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PUMA Hillary Supporters Hold Closed-Door Convention Strategy Meeting
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**Updated Twice Below**
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- More than 250 diehard Hillary supporters were scheduled to meet this weekend at the Marriott Wardman Hotel here to plan their convention strategy. The group's online spokesperson said that the meeting, "PUMA Conference 2008," was "closed to media of any kind."
PUMA stands for "Party Unity, My Ass" -- a coalition of voters who believe the Democratic Party primary process is deeply flawed and that Democratic Party leaders have underestimated the seriousness of opposition to Obama. The group rallies around the conviction that Hillary Clinton was forced out of the race by party insiders and unfair news coverage, and members look to the day when a national watchdog of some sort would point out and combat sexist reporting in the media. (Take note, NBC and Maureen Dowd.)
It's clear PUMA is looking for Hillary Clinton's name to be placed into nomination at the National Convention, but which convention -- Democratic or Republican? PUMA founder and spokesperson Will Bower told the Huffington Post in June that even though he has been a lifelong Democrat, if Hillary's destiny is to become vice-president, then he would prefer a McCain/Hillary ticket.
Is PUMA really prepared to be part of a McCain victory?
Seeking the answer to that question, I roamed the halls of the Marriott Wardman Hotel Saturday looking for the PUMA Conference, doing my best Michael Moore "Roger and Me" impersonation. "No PUMA conference is registered here," they told me at the front desk. Allegedly they told a Hearst reporter the same thing a day earlier.
No reports yet on what PUMA may be cooking up for the conventions.
Today I received this email from Bower: "The conference was moved to a new location. We made an agreement with all our participants that we would treat the proceedings as confidential. There was a great deal of information that was generated that our members want to disseminate to their colleagues in their own way."
****
UPDATE: Bower is making the media rounds this week, starting tonight, Wednesday 13 August, on Fox. PUMAs believe Democratic Party unity depends upon whether or not the name "Hillary Clinton" appears on the nominating ballot in Denver. A nominating petition requires 300 delegate signatures. "We have over 200 names and we're pretty sure we're going to get all 300," Bower told Fox. According to the rules of the convention, Hillary Clinton must sign off on the petition. Would she? "My guess is she would," Bower told OffTheBus. "But we're not connected, so I have no idea what she's thinking."
UPDATE TWO:Despite official word issued in a joint press release by the Obama and Clinton campaigns that makes it clear Hillary Clinton's name will be placed into nomination at the convention, Bower intends to go forward with his petition so that the final decision to put Clinton's name on the ballot won't rest in the hands of DNC chairman Howard Dean.
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If "we the people" wanted HRC to be our candidate, then she would have won.
This is the funny part! I have one question. Why would DNC leadership pick a Black man from Hawaii/Kenya/Illinois with the Name Barack Hussien Obama as the nominee over a Clinton? Answer that PUMA's
He's black?
The point of the OP is that it's absolutely ignorant for the PUMA folk to believe the DNC essentially picked Obama over Clinton. If they had to power to chose why wouldn't they have chosen a sure shot like Edwards or Biden? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CHOSE BARACK OBAMA OVER HILLARY CLINTON, JOHN EDWARDS, JOSEPH BIDEN, BILL RICHARDSON, CHRIS DODD, ETC. The American people, startimg with our friends in Iowa, rejected the Clintons and the rest of the country took notice. The OP is saying, if it is true that the DNC nominated Obama, why would they chose the candidate most likely to lose, ie the black man with the funny name? The DNC didn't chose Obama, we did, and he will win.
The DNC leadership did not pick a black man, the people in the United States picked a black man. I am really tired of hearing the right wing talking point that the DNC picked O'bama. The DNC doesn't have that power. Candidates are picked by the voters and the delegates.
Whoops,
looks like molly found achilles heel!
He is the best person for the job !
The idea that the DNC would "pick" Obama, is just plain silly. If anything, they'd "pick" Hillary because of her much loved husband or at least John Edwards, thinking he would have an easier time against McCain (that was before his "problem" came to light), not having to worry about the racist vote.
'PUMA Conference 2008'??????????
Secret meetings at an undisclosed location?
Not enough money to buss everyone, so they will privately make their way to Denver by any means available?
----
Kinda sounds like a 'teaser' for a wacky new sitcom this fall!
"Secret meetings at an undisclosed location?"
Hey look they took another page out of the republican play book. That's a Dick Cheney special.
Too bad Diane! The Michael More was soo cool! Now you'll have to read it at our blogs
http://edgeoforever.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/oops-they-missed-the-puma-conference/
What bothers me most is that people actually buy into this Clinton garbage. Her husband did some good things as president, and some bad things. As far as I can tell, she has done virtually nothing productive that would qualify her to be president, unless lying, cheating, finding every loophole available, and squandering supporters' hard earned cash qualifies you to lead the country.
I hope people will wake up and see them for the greedy, power hungry individuals they are.
