Drudge: Hillary thinking of getting out before Super Tuesday?
posted at 11:06 am on January 7, 2008 by Allahpundit
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The only reason would be to avoid the humiliation of getting not just beat but stomped. And, I guess, to spare Billy Jeff the ordeal of having his crowds respond like audiences at a Fat Elvis concert while Obama’s getting the Beatles treatment.
Anyway, with $100 million raised in funds and New York among the states in play on February 5, it’s not bloody likely. So take your pick. This story is a ploy planted by…
(a) …the Clinton campaign, to give Edwards false hope of her exiting early and thereby encourage him to stay in the race until Super Tuesday so that he can continue to draw votes from Obama.
(b) …the Clinton campaign, to boost turnout among her supporters in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada by raising the stakes of defeat.
(c) …one of the other campaigns, to depress turnout in those states by suggesting that her campaign’s already terminal and they know it.
The Clinton true believers, god love ‘em, are putting on a brave face even as the new Marist poll contemplates the outside chance of a disastrous third-place finish tomorrow. I don’t mind seeing her lose, but I’ll cop to a very dark secret: Thanks partly to my hunch that we’d have an easier time with her than Obama in the election and/or as president, partly to my impatience with the vapid, messianic “change” crap Obama’s peddling, and partly to my instinctive sympathy as a beta male for anyone who’s been humiliated, I … kind of feel a little sorry for her. Kind of. A little. Oh, the shame.
Update: Commenter DrW puts it in perspective.
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A, B, And C
Texyank on January 7, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Hillary drop out early?
Not. Bloody. Likely.
I vote for a & b.
rockbend on January 7, 2008 at 11:11 AM
I doubt she’ll exit. I think it’s a ploy. All of the above, I guess?
mcrabben7 on January 7, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I want her to win the nomination (and I think she will) but defeating Obama will greatly damage her and the Democrat enthusiasm.
Gotta say, I am absolutely loving seeing her enevitability hammered.
Think about this, if she wins, will Obama go independent?
stenwin77 on January 7, 2008 at 11:12 AM
One can dream….but that is all it will be.
ej_pez on January 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM
(D) The Vast RightWing Conspiracy™
NoFanofLibs on January 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM
No way is she getting out early. Hillary is a “scorched Earther”.
She wont get out till the killing field’s mass graves are heaping with corpses, bless her heart.
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I think she will come out and say the story is false and
“why’s erybody awlways pickin on me”
abinitioadinfinitum on January 7, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Time to buy stocks in lamps and china plates….
dean_acheson on January 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
If you can’t stand the heat get the f out of the kitchen. And if you emphasize that you’re comfortable in the kitchen (especially in that gimmick way to highlight the fact that she’s a woman to appeal to women voters,) then you get no sympathy whatsoever when it comes.
Boo freakin’ hoo.
AlexB on January 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I love seeing her inevitability get hammered too. Nothing makes me happier.
About Obama, I don’t think he goes independent, he’s the Dem’s messiah. If he loses the nomination this time, and the Dem’s lose to the Republicans, expect Barack to come on like a tidal wave for the Dems in 2012.
conservativejack on January 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
That’s another ploy. Call it “D “
Texyank on January 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Is that cynicism I detect? How can you doubt Barack’s message of hope and unity? Doesn’t he seem so genuine when he talks about it?
mattyj86 on January 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Then I would have to recant my whole agnosticism thing!
LOL
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I’m going with (b).
I think this is a calculated leak by some Clintonistas to scare the base into more activism and into setting up the mother-of-all Comeback Kid style stories down the road.
You know.. “she was left for dead, close to quitting, but she hung in there FOR ALL OUR SAKES and now shes back..”
Btw, AP, I confessed to a similar kind of “sympathy” for Hills over the weekend, when she got booed by Obama supporters at a speech. I share your feelings about the election and about Obama’s messianic crapola….
but if you the quickest known cure for Beta-male GOP empathy with the Hildebeeest it is this: Just listen to 60 seconds of ANY stump speech she makes, especially if it includes any screetching. That’ll cure ya.
Always Right on January 7, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I doubt it. This is Mrs Clinton’s only chance of running for president and she’ll continue until it looks bleak. I don’t think the Clinton Machine, which includes the MSM, is finished unloading its ammunition.
