Sox & Politics

Senator Clinton Suspends Campaign and Endorses Obama

Senator Hillary Clinton officially suspended her campaign today at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. In front of thousands of her supporters, Clinton thanked everyone in the room and threw her complete support behind Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee for President. Her endorsement emphasized the necessity to work as hard as possible to ensure Obama's victory in November. Her speech urged her supporters to not feel discouraged, but to come together as Democrats to beat Republican John McCain in the general election. For more on the story, click here.

On a personal note, and as an Obama supporter, I would just like to thank Senator Clinton for her tenacity throughout the campaign and willingness to unite the party for a Democratic victory in November. I have always liked Senator Clinton and have had the highest respect for her. She has made history throughout her campaign, setting precedents for women all over the country. I congratulate her on a hard fought race for the nomination and thank her for her support.

Although there may be discouragement and bitterness present in many of her supporters, it is necessary to understand that we are all Democrats and MUST come together to win in November. This election is too important to throw away to the Republicans and, in light of Senator Clinton's speech, we must work together to provide a better future for our country.

Private Meeting

Last night, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton met privately for the first time since Obama had clinched the nomination for the Democratic Party.

Sources say both had decided on the time earlier in the week, but did not disclose the location. Much of the media believed it to be at the Clinton's home, but it was revealed that it actually took place at Senator Diane Feinstein's home in Whitehaven.

A joint statement was provided by both campaigns to the press:

Senator Clinton and Senator Obama met tonight and had a productive discussion about the important work that needs to be done to succeed in November.

There is little information as to what was said during their private meeting, but it seems both are looking forward to uniting the party for the general election. For more click here.

Senator Clinton plans to concede the race and endorse Barack Obama on Saturday in front of supporters at an event in Washington, DC.

Thank You South Dakota

Senator Hillary Clinton has won the South Dakota primary.

She has decided to make no decisions on whether to concede the race.

Proud of Hillary

I am incredibly proud of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her campaign for President of the United States has been record breaking and she has accomplished things no other woman has ever come close to doing. And it's not over yet.

However, with the final two states voting tonight and with uncommitted superdelegates turning the nomination over to her competitor, it looks like Senator Clinton is about to announce her exit from this historic campaign.

I am completely saddened of the treatment of Senator Clinton by the media. But that was always to be expected. What really saddens me is the way her own party started treating her like a pebble in their shoe. It will come back to haunt them.

The DNC flubbed this one. No, you can't change the rules in the middle of the game as the Clinton camp was trying to do. But you also can't punish millions of voters when it was state party leaders and legislatures who broke the rules in the first one. You certainly cannot award a candidate delegates when his or her name failed to appear on the ballet in a state.

As of right now, I have no plans of voting for president in November. I will not support McCain. I do support Obama. However, as a voter in a pretty solid blue state anyways I don't feel I need to vote for him. In a way, I can't bring myself to vote for him. It's not his fault.

My mind could be swayed should Mrs. Clinton pop up on the ticket as a running mate. Of course, everyone is saying that will never happen and that it would be a big mistake. I disagree. What better way to unite a bitterly divided party? People say "Nobody votes for VP." I disagree. Hillary could be up there as Dick Cheney's running mate and she (they) would get my vote. I will be extremely upset should the Obama camp place another woman on the ballot with them. I do not want to see the governor of Kansas on the ballot. I do not want to see another woman get something that Senator Clinton worked so hard to get simply handed to her. To me, it would be a slap in the face.

I expect the announcement to come soon. And if it doesn't, I will stand with Hillary until she chooses to leave or loses this race. But for now, I applaud Senator Hillary Clinton and the ceiling she has broken.

South Dakota and Montana

Montana and South Dakota are the two final states holding primaries. I urge voters to stand up, vote, and show your support for Senator Hillary Clinton.

Vote for Hillary Clinton.

She may exit this race tomorrow night and give the nomination to Senator Obama. It doesn't matter. I stand by her as her strong supporter and I could not be more proud of everything she has accomplished in this campaign. She has been treated unfairly by many and I hope that one day she gets to have the last laugh. She may not be the Democratic party's choice, but I know she is the best choice.

I applaud Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Wins Puerto Rico

Senator Hillary Clinton is the projected winner of the Democratic primary in Puerto Rico.

Unfortunately, Puerto Rico is not permitted to vote in the general election.

People can count her out all they want. But she's still winning.

Clinton Takes Kentucky

Senator Hillary Clinton wins an overwhelming victory over Senator Barack Obama in Kentucky. With 93% of precincts reporting, it's 66 to 30.

She deserves this!

Change the Game

It may look like she's down and out but you can change the game.

Oregon and Kentucky

Turn Out For Hillary Clinton!

Edwards Says No to VP

The New York Times notes that John Edwards has responded to speculation about being Sen. Barack Obama's running mate. Edwards said, "I have no interest in running as vice president."

