the gambler

by Sandra Kinne

Published: May 12, 2008

You’ve got to know when to hold them. Know when to fold them. Know when to walk away, and know when to run.

Hillary Clinton knew when to run for the presidency. After two terms of George W. Bush, the country was – and is – ready for change. She saw an opportunity to capitalize on the nostalgia for her husband’s presidency, minus the part with impeachment proceedings.

Hillary saw a chance to make history as the first woman president, a milestone long overdue (but yet still requiring the right person with the right policies not just a female whose husband served in the Oval Office). She laid the foundation for a run at the executive branch with her campaigns for the Senate. She even got herself on crucial committees, including the Senate Foreign Relations, to further develop her credentials and qualifications for the highest office in the country. The line she offered: “I’m focused on my work in Congress,” and its variations – every time she was asked about running for president, she showed she knew how to bluff her way through the political game. Though she may have been taken aback by the candidacy of Barack Obama, she maintained her poker face regarding his chances and impact on her planned triumph.

Until Tuesday’s results, I had no doubt Hillary should stay in the race. For one thing, that’s how democracy works: everyone gets the chance to vote and decide whom they want representing them on their party’s ticket and in the Oval Office. For another, with only six primaries left, an early end to the primary contest would be tragic to those voters who have not yet gone to their polling place this election season. But trailing in popular vote, delegates, and now superdelegates, the chances of her winning diminish daily and the risks she takes seem fruitless.

Despite the slim chances of her success and the bit of doubt I acquired last week, I still think Hillary should stay in the race. The residents of Montana and South Dakota deserve to have their voices and votes matter as much as Iowa’s and New Hampshire’s. The contest has gone on this long, we’ll make it another three weeks; and I really want Hillary to see she is not the Democrats’ choice this year. It sounds harsh, but I want there to be absolute, concrete evidence showing the Clintons it’s time to fade gracefully into the sunset. (Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Maybe in a few years Clinton fatigue will have faded, and the young, educated and wealthy will welcome them back with open arms. Maybe.) Plus, a loss would mean Hillary could get back to representing this New Yorker in the Senate. The problems we had 18 months ago are still here.

However, the longer Hillary stays in, the more of a gamble she makes. Not only is Hillary gambling with the future unity and harmony within the Democratic Party and a Democratic White House, she has the Clinton legacy at stake. Hillary and Bill - by essence of his comments, gaffes and affiliation with his wife’s campaign - are gambling on their long-term leadership and their role as party elders. For two people who cling to power and influence as much as we know they do, Hillary and Bill are making a heck of a wager on her winning.

Hillary has played the game well. I hope she heeds Kenny Rogers’ words of wisdom and recognizes when it’s time to walk away.

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