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.
Obama and Clinton, for the good of America, concede this election to McCain!!
I think Sen.Obama is very very funny-How dare him try to take the heat off of himself (his pastor) and throw it on something Sen.Clinton exaggerated about.We all exaggerate. AGAIN he tried it with the words “just because Sen.Obama is black”. Then he has the nerve to say she was trying to take the heat off herself. NO I repeat-NO you can NOT compare this to his deception. He choose this HATEFUL church and his HATEFUL pastor to be his mentor(for 20 YEARS) because he liked what he heard. If Rev.Wright felt comfortable enough to talk like this -even one time-to his congregation it is because he knew his words would be well excepted. Most American’s are not stupid.
The heat is still on Sen.Obama !!!
Let’s see, she made a mistake? As someone in Law Enforcement, I can tell you unequivically that none of the facts of a day when someone shoots at you will ever be forgotten, barring Alzheimers or senility. When you mis-speak you use a wrong word or term. When you make up a story, to change someonne elses perception of you, that is called LYING. After going back over her record of “mis-speaking” again or again, I think the unpleasant fact that no one seems willing to point out, is that Hillary Clinton is most likely a compulsive Liar. Who but such a person would think that everyone else on a trip with the First Lady would agree with such a story? Did she really believe that the Video and Still pictures would just disappear ? A compulsive liar actually believes the lies they tell themselves, so there is no thought as to what will happen when called on the real facts. Clinton can’t help it, it is who she is……………..why hasn’t anyone else seen this?
Baloney Hillary! Voters do care that you continued to tell that same old sniper fire run and duck story over and over. You knew it was lie when you told it. I’m concerned when any candidate for president can’t tell fantasy from reality! It sounds like fantasy and misspeaking are your experience; those traits won’t be a solution for any of America’s problems economic or otherwise! VOTE OBAMA!
I think Obama has made a “bad” choice of spiritual leaders. To see some preacher rant every now and then I think we can call that “It’s what he gets paid for”. Hillary has a problem with her *”MISSPOKES” and I think if the Obama crowd digs in deeper they’re going to find a lot more. Some press member should ask that she swear under oath when she spins these tales. Big Bill could advise her accordingly. Personally I think we’re (Taxpayers) dedicating too many libraries in the names of Bush and Clinton. Let’s get on with the program. McCain? I’m still thinking about that one.
* waterdowned versions on the side of untruth, fibbing, fabrication, lying,etc cetera.
Hillary is a the Better Choice!!
Obama is just a good talker and nothing to show! He still need a lot explanation.
Obama’s pastor preaching hatred realy question his judgement. Hearing radical preaching for 20 years something got to stick in the way he is thinking. Using his grandma is not going to work to a lot of people.
Hillary will win!
in all fairness ask obama’s wife what she would do if as president her husband discraced the oval office and embarressed his family as dear old buba did
Clinton’s remarks hardly consitute a “mistake” as she calls it. It was a deliberate lie! As a Marine veteran of Desert Storm I hardly think I would “mistake’ when I was being fired at. Add this to the list of reasons NOT to vote for Clinton. I am just suprised that her gaff in the debate didnt make more news - the “whatever” comment to the new Russian Leaders name — Bush was riduculed to no end when he misspronounced names and lets not forget the famous Quayle “Potatoe” misspelling. Democrats wake up .. as an Independant, Obama is actually someone that would receive my vote, where as Clinton most certainly will give me a reason to vote for McCain.
I posted a comment earlier and it was not posted!!! Be fair in what you allow to be posted!!!
Sen Clinton is a horrible candidate!!! She will stop at nothing all for the sake of winning. She has lied, she has cried, she is dividing the Dem Party…Now she is going after pledged delegates!!! This is not the person I want in office!!! She wants the delegates from Florida & Michigan seated….it wasn’t a level playing field!!! If the Obama camp was this far behind in the race she would be demanding he get out of the race!!! I am surprised at how far she is willing to go….. She realizes it is Now or Never for her to get to the WH….. Looking more like NEVER for her.
Obama 08!
Did anyone ever think that maybe the reason President Clinton sent his wife to so many foreign countries was to get het out of the White House so he could do his thing( if you know what I mean).