One of Hillary's Most Ardent Supporters Changes her Mind; Will Support Obama

While writing Clinton in Exile: A President Out of the White House on Bill Clinton's post presidency, I interviewed 167 people. None of them seemed as passionately committed--in love with, really--Hillary Clinton as Susie Tompkins Buell, the ultra-wealthy San Franciscan who cofounded Esprit with her ex-husband. She has since remarried and, with her current husband, Mark Buell, became the closest of friends with the Clintons. (I have written about the Buells in my book and often on the Huffington Post.) Hillary threw Susie an engagement party in the White House, they overnighted in the Lincoln Bedroom; Mark is a golfing buddy of Bill's; they are really best friends--or as best friends as one can be with the Clintons--individually and as couples.

In numerous conversations and emails with Susie she has expressed extreme distaste for the Obama phenomenon. She would not commit to voting for Obama in November. She seemed to flirt with John McCain's surrogate Carly Fiorina.

She emailed me yesterday from Denver:

"It is very sorrowful here but H will move us forward. It will be very emotional tonight. So many thousands of grieving people but seems ... some resolve coming. The reality has set in. It will be up to O to heal the party."

She emailed me this morning shortly after eleven, Denver time, referring to Hillary's speech last night:

"Tears everywhere in the center. I think it opened healing wounds. Reminded people of why they voted for her in 1st place. She was beautiful, gracious and above herself. So presidential. [emphasis added] It is now up to O to bring us home on Thursday..."

Okay, I thought, she is not quite there; still dreaming of Hillary taking the oath of office this January 20.

I just received the defining email from Susie Buell, sent precisely 31 minutes later:

"Hillary has convinced me and I will follow. She has unified the party. I am with Hillary and I support Obama. We must defeat McCain...".

For more Huffington Post coverage of the Democratic National Convention, visit our Politics @ the DNC page, our Democratic Convention Big News Page, and our HuffPost bloggers' Twitter feed, live from Denver.

Comments

[OtayPanky]

I'm going to take a little nap.

Wake me up when BubbaCo is no longer a topic of conversation, otay?

[kcmookie]

Is it over yet? Can we stop talking about who LOST the Democratic nod and focus all of our energies on getting Obama in the White House? I hear a lot of ranting on here, with people demanding to know why O supporters are so "hateful". We did not write this story, we did not continue the Hillary saga, we just want to know if it is ok to go ahead and wrap it up with only a couple of months to go until the election. It is old and tiresome, I think Bill & Hill have done a fine job at the convention, Hillary's substance and Bill still has incredible delivery and timing. They were both beautiful. Can we be done discussing them for awhile now? Please? That is as nice as I can put it, thank you.

[NoSillyName]

Nice, but why are obviously intelligent people such followers?

[shel3364]

So how many more of these stories are we going to be subjected to before we finally say this is behind us?

Let's move on.

[kcmookie]

LOL, true so true.

[mcgreen]

The Clinton gave the fabulous speeches we knew they could. I hope others get over their bruised feelings - I know for me it was my mother's opinion versus mine.

This primary cycle was extemely special to have two significant firsts that are so obviously electable - such dynamite candidates to reflect the first black candidate and the first woman candidate who might become president of the US.

My mom was extremely emotional about wanting to vote for a woman before she dies and it's been hard for her to release that but she has - she's an ardent democrat / libertarian and there isn't any issue with wanting to get a democrat in the White house this election.

[lawgrrl]

As an Obama supporter, I understand your mom's feelings, minorities feel just as strongly as the female Clinton supporters, that's why this was not easy for anyone. But, tell your mom to take heart. and to start doing some research to give her hope---there are some real up and coming women who I really believe will make the next run in 2016 if Hillary does not. Check out Gabrielle Giffords, Kathleen Sebelius, Claire McCaskill, Debbie Wasserman-Schults (best of 3 worlds--female, black, and jewish). HIllary is not the only one, and she helped future women who run for President learn from her successes as well as her failures during her career and her primary.

[Juneau1]

Very well stated, lawgrrl!

[IslandGyal]

IF those ignorant PUMAs could get get some knowledge and common sense, then maybe, we can really move forward.

[patrickgarret]

Unification is the Republicans nightmare. KEEP IT GOING. Like Bill and Hillary said, this is SO important folks. They are trying to smear an intelligent, bright, articulate African American to lead this country in a new world. It's shameful. John McCain is the same OLD president we just can't afford to have. I gained new respect for the Clinton's last night.

[N8Ma]

See? That wasn't so hard.

[barbwiregrrl]

Was it hard for you?