However, this may become true after the next two primaries. I think it’s just silly to think Mrs Clinton will drop out after the results of one (or maybe two) primaries. Only then can a trend be developed on viability.
In either event, I’m giddy over the bad press.
Weebork on January 7, 2008 at 11:16 AM
My money is on William Jefferson Clinton.
Think about it. What does he really have to gain by giving up his status as “ex-POTUS” to be back in the limelight as the first spouse? He needs to be supportive in public but do you imagine that he really wants to move back to DC if he isn’t the center of attention?
As to the very idea that the Clintons are thinking of getting out- not very likely though I’d hate to be in the room with Hillary when it becomes clear she has lost in NH.
highhopes on January 7, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Oh please let that be sarcasm!
Aggie85 on January 7, 2008 at 11:17 AM
i don’t see her giving up so fast.
sko17 on January 7, 2008 at 11:17 AM
What Hillary needs to do is to move to Russia, Canada or N. Korea. That way she doesn’t have to work so hard to fufill her ideals. I’m sure they’d put her right to work. I’m sure Billy Jeff wouldn’t mind. On second thought, send him too.
whiskeytango on January 7, 2008 at 11:19 AM
AP, feeling sorry for Mrs. Clinton is akin to feeling sorry for the Alien when she was sucked out of the cargo hold and into space.
DrW on January 7, 2008 at 11:20 AM
No shame, a fever often distorts thinking, take two aspirin, hot tea, chicken soup and I will send you my bill in the morning when you realize exactly who it is your talking about and strike that out of your post.
That HAS to be the reason…a fever.
spree on January 7, 2008 at 11:22 AM
There is no way she is getting out. She’ll crash and burn trying to be president. She still believes she should be coronated. I hope she becomes the Dem nominee because she will be easier for the Republicans to beat.
txsurveyor on January 7, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I’m having trouble seeing this as real. Clintons don’t give up that easily. They threaten to deny people things, they play dirty, and they pour more money in. This is Hillary’s chance. This is what they’ve been working for for many years. Giving up because of coming in third in one state? When you’ve still raised over $100 million, and lead in other states? Not likely.
amerpundit on January 7, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I’ll go with d) the evil media. They are trying to take out Hillary and Fred because they seem them as the biggest threats to Chris Matthews.
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 11:23 AM
If feeling this good about her fall is wrong. I don’t want to be right!
Thursby on January 7, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Fox was interviewing Bill about the appeal of Obama with young voters. I could not help but think the perfect response from Bill would beThat’s just not true, I reach out to as many young women as I can”. :)
kcd on January 7, 2008 at 11:24 AM
It’s all part of the ClinTon plan. A&B. We only only wish it was that easy to get rid of a clinton.
HotAirExpert on January 7, 2008 at 11:24 AM
My primary concern is the President’s role as Commander-in-Chief. So, if we have to endure a Democrat as a President, then my pick is Hillary.
I can’t believe I typed that. But there it is.
But, we’ve already seen that the early primary states don’t give a moment’s thought to who would be the best CinC — on either side.
I agree with those who say Clinton will stay in until Super Tuesday and perhaps later. She has portrayed herself as too much of a fighter to throw in the towel early (unless it’s all just BS like so many other things Clintonian). But it really looks like she will get crushed by the disgusing wave of Obama-worship among the “second coming of Camelot” folks in the Democratic primaries.
I’d like to think that any semi-competent Republican candidate could beat an inexperienced socialist like Obama, but things don’t look good now.
In such moments, I console myself with one thought: it wasn’t pretty, but New York City survived Mayor Dinkins. The nation can survive President Obama.
Anton on January 7, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Bubye…:):):) Cannot be soon enough.
geminicontender on January 7, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I can’t believe Hillary is still beating the Universal Health Care drum! I thing that is hurting her…..thank God..
kcd on January 7, 2008 at 11:29 AM
She’s looking for sympathy . . . don’t fall for it, keep up the pressure and drive her out.
rplat on January 7, 2008 at 11:29 AM
If he loses the nomination this time, and the Dem’s lose to the Republicans, expect Barack to come on like a tidal wave for the Dems in 2012.
===============================
Four more years of voting “present” to attack. I’m not worried about him in 4 years - NOW he’s a novelty, thus the attration.
stenwin77 on January 7, 2008 at 11:30 AM
This is calculated, as are all the things Hillary does. There isn’t a chance she’s getting out before Super Tuesday.
