Some of Nothing

CNN Pundits Encourage Clinton to Change Strategies
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Rather than actively covet it, CNN pundits (starting with David Gergen) suggest that Clinton instead come out and reject/denounce the racist vote (from Culture Kitchen):

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, we have been looking at some of the exit polls from Kentucky, in particular the issue of race. Voters who said that race was important in making their decision or is the factor in making their decision.

DAVID GERGEN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: It is more disquieting news I think for Barack Obama as he looks for the general election.

COOPER: One in five I think.

GERGEN: It was about 21 percent that race was a factor. Nine out of ten of those voted for Hillary Clinton.

COOPER: And that is people that would admit it to a complete strangers taking these exit polls theoretically it would be even larger those who would not admit it.

GERGEN: And from her point of view, over a quarter of the people who voted for her today in Kentucky were people who said race was a factor in their decision. And it really means -- I mean, she's been talking about sexism in this race and she has complained about some in the last 24 hours.

You know race is really playing an increasing issue. And it also raises the question in my judgment of whether she shouldn't say, you know, if you want to vote against him because he's black, I don't want your vote. I don't want to win that way. This has no place in this primary. [emphasis mine]

Recently, I've been reflecting back on this historic primary trying to decide what I think has been each candidate's highest and lowest points. And I don't mean that in terms of polls or media narrative; I mean that in terms of how each candidate has behaved--how they have demonstrated leadership. Although I've been wanting to post on this topic for a while now, I've held off because I honestly can't think of a real significant high point in Clinton's campaign. Honestly, there's nothing I can think of that she's done that has demonstrated exemplary or courageous leadership. However, if she eventually did what Gergen suggests--as John Edwards did early on (and got no credit for)--that would be her high point. It would be something that would redeem her somewhat in my mind because it wouldn't be all about winning for winning's sake but, instead, would be about displaying leadership.

Not holding my breath.

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Nothing New byslag at 1:09 PM