgives.
These are some of the discordant notes underlying the hopeful comments stated tonight about the significance of Mr. Obama debating in a presidential contest at the University of Mississippi. Black and white Americans, to borrow a phrase from a friend, are caught up in a "strange dance" in which we Do-Si-Do around racial injustice or electric slide past racial resentments. Then, our illusion of social tolerance--the substitute for social harmony--is dispelled by incidents like the reprisal of dangling hangmen's nooses to intimidate Blacks, the Jena Six case, the O.J. trial(s), affirmative action or the inequality in public school education. These incidents stop the pretense and make us face the real music.
White Americans who openly seek atonement show progress in this society. But they have to seek it from those who have borne the injuries in question. Mr. Obama has received every insult reserved for a Black man in America, I am certain. Some two thousand years ago one man, or Son of Man, accounted for the sins of many. Can atonement for the injuries to many be accomplished through one man--even on this historic night?
Labels:
Politics 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Stay the course, Obama
Some Obama supporters are feeling let down and concern about the recent emergence of Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska in the Republican presidential campaign. The Obama campaign must not be swayed from its game plan by the fervor erupting over Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate. It is evident that in choosing Palin the McCain campaign was attempting to approximate the energy and interest surrounding the Obama campaign, a move designed to camouflage their lackluster candidate and vacuous platform. as well as warrant prime time coverage. Obama has celebrity, so the McCain camp wanted a celebrity. Selecting Sarah Palin was the equivalent of throwing a Hail Mary pass on fourth down with a minute to go in the third quarter of the Superbowl.
Now that both Democratic and Republican conventions are over, the Obama and McCain are officially operating in general election, the ostensible fourth quarter of this political season. There will likely be more gamesmanship from the Republican camp. While the Palin factor has launched McCain into the general election, she seems unlikely to have the gusto to carry him all the way to the White House. In fact, issues emerging about her early support for Alaska's "bridge to nowhere," her lobby for a reported $27 million in earmarks for her state, and some questions about her religious beliefs may prove to be heavy baggage that ultimately weighs down the McCain campaign hopes.
At this critical time, Obama should continue to pursue a campaign strategy based tightly on addressing the issues. The economy is the number one concern right now in the country. Obama is right to talk to people about their circumstances, how they are hurting, jobs are losts, homes are foreclosed on, while CEOs make multi-million dollar salaries and bonuses. As Obama has said recently, after the upcoming debates the American people will see a clear distinction between himself and McCain. The only way to achieve that distinction is to stay focused. Right now, McCain is running to be Obama. Obama must keep running for president.
Now that both Democratic and Republican conventions are over, the Obama and McCain are officially operating in general election, the ostensible fourth quarter of this political season. There will likely be more gamesmanship from the Republican camp. While the Palin factor has launched McCain into the general election, she seems unlikely to have the gusto to carry him all the way to the White House. In fact, issues emerging about her early support for Alaska's "bridge to nowhere," her lobby for a reported $27 million in earmarks for her state, and some questions about her religious beliefs may prove to be heavy baggage that ultimately weighs down the McCain campaign hopes.
At this critical time, Obama should continue to pursue a campaign strategy based tightly on addressing the issues. The economy is the number one concern right now in the country. Obama is right to talk to people about their circumstances, how they are hurting, jobs are losts, homes are foreclosed on, while CEOs make multi-million dollar salaries and bonuses. As Obama has said recently, after the upcoming debates the American people will see a clear distinction between himself and McCain. The only way to achieve that distinction is to stay focused. Right now, McCain is running to be Obama. Obama must keep running for president.
Labels:
Politics 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Another river to cross
So many person have rightly called for Obama to ignore the Clinton-generated public campaign pressuring him to name Hillary as his vice-presidential running mate. Top reasons have been cited as the baggage attached to Bill Clinton, his untempered ego, charismatic dominance, yet to be publicly documented financial affairs, and personal behavior. Hillary has her own baggage, as well, not the least of which is her polarizing personality to many within both Democratic and Republican camps.
In addition, choosing Hillary as vp would make Obama look weak, and frankly, like the status quo candidate, not the agent of change that is his greatest appeal to a wide spectrum of voters.
So last night's meeting between the two, just days after Obama declared that he will be the Democratic Party's nominee for president and on the same night Hillary declared that she was going to consider her next steps in the campaign process, is a mystery.
Did Obama maintain the authoritative position he needs to be taken seriously in the general election campaign? Did he cave in to Hillary's contrivance that he cannot win without her 18 million supporters--and that he cannot get those voters without her as vp?
