What Makes Hillary Run?

Eight days ago this blog ran a story titled "Hillary In the Nether World". A handful of primary losses later, we are back again wondering why Hillary continues to run. She has tried a variety of tactics - detailed economic blueprints, TV ads, an extra day in Wisconsin, jumping on Obama's delivery of Governor Patrick's (Mass) speech - yet nothing has stopped her opponent.

Clinton has one last shot at this: the March 4th primaries in Texas and Ohio. But Senator Obama has now reeled off ten straight victories in divergent areas of the country. Starting in Virginia and going on to Wisconsin, he has now cut deeply into Clinton's base of hard working blue collar types and women. Each day's polls (especially in Texas) show a tightening race that could spell electoral doom for the former first lady.

From our distant vantage point, we would have to think that it is time for the Democratic Party to rally behind Mr. Obama. The only way for this process to start would be for Mrs. Clinton to throw in the towel and begin the healing process from what has at times become a bitter campaign fight.

However, all indications are that Clinton is not ready to put up the white flag. She has two more debates with Obama and she still must believe that the demographics are with her in the two big March 4th states.

As we mentioned on February 11th, Clinton (and her husband) are tough combatants. They are not used to losing and see themselves as champions of the middle class and the saviors for an America that has fallen on hard times. From this belief, Clinton has earned the right to battle one last time.

But one could also look skeptically at Mrs. Clinton. All the momentum and votes are with her opponent. Continuing to go "negative" will harm the man who is on the verge of carrying the Democratic banner into the fall campaign. There must be an urge among many party leaders for Clinton to fall on her sword for the good of the party and make way for her younger victor. With Senator McCain already in full combat mode, it would be deemed imperative that Obama be given the chance to place all his emphasis on the Republican candidate.

Yet one has to wonder, if there is another reason for Clinton to go on. Surely, it must hurt when you know that your opponent does not lack for money. It must hurt when you speak in high school gymnasiums while your opponent can rent and fill mega sized basketball arenas across the nation. It must hurt when your speech is preempted on cable TV by your opponent who sweeps away all the rules of etiquette, and starts his speech while you are barely one third of the way through your own.

What makes Hillary run? What damning secret or information does the Clinton campaign hold that could derail Obama? What change in attitude, appearance, or in her words can make her campaign come alive? If there is something there, then Hillary better come forth with it now. The clock is ticking on this primary season. Will Hillary be remembered as a gallant champion who found herself and made a miracle run at the end? Or will she be remembered as one who dragged her opponent and herself into the proverbial "mud", damaging her party and giving victory to the enemy? The clock is ticking.