Good. We don't want you anyways. Who do we want? HILLARY CLINTON. Of course, that probably won't happen.

Big Win For Hillary

While it may not matter that Senator Hillary Clinton won last night in West Virginia, the final result caused her to win a crushing 41 point victory over presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama. That's pretty embarassing for Obama regardless of the fact that he didn't campaign there.

Thank You West Virginia

Thank you West Virginia!

Senator Hillary Clinton is the projected winner in West Virginia!

Hillary For West Virginia

While many are saying the game is over for The Green Room's first lady Senator Hillary Clinton, we still would like to keep the dream alive.

West Virginia

Show your support and vote for a true candidate today!

Pollspot: North Carolina

The latest Public Policy Polling survey in North Carolina shows Sen. Barack Obama barely edging Sen. Hillary Clinton, 44% to 43%. Clinton actually leads among Democrats in the poll, 44% to 43%. But Obama has the overall lead based on a very strong performance with unaffiliated voters, with whom he has a 53% to 35% advantage.

While they appear tied, I believe Obama still has the advantage there. Nonetheless, GO HILL!

Clinton Nets Two

After a month long drought where Senator Barack Obama picked up a large number of superdelegates, Hillary Clinton finally picked up two today. She picked up a superdelegate in West Virginia and one in Pennsylvania with Representative John Murtha. The current superdelegate totals are Clinton at 249 and Obama at 212.

Clinton to Release Documents

Senator Hillary Clinton is finally releasing documents that the press and Senator Barack Obama's campaign has been asking for. Her tax returns are still not being released.

The New York Sun is reporting that "More than 11,000 pages of Senator Clinton's schedules from her eight-year stint as first lady are going to be released tomorrow by the National Archives, which operates the Clinton Presidential Library...The documents will be redacted, or edited, for privacy and security reasons. Some amount of material is also expected to be deleted on orders from President Clinton, likely because it concerns confidential advice to him, but Mr. Clinton's representative to the Archives, Bruce Lindsey, said he proposed fewer redactions than Archives officials initially suggested."

The Green Room is a big supporter of Senator Clinton and her presidential bid.

Re-Post: Why Not Obama

Since Senator Barack Obama delivered a speech on race today and tried to dump his Rezko ties and Rev. Wright ties on a Friday news cycle, I'm honoring him by reposting my opinion on why I think Obama is NOT the best choice for President.

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I have always been a supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton. With that said, I do not dislike Senator Barack Obama and, should he get the Democratic nomination for president, I will support him. However, there are numerous reasons why I personally feel that Senator Obama is not as ready or as qualified to be the next president of the United States as Senator Clinton is. It is important to note that I don't think that either Clinton or Obama are the best and most qualified candidates that ran this election season. They are both superstars with fans and this has undoubtedly helped both of them. But...it has now come to a showdown between the two and the choice for me is clear...Hillary Clinton. She is, by far, the better candidate over Barack Obama.

First off, there is the love and hype for Obama. Yes, he is a phenomenal speaker. He has ignited people into politics in a way that I don't think any candidate, not even JFK, has ever done before in the history of our nation. But his words do not match his actions always and, after the election of George W. Bush, I have become cynical and skeptical towards "just words". Senator Obama gave a speech in 2002 in opposition to the Iraq War. Congratulations! You were right. The war would be a disaster. However, if your whole platform last year when you started your campaign was that you were against the war then why did you constantly vote to fund it and vote identically as Senator Clinton? In your own words, "it's business as usual." Obama, though not him alone, continues to throw the fact that Hillary voted in support for the war back in her face to try to show voters that he has better judgment. This is a tired argument. Obama was NOT in the senate at the time of the vote and therefore no one really knows how Obama would have voted had he had the same intelligence that was available to the MAJORITY of senators that voted for the war, including Senator Clinton. It's a waste of time for me. I don't care if you voted for the war or against the war. The point is...we ARE at war. So get us out. And you both agree that we need to get out so Senator Obama...stop trying to drive this issue as a wedge.

This leads me to my next issue with Obama. His whole stance on "politics as usual." He says he'll be different and that he will play things differently than the status quo and that he will bring the end of dirty politcs. Really though...he's not. He's playing the game just as those have played it before and he's masked it well. Part of his platform was that he would not attack. He has. He's played this election no differently than Senator Clinton. Do I have a problem with his attacks? Absolutely not. I most definitely think he should say what he needs to say to defend himself and to gain momentum. However, I have a problem with you attacking after saying that you will not attack and then masking your attacks as something else. Own up to the things you're doing and at least get some respect and stop sending out your staff to say things about your opponents. Say them yourself.

