Adam Nagourney’s article summarizing Hillary Clinton’s increasing difficulty to win the Democratic nomination by the August convention raises questions as to why she remains in the race. With the Republican nomination determined, republican solidarity allows Senator John McCain ample time to woo conservatives and independents alike while Clinton and Obama trade political punches in an extended, and tired, primary.

Some of Clinton’s tactics have damaged the chances of both democratic candidates in the general election against McCain. Her now infamous 3 a.m. advertisement in Ohio and Texas helped elevate McCain as he countered that he would be better suited than either candidate to answer the hypothetical call. Additionally, Clinton’s continued scrutinizing of Obama’s readiness as Commander in Chief damages the Democratic party as Clinton’s own foreign policy experience, and her recollection of visiting Bosnia, is called into question.

As Nagourney highlighted, Clinton’s nomination is increasingly dependent on the support of super delegates. Even if Clinton won the so-called popular vote, she is unlikely to overcome Obama’s delegate lead. House Speaker and Convention Chair Nancy Pelosi expressly criticized the practice of superdelegates overruling the votes of the population to choose a nominee. In a March interview, Pelosi stated, “If the votes of the superdelegates overturn what’s happened in the elections, it would be harmful to the Democratic Party.” No doubt, such a decision by superdelegates would create a turbulent National Convention and be a painful reprise to bitterness of the 1980 convention.

One question regarding Clinton’s attempts to become the first woman president becomes clear: if not now, when?

If Obama were to win the nomination as well as the general election, the next viable opportunity for Clinton to run for President would be in 2016, when she would be vying to be the oldest President, aside from Ronald Reagan.

However, a battered and bloody Obama will face a steeper battle against McCain as this nominating process continues friction among Democrats and allows McCain to focus his attacks. If Obama were to lose, Clinton will be well positioned to challenge McCain in 2012.

After what has already been the longest primary season in history, will Clinton simply continue running for President?

Clinton Rallies for Change in Oakland
James Losey, Berkeley

Rallying for change, Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton outlined her agenda to an estimated 14,000 supporters at a block-party in Oakland Sunday.

A former first lady and a two-term Senator from New York, Clinton touted her experience as essential for changing both domestic issues, such as health care, and foreign policy. By using Democratic primary opponent Barack Obama’s own language to set herself apart, Senator Clinton defined the primaries as a two-contender contest.

Confronting Senator Obama’s reiteration of former President Bill Clinton’s definition of “right kind of experience and the wrong kind of experience,” Senator Clinton presented herself as have the right kind of experience, exclaiming “enough with the cronyism.”

To effect positive change in Washington, Clinton promised that her administration would include a Vice President who obeys the constitution and that she would appoint an Attorney General who believes in the rule of law and stands for justice.

Although she refused to pledge to withdraw all troops from Iraq by 2013 during Thursday’s Democratic debate, Senator Clinton vowed to end the war in Iraq and restore America’s leadership in the world. Criticizing the current presidential administration, Clinton explained that the United States “cannot be a leader if nobody is following” and declared that “the era of cowboy diplomacy is over.”

Senator Clinton voiced that the Washington mentality of an ownership society left Americans fending for themselves and “feeling invisible,” induced by a lack of healthcare, jobs without rising incomes, and the ever-increasing prices of gas and college tuition.

A major addition to her campaign has been her promise to provide “quality, affordable health care for every man, woman, and child.” Her American Health Choices plan would provide coverage by forcing private industry to cover everyone. Although a far cry from single-payer coverage, or forcing businesses to cover medical expenses per the failed Clinton Health Care Plan of the early 1990’s, Clinton’s new plan would provide tax credits to small businesses who provide coverage for employees and cap premiums based on a set percentage of an individual’s income.

Tying the fight against global warming to economic growth, Clinton vowed to take tax subsidies away from oil companies and invest instead in “green collar” jobs and an energy policy focused on energy independence.

Expressing the importance of investing in the future, Senator Clinton asked ”what type of country are we to not invest in what makes us right?” Citing failures to invest in infrastructure as factors in the collapse of levees in New Orleans and the Mississippi River Bridge, Clinton stated she could increase jobs by building bridges, roads, and mass transit.

Trying to appeal to the tech-heavy San Francisco Bay Area, Clinton included high-speed internet as an important area in need of infrastructure improvement, Clinton stated “why shouldn’t we be first in high-speed internet,” an area where the U.S. once lead but now trails around 20th in the world.

Senator Clinton ended her rally with a verbal jab at fellow Democrat Barack Obama, whose staff held a less attended campaign rally across the street. Closing on her theme “Ready for Change” Clinton presented a challenge to Senator Obama: “Change is just a word if you don’t have the experience and qualifications to make it happen.”

OBAMA - DOWN -a very weak performance. Trailing Hillary by a wide margin in the latest polls, Barack needed to bring it together create some energy tonight. Instead he gave uninspired answers, and failed to really engage the other candidates or the audience. The folks on MSNBC said something about him having the flu. That could explain it, but when you’ve taken $60 million of other people’s money, you better show up at every game.

 CLINTON - PUSH - It’s becoming clear that Hillary represents the Republican wing of the Democratic party. She has the most hawkish stance on the war, and on Iran. It’s also interesting how Sen. Clinton brings up the successes of her husband’s administration as her own accomplishments, but when Tim Russert teased out a difference between them on torture, she was very quick with the “My husband isn’t on this stage” line.

 EDWARDS - UP -Delivered a strong performance tonight. No slip-ups, and good answers to all the questions. The only thing was he got a little passionate/temperamental when Tim Russert confronted him on his “bling”.

RICHARDSON - DOWN -Can no longer be considered a serious candidate. For someone who is such a part of the establishment, his opinions are too far to the left. He just didn’t seem to be connecting with the audience.

DODD/BIDEN - UP -both put on very strong performances, but if elections were decided on how well someone debated…