Obama's circumstance at this stage can be viewed in the example of Peter, who while steadfastly looking at Jesus, was able to do what is only possible with God, to walk on water. When Peter's concentration on Jesus was distracted, by the self-awareness that he was doing something amazing, he faltered and fell into the water.
In that context, if Obama stays true to his inner calling to "come," he will proceed in a direction that will defy the pragmatic analysis that considers Hillary's voter bloc as paramount, as the determinant of the remaining campaign.
If he stays true to the innver purpose that has so far presided over his amazing journey, he will choose someone other than Hillary, who some pundits and dispirited supporters say is his only hope to get to the White House. Hillary and the vp issue are a potential diversion, a distraction to Obama. However, if he stays focused on his inner purpose, this vp issue is just one more river to cross on his way to the Promised Land.
In addition, choosing Hillary as vp would make Obama look weak, and frankly, like the status quo candidate, not the agent of change that is his greatest appeal to a wide spectrum of voters.
So last night's meeting between the two, just days after Obama declared that he will be the Democratic Party's nominee for president and on the same night Hillary declared that she was going to consider her next steps in the campaign process, is a mystery.
Did Obama maintain the authoritative position he needs to be taken seriously in the general election campaign? Did he cave in to Hillary's contrivance that he cannot win without her 18 million supporters--and that he cannot get those voters without her as vp?
Obama's circumstance at this stage can be viewed in the example of Peter, who while steadfastly looking at Jesus, was able to do what is only possible with God, to walk on water. When Peter's concentration on Jesus was distracted, by the self-awareness that he was doing something amazing, he faltered and fell into the water.
In that context, if Obama stays true to his inner calling to "come," he will proceed in a direction that will defy the pragmatic analysis that considers Hillary's voter bloc as paramount, as the determinant of the remaining campaign.
If he stays true to the innver purpose that has so far presided over his amazing journey, he will choose someone other than Hillary, who some pundits and dispirited supporters say is his only hope to get to the White House. Hillary and the vp issue are a potential diversion, a distraction to Obama. However, if he stays focused on his inner purpose, this vp issue is just one more river to cross on his way to the Promised Land.
Labels:
Politics 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
She's got it bad, and that ain't good
Hillary Clinton's performance on the last night of the Democratic primary (Baruch College, June 3, 2008) was abominable.
Rather than acting to unify the Party, by tempering the frenzy she has stirred among some White women and others who voted for her during the campaign, Hillary propped herself up as a power broker before the nation to whom Barack Obama would have to cater to before she releases 18 million voters to his effort to win the presidency.
Last night and this morning, my family, friends and radio commentators have described her performance in stunning terms, as "embarrasing," "deranged narcissism," "egotistical," "vindictive," "delusional," "divisive" and "evil."
The Black community--and all well-meaning Whites and others who value and are committed to maintaining the moral progress culminating in the Civil Rights Acts of the Sixties--must denounce and reject Hillary Clinton for what she represents, which is a return to blatant bigoted attitudes that essentially echo Chief Justice Roger Taney of the Dred Scott case (1857), who said "A black man has no rights a white man is bound to respect."
Hillary Clinton does not respect the fair fight and victory that Barack Obama accomplished, obtaining the number of delegates needed to secure the Democratic Party's nomination.
In fact, the Democratic Party, in allowing Clinton to hang on in the campaign, making mischief and biding her time, showed no respect for Obama or fear of its heretofore most loyal constituency, Black voters.
Does anyone believe that Hillary Clinton--or any other candidate--would not have been drummed out or brokereed out of the campaign weeks ago if the candidate in Obama's commanding lead were a White man?
Does anyone believe that Barack Obama would be permitted to challenge the rules or dismiss her accomplishment and hold voters hostage if Hillary Clinton has secured the pledged delegates needed for the nomination?
What does account for Hillary's death grip on this election campaign? Her tenacity appears strange, strained, as if she cannot psychologically adjust to a scenario that does not position her as the presidential nominee. It feels like she wants it too badly, and that ain't good.
Rather than acting to unify the Party, by tempering the frenzy she has stirred among some White women and others who voted for her during the campaign, Hillary propped herself up as a power broker before the nation to whom Barack Obama would have to cater to before she releases 18 million voters to his effort to win the presidency.
Last night and this morning, my family, friends and radio commentators have described her performance in stunning terms, as "embarrasing," "deranged narcissism," "egotistical," "vindictive," "delusional," "divisive" and "evil."
