Andy Martin's latest political memo to Hillary Clinton
Why Hillary Clinton should allow her name to be placed in nomination. What kind of a convention will Democrats see in Denver? Open, or closed? Wide open or locked down?
Hillary's name should be placed in nomination
ANDY MARTIN
Executive Editor
ContrarianCommentary.com
“Factually Correct, Not
Politically Correct”
AMERICA’S #1 POLITICAL
BLOG ON THE 2008 CAMPAIGN
Why Hillary Clinton should allow her name to be placed in nomination at the Democratic National Convention
(NEW YORK)(August 5, 2008) Senator Hillary Clinton has given conflicting indications and uncertain expressions concerning whether she would allow her name to be placed in nomination for a roll-call vote in Denver: http://www.againsthillary.com/2008/08/02/clinton-no-decisions-have-been-made/; see also: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=3&docID=news-000002932848
My view: Hillary should authorize her name to be placed in nomination. There should be a roll call vote in Denver.
Background: In February, I was the only columnist supporting Senator Clinton's continued presence in the presidential race. Everyone else was writing that she should withdraw. See: http://www.contrariancommentary.com/community/Home/tabid/36/mid/363/newsid363/161/Default.aspx
I have been biased in favor of Senator Clinton. Frankly, I thought she should have taken her campaign to the convention. She disagreed. Of course I respect her decision.
But what about her supporters? Can party unity be imposed from the top down? Not very likely. Because Senator Clinton's supporters were left hanging, after an incredibly stress-inducing primary season, many remain confused and unhappy.
Senator Obama would like to conduct an artificial "National Convention" in which everyone pretends the Democratic Party is completely unified. But that "unity" simply does not exist. Nothing Obama has done since Clinton suspended her campaign has drawn much support from Clinton's supporters. The number of groups opposing Obama within the Democratic Party continues to increase; I have lost count.
If Obama were really as shrewd as he thinks he is, he would be the one insisting that Clinton's name be placed in nomination and allow her supporters to do their whoopin' and hollerin' before there is a formal vote to nominate him. The Clinton-Obama rapproachment would then have meaning.
Admitting that not everyone supports him would be a show of strength for Obama. I am not sure he is up to it. Obama is basically a control freak. He tries to keep everything under control, and he usually succeeds, see: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/02/AR2008080201687.html?hpid=topnews
Democrats used to have raucous conventions, and they still won elections. In 1960, numerous candidates had their name placed in nomination. I vividly remember former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson's name being placed in nomination, even though his candidacy was hopeless. There was no shame and no "disunity" in allowing your name to be placed in nomination, and then losing.
Senator John Kennedy finally won the 1960 roll call, and went on to be elected president. Kennedy was probably able to justify choosing Senator Lyndon Johnson as his vice president precisely because the convention hoopla demonstrated that Johnson did have supporters.
"If present trends continue," the Denver 2008 convention will be a vapid Obama "lose-in" where Obama is profusely praised as the "perfect master."
What is in Clinton's best interest? If she asked me, I would answer "allow your supporters to place your name in nomination and let them vote. You have made clear you support Obama. When the vote closes, then ask to make it unanimous. End of problem. You can't just leave your supporters high and dry, and act as though their support can be turned on and off like a spigot."
Obama may not like my approach, but in the long run it is in his interest to allow a lively convention and frank debate. Given the growing impression he is an elitist and control freak, an open convention would serve his broader interests even if he did not particularly want Clinton supporters strutting their stuff.
Bottom line: Clinton should sign the nominating authorization and allow her supporters to place her name in nomination. She wins. Obama wins.
If Clinton's supporters are silenced and disenfranchised, the resulting frustration may spill over at the convention, possibly into the streets. For sure Obama will have lost Clinton's voters in November.
The Democrats would emerge from Denver a stronger party if the appearance of openness and fairness and a willingness to allow all points of view to be heard and placed in nomination prevailed. What about it, Hillary?
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have decided to oppose Obama's election and have become Executive Director of The Stop Obama Coalition, http://StopObamaCoalition.com. By default, I have become the national leader of the anti-Obama movement. I am not acting as either a Democrat or Republican. I have had no contact whatsoever with the McCain Campaign. I am acting as an independent American citizen who sincerely believes Obama is not the man we need in the Oval Office. We are going to run a very dynamic and aggressive campaign against Obama. I will continue to write my columns for ContrarianCommentary.com.
Book orders: http://OrangeStatePress.com. Immediate shipment from the publisher now available.
---------------------------------------------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6TH: OBAMA UNLEASHES "THE MOB"
---------------------------------------------
ANDY MARTIN EN ROUTE TO WASHINGTON, DC
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 – SUNDAY AUGUST 10
STAY TUNED FOR BLOCKBUSTER ANNOUNCEMENTS, BOOK SIGNINGS, AND MORE
----------------------------------------------------------
Andy Martin is a legendary Chicago muckraker, author, Internet columnist, radio talk show host, broadcaster and media critic. Andy is the Executive Editor and publisher of www.ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin comments on regional, national and world events with over forty years of experience. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. His columns are also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Andy is the author of Obama: The Man Behind The Mask, published in July 2008, see http://www.OrangeStatePress.com. MEDIA CONTACT: (866) 706-2639 E-MAIL: AndyMart20@aol.com [NOTE: We frequently correct typographical errors and additions/subtractions on our blogs, where you can find the latest edition of this release.]
