Hillary Should Stay In The Race Until The End

No matter what the results in the primaries next Tuesday, there are several good reasons why Hillary Clinton, New York's Junior Senator, should stay in the Democratic Party's Primary race until at least the beginning of June, when the final primary is held in Puerto Rica.

Despite the worries of the leaders behind the scenes in the Democratic Party that continuing this bruising campaign could be bad for their candidate in November's General Election against Republican John McCain, there is more risk in ending the process prematurely.

Were the party to do so they would run the risk that the public would interpret the action as undemocratic and authoritarian.

Despite the fact that both Clinton's and Obama's campaigns are fighting tooth and nail, they are also preparing well for what either could face in the General Election.

Many important character issues are being dealt with now, while the public is paying less attention, and the voters are likely to be weary of hearing about them by November.

As Senator Clinton said last week when asked about this issue, "[She didn't] believe that. We've had a historic, record turnout by both of us bringing people into the Democratic Party.

"People are actually voting for Democrats, and I think we can build on that," she said.

There are also several questions that remain to be asked about the front-runner, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

The first is obviously related to his experience. He has faced many questions regarding his choice in friends including the firebrand preacher, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, a terrorist in the form of William Akers and his relationship with the indicted real estate mogul Tony Rezko.

While Senator Clinton will obviously face questions on her character from the Republicans in November, especially as regards her honesty, the same accusations can be levelled at her opponent.

Though Clinton didn't handle the fracas over her claims of sniper fire in Bosnia, she has in general been able to counter her critics effectively.

Senator Obama on the other hand has regularly had to issue correction after correction, the most egrarious being related to his relationship with his former "spiritual guide," who has now been disowned after accusing the candidate of being a "politician," with all the negative connotations of that word.

Senator Clinton's campaign has also been to some extent hamstrung in how hard they can go after Senator Obama on these types of issues, but the Republicans will have no such qualms in November.

As Gerald McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, a union that has heavily financed the Clinton campaign said: "[Republicans] will have a dossier on Barack Obama like you never saw, that is second to none. The flag pin, Reverend Wright, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Weathermen, Michelle Obama saying she was proud of America for the first time in her life -- they are going to build on all of that and try to pull him down.

"We need a Democrat in the White House, but we are frightened that there are problems already. If not, they'll find them, and we'll be in the fight of our lives."

The primary should also continue in order that the Democratic Party lives up to its name.

The fact that the Florida and Michigan voters are being disenfranchised by the Party is a disgrace and only the continued presence of Senator Clinton in the race prevents the Democratic leadership from finally cutting them loose.

We'll know soon enough who'll be the Democratic nominee for President, so there's no need to tarnish the process by ending the battle undemocratically behind closed doors.

Even should the race reach the Convention, the very process will help sway the opinions of the much-needed Independent voters.