[Seattlelite]

I appreciate the Clinton's for doing what they needed to do. The party is united and we can move on to the business at hand. But I believe this "catharsis" is going to cost more than just $$ spent on a 3 day "healing convention". I'm sure I'll get over being miffed that this healing party could have been avoided if the Clinton's had done the right thing in the first place. Fine, this drama was great for the already converted, but this election isn't going to determined by the converted! It will be decided by the undecided, and if they just tuned in this week what they witnessed was a soap opera, staring Bill & Hill and a dysfunctional party. Next week they'll witness a total contrast, the republicans say what you will are a disciplined bunch, they'll be NO soap opera, from the second that convention starts they'll be hammering away at O bama.

O has got to give the speech of his life tonight.

[jazzman]

It is sad that we Democrats allowed ourselves to be manipulated into thinking Win/Lose about the Clintons and Obama. This is not a zero sum game. Hillary's career isn't over. Bill was still a great President and has things to do. This should be Win/Win because if Obama wins, the American people win, the Democrats win, and the Clintons will play a bigger, more prestigious, role on the national stage. Who knows, we might be watching Bill or Hillary don the black robes of the Supreme Court under an Obama administration.

What is important is that the Democrats win this November. Not for partisan reasons but because America must change directions if it is going to survive and thrive. The urgency of now cannot be overstated.

[SShaw490]

Very well said. Hillary has lots of ways to go if Obama wins. She may wind up on the Supreme Court. She may take up the Teddy Kennedy mantle of the Ultimate Democratic Senator. She may become Obama's health care czar. Heck, she may become Secretary Of State, for that matter. And, in 2016, I think she'll be 68, which isn't too old to run for president. And, if the Obama presidency is what we all hope it will be, and with Obama's VP Joe Biden being quite old at that point, Hillary would be a shoe-in.

The one way none of that works is for Hillary's supporters to vote for McCain and blow the whole deal. Then she becomes a pariah in the party, even if it's not really her fault. At that point, the Clinton era ends in ignomious defeat.

[Vermontah]

She certainly did a heckuva job as health-care czar under her husband.

Hillary's a Senator. That's fine. O owes her NOTHING.

Party Unity My Ass. Kick her out.

[Superstimpy]

Both of you are absolutely correct. I just wanted to say that I agree 100%.
Its time we move forward from here and defeat John McSame.

[biglover]

I believe Obama should really consider making Hillary his health care Tzar. It makes good sense. I think she has a lot more knowledge on the subject. It would be a sensational thing.

[Daps]

"we Democrats allowed ourselves to be manipulated into thinking Win/Lose about the Clintons and Obama"

Blame the media and the GOP, not either Hill or Barry.

[Fabienne]

I don't want to rant. I just don't want to talk about the Clintons any more. They are no longer the leaders of the party and they are not running for anything in the next election. Can we please get relevant?

[speakyourmind]

Nice story about Susie, but I liken her revelation to people who finally came to "realize" that the earth isn't flat.

[AshevilleVoice]

This is exactly where I have a problem with the whole 'Hillary uniting the party' meme. After Super Tues, it became obvious that Hill couldn't beat O in the delegate count, and was going to have to rely on convincing superdels that Obama was unelectable in order to proceed. With her Rovian smear tactics, Hillary's campaign used fear, spin, and outright lies that were unprecedented against another Dem.

After dividing and polarizing the party, how wonderful and noble is it to undo a fraction of the damage done?

I appreciate hearing these personal accounts of others who arrived at support for BO. But I also resent how no one is telling my story or stories like mine. Obama raised my hopes that we are ready to live in a post racial society. Having this vision is one of the most inspirational experiences I've had in my life.

As I watched the Hill campaign use race baiting, such as darkening O bama's photos to make him look blacker,

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/4/21311/85811/447/468408

she became for me an icon of whites who use their white privilege to gain social power. I absolutely cannot celebrate her near success.

[barbwiregrrl]

Ok are you done ranting?

Do you want Ob@@ama elected or do you want to continue to fight a fight that a handfulof Hateful BO supporters inssit on keeping alive. Ball is in your court now. Keep it up and then you have only youreselves to blame if BO loses.

[AshevilleVoice]

"do you want to continue to fight a fight that a handfulof Hateful BO supporters inssit on keeping alive."

I do not see what is hateful in my comment. Could you kindly point out what you see as hateful?

[MM216]

Who is being hateful now?
Lord, it's time to BURY the Obama hate. It's time to quit being angry over Hillary. It's time to support the Democratic party....of which Hillary is a member.
It's time to LISTEN to Hillary and keep HER hopes, dreams alive by keeping the DEMOCRAT dream alive!

[NoSillyName]

No one who comments here or anywhere else is speaking for Senator Obama.

Why would you make a decision based on anonymous comments instead of on the principles of a candidate and his or her party affiliation?

IMO, that does not make any sense. There are people on all sides who make remarks we don't like. Try to ignore them.

[campgranata]

then celebrate her failure. She surely deserved it.

