Hillary supporters - take this advise seriously. Barack Obama is capable to associate with you, to lead you to a specific "destination" and than abondon you while his own reputation is spared. Separate from him and the Obama campaign as fast as possible.

And stay loyal to Hillary Clinton. Hopefully Barack Obamas strategic efforts will be his own fall one day. The sooner the better for the US. Hillary has to stay ready to take over AND BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE NATION. I say, don´t sell your soul to an evil manipulator.

Read this and understand why he didn´t dare to have a free debate against Hillary Clinton. http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/06/post_13.html

Hillary supporters - bide your time and wait for CHANGE. Still there is HOPE -Obama will fall by his own grip before November. Never ever vote Republican.

Elisabeth's comments above totally disentegrate the intent and thoughts that are written by Mr. Shriver's post here. This is the type of fanatacism that Hilary's supporters need to stay away from. Someone said they would rather slit their writst than vote for Obama. Well, heed Mr. Shriver's advice and do nothing. Reflect, and pray. Mindfully meditate on what is good for this nation, and not on your own selfish desires. Obama represents a healing in a nation that had oppressed and tortured minorities for years. That is something that Hilary understood all too well. Your post is negative and leads to the kind of division that the Republicans love to see tear the unity of the Democrats. As a Clinton supporter I find your words repulsive. I wish you peace.

Tim, I agree with your philosophy and do know that meditation gives one space to get to the core.

It does, though, take more than that, I think.

Psychotherapy is part of the answer. We need to know the 'why' about our attitudes and mindset. Make whatever corrections that are impeding our progress toward being 'the best we have the potential to be.'

AND take responsibility for our mindset and behavior both verbal and non-verbal.

It does surprise me that a woman would need to learn from another's experiences. Who we are and who we want to become comes from within, I think. There is that 'inner being' that guides us. Externals do not, in my experience.

We have had Eleanor Roosevelt, Golda Meir and others to inspire us. We know we - as women - must teach children from birth to reach for the stars if that is their potential.

It was a pleasure to read your opinions.

Thank you for your concise and articulate enunciation of such a complex process.

Of course it is as simple this. That is why we can do it.

Great column. One thing she SHOULDN'T do is spend time campaigning her heart out (her words) for Barack Obama. Hopefully his presidential bid will fail and Hillary will have another chance and be the nominee in years.

I will never understand why fanatical Hilary followers can't see past the facade and like lemmings marching to the cliff, support her for the sole reason of "it's our time". I'm reading between the lines and it seems to me you're just looking for a handout. Your time is right now, right this very second. If you can't make it happen for yourself and look for handout, then you're going go get taken advantage of, yes, by Hilary. Hilary is not the second coming of Alice Paul. Besides, Alice Paul would have faced down the Bosnian Sniper, not dodge him.

" Janey:

"Great column. One thing she SHOULDN'T do is spend time campaigning her heart out (her words) for Barack Obama. Hopefully his presidential bid will fail and Hillary will have another chance and be the nominee in years."

What, after McCain continues the Bush legacy and entrenches more Unconstitutional advantages for his supporters? There may not be a presidency to *run* for, after that.

Quiet time's never a bad idea, but I think it's time to ask what she can do for her country.

Seems with her Obama endorsement, she's on the right track.

If she allowed any of her supporters to become convinced that Obama would be worse than McCain, well, it's time to start rectifying that perception.

Cause that's one our country can't afford right now. I said at the start I'd have been perfectly supportive of Hillary, though for various reasons she was my third choice among some excellent candidates.

I don't think there's any 'keeping your powder dry' about it. Someone stole the lids, the roof needs patching, and the forecast is rain. :)

I like this article, especially the line on "take calls, meet with more supporters, attend more functions,...clear mind, clear heart." I am one of those who really feel bad about how Hillary has been badly treated by both the Obama campaign and the media.

Paganplace:
" Janey:

"Great column. One thing she SHOULDN'T do is spend time campaigning her heart out (her words) for Barack Obama. Hopefully his presidential bid will fail and Hillary will have another chance and be the nominee in years."

What, after McCain continues the Bush legacy and entrenches more Unconstitutional advantages for his supporters? There may not be a presidency to *run* for, after that.

Quiet time's never a bad idea, but I think it's time to ask what she can do for her country.

Seems with her Obama endorsement, she's on the right track.

If she allowed any of her supporters to become convinced that Obama would be worse than McCain, well, it's time to start rectifying that perception.

Cause that's one our country can't afford right now. I said at the start I'd have been perfectly supportive of Hillary, though for various reasons she was my third choice among some excellent candidates.

