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6 Routes Off Into the Sunset

Politico scribe sets out possible paths for Clinton between now and Aug.

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted May 12, 2008 1:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – With Hillary Clinton’s chances of beating her rival all but shot, Ben Smith, on Politico, runs down the graceful and non-graceful ways to exit:

Never say die: If Clinton can stomach shrinking coffers and departing supporters, she can bide time until the convention, ensuring that lightning hasn’t struck Barack Obama before she concedes.

Extract a job: If not the VP slot or a cabinet post, maybe Hillary wants a promise that Obama will support her for New York governor in 2010.
Cash out: If Clinton’s people don’t think Obama can win, maybe he’s only good for helping her pay off a sizable debt. Cue the counterintuitive fundraising push.
Kicking and screaming: Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Charles Schumer still hold influence cards.
Racial meltdown: If her top black supporters left, she’d be fatally pegged as racially divisive—and forced to step off.
Unconditional surrender: Who wants to be on a president’s bad side? Maybe Clinton should start currying favor by taking the next off-ramp.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Grechen Baer's Hillary-mobile. (AP Photo/Bob Bird)

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6 Routes Off Into the Sunset

Politico scribe sets out possible paths for Clinton between now and Aug.

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Nancy Pelosi • Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Al Gore • Charles Schumer • Harry Reid • New York • debt

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6 Routes Off Into the Sunset

Politico scribe sets out possible paths for Clinton between now and Aug.

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Nancy Pelosi • Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Al Gore • Charles Schumer • Harry Reid • New York • debt

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Reid Goes for Broke With Public Option Bill

Senate majority leader banks on 60 votes, infuriates Baucus

Obama Campaign Insular, Arrogant, Hill Dems Complain

Lawmakers cite lack of coordination with presidential candidate

Dems Move to End Clinton Campaign

Pelosi, Reid, Dean give superdelegates 48 hours

Reid, Pelosi Talk Tough to Superdelegates

Dem leaders want endorsements well before Aug. convention

Clinton Must Catch Perfect Wave, Aides Say

Path to nomination needs big win in Pa., popular-vote majority, Obama rough patch

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?