Opinion: Clinton needs to accept reality

Joan Vennochi, Globe Columnist

It's decision time for Hillary Clinton

Will she accept reality and Barack Obama’s near-clinch of the Democratic nomination? Or will she embrace a “Sunset Boulevard” fantasy world, playing a political Norma Desmond who continues to dream of a triumphant return to the Oval Office?

"It’s full speed on to the White House," she said after barely beating Obama in Indiana and losing badly to him in North Carolina. "... We can only keep winning if we keep competing."

She was reading from the script that calls for continued battle, to June and maybe all the way to Denver. But there is another script, and it’s time to speak those lines of acceptance and reconciliation: Forget about trying to woo the superdelegates. Obama is the presumptive nominee.

The conventional assumption is that the Clintons will never stop clawing their way back to power.

However, this time it is eluding their grasp, and they know it. Hillary Clinton couldn’t capitalize on Obama’s weaknesses, because her own weaknesses undercut her efforts to derail his appeal to Democrats. It remains to be seen how Obama’s vulnerabilities play out in November, but for now, primary voters are putting their faith in his rhetoric.

"I need your help to continue our journey," she said in Indiana, but her path feels suddenly lonely. The momentum and the excitement are back with Obama.

It will be hard for Clinton to give up, especially after fighting so forcefully to keep her campaign alive. But with the camera moving in for her close-up, it is best to seize the moment and accept reality with dignity and grace.

Joan Vennochi can be reached at vennochi@globe.com.