An Open Letter to Hillary Supporters

No matter what happens this weekend in a D.C. conference room and in the Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, by this time next week the Democratic primary race will be over. I'm not writing to crow about that, but rather to bring a message of reconciliation and a plea for unity.

I want to tell you that I understand. I really, really do. I have been where you are now. In fact, we've probably been there together once or twice. But please try saying it a few times and pay attention to your feelings as you do: "Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama." I know just what you're feeling.

It's a combination of feelings, actually. Chief among them is anger. Anger at this pretender, this clearly inferior candidate, who has stolen away the election that so rightfully belongs to yours. Anger at all these other people who are so dumb, so mean, so blind, so stubborn as to ignore the obvious advantages of the better candidate. Anger at the media of all sorts -- print and television, mainstream and blogosphere, reporters and pundits -- who gleefully piled on against the rightful heir in favor of some callow pretender.

And, let's be honest, a little anger at your own candidate, herself. How could she have let this happen? But you should be proud of her; she's the first woman candidate ever favored to win the Presidency to blow it. In joining a long and distinguished line of male mess-ups, she has broken through a major glass floor.

But when the anger fades a little, you just feel sick, like you've been punched in the stomach. On a single, all-or-nothing Election Day, that feeling can be incredibly intense, to the point where you have trouble catching your breath, or even feel pretty nauseous. In a stretched out, multi-state primary season, however, it's more of a constant state of dyspepsia. Iowa came close to being that slug in the solar plexus, but New Hampshire was like mainlining Pepto-Bismol.

And, in those moments when you let go of the past and the present, you face the future with a little confusion and trepidation. We're Democrats, dammit! But how can we back this guy? McCain used to be pretty cool, how bad can he be? Better than Obama, maybe? Not as bad as Bush, surely!

Okay, time for a little friendly advice: you're flirting with a major Nietzsche moment. Stare too long into the abyss of voting Republican in 2008 and that abyss WILL stare back into you.

What is the abyss? Well, remember in Ghost when all the darkest shadows got up and resolved themselves into inky monsters who would drag down the kicking, screaming souls of bad guys? Imagine that same fate for our country.

So set aside your confusion and focus your trepidation on this: everything we've fought for since 2000, and all the wonderful strides we've taken since 2004, will go right out the window if we elect McCain to a third Bush term.

By now, I'm sure you're screaming at my headshot at the top of this column: "But that's OUR point!" Well, stop yelling. Even if I were actually in front of you, I'm nearly as deaf as my photograph, and I already understand it's your point, anyway. Of course, each of us feels that our candidate is the only one who can save our country from certain doom. News flash: so do McCain's folks. But his folks are going to vote for him. And we Obama folks are going to vote for Obama. And those are the only two names that are going to be on the ballot come November.

So really, the only one who can save our country from certain doom is... you!

Yes, you, the Hillary Clinton supporters, are now the power in the election. And as any nerdy teenager bitten by a radioactive spider can tell you, with great power comes great responsibility. So what's it going to be: revenge on the people who killed your gentle Aunt Hillary's candidacy, or the nobler pursuit of justice for all?

Take your time. I can wait. But while you're thinking it over, cogitate on these headlines from the future:

President McCain Names Third Supreme Court Justice in 2 Years
Iraq War Enters its Tenth Year: "Only 90 to go," Quips McCain
Sicko Part III Wins at Cannes as U.S. Uninsured Reach All-Time High
Osama bin Laden Sends President "Happy 75th Birthday" Tape

You've been saying all along that Hillary should be the candidate because she has the best chance to beat McCain. But note that the goal is BEATING McCAIN. You've been saying all along that Obama's policies are just copies of Hillary's. You mocked him for all the debates where he agreed with her positions and answers. So with so little air between the two of them, isn't it clear that, absent Hillary, the next best thing for you is President Barack Obama?

Whoops! Here come those feelings flooding back again! Take deep breaths. Say it a few times. "President Barack Obama." Deep breaths and think, "Out with anger, in with love. Out with anger, in with love."

It's up to you, the backers of Hillary Clinton, to ensure that her fight, and your fight, has not been in vain. Please bring this party back together to elect a solidly Democratic Congress and President (out with anger) Barack (in with love) Obama.

Comments

[JamieStarr]

It's really no wonder why this party loses all the time.

Here we are in a year that should be a cake walk and yet some of the losing candidates supporters would rather see the Republicans win than offend the ego of their original nominee.

I thought we were Democrats! I hate to break it to you (and her), but this is not about any individual. THIS IS NOT AMERICAN IDOL!!!

This is about getting a progressive agenda in place to improve our country. Get over yourselves, quit crying and let's get our act together!

[anthrob]

T0 LITTLE TO LATE!

I have decided that I cannot vote for Obama. Note I say "cannot" rather then will not.

A vote is an affirmation for the person and his or her policies. I cannot affirm a candidate (Obama) and a campaign that has been dishonest and sexist.

I intend to vote a Democratic ticket and write in Hillary's name if possible. If a write-in is not possible I intend to leave the President choice blank.

I do not welcome four more years of a Republican executive but I will not reward the indecent campaign of character assassination orchestrated, supported and encouraged by the Obama campaign.

I am encouraging all my acquaintances to do the same.

BTW: I am a 59 year old white male who actually has a lot in common with Obama. I was a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago. I was a Steelworker and trade union activist. I worked for Acorn. I was actually arrested at the Days of Rage demo and in the same Cook County cell with Bill Ayers.