Slick Willy says keep with it Hillary, or why else did you stay with me?
Morning time ZINGER
FLcapitalistthug on January 7, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Speaking as a VHS male, I say it’s hype. She won’t drop out just yet. (Still, it beats being a gamma male; you’d spend a fortune on purple pants and your vocabulary would be reduced to the words “Hulk” and “smash”…)
Spanglemaker on January 7, 2008 at 11:34 AM
kinda had the same feelings, hopefully there is enough dirt and a liberal record on Obama to expose. and hopefully Foreign Policy will play a bigger role going forward
jp on January 7, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Did anybody besides me read that as Marxist poll at first glance? I know, that would be way too much honesty from the enemedia, but it amused me anyway.
ReubenJCogburn on January 7, 2008 at 11:34 AM
There is no way she’s exiting the race after one loss. She’s planned this run forever and stuck by a scumbag husband to accomplish it. The earliest she’ll exit is after Super Tuesday, if then. But she also has to hope for some unforced errors on Obama’s part because going negative on him won’t work.
Sensible Mom on January 7, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Upon further reveiw, I’m voting D
D/ The early stages of ‘the Comeback Kid’ strategy where the Clintons lower expectations for Super Duper Tuesday and then trumpet any results as a comeback.
DrW on January 7, 2008 at 11:35 AM
(E) I blame Bush.
NoFanofLibs on January 7, 2008 at 11:38 AM
My money is with you. I’ve thought for a while he’s done his passive/aggressive best to sink her.
TheBigOldDog on January 7, 2008 at 11:38 AM
No, Hillary! Please don’t go.
I mean, watching the Hildebeast and her brain-dead supporters flailing around is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!
Dave R. on January 7, 2008 at 11:40 AM
TO: Queen Hillary
RE: The United States of America
“Get away from her, you BITCH!!”
CurtZHP on January 7, 2008 at 11:40 AM
No way. Once those negative seeds are planted they begin to grow. Once rats sense the ship sinking they look to jump on another ship. This hurts and the only cure is success.
TheBigOldDog on January 7, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Sympathy, AP? For the Devil?
You hate puppies, too? Is that your little game?
q2600 on January 7, 2008 at 11:43 AM
There’s no way she would pull out before super Tuesday. This is her only shot at this and her ego won’t have it any other way. There’s nothing left for her in the power department so she will leave no stone unturned in getting the nomination. Quitting early is more humiliating than losing to Obama after giving it her all.
This story is a tactic to drum up attention, sympathy, and support.
libhater on January 7, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Dave R. on January 7, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Hillary, the American Socialist Party called, they said they heard Momma was coming
backhome.FLcapitalistthug on January 7, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Man, Drudge has lost a step. I like his site, but the minute I saw this story I knew it was BS. The Clintons aren’t going to give up this early. Any person with common sense knows this. Drudge needs to stop falling for this “leaks” from the Obama camps.
froghat on January 7, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The real question is whether or not hubris will ALLOW her to drop out at all?
I wouldn’t put it past her to go third party if she doesn’t get the democrat nom…wait, make that fourth party, accounting for Bloomberg’s inevitable run. No, scratch that, make it fifth party run, because Ron Paul’s got plenty of Troofer/Neo-Nazi cash to burn in his own indy run,
so…
It’s gonna be a big slate come November.
SuperCool on January 7, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Slightly OT - but related to Super Tuesday:
In Arizona, only registered dhimmicrats and Republicans will be allowed to vote. Independents and others are locked out. If you want to vote in the Primary, you must register as a dhimmicrat or Republican by midnight TONIGHT (Jan. 7, 2008).
I just changed mine from Independent to Republican, so I can vote against McCain.
Timothy S. Carlson on January 7, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Do not underestimate the Clintonians. They are the only group with two canidates running…Hil and Huck…..Third Party anyone?
GREENTURTLE on January 7, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Some kind of Iranian flare up that escalates a bit more than the recent one involving the little gunships might refocus the spotlight on foreign policy and Obama’s obvious incompetency in the big leagues. More middle east tension can’t help but benefit Hillary, since she’s running to the center. She’s probably praying for an incident.
a capella on January 7, 2008 at 11:57 AM
It should be remembered that one of the basic characteristics of a liberal and liberalism is that they never quit.
