Quote:Anyways, my convoluted point is it might alienate some voters, but it might also draw some voters into your party, because of the "free" high-profile publicity.
It's an interesting thought, but Democrats already lead Republicans in terms of self-identification in the US. This polarizing fight is likely to shed voters from the party. I personally know several Obama backers who abhor the current administration in particular and Republicans in general, yet vow to "Never vote for Clinton". This prolonged, polarized fight is likely producing more of the same in both the Obama and Clinton camps.
On top of that, Republicans (who view McCain as a "weak candidate" thanks to Rush Limbaugh and others) are now actively working to keep the primaries going:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles...n_to_boost_gop/
Some pro-Obama Democrats see Clinton's continued pursuit of the nomination in this context as scorched earth tactics--if she can't have the nomination then Obama can't be allowed to win the general election. Thus allowing her to pursue the nomination again in 2012.
I personally think she and Bill believe that a vigorous pursuit of Obama plus their political connections will drum up enough Super Delegates to shift the nomination to her in spite of the popular vote. However, that is a dangerous strategy. Disenfranchising the popular vote (among voters who remember Bush vs. Gore all too well) will likely drive moderates into the waiting arms of McCain.