Hey everybody! Check out what Maureen Dowd had to say in yesterday's New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/opinion/13dowd.html?hp
I was struck by the following:
..."as their pal Mark Penn pointed out, they have American roots while Obama “is not at his center fundamentally American in his thinking and in his values.”
Let's see. The Obamas were raised in modest homes - MIchelle being the daughter of a factory worker; were admitted to prestigious colleges on sheer merit; only recently paid off their college loans, and earned everything they have - nothing was given to them. And they've been highly responsible with not only their own money (no debt - $200,000 in college savings accounts for their daughters) but, unilke Hillary, have managed Obama's campaign finances very effectively and efficiently. So who's the epitome of the American Dream here? And who's asking others to bail them out rather than take responsibility for their own irresponsibility?
niiice
and check out what puma has to say...
"Since we were unable to raise enough funds for a sufficient number of buses to Denver, we will be using the Bus Fund to help individual Puma members get there...."
not enough supporters........
lol
PUMAs everywhere--now hear this. HILLARY CLINTON IS NOT GOING TO BECOME THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IN 2008! You must now awaken from your dream world!
What IS going to happen, however, is that you will help the Rethugs elect John McCain for what most consider will be a third Bushwhacker term. McCain--the guy who has vowed to overturn Roe vs. Wade! Is this what you really want? All for the sake of pure SPITEFULNESS???
I'm not a big fan of Maureen Dowd's but I think she's spot on with this column.
Hopefully more people will wake up and see that with Hillary and Bill it's ALL about THEM-their egos, their needs, their greed for power
HRC needs to put a stop to all of this and end it, but she won't.
PUMA aka Republicans
A black man with and Arabic Muslim name, almost unknown to the American public, faced a political giant name Bill Clinton, and faced at the same time his wife, the senator of so many years, in the longest campaign, in the history of this country, for the presidential nomination, which he won, wasn't fair regarding some jackals, Oops no! puma....
I hope they will go republican, because a true democrat knows where he stands and what he stands for. It's not about entitlement, power granting, privileges or political interest, it's about the people.
Those jackals puma in fever have an agenda that is power driven. The "bad losers and the frustrates" will try, in a secret show room to spit their bitterness against the wind of change. Time has changed.
Time changed so much it managed to defeat Hillary. Even better than that, it made Bill experiences and strategy obsolete. Beaten by a more skillful, smart, organizer and manager.
Yes I would prefer the smartest one at the presidency. The organizer, the one who under pressure did reveal skills, sense of strategy. Isn't it what the country needs right away, like now?
Thron, An excellent comment.
Senator Clinton, if she is for Senator Clinton will do nothing.
Senator Clinton, if she is for the people, will decline to be nominated.
Senator Clinton's decision will show us who she really supports.
OBAMA 08
Thron: In case you didn't know or aren't aware, Bill Clinton wasn't running for the Dem nominee against O'bama, even though O'bama and his campaign and supporters acted like he was, when they repeatedly bashed and slandered him.
Who are these people and what the hell do they want for us?
Not a bad idea. Hillary seems like should would fit on to a McCain ticket. However, this wouldn't go over well with Democrats. Though Lieberman is being considered for McCain's VP and he's an "independent Democrat." If Democrats thought Ralph Nader hurt their chance at a presidency, they should really be worried about Hillary's voters. It would be nice to get Hillary on the Obama VP shortest list, but he doesn't want her baggage. It appears Obama is losing his lead. He may have no other choice but to nominate Hillary for the VP slot. Or would he rather take a chance on some white guy, and end up losing to a weak GOP yet AGAIN? There's always 2012 when McCain is really too old to run for re-election. http://mespace.wordpress.com
Nah, whatever the cost, I don't see Barack settling for Hillary. He'll want someone he can trust and genuinely get along with.
Where does it appear that Obama is losing his lead?
To any PUMAs here: I have a question. Please bear with me because I had a thought about something but I want to ask a question first.
How many PUMAs have you met in person? And if you haven't, if your contact has been strictly online, how many of them have given you any actual contact information - a phone number where you could call and speak to a person? Also, if you have met a PUMA was it at a rally - or did they happen to introduce themselves at a Hillary event?
If you felt like answering, I would appreciate your answer. No, I'm not going to attack you. I just had a thought and wanted to see if I'm right about something. It's actually out of concern for you.
I've never met a PUMA in person, or even a Democrat who is still clinging to the hope of Senator Clinton usurping the nomination at this point.
And I'm starting to get an idea that the found of PUMA may have gotten himself into a bit of a jam.
Can I prove it? No. Suspect? Yes.
Will Bower went off like a hot head, formed PUMA, went on tv. Drew a lot of attention to himself and got what seemed to be a lot of support. Conveniently, McCain and the Republicans were quick to meet with them. He got "donations".
Do you think it's possible that he came to realize that his big flush of support was actually Republicans? But now Will was trapped. He had a website with a few devoted women who genuinely believe they're part of a (defunct) group called PUMA.
