Erica,
I am a big fan of yours and understand how you have suffered on Huffington Post by the continual roasts from the Obama camp. Your statement has some truth, but I still believe that it is premature in its timing. The things that are being said about the way the media, the pundits and many others are treating Hillary need to be said at this juncture, no matter who has to say them and no matter if we are are thought of as "spoiled sports" or "rotten apples." We Hillary supporters are labeled by the media as white, racists, uneducated, working-class, and women of a certain age, etc,etc etc.... I voted for Jesse Jackson in the 1988 primary for God sakes!!! What are these people trying to do? I'll tell you what they are doing. They want Obama vs. McCain because they think they can beat him and I agree. It is a sutle, yet effective strategy to force her out and continue the status quo. I say let it play out until it is truly over. No two primary candidate have been this close in an election in modern history!! Yes, we will support the Democratic nominee no matter what, but let's quit acting like we have to play by certain "rules" and can't have everyone participate until the end of the primaries.
Democrats Unite
The violence of the political dialogue lately has made me understand how desperate the electorate is after nearly eight years of Repugnicans and three stolen elections. I totally understand Obamamania--and I also get the frustration of voters who wanted this to be the year we broke through the glass ceiling for women.
But let's get real. It's time for Democrats to put all personal bias aside and unite behind the things we believe in: a planet we can live on, reproductive choice, workers rights, health care for all, education for poor and middle class students, fair taxes, a Constitution made whole, rescuing America from war profiteers -- if indeed there is still time.
It's already very late. It's too late for quarrels about whether race or gender is more restricting. It's too late for prognostications about a future presidency we won't know until it has unfolded. Remember so-called compassionate conservatism? It turned out to be neither compassionate nor conservative. Why anybody believes election slogans mystifies me. But we do know this: a landslide for Democrats will change the direction of this country. So let's join forces to make it happen--and let's start now.
I don't believe that passionate Hillary supporters will vote for McCain in fits of pique. I sure won't. The truth is that Obama and Clinton are so similar politically that without generational and gender differences they'd be indistinguishable. Perhaps the passion for or against these two Democrats was revved up by how very close they are in vision. Sometimes people need to disagree for the sake of disagreeing.
Obama is right to offer his applause for Hillary's tenacity. He is right to take the high road. I doubt that she will be remembered for taking the low road. In politics as in life, tenacity is all. Where is Chappaquiddick now that Teddy Kennedy has honorably served decade after decade in the Senate?
If Hillary loses the nomination, maybe she can get a life by divorcing Bill. I was always a defender of their curious marriage but having seen him try to sabotage her campaign, I wonder. Maybe she'd get a burst of energy by cutting loose. Imagine her with additional fire -- she could rescue our stalled space program with her own built-in rocket.
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Erica, I think that Hillary supporters can view the contempt with which the Obama campaign has treated both HIllary and her constituents, plus the clear demographic identification of the Hillary constituency as reason enough at this point to recognize that Obama has no intention of representing our interests.
As such it may soon become apparent that the appropriate strategy is to vote for a strong Democratic Congress, while at the same time splitting our ticket and voting for McCain as a caretaker President who can be held in check by the Democrats.
It has not been easy to come to this point of view, but the fact that the Obama campaign has been unwilling to reach out in any meaningful way makes it apparent that the best interests of Hillary's supporters politically, is to NOT have Obama as President, even if it means we have to put up with 4 years of McCain. I am sure a strong Democratic Congress can block any bad judges he nominates, and McCain may turn out not to be so bad after all.
"contempt with which the Obama campaign has treated both HIllary and her constituents"
how can we have an honest dialogue when you create your own facts -- the obama campaign has been nothing but tolerant and respectful of hillary clinton. she has done the damage to herself.
Tolerant?! Wheeeeeeeeee. You should know by now that is not a word you want to use regarding women.
Respectful? Of course, Obama has been "respectful" in his speeches... he is a politician. His campaign and supporters have been anything but. Since I have been posting in support of HRC on this blog I have been very careful to not attack Obama himself or his supporters (please check my history) I direct my comments towards his campaign. I usually call for unity and try to be objective and kind. And yet I have been called a:
Racist
Warmonger
Lunatic Fringe
B**ch
Liar
Worthless scum
to name a few
I have been told my party doesn't need me... and my country is too good for me.