I cannot reconcile Obama's rehetoric with his indecent campaign.

[Whatwasthatallabout]

"a campaign that has been dishonest and sexist."

Please be specific AND give specific attribution to Sen. Obama himself.

[mioumiou]

Agreed. With all my conscience, I could not vote for Obama. I will write in Hillary's name and I wonder why and what people see in Obama. If he is elected, he will be just like Bush. Scott McCellan have said it more than a few times. Obama ran a devlish campaign on change, just like Bush in 2000. Everyone who knows about politics, Washington could not be changed within 4 years or even 8 years, instead the occupant change. I see Obama has a propensity to bring chicago-corrupt style politics. Then all will call for impeach and then Pelosi said impeachment is off the table.

[JamieStarr]

It's good to see that you are willing to allow thousands more of our troops to die in an endless war and potentially watch women's reproductive rights taken away (and also watch women die from back alley abortions) because your feelings were hurt.

You should be ashamed and all of those like you should as well.

[Suzie813]

Oh, please give it some time and some thought. I know how you feel, I really do. To my shame I have spent some time stomping around and threatening to vote for McCain before I'd vote for Clinton (I'd be considered quite mature for my age, if I were 16), but I know in my heart of hearts that I could never vote for a Republican or cast my vote away in protest, as if it were a thing of little worth. I can't believe that your candidate would want that in any case.

[kellygrrrl]

Note to Obama supporters:

DNC Rules Committee meets Sat 5/31 at 9:30 a.m. EST

please make a small donation to the Obama Campaign at 9:30 a.m. est on Saturday.

Make a Statement!

[rasthedestroyer]

as a life long chgo. cubs fan i can fully understand how clinton supporters feel. i remember the summer of 69. for a solid month a hated the met's w/ a passion. but when the world series started no way could i root for the American League. So come Nov. it's put or shut time and if your cool wit dat, fine . but don't bitch about it when u get home an open up the box and find there's nothing in there

[halgood]

The question to Hillary supporters is "Where is the money?" Voting is free(since they got rid of the pole tax). People throw there votes away all the time, like for Nader, or Buchannon in 2000. Because its free people vote emotionally. She keeps asking her supporters to give up the cash, and she supposedly has as many voters as Obama, so where is the money? Or, Where is the army of volunteers in every state.... If they put their money where their mouth is she would be the nominee already. The author asks for them to think clearly. Nothing demonstrates clear thinking like asking them to get out their checkbooks. Her debt demonstrates why she is going home, not Obama.

[OhioJan]

Excellent article, Chip!!! And, you are 100% correct!

I would add just one tiny detail of historical fact into your "arguement": If the Clinton supporters DON'T rally behind Obama - once he legitimately wins the Dem. nomination - the Democrats WILL LOSE the WH in November! It happened in 1980 with Kennedy not rallying behind Carter; Gore, in 2000 with Clinton's half-baked attempt of support & the missing separation of Gore to Clinton; 2004 when the entire Dem. party failed to stand up & rally around Kerry & Edwards. I know there are MANY more examples of this, I'm just not that politically savvy...YET!

The United States of America canNOT endure 4 more years of demonic-dubya's tryannical dictatorship - either with McCain OR HRC!!!

For the love of God & Country, PLEASE do the right & SANE thing!

Buckeyes 4 Obama - '08/12

[4President]

I liked your post. I liked that you allow them to hold onto all anger, but emplor them to actually think for the first time during this election cycle. Deep breathes all together now!

[YankeeCanuck]

They have been thinking all along. Emotion has a cognitive content. Now it is time to examine the thought behind the emotion and decide exactly what serves individual flourishing and flourishing as a community.

Not my idea, it's Martha Nussbaum's. "Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions".
There's still time before November to read this blockbuster by a contemporary American (woman) philosopher.Her discussion of the role of compassion in public life is particularly interesting.

[realitycheck2008]

It's kinda funny...after all the nasty comments made about Hillary and those who support her, the Obamatrons are just now starting to see through the rose colored glasses at the reality of the November election. Without all those people who supported getting behind Obama, he will most certainly lose to McCain. Gee, maybe y'all should have thought about that before you trashed the candidate and her supporters.

[YankeeCanuck]

The "Obamatrons" you speak of are only a very small portion of his supporters. There's one or two in every crowd-- even in a group of HRC supporters.

It will soon be reconciliation time. Mc Cain offers perhaps a departure from the criminality and cynicism of the present regime but little else.If there are a few folks who choose this road, perhaps we'll just have to work a little harder to make sure that does not happen.
And, perhaps they will decide not to shoot at their own feet after all.

[chriss0114]

So the real questioned posed is: Are you mature and intelligent enough to get over it for the good of your country, women's rights, fewer dead and maimed young men and women, more taxes for the middle class and less taxes for the rich, less health care for all, ...?

[going2ireland]

No, we have been fully aware the full time. But we have been fighting tooth and nail for our candidate, just you have for your candidate.

When all is said and done, it is will be time to "man up" for the Democratic party.

[Lonestarmom]

I don't recall Senator Obama or his campaign trashing Hillary or her supporters. We know the reality of the November election and that is why we are asking you to look at the two candidates­...Senator Obama or Senator McCain and vote your Democratic principles. You would be asking us for support if Senator Clinton had won because without us...your candidate would also be doomed. We are all Democrats and winning the WH is the goal...for the good of our country and our children!