No Sore Winners

Let the Clinton Supporters let Go of One Dream, as We Embrace Another

I supported Senator Hillary Clinton from day one. She is a friend, and I admire her experience, strength and her genuine concern for the nation's well-being. Supporting her was easy. First, I shared her dream (along with thousands of other women -- and men) to see a woman lead our nation. Hillary is the most potent symbol of that dream in modern times.

I also supported Senator Clinton because she survived Washington once. I figured she could do it again. There is no person who has been tested more harshly than Hillary Clinton. From her early days in the White House, tearing her apart became a blood sport for many. The kind of animosity she endured -- in part because she challenged the traditional role of first lady -- would have reduced a weaker person from granite to rubble. She more than survived -- she flourished and emerged as an able and talented Senator. They threw their largest rocks, and she was still standing, indeed, thriving.

I wanted my daughter, Anna, to see a woman become President. But the truth is, it was also the 12-year-old idealistic, driven girl in me that wanted to witness the culmination of a lifetime of striving. And so on the night of June 3rd, when it was clear beyond all doubt it was over, the tears came -- some for Hillary, a female warrior going down, some for Anna -- but to tell the truth, mostly for that scrappy 12-year-old who was going to take on the world.

On the campaign trail supporters of various candidates are often in close quarters. So I got to see quite a bit of Senator Obama during this primary season. As he emerged from the pack, I grew to respect and admire him. The sheer force of his conviction, calm and intelligence are infectious and inspiring.

As a parent, Senator Obama grew to as important a force in our household because my twins -- Anna and Jacob -- are biracial. For our family, it was just as important that our son and daughter see a strong, dynamic woman at the helm, as it is was that they see a gifted leader, black and white, take the central leadership role of our nation.

Hillary is passionate and a force for good in our time. That is precisely why she will rise from this moment to help forge a unified band of democrats to elect Senator Obama. She knows that for the sake of ending the war, restoring our relations among nations, the environment, and the health of the country, we must win the generation election. She knows that the Justices Barack Obama would appoint will stop the scales of justice from tipping over in our time.

There is no doubt that she will deliver deep, authentic support to Senator Obama. But for her supporters, it will not be instant pudding. It will take some days, not hours. But recognizing the loss of one dream held by so many of Clinton's supporters, Obama supporters can help welcome them to the other equally important goal: electing the first African American President. Senator Obama knows that allowing some room to heal following this acutely emotional contest does not diminish his candidacy, it strengthens it. We have to let go of the immediate fact that our daughters almost saw a woman elected President.

But we can be counted on to celebrate the other dream. Barack Obama will be tested in ways he never imagined, and we will have his back. We are just catching our breath.

It is certain that Senators Obama and Clinton know they do not stand in these historic roles solely because they have personally earned it. They stand on the shoulders of a long line of American heroes who have struggled and often died for this moment. Just as they have come together, we must all come together, not just for our American family, but for every man, woman and child on the planet.

Comments

[KarateKid]

This isn't the first time someone with a following has lost. But, it is the first time that a person and her followers lost gracelessly, to the point of threatening to stay home or defect to the other side. It is also the first time that the losing side expected the winning side to kiss up to them, and the hubris just continues.

This is not the way to unity, it takes TWO to tango. Be a better winner? How about being better losers and stop being such babies? In a democracy, you win some and you lose some. The more women cry, the more the movement gets set back. For a side that emphasized toughness and testicular fortitude, you're not showing us very much.

[DHinCT]

I think the crux of the matter is in the last sentence of Birch's first paragraph: Hillary is a *symbol* to many women, and the strength of white women's support of her candidacy had more to do with the symbolics than with Clinton's particular strengths. How else can we understand her supporters' willingness to overlook how low her campaign was willing to go to win the nomination: race baiting in an increasingly obvious way as the campaign progressed; buddying up with Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, and other leaders of the "right-wing conspiracy" she previously demonized; boosting McCain's credibility in order to demean her her Democratic colleague and challenger; and whether it was intentional or just poor judgment, even suggesting that Obama might be assassinated during June as a reason for her staying in the race?