[frustratedinohio]

Thanks Asheville for reminding me exactly why, after voting a straight democratic ticket for 32 years, I will be voting for McCain in November instead of just writing in Hillary's name.

[Violist]

But what does it matter what a candidate's supporters says? It's about the candidate and the policies she/he supports is it not? If you're about the issues, you can continue to vote democratic. Don't let bitterness on anyone's end stop you from doing that.

[interestedinthis]

This sounds to me like a thinly veiled excuse to be racist while feeling high-minded about it. If you think McCain has any inclination toward Democratic principles you're sadly mistaken. I suggest you take a look at the power elites he is in bed with. Then again, maybe it's never been Democratic principles that have moved you. Don't kid yourself. You're not kidding us.

[escorpion]

If you're frustrated now, just wait until you've had a taste of a McCain administration!

[barbwiregrrl]

If you vote for McC@ian than I doubt you were ever a democrat. Even the hardened HRC supporters know that tovote for the gop is to disregard EVERYTHING that the Democratic party stands for.

Go run along to the RNC convention...your name is Frustrated DINO? DINO means Democrat in name only which is exactly what you are. a Fake Democrat.

[MM216]

Were the last 8 years frustrating for you? They certainly were for me....IN OHIO, BTW.
If you're "frustratedinohio" now, what do you think will happen if we have ANOTHER 4 more years of Republican screw-ups!?

[mcgreen]

Well, its the story of the prodigal. It's just human nature and I empathize with your feelings.

Last night was exhilarating to see the democratic party charged up. I felt that the media made it into a much bigger deal than it was. It's time to put it behind us and as many said FIX OUR EYES on the future and the prize

[AshevilleVoice]

Thanks for the 'prodigal son' reference. It truly does deepen my understanding. One of those moments when a few posted words creates a larger and richer picture.

blessings

[mslindab]

Thanks, Susie!

[allonfla]

Chuck Todd of MSNBC said something earlier this week that I wish many of the pundits would also admit. This division was not solely created by Obama and his supporters. Hillary Clinton and the Media mislead her supporters big time. Chuck Todd says that Obama effectively won the nomination when he won Wisconsin. After that Hillary didn't have a 50/50 chance, she had a 10% chance of winning.. The only way for her to win was for the Obama campaign to implode. But what did her campaign and the MSM do? Everyday they woke up to the MSM saying that Hillary has gained momentum, constantly saying how she can still win. Then Hillary's campaign would annouce, before every contest, that the next one was a game changer. Claiming that the MSM was trying to kick her out before her time, comparing this primary season with others before that lasted as long, but never revealing that they started much later. Now, the healing of this manipulation has fallen on Obama's shoulders. He has to prove to Clinton's and the MSM's victims that he is worthy.

[OBXartist]

Absolutely on target. The MSM are probably more to blame for the tension between the Clinton and Obama camps as anyone. To his credit, Chuck Todd expressed similar ideas regarding Clinton's actual chances to win while the campaign was ongoing. But, the bulk of the media, which was obsessed with creating the story it wanted to tell, instead of reporting the actual facts, completely ignored Todd and other saying similar things. As we've come to know, the MSM is more about creating the news than reporting it.

[DarkStar]

Exactly. The nomination was essentially over after WI but the media loved the story so they kept feeding the beast. It wasn't just MSNBC, but all the major media that kept the fantasy going that the race was neck and neck. This inturn let the hard sore supporters with a fasle impression that somehow the race was "stolen": from them by the DNC. Roger Simon's well written series of articles about what really happend is facinating reading: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12719.html
Chuck Todd was way ahead of the curve in reporting on the numbers. In fact the other thing he has stated for months is that the polls will be neck and neck until the first debate. Then, if Obama is going to win, he wil have the "Reagan" moment ("there you go again"), where America will no longer see him and a fringe radical, but someone they can accept as POTUS.

[Fabienne]

The media still loves the story. NPR's Day to Day yesterday gave the first 15 minutes of the show to Clinton supporters who would never vote for Obama and were leaving the convention early to they didn't have to see him get the nomination. As usual, there was no discussion of issues. I informed Day to Day that was the last time I would listen to them since they have joined the media passion for the Clinton soap opera. I'd rather listen to old CDs at noon, like World Party's Ship of Fools. More substance there. As long as we continue to dither about the Clintons, our very fine candidate's voice is lost. It is time to move on from these people. They are the past. They do not speak to the future.

[AshevilleVoice]

"the media loved the story so they kept feeding the beast."

agreed- but who fed the media ?

As allonfla claimed in her comment above, the Clinton campaign; to quote allonfla "Hillary Clinton and the Media mislead her supporters big time. "

Which is true. With 1 Dem using Rovian tactics another Dem, how is the media supposed to not report it?