The Black community--and all well-meaning Whites and others who value and are committed to maintaining the moral progress culminating in the Civil Rights Acts of the Sixties--must denounce and reject Hillary Clinton for what she represents, which is a return to blatant bigoted attitudes that essentially echo Chief Justice Roger Taney of the Dred Scott case (1857), who said "A black man has no rights a white man is bound to respect."
Hillary Clinton does not respect the fair fight and victory that Barack Obama accomplished, obtaining the number of delegates needed to secure the Democratic Party's nomination.
In fact, the Democratic Party, in allowing Clinton to hang on in the campaign, making mischief and biding her time, showed no respect for Obama or fear of its heretofore most loyal constituency, Black voters.
Does anyone believe that Hillary Clinton--or any other candidate--would not have been drummed out or brokereed out of the campaign weeks ago if the candidate in Obama's commanding lead were a White man?
Does anyone believe that Barack Obama would be permitted to challenge the rules or dismiss her accomplishment and hold voters hostage if Hillary Clinton has secured the pledged delegates needed for the nomination?
What does account for Hillary's death grip on this election campaign? Her tenacity appears strange, strained, as if she cannot psychologically adjust to a scenario that does not position her as the presidential nominee. It feels like she wants it too badly, and that ain't good.
Labels:
Politics 2008
Fruit of eternal vigilance
It is not that Sen. Barack Obama is the first Black candidate qualified to become the nominee of a major Party. It is that enough White Americans have finally put race aside in selecting a leader to carry the mantle of ultimate power on behalf of this nation.
Last night, as Sen. Obama stood on the stage of victory in Minnesota, the achievement was Black America's and White America's. After watching so many years of being overlooked or ignored in many contests, (Maryland's support of Ben Cardin over Kweisi Mfume for the Senate race in 2006, for instance), Black America saw the fruit of its eternal vigiliance for equality when Sen. Obama declared that he had obtained the number of pledged delegates required to be the nominee on June 3, 2008.
By the will of the people, Obama is truly America's Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
Now the work is to choose a running mate--not Hillary Clinton, whose race baiting, poor campaign organization and alarming death grip on a sense of entitlement to the Presidency nulify any view that she could be an asset to the ticket, let alone an effective elected official in the Senate, to say nothing of the executive office.
Obama's work is cut out for him: choosing a running mate, working to bring the Party together--encouraging Hillary supporters to join the winning team--and focusing arguments on policy and direction of his administration to win against John McCain in November.
Obama supporters can be helpful in bringing family and friends who supported Hillary into the fold. An "each one, reach one" campaign can go a long way in smoothing the path toward unity in the Party.
However, with this historic nomination must also come unprecedented support from the electorate to act on the call to action that is fundamental to Barack Obama's message. If we have the audacity to hope with Sen. Obama, we as committed believers must also do the civic work that affirms the reason for our hope. As Sen. Obama has said, we are the ones we have been waiting for.
What is exciting about Sen. Obama securing the delegates to become Democratc Party nominee is that everyone who comes aboard is called upon to roll up his or her sleeves, and get to work in the neighborhoods, the schools, the environmental causes and other efforts, in order to set America on a promising and prosperous course.
Americans want to get involved, to rally and work to put the country on the rebound. We have been in want of a leader to raise the banner and the rally cry.
Until now.
Last night, as Sen. Obama stood on the stage of victory in Minnesota, the achievement was Black America's and White America's. After watching so many years of being overlooked or ignored in many contests, (Maryland's support of Ben Cardin over Kweisi Mfume for the Senate race in 2006, for instance), Black America saw the fruit of its eternal vigiliance for equality when Sen. Obama declared that he had obtained the number of pledged delegates required to be the nominee on June 3, 2008.
By the will of the people, Obama is truly America's Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
Now the work is to choose a running mate--not Hillary Clinton, whose race baiting, poor campaign organization and alarming death grip on a sense of entitlement to the Presidency nulify any view that she could be an asset to the ticket, let alone an effective elected official in the Senate, to say nothing of the executive office.
Obama's work is cut out for him: choosing a running mate, working to bring the Party together--encouraging Hillary supporters to join the winning team--and focusing arguments on policy and direction of his administration to win against John McCain in November.
Obama supporters can be helpful in bringing family and friends who supported Hillary into the fold. An "each one, reach one" campaign can go a long way in smoothing the path toward unity in the Party.
However, with this historic nomination must also come unprecedented support from the electorate to act on the call to action that is fundamental to Barack Obama's message. If we have the audacity to hope with Sen. Obama, we as committed believers must also do the civic work that affirms the reason for our hope. As Sen. Obama has said, we are the ones we have been waiting for.
