John Nichols: Valedictory in Texas…

[babylonsister]

Valedictory in Texas…
by John Nichols



It sounded like a concession.

Hillary Clinton, after what came across more like a valedictory statement than a rallying cry, turned to the man who so soundly defeated her in this week’s Wisconsin primary and said, “No matter what happens… I am honored to be here with Barack Obama. I am absolutely honored.”

The statement, with which she closed Thursday night’s 19th Democratic presidential debate, was so heartfelt, so sincere, that Obama put one arm around his opponent’s shoulder and reached a hand across the table to warmly shake her hand.

It was an oddly disarming moment that belonged to the New York senator but not in the way that she or her supporters could have wanted.

Clinton seemed to surrender, graciously.

Obama seemed to accept that surrender, equally graciously.

And rightly so.

In a debate where Clinton needed to deliver a knock-out blow in order to renew a candidacy that faces a make-or-break moment in the March 4 Texas and Ohio primaries, she made little progress for a campaign that seems to be broken.

Clinton even observed during the forum on the University of Texas campus that “you can tell from the first 45 minutes, you know, Senator Obama and I have a lot in common.”

True enough, but not exactly the call to action for a low-on-funds campaign that needs to come from behind after 11 straight primary and caucus defeats.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/22/7227/

[Dogmudgeon]

1. They were using that word on MSNBC within minutes

Talk about viral!

I wish they'd let US make up our own minds about what we saw!

--p!

[DJ13]

2. I didnt take it to be a concession

It sounded almost like a plea to consider her for the VP slot on an Obama ticket.