I just don't understand how her supporters have been so willing to overlook these components of her campaign... unless her symbolic power as a White Woman trumps any concern for who this particular white woman is, and what she's been willing to do for her own political gain. Let's hope, for feminism's sake, that the next woman who runs for president is more worthy of such symbolic glorification.

[DinSea]

All due credit to HRC for her suspension speech. Finally, a speech from her that I could stand to watch. We can only hope she will fulfill her promise to rally support for Barack Obama and help elect him.

As for her history & legacy - toast. One decent speech cannot erase decades of corruption. This is Hillary's chance for redemption. What she does from this day on, will either redeem her or bury her. Thank God the Clinton matrix has been broken.

Morality & Integrity in politics? Hold on to your hats!

[lbrillante]

I have had to really think about this today. I did listen to Hillarys concession speech.
I hope she will work unconditionally to support Senator Obama. She is more magnanimous in that respect that I am.
I could not support Hillary on the ticket. I went beyond losing all respect for the Clintons during this campaign. Hillary never inspired or impressed me in any way that made me want her to be our president.
However senator Obama impressed me and inspired me to write to him immediately and ask him to run for president from the first time I saw him. I literally said to myself' I wish he was our president'"

She may have regained a bit of respect from me by making her concession speech today.
It would be very sad and a huge challenge for me if Senator Obama chose her as his VP because I won't vote to put her in the white house.
I feel we all have to vote our hearts, our values, and our integrity... and the truth will come out of that.
For me a vote for the Clintons would be not precisely the same but similar in too many ways to a vote for Bush.
I can't do it.

[HollyBrinee]

Now you know how Hillary supporters feel about Obama

[Piatt]

As an enthusiastic Obama supporter, I was deeply moved by Senator Clinton's comments today. This had to be an extremely difficult moment for her and she exhibited class, grace and determination. I believe that she'll do everything she can to bring the "Democratic family" together and that we will retake The White House in November. Well done, Senator. My hat's off to you.

[Susanfrom29]

Barack Obama waged and won a brilliant campaign. He won fair and square, and I, for one am sick to death of even hearing about Hillary Clinton. She lost. That is very hard to deal with, but the way she has not dealt with it, allowing her supporters to shift the blame to the Obama and his supporters is outrageous.

Before we talk about sore winners, how about dealing some justice to the sore losers who are doing everything they can to rob Obama of his hard earned victory"

From a rabid pro-Clinton website, that only allows pro-Clinton propaganda:

"Did you get the message, Barry? We have principles, issues, causes. We are not yielding one inch. You may have gotten to nomination with the help of your frat boys and your Villagers and your libertarians and your theoretical-liberals-as-long-as-we-don"t-have-to-live-in-the-same-neighborhood-*sniff* fauxgressives and ignorant young college students who don"t remember the nineties. But you aren"t going to win it unless you get down on your knees and convince *US* that you are willing to adopt her causes as your own."

Get over yourselves, ladies.

[oldvet]

I'm an ardent Obama supporter, who has not been in the least bit happy in my perception of how Senator Clinton has conducted her campaign, culminating with her Tuesday speech.

That said, it's time for us Obama supporters to be magnanimous in victory and heartily welcome aboard our fellow Democrat Clinton supporters.

We need a unified Democratic Party to take back the White House.

PS. I met Elizabeth Birch over 20 years ago in Silicon Valley when she provided free legal advice to people with AIDS and their parents. I cannot speak highly enough of her.

[Susanfrom29]

"That said, it's time for us Obama supporters to be magnanimous in victory and heartily welcome aboard our fellow Democrat Clinton supporters."

You're right and I know it, and I certainly shouldn't let the extremists out there deter me from savoring the victory while still being gracious to those who aren't.

The goal is the White House.