I fit none of these labels and neither does Hillary. How are we supposed to come back from this into the fold?
Okay, you just listed things Obama's *supporters* have called you, but what exactly has *he* or his *campaign* said or done? Did the comments increase with Hillary's use of the "Kitchen Sink" strategy? Because that's when I really started getting turned off to her. Even then, I'd never say she should be forced out.
The fact is she has had gaffes like the RFKremark, pandered with the gas tax holiday, committed the Obama's-not-Muslim-as-far-as-I-know smear attempt, enflamed his comment about "bitter" voters (which was every bit as factual as her "assassination" bit and infinitely more relevant to the political situation), and jumped on the Jeremiah Wright guilt-by-association wagon.
It was as these tactics were implemented that calls for her to goincreased. Yes, she has the right to stay in. But as the author of this piece pointed out, staying in late when you've all but lost is only good when you have a particular cause you can get the winner to address. What's Clinton's cause other than winning herself? Most of us wouldn't care that she's still in, but since she's staying in ONLY because she believes there's still a way to finagle her way into the nomination and since she's thrown everything she can at Obama for the past couple of months, hoping something will stick, telling us why he's bad instead of why she's good, while McCain is out raising money without opposition...That's why she should go.
"How are we supposed to come back from this into the fold?"
The same way that Obama supporters who have been called the same names by Hillary supporters are supposed to come back.
Erica:
Many Hillary supporters will not vote for Obama because all racists are not male. This group may vote for McCain.
Another Hillary segment might not vote at all because they were single issue voterd (time for a woman president and neither Obama nor McCain qualify).
Progressive women who supported Hillary will vote for Obama.
These are not the Democrats of my father , nor the Democrats I supported for most of my 62 years. These fakes are open border advocates and free traders who helped destroy the unions in order to drive down wages. Republicans and Democrats are alike. They put big business first regardless of what it does to the people they pander to during the campaigns but promptly forget when the oath is taken.
I wouldn't disgrace the memory of my ancestors by voting for any of these three so called candidates. They're a dangerous joke.
Hear, hear! We need our own 'Unity '08' movement!
I always vote. This election, if Clinton isn't the nominee, I will vote down the ticket, but not for President. After the contemptible campaign run by BHO, his dispicable wife & their vicious supporters, I could never vote for him. At least I won't be experiencing buyer's remorse if he should actually win.
That makes two of us
The hate by Obama suporters is unthinkable and no way I will vote for him
Once he get crushed in November, it will be hillary's fault, as with Gore and Kerry
"The truth is that Obama and Clinton are so similar politically that without generational and gender differences they'd be indistinguishable."
Except that one has shown tenacity and has the political clout to get things accomplished. The other doesn't. Just because two people have the same ideology doesn't mean they would run things the same at all.
You talk about Democrats uniting, then turn right around and end your article with "Obama takes the high road and Hillary takes the low road". And you suggest she divorce Bill.
Sorry, but your attempt at uniting doesn't reach this centrist Democrat. Rather I find your words just as derogatory as anything Obama supporters spew out. Many of us will be sitting this election out.
SteveS says Hillary ''has shown tenacity and has the political clout to get things accomplished," but he gives no examples. Her two greatest battles have been health care and running for president. Health care failed because of her lack of political skills and her unwillingness to listen to advice. She lost the nomination for president in spite of being the most famous woman in the world and having what seemed to be a lock on the powers-that-be in the Democratic Party. She suffered from an incompetent strategy for caucus states, a lack of planning for what to do after Super Tuesday, poor money management, a husband out of control, etc. To make matters worse, she lost to someone very few had even heard of a few years ago. Though I concede Hillary is a good debater and policy wonk, I am not impressed by her political skill. I will also concede that she is tenacious - a virtue more Democrats need - but she has carried it to ridiculous and dangerous extremes. For the sake of the party and all the causes she believes in, it's time to let go.
