How to Fight Clinton's Nuclear Option

I floated the idea in these pages some weeks back that Clinton would do anything, including burning down the Democratic party, to gain the nomination because this is basically her only shot at the Presidency, and when it comes down to it, that's all she's interested in -- not a Democratic President, but a Hillary Clinton Presidency.

There was some controversial discussion about that proposition at the time, but I believe the last three weeks of the campaign have clearly indicated that, indeed, Clinton is in this for herself first. She's elevated John McCain's qualifications over Obama's, used every Lee Atwater-Karl Rove trick in the book, focussed on trivia while avoiding issues, claimed to be ahead while she's behind, and we now hear very explicit threats to sue over Michigan and Florida because it's clear that's the Clintons' only path to the nomination.

In short, she's exercising the nuclear option: she's pushing the button and hoping when the clouds of radioactive dust settle, she's in the best position to be leader of the crumbled ruins she's leaving behind.

How does Obama fight this? How do you fight this? By Mutually-Assured Destruction, the only means of deterring nuclear madmen. Or madwomen. More on the flip.

I'm a yellow dog. I think it's destructive to the party and to the nation to threaten to withhold a vote in the fall, or even to vote for the Republican candidate. So I've never, ever done that. Come what may, I've pulled the lever for the donkey in the fall.

This time: no way. Hillary got my vote by default if she were the nominee before the last three weeks, but she's lost it by engaging in politics and talking points that could have come from the RNC's lost email.

So I'm exercising my own nuclear option. Here's the deal. I'm not voting for Clinton in the fall, if she's the nominee.

If she continues this childish game of attack politics and avoids real issues, I'll exercise my second-strike capability and vote for McCain.

Clinton may be counting on trying to "mend fences" after the convention, but with only two months between the convention and the election, it's a losing strategy. She's got to be convinced now that only an honorable victory -- one in the interests of the Democratic party -- will produce a victory in the fall. And the only way to do that, apparently, is to go right to the heart of her own argument, which is electability.

I've previous said on multiple occasions I'd be happy with either of the Democratic nominees in the fall. I retract those comments.

I'm going nuclear, but only because Clinton launched a pre-emptive first strike. (She seems real fond of launching pre-emptive wars.)

•  Tips for Nuclear Proliferation

  I really hate to post this diary, but I'm so mad now, I'm making John McCain look like an even-tempered guy.

  by TheCrank on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:43:44 AM PDT

•  If Obama's the nominee

  If Obama's the nominee...i'll probably sit this election out.  I'm not yet comfortable in a party that purges the Clintons and puts as their leader Barack Hussein Obama.  Maybe i will come around, but i'm not sure yet.  I love the Clintons and want them back.

  by markcaldicott on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:48:33 AM PDT

  •  Thanks for mentioning Obama's middle name

    Showing the Clinton campaign's talking points are getting down to the retail level.

    I guess we are having a bit of an intraparty tiff after all, aren't we?

    by TheCrank on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:50:27 AM PDT

•  the only protection against the nuke is...

  

  LASER BEAR!!

  by bubbanomics on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:52:01 AM PDT

•  I rec stopping this meme

  It's not necessary and it only gives her team the idea and feeling it's only fair if they do the same thing.  Obama can't win the GE without votes from most of the people who voted for HRC in the primaries.  I understand the feelings you are having.  But I rec keeping a lid on it - while watching Obama work his Tai Chi - Kung Fu - Akido - Jujitsu - Poker brilliance on the remainder of the campaign.  Trust him a little more.  He's no dummy.  We will do all we can to support his efforts (donate, phonebank, door-to-door, signs, blog, etc).  

  by fayea on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:56:02 AM PDT

  •  not just a meme.

    There are tons of people who wouldn't vote for her even before she pulled this crap, hence Obama being more favorable in matchup polls.

    There is a 3rd way, Obama's nuclear option:

    3rd party run?

    Lets hope this Rovian crap Clinton is pulling is just the last throes of pre-netroots establishment, and Obama will get the nomination.

    by smckenzie23 on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 11:08:44 AM PDT

•  plan b: get Hillary supporters to speak up

  I think it's time for Hillary Clinton supporters to tell her to stop the scorched-earth campaign that's destroying the Democratic Party.

  Not only is she dividing the Party, but every time she praises John McCain or insults voters from states she loses, she is working to set herself up for a loss to McCain in the general election. She's also hurting the chances of Democratic Congressmen and Senators to ride the coattails of the Democratic Presidential nominee in November.

  If Joe Lieberman and the Republican Party designed the Clinton strategy, it would be exactly what she's doing right now.

  Hillary supporters should tell her to stop, or else you'll support Barack Obama.

  Here's the phone number to Clinton's campaign HQ: 703.469.2008. Share it with your Hillary friends in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon, etc., and ask them to tell Hillary to stop the scorched-earth Party-busting campaign -- or you'll vote for Obama.

  by CTony on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:57:46 AM PDT

  •  she doesn't listen to her own staff

    why would she listen to her supporters?

    by soros on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 11:07:48 AM PDT