I don't think there's any 'keeping your powder dry' about it. Someone stole the lids, the roof needs patching, and the forecast is rain. :)

-----

You know as well as I do that SHE HAD to endorse Obama. She was forced to do it by the DNC or else her role in the Democratic Party would be history. Too bad that you still can't be a member in good standing of a group and not agree with their thinking. Obama is too inexperienced - not vetted - and his lack of judgement is proving to be counter-indicative to what needs to be done in this country. I am one of the cross-over Dems who will vote for McCain. He is the safer choice, IMHO.

Like other readers, I thought this was going to be an article about a political strategy Clinton should follow for the rest of election season. But, duh, this is the faith section. So, concerning Hillary's psyche, she should definitely catch up on the rest she has forfeited the past year. She should take time to come back to herself. I have had to do this often myself. And it's also good as a political strategy. She should step back from helping Obama. This is his show now. She shouldn't have to tire herself further for someone else's glory. And if he's creamed in November, the better for her.

There has always been a "hate Hillary" group of people. I always liked Hillary. I voted for Hillary, but now I regret it.

Hillary people are unreasonable and if you read the above comments, evil.

Stand still and know that I am God.

Actually Judy Phillips, recent research doesn't seem to back you up on the effectiveness of psychotherapy as other methods are. But then, even the mention of that is straying from Tim's message isn't it?

I don't think Tim suggested doing nothing is the only thing one needs to do after the first days of transition.

My take on his article was that we seem to have no problem putting the 'doing', like psychotherapy for example, in our lives. It is the not doing that we leave out and may benefit from. FYI, Thomas Keating speaks eloquently on the contemplative dimension of spirituality. To consent to the silence is to consent to the listening and then accesses one to that spiritual direction.

To Elisabeth, you sound like you are really hurting. Hillary's loss must feel devastating to you.

Thanks Tim. Great article.

I believe Hillary already has a deep personal faith that sustains her in many "down periods" of her life. It also propels her through life and has been the root of her motivation.

At the end of the day, with much of my own reflection through this disappointment, there is little for her to be depressed, sad, or regretful for. Against so many, many odds, and, in the face of so many man-made obstacles, she was dignified, smart, funny, competitive---"a real class act"---and displayed all of the qualities and competencies of a leader, a manager, a President. She brought excitement in her knowledge of the issues, her ability to articulate Solutions for America, her ability to hold her own amidst all of those Democratic leaders who were initially competing. It just was not enough to overcome an emotional, fanatical, movement still without much substance; the blatant and crude sexism of the press and the media displayed with vulgar language and with comments that one could call "interference in election outcomes"; the negative campaign tactics of the opponent's campaign who interjected racism from spin applied to exit poll demographics; the goal of the Democratic Party/DNC to have a black presidential candidate at all costs, and it will cost them plenty!; and the baggage from the 90's that Republicans created, proven false, that permeated her husband's Administration. Whether or not I am in a letdown mode is not sure but I do know that I am bored with men in dark suits and baby blue ties; that I have finally conquered my addiction to cable news 24/7; and that I do not see any exciting Change or Hope on the horizon. Everything seems to be muffled with same old same old and we are left with a Public Relations campaign. Sub-consciously, I decided I needed to "Do Nothing" for the rest of this campaign season. That includes no campaigning for anyone, no contributions of money, no news coverage, maybe even no voting in Nov. The only desire I have left is to work within my state, Texas, to overhaul the electoral process so that it cannot be so easily manipulated and to call for atonement withing the media/press for the unacceptable use of crude, vulgar terminology to describe a political candidate who happened to be a woman. Until I see and hear them apply the same standard to a male candidate, I will call it what it is, sexism, from arrested psychosocial development and worthy of being called Abusive. I have called for CNN, "the most respected name in news", to give a public apology and to make a significant contribution to Emily's List and to the National Womens' and Childrens' Shelters for battered and abused women. Let's see if they can step up to the plate as heroically as Hillary has.

I mean, speaking of substitute brains, you know, if it were *possible* to do worse for a CiC, it would have been *utterly* irresponsible for Bush to ride that jet onto an aircraft carrier to make his comical 'Mission Acomplished' speech. It's one of the most dangerous things a human can do, a carrier landing, and a responsible commander, if he had anything to do with 'victory' against the 'enemy,' he just wouldn't hand them a possible freebie like that.

Couldn't have hurt, in that case, I guess, militarily, but still.

Come on, Nana4, you're giving feminists a bad name, speaking of emotionalism.

Look at the current situation. Focus.

'Tired of men in blue ties' ain't gonna get any better if you hand the country to McCain.

Oh dang, a "faith" column.

No doubt, Hill should chill.