I think they've both shown tenacity and the political clout to get things accomplished, Its just that in this campaign Obama has gotten more accomplished.
way to go stevo.....hillary has been huniliated and demeaned in every way possible yet the
dnc and most electd women officials ignored it all. making her fair game to take a shot at her
and now we should go quietly into the good night and forget....THE DEM PARTY HAS TREATED WOMEN .....WHO ARE THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS AND THE BACKBONE OF THE PTY. LIKE DIRT.....ERICA IS LISTENING TO TOO MANY BLOGGERS many of whom have never did volunteer work for the party....the women i hear from want to protest the convention...
they ar willing to spend money and time to do the right thing
....
Don't let them hold ROE OVER OUR heads!!..
Your call. You'll get the government you deserve.
Then you underestimate your fellow womens resolve. Time for you to check out some of the pro-Hillary blogs Erica. There's a huge and angry movement there & its growing every day. Lots of men on these sites too.
So what do they intend to do, these huge angry women and men, now that Clinton won't be the nominee? Will they upset the game board? Take their ball and go home? Switch sides out of spite?
A "huge and angry" movement to what purpose? To sabotage Obama? To ensure a McCain victory?
That would be wonderful for women. Kiss Roe v Wade goodbye.
Erica: Thank you for your wise post Real feminists will not vote for McCain. Not only does he oppose Roe vs. Wade, he is against equal pay for women. (He has said that they need more education and trianing. Is he stupid or what?). Obama has a very powerful wife and two daughters. He is no sexist. I think he will make a very fine President.
I am a real feminist and I will vote for McCain. Obama and his people were the most egregious pack of misogynists I have ever seen. And because no one has called him on this, it is too scary to see him even close to the WhiteHouse .Michelle Obama does not and will never speak for me.
With Obama we have two totally out of touch people in the WhiteHouse who lied, clawed and divided this party beyond repair. And this might be a good thing because the progressive fringe wing speaks for no one but themselves.
They would be the worst thing that could happen to America if they continue bullying people into their agenda of national disaster. They never once showed the slightest inclination to bring anyone together. Their campaign was totally myway or the highway and take no prisoners.
I want nothing to do with ObamaWorld. I have seen it in action this long campaign and it is a very ugly place. Yes, my vote goes to McCain no matter who his running mate is. We get things done when there is a split party WhiteHouse and and Congress.
With Obama and his fringe running both the WhiteHouse and Congress you can count on one huge Congressional backlash in their first two years. The country cannot afford Obama. He will never get my vote.
I guess you are a "real feminist" who doesn't care about abortion rights or a host of other issues Hillary and McCain are miles apart on. You sound pretty Republican to me so go ahead and vote for John...you were always going to anyway.
McCain is against equal pay for women, and he has been steadfastly pro-life throughout his career. Yet, you are saying that a "real feminist" would vote for him. That's nuts! Please calm down, grieve over your loss, and be reasonable. The supreme court is one vote away from destroying everything feminists have ever worked for. And three of the judges sympathetic to feminist causes are thinking about retirement.
Its the rare feminist that names herself after one of the most notorious porn films ever, but I'm sure you know an egregious pack of misogynists when you see one.
Thank You Erica. This was a great post and I admire you greatly for writing it.
HIllary supporters just don't get it.
Even if one grants the notion that Clinton would beat McCain in the General election by a greater margin than would Obama (which does not at all follow logically from any primary result), what her supporters fail to realize is it would still leave us with Clinton.
Being left with Clinton as President is the problem!
Sure, it would be great being able to say "our team won," but then you have a presidency to deal with.
It is true that we need change, but returning a Clinton to the top office would be like a change from, say, sunny weather to brutal cold snap.
Hillary's interview for the Presidency is about over. In the process, she has lied and committed a number (being generous, here) of political mistakes.
To put it simply, she has demonstrated time and time again, that her judgment -- a president's greatest asset -- is terrible.
Ergo, she is not qualified.
Really?
what didn't you like about Clinton , The Peace or the Prosperity?
The primaries are not a national election. You are a little late understanding this. Hijacking the caucuses and turning a string of recent Obama defeats into hysterical bludgeons to bully and buy superdelegates does not win a national election.
