Arbitration & Mediation

Is Hillary Negotiating Her Withdrawal? So Says Cokie

By Victoria Pynchon

From Women on the Web's Conversation Today Cokie Roberts: 'Hillary Is Negotiating Her Withdrawal' with Lesley Stahl © AP A Q&A with ABC News correspondent Cokie Roberts.  Excerpt below:

LESLEY: Let’s talk about Hillary. I’m wondering, how do you explain her unwillingness, at this point, to throw in the towel? Does she really think she has a shot at winning this? Is she addicted to campaigning, which is my favorite possibility here. She’s kind of unable to give it up. Does she think there’s another shoe to drop with Obama? What do you think?

COKIE: I think that she is taking a somewhat graceful and prolonged exit. You know, when you’ve been running this hard and have won this much, you don’t just go. And the truth is, when you’re this significant a candidate you negotiate a withdrawal. It’s almost like a plea bargain. You start talking about paying off debt and about convention roles. There are all kinds of things that have to be negotiated. But I also do think that she feels strongly that she is the better candidate — and you can make a good case of that given the way the votes played out in these primaries and caucuses — and that by staying in until it’s over, perhaps something will happen.

Whoever leaves the primary race -- Hillary or Barack -- we will see grace and a spirit of unity under pressure.  Which is how each one of us wants to leave every loss, knowing another door to public service will always be open for men and women of talent, judgment, amibition, character, diligence and courage.

Full post as published by Settle It Now Negotiation Blog on May 09, 2008 (boomark / email).