The 2008 primaries took place a long time ago, and we ought to be able to forgive and forget a lot of things that took place in the heat of the battle. News that Hillary’s aides kept a ranked hit-list of people who they felt had betrayed her is not all that surprising, but the real question is whether they are still harboring grudges.
It’s clear that President Obama felt it is was vitally important to make peace between the two camps, and I think his supporters should be willing to follow his lead, but some assurance is needed that a Clinton presidency won’t entail revenge on Obama’s people.
For progressives like myself who vigorously opposed Clinton’s nomination, the likelihood of her being the nominee the next time around is both an ideological and a personal challenge. Most, but not all, of the reasons I did not support her candidacy still remain. Yet, I can see the upside of a Clinton run for the presidency.
But the idea that the Clinton camp might still feel it has scores to settle is disturbing. I can”t say that I will be likely to support Clinton in a primary, but I’d like to make that decision on the merits and not as an act of self-preservation.
In the broader picture, she won’t be able to unite the Obama coalition behind her unless she puts these concerns to rest.