Clinton Insists Democratic Race Is ‘Long Way’ From Over, Looks Toward Convention
Hillary Clinton, shown here campaigning Monday at a community college in Blue Bell, Pa., tells FOX News the race is a "long way from being over." (AP Photo)
The Democratic race is a “long way from being over,” Hillary Clinton told FOX News on Wednesday, and she has no qualms about taking the primary fight all the way to the convention floor.
In a sit-down interview with FOX News’ Greta Van Susteren, which aired Wednesday night, Clinton said not to write her candidacy’s obituary yet, even though she’s trailing Barack Obama by 157 pledged delegates with opportunities dwindling to make up that gap.
“Sixty-two percent said let it go on,” Clinton said, referring to a new Rasmussen survey that found that portion of Democrats aren’t ready for either candidate to leave the race. “That is what people are telling me. That is what we have to do. Let the voters have a chance to be heard. Nobody should be writing obituaries on this race, because it is a long way from being over.”
The Democratic race has taken unexpected twists and turns in the last two weeks, from the controversy over Obama’s long-time pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. to criticism of Clinton’s claims that she landed in Bosnia in 1996 under sniper fire.
But neither candidate is expected to lock down the pledged delegates needed to clinch the nomination before the August convention. And although Democratic leaders are scrambling to avoid a prolonged fight that could give GOP nominee-in-waiting John McCain a decided advantage, Clinton said Wednesday there are too many ifs for the matter to be settled yet.
“Well this is a really close election. Despite what some might say, it is a very close election in the popular vote and in the delegates,” she said. “We have 10 contests ahead of us, plus, don’t forget, Florida and Michigan. You know, I keep beating this drum … millions of people are going to be voting in the next three months, and I hope that will include Florida and Michigan.”
Clinton’s campaign has argued for seating the Michigan and Florida delegations, which were stripped after those states held early primaries in violation of party rules. Recent efforts to hold re-votes in those states have fallen through.
Clinton won both of those states’ primaries in January, though none of the candidates campaigned. Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan.
Clinton said, barring a resolution on Florida and Michigan, the fight goes to convention.
“You know, you can always go to the convention. That’s what credential fights are for,” she said. “Let’s have the Democratic party go on record against seating the Michigan and Florida delegations three months before the general election? I don’t think that will happen. I think they will be seated. So that’s where we’re headed if we don’t get this worked out.”
Clinton also has weighed in this week on the controversy over Wright, whose anti-U.S. sermons have raised questions about Obama’s judgment in choosing his associates. Clinton said she would have left Wright’s church.
“I was asked point blank yesterday what I would have done had I been in a position where someone was making those kinds of comments, and I said I would have left,” she told FOX News on Wednesday. “I’ve spoken out against all kinds of words that I thought were inappropriate. … You know, you don’t get to pick your family, but you do get to pick the church or synagogue you attend.”
Obama’s campaign on Tuesday blasted Clinton for trying wedge her way out of the fallout over her Bosnia claims by breaking her silence on Wright. Obama said Wednesday that he already has condemned Wright’s most offensive statements, and “we can’t afford to be distracted” from the real issues in the election.
Likewise, when Clinton was asked Wednesday about the Bosnia flap, she said that’s not what voters care about.
“I’m a human being. I made a mistake and owned up to it,” she said. “But that’s not what people talk to me about. When I’m out campaigning … people want to talk about the economy and health care, and they want to know what are you going to do to get fix our country and get it back on track, and help my family and me.
“And that what I’m really engaged in. Because, you know, when you’ve been on a campaign for 14 months there’s all kinds of other distractions, but at the end of the day this is a hiring decision,” she said.
she is a phoney/
she does not care about the democratic party/ She is just selfish. I will vote for Mc cain before I ever vote for her
If Hillary were to use the same grace and dignity as Huckabee! No one would want her to leave the race even though it is impossible for her to win the nomination. But she has not been dignified!
It is shameful how a former “first lady” has sinked into sewage! Jackie Kennedy would never behave in this manner!
Hillary knows that it is over, she just wants to take Obama down with her. I believe she knows that she did not win Ohio and Texas without help from cross-over Republicans as per Rush Limbaugh!
Keep Going Hillary! Hillary is the thinking person’s candidate! Smart, logical and ready with strong plans that will help this country get back to the way it should be!
I fully agree with Hilary that this Primary duel should go on until the convention. We are a Democracy and let the voters be heard. Eventually, the best candidate would win the election. Let us be patient.
That attitude is what is going to destroy the party in my opinion. Everyday the Democrats tear each other down is another day the Republican rejoices. The Dems are making a great argument to support McCain. I won’t vote for Hillary, her credibility is destroyed, her husband will call the shots from behind the scenes, and she polarizes everone. I thought about Obama, he’s a fresh face with no baggage however his weakness is apparent. Between Obama and Clinton and the ongoing destructive campaigns, I’m ready for John McCain. At least he has a direction. Hillary’s changes weekly to support whoever she is trying to impress and Obama is starting to flounder. It’s a shame that the democrats had it in the bag this year and can’t seem to pull it togeather..In my opinion, it’s almost too late
Someone needs to give her; her 3 am call to get the hell out of the freaking race with all the lying she has done could we really risk having lives dying whether it be on the turf of another country or here in this very stolen country.
That’s right, let the race go on. And tonight, yet another Wright slander. This time on the Whites and the Italians. Guess it will not end, more to come I am sure.
Maria Condona was “grossly exaggerating” the truth on the Bill O’Reilley show when she stated
that Senator Clinton was just now commenting about the media created issue of Rev. Wright
because this was the first time that Senator Clinton had been asked about the media created issue, this is absolutely untrue and there are several news clips that show Senator Clinton being asked about this issue.
Her comments are probably just a smoke screen to divert attention away from her sleep deprived gross exaggerations of her foreign policy experience in Bosnia.
If you advertise your news outlet as “fair and balanced”. Try to be true to the label because
when you aren’t it is just laughable to see those words flashing on the screen. Americans really don’t want a lot…just truly “fair and balanced” coverage with no latent political agendas. Believe it or not….Americans are intelligent and we see through the hypocrisy.
Senator HiLiar Clinton should give it up!
I hope President BiLiar Clinton can prevail on her to quit.
Why doesn’t Hillary call her old client Walmart and have them forgive the debt of this poor braindamaged woman? Or, did she write the Walmart health plan herself?