Why Hillary Clinton should allow her name to be placed in nomination. What kind of a convention will Democrats see in Denver? Open, or closed? Wide open or locked down?
Hillary's name should be placed in nomination
ANDY MARTIN
Executive Editor
ContrarianCommentary.com
“Factually Correct, Not
Politically Correct”
AMERICA’S #1 POLITICAL
BLOG ON THE 2008 CAMPAIGN
Why Hillary Clinton should allow her name to be placed in nomination at the Democratic National Convention
(NEW YORK)(August 5, 2008) Senator Hillary Clinton has given conflicting indications and uncertain expressions concerning whether she would allow her name to be placed in nomination for a roll-call vote in Denver: http://www.againsthillary.com/2008/08/02/clinton-no-decisions-have-been-made/; see also: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=3&docID=news-000002932848
My view: Hillary should authorize her name to be placed in nomination. There should be a roll call vote in Denver.
Background: In February, I was the only columnist supporting Senator Clinton's continued presence in the presidential race. Everyone else was writing that she should withdraw. See: http://www.contrariancommentary.com/community/Home/tabid/36/mid/363/newsid363/161/Default.aspx
I have been biased in favor of Senator Clinton. Frankly, I thought she should have taken her campaign to the convention. She disagreed. Of course I respect her decision.
But what about her supporters? Can party unity be imposed from the top down? Not very likely. Because Senator Clinton's supporters were left hanging, after an incredibly stress-inducing primary season, many remain confused and unhappy.
Senator Obama would like to conduct an artificial "National Convention" in which everyone pretends the Democratic Party is completely unified. But that "unity" simply does not exist. Nothing Obama has done since Clinton suspended her campaign has drawn much support from Clinton's supporters. The number of groups opposing Obama within the Democratic Party continues to increase; I have lost count.
If Obama were really as shrewd as he thinks he is, he would be the one insisting that Clinton's name be placed in nomination and allow her supporters to do their whoopin' and hollerin' before there is a formal vote to nominate him. The Clinton-Obama rapproachment would then have meaning.
Admitting that not everyone supports him would be a show of strength for Obama. I am not sure he is up to it. Obama is basically a control freak. He tries to keep everything under control, and he usually succeeds, see: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/02/AR2008080201687.html?hpid=topnews
Democrats used to have raucous conventions, and they still won elections. In 1960, numerous candidates had their name placed in nomination. I vividly remember former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson's name being placed in nomination, even though his candidacy was hopeless. There was no shame and no "disunity" in allowing your name to be placed in nomination, and then losing.
Senator John Kennedy finally won the 1960 roll call, and went on to be elected president. Kennedy was probably able to justify choosing Senator Lyndon Johnson as his vice president precisely because the convention hoopla demonstrated that Johnson did have supporters.
"If present trends continue," the Denver 2008 convention will be a vapid Obama "lose-in" where Obama is profusely praised as the "perfect master."
What is in Clinton's best interest? If she asked me, I would answer "allow your supporters to place your name in nomination and let them vote. You have made clear you support Obama. When the vote closes, then ask to make it unanimous. End of problem. You can't just leave your supporters high and dry, and act as though their support can be turned on and off like a spigot."
Obama may not like my approach, but in the long run it is in his interest to allow a lively convention and frank debate. Given the growing impression he is an elitist and control freak, an open convention would serve his broader interests even if he did not particularly want Clinton supporters strutting their stuff.
Bottom line: Clinton should sign the nominating authorization and allow her supporters to place her name in nomination. She wins. Obama wins.
If Clinton's supporters are silenced and disenfranchised, the resulting frustration may spill over at the convention, possibly into the streets. For sure Obama will have lost Clinton's voters in November.
The Democrats would emerge from Denver a stronger party if the appearance of openness and fairness and a willingness to allow all points of view to be heard and placed in nomination prevailed. What about it, Hillary?
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have decided to oppose Obama's election and have become Executive Director of The Stop Obama Coalition, http://StopObamaCoalition.com. By default, I have become the national leader of the anti-Obama movement. I am not acting as either a Democrat or Republican. I have had no contact whatsoever with the McCain Campaign. I am acting as an independent American citizen who sincerely believes Obama is not the man we need in the Oval Office. We are going to run a very dynamic and aggressive campaign against Obama. I will continue to write my columns for ContrarianCommentary.com.
Book orders: http://OrangeStatePress.com. Immediate shipment from the publisher now available.
---------------------------------------------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6TH: OBAMA UNLEASHES "THE MOB"
---------------------------------------------
ANDY MARTIN EN ROUTE TO WASHINGTON, DC
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 – SUNDAY AUGUST 10
STAY TUNED FOR BLOCKBUSTER ANNOUNCEMENTS, BOOK SIGNINGS, AND MORE
----------------------------------------------------------
Andy Martin is a legendary Chicago muckraker, author, Internet columnist, radio talk show host, broadcaster and media critic. Andy is the Executive Editor and publisher of www.ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin comments on regional, national and world events with over forty years of experience. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. His columns are also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Andy is the author of Obama: The Man Behind The Mask, published in July 2008, see http://www.OrangeStatePress.com. MEDIA CONTACT: (866) 706-2639 E-MAIL: AndyMart20@aol.com [NOTE: We frequently correct typographical errors and additions/subtractions on our blogs, where you can find the latest edition of this release.]
Labels: Andy Martin, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Obama: The Man Behind The Mask
posted by Andy Martin | 9:51 PM
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