Why Clinton's Not Releasing Her Delegates

So what's the difference between Hillary Clinton's urging her delegates to support Barack Obama on one hand and formally releasing them on the other?

On last night's conference call, Clinton advisor Harold Ickes explained to the delegates that historical precedence did not call upon Clinton to do so. There are other reasons related to DNC rules. In theory, states could reslate their delegations and deprive Clinton delegates of their convention experience. And more parochially, an audience full of Clinton delegates ensures that when -- not if, but when -- Clinton speaks at the convention, she'll be cheered. Another argument, I suppose, would be that the delegation ought to reflect the primary results for the sake of the historical record.

Comments

Good. I'm glad Hillary Clinton is not releasing her delegates. If Howard Dean kept his 1% of delegates until the 2004 convention, Clinton can heep her 48%. I really enjoyed both of her magnanimous speeches last week and will stick with her through anything.

Posted by Regina | June 10, 2008 2:20 PM

Regina is right. Clinton should keep her delegates at the convention, although the ACCURACY (ripped off by DNC) of the delegate count is wrong anyway.

Norma

Posted by NPT | June 10, 2008 3:03 PM

There's no reason for Hillary Clinton, or any candidate, to release their delegates. This is a non-issue.

And surely you meant historical "precedents," not "precedence."

Posted by owl | June 10, 2008 3:24 PM

This doesn't sound noble at all, but if Hillary would have "ended" her campaign, she would have not been able to repay her debts, $20 million of them to herself and Bill.

By "suspending" her campaign, she can still raise money, and also, put pressure on the Obama campaign to help her pay it off.

Ben spector, NYC

Posted by Benjamin Spector | June 10, 2008 3:38 PM

It is ALL about the money and Hillary can fundraise by keeping her delegates.

Posted by Flap | June 10, 2008 3:50 PM

It is ALL about the money and Hillary can fundraise by keeping her delegates.

Posted by Flap | June 10, 2008 3:52 PM

Marc is correct - states could reslate their delegates and deprive Clinton delegates the chance to go to the convention. I was a NH delegate pledged to Bill Bradley in 2000 and Howard Dean in 2004. They both did not release their delegates until the week of the convention and urged us to vote for Gore and Kerry. We were not necessarily thrilled by either nominee, but the thought of party disunity and the help that would bring to Bush was a worse choice.

Posted by Bill Siroty | June 10, 2008 9:46 PM

I think there's more to it than fundraising. Hillary's got something up her sleeve. I don't believe for a second that Hillary has conceded. Maybe in words, but you can bet she'll find some backhanded way to win. Watch and see. Hillary is slipperier than a can of snake oil.

Posted by Marco | June 11, 2008 12:20 AM

I hope Hillary does have something up her sleeve quite frankly! I am fed up of this MSM worship of an unknown Obama who coddles socialists and muslims and for all the little we know of him, might be both in secret. We wouldn't be in this mess if it hadn't of been for the wretched Dean. He's so arrogant, he struts while sitting down, while Obama is so arrogant he struts while standing up. Thank God Hillary went for the gonads on these imposters.
I am another woman who feels like defending my country, and i'll be damned if its farted away on this stupidity over a brand new adolescent named Obama, about whom, by the way, we know absolutely nothing and has had no time to prove he's trustworthy - my vote will be going to McCain, unless Hillary can pull something off for the good of America. Go girl.

Posted by shania o' donnell | June 11, 2008 4:50 AM

***I hope Hillary does have something up her sleeve quite frankly! I am fed up of this MSM worship of an unknown Obama who coddles socialists and muslims and for all the little we know of him, might be both in secret.***

Obama is not a Muslim and and as far as "socialist" principles goes, that would include socialized healthcare that Hillary as well as the other candidates are for. But you seem to have no problem with that!

As far as coddling Muslims goes, last time I checked, America still does have freedom of religion. Are you saying that you are against this?

Hillary lost fair and square. Not because she's a woman, but because Obama ran a better campaign because he had to.

In Hillary's defense, I do think the media was rougher on her than him.

The funny thing is that all of the Hillary supporters claim that we can't have another presidency like the last eight, but they are willing to vote for a virtual carbon copy of Bush because Hillary lost. It shows that Hillary supporters have no loyalty to their party, America or even themselves.

Hillary is out for herself and only herself. Plain and simple.

Posted by Marco | June 11, 2008 4:08 PM

I find it amazing the Clintons and their supporters want to blame everyone but the person who was her own worst enemy. She had everything to win this election till she went in the gutter. The media covered the facts. There was a drum beat for her to get out for several reasons. She was damaging the party, helping the Republicans, didn't have enough delegates, and determined if she didn't win Obama wouldn't either and to hell with the party. I never saw such a selfish self centered woman in my life. I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her. She has set women back using sexism as an excuse for her lose. No one was up in arms when Obama was/is dealing with the racism. Why should she be treated any different from any other candidate? Because she is a woman? You can't have it both ways. It was she who wanted to break every rule. Rules SHE agreed with. Make no mistake, if she were winning she would have cared less about the MI and FL votes counting. SHE and her out of control husband used race but I guess that's ok. Let Hillary do whatever she wants. Everyone knew she didn't have enough delegates but when the media kept pointing that fact out they were accused of sexism. Hillary would throw every supporter under the bus if it meant she'd get the WH. After all the nasty things she did now she wants Obama to pay off her debt. Let her supporters pay it off. It's always what Hillary wants. Now her supporters are prepared to hand McCain the WH just because they are mad. A man who left his crippled wife to marry money. A man who will strip women's rights. A man who called his wife foul names in public but this is who these iratic women are sucking up to. Hillary ran a horrible campaign and we saw the ugliest side of the Clintons. It's that simple.

Posted by Cherry | June 12, 2008 1:08 AM

Good post Cherry. I couldn't agree more.

Posted by Marco | June 12, 2008 11:25 AM

Obama did not win fair and square.

He took his name off the MI ballot to game the system.

He campaigned in Florida after he was told not to.

Hillary won states that endorsed Obama.

This is far from over.

The real story is how she was able to win 18 million voters, DESPITE the negative media.

Hillary 08.

Posted by Thinker | July 10, 2008 1:27 PM

Obama did not win fair and square.

He took his name off the MI ballot to game the system.

He campaigned in Florida after he was told not to.

Hillary won states that endorsed Obama.

This is far from over.

The real story is how she was able to win 18 million voters, DESPITE the negative media.

Hillary 08.

Posted by Thinker | July 10, 2008 1:27 PM