What is exciting about Sen. Obama securing the delegates to become Democratc Party nominee is that everyone who comes aboard is called upon to roll up his or her sleeves, and get to work in the neighborhoods, the schools, the environmental causes and other efforts, in order to set America on a promising and prosperous course.
Americans want to get involved, to rally and work to put the country on the rebound. We have been in want of a leader to raise the banner and the rally cry.
Until now.
Labels:
Politics 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
A light of her own
Some political pundits have suggested that Hillary Clinton should be given time and respect to sidle up to the conclusion most of the electorate has demonstrated by voting--that she will not be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States in 2008. Reportedly, regarding when and how she will exit, the Obama campaign has said "the ball is in her court." However, that laissez-faire approach may not be the healthiest or most respectable posture for the Deomcratic Party or for Hillary.
That is because Hillary Clinton may not know how to exit the primaries, nor, in this slow and painful period of decline, may she possess the sound judgment and willpower necessary to call the game over. It can be understandable that the campaign has made her an emotional wreck. Hillary blithely entered the campaign season last fall fully expecting to bear the mantle of Democratic nominee for president seemingly by SuperTuesday in February 2008, and she has desired to don the crown of president for an even longer time.
I don't think that Hillary believed that she would have to break a sweat in the race. She had this in the bag, given her "background," her time served as the unofficial co-president, her claim to Bill Clinton's presidential legacy (the successful aspects), her overreaching sense of entitlement (because she and Bill had a pact?; because she endured the humiliation of Bill's philandering in the White House?; because she believed the fervent adoration that some supporters had for Bill Clinton would transfer to her?)
Today, Hillary Clinton is probably in shock, like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights. The diffculty, however, is not in facing the light for, indeed, it seems that Mrs. Clinton has been preparing for a long time--at least 35 years--to be out of the shadows of her husband, to be in her own spotlight.
The psychological tragedy for Mrs. Clinton may not be that the spotlight is staring her down, but that the spotlight is about to become a glare in her rear view mirror. With each day that passes, the dizziying but egotistically gratifying spotlight of public attention, relevance and power attached to being a commanding presidential candidate will fade into the distance.
What will she be left with? The luster that has encircled her for eight years--her potential to one day be president--will have dimmed. No longer in Bill's shadow, she will walk in a shadow of her very own unfulfilled potential.
It cannot be easy to face the reality. That is why the superdelegates, the Democratic Party leadership, must step in now to end the campaign. In addition to the pressure they are bringing offstage, more Party powerbrokers have to do as Barbara Boxer of California did yesterday, strongly recommend publicly that Mrs. Clinton present a detailed outline of how she will proceed through the rest of the campaign, i.e., script an exit strategy and execute it.
That is because Hillary Clinton may not know how to exit the primaries, nor, in this slow and painful period of decline, may she possess the sound judgment and willpower necessary to call the game over. It can be understandable that the campaign has made her an emotional wreck. Hillary blithely entered the campaign season last fall fully expecting to bear the mantle of Democratic nominee for president seemingly by SuperTuesday in February 2008, and she has desired to don the crown of president for an even longer time.
I don't think that Hillary believed that she would have to break a sweat in the race. She had this in the bag, given her "background," her time served as the unofficial co-president, her claim to Bill Clinton's presidential legacy (the successful aspects), her overreaching sense of entitlement (because she and Bill had a pact?; because she endured the humiliation of Bill's philandering in the White House?; because she believed the fervent adoration that some supporters had for Bill Clinton would transfer to her?)
Today, Hillary Clinton is probably in shock, like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights. The diffculty, however, is not in facing the light for, indeed, it seems that Mrs. Clinton has been preparing for a long time--at least 35 years--to be out of the shadows of her husband, to be in her own spotlight.
The psychological tragedy for Mrs. Clinton may not be that the spotlight is staring her down, but that the spotlight is about to become a glare in her rear view mirror. With each day that passes, the dizziying but egotistically gratifying spotlight of public attention, relevance and power attached to being a commanding presidential candidate will fade into the distance.
What will she be left with? The luster that has encircled her for eight years--her potential to one day be president--will have dimmed. No longer in Bill's shadow, she will walk in a shadow of her very own unfulfilled potential.
It cannot be easy to face the reality. That is why the superdelegates, the Democratic Party leadership, must step in now to end the campaign. In addition to the pressure they are bringing offstage, more Party powerbrokers have to do as Barbara Boxer of California did yesterday, strongly recommend publicly that Mrs. Clinton present a detailed outline of how she will proceed through the rest of the campaign, i.e., script an exit strategy and execute it.
Labels:
Politics 2008
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