When Will Hillary Bow Out?

Commentary by Gary A. Johnson

Notice I didn’t say quit. Showing no signs of surrender, Hillary Clinton says she will remain in the presidential race “until there’s a nominee.”  Hillary Clinton is a fighter. However, she and her campaign have to face the reality that it is time to implement their exit strategy and work to unify the Democratic Party.

It is time for the Clinton campaign to stop moving the goal post when it comes to deciding victory.  For example, the Clinton campaign continues to bring up the votes associated with the Michigan and Florida primaries. That’s just silly. Obama’s name wasn’t even on the ballot.  The Democratic National Committee made it very clear what the rules were regarding those primaries.

Clearly, Sen. Clinton can stay in the race for as long as she wants, but for the good of the party I say it is time to bow out. I’m using a rather simple formula that I call “The 3 M’s” to come to this conclusion.

• Math
• Money
• Momentum

Do the math. Obama has more votes, has won more primaries and has more money. As of today Sen. Clinton has loaned her campaign $11.4 million dollars ($6.4 million last month).  The Clinton campaign acknowledged that Sen. Clinton may lend the campaign more money.  According to the latest campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Obama began the month of April with $42 million in the bank for the primaries to Clinton’s $9.3 million.

The Clinton campaign bus is leaking oil and dropping bolts. The Obama campaign has consistently raised more money than the Clinton campaign and after last night’s primaries in North Carolina and Indiana; the total delegate count is as follows:

• Obama – 1844
• Clinton – 1695.5

Once again, do the math. It is highly unlikely that Sen. Hillary Clinton can win. Obama has picked up 100 superdelegates since Super Tuesday and Clinton has picked up fewer than 15. The last two months Sen. Clinton has proven to be a tough campaigner.  She’s used the “kitchen sink” strategy and taken advantage of everything that has come her way (Rev. Wright).  However, it appears that this strategy was implemented too late in the game for her opponent.

Sen. Barack Obama has run an extraordinary campaign. Six months ago, I don’t think any of the political strategists and experts would have predicted Barack Obama as the front runner. It’s only a matter of time before folks start jumping off of the Clinton bandwagon.

As for momentum, Hillary Clinton has none. Barack Obama has string of decisive primary victories over Clinton and the Obama campaign has more momentum.  The next few weeks should be devoted to providing Sen. Clinton with a “soft landing.”  Sen. Clinton is still a key player in this race, even in defeat. She must be afforded a way to exit gracefully with her dignity intact.  Obama and the Democratic Party will need Hillary Clinton’s supporters to win the White House.

What do you think?

Gary Johnson is the Founder & Publisher of Black Men In America.com a popular online magazine on the Internet and the Black Men In America.com Blog. Gary is also the author of the new book “25 Things That Really Matter In Life.”