Recall the 40 attempts by Senate liberals to end the war, and it still goes on through their surrogate presidential candidates.
In order to get things their way, they have been using a ‘wear-em-down strategy’ where, in the past, the opposition would eventually cave in.
Today, however, their strategy no longer works for them. But, characteristically, they keep on trying.
And characteristically being a devout liberal, Hillary is in for the long haul.
pocomoco on January 7, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I don’t believe the story. It said that Hillary’s staffers are split on whether she should drop out or not. Can you imagine any staffer telling Hillary to her face to quit? It would be like when Iraq’s health minister told Saddam to temporarily step down to end the war with Iran, and you know what happened to him!
And besides, the staff knows she still has money for a few more pay days.
NNtrancer on January 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Hillary is thinking????
That depends on what the definition of is “is”
relpayme on January 7, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Its not so good to be the..Queen?
For us peasants, life is good, soo good.
Speakup on January 7, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I see this as Drudge trying to lift his sagging numbers by finding a story where none exists.
Bubba and Shrillery thrive on that “comeback kid” stuff. Since they know what’s best for us (and themselves), they have an almost religious faith that the people will eventually see the light and hand power back to them.
Of course it pains them deeply that not everyone believes them, but they will withhold revenge until they are back in the White House. Than, heads will roll.
MrScribbler on January 7, 2008 at 12:05 PM
You gotta feel sorry for her. After you take the time to learn just how much true socialist communist and fascist ideals Mr. O’BamBam’s policies contain.
Griz on January 7, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Perfectly torpedoed! My thoughts exactly.
I cannot believe that the Hillary war-machine is going to fold so easily. God knows where this rumour comes from. I suppose in this day-and-age of political shenanigans, any of your scenarios are plausible.
LimeyGeek on January 7, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Change and hope, change and hope. Are there two more vacuous, empty words in the English language? The man says nothing and means nothing. It’s just pleasant noise, like clear water tumbling over stones.
As for me, I’m supporting the despair candidate. Why vote for the lesser of two evils?
Vote Sauron 08 on January 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Hillary can’t possibly be president. Back when Bill was in the oval office, the husand and wife team was calle “Billary.” If Hillary gets elected, they’ll be called “HillBilly.” And who wants that?
NNtrancer on January 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I agree with Allahpundit that as beta males, we ought to feel just a tad of sympathy for Hillary if, as expected, she has to make another concession speech. But then I thought of the way the Clintons have always treated their opponents. There was the Richmond debate in 1992 when Clinton, knowing he was far ahead, laughed and smirked at GHW Bush as Bush spoke. There was the last debate with Dole in 1996 when Clinton violated the debate rules and followed Dole around on the stage when Dole talked, trying to humiliate Dole and disrespect him at the same time. Gore tried the sme tactic in 2000 with W. Then I thought of the way the Clintons used their media friends to make Gennifer Flowers into a golddigger. All the time, the Clintons knew Gennifer Flowers was telling the truth. Yet the Clintons sent out Carville to call Gennifer “trailer park trash”. Then I thought of the way Bill Clinton manipulated Monica Lewinsky, a confused and troubled young woman. When Monica became too radioactive for Bill to have around, he tossed her from the White House like she was nothing more than yesterday’s leftovers.
The only analogy that I can think of for the Clintons is Tom and Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby. Really awful people.
Larraby on January 7, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I suppose that this makes Rush’s early observation that Obama and Hillary were just playing a President-VP “dance” rather moot at this point. Like most everyone else, he didn’t expect her to self-implode quite this early in the game.
It’s funny that over a year ago, certain Hollywood libs were saying that Hillary’s negatives were too high and that she shouldn’t run. It seems that they may have been right..
The St. Obama BS will only last until he is shown to be a smarmy lightweight a la Kerry.
Sending up (very) old John “Amnesty” McCain to fight him may work on some fronts, but not for this conservative hardass.
TexasJew on January 7, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Maybe it’s just Drudge being over the top…
SouthernGent on January 7, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Rovian
MarkB on January 7, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Conservatives–or at least Republicans–should be donating money and even volunteering their own time to the Clinton campaign. Obama in the general is a frightening prospect.