When they post, you hear either : 1) McCain reference and accusations against the DNC (probably Republicans), 2) Posters who vehemently support the "PUMAS" but have no information - money raised, membership tally, etc. All contact seems to be online - easiest place to perpetuate a myth to the gullible.
The author showed up, and at the very least the hotel should have even a canceled registration from the PUMAs. If they're legitimate. Instead, she got an email from Will with a lame, rather bravado excuse. Their website now snickers at her in a manner like a 16 year old. Or a Republican. Or a desperate Will Bower....but not a credible group.
My guess is that's because they're just a website, designed so a few real people continue to believe.
He's probably gets a backroom stipend check from some Republican donor.
Yeah. He probably has gotten a stipend check from a Republican donor. Except I imagine it took him awhile to figure out that it was from a Republican. They can sound an awful lot like a supportive Democrat if they want to fool somebody.
hey, I wonder if the infamous AnninCA/PumaAnn attended.... I wonder why they haven't come up with the $2.00 per voter to pay off poor Hill's debt. A lousy two bucks, hell, that's less than I pay for a latte.
This group of so-called Dems should stop fooling themselves as to why they are so angry about HRC losing to BO since they are threatening to vote against HRC's platform that is similar to BO's platform. They're obviously are so self-centered and couldn't care less about the welfare and lives of their fellow citizens who are losing their homes, jobs, health, etc., while large corps that were given govt contracts to rebuild Iraq have profited more than $80B and the Iraqi govt has profited almost $80B from oil sales. They are clearly, and always have been, Repugs in disquise, "I've got mine, to he ll with you." How can they claim to be pro-woman, progressive or care for our country and fellow citizens when they profess to vote against women's rights, civil rights, healthcare (HRC's supposed passion) and ending the war to bring the troops home? Those who believe its about women's rights, you should really look deep down into your soul to discover your true motivation and change your mind before its too late. Those who are aware of your true motivation, come clean and vote for McSame. Just be real!
Why should you care?..........according to the 0baminations there may be 30-40........actually you will have to raise that to 250, who got together to discuss strategy this past w/e. I can only speak for myself, but I will not support a party who chooses the nominee they want and then manipulates the process to make sure he wins.........................Remember 2000 & 2004? Well, I don't want to support a party that emulates the worse of what the GOP does, and this is a principle I believe in.
So you are willing to sell the country down the road because of your perceived injustice?
Wow! Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. How about this: Instead of only thinking about yourself why not think about the thousands that are going to come after you and have to suffer if the Republicans get back into the White House. I don't know if you are married or not, but don't you think we should provide a better future than the one proposed by warmonger Exxon John?
Or does the future of this country mean anything to you? I wonder about that when I hear this nonsense.
RiseHillary, were you at this event? Or did you read about it online? Did you physically attend? Did a friend, someone you actually knew already, pre-PUMA, attend it?
The process wasn't manipulated. Hillary's campaign was so cocky it didn't bother to take anything other than an effortless win into consideration and they never bothered to learn the caucus rules. Hat's off to the Clintons for continuing to address the caucus issue. They are goofy as Hell but people usually forget about them after the process is done with.
And yes, I do remember 2000 and 2004. That was when Karl Rove's tactics came into fashion and we were totally unprepared for them because it was so seemingly inconceivable that any American could be ignorant and hateful enough to respond to them, until 2008 that is, when Hillary thought it would be a brilliant idea to use them ON A FELLOW DEMOCRAT. So here we are with 7 years of Bush damage suffered and Hillary thinks she's going to get a positive response by campaigning like Bush did?
Hat's off to you guys for loyalty but God damn are you people thick.
I really hate to go here again, but...Do you really believe he was chosen by the DNC and not the people? Doesn't his votes (our vote) count? It's so juvenile to want to change the rules in the middle of the game, whine to the very end (and beyond) until you get your way, and then when concessions in your favor are made though negotiations, to take your ball and go home. You and your fellow PUMAs are an embarrassment to the rest of us women with your emotional, irrational and illogical tactics. Don't you see how you are being manipulated by HRC for money and her career? At some point, doesn't millions of opinions that are opposite of your 250 opinions make you see that you are being too emotional and irrational - in other words, wrong! I tell you...although, on one level I respected HRC's tenacity and grit, the way she managed her campaign (staff and money), handled the loss, and now this continued manipulation of her emotional supporters and lack of ethics overall, she clealy proves she is not ready to lead the country - on "day 1" or at anytime. I have only one request of you. As you're casting your vote for McSame on election day, please say a prayer for your fellow citizens and this great country that we all love, because if he gets in, we will need it.
clarification...the below is not the part I respect about HRC. It was probably clear to you, but just in case...
"...the way she managed her campaign (staff and money), handled the loss, and now this continued manipulation of her emotional supporters and lack of ethics overall,..."
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