cross-posted at My DD
I have been a Hillary supporter since jump street. I continue to believe that she would have had a better chance in the general election than Obama. "Would have had" not "has." Tonight's results, while providing another demonstration of Obama's inability to win support from Hillary's coalition, nevertheless portend his almost certain nomination. I congratulate Senator Obama and his team for running an almost flawless campaign. Save for an ill-advised remark and a misplaced and prolonged loyalty to a pastor who is more his enemy than Hillary could ever be, Obama and his team have executed a strategy which will become the sine qua non for future campaigns. From the bottom-up fundraising strategy to the strong emphasis on extracting huge delegate gains from caucuses, Obama's team has run rings around Hillary's.
More on the flip
So where do we go from here. Hillary will continue through the last primary with the knowledge that barring a damning revelation or gaffe by Obama, she will not be the nominee. She will run to preserve her viability for elective office, to solidify her justly earned reputation as a terrific campaigner and to secure the inclusion of all Florida and Michigan delegates at the convention. I would expect her campaigning to focus more on McCain's shortcomings than Obama's. Her spinners will still spin like tops, her surrogates will continue to promote her greater electoral potential that Obama's, but it will be in service of ending the primaries on a high note and will inure to Senator Obama's benefit. Obama is almost certain to campaign almost exclusively against McCain, ignoring Hillary, which is as it should be.
Hillary Clinton, by losing the nomination, has become the most important person in the room. It is her responsibility to insure a seamless transition of her supporters to Obama's camp. She will undoubtedly extract some concessions from him such as employment of some of her staff, debt retirement, a promise to revisit truly universal health insurance (after election) and full recognition of the Florida and Michigan delegations. Knowing Hillary, I am certain that she will work as hard to move her supporters to Obama's camp as she did to gain their support in the first place.
Hillary is not the problem: Obama supporters are!
As Senator Obama's prospects of being the Democratic nominee moved from remote to possible to probable to almost certain, many of his supporters on this and other liberal blogs have turned from supportive of Obama and dismissive of Hillary to annoying, taunting, insufferable and, tonight, gloating. (I know - Hillary's supporters are no bargain either!) Allow me to humbly suggest that now that it appears you have won, a little humility and respect for your opponents would serve you well. For our common cause it behooves you to be humble. Some Hillary supporters may still strike out at you; they are hurt, they are only now beginning to grieve. Your understanding and patience will hasten this process and promote the unity required to defeat the latest threat to our country - John McCain.
Don't react in kind to threats to sit out the election or vote for McCain. Most will come around if you invite them in. Many may be sabateurs or agents provacateur; I believe we refer to them as "trolls." Ignore them. Be humble. Be good winners. Your job is no different than Hillary's at this point. Handle it well and you may just get the one you've been waiting for.