I understand the importance of rooting for your team in any election, general or primary. But I also understand the importance of playing by the rules and accepting decisions that don't always go your way. As a Democrat I know we cannot afford a third Bush term. How ironic, to express one's anger over Obama winning, than to vote for a guy who will do so much less for Democratic women than anyone else I know.

Use this time to work out your anger issues and try to look at the big picture.

If the DNC should change the primary process, then work towards that.

I suppose the one thing that Hillary Clinton will NOT do is to run for governor of New York. She'd have to live with Bill !!

The headline was interesting. The rest of the article was B.S.

Hillary has proved she is a woman of great character and determination, a sensitive human being, and an outstanding political leader.

After an exhausting campaign, she may need some rest. Then, she will decide about he future, with no need for psycotherapy or spiritual counseling.

I would like to remind all the fine racist Christians out there that Obama is more anglo than African if that would make any difference to you. I suppose you are believes in the one drop rule.

Tony the Copywriter said:

"I understand the importance of rooting for your team in any election, general or primary. But I also understand the importance of playing by the rules and accepting decisions that don't always go your way."

That's pretty much how it is in a democracy. Sometimes I think people have lost sight of that in our public debate over recent years. It hope other politicians will see Hillary succeed with her tactic of pretending to accept Obama's victory and decide to follow suit. Perhaps if enough politicians of both parties adopted this public posture, it would set a better example for rank-and-file members of both parties. I still am amazed every time I see people re-hashing the "stolen" 2002 election. Or the bi-partisan decision to invade Iraq. Why can't we just move on?

We "Hill" supporters just know that our candidate has everything it takes to make a great President.
She should just bide her time, so that she can lead out of the pack for the 2012 nomination.

She should get tanned, well rested and mentally prepared for the nexe campaign.

I see her as a small time winner and a big time loser. True, a Senate seat from New York, is no small thing, but Lazio sure was, and so was d'Amato, her petty nemesis while she roamed the White House.
Her two large national undertakings, each of them begun with everything in their favor, including popular acceptance, collapsed in ruins because of her bad choices and bad judgement. I refer, of course, to her abysmal health care initiative and her recent campaign. We can blame her advisors, of course, but who chose them, listened to them, followed them. The buck stops with H. We know now that she does not learn from experience. As the Greek comic poet Menander so sagely observed, only the wise do.

I see her as a small time winner and a big time loser. True, a Senate seat from New York, is no small thing, but Lazio sure was, and so was d'Amato, her petty nemesis while she roamed the White House.
Her two large national undertakings, each of them begun with everything in their favor, including popular acceptance, collapsed in ruins because of her bad choices and bad judgment. I refer, of course, to her abysmal health care initiative and her recent campaign. We can blame her advisers, of course, but who chose them, listened to them, followed them. The buck stops with H. We know now that she does not learn from experience. As the Greek comic poet Menander so sagely observed, only the wise do. Think about it, all ye who grieve. What a president she would make!

We "Hill" supporters just know that our candidate has everything it takes to make a great President.
She should just bide her time, so that she can lead out of the pack for the 2012 nomination.

She should get tanned, well rested and mentally prepared for the nexe campaign.

"Like other readers, I thought this was going to be an article about a political strategy Clinton should follow for the rest of election season. But, duh, this is the faith section. So, concerning Hillary's psyche, she should definitely catch up on the rest she has forfeited the past year. She should take time to come back to herself. I have had to do this often myself. And it's also good as a political strategy. She should step back from helping Obama. This is his show now. She shouldn't have to tire herself further for someone else's glory. And if he's creamed in November, the better for her"

That was mighty Christian of you. No wonder you identify with her. You're just as childish as she is.

A fighter for women? THANK GOD my mother would never embarrass herself, her political party or the nation by not acknowledging losing.

That's what passes for feminism in the eyes of Clinton supporters. Don't forget to vote republican.

1. The difference in support between H. Clinton and B. Obama was very small. Only time will tell if the better candidate was selected.
2. Sports analogies work poorly when describing the political process. Although only one candidate was selected, all those others who took part in the process continue to have a role to play in the next stages of selecting a chief executive.
3. Meditating is not "doing nothing." Meditating gives each of us a chance to mentally, both actively and passively, evaluate past actions and weigh future posibilities.

Without question, this is the right approach for Hillary at this moment. Of course whether or not she will ever "get it", or be counseled to do so, is another matter.

i dont think this article is about the political candidates-a debate over hillary vs barack. its about taking time to realize that the goals that most of us set for ourselves-being famous, pretty, skinny, rich, powerful, perfect-are not the goals that will make us happy. Inner peace and infinite joy come from finding and loving ourselves the way we are right now. this is probably difficult for hillary as she, like other famous people, is probably the most convinced that power and fame are the keys to happiness. they're not but thats going to take a while for all of us to figure out.