Your boy (yup, he is a little kid) is losing and the nation is tired of his constant stump speech when he shows he does nothing to act on his words. You need to get a clue before you claim Clinton has no judgement. She has the strength of character to stay in the race so her millions of supporters get a voice to stop this Obama train wreck. Get over your need to have a speedy conclusion.
ou are just afraid Obama is going to keep looking worse and worse as time goes on and you can't stand the tension. Hope the Democratic Convention throws him out on his heels because he deserved it.
He ran an egregious campaign of division and hate and never once was able to close the deal with the voters -- only with the party insiders. Fine example for someone claiming to stand for change- he let himself get bought by the unions and the party hacks - some change. Nope, there will be no President Obama even if he hijacks the nomination.
Victimhood never strengthens the electibility argument.
Finally, a sensible argument to unite around the soon-to-be nominee. Thank you.
Nope, not selling out and supporting this fraud. I care more about America than handing it over to Obama and his lying group of stormtroopers who stole this convention and demanded they play by their own rules, which they kept making up every time Clinton showed she was the real national winner.
1. Obama obstructed every possible resolution of Florida and Michegan
2. Obama people stormtrooped the caucuses
3. The concept of Obama was marketed with internet fund raising; not the person himself
4. Obama only won states that won't matter in a national election
5. Obama can't close the deal
6. Obama never brought anyone together this campaign; he drove them apart
7. Obama screamed racist and bludgeoned helpful critisim of his obvious flaws
8. Obama has only fringe and noisy appeal and cannot win the big one
9. Obama represents only very narrow and insignificant demographics
You are eating the Big One this election again, Dems. You think by now you would know better.
Wednesday November 5th 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) Hillary Clinton vowed today to continue her campaign to land the Democratic nomination, despite yesterday's general election result.
"This is not over by a long shot," said Sen. Clinton, adding, "we still haven't included Mexico and Canada in the totals, and last time I looked, they were part of North America, too."
Clinton has repeatedly stated that she considers the current election results invalid, since President Obama refused to accept her call for voting rights to be extended to adjoining nations.
"The tide is turning," said newly-appointed Clinton aide Ron Paul. "We're sending a delegation to Brussels later this week, and they're very keen on our plan to have this phony election declared null and void."
.
I think Canada is going strongly Obama.
Your post is a great comic relief (lol). Keep them coming :-)
cooltxman: And you think Senator Obama is ready for canonization to sainthood? He is just another member of the boys' club, only with a better tan. I don't trust him anymore than I would trust you. Senator Clinton is a politican, who has been demeaned by grossly overt sexism to the point of no return. The fact that we are just now starting to talk about all the abuse she has suffered for the audicity to run for "a man's job" is just the initial proof of how much sexism exist in our society. I am so sick and tired of people like you who can't understand teamwork and the desire to see real change, not just rhetoric. I have been offended so often by so many comments about women; Castelanos on CNN is just the latest ugly to raise his head. Senator Clinton isn't any more despicable and a ruthless or a less desirable candidate than anyone else. "I look forward to the day that America has a female president, just not this evil person." That comment just proves my point. There is always an excuse to not support a trail blazer. . .yours is just sexism and fear of a strong woman. The old double standard is alive and well on this and so many other progressive website.
I think if Obama had been carrying on about racism like Hillary is about sexism, he would have sunk into oblivion. Instead he changed the narrative about race in his Phila. speech and while it didn't stop the racial jibes from many (including Clintonites), it moved him somewhat outside the range of such tripe. Hillary could be doing the same thing about lingering sexism, but instead she and her most rabid supporters have chosen to throw around the same comments we heard back in the 60s, ignoring the fact that so much has changed that we truly have a female candidate who has gotten close to the nomination for President of the United States. After this primary season, neither racism nor sexism can be spoken about in the same way...so all those who revel in such victimhood will just have to get over it.
Rockerbabe, can't you just admit that maybe a man did a better job than a women in this case? It happens some times, and if Hill had testicles like her pal Carville said, Obama still would have done a better job
Posted May 21, 2008 | 10:54 AM (EST)