Beware The Camel’s Nose

August 14, 2008 by Frank Gannon | Filed Under Election 2008 

Marc Ambinder reports that an agreement is about to be reached between the Clinton and Obama camps and that Hillary Clinton’s name will be placed in nomination in Denver.

Unlike a number of observers, however, Ambinder accepts that this is being done somewhat reluctantly on the part of the New York Senator. Of course a cynic would say that’s exactly what Mrs. Clinton wants people to believe — and that she will be reluctant right up until the moment that she is nominated.

According to several people who have spoken with her, Clinton originally believed that if her name were included in the roll call on Wednesday, August 27, she would inevitably wind up with fewer delegates than the 1896.5 she earned from the primaries. That would look bad and could demoralize her supporters.

In negotiations this summer with Obama’s campaign, Clinton’s team did not ask for Clinton’s name to be submitted.

But within the past week, Clinton advisers informed the Obama team that many of Clinton’s staunchest supporters felt strongly that something had to be done, and that Clinton had concluded that, in part for the sake of unity, their wishes ought to be respected. They heard back immediately: the Obama campaign had always been open to having her name placed in nomination alongside his.

If Clinton’s name is formally offered up, she could be afforded the normal complement of nominating and seconding speeches, and the official role call of votes will include participation from her delegates. (In theory, if enough Obama delegates change their minds, then Clinton could win the nomination. In practice, there’s no chance that will happen.)

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