Tim - yours is a welcome voice of reason in an increasingly imbalanced and disturbed world. You have rightly advised Ms Clinton. Those of us who practice meditation daily know that doing nothing is worlds apart from "nothing doing". Instead, it is nourishment and replenishment of the spirit in preparation for dynamic action.

Please know that your message is valued and respected. There are many of us doing nothing everyday and enjoying the fulfillment and inner peace that it brings.

Women are the most proportionally underpresented group in the Federal government.
Our country is not ready to have a woman president in our White House and media really bashed Hillary I am still questioning why?

Countries we now call terrorists sponsers or Rouge had Queens three thousand years ago like Persia.We are still debating whether or not to have a woman as president.In this race I saw too much animosity toward Hillary and her husband.Especially on CNN they talked about her as if questioning "Why is she running?"She is smart,educated,beautiful a lawyer,mother and she will not go away,though I do not agree for Hillary to be on Senator Obama's ticket,VP position is
below her.Republican Machinary pushed her out of a winning race and they are resting asured because they can easily deal with Obama.For our country's sake I hope I am wrong.Hillary shouln't talk to any news network,no interviews and no chit chat,all media in America is in Republicans pockets.They have more money so they bought the media.

Marrie Deitelbaum
U.Teacher

What are you talking about? Do Nothing!? She's a senator from New York!

Men, especially Christian men, love to get women to sit down and be quiet.

" Mwgaithersburg:

"Without question, this is the right approach for Hillary at this moment. Of course whether or not she will ever "get it", or be counseled to do so, is another matter."

Hey, it may not be like the commercials, but it's still 3am, and the phone's till ringing.

I'm all for quiet time, but, no, this is not the time to shut up.

I mean, hey, who am I to say, but if you're a humble Pagan priestess, sometimes the phone rings at 3AM and you wake up and realize you are not the President of the united States of America.

What next?

"Read this and understand why he didn´t dare to have a free debate against Hillary Clinton"

If he had said all that should have been said - Mrs Clinton would have been out first debate. Get over the fact that it is a BLACK man running for President. If you don't want to vote for him don't - vote for philandering, adulterous, divorced, sexist and verbally abusive Mr. McCain instead, why don't you?

Paganplace, sometimes you crack me up.

Hey! Agents against Stanic Versus & their promoters...

I didn't know GEORGE Clinton was part of the family!! Far out!

" ZZim:

Paganplace, sometimes you crack me up."

Least I could do, I swear. :)

Dear Tim -

Seems to me that Hillary has already taken time out to reassess where she wants to go. Her Saturday concession to and endorsement of Obama was the result of her "doing nothing."

People like Hillary are on a different time/life schedule than the rest of us. They must have a sense of their long-term goals and the long-term effects of their decisions, while at the same time they must have the ability to stop on a dime and make split-second decisions. They must be able to capture time in a bottle and expand or contract time to meet their agendas.

Hillary did this this week. As she's a self-identified religionist, I'm quite sure she found ample time to pray or meditate or whatever to her deity before she used her own mind and common sense to reach the decision she did, but she did it on her schedule and with her sense of time, not ours.

The Right-Wing Noise Machine is actively at work, issuing their smears of Obama and planning more for down the line. This is hardly a time for a Party loyalist - and a powerful loyalist at that - to "do nothing."

Which is why Hillary's raring to campaign for Obama. In politics, her speech on Saturday was "years ago," and the time to get on the Obama bandwagon is NOW.

Doing nothing, and doing that each day, can certainly gather moss.

Which may be ok for a stone; but not for the human complexion, or self-esteem.

Hillary definitely won't be doing nothing. In fact, pre-recorded Hillary will be attacking Obama and praising McCain all summer long, in the form of Republican ads that use her over-the-top primary attacks.

OD:

"Hillary definitely won't be doing nothing. In fact, pre-recorded Hillary will be attacking Obama and praising McCain all summer long, in the form of Republican ads that use her over-the-top primary attacks."

Meanwhile, back in reality.... Hillary endorses Obama... two days ago...

Doesn't she have a day job? Guess being a New York Senator isn't all that demanding. She obviously hasn't been showing lately. Might as well do nothing. It's all the same.

I don't know if doing "nothing" will placate the MSM, the Party Elite or the Obama camp should they flop, which I predict.

Better, that Hillary do what is asked and let the chips fall where they will.

We Hillary Supporters, men AND women, however, can do a whole lot. We can make our voices heard regarding the appalling behavior of the MSM etc. and NOT ELECT OBAMA.

