April quotes

[Occhidiangela]

So why is that admirable in Winston Churchill but not in Hillary Clinton?

Jim Valvono seems to have been admired for it as well.

Certainly you should never give up when outsiders are visiting violence among the people you love. Never give up against the Nazis, or any authoritarian rule. And there are other righteous causes against horrible things -- slavery, apartheid, British rule, no-jeans-at-work policies -- that should be fought without faltering.

The Nazis? The year is 2008.

But at some point, "not giving up" is just hardheadedness. At what point does it change? I think that unfortunately, there's no definitive answer. Also, like beauty, it's subjective. If Hillary were my candidate because she was the only one advocating something dear to me, I would want her to continue trying to win and her struggle would be a valiant one. However, those not in that category would see this as hardheaded ambition gone unchecked. Which is it really?

Not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. Calvin Coolidge's well worn comments on persistence would fit in here.

I think the barometer in this case is whether she is helping her causes by continuing. Pick an issue -- let's see -- how about health care. She should look at whether continuing on is just hurting the party by turning people off to both Democandidates. If fighting Obama increases McCain's chances, that is going against the cause, and then it would be hardheadedness that makes her continue.

Hillary is in this to win, which is correct. No point in her being in this race just to pass the time. (Ron Paul joke expected.) Back to Cal Coolidge and persistence.

Aside: Of course, it may help Obama in the long run to get some adversity now rather than getting swiftboated. Or, getting crap early may give time for a label to stick and fester. Right now, the term "elitist" is being tacked on. That one will probably stick -- after all, Obama graduated Harvard Law (with some distinction that I can't remember), and can't bowl very well.

He too is in it to win, as he should be. Hillary isn't owed the nomination, she'll need to get it the old fashioned way: she needs to earn it. (Likewise with Obama, should he earn the nom.)

Occhi