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What Counts Is What She Didn't Say

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By CARL HIAASEN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

Rejected first draft of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's "concession" speech:

My fellow Americans,

For 17 months I've traveled this great country, talking and listening and sharing my vision of a new America, in hopes that you'd choose me as the Democratic nominee for president.

As the delegate count rose in my opponent's favor, many wise and well-meaning people asked me to drop out of the race for the sake of the party.

Instead I hung on and continued fighting, long after there was absolutely no mathematical chance of winning - not a prayer in hell, to be honest.

Yet I carried on relentlessly (pause for a feisty smile), taking our battle to the hills of West Virginia, the beaches of Puerto Rico and the plains of South Dakota.

Why? you probably asked yourself. Doesn't she know how to use a pocket calculator? Why drag this thing out any longer?

Because I was in denial, my fellow Americans.

It's true. Basically I couldn't deal with the fact that some rookie senator from Illinois came out of nowhere and snatched away the nomination.

Just one short year ago, a Hillary victory looked like a slam dunk. A sure thing. A lock.

Remember? I had the money. I had the machine. I had the momentum.

And, last but not least, I had my husband - a popular, charismatic former president - campaigning day and night on my behalf.

How could I lose? It seemed unthinkable. Even now I have to pinch myself (pause and twist the skin on right arm) to be sure this isn't just a bad dream.

To all my loyal supporters, I urge you not to be angry, bitter or resentful. Yes, it's tempting to dwell on the what-ifs (refer to list) ...

What if the bright bulbs who run our party hadn't punished Florida and Michigan for moving up their primaries? What if I hadn't gone along with the idea of not seating those delegates, instead of waiting until I fell behind before noticing the unfairness of it all?

What if I'd paid more attention to the early caucuses? What if Bill hadn't spouted off in South Carolina? What if I hadn't repeatedly "misremembered" me and Chelsea landing under fire in Bosnia, when in actuality it was a gala welcome?

Well, my fellow Americans, what's done is done. This is not a dream, and I'm no longer in denial.

Democratic voters have spoken, and it's time to move on. The only fair and honorable course is for me to step partially aside, and to share the nomination with my worthy opponent.

Yes, you heard me right. Sen. Obama and I can continue to make political history this year - as the first co-nominees of the Democratic Party!

Impossible, you say? As the events of this remarkable primary season have taught us, nothing is impossible in the United States.

Make way, America, for the Hilla-Bama Express!

Carl Hiaasen is a columnist for the Miami Herald.

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