You need to understand that what happened to Hillary was not just about her gender, it was about the people who hold the reins of power (mostly men) not wanting to promote a powerful woman. Why think of it. In this competitive world there JUST might come challenges from a WHOLE new sector.

The fight has always been about power. And the powerful who blocked our candidate have just put the fate of their guy OBAMA in our hands.

The challenge for us is to FOCUS, stay together, stay strong........NO OBAMA in November.

And what exactly does this little bit of drivel have to do with faith, pray tell?

Faith, drivel, and prayer are overlapping concepts, Porzitsku.

Re: sexism comments

A lot of Hillary supporters apparently cannot accept the fact that many people would happily vote for a woman but NOT for Hillary. The constant focus on the "woman" part rather than on the "individual" (i.e. Hillary) is perhaps unintended but really rationalization of the fact.

So how is any of what happened to Hillary Barak Obama's fault? Should he have not run since it was her turn to entitlement? He was always gracious and she was always the presumptive nominee! Remember it will all be over by Feb. 5th? How arrogant and unpresidential was that! She had no plan past that ill fated date. Somebody please outline the sexism or disrespect by Obama towards Hillary, i've yet to see or hear. Her campaign hinted at and sometimes overtly insinuated such: His middle name and what it represents for Jews, pictures in tribal African garb, John McCain and herself ready on day one. She enthusiastically implored him to denounce / renounce Louis Farrakhan, questioned his patriotism ie flag pins and salutes, called him elitist, winked at the white vote, leaked an internet story that he took his oath of office using the Koran, beat the Rev. Wright story to death, Cried like a baby, Man oh man did Bill play the race card dissing the entire African American populus, she besmirched MLK's legacy, she played the feminist card, and on and on! Maybe she just ran a bad campaign at the start and blew it! She has to take some responsibility for her failures. Ironically no-one put a gun to her head and made tell sniper fire stories! Her coalition on Gays, Lesbians, Feminist and uneducated whites are lethal!

Hmmm..

I, for one, consider that the headline for this
piece was a false come on.

This wasn't about Clinton. It was, let's be kind here, A GUISE.

My fault for falling for it.On Faith is so pathetic. At least it wasn't about Israel.

Meanwhile, back in reality, ...fallout of eight years of loveable ol' Bush? The unthreatening son-of-a-rich-guy jock-hanger-on who brings the booze and says all will be great... Only... the next morning....

The kingdom of God is within.

By listening to God's silence within, while doing nothing, all can be gained. But I would recommend 15-20 minutes, twice a day. Morning and evening. Eyes closed. Repeating a word like peace or love or Jesus or God.

Hillary, all of us, could gain much by finding the God within.

As long as Fox News approves, of course.

Re: sexism comments

A lot of Hillary supporters apparently cannot accept the fact that many people would happily vote for a woman but NOT for Hillary. The constant focus on the "woman" part rather than on the "individual" (i.e. Hillary) is perhaps unintended but really rationalization of the fact.
_________________________________________________

RIGHT! That's why we have so many woman in office, and so many more standing in line ready to run for President! Hillary was our best chance, in my life time.. Face it American men are sill cavemen. Women are still fighting for equal rights and fair pay... We are still fighting for the Health and well-fair of our children. We are still fighting for the right to lead in Churches, one like the idiot Shriver belongs to. Shriver this is one of the most asinine, fruity-headed, articles, that I have ever read. Here's a thought Shriver, why don't you take your own advice and just shut up, JUST DO NOTHING!

CECI, your hostile and misspelled diatribe doesn't do much for your blind assumption that any woman will do. Sounds like a cavewoman's response.

Dear Dr Shriver

As an Indian-Australian woman and a Catholic, I do not consider it appropriate to make any political comments. I merely wish to add a thought to your essay from the heart and sound advice that is helpful to all, not just all politicians.

Mahatma Gandhi is well known to have observed one day of complete silence every week and spent it in prayer and meditation (his version of observing the Sabbath), even during the busiest days of his political campaign. This irritated some because he simply refused to speak even when he was summoned by British authorities. And we know for a fact that Gandhi remains one of the towering politicians of all time because his politics was his prayer in action.

It is my prayer that Americans will choose the President God wants for the US and the world, and that President will embody a politics that is prayer in action.

Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia

PS: I meant that your advice to Senator Clinton is good for all, including all politicians. Silence creates a space to view all situations without ego attachments. "Be still and know that I'm God," after all goes back to the Old Testament.

And by the way Dr Shriver, you essay is dated 8 *July* 2008. Remember to look at the calendar before posting your essays, even if one tends to lose all concept of time and space during meditation. :)

“Amazing”? A “model for women and girls”?!?

