Finally after six months, the Democratic primary has come to an end. This was a grueling match between Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and Senator Hillary Clinton of New York. Neither Clinton nor Obama were willing to back down. At the end, it was Obama who ended up clinching the Democratic nomination. Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee and Clinton is not.
On Tuesday, June 3, the contests in Montana and South Dakota had drawn to an end. Montana and South Dakota were the final two contests in the Democratic primary. Obama ended up with the majority of the pledged delegates. Out of desperation, Clinton tried to get the victories in Florida and Michigan counted. Florida and Michigan were stripped of their delegates for holding their primaries too early in violation of DNC rules.
A compromise was reached on May 31. However, it was not the compromise in Clinton’s favor. The next best thing was try to convince all of the superdelegates that she was better suited to square off against presumed GOP nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona. But, not many people had bought Clinton’s argument.
On Tuesday night, Clinton did not mention that Obama clinched the Democratic nomination. Now, there are talks about Clinton wanting the VP slot. Many have bought into the hype of an Obama-Clinton dream ticket. But, there are those that do not buy into the hype.
There are chances that Clinton being Obama’s VP running make is highly unlikely. It is due to one factor. This is one factor that had actually harmed Clinton’s campaign. That factor was her husband, former US President Bill Clinton. Many have thought that assistance from Bill would boost Hillary’s campaign. Surprisingly, Bill’s participation was detrimental to Hillary’s presidential hopes.
Both Bill and Hillary Clinton were at fault. Hillary Clinton got reckless and Obama outmaneuvered her on the DNC rules. Obama’s campaign came prepared. Clinton’s campaign did not.
Clinton was expecting a quick victory. But, it is impossible with the DNC delegate rules.
At the end, both Clintons had tarnished their images. Polls showed that Hillary Clinton started to look more untrustworthy. The outbursts from Bill Clinton were out of character for a former US President. Bill Clinton tarnished his own image. Many could say that Bill Clinton was a mere shadow of his former self.
Many have even said that Bill “took control” of Hillary’s campaign. Hillary had to put her foot down. But, it did not stop Bill from lashing out at the media and at Obama. Also, Bill Clinton was like a rusted sword. Rusted swords lose its sharpness and effectiveness. Having Bill on board was like Hillary entering a sword fight with a rusted sword.
In Obama’s case, he had a polished and sharpened sword.
As a result, it seems that the political ambition of Hillary Clinton seems tarnished. Hillary Clinton made herself look unsavory. Because of that, Clinton is not the Democratic nominee.
In short, Clinton was outgunned, outwitted, outsmarted, and outmaneuvered by Obama. What was supposed to be Clinton’s biggest advantage had turned into a critical disadvantage.