CAMPAIGN 2008

Not the Party She Planned

Disappointed by losing an extremely close race, Hillary Clinton graciously endorsed Barack Obama and pledged to fight for his election.

By Daniel Stone | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Jun 7, 2008 | Updated: 5:13 p.m. ET Jun 7, 2008

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Everyone knew it would be a loaded speech—especially Hillary Clinton. Almost 16 months after launching her bid for the presidency, she brought it to a close in Washington on Saturday, thanking her supporters and throwing her "full support" behind the party's presumptive nominee. "I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me," she said.

Hillary approached the podium in Washington's National Building Museum with an air of melancholy, in spite of the large crowd of cheering supporters. She started her speech acknowledging that circumstances were less than ideal. "Well, this isn't exactly the party I planned but I sure like the company."

Clinton was acutely aware that her words and facial expressions would be closely magnified, but at times it seemed she couldn't hide her disappointment. "She's obviously really bummed," a junior campaign staffer told NEWSWEEK. Prior to the campaign's widely publicized endgame, Clinton invited about 150 staffers over the night before for a small gettogether at her home, where she looked "upbeat" and "happy." "She's always in a really fun mood, so it's tough to tell how she's really feeling," said the same staffer, who was not authorized, even at the campaign's end, to discuss the inner workings of the campaign.

Following Clinton's unique nonconcession speech on Tuesday at the official close of the primary season, many supporters, including colleagues on Capitol Hill, called on her to speak sooner rather than later for the sake of the party. Rep. Barney Frank vowed to support Clinton until the very end, but he told the campaign on a midweek conference call that she should concede and announce her support of Obama as soon as possible. She said she would.

But when she did, she managed to do so without using the words "concede," or "concession" at all. Instead, she said that she wanted to "congratulate Obama for his victory and the extraordinary race he has run." And then, Clinton's chosen phrase to express finality was to say that she would "suspend" her campaign. Some political insiders think the term "suspend" could indicate her desire keep all 1,932 delegates so she would be recognized at the party's convention in Denver. Campaign spokesman Mo Elleithee cautioned reporters not to read too far into it, saying that Clinton hasn't decided how to proceed with her delegates.

Security officials estimated 2,000 people showed up to see Clinton's curtain call, many of whom said they waited in line for hours in Washington's notorious humidity to pay tribute to Clinton's historic bid. Once inside, one dazed supporter said she felt a deep despair and disappointment knowing that this was the end of the campaign's road. "I'm depressed, that's all I can really say."

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Posted By: sharenews @ 06/18/2008 9:41:52 PM

HILLARY SUPPORTERS WHO ARE ???U N D E C I D E D??? : You have options other than not voting in the General Election:

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WRITE IN HILLARYS NAME:
http://www.writehillaryin.com/ Site dedicated to Hillary supporters who want to write her name in
http://www.writehillaryin.com/Write_In_Facts_by_State.html ???Write-in Hillary??? Facts Based on State

VOTE FOR JOHN MCCAIN:
http://www.johnmccain.com/ John McCains official website
http://www.hcsfjm.com/ Hillary Clinton Supporters for John McCain
http://www.hcsfjm.com/cstad.html This is a full-page ad being printed in the Chicago Sun-Times this coming Sunday which is addressed to Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Super Delegates, All DNP Delegates and the Democratic National Party from Hillary Clinton Supporters for John McCain.

VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA: www.barackobama.com Barack Obamas official website

http://www.18millionvoices.blogspot.com The Purpose of this site is to organize actions in Denver and Nationwide during the Democratic National Convention to support Senator Clinton, celebrate her historic achievement, and advocate for Women's Rights worldwide.

MORE INFO FOR OPTIONS FOUND ON OVER 100 SITES WHOSE URLs ARE ON THIS SITE:
http://www.JustSayNoDeal.com Hillary supporters: If you thought you were alone, you are wrong. There are over 100 sites out there for Hillary supporters to visit and see what your options are in the G.E. this fall.
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Posted By: sjpersonal @ 06/18/2008 3:58:48 PM

The War Secrets Sen. John McCain Hides
Former POW Fights Public Access to POW/MIA Files
April 25, 2000
By Sydney Schanberg

PART 1 OF 2

NEW YORK (APBnews.com) -- The voters who were drawn to John S. McCain in his run for the Republican presidential nomination this year often cited, as the core of his appeal, his openness and blunt candor and willingness to admit past lapses and release documents that other senators often hold back. These qualities also seemed to endear McCain to the campaign press corps, many of whom wrote about how refreshing it was to travel on the McCain campaign bus, "The Straight Talk Express," and observe a maverick speaking his mind rather than a traditional candidate given to obfuscation and spin.

But there was one subject that was off-limits, a subject the Arizona senator almost never brings up and has never been open about -- his long-time opposition to releasing documents and information about American prisoners of war in Vietnam and the missing in action who have still not been accounted for. Since McCain himself, a downed Navy pilot, was a prisoner in Hanoi for 5 1/2 years, his staunch resistance to laying open the POW/MIA records has baffled colleagues and others who have followed his career. Critics say his anti-disclosure campaign, in close cooperation with the Pentagon and the intelligence community, has been successful. Literally thousands of documents that would otherwise have been declassified long ago have been legislated into secrecy.

Link to complete article: http://www.aiipowmia.com/sea/schanberg_mccain.html
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Posted By: sharenews @ 06/18/2008 1:54:58 AM

You are correct. But 18 million non Obama supporters thought differently and there is still a significant amt of Hillary supporters who may prove to feel differently when the Dem. convention comes up in Aug.. Time will tell.