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After the 2008 US PrimariesThe Responsibilities Facing American Senators Clinton and Obama
After months of infighting, the Barack Obama is now the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. But, even as the dust settles, he and Sen. Clinton have work to do.
America had an historic moment on Tuesday, the third of June. Sen. Obama secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for their presidential candidate in the 2008 election, becoming the first African-American to be given such an endorsement by a major political party. In an amazing and fitting progression of history, his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention is slated to be given on August 28th - 45 years to the day after Martin Luther King Jr. gave his powerful “I Have a Dream” Speech. However, one wouldn’t know anything special was happening in the American Political world based on the behavior of his defeated rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton. Two days after losing the nomination and after months of heated battles in the Democratic primaries, Sen. Clinton has yet to concede from the race and, in fact, doesn’t seem to acknowledge Senator Obama’s win. Much to the chagrin of many party hardliners, the speech given by Sen. Clinton after the announcement of Sen. Obama’s win seemed less like a promise to move the party forward and more like a pledge to continue the fight. Many of her supporters like Hillary Rosen, the political director at Huffingtonpost.com, and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell felt that Sen. Clinton was bargaining with the Democratic Party and Sen. Obama, using her 18 million popular votes as leverage. It was a political faux pas that could cost her dearly. If the Democratic Party hopes to defeat Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain, in the November 2008 general election, the party must be unified. Senator Clinton’s initial reluctance to begin the process of healing at the end of the primary season would not only hurt the party’s chances of success but would also irreparably damage her standing as a political leader. The New Challenge Dawning for the SenatorsThe next few days promise to be critical for both candidates. Both have very different responsibilities in picking up the pieces that the Democratic primaries have left in their wake. Sen. Clinton needs to begin damage control and create a comprehensive exit strategy from the race, one that will expedite the unification of the party and allow her to save face after the bitter primary season. She has already announced to publicly endorse Sen. Obama on Saturday the 7th and offer her support to him. While no explanation has been given for this delay, it’s still better late than never. Sen. Obama, on the other hand, is now the face of the Democratic Party and must solidify his position as the leader of his party in order to demonstrate his potential as Commander-in-Chief. Sen. Obama has already made some headway with this in assembling a team to vet a Vice-President, but there is still more to be done. Particularly, this means moving headlong into the general election by tackling Sen. McCain, who has already begun courting Sen. Clinton’s former supporters. Sen. Clinton’s endorsement may stem that tide, but Sen. Obama will still need to ingratiate himself to her followers and assure them that he will represent their interests. Even in the aftermath of a turbulent primary season, both Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton will get no rest. All eyes are on them now and a misstep from either could have a direct impact on the general election.
The copyright of the article After the 2008 US Primaries in US Elections is owned by Kirk Jacobson. Permission to republish After the 2008 US Primaries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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