Seeking catharsis

Last Modified: 08 Aug 2008
By: Felicity Spector

She fought so hard and still fell short. So has Hillary Clinton really got over losing the presidential nomination?

At the end of last month she told backers in Palo Alto her team had thrown themselves into the campaign, heart and soul. "You just don't turn it off like that".

And while she's publicly going all out to support Barack Obama, with joint appearances and fundraising and voter registration drives - their real relationship is apparently far more distant.

According to Time Magazine, Senator Clinton is still unsure whether Obama will beat McCain in November, proving her point about his weakness as a candidate.

When the talk should be all about party unity, it's turned to who'll get what prime time slot at the Denver convention later this month.

And it's hard to dismiss talk of a symbolic nomination, something that gets her supporters whooping and cheering whenever it's brought up. As for Hillary herself, well she's not exactly ruling it out flat, simply saying there's been no decision yet, and leaving the possibility more than open:

"Delegates can decide to do this on their own. They don't need permission."

And this video shows her telling supporters she's making sure their voices will be heard in Denver, talking of "catharsis".

It's not just Hillary feeling sore. Husband Bill is feeling more than snubbed by Obama's failure to find time for a promised dinner.

"You could argue that nobody is ever ready to be president."
Bill Clinton

Maybe that's why he's been causing more headaches for the presumptive nominee with his latest comments on ABC news the other day.

Asked whether Obama was qualified to be president, he hardly delivered a ringing endorsement.

"You could argue that nobody is ever ready to be president," he said.

When pressed, he could only come up with this:

"I never said he wasn't qualified. The constitution sets qualification for the president. And then the people decide who they think would be the better president. I think we have two choices. I think he should win, and I think he will win." The damage limitation has already begun. Yesterday the Obama team issued a joint statement with Mrs Clinton stressing "we are working together" to make the convention and the election campaign a success.

And there was a sop for the former president too over his TV remarks, as Obama told reporters Bill Clinton had shown "extraordinary restraint in a fairly provocative interview."

Now we find out Bill's been offered a top slot at Denver, before Obama's yet-to-be named running mate even gets to speak.

Hillary's own speech is scheduled for the second night, but at the delegate roll call the following day there's little chance her nomination will be put to the floor.

"I don't think we're looking for catharsis," Obama said as he flew home to Chicago.

"I think what we're looking for is energy and excitement about the prospects of changing this country"

But both former rivals would do well to remember that old adage: united we stand, divided we fall.

Energy and excitement, sure, but channelled in the right direction, not into keeping old disappointments alive.