There are various ways to describe race-baiting, serial mendacity, abject and transparent pandering, false-flag co-optation of causes, financial duplicity, organizational chaos and on and on and on-- but to praise all these as “amazing” and posit them as some sort of “model” is to do a grave disservice to those who had to struggle against Mrs. Clinton’s Nixonian-out-of-the-Karl-Rove-playbook campaign, just as it is a disservice to the very primary process itself, making it appear an all's-fair free fire zone for the worst kinds of abuses that have characterized American politics over the last 60 years. Should divisive, cynical, dirty-pool tactics – and tactics which lost, praise be – now constitute a “model” because they were practiced by (or at the behest of) a woman?

To claim that Sen. Clinton "redefined the possible in politics” – a truly "amazing" way to reformulate "made up a plan of campaign apparently inspired by the Hindenburg, and, not surprisingly, blew up" – promotes the notion that a woman who could at certain times delude large numbers of citizens (lured as “hard working people” and “white people” [sic]) in selected primaries is somehow worthy of respect and emulation, in the final analysis, for this effort. Should we respect the George Wallace campaign of 1968 for the significant vote totals it accumulated in various states? Surely Mr. Wallace campaigned hard and overcame many obstacles. Please...

It is indeed time to move on, and not a time to throw stones (especially backward at the backward-looking). But moving forward does not mean shouting all-ee all-ee in-free for those who conducted the Clinton scorched-earth campaign. These hapless folks – starting with the candidate and her husband – need to acknowledge their behavior and tactics for what they were. Otherwise they will remain stuck in the stages-of-grief cycle for a very long time, and we will be stuck watching them. Coming clean about what you’ve done, and done to the dreams of many other people in the bargain, is a very long way from doing nothing.

If Mrs. Clinton can find the strength to make a clean breast of it, all American voters will be relieved of a tremendous burden, that of having to pretend that the myriad excesses of her campaign-as-poop-storm were, shucks, “just politics,” y’all. They weren’t, obviously, and it impoverishes all of us -- including the many good souls and true who felt betrayed by the candidate’s progressively declining behavior but still stuck it out in her camp -- when someone applies and others placidly accept such phrases as “a model for women and girls.”

Sen. Obama congratulated the Clinton campaign for fighting the good fight -- which is far from true, of course, but constitutes the generous, expedient and indeed probably the only thing a responsible candidate in his position can do. It is up to Mrs. Clinton and company now to acknowledge what kind of fight they actually fought, what they learned from it and what this means for our politics – including women in our politics, of course – in the future.

Please, Mrs. Clinton – do this for all of us. It would be genuinely “amazing” to see, and something that really could make you a role model.

Thank you.

If Hillary Clinton genuinely began this saga to help our nation, then she should not quit the race. Rather, she should quit the Democratic party and join the presidential race as an independent candidate. Read "Hillary Clinton as an Independent Candidate" @ http://theclearsky.blogspot.com/#8706393981159671199 .

Her true political views are the ones that she expressed in vote after vote in the Senate, not on the campaign trail. Those views resonate with mainstream America.

Those views will not prevail if she serves as vice president. The president, not the vice president, sets the policy of the executive branch. Anyone claiming other wise is a political operative emphasizing the survival of the political party over the survival of the nation.

Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama enjoy broad support in mainstream America. If Clinton declines to become an independent candidate, then another moderate pro-universal-health-care politician should step into the 3rd-party limelight to score a relatively easy win in the general election.

If Hillary Clinton does not run as an independent candidate and if an acceptable 3rd-party candidate does not step forward, then the best thing to do is the following. Grab the voting ballot in November and write her name on the ballot. By law, the state goverment must report the percentage of votes to each person — including an unofficial write-in candidate. The aim is for Fox News and CNN to report the following percentages of the popular vote.

1. 50% Hillary Clinton
2. 30% John McCain
3. 20% Barack Obama

Though Clinton cannot win (because she is not registered with the relevant state departments of elections) even with a plurality of the votes, a strong showing (like that above) will essentially make her the de-facto president of the United States. Before President John McCain initiates any policy, he will unofficially seek the approval of Senator Clinton.

Remember that, in a democracy, you are 100% responsible for the actions of your government. You must choose wisely. If you are unwilling to acceptable responsibility for any policy that a candidate may support, then do not vote for the candidate — regardless of what the political operatives in the Democratic party (or the Republican party) tell you.

Write the candidate of your choice if the ones on the ballot are unacceptable.

