I know and have read many posts here. It is no secret that most Kossacks are big supporters of Barack Obama, and most also don't care too much for team Clinton. Count me among those who feel that way. But one has to be aware that this is still a close race, and while Obama is leading, he will not wrap this thing up after Puerto Rico in early June. He will need many more super delegates to ensure his nomination. With that being the case, it is hard to fault Hillary Clinton for doing what she can to get the nomination.
I join the chorus here who want Clinton to bow out, and despise her tactics. However, she is in this to win, and she knows that McCain is a disaster candidate who will lose to either her or Obama.
We have to face facts: Clinton will not bow out unless any of the following happens:
- A deluge of super delegates rush to Obama;
- The DNC (aka Howard Dean) and leading Dems such as Pelosi, Reid, and Gore publically back Obama and call for Clinton to concede; or
- She loses Pennsylvania.
In fact, one could argue that she won't quit unless all three above happen. The fact remains that the leaders of the Democratic Party, while complaining of the tone of the campaign, will not and should not jump in unless there is a clear victor. That won't happen until June unless we get those 50 "pocket" super delegates to endorse Obama. Unfortunately, it appears that time has come and gone with his primary losses in Ohio and Texas.
Barack Obama has had his chances to finish off Senator Clinton, and has not been able to do so. I don't blame him or his campaign. The fact remains that both candidates are still popular with Democratic voters, and that there has yet to be a coalescing around either one. Not yet; and maybe never. And that, my friends, is a problem that may be costly.