As a person who is training to be a part of the media, I think I am qualified in saying that the media has leaned towards Obama. There is no doubt a Clinton hating media. The way the stories are covered between Clinton and Obama is just upsetting and unfair. To me, Obama is getting a free pass. Even the whole trial of Antonin Rezko, who has been tied to Obama, has been seriously overlooked. One thing I know about the media is that, while the media loves a good comeback and the rise of a person...they love the fall of an individual so much more. The media will turn on Obama, like they do on everyone, at some point soon and I do not think he will be prepared for how much of an effect it will have. Can you imagine being loved and then suddenly unloved? I think he's gotten too wrapped up in the media not being so hard on him and he's become a big celebrity with all the supporters he has acquired. What happens when the crowds leave? What happens when they move on to someone else? Trust me...they will. If not now...then later. Will you be able to handle it? Maybe. But who knows. I compare Obama to one of those LiveStrong bracelets that Lance Armstrong made so popular. Everyone jumped on the bandwagon and everyone wanted one. Those bracelets rose fast, peaked, and now they are out of fashion and in the past. Barack Obama is a LiveStrong bracelet. Overexposure is a killer.

When people say that Hillary has been plotting her rise to the presidency for years and that all she can see ahead of her is the White House, it is infuriating. Every single person running has been plotting their rise to the presidency and has their eyes on the White House. They are all ambitious. I don't doubt that they all want to help change the country for the better...but to say that only one of them is power hungry is, simply, wrong. I see Obama as wanting the power way more than Hillary. I see him as impatient. He was elected to the senate in 2004 and then less than two years into his term he already has his focus on a new job. He's still a senator, but he's rarely there. True, Hillary is rarely there these days as well. However, at least she served a full 6 year term before throwing in her hat for the presidency. At least she spent the first years of this decade really and truly learning the workings of the Senate and making friends, joining strong committees, and working with Republicans who had previously villified her. I just cannot help by being put off by Obama being chosen to do one job and then neglecting that job because he wants to climb the next step of the ladder.

With all this said and probably a couple more unwritten things that I forgot to mention, notice I neither mentioned race nor gender, I firmly believe that Hillary Clinton is the BETTER candidate over Barack Obama. She's been vetted and tried over and over again. He has not. She's been patient. He has not. More importantly, I've been listening and I've been talking to people and I know that there is no one in the race right now with more knowledge on the issues than Hillary Clinton. I've spoken to health insurance professionals that have told me how Obama's insurance plan is seriously flawed in comparison to Hillary's and how it's clear that he doesn't quite understand it as well as she does. Again, I will support Obama should he win the nomination. No doubt he has worked harder than everyone. But he still does not have the nomination despite what the media says and despite his attitude that he has this in the bag. If anything, I think Hillary's losses will prove to be a good thing because I think it humbles a person and will make her realize not to take the job for granted because it was hard to get there. She's ready. If she wins...bring on the hate storm. She could win the presidency and people will still speak ill of her, perhaps even more so than now and in the past. She's not running to be liked...because many people will never like her no matter what. I admire her for putting herself out there and dealing with all the hate she has to face. She's a powerful woman...but she didn't get to where she is today by sliding by and leaning on her husband. She's intelligent and, get this, she's actually a warm and good person. It's been sad to see many of the Democratic elite turning their backs to her because they don't want to see her in power. I don't see it as a pro-Obama vote by some of the superdelegates, but more of an anti-Clinton vote. But that's a whole other argument over Hillary's electability. The party is split. Of course, I end this with an encouragment for the United States to vote for Hillary Clinton.

Friendly Candidate Conversation

The back and forth between both the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns have truly reached high levels of intensity. The bitter rivalry seems endless and does not bode well for the Democratic Party. Many Democrats are worried, including myself, that the mudslinging will cause a very bitter divide going into the general election.

Yet, perhaps things are not as bad as they seem. Earlier today, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were spotted in the Senate together having what looked like a friendly conversation. Both happily greeted each other on the Senate floor while casting a vote. Then, Obama guided Clinton back to her chair, where both candidates sat and talked for several minutes with one another.

What was said during the conversation remains a mystery, but the two seemed to be getting along just fine. Check out the video here.

Racism Goes Both Ways

After former Representative Geraldine Ferraro, who was part of the Hillary Clinton campaign, made some racist and hateful comments about Senator Barack Obama, I thought that would be the end of the ugliness in both campaigns. WRONG! Barack Obama's spiritual advisor, Jeremiah White, has gone on a hateful rant about how the world is ruled by white people and how Hillary has never been a black man. Well...he got that one right. Hillary Clinton made a mistake by not immediately denouncing Ferraro and her comments, will Barack Obama make the same mistake because this is hateful.

Pollspot: Pennsylvania

A new Strategic Vision poll in the next big battleground state that nobody believed would matter...Pennsylvania....shows Sen. Hillary Clinton holding a big lead over Sen. Barack Obama, 56% to 36%. In a general election match up with Sen. John McCain, McCain leads Clinton, 48% to 42%, and tops Obama, 47% to 44%.

Go Hill!