Hillary Clinton’s Heavy Hand

There was no grace in Mudville when mighty Hillary struck out. Ninety-five percent of her speech in New York City, not conceding that her campaign was beaten, was smart and appropriate. But she couldn’t resist unnecessary and provocative digs. She claimed again that she won the popular vote — questionable, at the very least, and probably fundamentally wrong. Simply stating her pride that she had great successes along the way was not enough. She said South Dakota had the last word, ignoring that Montana did, and it was for Obama. And was introducing her as the next president (then an impossibility and inconsistent with the Democrats having chosen a different presidential candidate) supposed to demonstrate her party loyalty?

More provocative was her leaked conference call stating she was open to being vice president — an important decision, and not her call, and an inappropriate news chaser on Sen. Obama’s celebratory might. It wasn’t even a wise move, as a gracious endorsement would have been more persuasive to her opponent’s camp. Prima donnas, particularly controversial ones, are not the best VPs.

Soliciting her fans to voice their suggestions was more in-your-face tactics, which can only make Sen. Obama’s decision publicly awkward. Some way to assure unity! Immediately, one of her insider friends began circulating a petition to urge Sen. Obama to choose Sen. Clinton as a running mate. Were dissenters (we are many) therefore to generate a private new e-mail primary about who else should be vice president, with those hoping it won’t be Hillary voicing their opinions?

Hillary and her forces couldn’t restrain themselves from using the inappropriate full-court press, even on this one memorable, historic night — his, not hers.