Some of the commentary describing your perspective of Hillary's campaign describe the same perspective some people have of Obama's campaign style....there is plenty of cold, hard evidence to support that perspective, yet, very little to support yours. That she challenged him on the issues was viewed as outrageous and "throwing the kitchen sink at him" was coming from the same place as the insults to people who have chosen not to vote for Obama. Doesn't matter why, it is a "free choice" still. Maybe, the Dems can get the Feds to throw out all the votes that are against him in Nov.
This hatred is absurd. It is going to implode on you, not her. All the hatred you have inside of you is going to make you sick, if it hasn't already. Maybe that is why you have such lingering hatred after a political campaign because you were sick to start with.
Hillary Supporters: I urge you to back out of this. Part of the hatred and the vitriole is because she is so darn good. She doesn't need us to try to reason with these people or to fight these battles. Remember, she is "polished with gold" and I think that elderly lady really knew what she was talking about. Leave these people to scream and spit at each other. Quietly go about doing whatever you feel you must for democracy and leave this filth alone. Wherever she is, whatever she does, she will shine like polished gold and make us proud.
Frankly, I do not care who he selects as VP; I hope it is NOT Hillary, I hope she declines if offered. Keep your wits about you. We and she have been called everything in the book, slandered, defiled, insulted, criticized, rebuked and now they come running after us and, suddenly, because she is no longer an opponent in a campaign, the BO supporters think her speech was beautiful....BUT....she is not good enough for them to be VP....just give us your voters and get out of the way. To each her own, vote however you like for whatever reasons you like; you owe no one an explanation. None of the names being bandied about in either party for VP have what she has. She SHOULD be president. At least we wouldn't have to look at the same old dark suits and baby blue ties! By the way, I hear and read people thinking it would be really neat for Caroline Kennedy to be his VP choice. How cute! Why not Jennifer Aniston???

Senator Cliton's nomination fight changed the American politics. She should consider doing the following:
(1) Support Obama to certain degree so that she will not alienate young, Obama voters
(2) Wait for 2012 and run again. The momentum that she established will survive and her negatives will go down.
(3) Obama will loose 2008 election to McCain. She should support the progressive policies of McCain in Senate. McCain may not run second team. Even if he does, her colloboration of progessive policies of McCain in the Senate will decrease Cliton's negatives. She will get nominated in 2011.

Hillary Clinton a role model for women????? How soon we forget - remember Whitewater, the bungled 40 million health care plan, the Vince Foster issue, items removed from the White House and taken to the Clinton private residence, begging for money to help pay their legal fees, etc, etc, etc, and so on. Give me a break.

If the author doesn't know Hillary Clinton is a practicing Methodist with a full spiritual and religious life and a spiritual advisor, he should refrain from writing about her.

She should certainly do nothing about helping Barack Obama after the insane way she was treated by his supporters and the Democratic Party Comintern. I am going to stand back, watch him drop like a rock and wait for 2012. It is to be hoped, but not anticipated, that the Comintern will learn from 40 years of experience that it picks losers.

As a Quaker I have found silence to be valuable and strengthening in a life far from serene and trouble free.

I am amazed that supporters of Hilary Clinton are still hanging on for dear life and are soliciting others to do the same. Don't you know the best way to carry out the policies that Senator Clinton addressed in her campaign is through Senator Obama? They are of the same party and SHE will definitely have his ear before any other Senator in the Senate or Congressman or Congresswoman. Hoping Senator Obama falls is hoping against Senator Clinton at this point and against the best interest of ALL Americans. Maybe the bloggers on here are of the privileged few so you don't mind having John McCain as President.

Jim Webb discussed how the top 1% made more money over the last 7 years while the middle class and below either broke even or lost income, the same analysis you have heard (if you were listening) Senator Obama say on the campaign trail. Senator Webb even discussed how CEO's in America had a 100 to 1 income advantage over the average American in the 90's. That advantage is now 400 to 1. This all happen under republican policies that John McCain will continue to carry out. Is this a fair distribution of wealth? Democracies are successful because of their fair distribution of wealth, just ask the middle east, Africa and South America. Remember what you are voting for and make your decision sound or emotional.

This isn't the first time a woman has lost a political race! It's just the first time one has been so ungracious in losing. Long live Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm!

You get what you give. Sen. Clinton showed more emotion in losing than when her husband denigrated the White House.

Sen. Obama's rise is bigger than he and his family. Other people of faith like us, including Jeremiah Wright, know that.

Let me just say this, I'd rather have McCain win and have Hillary be president in 2012 than to have 8 years of Barack Obama. Sick of the way his campaign and the media (which are the same organization) and the DNC joined forces to sink this woman.

In short,
CLINTONITES FOR MCCAIN 2008!

Good God Almighty! Did people even read this article before they started spewing!!!

