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How She Came Undone

Clinton's campaign undermined by internal rancor, pushy spouse

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 8, 2008 12:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – Bill Clinton’s interfering tenacity and squabbling aides killed Hillary Clinton’s chances to win the White House, the New York Times eulogizes in an obituary of the campaign that once seemed indestructible. “Hers was the campaign of destiny, a back-to-the-future effort to restore the Democratic dynasty of the 1990s that could never quite escape the last decade,” write Peter Baker and Jim Rutenberg.

Hillary won many primaries but could never hold the momentum, aides say, largely because of a Clinton-fatigued media and the political power couple's own missteps (Hillary on Bosnia, Bill calling Barack Obama “kid”). The candidate herself, who believed she had an obligation to continue running, finally realized she had to concede and focus on getting Obama elected. “Let’s get on with it,” she said.

Mark Penn had been the source of a lot of tensions during his days as Hillary Clinton's chief strategist.
Mark Penn had been the source of a lot of tensions during his days as Hillary Clinton's chief strategist.   (AP Photo/The New York Times, Librado Romero, File)
President Bill Clinton frowns as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton suspended her campaign today in Washington.
President Bill Clinton frowns as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton suspended her campaign today in Washington.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton officially suspended her campaign today before supporters in Washington.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton officially suspended her campaign today before supporters in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
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