[MDTERP]

He barely won, just barely managed to get the needed number of delegates to lock up the nomination. She won at least as many votes. Remember that. At least as many people voted for her as voted for him. Supporters such as you will almost certainly guarantee that his is a Pyrrhic victory. Fortunately for the Democratic Party I do not think he is as blind and vindictive as his Hillary hating supporters. I think he will want their votes and will try to convince them that their issues are his as well. People like you should bide your time and keep your mouths shut. You do the candidate no favors.

[SanityClaus]

Why are Hillary cultists always directing other people on what they are to do, what they can and can't say or think, and making demands on other people? Is it because the core of the Hillary Cult is a gigantic vortex of passive-aggression?

[ShirleyBowers]

Ms. Birch,

I've read your reasons for supporting Hillary (and now Obama) over that of the other Democrats, I am struck by your unfettered sexism and racism.

"First, I shared her dream ...to see a woman lead our nation." Imagine that. The first qualification for president is gender specificity. If voting for a candidate based "first" on gender is not just acceptable, but preferred by you, I suppose you have no problem with voters who REFUSE to vote for women because they ARE women?

You then admit "Senator Obama grew to as important a force in our household because my twins -Anna and Jacob -are biracial." So, now, Ms. Clinton's chief opponent became important because of his ethnicity?

Such reasoning is fallacious. Teaching children not to participate in gender and ethnic profiling by "first" considering gender and ethnicity is a little like the pro-death penalty argument that you teach children not to kill by killing the killers. You don't ablate prejudice by teaching your children to participate in it.

Sexism and racism is perpetuated not merely by the stereotypical West Virginia redneck in a trailer park, but by educated, intelligent, well meaning individuals such as yourself. I am struck by the lack of such sexism and racism when listening to the million or so new, young voters who are, for the first time, involved in politics. It never occurred to most of them to select candidates for such bigoted reasons.

You marginalize yourself with such provincialism.

[DHinCT]

Good point, Shirley. What we're witnessing is a generational shift away from the identity politics of the Clintons' generation, in which members of a group blindly beatify one of "their own" and overlook all of that person's weaknesses, and towards a political self-confidence that tries to see beyond a person's gender, race, religion, etc. and judge each individual on that individual's merits. I thought that this was the ultimate goal of feminism and all civil rights movements. Sadly, we're not yet there as a people, as a nation, but the younger generation is leading the way.

[Heika]

While I thought the writer's post was eloquent and devoid of the "poor us" tone that has made, for me at least, so many posts on this topic unreadable, I'd like to point out that Hillary Clinton survived Washington's personal attacks, many of which she herself elicited by making it clear that Washington insiders could drop dead as far as she was concerned, but that politically she hasn't accomplished much in her entire career, and I get tired of seeing the two conflated. I think she does have a lot of personal fortitude, but much of her political work has been a resounding disaster, from health care to this campaign.

Secondly, I could be a lot more sympathetic to Hillary's supporters if I wasn't seeing so many references to Clinton Supporters for McCain. I think this reaction on their part is totally disgusting and shows that their support of her had nothing to do with feminism and everything to do with their sense that they, like her, had been badly treated by men. That's sad and probably true but it's hardly a reason to lend your support to a man who will only ensure the mistreatment continues. What are they thinking and why does the author of this post not address their response, which is, to me at least, the really significant issue. It's not their bruised feelings, which they should nurse in private and not try and turn into a movement.

[Yvaughn]

I enjoyed everything except the term "sore winners."

WINNERS: This term is being tossed around before Clinton and a vocal segment of supporters have ADMITTED Obama won. Many invalidate his win as sexism, DNC treachery, or not the popular vote (arguable). As Sherbug mentioned, we haven't gotten to do our victory lap. Clinton's dominated the news instead. When she endorses & validates, then the word "winners" will be more appropriate.

