Damned if She Doesn't

As anyone who teaches creative writing will tell you, in order for your story to capture the attention of a reader, it must contain an ample amount of conflict. Furthermore, that conflict must lead someplace, preferably toward a resolution of some kind. Say what you will about the apparent friction between the Obama and Clinton camps at the Democratic National Convention, but it has made for an interesting plot line. The questions that remain are about said resolution. Are we looking at a happy ending? A cliff hanger that segues into a sequel? Will Hillary's words, yet again, be overshadowed by her husband's remarks a day later? So much to decide and so few pages left!

In a way, I'm grateful there's this Obama/Clinton tension. Though it may really only be a sub-plot, amplified by a media hungry for an actual story at what otherwise would be but another protracted infomercial, it has given the convention an honest-to-God air of suspense. Otherwise, all we'd really have to chew on was whether or not it would rain on Thursday.


So, what will the Clintons do? Will they walk a line between supportive and spiteful? Will they remain stuck in the muck of their own self-importance, or will they turn the spotlight toward the party nominee? While some commentators see a "Damned if she does, damned if she doesn't" dynamic in play for Hillary's speech, I'd say it's far more simple than that. Hillary needs to go all-out. Anything less will destroy her future in politics. If you can't go to a pep rally and sing the fight song like you mean it, why bother showing up in the first place?

Imagine that Hillary gives a tepid speech. She says she's going to vote for Obama, but her supporters can do whatever they want (far fetched, I realize). Then let's posit that Obama loses in '08, in part because the Clintons showed a lack of enthusiasm for him. That sting of defeat Obama supporters will feel will then have a culprit, so that, if Hillary runs in 2012, she'll be remembered as the spoiler of '08. And you thought this story had conflict!

My hunch is, however, that we'll see a forceful Clinton speech, one that reminds everyone watching that voting has always been about pragmatic choices. True, you can't always get exactly what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get somebody who shares the vast majority of your beliefs (Cliffs Notes spoiler alert: it ain't McCain.) I know, I know, it's not really a surprise ending. But hey, it's a political convention, after all.