DaveS on January 7, 2008 at 12:30 PM
never gonna happen, and she WILL be the nominee, mark my words.
jesse jackson won 11 primaries in 1988, the delegates this year will split along the same lines, in 1988 they still went for dukakis, and they will eventually go for hillary.
zane on January 7, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Drop out? After two states? Not likely. More like the same dirty campaign tactics used against Fred.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24303
Oh, the excuse we hear, “I’m just reporting it!” Well, considering the “snark level” it gets high when bloggers report these things kind of makes you doubt their sincerity.
Sure, I’d love to see Hillarity leave but for her to ride high in the polls for more than a year, I seriously, seriously doubt she’s playing the notion of leaving early. What do we have here? Gullible bloggers and editorialists?
Kokonut on January 7, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I vote for a & b and at the same time pray it’s true. I know it isn’t but one can always hope can’t they ?
limowilliam on January 7, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I feel only slightly more sorry for Cankles than I felt for KSM when they water-boarded him.
wildweasel on January 7, 2008 at 12:49 PM
As much as I’d love to watch Hill burn up like so much space trash hurdling toward earth, I do believe that it is a bit premature for her to pull out, but just barely. If she continues to lose, then at some point she’ll have to realize that it might be in her best LT interest to bow out gracefully than to fight to the end only to be denied.
volnation on January 7, 2008 at 12:54 PM
She is not getting out anytime soon. She will be paraphrasing Charlton Heston—“You will have to pry this nomination from my cold dead hands!” Whatever one might thing of her, she isn’t the type to give up.
USBB on January 7, 2008 at 12:54 PM
I meant to say “think” instead of “thing”. Is there a way to edit comments? Please forgive the noob.
USBB on January 7, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Hillary, don’t leave yet, we haven’t played pin the tail on the
liberaldonkey!FLcapitalistthug on January 7, 2008 at 12:58 PM
So that’s what all her prattling on about change was for.
Maybe she is dropping out of the “election,” but keep an eye cast toward the East, for her armies may be massing…
Mindfists on January 7, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Boo. Freaking. Hoo.
Hillary Clinton cries on the campaign trail.
NoFanofLibs on January 7, 2008 at 1:12 PM
She will still be in this,even after the new POTUS is sworn in.
twiggman on January 7, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Just waiting for the opportunity to sing to Hillary:
Na na NAH na, Na na NAH na, Hey Hey Hey, GOO-OOD BYE!!!
It may not be tomorrow or the day after, but I am sensing it’ll be soon.
Her whole candidacy is predicated on her narcissistic view of the world. Which is why I think it’ll collapse. It even looks like the libs understand this.
Which brings up the next question: Who can we field to as the nominee to best trounce Obama?
King Dom on January 7, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Total BS. It makes no sense for her even to think of leaving. If she quits now, her reputation as being tough is gone forever.
And the tears crap, OMG.
pedestrian on January 7, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Hillary “This is no ways fair. It’s my turn and I deserve it”.
Bill “A know, hon, you’re the greatest woman the world has ever known. The voters are just blaaand”. /thinking “Bi&ch, and you thought you could show me”.
p.s. Cigar stocks on sharp decline.
p.p.s. If this is true, it’s not good for this side.
p.p.p.s. She’ll hurt more being thwarted by the left than the right.
Entelechy on January 7, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Somewhere, KP is crying.
Benaiah on January 7, 2008 at 2:05 PM
There’s no way Hillary pulls out before Super Tuesday. Especially since Hillary is still leading in California.
SoulGlo on January 7, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Hillary won’t pull out until close to the Dem convention. She will scratch and claw and try to take the whole ungrateful Democratic party including those pesky minorities who don’t know when to do what they are told down with her.
doufree on January 7, 2008 at 3:10 PM
There is no way Hillary will be getting out. She will hang in to the very end and is the type to more likely take other people out before she leaves the scene.
Bountiful on January 7, 2008 at 5:04 PM
No, she won’t go voluntarily…
Her entire campaign reminds me of the “What about Bob?” movie.
You can put either Hillary or Bill in as the “Bob” character who won’t ever go away…
landlines on January 7, 2008 at 9:23 PM
” I … kind of feel a little sorry for her. Kind of. A little.”
WHACK! SLAP! CRUCNCH!
Hey, SNAP out of it!
vanderleun on January 7, 2008 at 9:53 PM
I felt sorry for the Alien when it got sucked into the cargo hold…..
Richard Bushnell on January 8, 2008 at 2:08 PM