SORE: Can nobody hear the accusation of "emotionalism" in this? Most of us are not "sore." We're trying to correct bad math, trying to turn against McCain. Don't trivialize us as "sore" for requsting of Clinton the same grace expected of male candidates (I say this as a woman and a feminist).

Politics is tough. Few campaigns get time to grieve--not until they've done what needs doing and stepped off the stage. I respect fellow women by NOT giving them special treatment.

Yes, we CAN work together for reproductive rights, ending the war in Iraq, universal healthcare. We can have joint success. But name calling on either side doesn't help.

[katzooks]

At the same time, there is a certain irony to this feminist debate today -- as this country and the rest of the world sit perched on the edge of this precipice, awaiting healing, awaiting his most un-gracious exit that will likely be only a faux-end to Hillary's election-maiming debacle, on which the future of this planet balances -- as Clinton's friend, Feinstein's asked yesterday that we be patient, as Hillary is "sorting out" her feelings in this "deeply personal time."

[Susanfrom29]

And antics like that definitely advance the concept that a woman should occupy the office of President of the United States, don't they?

She is supposed to be an adult. She should be acting like one.

[SEQUOIABISON]

The only thing Hillary has been consistent at is being inconsistent.

We will have to take a wait and see attitude before predicting what this egotistical lady will do to help Obama win in November.

[falcao]

Let's hope you are right and that Sen. Clinton gets cracking on this assignment as of today and with full force. She's created a huge problem for the Democrats -- huge.

[SanityClaus]

Elizabeth, I was one of the 1200+ people who listened in to today's conference call with the Obama LGBT campaign team. Thanks for joining in and sharing some of these thoughts.

However, I must confess that I was disappointed that the only topic of the entire call was on healing the wounds of Clinton supporters who were now joining the Obama campaign. As one who has been an Obama admirer since his 2004 convention speech and an early and enthusiastic volunteer for his campaign, I'm impatient. Especially since I have spent the past several months attempting to correct slanders against Obama by LGBT Clinton supporters who deliberately attempted to misinform people about Obama's positions on LGBT issues, which are superior to Clinton's, specifically on DOMA.

Candidly, it's already early June, we are in the midst of Pride month, and I called in looking for substance and specifics about the campaign plan for the coming days and months. Had I known that the entire call would be given over to stroking the wounded egos of Clinton supporters, I would have spent that time more productively planning our booth at my local Pride festival.

[PAposter]

Sorry to hear they wasted your time, "SanityClause". It seems to me a call to speak to issues regarding LGBT, should have focused on just that. This over consoling of the "runner-up" is getting to be a bit much. I've had it.

[realityczech4u]

It seems just as odd that a conference call with the LGBT campaign team would dwell on healing Clinton supporters' wounds and no LGBT issues as it does for someone to respond with LGBT-related comments to a story which deals solely with healing Clinton supporters' wounds and has nothing to do with LGBT issues.

Sorry to see that your time and attention was needlessly diverted away from you pride festival. Such a waste.

[SanityClaus]

Ms. Birch is past president of the Human Rights Campaign and just because she didn't mention it in this article, it is entirely relevant.

By the time she appeared on the call, this post was already available on HuffPo. She could have said a few words in support of Obama, encouraged people on the call to come here and read her remarks, then we could have gotten to matters of substance.

I am going to be speaking to thousands of people in the LGBT community on June 21st at the Sacramento Pride Festival and was hoping for some guidance on talking points, information on what collateral and pride logo wear would be available to us, etc. So I'll do the best I can without support from the national campaign team and will have a smile on my face when I do.

Thanks for trying to diminish someone who is out there on the front lines working to win votes for Obama.

[Susanfrom29]

Don't you realize that everything is still about Hillary Clinton?

Who has time for Obama's campaign, we all must work extra hard to be nice to the losers. (Who refuse to admit they lost.)

[researcher]

hillary is for hillary not for america. end of story.

she proved that beyond doubt tues night.

at least she proved the myth about her correct.

if her name was not clinton she would not even get one million votes.

she refuses to admit her mistakes like that guy in the white house now.

she missed her calling she would have been a good repub. ie bottom feeder

now go away hillary and spend that 100 million you and your hubby got for selling the middle class out during his pres years.