It's about looking inward, letting go of perceptions, putting aside ego, and getting in touch with the powerful spirit that is within each and every one of us. It's not about religion, or dogma...it's about our very nature as human/spiritual beings. Life is full of conflicts, but if we find that peaceful place within ourselves, we can resist the negativity.

Breathing in...breathing out!

I like to multi-task so I plan to 'do nothing' at work today.

Hopefully the still quiet voice will inform me about what to eat for lunch.

Tony B

Hillary sunk her own ship with the help of her poor campaign managers (organized Cal run w/o considering delegate assigned proportionally). Stop blaming the press and the DNC. The press lampooned everyone, and even Ickes was in on the decison to sanction my state and my vote. Supporters like you make HRC sound like a pathetic sore loser. She deserves more respect. Move on.

Hillary, after much reflection, perhaps you should lobby yourself for the job of Attorney General. VP is too impotent a spot. We really need a hardnosed investigation into war profiteering, the outing of Valerie Plame, the politicizing of our national security information system, the Bush>Saudi connection. Lots of good work for you the next four years.

"Regardless of what one thinks of her, we can all appreciate the model she has set for women and girls."

NO-NO-NO!!!

Acting as a hyper-aggressive alpha male is not a good model for humans or beasts of any gender.

Obama Manhandles Joe Lieberman on the Senate Floor

Does Barack Obama think he has the right to drag other senators off the Senate floor if they don't vote according to his party line?

ABC News recently ran a video on their obnoxious and barely functional website, under the headline: Obama Dishes Tough Talk to Lieberman at http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex? id=5006126

The YouTube copy is easier to watch, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5DNpJBzxG8

I couldn't hear the "tough talk," but I could see Joe Lieberman being pulled along sideways all the way off the Senate floor by a much younger and much larger Senator.

Obama shakes Lieberman's hand, and he never lets go. They walk off the Senate floor together holding hands, you might say, but Lieberman's right hand is extended awkwardly across his body, and it isn't much like the way young lovers hold hands as they stroll across a meadow.

The crucial moment for recognizing what's going on comes up about 16 seconds into the video, when Obama and Lieberman meet Claire McCaskill, who's wearing a pink jacket, at the top right corner of the screen.

Apparently Senator McCaskill is trying to say something to Obama or Lieberman, and she reaches out to take Lieberman's hand, but he can't quite turn to face her, and as they brush past her, she takes an awkward step back.

This is a wrong moment. If Lieberman could turn, he would have turned, instead of brushing by sideways, but Obama wouldn't let him go, and it's very bad manners, at the very least.

The whole thing may look like "friendly contact" to Obama's devotees, but for me it shades into something more like physical compulsion, and I have to say...

The next time Obama wants to dance somebody off the floor of the United States Senate, I hope he has the balls to pick a more formidable partner than little old Joe Lieberman.

For Jacob Freeze (June 10, 2008 5:24 PM):

Either you have a vivid imagination, or you are easily led by the media. I saw no smidgen of compulsion as Lieberman and Obama walked off the floor together.

For other readers: If this interests you, judge for yourself at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5DNpJBzxG8

"Last week, in an eye-catching moment on the Senate floor, Barack Obama led Joe Lieberman to the back of the chamber and, according to one report, “engaged in what appeared to reporters in the gallery as an intense, three-minute conversation.” No one could hear the senators, but Roll Call noted the body language, and said Obama “leaned in very close at times, and appeared to be trying to dominate the conversation.”

Not surprisingly, a lot of us have been anxious to hear more about what, exactly, transpired. Newsweek quoted an anonymous campaign aide who said Obama “told Lieberman he was surprised by Lieberman’s personal attacks and his half-hearted denials of the false rumors that Obama is a Muslim.”

Lieberman’s office is not at all pleased. His spokesperson told the National Review:

“The anonymous Obama campaign staffer’s characterization of the private conversation was entirely false and fabricated.”

And an anonymous Lieberman staffer told Time’s Mark Halperin:

“If the Obama campaign thinks they are going to intimidate Joe Lieberman with these sleazy tactics then they are sorely mistaken.”

Thank you Timothy for this wonderfully positive post that neither slights Hillary nor outlines her "reasons for failure". You offer extremely sound and reasonable advice and whether or not Hillary takes it, I most certainly will.

As a woman, I'm a great admirer of Senator Hillary Clinton. Her political campaign has given the world a taste of her patience, determination, inner strength and resilience. As a Christian by conviction I also have deep respect for her unconditional love for President Bill Clinton. As a couple they have proved when a married couple choose to support each other, each one is able to achieve much more than each one would have done individually. May whatever path Senator Hillary Clinton chooses to take be the path the Holy Spirit inspires her to take, in her spiritual life, her personal and political life.