Clinton Faithful Keep the Faith

By Robert Struckman, 6-03-08

	Caption: Photo by Alexia Beckerling.

Hillary Clinton supporters remained faithful as primary results trickled in Tuesday night, despite Barack Obama’s growing lead and national pronouncements of victory in the race for Democratic nominee.

The Clinton crowd gathered at the Shack Restaurant in downtown Missoula to cheer on their candidate as they ate appetizers and drank wine. Just like the candidate, her supporters were not ready to concede defeat.

“You know what? We may not have had a great night in Montana, but she won 18 million votes, more than anybody in the history of democratic politics,” said Carol Williams, the chair of Clinton’s Montana campaign.

Buoyed by Clinton’s win in South Dakota, many said they remained positive about Clinton’s prospects.

“It’s not over yet. She won in South Dakota and so far she’s close in Montana,” City Councilwoman Stacy Rye said. “If our opponent doesn’t win at least 70-30, I count that as a win for us.”

Many people at the election night party said they were glad Clinton had stayed in the race as long as she had and want her to continue to fight.

“I hope she doesn’t concede until the absolute last millisecond,” Missoula resident Heather Garland said.

Garland, who drove 30 women to the polls Tuesday, said she supports Clinton so adamantly that she would write the senator in on the ballot come November if she wasn’t Obama’s pick for vice president.

But Williams said she is confident Clinton will be supportive of Obama and help him get elected once she decides to step down.  She also said she thinks Clinton would be a strong choice for vice president.

“I wish it were the other way around, but they would be a very strong ticket, and it would be very healing for the millions of people who went to the polls today and voted for her,” Williams said.  “It would be a unifying ticket.”

Regardless of whether Clinton becomes the candidate for vice president, Williams said the lengthy primary was worthwhile because it allowed every American the chance to weigh in on the race.

“Anyone who liked the fact that we were getting attention in Montana should thank Hillary Clinton,” Williams said.  “Because she stayed in it, it made every state in the country important, and I think people ought to give her thanks for that.”