[Revrob56]

I am as pro Obama as you can be but we need to all get along and statements like yours only pour gasoline on the fire. Let us if we care about the goal embrace each other and elect Obama. We have to do this together.

[justobserve]

As long as Cinton's supporters continue to stroke Clinton's ego and as long as Clinton has yet to endorse and work for Democrat's unity, Obama's supporters have the right, and rightly so, to point to Clinton's big ego, selfserving ambition and innuendos to incite people to fight against each other. Clinton acted as if 18 millions voters are her bargaining chips and she is the master to act for her slaves's benefits. That is her own action and she got what deserves to face opposition to her demeanor. Clinton is admired by her supporters for her toughness and survival after Washington but let's face it: why did she have to fight? Other presidents would never have done many things that caused the scandals in the first place. When you listen to Clinton, her messages are always : fight this and fight that. For God's sake, if leaders around the world always look for fightings, they have plenty of fights to do but if , as Obama, they look for peace then they can lead people to find ways to live together. The Clintons are always in the warrior stand and when they fail, people have to tiptoe around them so as not to hurt their feeling! They are not 2 years old spoiled brat or mentally ill people, are they? They can't take in the reality now: the House of Clinton has fell down.

[SamNP]

I was ANGRY at learning that Bill Clinton was paid $800,000 dollars by the Colombian Govt to lobby for the Colombian Free Trade Agreement, when he knows that, just like NAFTA, such trade would export additional jobs to South America. Not to mention Mark Penn's firm working for Colombia, too.

I was ANGRY at her out right lies about Bosnia

I was ANGRY at how the Clinton's tried to dismiss Obama's South Carolina victory in an attempt to paint him as the black candidate, which they knew would fuel racial division.

I was ANGRY at how she boasted about having the "hard-working, white americans" vote.

I was ANGRY at how she tried to paint Obama supporters as delusional.

[SamNP]

'Revrob56,' as an ardent Obama supporter, I promise that I am really trying to get with this whole "UNITY" movement that the Democratic Party is attempting to overtake...BUT....

I think Clinton supporters should also understand that Obama supporters are ANGRY too!
And Clinton's "victory" speech on Tuesday night just elevated my anger to infuriation!

I mean, honestly, Clinton ran her campaign against Obama as if she were a Republican!

I was ANGRY at how she piled on the Jeremiah Wright story, when she knows that NOTHING about Obama or his life story reflects those radical views.

I was ANGRY at how she pounced on his comments about people being BITTER, and then tried to paint him as an out-of-touch elitist...all the while her family netted $110 million over the last 6 years and she hadn't, by her own admission, pumped gas in 16 years! If she'd read Obama's entire statement at the San Francisco, she would've understand the message he tried to convey.

I was ANGRY at how she proclaimed that John McCain was fit to be Commander in Chief while all Obama had was a speech...Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't she the one who voted for a war without reading the intelligence which has now costs us over 4,000 American lives, nearly 1,000,000 Iraqi lives, and BILLIONS of dollars that could be spent right here in the USA? A vote that she still hasn't apologized for casting.

[lisad]

I am interested in your predictions for tomorrow's speech.
1) Will she concede and endorse Obama 100%, and work her heart out for him?
2) Will she concede and endorse, but do nothing to ensure his victory (2012??)
3) Will she "suspend" her campaign and indicate that she "reserves the right" to keep her options open?
4) Will she concede defeat, but fail to endorse?
5) Will she start more than 5 sentences with the word "I"? Keeping the focus on Hillary vs. Obama?
6) Will she remain defiant and fail to either concede or endorse?
I sadly suspect (2) and (5), but will be delighted if I am wrong.

[athenasword]

I am wondering about that same list of questions. I want to believe that she will do the right thing, but I have serious doubts.