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Graceful exit after a bitter battle
Clinton leaves the door open slightly to being asked to join Obama's ticket.
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:39 June 8, 2008
The long-awaited concession speech from Hillary Clinton was finally made on Saturday before ardent fans. Many in the audience were there just to see how gracefully she would accept defeat, especially after her ungracious comments last week once it became clear that her opponent, Barack Obama, was going to be the Democratic nominee for president.
As it turned out, Clinton's speech was what was expected: an elegant climb-down from the race to be the Democrat nominee, fulsome thanks to her supporters, and a vow that she would endorse Obama in his bid for president.
Anything less from her would have really queered the pitch for Obama, as he struggles to bring on side the middle-income, middle-aged white votes that have clung so tenaciously to Clinton's skirts throughout the campaign.
However, her fulsome endorsement of Obama may not have been enough to persuade all her supporters to follow suit; many are seriously thinking of voting for the more experienced Republican candidate, John McCain, who is recognised by many as being a liberal who has sometimes disagreed with White House policy.
Having touched all bases in her speech of thanks and farewells, Clinton left the door open slightly to being asked to join Obama's ticket as vice-president. But it may be wishful thinking on her part and that of her avid supporters.
There are equal counter opinions who think if Obama chooses Clinton as his running mate, he will be overshadowed by the Clinton household, while also bringing in the "old guard" when he has campaigned on a promise of change.
There is no immediate hurry for Obama to select a running mate, but obviously the public, prompted by the media, would want to know soon so the usual muck-raking into the candidate's past can be done.
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