|
Clinton's campaign teeters
23/02/2008 22:14 - (SA)
Washington - White House hopeful Hillary Clinton's campaign teetered on the edge on Saturday after a series of losses to her Democratic rival Barack Obama, despite denials she was contemplating defeat.
Reeling from Obama's 11 straight wins in nominating contests, one campaign aide reportedly said Clinton saw Obama's win in the Wisconsin state primary earlier this week as a "decisive blow".
"She knows where things are going. It's pretty clear she has a big decision. But it's daunting. It's still hard to accept," said the unnamed Clinton adviser, who was quoted by The Washington Post.
"The mathematical reality at that point became impossible to ignore," the adviser said. "There's not a lot of denial left at this point."
Clinton has so far won 1 275 delegates, compared to 1 374 for Obama according to the web site RealClearPolitics.com. A total of 2 025 are needed to secure the party's nod.
Spirited election
After some political pundits interpreted Clinton's closing remarks to Obama after Thursday's debate as a signal she was prepared to concede the race for the party's nomination to the charismatic, 46-year-old Illinois senator, Clinton insisted she was fighting hard.
"This is going to be a spirited election between now and March 4," Clinton, 60, told supporters at a rally in Dallas, Texas, Friday.
"I am thrilled at the depth and breadth of support I have across the state," she said, knowing that Texas, along with Ohio, makes up a pair of must-win contests for her.
Her campaign also sought to put a positive spin on her melancholy debate closer, when she reached out to shake Obama's hand, saying: "You know, no matter what happens in this contest - and I am honoured, I am honoured to be here with Barack Obama. I am absolutely honored... We're going to be fine."
Clinton spokesperson Howard Wolfson issued a statement explaining that the exchange showed "why Hillary Clinton is the next president of the United States ... Her strength, her life experience, her compassion. She's tested and ready".
The next crucial nominating contests are scheduled for March 4 in Ohio (141 delegates) and Texas (193 delegates) - states that even her husband former president Bill Clinton had admitted are key to her campaign's survival.
|
News
