HILLARY CLINTON DIVIDES DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON RACIAL LINES

There are several disturbing articles in today's The Washington Post on the presence of Barack Obama's race in the recent election in Pennsylvania.

Colbert King writes:

"It's not that the outcome was disturbing. Hillary Clinton's double-digit victory was forecast weeks ago. She also achieved a key objective: raising doubts about Barack Obama's electability in November.

"No, for me, the unpleasant tone that lingers is the exit poll in which 1 in 10 white Pennsylvania voters said a candidate's race mattered. Those voters went with Clinton by a proportion of 3 to 1."

Jonathan Weisman and Matthew Mosk report:

"The protracted and increasingly acrimonious fight for the Democratic presidential nomination is unnerving core constituencies -- African Americans and wealthy liberals -- who are becoming convinced that the party could suffer irreversible harm if Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton maintains her sharp line of attack against Sen. Barack Obama. . . .

""If this party is perceived by people as having gone into a back room somewhere and brokered a nominee, that would not be good for our party," House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (S.C.), the highest ranking African American in Congress, warned yesterday. "I'm telling you, if this continues on its current course, [the damage] is going to be irreparable."

"That fear, plus a more general sense that Clinton's only route to victory would be through tearing down her opponent, has led even some black Democrats who are officially neutral in the race, such as Clyburn, to speak out."

We need Sen. Clinton to bow out of the race. Her presence is toxic to the Democratic Party. Bill Clinton had his chance. He needs also to recede. There is no way Clinton can win with the most number of delegates. All she is doing at this point is to wear down the good will of loyal Democrats who believe in fairness and racial respect and harmony.